HoopsHype.com Rumors

Mike Rice is taking the first step toward rehabilitation by spending a month with basketball wellness guru John Lucas in Houston. Lucas told ESPN.com Monday that the former Rutgers coach is receiving anger management counseling and working with former college players who are going through Lucas’ pre-NBA draft camp. “He’s doing great,” Lucas told ESPN.com. “His attitude has been phenomenal and our kids live his intensity and his passion for the game. He’s happy to be having this chance to give back a little bit.” My Central Jersey

Coaching, John Lucas, Mike Rice 

In Chicago, prospects will be measured, weighed and put through shooting and agility drills but will not play 5-on-5 games. Teams will also get a chance to interview players and set up visits to their respective cities. In order to prepare Ricky Ledo for the most important stretch of basketball in his life, he is working in Houston with legendary trainer/life coach John Lucas. Providence Journal

Draft, John Lucas, Ricky Ledo 

Lucas also runs a pre-draft workout group. Last year’s group included 16 of the 60 players that were selected. Among the players working with Ledo in Houston are Solomon Hill (Arizona), Zeke Marshall (Akron) and Elston Turner (Texas A&M). Lucas says what he does is tell talented, young players what they don’t want to hear. Providence Journal

Draft, John Lucas, Elston Turner, Ricky Ledo, Zeke Marshall, Solomon Hill 

That remains to be seen. Asked whether Ledo can be a first-round pick, Lucas says he “gets three calls a day from teams” on Ledo and adds, “Is he game ready now? No. Should you draft him and work with him? Yes.” Providence Journal

Draft, John Lucas, Ricky Ledo 

Michael Grange: Last word I got was OKC and Raps had discussed a Maynor deal for Alan Anderson and John Lucas - not happening. Twitter @michaelgrange

Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Eric Maynor, John Lucas, Alan Anderson 

Of course, that might not happen if the Bulls make a move by Thursday's trade deadline. League sources said last week the Raptors were told the Carlos Boozer and Nate Robinson deal for Andrea Bargnani and John Lucas III was available whenever they wanted it. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Nate Robinson, John Lucas, Andrea Bargnani 

The only ringing Blatche heard was his his alarm clock jolting him out of an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar condo in an unfamiliar city. He was up by 8 a.m. each day and at 8:30 sharp, Blatche stepped into Houston’s sticky morning air to see John Lucas waiting for him. Lucas, ex-NBA player and coach, is a former drug addict who has guided numerous players back on the straight and narrow. He wanted to help the 6-foot-11, one-time prodigy rescue the career he’s dragging through the gutter. “I met him our last home game in D.C.,” Blatche said. “We had a meeting and he talked to me and said, ‘listen, I’ve been where you’re at right now.’ Basically that I can help you, get your body back right, and get your game tuned up to get you back playing. I believed him basically.” NBA.com

Brooklyn Nets, Andray Blatche, John Lucas 

And about that weight problem? “That was a major effect with Washington -- the weight problem. So I took the summer as a big, big, big commitment. I started working out there with John Lucas in Houston to lose weight, to get back in shape, so I can come here and be ready.” New York Daily News

Brooklyn Nets, Andray Blatche, John Lucas 

Late Thursday afternoon, John Lucas tweeted his congratulations to Andray Blatche for signing with the Nets. Lucas who's served as Lucas' mentor this off-season tweeted, "Congrats to @drayblatche for signing with the @brooklynnets!" The message was retweeted by Marc Stein among others. NetsDaily

Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Andray Blatche, John Lucas 

Free agency is all but over in the NBA, yet there are still a few players out there trying to find a home before the start of training camp. Among them is Andray Blatche, who is in Houston working out with John Lucas as he prepares for his next NBA gig. His most recent meeting was with the Brooklyn Nets. Blatche talks with HOOPSWORLD about his breakup with the Washington Wizards, how John Lucas is helping him, his chances of landing with the Nets and more in this exclusive interview: HoopsWorld

Free Agency, Andray Blatche, John Lucas, Training Camp 

To that end, Blatche’s mother, Angela Oliver, helped facilitate a connection with John Lucas, who is based in Houston. Lucas, the former NBA guard, coach and general manager, has built a reputation for resuscitating ailing NBA careers. Lucas said he looked at Blatche and saw a familiar reflection. “That was me,” he said, “26 years ago in the league.” Syracuse.com

Andray Blatche, John Lucas 

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have signed free-agent point guard John Lucas III. NBA.com

Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, John Lucas 

Mark Deeks: John Lucas's deal with the Raptors sees him get $1.5 million for two years, the second of which is a team option. Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, John Lucas 

John Lucas: The Toronto Raptors are close to signing John Lucas III according to http://hoopshype.com . Good Luck Son! Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, John Lucas 

The Toronto Raptors are closing in on the signing of free-agent point guard John Lucas III, according to sources close to the process. ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, John Lucas 

KC Johnson: Bulls haven't stopped negotiating with John Lucas III to return despite him drawing interest from Washington, Miami and others. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Free Agency, John Lucas 

The Heat have been in contact with Chicago Bulls free agent point guard John Lucas III, sources told ESPN.com. ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Free Agency, John Lucas 

Michael Lee: #wizards have reached out to Cartier Martin, Roger Mason Jr., James Singleton, Maurice Evans, John Lucas III & Kirk Hinrich, among others Twitter

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Kirk Hinrich, Roger Mason, Cartier Martin, John Lucas, James Singleton, John Lucas III, Maurice Evans 

The Bulls were one of six teams to talk to John Lucas III, who is meeting with an undisclosed team Monday. Lucas has said re-signing with the Bulls is his priority, however, he is expected to receive longer and more lucrative offers from other teams. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, John Lucas 

In that regard, Lucas could go the way of Brad Miller and Kurt Thomas, valuable reserves whom the Bulls wanted back but on their financial terms. Then again, who knows? “I want to come back here and expressed that to management,” Lucas said. “But I am in a different situation. I remember coming to training camp trying to get a guaranteed contract. Now I could secure myself for the rest of my life. “It just shows if you put the work in and keep believing in yourself, anything is possible. But it’s not just about the money to me. More than anything, I want to be somewhere that is a winning program and has the closeness we have here. I love my teammates, the organization and city.” Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, John Lucas