RealGM Basketball Wiretap

Sources: Rockets Will Decline Team Option On Francisco Garcia

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:10:02 EDT

The Houston Rockets will not pick up the team option on Francisco Garcia's contract for next season, according to sources.

Garcia will be an unrestricted free agent in July.

Garcia's deal for next season was worth $6.4 million.

After coming to the Rockets in a trade from the Sacramento Kings, Garcia became a critical reserve and was one of Houston's primary defenders on Kevin Durant in the first round of the playoffs.

Sam Hinkie Hired As New GM Of 76ers

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:39:48 EDT

The Philadelphia 76ers have hired Sam Hinkie as their new general manager.

Hinkie replaces Tony DiLeo and will have complete control over basketball operations.

Hinkie had been the Houston Rockets' vice president of basketball operations since 2010.

Hinkie brought an analytics background to his position with the Rockets.

Josh Harris and his ownership group had previously stated that they wanted a GM with an analytics background.

McHale Wants Rockets To 'Play Bigger'

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:05:32 EDT

Kevin McHale wants the Houston Rockets to add more size in their starting lineup.

"I think we've got to play bigger," McHale said. "We played small especially after trading Patrick Patterson. A couple of guys stepped up and tried to play the four spot. We're going to have to play bigger, but one of the young bigs we have, I think one of those guys will definitely emerge, maybe a couple of them."

The Rockets tried several options at the power forward position, including Donatas Motiejunas and Greg Smith, with Thomas Robinson and Terrence Jones getting time as well.

In the playoffs against Oklahoma City, McHale elected to go with a smaller starting lineup that didn't feature a traditional power forward.

"Now, we need a summer of growth," McHale said. "I think Terrence Jones, Thomas Robinson, Donatas Motiejunas, one of those guys, or maybe a couple of them will have to step up and play well."

Harden Plans To Recruit Free Agents For Rockets

Sat, 04 May 2013 10:51:15 EDT

James Harden plans to be an active member of the Houston Rockets' recruiting efforts this summer.

"Hell, yeah," Harden said. "There's a lot of good options out there."

Asked specifically about Dwight Howard, Harden broke into a smile and added: "Maybe. Possibly."

The Rockets will have max-level cap space to utilize this summer.

Delfino Out For Rest Of Playoffs With Fractured Foot

Fri, 03 May 2013 19:14:28 EDT

Carlos Delfino is out for the remainder of the playoffs with a fractured right foot.

“Carlos has played a large role in our success so far this season and we are disappointed for him that he will not be able to finish out this playoff run,” said Daryl Morey. “Carlos would love nothing more than to be out there with his teammates as they prepare for tonight’s Game 6, but this is the type of injury that requires a surgical repair. We expect he will be fully recovered in time for the start of next season.”

Delfino posted averages of 9.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in five playoff appearances this postseason.

Bobcats Request Permission To Interview Kelvin Sampson

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:52:22 EDT

The Charlotte Bobcats have requested permission from the Houston Rockets to interview Kelvin Sampson for their head coaching vacancy.

Sampson has been an assistant coach with the Rockets since 2011.

Sampson was a head coach at Washington, Oklahoma and Indiana. After stepping down at Indiana amid scandal, Sampson has become a well respected assistant in the NBA.

Jeremy Lin Sits Game 4 With Bruised Chest

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:02:12 EDT

Jeremy Lin was unavailable for the Houston Rockets' in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a bruised chest.

Lin has struggled throughout the series, and Patrick Beverley has been far more productive for the Rockets.

Francisco Garcia will start for the Rockets.

Beverley Sorry Westbrook Tore Meniscus, Doesn't Apologize For Being Aggressive

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:31:23 EDT

Patrick Beverley is sorry that Russell Westbrook suffered a torn meniscus while going for a steal before a timeout, but he doesn't apologize for being aggressive.

"I want to go against Russell Westbrook again and battle him again," Beverley told Yahoo! Sports by phone on Friday evening. "I didn't try to hurt him, but that play was something I've tried in the past, a play that worked against the Suns earlier in the season – and it's a play that I'm going to continue to try again."

Beverley abruptly left Arkansas before the start of his junior season to play in Ukraine after he confessed to turning in a paper he didn't write.

Beverley became a second round pick in 2009 and was the final cut by the Miami Heat one year later.

Beverley came to the Houston Rockets from Russia in the middle of the 12-13 season.

Rockets Interested In Stan Van Gundy If McHale Leaves

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:27:23 EDT

The Houston Rockets would be interested in hiring Stan Van Gundy if Kevin McHale steps down in the offseason, according to sources.

McHale is unlikely to leave the Rockets.

The Rockets will pursue Dwight Howard in free agency and sources say he has a newfound respect for Van Gundy after a challenging season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lin Sits Out 2nd Half With Chest Injury

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:11:55 EDT

Jeremy Lin suffered a chest contusion in the Houston Rockets' Game 2 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

Lin sat out the entire second half.

Lin's status for Game 3 is uncertain.

During last season's playoffs while with the New York Knicks, Lin said he was 85 percent healthy and yet unable to play. Lin later clarified that he meant he was 15 percent away from the minimum threshold to play.

