Ettore Messina has emerged as a serious candidate to become the next head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.

Messina was born in Italy and is the current coach of CSKA Moscow. Messina is a four-time Euroleague championship coach and two-time Euroleague coach of the year. 

Messina was part of the Los Angeles Lakers' coaching staff during the 11-12 NBA season.

Messina left the NBA to take a $1 million-plus a year job with CSKA.

Danny Ferry recently scouted CSKA at last weekend's Euroleague Final Four.

Stan Van Gundy and Quin Snyder are also candidates.

The Houston Rockets still intend to sign Patrick Beverley.

Beverley had been playing with Spartak Saint Petersburg of Russia.

The Rockets are still waiting for clearance from FIBA.

Beverley averaged 11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals over 23 games this season.

Patrick Beverley has agreed to a three-year contract with Spartak St. Petersburg.

The 6-foot-1 Beverly helped lead St. Petersburg to the 2012 Eurocup Final Four.

Sonny Weems has agreed to a three-year deal with CSKA Moscow.

Weems played last season for Zalgiris Kaunas, where he averaged 15.5 points and 5 rebounds in 15 Euroleague games.

The Nets are pursuing Andrei Kirilenko in free agency, according to sources.

Deron Williams has been part of the recruiting effort for Kirilenko as the pair are former teammates with the Jazz.

Kirilenko has announced in Russia that he wants to return to the NBA.

The Warriors are also interested in signing Kirilenko.

Billy King said the Nets have been talking with Andrei Kirilenko, who played last season for CSKA Moscow.

“He still can play,” King said of Kirilenko during a recent radio interview. “He would be a great piece to add to us, and give us more depth at the forward spot.”

The Nets only can offer Kirilenko the veteran’s minimum, while Kirilenko’s three-year pact with CSKA pays him $4 million per year.

Kirilenko’s existing deal includes an opt-out clause at the end of each season.

The Warriors are interested in signing Andrei Kirilenko, according to sources.

But Kirilenko is likely to remain in Russia to continue playing for CSKA.

Kirilenko's return to the NBA had been linked to the Nets, but they can only offer approximately $1.2 million. Golden State can pay double that in the first season.

Ettore Messina revealed that Andrei Kirilenko and Nenad Krstic will return to the NBA next season.

Kirilenko, who turns 32 next February, has indicated that he’d like to sign with the Nets.

Boston holds Bird Rights on Krstic, allowing them to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him.

BC Khimki signed James Augustine to a two-year deal.

Augustine averaged 12.7 points and 8.3 rebounds for UCAM Murcia in Spain.

Augustine will team up with Paul Davis, who signed with BC Khimki on Monday.