March 2016 Basketball Wiretap

Chris Bosh Vows NBA Return, Critical Of Treatment From Pat Riley

Sep 30, 2016 7:43 PM

Chris Bosh has vowed to continue fighting to return to the NBA despite the decision of the Miami Heat to move on.

"I didn't see my career in Miami ending like this," Bosh said in the latest installment of his Rebuilt video series on the Uninterrupted digital network. "I didn't get a call or a text or anything like that. I mean, it's a business. We understand that. We always say those things. But if you say certain things to the person and you win championships and you have these moments, you don't want to find things out through the media."

The NBA medical staff last week agreed with the findings of the Heat physical that ruled out a Bosh return for training camp.

"That does not mean my NBA career is over," Bosh said of the Heat stance. "There's 29 other teams, it's a whole league. One team does not make up the opinion of everything."

In a video Bosh posted, he appeared to challenge many of the touchtones the organization stressed during his six seasons.

"It's kind of tough," he said. "We say all these things: the commitment, brotherhood and all these things. And then, for whatever reason, you find out, or I find out like this. So, it hurts.

"You think when you're done playing, this is how it's going to go: You ride off into the sunset, everything is all good, you blow kisses and maybe a couple of tears are shed and everything and the people just send you off. And that's not so much the case with me. So, I guess my career in Miami's done. My career's not done. But I did not expect that at all."

Bosh reiterated what he believes is his destiny to return to the NBA.

"And I feel like it's just some higher power telling me like, 'It's not right now, because if you look at the way things are going with the organization and everything, maybe just right now isn't your time to play basketball,' " Bosh said. "And that's kind of how I took it. And, so, I hear the message loud and clear and I'm just trying to work through it, as best as I can."

Bosh said the pronouncement from Pat Riley was difficult to hear.

"I was in disbelief for a couple of seconds, and then I threw my phone down and stormed out of the room," he said. "I'm glad I didn't break my phone. I wanted to break it, but I didn't.

"This is my reality. You can either make it a good thing or a bad thing. You can either complain or you can just keep moving on. And I just decided to keep moving on."

Ira Winderman/South Florida Sun Sentinel

Tags: Chris Bosh, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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LeBron James Urges Cavs To Re-Sign J.R. Smith

Sep 30, 2016 3:56 PM

LeBron James is urging the Cleveland Cavaliers to re-sign J.R. Smith now that the team has started training camp.

The Cavaliers were in a similar situation last season with Tristan Thompson.

“I hate coming into another season – two years in a row – with one of my big guns not here. So, for a leader of a team and for me personally, I just hate to deal with this [expletive] again,” James said. “It’s just too big of a piece to our team to have to deal with in another training camp. Hopefully things get resolved fast, because you know how big and important he is to our team.”

David Griffin said the organization made “an incredibly competitive and aggressive offer” to bring back Smith.

“Negotiations are always two-sides, but J.R. did his part,” James said. “J.R. did his part. He showed up every day. Worked his ass off every day. Became a two-way player, a model citizen in Cleveland and he’s a fan favorite, obviously, we all know that. All of a sudden now he’s a season ticket-holder at the Indians’ games. You know, so. … But we just miss him. We miss having him around. He’s a big piece of our team and they just need to get it done.”

Rich Paul represents James and Smith.

The Cavaliers have the league’s second-highest payroll at nearly $118 million.

“We’re still missing a huge piece of our team. So we’re not all the way comfortable yet. Once that is resolved, hopefully soon, we can really get into what we need to do,” James said. “We still have enough talent. But we can’t become full until he’s here. But that doesn’t deter anybody or any of the guys that’s coming in to show up every day. We’re still working our tails off and everybody who is filling in has been working extremely hard through this camp so far, and we’re going to continue to do that.”

Michael Lee/The Vertical

Tags: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Chris Bosh Thanks Miami Fans In Post On Blog

Sep 30, 2016 2:55 PM

Chris Bosh posted the following message on his blog as his career with the Miami Heat is likely over.

