The San Antonio Spurs have signed free agent guard Jeff Ledbetter to an Exhibit 10 deal, a league source told Sportando.
Storyline: Training Camp Invitations
540 rumors in this storyline
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JD Shaw: The Phoenix Suns and forward Haywood Highsmith have agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract, source told @HoopsRumors . News of Phoenix being expected to sign him was first reported by @ginamizell .
Former St. John’s guard Justin Simon will sign an Exhibit-10 contract Thursday with the Chicago Bulls, per league sources. Simon will be in training camp with the Bulls and play during the preseason, and then is expected to land with the Bulls G League team.
Misko Raznatovic: Mexican player, Juan Toscano signed Exhibit 10 contract with Golden State Warriors! #BeoBasket
Miami, which has been cycling through a few young prospects, has four open roster spots to use for training camp invitations and if it chooses, two-way contracts. The Heat is expected to allow training camp invites – including Heat summer league players Kyle Alexander, Chris Silva and Jeremiah Martin – to compete for at least one two-way contract.
Emiliano Carchia: London Perrantes is planning on attending training camp with the Portland Trail Blazers, a source told Sportando. Perrantes spent last season in France between Limoges CSP and Cholet
The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to an Exhibit 10 training camp deal with center Marques Bolden, league sources tell cleveland.com. After not being selected in the 2019 NBA Draft, Bolden played for the Cavaliers during summer league. He will now come to training camp to compete for one of the final roster spots. Following JR Smith’s departure, the Cavs have 13 players under contract, two below the maximum number allowed. The Cavs also have an open two-way contract.
Bolden, 6-foot-11, averaged 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in summer league action. Because of Cleveland’s roster makeup, Bolden will be one of the few bigs invited to training camp. Last week, the team agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with shooting guard J.P. Macura, who will also be looking to claim one of the final spots. According to sources, the Cavs are not expecting to have a full roster going into the season opener. They have a few minimum-level players on their radar for the 14th spot, but nothing lined up quite yet. They might even wait until after camp to see which players get released from other NBA teams.
Emiliano Carchia: New York Knicks sign Billy Garrett to an Exhibit 10 deal
Marc J. Spears: The New York Knicks have signed guard John Jenkins.
Tony Jones: The Utah Jazz have signed Isaiah Cousins
Sean Cunningham: Cam Reynolds has joined the Kings training camp roster and is working out on Day 1. Former Kings assistant coach TR Dunn also observing practice alongside his former player Peja Stokakovic. pic.twitter.com/rTdIeczQEV
The Memphis Grizzlies signed forward Ismaila Kane, General Manager Chris Wallace announced today. Kane (6-9, 200) appeared in 13 games last season for Atlanta Metropolitan of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and averaged 14.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.69 blocks. The Senegalese native went unselected in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The Chicago Bulls have signed free agents Kaiser Gates and JaKarr Sampson to round out their 2018-19 training camp roster. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed. Gates (6-8, 227) played in three games on the Bulls’ 2018 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League team, averaging 6.7 points per game. Prior to his Summer League experience, Gates played three seasons at Xavier (2015-18), appearing in in 97 games (22 starts). He finished his career with an average of 5.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Gates’ statistical averages improved in each season at Xavier, averaging 7.2 points, 4.6 rebounds per game and scoring in double figures in 11 games in his final season. As a junior in 2017-18, his .378 shooting percentage from behind the arc ranked second on the Big East-champion Musketeers.
The L.A. Clippers today announced their 2018-19 training camp roster. The team signed free-agent forward Desi Rodriguez to bring the roster to 20 players. Rodriguez, 22, played four collegiate seasons at Seton Hall University, appearing in 129 games (97 starts) and averaging 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds, while shooting 36 percent from three-point range in 26.3 minutes. The 6’6”, 220-pound swingman was named to the Second Team All-Big East as a senior, after averaging 17.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in his final collegiate season. A native of the Bronx, NY, Rodriguez went undrafted in 2018.
KC Johnson: Bulls training camp roster pic.twitter.com/Vqq6rNgbuf
James Ham: Kings announce 2018-19 Training Camp roster: pic.twitter.com/WvoViMtXVO
Will Guillory: The 2018-19 Pelicans training camp roster pic.twitter.com/oqhNCkZj6I
Charlotte Hornets General Manager & President of Basketball Operations, Mitch Kupchak, announced the team’s 2018 training camp roster. The training camp roster stands at 19. The Charlotte Hornets will hold Training Camp at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The team’s training camp roster is listed below.
Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced the team’s roster for Grizzlies 2018 Training Camp, presented by Mid-South Ford Dealers. The Grizzlies will hold training camp from Sept. 25-28 at the Grizzlies Built Ford Tough Training Facility inside FedExForum. The Grizzlies’ training camp roster, included below, will be available to the media at the team’s annual Media Day starting at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24 at FedExForum along with coaches, players and select members of the front office.
James Edwards III: Here is the #Pistons’ training camp roster, the ones who have officially agreed to terms: pic.twitter.com/kYE6Ec3p3g
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed free agents Tim Frazier, Shabazz Muhammad and Christian Wood to complete their 20-man roster for training camp, which tips-off on Tuesday, Sept. 25 from the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center.
Ian Begley: Columbia’s Jeff Coby has agreed to a deal with the Knicks, league sources confirm. Coby, a Hatian National Team standout, has worked out w/the Knicks in informal sessions recently and impressed the staff. The Coby agreement was first reported by @NicolaLupo99.
