Monthly Archives: June 2011

It only gets harder for owners, players

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The NBA’s Board of Governors met Tuesday in Dallas and heard a report on
collective bargaining from Spurs owner Peter Holt, chairman of its
labor relations committee.

The league wouldn’t reveal if the board officially authorized locking
out the players once the clock strikes midnight Thursday, the end of the
collective bargaining agreement that’s been in place since 2005, but it
doesn’t matter. As commissioner David Stern has warned already, such a
vote is a mere formality and can be conducted by any means at any time. Continue reading “It only gets harder for owners, players” »

Denver Nuggets' Nene to opt out of contract, become an unrestricted free ag

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Now the real work begins for the Nuggets in trying to retain their starting center.

Nene will opt out of the final year of his contract worth nearly $12
million and, as a result, become an unrestricted free agent, a source
familiar with the situation said Wednesday night.

It means Nene can sign with any team he wishes without the Nuggets
getting a chance to match the offer when free agency begins after the
expected NBA lockout, which likely will start Friday.

Continue reading “Denver Nuggets' Nene to opt out of contract, become an unrestricted free ag” »

James Jones declines player option, will become free agent

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Forward James Jones has informed the Miami Heat he won’t be exercising
the player option in his contract and will become a free agent,
according to an NBA source.

Jones, who was waived days before free agency opened last year, then
re-signed 21 days later, would’ve earned $1.3 million this year had he
exercised his option. Continue reading “James Jones declines player option, will become free agent” »

Players, owners to meet again Thursday

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Amid mounting labor gloom, NBA commissioner David Stern tried Tuesday to
muster a hopeful tone heading into the last scheduled negotiation with
the players before the expiration of the current collective
bargaining agreement.

Following a five-hour Board of Governors meeting at the same hotel that
the league used as its Dallas headquarters during the NBA Finals earlier
this month, Stern and deputy commissioner Adam Silver said that the
league’s owners have not formally voted to authorize a lockout to start
immediately if there is no new labor agreement before Thursday’s
midnight deadline. Continue reading “Players, owners to meet again Thursday” »

Raptors coach Casey completes staff

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New Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey has completed the bulk of his
coaching staff, with former Raptors assistant and 76ers and Magic head
coach Johnny Davis agreeing to join his staff as lead assistant coach.

Davis coached Allen Iverson in his rookie season in Philadelphia, but
was fired after one season. He spent parts of two seasons as Orlando’s
head coach, and was interim head coach in Memphis after Marc Iavaroni
was fired two years ago, before the Grizzlies named Lionel Hollins head
coach. Davis, a former teammate of Hollins’ on Portland’s world
championship team in 1976, remained on Hollins’s staff. Continue reading “Raptors coach Casey completes staff” »

Barea prefers staying in Dallas, but mentions New York, Los Angeles and Miami

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Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea recently told Primera Hora’s Raul
Alzaga that even though he would like to return to Dallas, he’d be open
to playing in Miami, Los Angeles or New York.

Barea averaged 10.2 points per game during the NBA Finals, helping the Mavs oust the Miami Heat in six games. Continue reading “Barea prefers staying in Dallas, but mentions New York, Los Angeles and Miami” »

Knicks plan to make effort at reacquiring veteran Kurt Thomas

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Kurt Thomas is the NBA’s oldest player and he might just hold the title of slowest and most vertically challenged, too.

Yet, he’s precisely what the Knicks need.

According to a team source, the Knicks intend to make a run at
reacquiring Thomas this summer, or whenever the expected NBA lockout
ends. The veteran power forward is a free agent who spent last season
with the Chicago Bulls and has made it clear that he wants to play at
least one more season. Continue reading “Knicks plan to make effort at reacquiring veteran Kurt Thomas” »

Phoenix Suns could go big in Thursday's NBA draft

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When it comes to the Suns’ draft situation for Thursday night, it is easier to address what won’t happen:

– They won’t end the night without a draft choice.

– They won’t trade Vince Carter’s contract, opting instead to buy him out for $4 million in the coming days.

– They probably won’t use one of their trade exceptions to take on extra
payroll, which could compromise flexibility expected in 2012. Continue reading “Phoenix Suns could go big in Thursday's NBA draft” »