Dominican Republic free agent Victor Liz is working to re-sign overseas, meaning no deal with the Dallas Mavericks or another NBA organization, sources told RealGM.
In the midst of averaging 6.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in the FIBA World Cup, Liz had been reported to accept a training camp invitation with the Dallas Mavericks. No such deal was consummated, a source said, and the 6-foot guard is likely to land a deal overseas.
Liz, 27, averaged 21.1 points for Gaiteros in Venezuela last season.
April 2014 Basketball Wiretap
Free agent Charlie Westbrook has signed a contract with Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket in France, a source told RealGM.
Westbrook went to training camp with the Miami Heat, averaging 2.5 points in four preseason games, and then spent the season with Austin and Sioux Falls in the NBA Development League.
Westbrook played his final two collegiate seasons at South Dakota. As a senior, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 18.7 points and nearly four rebounds per game.
Slovenia star Zoran Dragic is in advanced discussions to leave his European club, BC Unicaja, to sign with an NBA team, league sources told RealGM.
After the Slovenian national team’s elimination in the FIBA World Cup to Team USA last Tuesday, Dragic focused on reaching terms on a deal in the NBA and has made significant progress this week. As a skilled, polished player, Dragic has shown glimpses of NBA upside.
Dragic, 25, had 11 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes of action against the United States in the World Cup.
RealGM reported on Sept. 9 that Dragic was in talks on a possible deal with the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic. The Phoenix Suns have long maintained dialogue with Dragic, and they’ve been an obvious suitor due the relationship with the 6-foot-5 guard’s older brother, Goran Dragic.
Dragic holds a buyout for the NBA until Oct. 5 with Unicaja Malaga, but he’s set to make a decision much before the date.
In seven games in this year’s world championships, Dragic averaged 12.9 points, four rebounds and 1.3 assists. He scored nearly 11 points per game for Unicaja a season ago.
Free agent center Denzel Bowles is closing on an agreement with Jilin of the Chinese Basketball Association, a source told RealGM.
Bowles worked out for Detroit this week, and the 6-foot-10 big man received a training camp invitation from the Pistons.
Bowles played for Jilin last season and had a workout for the Charlotte Bobcats upon his return. He averaged five points and 4.2 rebounds in the NBA Summer League in July with the Denver Nuggets.
Bowles, 25, split his college basketball at Texas A&M and James Madison, averaging 17.6 points and 8.8 rebounds as a senior in the CAA conference.
The Shanghai Sharks are making a strong push to sign Aron Baynes.
Baynes is currently a restricted free agent of the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs would retain Baynes' restricted free agent rights if he signs abroad.
After the Brooklyn Nets voided his free-agent deal due to a failed physical, Hamady Ndiaye will most likely sign in the Chinese Basketball Association when his injury recovers to full strength, a source told RealGM.
Several Chinese teams have been in discussions with Ndiaye before and after his decision to join the Nets for training camp.
A seven-footer out of Senegal, Ndiaye was a second-round draft acquisition in 2010 to the Washington Wizards, with whom he spent two seasons. The 27-year-old earned a spot on the Sacramento Kings out of camp last season and appeared in 14 games.
Ndiaye has played 33 NBA games in parts of three seasons — including stints in the Development League. He spent the 2012-13 season in China with Tianjin.
Ndiaye played his college basketball at the Univerity of Rutgers.
Free agent seven-footer Miroslav Raduljica has signed a one-year contract with Shandong of the Chinese Basketball Association, sources told RealGM.
Raduljica had interest from several NBA teams, including the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers, as well as discussions in Europe. With Gustavo Ayon leaning toward a deal in the European League, a lucrative offer in China formalized for Raduljica on Thursday night. Raduljica will become available in NBA free agency when his Chinese season ends in February.
In the Serbian national team’s Silver medal finish in the World Cup, Raduljica starred in averaging 13 points and 4.6 rebounds over nine games.
Raduljica had a strong rookie season in a limited role for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013-14, averaging 3.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 54 percent shooting in 9.7 minutes per game. He was released by the Clippers on Aug. 31 after being traded to Los Angeles for Jared Dudley.
Raduljica, 26, played in his native Serbia and the Ukraine before signing a three-year NBA contract last offseason.
Free agent guard Josh Akognon has signed a contract with Foshan of the Chinese Basketball Association, sources told RealGM.
Akognon had discussed training camp deals with NBA teams, but the Cal State Fullerton alum to return to China for a second consecutive season. He averaged 28 points and five assists for Qingdao in 2013-14.
Akognon, a 5-foot-11 sharpshooter, played three regular season games for the Dallas Mavericks in 2013. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and later released.
Jilin of the CBA also signed ex-UTEP point guard Randy Culpepper, a source told RealGM. Culpepper averaged 26 points in Russia last season and is a former MVP in Europe.
Shandong of the Chinese Basketball Association is making a strong push for Gustavo Ayon, a source tells RealGM.
Ayon had reached a deal with Real Madrd, but his buyout clause had become an issue.
Ayon spent last season with the Atlanta Hawks and had an impressive World Cup.
Delonte West has agreed to a one-year deal with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association, according to a source.
West spent the 2013-14 season in the CBA as well.
West played for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Summer League this July.