March 2011 Basketball Wiretap

Rubio Faces Deadline To Sign With Timberwolves

May 31, 2011 5:56 PM

A deadline of sorts has arrived for Ricky Rubio as he decides about playing in the NBA next season.

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, Tuesday was the last day Rubio could sign a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves and ensure that his deal will be under the existing rookie wage scale.

If the Spanish point guard does not sign a contract with the Wolves by the end of business on Tuesday, he will not be able to sign until the beginning of the new fiscal league year.

Jon/Krawczynski/Associated Press

Tags: Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, International, NBA CBA

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Valanciunas' Buyout To Be Raised To At Least $3M

May 31, 2011 3:46 PM

The buyout in the contract of Jonas Valanciunas with Lietuvos Rytas will be raised to at least $3 million USD, sources confirmed to RealGM.

Valanciunas has widely been projected to become a top-five pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but a more financially difficult buyout would surely impact his draft status.

During the 2010-11 Euroleague season, Valanciunas averaged 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in just over 15 minutes per game.

Erildas Budraitis/RealGM

Tags: Jonas Valanciunas, Euroleague, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, International League

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Howard Looking To Start 'Own Path'

May 31, 2011 10:06 AM

Responding to speculation that he wants to jump to a bigger market when he can became a free agent next year, superstar center Dwight Howard indicated Monday that his strong preference is to remain with the Orlando Magic for the long term.

"I'm not trying to run behind nobody like Shaq or be behind somebody else," Howard said, referencing Shaquille O'Neal's decision to leave the Magic following the 1995-96 season and sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I want to start my own path and I want people to follow my path and not just follow somebody else's path. I want to have my own path, and I want to start that here in Orlando. But I can't do it alone. Not only do I need the right teammates, but I need the city behind me. That's the only way it's going to get done. We can change this small city that we have — this small market that we have — and we can make it a big market."

Josh Robbins/Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Report: Mark Jackson A Finalist For Warriors Job

May 30, 2011 3:49 PM

Mark Jackson -- the former New York Knick, Indiana Pacer and current analyst for ESPN and ABC -- is very much being considered for the Golden State job.

In fact, Jackson has had two conversations with the Warriors, including one with owner Joe Lacob, according two NBA sources.

That is significant because Lacob was not in on the Warriors' first set of discussions with candidates. It is unknown whether Brian Shaw, Frank Casey or Lawrence Frank has met or talked to Lacob up to this point.

Matt Steinmetz/CSNBayArea.com

Tags: Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Pfund Interested In Blazers' GM Position

May 29, 2011 5:45 PM

Randy Pfund, who was one of three finalist for the general manager position of the Blazers last summer, said he would still be interested in the job.

But Pfund has not been contacted by the Blazers.

"I'm sure if there was interest, I would certainly look into it … assuming those guys haven't lost my number,'' Pfund said. “We'll see if anything develops."

Pfund said the unexpected nature of Rich Cho's firing doesn't diminish the appeal of the Blazers general manager job.

"Obviously, I would probably try to do a little research to find out what happened there,'' Pfund said. “But just like my own situation in Miami, there's always a lot of things that lead to a person moving on, or a team deciding to move on. I found that spending time to try and figure out or view a situation from a negative nature is not productive. I tend to work more from the positive side of things."

Oregonian

Tags: Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kuester Won't Return As Head Coach Of Pistons

May 29, 2011 5:37 PM

John Kuester will not be returning to the Pistons as head coach, according to sources.

Kuester has posted a 57-107 mark in his two years in Detroit.

Kuester seemed to have a personality clash with Richard Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince and Tracy McGrady.

ESPN

Tags: Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Cavaliers Appeal For Extension On $14.5 Million Trade Exception

May 29, 2011 3:05 PM

With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire in about a month and no real signs of progress, a likely lockout has left the Cavs in a predicament with their trade exception.

The Cavs have until July 9 to use the $14.5 million trade exception they obtained in the LeBron James deal with the Miami Heat. But the lockout is set to begin July 1, rendering the final nine days of the trade exception worthless.

