Wilson Chandler intends to re-sign with the Nuggets once he is done playing in China, his agent confirmed.
Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association signed Chandler during the NBA lockout and he is committed to stay with the team until China’s season is over.
“Wilson likes their direction and the stabilization of their roster in Denver with the young talent,” Chandler's agent Chris Luchey said in a phone interview from China. “He wants to see how they develop as a team. It’s a unique situation. The ball is in their court. If Wilson is comfortable, he will be a part of their core group.”
The NBA has announced the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge participants on Wednesday.
Sophomores selected include DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Landry Fields (New York Knicks), Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs), Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers) Paul George (Indiana Pacers), and John Wall (Washington Wizards).
Freshmen selected include Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves), Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns), Marshon Brooks (New Jersey Nets), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats) and Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves).
The New Orleans Hornets have signed guard Donald Sloan to a 10-day contract.
Sloan, a Texas A&M University product, appeared in five regular season games with the Atlanta Hawks this season before being released on January 27. Originally signed by Atlanta on December 9, 2011, Sloan averaged 1.2 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 4.0 minutes of play with the Hawks
The 6’3” guard has played five games (all starts) for the Erie Bayhawks of the NBA D-League this season, averaging 24.8 points, 8.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 40.9 minutes of play.
Mitch Kupchak recently talked openly about the Lakers' desire to acquire a young, talented point guard ahead of the deadline.
“Well, if there were a way for us to get a 25-year-old, All-Star, ball-handling guard we’d love to do it," said Kupchak to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com. "But that’s not likely in February. So you look at other alternatives, and see if it’s better than what you have. That’s all.”
Rajon Rondo is the player that fits that description, possibly the only one in the NBA.
Sources say the Celtics have interest in acquiring Pau Gasol for Rondo.
The Lakers attempting to move Gasol in a deal in December for Chris Paul.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Kentucky beat Florida on Tuesday night, continuing a trend of big-game performances against ranked opponents.
Calipari sees similarities between Kidd-Gilchrist and Derrick Rose.
"He reminds me of Derrick Rose," Calipari said. "He's tougher on himself than I am on him. Like he came running over during the game and says to me, 'Coach, I'm sorry.' I said, 'Stop, just have fun and go play.'"
Twenty of the NBA Development League’s top prospects, including eight who have NBA experience, have been chosen to play in the sixth annual NBA D-League All-Star Game.
Chosen to the NBA D-League All-Star West Team are Justin Dentmon and Lance Thomas (Austin Toros), currently a member of the New Orleans Hornets; Brandon Costner, Gerald Green, and Elijah Millsap (Los Angeles D-Fenders); Blake Ahearn and Andre Emmett (Reno Bighorns); Greg Smith (Rio Grande Valley Vipers); and Jerome Dyson and Marcus Lewis (Tulsa 66ers).
Selected to the NBA D-League All-Star East Team, playing host to the West Team in Orlando, are Tyrell Biggs (Canton Charge); Edwin Ubiles (Dakota Wizards); Keith McLeod (Erie BayHawks); Darnell Lazare and Walker Russell, Jr. (Fort Wayne Mad Ants), currently a member of the Detroit Pistons; Marqus Blakely (Iowa Energy); Charles Garcia (Sioux Falls Skyforce); and JamesOn Curry, Jeff Foote, and Jerry Smith (Springfield Armor).
Rick Adelman played Ricky Rubio, Luke Ridnour, and J.J. Barea together, sliding the 6-foot-2, 175 pound Ridnour to small forward, at the end of Tuesday's 86-84 victory over Sacramento. Adelman has gone to the trio in the closing minutes of each of Wolves' last three games.
"I just think those guys are really effective," Adelman said. "When you have Ricky with the ball in his hands, now he's kicking it to Luke or J.J. When you have guys who can hurt the other team, it's harder for them to guard us. If we have those guys on the court, it's a lot harder on the other team."
Adelman prefers to have another ball handler and high-percentage free-throw shooter on the floor with the lead.
"You don't miss a whole lot when you have a guy who can rebound like Love does," Kings coach Keith Smart said. "Rebounding is what you give up most from a defensive standpoint [when you play three point guards]. When you got multiple guys who are decision-makers and smart with the basketball and a great, great rebounder, they don't lose a whole lot. It's a challenge to defend them."
Harrison Barnes thinks his height advantage will prove decisive when North Carolina meets Duke on Wednesday night.
“I like that matchup,” said Barnes referring to Blue Devils guards Austin Rivers and Andre Dawkins. “ Offensively, I like my odds with somebody 6-4 against me.”
Rivers offered his own take on going head-to-head with Barnes.
“He might not be fun to match up with, but it’s not fun to match up with me, either,’’ the freshman said. “He’s going to have to guard me, too.”
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