The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the third-year (2014-‘15) option on the contract of John Jenkins.

As a rookie last season, Jenkins averaged 6.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 14.8 minutes (.446 FG%, .384 3FG%, .843 FT%), playing in 61 games (two starts).

He ranked fifth among all rookies in three-point percentage, was tied for 18th in scoring and tied for 19th in assists per game. He was Atlanta’s first-round pick (23rd overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft.

The Charlotte Bobcats have exercised the fourth-year options on forward/center Bismack Biyombo and guard Kemba Walker, as well as the third-year option on forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

“We are excited to keep these three up-and-coming players as part of our core for another season,” Rod Higgins said. “We have been very pleased with their development over their careers so far and look forward to seeing them continue to grow both in the season that is just starting and in 2014-15.”

The ninth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Walker has played in 149 straight games since joining the Bobcats, with averages of 15.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 31.4 minutes.

The seventh overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Biyombo has played in 144 career games for the Bobcats, averaging 5.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 25.5 minutes.

The second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Kidd-Gilchrist earned Second Team All-Rookie honors last season after averaging 9.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 78 games played.

Quincy Pondexter and the Memphis Grizzlies have agreed upon a four-year, $14 million extension.

Pondexter was the 26th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Washington.

Pondexter averaged 8.9 points on 48.9 percent shooting from the floor in 23.9 minutes per game in the playoffs last season.

The Sacramento Kings have elected not to pick up their 14-15 option on Jimmer Fredette.

Fredette would have been due $3.1 million if the Kings exercised the option.

Fredette was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft ahead of Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard and Iman Shumpert.

Fredette will become an unrestricted free agent in July.

Spurs forward Tim Duncan underwent a CT scan this morning in San Antonio which confirmed that he has a chest contusion, the team announced on Thursday.

He suffered the injury during the third quarter of last night's Spurs-Grizzlies game. His status is day-to-day and he is listed as doubtful for Friday night's Spurs-Lakers game.

Duncan will travel with the team this afternoon when the Spurs depart for a three-game trip that begins in Los Angeles.

Andrei Kirilenko is expected to receive significant minutes defending LeBron James in games between the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat this season.

Still, Kirilenko cited two other players -- Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant -- as tougher players for him to defend.

Kirilenko did not mean it as a slight to James, pointing to the reigning MVP's passing ability.

The Miami Heat have invited Jarvis Varnado, Justin Hamilton and Larry Drew II to the Sioux Falls Skyforce's training camp.

Varnado, Hamilton and Drew were cuts by the Heat in training camp.

All of those players are eligible to be claimed by any NBA team at any time, with the Heat not holding exclusive rights.

The Boston Celtics have exercised a contract option on forward Jared Sullinger for the 2014-15 season, the team announced.

Sullinger, a 6’9” forward, averaged 6.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game during his rookie season with the Celtics. The second-year player only appeared in 45 games as a rookie for the Celtics before missing the final 37 games of the season due to lumbar disc surgery.

Sullinger averaged 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steal in 20.6 minutes per game during the 2013 preseason.

Derrick Rose sat out Thursday morning's shootaround with a sore neck, but vowed to play in the Chicago Bulls' home opener against the New York Knicks.

"Oh hell yeah, for sure I know I’m going to play," Rose said. "It’s just that I have to get loose."

Rose revealed he sat out Wednesday's practice at the Berto Center, which just consisted of film, walkthrough and individual shooting.

Tom Thibodeau said everybody was "fine" when asked about the team's health after Wednesday's practice.

"It's definitely frustrating," Rose said of his latest soreness. "But I can’t get mad about it, can’t get sad about it. I know I’m doing all the things to get back on the court as quick as possible and working my butt off."

The Houston Rockets have privately insisted Omer Asik is not available in trade as long as the big man continues to play well alongside Dwight Howard.

Despite Asik's reported desire of a trade over the offseason, the Rockets have kept him and started him with Howard in the frontcourt.

Howard and Asik combined for 40 rebounds in the Rockets' season opening win against the Charlotte Bobcats, who as a team grabbed 37 rebounds.