The Cavs have petitioned the league to have the final nine days tacked on to the new season. If granted, it would give the Cavs nine days after the lockout was lifted to use whatever part of the exception they had remaining. But the Cavs have no idea whether or not the league will grant the request, and they don't expect to hear an answer from the league until after the lockout is lifted.

Jason Lloyd/Beacon Journal

Tags: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Karl Believes Nene Will Re-Sign With Nuggets

May 29, 2011 2:17 PM

Nene told Denver Post reporter Chris Dempsey earlier this month that he might well opt out of his contract and that the Nuggets "don't realize all of the sacrifices I made. When you don't feel appreciated, it's hard."

Karl seemed optimistic that the Nuggets could persuade Nene to stay. The Brazilian is due to make $12 million next season but could sign a three-year extension with Denver, the team he's played for his entire career.

"I have no problem with Nene expressing his opinions on his position. I think me and the organization very much want him here," Karl said. "I think with the situation of this year, maybe he felt like he needed more contact (about the contract). (But) from what I know with my relationship with Nene and his love for Denver, I just think things are going to get worked out, I really do.

"I know (executives) Masai (Ujiri) and Josh (Kroenke) have kind of talked to him, and I'm going to follow up on that — I'm sure it will be in the next couple of weeks."

Benjamin Hochman/Denver Post

Tags: Maybyner Nene, Denver Nuggets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Frank, Casey Emerge As Two Leading Candidates To Become Next Warriors' Coach

May 29, 2011 3:45 AM

Lawrence Frank and Dwane Casey are believed to be the two leading candidates to become the next head coach of the Warriors.

Owner Joe Lacob also considered Kevin McHale and Mike Brown, both of whom were hired this week elsewhere.

Both Frank and Casey have previous head coaching experience, something Lacob is believed to value greatly.

San Jose Mercury News

Tags: Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Grizzlies Grant Permission For Joerger To Speak With Rockets

May 28, 2011 7:18 PM

Grizzlies assistant coach Dave Joerger will meet with the Houston Rockets next week about joining their revamped coaching staff.

Memphis granted Houston permission Friday to talk to Joerger about being a top assistant in charge of defense under Kevin McHale.

According to press reports, the Rockets have reached an agreement with McHale to replace Rick Adelman as head coach.

Ronald Tillery/Memphis Commercial Appeal

Tags: Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Lakers Receive Permission To Interview Malone

John Reid/Times Picayune

Brown Looking To Add Malone, Kuester As Assistants

Broderick Turner/Los Angeles Times

Rockets Offer Job To McHale

Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle

Blazers Considering Asking Roy To Retire To Clear Cap Space

John Canzano/Oregonian

Suns Looking To Hire Defensive Coordinator

Paul Coro/Arizona Republic

Hornets' West Hasn't Decided Whether To Opt Out

Jimmy Smith/Times-Picayune

Kupchak: Brown's Hiring Was Unanimous Decision

Kevin Ding/Orange County Register

Source: Lakers Part Ways With Assistant GM

Dave McMenamin/ESPNLosAngeles.com

Lakers Settle On Mike Brown As New Coach

Chris Broussard/ESPN the Magazine

Bargnani Would Prefer To Remain With Toronto

Dave Feschuk/Toronto Star

McHale To Meet With Rockets Owner Les Alexander

Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle

Source: Blazers Eye Ferry As GM

Mike Monroe/San Antonio Express-News

Lakers Closing In On Deal With Brown

Broderick Turner/Los Angeles Times

West Believes Golden State Needs Changes To Roster But Big Trade Isn't Necessary

San Jose Mercury News

Report: Lakers Engaged In Serious Talks With Mike Brown

Marc J. Spears and Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

State Representatives Propose 'Jock Tax' To Bring NBA Back To Seattle

McClatchy Tribune Services

Heat Consulted Krzyzewski About Bosh's Defensive Acumen

Tom Haberstroh/ESPN.com

Next Lakers Coach Will Be Paid Less Than Half Of Jackson's Previous Salary

Mike Bresnahan/Los Angeles Times

Mark Jackson Interviewed For Warriors Coaching Job

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Blazers GM Cho Pushed For Roy Suspension

John Canzano/Oregonian