"It’s funny how things change," wrote Bosh. "All I have right now associated with basketball are my friends and memories. And I’m so thankful for those things.
 
"I remember just a few years ago when the Big 3 were together and we were having a ball playing the game we love with some of the most professional, talented guys the NBA has ever seen.
 
"I remember the fans of Miami coming out to see the show every night. The love, the compassion and the energy we felt was second to none. I want to thank the city of Miami from the bottom of my heart because things may change but the good times will last forever in my memories. Thank you!
 
"Things are different now and Miami has incredible young talent with a tremendous upside. These are not only talented ball players but great people and friends. I enjoyed playing with those guys and doing my best to mentor them by being an upstanding role model and veteran player. It’s their time to go through the ups and downs of the game with this great city."

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Chris Bosh, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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P.J. Hairston Signs Camp Deal With Rockets

Sep 29, 2016 6:00 PM

P.J. Hairston has agreed to a training camp deal with the Houston Rockets.

Houston will have Hairston's D-League rights if he does not make their regular season roster.

Hairston played 66 games last season with the Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies.

Hairston was a first round pick out of North Carolina in 2014.

Adrian Wojnarowski/The Vertical

Tags: P.J. Hairston, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, D-League

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Spurs Release Ryan Richards

Sep 29, 2016 12:09 PM

The San Antonio Spurs have released Ryan Richards.

Richards was drafted in the second round by the Spurs in 2010.

The Spurs' camp roster now stands at 19.

Tom Orsborn/San Antonio Express-News

Tags: Ryan Richards, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Waiver

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Stephen Curry Likely Set For 200 Percent Increase On Next Contract

Sep 28, 2016 12:42 PM

If Stephen Curry decides to re-sign with the Golden State Warriors, he could sign a five-year, $165 million max deal based off the current cap estimates.

Curry could only sign a four-year deal with smaller raises should he ultimately decide to leave the Warriors.

Curry said this week that he plans to re-sign with the Warriors.

Curry is currently one of the NBA's best values as he signed a four-year, $44 million extension in 2012. Curry will have an increase of approximately 200 percent on his annual average.

Marc Stein, Larry Coon/ESPN

Tags: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Stephen Curry Wants To Re-Sign With Warriors

Sep 27, 2016 6:22 PM

Stephen Curry will be a free agent in 2017 and he's not at all worried about it becoming a distraction.

“Yes,” Curry said when asked if he's optimistic about his chances of re-signing.

Curry could get questions about his free agency when visiting other cities such as Charlotte.

“I hope not,” Curry said. “Because we’ll worry about that in the summer. My answer’s not going to be different all year.”

Curry also was asked if he'll talk to Kevin Durant about how he handled questions about his free agency.

“Maybe,” Curry said. “But I’m not gonna let it distract me at all. I want to be back here. I like playing here. And that’s it. The rest of it is about what we’re gonna do this year.”

Anthony Slater/San Jose Mercury News

Tags: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Serge Ibaka Wants To Stay With Magic 'Forever'

Sep 27, 2016 10:52 AM

The Orlando Magic traded for Serge Ibaka this offseason one season before he becomes a free agent in 2017.

“I’m looking to stay here to play forever — for [as] many, many years as possible,” said Ibaka.

The Magic hope Ibaka enjoys playing for Frank Vogel and also having a bigger role in the offense and in the locker room.

“We certainly traded for Serge thinking long-term, and that’s our expectation,” Rob Hennigan said.

Ibaka is due to earn $12.3 million during the upcoming season.

Josh Robbins/Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Serge Ibaka, Orlando Magic, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Cavs Interested In Norris Cole, Mario Chalmers, Kirk Hinrich

Sep 26, 2016 6:55 PM

With Mo Williams deciding to retire from the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a need at the point guard position.

The Cavaliers only have Kyrie Irving and Kay Felder at the position heading into the season.

The Cavaliers have been in contact with Norris Cole, Mario Chalmers and Kirk Hinrich. Cole and Chalmers were teammates of LeBron James with the Heat.