Chris Grenham: Source: Former Providence forward and Celtics draft pick Ben Bentil has received a training camp invite from the Milwaukee Bucks. Bentil spent last season in France and Spain. #pcbb
Nicola Lupo: Former Columbia forward Jeff Coby will sign a deal with the New York Knicks, according to a source. He spent his rookie season in Spain.
Candace Buckner: Lavoy Allen has signed a training camp deal with the #Wizards, The Post has learned. He’s been in Washington for a week working out with the players and must have impressed the Wiz to the point that they gave him with camp invite. Allen will compete for the final roster spot.
Nuggets to sign Donald Sloan
Adrian Wojnarowski: As Isaiah Thomas continues to rehab his hip, Denver is signing veteran guard Donald Sloan to a training camp deal, league sources tell ESPN. Denver has 15 guaranteed contracts.
Warriors adding Will Cherry
Will Cherry is expected to join the Golden State Warriors on an Exhibit 10 contract, a source told Sportando. The guard, who has played 8 games with Cavs in 2014-2015, spent last season with KK Cedevita in Croatia averaging 10.5 points in the domestic league, 11.1 points in AB Liga and 11.8 points with 4 assists in EuroCup.
Brian Lewis: Nuni Omut, a strong candidate for the #Nets last training camp spot, is a 6-9 Baylor product who shot 43.3% from deep, fifth in the Big 12, and a league-best 48.1% in conference play.
The San Antonio Spurs have signed Amida Brimah and Julian Washburn to training camp deals. Both players will be on Exhibit 10 deals. Brimah was with the Spurs for preseason in 2017 and then played for the Austin Spurs of the G League. Washburn was previously with the Spurs in 2015 and played for their G League team in 15-16 and 17-18.
Darren Wolfson: This isn’t the #Twolves news most of you are craving today, but I will still pass it along: Darius Johnson-Odom has remained in town to workout following his recent tryout. A friend of Butler’s from their Marquette days together, he could be added to the training camp roster. pic.twitter.com/Ge4HjX9UDi
Darnell Mayberry: Another addition to the Bulls’ training camp roster: JaKarr Sampson, The Athletic has learned. Sampson, a 6-9 forward and three-year veteran, appeared in 22 games with Sacramento last season. He’ll come to Chicago competing for a roster spot.
Keith Smith: Source: The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Jacorey Williams. Williams was signed by Cleveland late in the offseason last year before being waived at the end of the preseason. He then played for the Canton Charge of the NBAGL.
Darnell Mayberry: The Bulls have agreed to a training camp deal with former Xavier forward Kaiser Gates, The Athletic has learned. Gates played on the Bulls’ summer league roster after forgoing the final year of his collegiate eligibility. He shot 37.8% from 3 on 4.2 attempts per game last year.
Cleveland has reached its limit of 20 players for camp, including former Notre Dame standout Bonzi Colson. Former University of Dayton star and Canton Charge alum Scoochie Smith and Isaac Hamilton, another Charge player from last year, also signed camp deals. Smith and Hamilton each received “exhibit 10 contracts,” which means they get a $50,000 bonus if they’re waived by the Cavs and signed to the Charge. Real GM first reported their signings.
Keith Smith: Source: The Los Angeles Clippers have signed forward Desi Rodriguez to a training camp contract. Rodriguez went undrafted out of Seton Hall at the 2018 NBA Draft. Rodriguez is signing an Exhibit 10 contract per source.
Jerry Zgoda: Veteran center Cole Aldrich says tonight he has signed to go to camp with Atlanta. When he was waived by the Wolves in June, he had some hope he’d still be back with his hometown team this season.
Sources tell CelticsBlog’s Keith Smith that the Boston Celtics have signed Justin Bibbs, Nick King, and Jeff Roberson to training camp deals.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Chinanu Onuaku, Cam Oliver and Gary Payton II have agreed to training camp deals with Portland, league sources tell ESPN.
Andy Larsen: Jazz announce they’ve signed Trey Lewis. It’ll be a training camp contract, then he’ll likely be waived and head to the SLC Stars.
Hawks adding Thomas Robinson
Shams Charania: Sources: Free agent forward Thomas Robinson is signing a non-guaranteed deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed forward Marcus Lee. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Lee began his collegiate career at the University of Kentucky before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley for his senior season where he appeared in 32 games (all starts) with the Golden Bears last season and averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.63 blocks, 1.3 assists and 27.8 minutes while shooting 56.3 percent from the field.
Tim Reynolds: Heat agreeing with former Kentucky forward Marcus Lee on a deal, so he will be in camp.
Mark Berman: Former @UHCougarMBK G Rob Gray says he has a “training camp contract” w/ #Rockets. After training camp it could be more if they sign me to the roster on a 1-year deal. If not I’ll be on their G-League team.Either way I should be a part of the organization& continue to get better”
Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed rookie free agent guard Rob Gray. Gray (6-1, 185) was eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft following his senior season at the University of Houston. He played for the Rockets during the 2018 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Shams Charania: Sources: Undrafted Georgetown forward Marcus Derrickson has agreed to sign with the Warriors on an Exhibit 10 contract. He averaged 13 points/five rebounds in eight summer league games for Golden State.
Continuing their backcourt overhaul this off-season, the Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to a one-year non-guaranteed deal with point guard Isaiah Taylor late Thursday night, a league source confirmed to cleveland.com. Taylor, 24, is the latest addition to a crowded perimeter. According to a source familiar with the team’s thinking, Taylor is committed to attending Cavaliers training camp, where he will compete for the third point guard spot.
Jordan McLaughlin, a 6’2” senior point guard from USC, has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Nets, essentially a camp invite. The signing brings to 19 players with either agreements or signed contracts, including 15 guaranteed deals.