Lin Feels Critics Have 'Bipolar' Perception Of His Game

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:31:27 EDT

Jeremy Lin's numbers were approximately the same this season as they were last season, but he was unable to duplicate his three-week 'Linsanity' streak.

Lin signed a three-year, $25.1 million contract with the Houston Rockets in the offseason that the New York Knicks declined to match.

“It seems like everybody’s perception of me is very bipolar,” Lin said. “To one group, it’s overpaid, overrated; to another group, it’s underpaid, underrated, underdog. It’s funny to me because there’s no real balance. Why can’t I just be a young player who’s shown some potential and has a lot of learning to do?”

Raptors 'Quickly Rebuffed' Valanciunas For Harden Trade Inquiry From Thunder

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:53:05 EDT

The Oklahoma City Thunder spoke to the Toronto Raptors about a trade centered on James Harden for Jonas Valanciunas.

The Raptors 'quickly rebuffed' the interest from Sam Presti in the trade.

The Thunder eventually traded Harden to the Rockets while also acquiring the Raptors' lottery guaranteed pick.

Valanciunas averaged 8.9 points and 6.0 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game during his rookie season.

Morey Questions Royce White's Plan To Skip D-League Playoffs

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:56:53 EDT

Daryl Morey expects Royce White to play the remaining four regular-season games with the Rio Grande Vipers before a decision is reached about him playing in the playoffs.

“We’ll see where it goes from there,” Morey said. “The plan is to play it by ear. See what the best plan is at that point when we reach the end.”

White said on Wednesday that a plan for him to leave the Vipers at the end of the regular season has been in place for several weeks, citing the “hectic” schedule of the D-League playoffs.

Royce White Does Not Plan To Play In D-League Playoffs

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:42:31 EDT

Royce White has no plans to play in the D-League playoffs.

White returned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Tuesday and scored 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out six assists in a 104-94 win over Tulsa.

“I’ll be here until the end of the regular season,” White said after the game. “The playoff schedule and how hectic it is in the D-League probably ain’t going be the best thing for me. Going to the playoffs, I want them to have a team that’s going to stick together.”

White chose not to answer questions about why he left the Vipers last week.

Royce White Returns To Houston's D-League Affiliate

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:08:03 EDT

Five days after he left the team, Royce White has returned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

White announced on Twitter that he had returned to the D-League affiliate and that a "miscommunication" with the Rockets had been cleared up. He said last week that he left the team and returned to Houston on the advice of a team doctor.

The Rockets have had no comment on the matter.

Harden, LeBron Named NBA Players Of The Week

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:38:35 EDT

LeBron James and James Harden have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for games played Monday, March 18 through Sunday, March 24.

James averaged 30.8 points, 10.0 assists, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 blocks, while shooting 59 percent from the field. He recorded his fourth triple-double of the season with 25 points (14 in the fourth quarter), 12 rebounds and 10 assists, as the Heat rallied from a 27-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 20.

Harden led the Rockets to a 3-0 week with averages of 26.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He scored a game-high 29 points, connecting on 17-of-18 from the free throw line, in a win over Utah on March 20. 

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta's Al Horford, Brooklyn's Brook Lopez, New Orleans' Anthony Davis, New York's Carmelo Anthony and Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge.

McHale Wanted Rockets To Keep Shaun Livingston

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 13:33:44 EDT

Kevin McHale wanted the Houston Rockets to keep Shaun Livingston, who was among the team’s final cuts after the preseason.

“He’s a great guy,” McHale said. “Knows how to play. He’s past so much of the stuff he had to get past as a young player to be a team player.  He just has a whole vibe about him that’s great.

“I was advocating very hard for his influence.”

Livingston was reportedly cut for salary cap reasons.

“It’s no secret that’s (Rockets general manager) Daryl Morey’s strategy, how he is known,” Livingston said. “He is very complex with the cap and how he does things. It could end up working out for the best for them. I’ve been a victim of circumstances this season. That’s been my theme this season.”

Royce White To Rejoin Rockets Next Season

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:30:52 EDT

After declaring to leave the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League, Royce White posted on his Twitter account that he will rejoin the Houston Rockets next season.

"AGAIN, no one is quitting ANYTHING, just getting prepared 4 next season with the @HoustonRockets... I'm very excited, can't wait to rejoin," White wrote on his verified account.

White had said he was returning to Houston but not to join the Rockets.

The Rockets selected White with the 16th pick in last year's draft, but both sides have dealt with constant back and forth differences centering on how to compromise about the forward's mental state.

Royce White Leaves Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:56:31 EDT

Royce White announced via Twitter that he is leaving the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

White did not offer an explanation, but later said he was returning to Houston, not the Rockets.

White appeared in 12 games for the Vipers and averaged 9.6 points and 5.6 rebounds, making 41.6 percent of his shots and 62 percent of his free throws.

Get Your Latest NBA News From RealGM's Basketball Wiretap

Sat, 18 May 2013 06:17:02 EDT

Get all the latest news and happenings from around the NBA with RealGM's Basketball Wiretap.