Joe Vardon/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Tags: Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, Kirk Hinrich, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Josh Smith Wants To Remain In NBA, Knows 'Changes Need to Be Made'

Nov 8, 2016 10:30 AM

Josh Smith remains unsigned this offseason as executives believe his disposition and not his talent is keeping him from receiving an offer.

Smith received interest last offseason from the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers but ultimately decided to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. Smith was expected to be the Clippers' third big man but the experiment didn't work and he was traded back to the Houston Rockets.

“I’m not a guy that is oblivious to my surroundings, I know that changes need to be made,” Smith told The Vertical. “It’s something that I have done wrong to now be figuring out my next move and figuring out what I need to do to be better. Even yoga this summer has helped me become one with my spirit, body and mind. I’ve done things to take steps toward bettering myself, having patience.

“I have a lot left to give to this game. I’m ready to go now. I feel like I’m in the best shape, and I’ve worked extremely hard this offseason. I’m ready.”

Smith was waived by the Detroit Pistons in December of 2014 just one season into a four-year, $58 million deal.

“The perception of me seemed to start early on with Atlanta, but after Detroit, it left people completely puzzled,” Smith said. “People didn’t understand how it happened, how I was let go. It just didn’t fit. But wherever I have gone in development situations, I have been able to be on winning teams.

“When I came to Atlanta, we were at the bottom. Al Horford came, and we made it a consistent playoff team. When I went to Houston [in 2015] after Detroit, we made it to the Western Conference finals, something that they hadn’t done since the ’90s. I played impactful minutes for us to get to those platforms.”

Smith has received interest from teams in China but he wants to remain in the NBA.

“My main goal is that I am an NBA player,” Smith said. “Being able to go overseas, people are professional, but the NBA is what I have built myself to do. I’m still hungry. If I jumped to leave my NBA chances behind, I feel it would’ve been an act of desperation.

“I’m not a guy who feels like I have to start or play 30 minutes a night anymore. I wish for an opportunity to be able to contribute, to be a positive guy around the locker room. It has been missing from me. I’m not doubting it. I felt I have always showed support for my teammates, cheering for them, but I have to do a better job.

“I feel I have something to give the NBA, period.”

Shams Charania/The Vertical

Tags: Josh Smith, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Suns Sign Gracin Bakumanya, Derek Cooke Jr., Shaquille Harrison, Derrick Jones Jr.

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Quinn Cook Signs With Pelicans

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Scott Wood Signs With Warriors

Marc J. Spears/The Undefeated

Clippers Would Have Signed Kevin Garnett, Interested In Giving Him Post-Playing Role

Jackie MacMullen/ESPN

Heat Sign Keith Benson

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Kevin Garnett Reaches Buyout With Wolves, Announces Retirement

Kent Youngblood/Star Tribune

Thunder Add Alex Caruso, Kaleb Tarczewski, Chris Wright To Camp Roster

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Dahntay Jones To Sign Camp Deal With Cavaliers

Joe Vardon/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Clippers Agree To Camp Deal With Dorell Wright

Dan Woike/Orange County Register

Jazz Sign Henry Sims To Camp Deal

Deseret News

Wolves To Sign Rasual Butler On Camp Deal

Shams Charania/The Vertical

Mo Williams Decides Not To Retire, Returning To Cavs For One More Season

Joe Vardon/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Bucks To Sign Jaleel Roberts To Camp Deal

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Kevin Garnett Discussing Buyout With Wolves

Marc Stein/ESPN

Jabari Brown To Sign Camp Deal With Bucks

Marc J. Spears/The Undefeated

Clippers Agree To Camp Deal With Xavier Munford

Shams Charania/The Vertical

Lakers Sign Thomas Robinson To Deal

Shams Charania/The Vertical

Jorge Gutierrez Signs Camp Deal With Nets

Adrian Wojnarowski/The Vertical

Chase Budinger, Nets Agree To Deal

Adrian Wojnarowski/The Vertical

Metta World Peace Agrees To Deal With Lakers

Shams Charania/The Vertical