In addition to McLaughlin, the Nets have either an agreement or signed contract with three players, Theo Pinson, 6’7” swingman out of North Carolina; Tyler Davis, 6’10” center out of Texas A&M, and Mitch Creek, 6’5” guard who played for the Adelaide 36ers of the Australian League.
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Jaylen Morris to a Two-Way contract. The team also signed free agent center Brandon McCoy and guard Travis Trice to training camp contracts. Morris, 22, appeared in six games with the Atlanta Hawks last season and averaged 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.4 minutes per game.
Nets Daily: Nets are signing Australian star Mitch Creek to a training camp invite, according to league source. Creek is a 26 year old SG who played last year in Australia and Germany.
Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has signed guard Joe Chealey to the team’s training camp roster. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Chealey, an undrafted free agent out of the College of Charleston, participated in the 2018 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League with the Hornets. In four games, he averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 17.4 minutes per game. The Orlando, Florida, native played in 129 collegiate games over four years (2014-18) for the Cougars, finishing his career with averages of 14.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 31.1 minutes per game.
Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has signed guard Jaylen Barford and forwards Zach Smith and Isaiah Wilkins to the team’s training camp roster. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. In two years at Arkansas, the 6-3 Barford averaged 15.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 28.3 minutes per game in 71 contests. An undrafted free agent, Barford recorded averages of 17.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 35 games as a senior in 2017-18. The Jackson, Tennessee, native finished the season amongst the SEC leaders in the following categories: field goals made (first, 224), points scored (third, 628), points per game (third, 17.9), three-point field goals (fourth, 87) and field goal percentage (sixth, .470). As a junior, he averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
Jeremy Woo: Source: Arizona wing Rawle Alkins has agreed to a training camp deal with the Toronto Raptors.
Brad Turner: The Clippers signed guard Ike Iroegbu contract to play on their G-League team. He’ll be in uniform for Clips tonight against the Lakers.
Jonathan Feigen: Rockets signed forward Danuel House Jr. He was not in camp with any team so they will have the G League rights to him if he is released.
The Sacramento Kings have signed guards Reggie Hearn and David Stockton, the team announced today.
The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed DeAndre Liggins. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Liggins, who was originally signed by the HEAT to two 10-day contracts in 2014, spent two seasons with Miami’s NBA G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, helping them capture the 2016 Championship after appearing in 34 games (33 starts) and averaging 13.0 points, 7.0 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 2.06 steals and 38.4 minutes while shooting 42.8 percent from the field, 43.4 percent from three-point range and 71.1 percent from the foul line.
Marc D’Amico: The #Celtics have signed Daniel Dixon.
Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the Grizzlies signed guard Durand Scott and waived guard Jeremy Morgan.
Mavs guard Gian Clavell to make opening-day roster?
Earl K. Sneed: Rick Carlisle says Gian Clavell is “making a strong statement” to make the team. #DALvsCHI
By cutting Williams, the Cavs can keep center Kendrick Perkins in camp. Perkins, a friend of LeBron James, is trying to make an NBA comeback after missing last season. With Cleveland’s roster constructed as is, Perkins’ chance of making the team is small. The Cavs will have to waive or trade a player with a guaranteed contract before the start of the season because of Wade’s arrival. Wade is expected to clear waivers at 5 p.m. Wednesday and sign with the Cavs.
Bronson Koenig will sign a training camp contract with the Bulls, according to ESPN.
Houston Rockets: ROSTER UPDATE: Rockets have signed free agent guard George de Paula. He played on this season’s Rockets Summer League team.
Fourteen of the roster spots are accounted for by players on guaranteed deals. The last slot, though, is up for grabs. Over the next three weeks, six players — Joel Anthony, Gerald Green, Kendall Marshall, Gary Payton II, Brandon Rush and James Young — will compete to earn a place on the team. Five of those players have multiple years of NBA experience, with Anthony and Green each with 10 years in the league, Rush with nine, Marshall with four and Young with three. Payton, a rookie last season, may not be as long in the tooth, but he is the incumbent, so to speak, considering he signed with the Bucks late last season and has been with the team all summer.
It’s possible the Bucks could keep three of the six players under their control. With both of their two-way contracts open, the Bucks could add Young and Payton — each of whom fit the criteria of have three years or fewer of NBA experience — in those two-way spots. That would allow them to spend most of their time in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd while easily moving up to the Bucks if needed. That’s a scenario that has not yet been discussed with Payton or Young, who are focused on making the NBA roster. For Payton, that means defending the spot that’s been his this summer. “All these guys know what it takes to make a team,” Payton said. “For me, it’s just to do what I do best, lock down and play defense and do what I can and just play and compete.”
Bill Herenda: #Kings announce signing of Marcus Williams
Andy Larsen: The Jazz signed Taylor Braun to be their 20th and final training camp attendee. Braun averaged 8 points per game in the Bundesliga last year
The Cavs will fill out their training camp roster with JaCorey Williams with their 20th and final spot, a team source tells ESPN. Williams, a rangy 6-8 forward, was named Conference USA’s Player of the Year last season while putting up 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for Middle Tennessee State University.
Dave McMenamin: CLE adding J.Williams to camp “has no affect” on a potential pursuit of DWade, per source. Need to shed guaranteed contracts either way.
