The New Orleans Pelicans have signed Jeff Withey.
Withey played on the Pelicans' Summer League team, leading the club with 1.50 blocks per game.
Withey was a second round pick in June by the Pelicans.
The New Orleans Pelicans have signed Jeff Withey.
Withey played on the Pelicans' Summer League team, leading the club with 1.50 blocks per game.
Withey was a second round pick in June by the Pelicans.
Greg Oden appears to be leaning toward the Miami Heat or New Orleans Pelicans, according to a source.
Oden is also being pursued by the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks.
Oden has looked lean and agile in the workouts, according to multiple eyewitnesses that spoke with ESPN's Marc Stein.
Oden hasn't played since December of 2009.
Greg Oden could choose his free agent destination as soon as Monday, his agent, Bill Duffy told NBA.com.
Oden is weighing whether to sign with a contender or a rebuilding team.
“We’ve looked at all the scenarios,” Duffy said. “There might be less pressure if he tries this with a team that’s rebuilding. Then again, the quality of the medical staff will matter. Maybe a winning team has chemistry that’s good or his role would be clearly defined.”
Oden has worked out for Miami, New Orleans, Sacramento, San Antonio, Atlanta and Dallas.
“Physically, he’s awesome,” Duffy said Friday afternoon. “We’re very happy with where he is. [His health and impact are] going to depend on monitoring him and his minutes.”
LAS VEGAS – Jrue Holday and Ryan Anderson have heard about the New Orleans Pelicans as one of the teams considering the signing of Greg Oden, and both endorse the possibility.
“[Signing Oden] would be awesome, a great addition to what we want to do,” Holiday told RealGM late Thursday.
Oden hasn’t played in an NBA game since 2009, but players around USA Basketball this week had heard through people close to the center that he’s looked fluid in workouts. Oden, 25, was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA draft.
“A healthy Greg Oden is a great player, so I’d definitely be excited to play alongside him,” Anderson told RealGM. “Obviously, it seems we might need another big center.”
After one standout season at Ohio State, Oden has averages of 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 82 games in the NBA.
Monty Williams has given Jrue Holiday one personal goal for improvement.
"Be more efficient. Obviously he had Chris Paul. From a coaching stand point, just making me more efficient, better as a point guard," said Holiday.
Holiday, who ranked 21st among all NBA point guards in PER last season, has a laundry list of things he wants to improve.
"For one, my jump shot. Being more consistent. Obviously trying to be more explosive with guys like Russell (Westbrook) and Derrick Rose out there. Be more explosive and try to stay in front of John Wall and Kyrie Irving," Holiday said. "But also defense is a big key, especially on the team we're going to have. And then there's my wide open shooting."
Jrue Holiday is hoping to become more familiar with Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson during the three-day Team USA training camp in Las Vegas.
Holiday was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason.
"Honestly, I'd like (this week) it to bring me closer to a lot of players," Holiday said. "These are some of the best players in the league and I'd like to become closer with them, closer to the coaches. I think that way I can learn more and I can become a better player.
"It's awesome, obviously, that Monty (Williams, the Pelicans' coach) is here, Ryan (Anderson) and A.D. (Anthony Davis) and (Pelicans assistant) Randy Ayers. It's cool to see that my team is actually doing the right things."
Greg Oden will make his free agent decision next week.
Oden will choose between the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks.
The Heat and Spurs have long been considered the favorites to sign Oden.
The Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings will send representatives to meet with Greg Oden and watch him work out.
The San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks also had face-to-face meetings with Oden and remain interested in signing him.
Oden has played just 82 career NBA games due to various knee problems.
The Heat had been considered a leading contender to sign Oden.
Tyreke Evans signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, but he is still unclear on his role with the team.
Evans figures to give Monty Williams lineup flexibility given his versatility. Evans has briefly spoken with Williams, but have not expressed specific plans.
"I haven't talked to the coaches or anything like that but that's what they've been saying," Evans said. "When the season starts, I don't know how things will go. Whatever role I am playing, I am definitely looking forward to it. I am going to go out there and play hard and try to win games."
The Washington Wizards defeated the New Orleans Pelicans by a final score of 78-77 in Summer League play on Friday.
Glen Rice Jr. scored 14 points to lead the Wizards, while Chris Singleton had 11 points and seven rebounds.
Austin Rivers scored 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting.