March 2010 Basketball Wiretap

Nash Assumes Dirk Will Re-Sign With Mavs

May 31, 2010 6:31 PM

The Mavericks will ultimately re-sign All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki, according to former Dallas point guard Steve Nash, who also happens to be a good friend of Nowitzki.

"I always assume that he's going to re-sign in Dallas," Nash said when asked over the weekend whether he thought Nowitzki might consider opting out of his contract and signing with Phoenix.

"I haven't thought about it but obviously I had a great time playing with him."

Arizona Republic

Tags: Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, NBA

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LeBron Could Be $2.7B Boom For Chicago

May 31, 2010 6:27 PM

If LeBron James signs with the Bulls and plays in Chicago for six years, an estimate indicates that the two-time MVP could bring $2.7 billion to the city.

University of Illinois at Chicago economist John Skorburg says that in order to have that profound of an effect, James would have to win a few titles with the Bulls.

"Chicago has to convince LeBron that he can win championships there," says Paul Swangard, managing director of the University of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Marketing Center. "To maximize his off-court earning potential, it's all about getting rings."

Hosting 10 playoff games a year would generate nearly $5 million at the United Center on tickets, concessions, parking and other spending, Mr. Skorburg estimates.

Chicago Business

Tags: Chicago Bulls, NBA

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European Championship Expanding In 2013

May 31, 2010 6:22 PM

The European basketball championships will expand to 24 teams beginning in 2013.

FIBA Europe has decided to expand the tournament held every two years by eight teams and eliminate the two-tier format.

Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Slovenia have expressed interest in hosting the event in 2013.

ESPN

Tags: International

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Howard Undecided About Playing For Team USA

May 31, 2010 6:20 PM

Magic center Dwight Howard hasn't decided whether he'll play for Team USA at this summer's World Championships in Turkey.

"I haven't decided what I'm going to do," Howard said Monday. "I'm just going to get some rest and think about that later on."

It's the first time that Howard has wavered in his committment to Team USA.

Howard said he would let USA Basketball know of his intentions "soon."

ESPN

Tags: Orlando Magic, NBA

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Carlesimo To Join Toronto's Coaching Staff

May 31, 2010 6:17 PM

P.J. Carlesimo has an agreement in principle to become an assistant coach for the Raptors, sources told ESPN's Ric Bucher.

Carlesimo last coached in the NBA as the head man in Oklahoma City. He was replaced by Scott Brooks midway through the 2008-09 season.

An official announcement is expected later this week.

ESPN

Tags: Toronto Raptors, NBA

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Magic Expect To Have Quiet Summer

May 31, 2010 6:14 PM

Magic general manager Otis Smith doesn't plan on overhauling the team's roster this summer.

"We're not a team that's that far away, so I can't sit here and say, 'Yeah, we're going to make all these drastic changes because we're miles away,' " Smith said Monday. "We're not miles away. We're not at the bottom third of our league. We're at the top of our league.

"And with that said, we have to do things diligently and with the understanding of the aspect that we're putting the team-slash-puzzle together and that everything is going to have to fit."

Orlando made it to the NBA Finals last year, but still opted not to retain Hedo Turkoglu, while acquiring Vince Carter. They were eliminated by Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday.

"The season was great," center Dwight Howard said. "We just didn't finish what we started."

Smith made similar comments last spring, claiming he wouldn't shake up the team's roster before he pulled the strings that ultimately landed Turkoglu in Toronto and Carter in Orlando.

ESPN

Tags: Orlando Magic, NBA

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Amar'e Expects To Join Free-Agent Summit

May 31, 2010 6:10 PM

Suns forward Amar'e Stoudemire expects to be a part of the upcoming NBA free-agent superstar summit.

Stoudemire, who will likely opt out of the final year of his contract, told FanHouse that he expects to join in talks with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson before free agency begins on July 1.

"I'm friends with LeBron, Dwyane, Chris [Bosh] -- all those guys are friends of mine," Stoudemire said. "So I'm pretty sure they'll call me and we'll talk about a few things."

Wade told the Chicago Tribune last week that he planned to talk with James and Johnson before making a decision on where he would sign this summer.

ESPN reported that Bosh will also be included in the meeting.

ESPN

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA

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Rondo, Wallace Limited At Practice

May 31, 2010 6:07 PM

Rajon Rondo and Rasheed Wallace were limited during Boston's practice on Monday.

Rondo dealt with muscle spasms during the Eastern Conference Finals against Orlando, while Wallace had back issues in the final two games of the series.

"Rondo felt pretty good, he went 75-80 percent of practice," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "Rasheed is not right yet, he did the skeleton offense stuff, but other than that, we didn't allow any contact. So if we have a concern right now with anybody, [Wallace] would be the only one."

ESPN

Tags: Boston Celtics, NBA

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Knicks Trying To Determine Actual Influence Of William Wesley

May 31, 2020 12:16 PM

The Knicks are attempting to determine how much actual influence William Wesley holds over LeBron James.

Depending on who is talking, Wesley is either on the periphery or hold great power.

"Wes is the best insider in knowing people. Wes has an affinity for people and they just like him," longtime Adidas sneaker king Sonny Vaccaro said. "He can do anything, but what he has to do with this decision is unclear because of LeBron?s Akron friends."

New York Post

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

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Barnes Will Opt Out Of Contract

May 31, 2010 12:49 PM

Matt Barnes will not exercise his player option for the 2010-11 season, but he added that he hopes to return to the Orlando Magic.

?As for me and my contract situation, I?m going to opt out,? Barnes told reporters gathered at RDV Sportsplex this morning.

?Always worrying about the team and stuff like that is something you have to do during the season, and I?m 100 percent with that. But now it?s about me and my family and what?s best for us. I?ve expressed throughout the season that I?ve loved my time here and would love to return. But I think I know more than anybody that this is a business. The organization has to do what?s best for the team. Hopefully, I impressed them enough to bring me back and give me something decent, but we?ll have to wait and see about that.?

Barnes was slated to make $1.6 million for the 10-11 season.

Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Orlando Magic, NBA

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Diot Withdraws From Draft

Sportando.net

Hornets Begin Contract Talks With Thibodeau

Yahoo! Sports

Dumars To Warn Draftees About Playing Time

Detroit Free-Press

Wesley May Be Pushing Bulls To Hire Brian Shaw

Daily Herald

Odom Wary Of Kardashian Attending Boston Games

Orange County Register

Ainge Wants Rivers To Stay With Celtics

Boston Herald

Stoudemire Encouraged By Suns' Success

ESPN

Kobe Looking Forward To Challenge Of Facing Celtics

ESPN

Bulls May Have To Defend Themselves To Free Agents

Chicago Sun-Times

Agent 'Wouldn't Be Surprised' If Hayward Went In Top 10

News-Herald

Pierce Thinks Boston's Bench Is Overlooked

Yahoo! Sports

Cavaliers Will Try To Trade Delonte West

Cleveland Plain-Dealer

Memphis Still Planning To Extend Randolph

Memphis Commercial Appeal

Cavaliers May Buy A Draft Pick

News-Herald

Findings On USC Coming Friday

ESPN

Telfair Picks Up $2.7M Option With Cavs

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ferry Remains In Charge Despite Contract Status

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Raptors Silent On Turkoglu's Trade Request

Toronto Star

Grizzlies Aren't Dealing For Ellis

Memphis Commercial Appeal

Amar'e Still '50-50' On Return To Phoenix

ESPN