The Chicago Bulls announced today the signing of free agents Jarell Eddie and Jaylen Johnson to round out their 2017-18 training camp roster. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed. Eddie (6-7, 218) saw action in five games for the Phoenix Suns last season, along with 45 appearances in the NBA G League for the Austin Spurs and Windy City Bulls. Eddie totaled 4.8 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 12.4 mpg for the Suns during a 10-day contract. In his G League action, he averaged 14.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 1.5 apg in 28.3 mpg total, including 17.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 2.0 apg in 20 games for the Windy City Bulls. The Tampa, Florida, native played in 26 games for the Washington Wizards in 2015-16, scoring 2.4 ppg in 5.7 mpg.
Detroit Pistons: Here’s our training camp roster! Also, the #Pistons have signed guard Beno Udrih, forward Derek Willis and center Landry Nnoko to contracts.
Fred Katz: Thunder announce the training camp signings of Bryce Alford, Markel Brown, Isaiah Canaan and forward Rashawn Thomas.
Vincent Ellis: #Pistons announce camp roster and Beno Udrih on it. Told me the other day he wants to catch on somewhere. Has trained here all off-season.
Jonathan Feigen: Rockets announce training camp roster, including the signings of Chris Johnson and Bobby Brown.
Scott Agness: Damien Wilkins’ contract is only partially guaranteed. So two roster spots are up for grabs in training camp.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Our 2017-18 Training Camp roster is set for #CavsMediaDay! 🏀
The San Antonio Spurs today announced their 2017-18 training camp roster. The current Spurs roster stands at 19 players, and includes the addition of Amida Brimah. Brimah (6-10/230) played four seasons at the University of Connecticut, averaging 7.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.64 blocks in 24.7 minutes over 33 games last year in his senior season. A native of Ghana, Brimah is UConn’s all-time leader in career field goal percentage (.637, 347-545) and ranks third in school history in career blocks (367) and blocks per game (2.76), helping the Huskies to the 2013-14 NCAA Championship.
Sixers add Kris Humphries and Emeka Okafor
The Philadelphia 76ers today announced the team’s 20-man training camp roster. The Sixers also agreed to terms with forward Kris Humphries and center Emeka Okafor. See below for the full training camp roster.
The Brooklyn Nets announced their training camp roster of 20 players today. Training camp begins tomorrow, September 26, and runs through Saturday, September 30, at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
The New Orleans Pelicans today announced the team’s 2017 training camp roster. Pelicans training camp will begin on Tuesday, September 26 at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center (Metairie, La.)
September 16, 2019 | 12:54 am EDT Update
They all have an NBA season to prepare for now, and at least some of them would love a shot at redemption next summer. “There’s no telling,” Walker said about possibly playing next year. “It’s not up to me. I would love to. It was really fun to be a part of. I would love to do it again.”
That’s right, not only did the once-mighty Team USA finish seventh at the World Cup (its lowest finish ever), but also not a single American made the all-tournament team. “I have tremendous respect for what Team USA represents,” Scariolo said. “Now people are having fun and disrespecting them. We have to be thankful to American basketball and the NBA. Now in this competition, they didn’t fulfill what they were expecting. “Let’s show respect. Whatever is decided in their house is going to be there. I can only say it’s an honor to be above them in the final ranking. I respect them so strongly next year.”
Marc Stein: Also asked how aware he is that Knicks fans have been encouraged by his performances with France and want to see him get more of a shot next season, Ntilikina broke into a smile and told me: “I feel their support every day.”
September 15, 2019 | 9:00 pm EDT Update
Ian Begley: Former No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet is scheduled to participate in workouts with the Knicks in Westchester again this week, agent Jerry Dianis told SNY. Thabeet participated in 5-on-5 scrimmages with NYK recently & has worked out for several other teams, including twice w/Milwaukee
Do you plan on attending the Mavs’ regular-season home opener on Oct. 23 against the Washington Wizards? Dirk Nowitzki: I’m not sure what my Mavs future for this year brings, but I sure I’m going to some games. And obviously the boys — especially my middle son – they’re huge fans now, so we’re for sure coming to some of the games. We have a bunch of traveling coming up. I’ve got to go to Germany in October. I’ll be in and out (of town) this year. But of course I’m going to try to see some games and see how the team comes together.
The 14-time All-Star who retired following last season after spending his entire 21-year NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks, has been appointed as the chair of the FIBA Players Commission. So how did the greatest player in Mavs history get that job? “They approached me a couple of weeks ago and I thought it was interesting even though the timing is very soon,” Nowitzki said Sunday just prior to the start of his Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic at SMU. “Originally I said I kind of wanted a year off (from the NBA) and not really think about stuff and just totally be into family. But this is obviously an opportunity that doesn’t come along very often, and it starts now. It’s a four-year commitment, so I said I’m on board.”
“I played, of course, a lot of international ball over my career, so there’s little things that we always talked about as a team with the guys that we would like to change maybe the format, this and that rules,” Nowitzki said. “So I thought it would be a good opportunity to speak for some of these athletes — having played both NBA and FIBA a lot. I’m going to be working closely with the players and getting their feedback, even now from the World Cup already and seeing what works and what wasn’t great. So hopefully it’s making a change for the better for the players.”
Zach Lowe: The league has also proposed a tweak requiring teams to announce their starting lineups at least 30 minutes before tip-off — up from 10 minutes, per sources.
September 15, 2019 | 8:35 pm EDT Update
Devin Harris, 36, said he is weighing several NBA options, none of which are Dallas, but, more important, “enjoying fatherhood.” Harris said it will take “the right opportunity” for him to return for a 16th NBA season.
The still photos of a much-more-muscular Porzingis has whetted Mavericks fans’ appetites for the upcoming season. Mavericks players, of course, have scrimmaging with and against Porzingis in the flesh. “He’s very good,” Powell said with a laugh. “He’s very, very good. I’m excited, very excited.”
