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Hawks plan to keep Lou Williams in bench role

The Hawks plan to bring Lou Williams off the bench once he returns from ACL surgery next season, according to USA Today's Lang Greene.

Jeff Teague will reprise his starting PG role next year, and Williams' sixth-man status is an acknowledgement that he's not big enough (6'1", 175 lbs) to defend the league's starting SGs. The market for free agent SGs has quickly dried up (Nate Robinson, Alan Anderson, Damien Wilkins and Sam Young are among the best remaining), and at the moment it seems as though John Jenkins or Jared Cunningham could be candidates for Atlanta's starting SG job.

Source: Lang Greene on Twitter

Sat, Jul 13, 2013 08:42:00 PM

Mavericks may nullify Rashard Lewis' contract

The Mavericks may nullify their recent contract agreement with Rashard Lewis after a physical revealed the need for knee surgery.

Lewis already signed his contract, according to Mavericks radio announcer Chuck Cooperstein, which seems odd if he didn't pass his team physical. It shouldn't take long for more details of the situation to emerge -- with luck the 34-year-old Lewis won't require major surgery, and will be ready to play for the Mavs (or another team) on opening night.

Source: Eric Pincus on Twitter

Jul 23 - 9:55 AM

Mavs to host a meeting with Jameer Nelson

The Mavericks will host a meeting for unrestricted free agent Jameer Nelson on Thursday

They're looking for a point guard and are currently expected to start Raymond Felton. If the Mavericks can land Nelson, he'd have a great chance to start and would be a nice guy to have off the ball with his career 37.4 percent from 3-point range. The Mavs have $2.7 million left in their exception and are hoping that'll be enough.

Source: Marc Stein on Twitter

Jul 22 - 9:29 PM

Chicago Bulls making a play for Kevin Love

The Chicago Bulls are making a play for Kevin Love, according to Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

While the Cavaliers are still thought to be the leader in the clubhouse to land Love, the Bulls have reportedly decided to throw their hat in the ring. While it's unclear at the moment who the Bulls would be offering, sources believe the Wolves would want a package built around Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson. The Cavaliers and Warriors are still in play here, but the Summer of Love just got a lot more interesting.

Source: ESPN

Jul 22 - 1:54 PM

Cavs will sign Andrew Wiggins to 2-year deal

The Cavaliers are set to sign a standard two-year rookie deal with Andrew Wiggins, according to the Associated Press.

The deal will pay Wiggins $5.5 million next season and contain two extra years of team options, according to a source familiar with negotiations. While the signing would prevent the Cavs from dealing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft for 30 days, Cleveland could still come to an agreement on a deal that would send Wiggins to the Timberwolves for Kevin Love and then execute the deal after the 30 days are up.

Source: AP

Jul 22 - 1:32 PM

Donald Sterling meets with Steve Ballmer

Clippers owner Donald Sterling met with prospective buyer Steve Ballmer on Monday.

In the latest chapter of the Sterling saga, the embattled Clippers owner sat down with Ballmer for the first time on Monday to discuss the former Microsoft executive's bid for the team. It is unclear exactly what the two sides discussed in the meeting, but the session was described as "cordial" by sources familiar with the situation. Sterling is due to appear in probate court on Tuesday to determine whether Shelly Sterling acted properly when she took over the family trust that owns the NBA franchise and other assets, so there are likely more twists and turns to come before this is over.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Jul 22 - 11:08 AM

Could Kevin Durant wind up with Wizards?

Former University of Maryland head coach Gary Williams thinks Kevin Durant could wind up back in the Washington D.C. area.

Williams' thoughts on Durant are just idle summer chatter, but the former Terrapins head coach thinks Durant could sign with the Wizards when he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2016. "One interesting thing on this LeBron going back to Cleveland, Durant’s watching that very close," Williams said on a radio interview last week. "He’s seeing the adulation pouring out for LeBron James for coming home. And Durant loves this area." We'll chalk this one up to summer conjecturing for now, but if Williams is correct, the Wizards have two seasons to prove to Durant that he can win in D.C.

Source: Washington Post

Jul 22 - 10:23 AM

Phoenix Suns expect Eric Bledsoe to return

The Phoenix Suns expect restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe to be part of the team when the 2014-15 season begins.

While the Suns haven't been able to find middle ground with Bledsoe and his representatives, the 24-year-old hasn't signed an offer sheet with another team either. Bledsoe could ultimately decide to accept his $3.7 million qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent after the 2014-15 season, but the Suns are envisioning a three-headed backcourt monster of Isaiah Thomas, Goran Dragic, and Bledsoe that would make fantasy owners salivate. "We expect Goran and Eric and Isaiah to be pushing the ball up the court like they did last year," Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said.

Source: Arizona Republic

Jul 22 - 9:49 AM

Noah Vonleh not set to have significant role

Hornets coach Steve Clifford said that while rookies Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston have "starter's talent" they will not have a significant role with the team next season.

Clifford has really driven the point home this offseason that Vonleh will be brought along slowly, so owners should really temper their expectations as it looks like it might take an injury for Vonleh to see some serious time on the court. Hairston is going to be competing for minutes behind Lance Stephenson, Gary Neal, and Gerald Henderson, so he too will have a tough time contributing meaningful numbers on a nightly basis. It looks like both promising rookies have departed from the standard league conversation.

Source: Rick Bonnell on Twitter

Jul 21 - 4:38 PM

Suns made Isaiah Thomas 'feel wanted'

Isaiah Thomas told media during Monday's introductory press conference that he decided to sign with Phoenix because they made him "feel wanted."

"I wanted to feel wanted. They brought me in and liked me for being me," said Thomas. "They want me and I want to be here." That's probably a very nice feeling for Thomas after spending the past three seasons with an organization that never really wanted him. Thomas will bring a potent scoring punch to the second unit in Phoenix, or he could become a starter if restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe leaves via free agency. Either way, Thomas should be able to provide solid value with whatever role he holds in Phoenix’s high-octane offense.

Source: Phoenix Suns on Twitter

Jul 21 - 3:32 PM

Stan Van Gundy reaches out to Josh Smith

Coach Stan Van Gundy assured Josh Smith "he's likely to remain with the Pistons," according to Yahoo! Sports.

The Kings are reportedly after Josh Smith, but nothing is imminent. The Pistons still haven't made a decision on Greg Monroe, but he should sign an offer sheet in the very near future. Chances are both Monroe and Smith won't be back next season.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Jul 21 - 2:02 PM

Glen Rice Jr. earns Summer League MVP honors

Glen Rice Jr. scored a game-high 24 points before being named the Summer League MVP on Sunday, adding nine rebounds, two assists and six steals in a losing effort.

The Wizards' offense sputtered and they finished with only 62 points on 35.2 percent shooting, including an abysmal 3-of-29 mark from downtown. Rice Jr. has been a step ahead of the competition throughout Summer League, averaging 25.2 points on 50.7 percent shooting prior to Sunday's outburst. He was also shooting 44.4 percent from downtown and warrants attention as a potential 3-point specialist while Martell Webster (back) is out of commission.

Jul 20 - 10:23 PM