What has most stood out in the play of Porzingis, who has not appeared in an NBA game since tearing the anterior cruciate in his left knee on Feb. 6, 2018? “He’s 7-foot-3 and he shoots it from anywhere, with ease. It’s kind of hard to affect that shot. He’s moving well, he’s at full-strength.” Powell paused. Another laugh. “He’s looking very good out there. We’re all very excited.”
Dwain Price: Dirk on Porzingis: “I ran into him a few days ago in the gym. Yeah, he looks good. I watched him work out a little bit. He’s got the deep ball, he’s got all of the in-between game, so he’ll be a great weapon for us. We can’t wait to see what he’s going to look like.” @Dirk Nowitzki
Julian Mozo: There were some teams interested in Facundo Campazzo, like the Nuggets who had two obstacles: His high release clause and Facu’s wishes. “We didn’t have any talks yet, but we believe he prefers to stay in Real Madrid”, they told me.
LaVar and Lonzo had a lively argument once Lonzo suggested changing the brand’s name. That led to the following exchange: Lonzo: Would you change the name? I’m just saying from a marketing standpoint. LaVar: Hell no! I wouldn’t change the name. Because of the marketing standpoint — regardless of what it is. Lonzo: Just saying, that’s my opinion. I’m just asking a question.
LaVar grew agitated and said he wouldn’t change the name because the Triple Bs represented the three Ball brothers. LaVar then called Lonzo “damaged goods” for the past two years while trying to make the point that he wouldn’t change his son’s name based off his NBA career’s poor start. That was when Lonzo told LaVar that the brand was “demolished” — an exchange that was teased before the season aired.
September 15, 2019 | 4:39 pm EDT Update
The NBA is looking to further crack down on tampering, proposing a new top fine of $10 million for teams conducting the practice, according to a league memo obtained by ESPN. Other maximum-fine levels could be raised significantly as well, provided the league’s board of governors approves the measures Sept. 20.
If a team enters into an unauthorized deal with a player, it can be fined up to $6 million — and the player can get hit with a $250,000 fine as well. Statements or conduct detrimental to the NBA could come with a $5 million fine now, up from the previous ceiling of $1 million. And a rule violation with no specific penalty could merit a $10 million fine, up from $2.5 million — the amount that Silver fined former LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling while banning him for life from the NBA in 2014 after he was found to have made racist remarks.
Other proposals that the board of governors will consider: a requirement that a team report, within 24 hours, any instance of an agent or player representative asking for a benefit that is not allowed under the salary cap or collective bargaining agreement (“unauthorized benefits”); a requirement that teams preserve communications with players and their agents for one year; new channels for teams and team employees to anonymously report rules violations or tampering; prohibiting players from inducing players under contract to request trades.
The Nets were among the big winners in free agency and claimed they had no idea Durant was signing with them until he posted it on Instagram. According to GM Sean Marks, Durant committed to the Nets before he knew he’d be offered a contract.
In reality, a source told the Daily News that the Nets were confident deals for Durant and Kyrie Irving were done the day before free agency. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Nets organization tampered. There are many different avenues for recruitment and information without a direct line between player/agent and team. People are connected everywhere in 2019. But it does underscore that tampering is difficult to prove or enforce.
Dane Moore: Jared Terrell — who played for the Timberwolves last season on a two-way contract and was around the Wolves facilities for much of this summer — will not be back with the Wolves this season. Terrell will be playing for Hapoel Eilat in Israel.
Dwain Price: Dirk Nowitzki: “We were in Europe with the kids for almost two months, and it was nice not to have the discipline of dieting and finding a workout spot everywhere I went. It’s almost like regular life.” @Dirk Nowitzki @Dallas Mavericks #Mavs
September 15, 2019 | 1:07 pm EDT Update
“I’m looking forward to playing point guard this season,” said Justise Winslow, whose Robin’s House Family Foundation teamed up Carnival Cruise Line to host more than 25 underprivileged kids for a day of fun Sunday aboard Carnival Horizon while the ship was docked at PortMiami. “We’ll see how that works out, but that’s my plan, is to play point guard and be the point guard for this team.”
“But everyone has ideas of what they want their role to be, and for most people it never fits what they want,” Winslow added after saying he wants to play as a point guard this season. “Everyone always wants a bigger role, whatever team you’re on. So you just have to understand that as a basketball player — everyone wants the ball late in the games, everyone wants the ball in their hands, everybody wants every play to be run for them.”
With the Heat trading Josh Richardson to the 76ers as part of the Butler deal this offseason, Winslow said of the departure of his close friend and fellow member of the Heat’s 2015 draft class: “Just the emotional standpoint, that’s someone I grew close to. So even more than just having him as a teammate, just having him around the city, being able to go to his house, go out to eat, having that just easy communication, I’ll always have by my side. As a competitor, it won’t be too hard. It’s part of the business, but the emotional part is a little hard, but we’ll be Rook 1 and Rook 2 forever.”
The signature shot in Mavericks history – and one of the most copied and influential moves in NBA history – will be emblazoned on the American Airlines Center court this season, and beyond. Dirk Nowitzki’s iconic one-legged fadeway jump shot will be silhouetted on both ends of the AAC court, replacing the Mavericks’ alternate logo that was there last season.
“That’s super-sweet,” Nowitzki said Sunday at his Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic on the SMU campus. “That was a surprise to me. It’s of course an honor. I don’t think anybody else has done that before. I’m super, super thankful to Mark (Cuban). I think it was actually his idea for the Mavericks to execute that. It’s going to be surreal going to games and seeing that right there. It’s definitely special.”
He’s the NBA’s sixth-leading all-time scorer and will have a stretch of Olive Street in front of AAC renamed Nowitzki Way. While no word has come yet about when a statue will be erected in front of the building, it’s fair to say that the day will come sooner than later. “Yeah, it’s a lot, but of course, that will be something I’ll always be proud of,” Nowitzki said of all the honors. “If I take my kids to the game in 10 years and driving on Nowitzki Way, I mean, it doesn’t get much better than that. It’s been a beautiful summer, I got to say. Getting honored everywhere. All the sports teams here and went to all sorts of galas and they honored me. It’s been special.”
September 15, 2019 | 11:40 am EDT Update
When asked on if the Gasol brothers will be in Tokyo, Japan for the 2020 Olympics, Gasol didn’t make any promises: “At this point in your career, you don’t know. You want to be there, you hope to be there, but you’re not gonna make any promises. Potentially this could be my last World Cup”.
“It’s been a good three months”, he said jokingly. “I’m very happy and fortunate. I’m blessed to be in this position.” Gasol, 34 was also voted in the All-Star five, but still, he said: “the sun will come up again, the world will keep going, but we get to be world champions”.
Tim Reynolds: Ricky Rubio: ““We weren’t the most talented team. We weren’t the bigger team. Put anything you want, but we were the team with the biggest heart and we showed it tonight and we showed it during the whole tournament.”
Tim Reynolds: More from MVP Ricky Rubio: “I lost my mom three years ago and I know she was behind me, pushing me every day to get the best out of me. There’s nobody in this world who loved me more than her and she’s still driving me every day. She’s not here, but I feel it.”
September 15, 2019 | 11:23 am EDT Update
The Toronto Raptors center becomes the second player to win an NBA title and a FIBA world gold medal in the same year, joining Lamar Odom — who did it for the Los Angeles Lakers and USA Basketball in 2010. Gasol also became the 19th to win either an NBA or WNBA crown along with a gold medal, either of the Olympic or World Cup variety, in the same year. The first 18 all did it for the U.S. This time, Vamos España! “NBA champion and a World Cup champion as well,” Gasol said. “What can I say? How does it sound to you? I feel very fortunate to be in this position and be able to play this game and help these guys be part of history of Spanish basketball.”
Jorge Sierra: Spain has a +12.1 point differential in World Cup/Eurobasket finals this century. They don’t mess around when it matters the most. Olympic finals a different matter because 🇺🇸
Jorge Sierra: Ricky Rubio MVP of the World Cup. No complaints.
Mark Woods: The All Star Five for the World Cup: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Serbia) – the leading scorer in the tournament – Evan Fournier (France), Ricky Rubio (Spain), Luis Scola (Argentina), Marc Gasol (Spain)
Emiliano Carchia: Juancho Hernangomez: In the past two months I had great teachers as Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol, Rudy. They know how to win.
September 15, 2019 | 9:55 am EDT Update
Nikos Varlas: Asia favors Spain! World Champions in 2006 and 2019 #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/m2ytKONV2h
Donatas Urbonas: Bogdan Bogdanovic and Evan Fournier share the first row in the World Cup final, which might indicate that they’re going to make the all-tournament team. 2-3 other players likely share the floor right now.
September 15, 2019 | 7:18 am EDT Update
France are the winners of FIBA Basketball World Cup bronze medal. The team coached by Vincent Collet beat Australia 67-59 with a comeback in the second half. France was led defensively by Nicolas Batum while offensively Nando De Colo paced the team with 19 points.
Tim Reynolds: Jazz center @Rudy Gobert on the bronze: “It means everything. Obviously it’s not the one we wanted. We all know that. But being able to come back _ we’re the only team that was on the podium five years ago and on the podium now. So it shows our heart.”
Globally, there has been a lot of talk about Team USA’s absences, and the 32 players who withdraw their names from the preliminary roster. Fournier, 26 was critical of his competitors in the NBA: “It does [bother me]. To be honest, when you look at LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and all these guys… they came here already and won, so it’s fine. But for friends of mine like Tobias [Harris], I thought it was a great opportunity for him to see something different and compete. I think they don’t realize how beneficial this is for their career. It’s a great tournament, great basketball, super intense. I know you have to work on your game, but this is way better.”
Tim Reynolds: Magic G @EvanFourmizz after France win: “It feels good to finish on a good note. When you see Australia, the players, Bogut, Dellavedova, I know those guys and it’s awful for them. But that’s definitely what we didn’t want, to finish the tournament feeling like (crap) like that.”
Manu Ginobili: #FIBAWC Congrats to the French team on winning bronze and to the Aussies for a great tournament! 👏👏
September 15, 2019 | 5:35 am EDT Update
Victor Oladipo back sooner than expected?
SiriusXM NBA Radio: While speaking with @TheFrankIsola Pacers Center Myles Turner (@Original_Turner) was very optimistic about Victor Oladipo’s (@VicOladipo) return from injury. “He [Victor Oladipo] will be back a lot sooner than people think”.
Of course, everyone in Milwaukee wants Giannis to stick around until the day he calls it a career. If he were to sign the deal, it would prevent him from entering free agency in July of 2021, when his current contract is set to expire. It’s long been assumed that the Bucks will give him anything he wants, and on Saturday, it was confirmed by general manager Jon Horst at a town hall with fans of the team. “First of all, the answer for it, right now, is we can’t talk and negotiate anything,” Horst said. “So Giannis, basically a year from now, will be eligible for a supermax extension. At that time, of course, he will be offered a supermax extension.”
LiAngelo entered the G League player pool last season and went unsigned, without a peep of interest from teams the entirety of the season. During a recent radio interview with Big Boy, Lonzo Ball gave some interesting thoughts on LiAngelo’s game and whether he could hang in the NBA. “I think he can make it. He’s 6-foot-6, he can shoot, he’s 240 pounds, so he’s strong enough to guard anybody. I mean, as long he gets healthy and works on his handle, he should be alright.”
Nick Young: Don’t know how JH wasn’t back to back MVPs and how the media get bored with RW averaging a triple doubles 3 yrs in a row this is crazy.
If the U.S. wanted to be a defensive-minded, versatile and small team, there were no players in the roster pool that fit that definition more than Gordon. By all accounts, Gordon would have taken the call if the U.S. called him up to the roster. There was no reporting to suggest he even got an invitation to the tryout or specifically declined an invitation.
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Lamar Odom, LeBron James, and Kyrie Irving. Those are the only five players to win an NBA title and a gold medal in the same year, whether it was in FIBA or Olympic competition, with Pippen doing it twice. It is an exclusive club – one that Marc Gasol is on the cusp of joining.
A mere three months after helping the Toronto Raptors win the NBA Finals, Gasol has led Spain to the gold medal game at the World Cup. It’ll be Spain against Argentina on Sunday, with both nations looking for their second title. Spain won the world championship in 2006 when Gasol was a 21-year-old backup, and Argentina won the inaugural tournament in 1950. “I’m so deep in the rabbit hole right now that I don’t get to see much light,” Gasol said. “You’re so focused on your opponent, your next rival, recovering, doing whatever’s necessary to win games that you don’t look at the big picture. It’s been great. I’m very fortunate. “I knew that committing to the national team this summer would not be easy physically. But it’s so worth it, and not just because we’re in the final game.”
Nick DePaula: Derrick Rose officially launched his Adidas DRose 10 sneaker in China this week, becoming just the 8th player in NBA history to have a signature series with more than 10 consecutive models. His shirt crosses out “DONE DONE DONE” and reads: “NOT DONE YET” pic.twitter.com/tPTitT0UCy
Sanders was asked during an appearance on “The Kyle Kulinski Show” who he’d pick between James and Jordan, and unsurprisingly this is another area where his opinion differs from the current president: Kulinski: Last question: Michael Jordan or LeBron James? Sanders: LeBron James. Kulinski: Is that because of the policy he just supported with you? Sanders: Well actually, yes, I think LeBron has been willing to do what a lot of athletes are not and get involved in the political process, put money into education, and I respect that.
September 14, 2019 | 6:36 pm EDT Update
A USA Basketball spokesman responded Saturday to comments made on ESPN suggesting Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox would not be allowed to represent Team USA in the future because he withdrew from consideration for this summer’s FIBA World Cup team.
Conley spent 12 seasons with the Grizzlies, more than a third of his life, and so “this is still home,” the 31-year-old said. “It’s all I know.” Still, he arrived in Memphis for the first time since being traded to the Utah Jazz in June, and even the flight Thursday night felt strange. He went to the house he still owns here, where half the furniture has already been moved to Utah and thought, “this doesn’t even feel like my home anymore.”
“Not a lot of players get that connection with the team or the organization. Like I really did care about how the team would fare after I left if I got traded, who they got in the trade,” Conley said. “It was almost like I was negotiating the deal for them, like make sure you get this, that and the other because you want to have more picks or more people, and I’m just thrilled to see the guys they got. They got a heck of a future in front of them because of the trades they were able to make for Marc, or myself, or Chandler (Parsons), and just really turned it over well.”
They were talking about his decision to switch to No. 10 with the Jazz, instead of wearing the No. 11 he had throughout his Grizzlies career. That number, like Conley, ultimately belongs to Memphis. “If I ever play (for) Memphis again, that’s the number I’ll wear,” said Conley, whose first game in Memphis with the Jazz will be Nov. 15. “I’m not wearing it anywhere else.”
Hornets Sports & Entertainment Chairman Michael Jordan today announced that Gabe Plotkin, Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Melvin Capital, and Daniel Sundheim, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of D1 Capital, will join HSE as partners. The transaction is subject to NBA approval.
“I’m excited to welcome Gabe and Dan as my partners in Hornets Sports & Entertainment,” said Michael Jordan. “While I will continue to run the Charlotte Hornets, make all decisions related to the team and organization, and remain the team’s NBA Governor, Gabe and Dan’s investment in the franchise is invaluable, as we continue to modernize, add new technology and strive to compete with the best in the NBA. Both Gabe and Dan are industry standard-setters and proven leaders, with a belief in philanthropy and a passion for the game of basketball. They share my commitment to Charlotte and the Carolinas, and I look forward to working with and learning from them.”
The NBPA has been communicating with NCAA officials in recent weeks about a way to work together, league sources tell ESPN. NBPA executive director Michele Roberts declined to comment for this story.
September 14, 2019 | 5:03 pm EDT Update
Michael Jordan selling part of the Hornets
Michael Jordan has agreed to sell a large piece of the Charlotte Hornets to two New York-based investors, the Charlotte Observer has learned.
Jordan is bringing in Gabe Plotkin, a founder of Melvin Captal, and Daniel Sundheim, a founder of DI Capital. Both prospective owners must be approved by the NBA, but that is already in process and the sale is expected to close in the next couple of weeks, a league source confirmed.
Jordan controls about a 97 percent stake in the Hornets. This agreement has no provision for him to give up majority control of the team or its operation. A source familiar with Jordan’s thinking said he plans to own and run the Hornets “a good, long time.”
Mark Leonard was the owner of a car wash here Compton. Witnesses say he was shot and killed after an argument with an associate. Investigators are hoping Kawhi’s NBA fame and his return to Los Angeles may jog some memories about the murder and may bring some clues to who was behind it. “Now they are finding out this was Kawhi’s father and they may not have known that back then. Although it may be risky to get involved, they may be compelled to come forward, Lt. Shaun McCarthy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.
September 14, 2019 | 4:56 pm EDT Update
Bucks to offer Giannis a supermax contract extension
In case you had any doubts, the Milwaukee Bucks want to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo around. During a recent event, Bucks GM Jon Horst confirmed what everyone already assumed, which is that the Bucks are going to offer the reigning MVP a supermax extension next summer when he’s eligible for the huge deal.
Horst’s response: “First of all, the answer for now is that we can’t talk and negotiate anything. So Giannis, basically, a year from now will be eligible for a supermax extension. At that time, of course, he will be offered a supermax extension.”
NBA agents refuse to register for NCAA certification process
Adrian Wojnarowski: The NBA’s agents have signed a letter that informs the NCAA that player agents will not register for the NCAA’s proposed agent certification process, according to the letter obtained by ESPN. The @TheNBPA will transmit letter to the NCAA soon, per sources.
Adrian Wojnarowski: NBPA has been talking with the NCAA on finding common ground on behalf of the agents, sources said. In letter, agents are willing to take bi-annual online seminar on protecting players amateurism. Entire discussion has been centered on players “testing the waters” of NBA Draft.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Contents of signed letter the NBPA will send to NCAA on behalf of player agents refusing to be a part of NCAA certification process to advise undergrads testing draft waters.
Dave McMenamin: This letter was signed by virtually every major player agent. One notable name absent was Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, sources told ESPN.
September 14, 2019 | 2:49 pm EDT Update
Popovich said it’s too early to think about what USA Basketball needs to do before getting ready for the Tokyo Games. But he warned — just as two-time gold medalist Kobe Bryant did on Friday — that the days of American romps to gold are done. “There are a lot of great teams in the world,” Popovich said. “It’s not written in stone that the United States is supposed to walk to a championship. That’s pretty old-school thinking. Even the teams that have won in the past had a lot of close calls.”
Kemba Walker (neck) didn’t play, joining Boston Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum (left ankle) and Marcus Smart (left hand) on the U.S. injured list. White started in Walker’s place at point guard.
Serbia guard Bogdan Bogdanovic finished the 2019 World Cup with some phenomenal stats, including the number of 3-pointers he made in the tournament. In fact, Bogdanovic hit more 3-pointers by his own than seven national teams that participated in the World Cup.
The Raptors-branded sports hijab, the first of its kind in the NBA, has been in the works since the playoffs this past spring, said Jerry Ferguson, senior director of marketing at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. The inspiration to release the hijab came from the Hijabi Ballers, Ferguson said, referring to a group of young Muslim women in Toronto who play basketball every Sunday, and advocate for increased participation of Muslim women in sports.
Hijabi Ballers helped to design the black hijab — which will be priced at $39.99 at Scotiabank Arena — and the group was featured front and centre in Friday’s launch video. The founder of Hijabi Ballers, Amreen Kadwa, said she’s happy with the end product, adding the Raptors were “amazing” in showcasing what the group was about.
September 14, 2019 | 12:04 pm EDT Update
League to crack down on tampering?
Shams Charania: In an effort to prevent tampering, NBA sent memo to teams about improving compliance, @TheAthletic @Stadium has learned. Memo proposes that a lead team ops member certify annually that it didn’t engage in impermissible free agency talks; max fine amounts raised significantly.
Shams Charania: Proposed increases in NBA’s maximum fine penalties for tampering and cap circumvention, @TheAthletic @Stadium has learned: – Tampering with player/team personnel: $10M, up from $5M. – Unauthorized agreements: $6M for team; $250K for player.
Emiliano Carchia: Sasha Djordjevic steps down as head coach of Serbia’s National Team
September 14, 2019 | 9:58 am EDT Update
“People want to play the blame game, there’s no blame to be placed anywhere,” Popovich said. “They want to play the shame game, like we should be ashamed because we didn’t win a gold medal? That’s a ridiculous attitude. It’s immature, it’s arrogant, and it shows that whoever thinks that doesn’t respect all the other teams in the world and doesn’t respect that these guys did the best they could.”
“I don’t fault anybody that decided not to come — everybody’s got a life,” Popovich said. “Things happen in people’s families. People have things going on. Could be injuries, could be personal commitments that they have. Whoever came, came. “This group I couldn’t have been happier with any other group no matter who would’ve come. They wouldn’t have worked any harder this group.”
Tim Reynolds: Donovan Mitchell, world-class good dude, was the last American to leave the court in the pre-warmup period. He took off his sneakers and tossed them into the crowd — making sure a young fan he was pointing to got them.
September 14, 2019 | 2:22 am EDT Update
Sebastian Telfair out of jail
Sebastian Telfair is FREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! … for now. The ex-NBA star and former H.S. prodigy is out of prison just days after he was sentenced to 3.5 years in his gun case … but there’s a chance Telfair could end up back behind bars. Here’s the deal … 34-year-old Telfair was convicted of possessing an illegal firearm stemming from a June 2017 incident where he was caught with an arsenal of weapons during a traffic stop.
According to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports … Telfair was released on $500,000 bail. As part of his agreement with the court, Telfair must surrender his passports and remain in New York City. Telfair also agreed to be confined to house arrest from 7 PM to 7 AM daily while also wearing an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet.
