Archive for August, 2009
Ricky Rubio To Remain In Spain
Posted by Mark Travis in Rumors on August 8, 2009
Ricky Rubio
It’s been a long, drawn out process, but it appears the Ricky Rubio situation is finally coming to an end. According to DKV Joventut’s official Twitter page, the team has announced that Ricky Rubio will remain for the final two years on his current contract.
“After endless comings and goings, Ricky Rubio is finally where he is. After many speculations about its future, the player decided to put an end to the issue of their transfer and will be announced at DKV Joventut, where he still has two more years (on his) contract.”
Rubio had the choice to not play any sort of professional basketball this year, and re-enter the 2010 NBA Draft which would have resulted in the Minnesota Timberwolves losing their Draft rights to Rubio. However, Rubio, unable to come to terms on a buy-out, decided it would be best to remain with DKV Joventut.
It’s expected Rubio will attempt a buy-out again at the end of the DKV Joventut’s season.
Source: DKV Joventut Twitter
Source: Hawks and Joe Johnson Working On Extension
Posted by Mark Travis in News on August 5, 2009
A source close to the Atlanta Hawks tells NBA News and Rumors that the team and star shooting guard Joe Johnson are working on an extension.
Johnson averaged 21 points, six assists and four rebounds a game last season, and helped the Hawks make into the playoffs as a four seed, only to be eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in round two.
Source: Brandon Roy Agrees to An Extension With Portland
Posted by Mark Travis in News on August 5, 2009
The Portland Trail Blazers and Brandon Roy have agreed to an extension, a source close to the negotiations told our partner site But The Game Is On.
The source indicates that the deal is for four years and and a maximum $82 million, with a player option for the fifth year.
Roy has emerged into the rock of the franchise in Portland and this deal ensures that the Trail Blazers will have a leader for the years to come.
Roy averaged 22.6 points per game last season along with 5.1 assists per game, 4.7 rebounds per game and 1.17 blocks per game. Brandon shot 48% from the field and 38% from deep.
The Trail Blazers finished fourth in the West last season thanks to Roy.
Ricky Rubio Searching For Endorsements
Posted by Mark Travis in News on August 4, 2009
Ricky Rubio Looking For Endorsements
Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press reports that Ricky Rubio is searching for product endorsement opportunities to help fund his $6.6 million buyout with DKV Joventut. While this is encouraging news for Minnesota Timberwolve fans, it is by no stretch is it a guarantee that Rubio will play in the NBA this season. It’s possible Rubio is simply attempting to clear the buyout so he can play for hometown Barcelona this year and return to the NBA next season. Do keep in mind, if Rubio does not play any type of professional basketball this year, the Minnesota Timberwolves will lose their rights to Rubio, allowing him to re-enter the 2010 NBA Draft.
Source: St. Paul Press
Update: Timberwolves Sign Ryan Hollins To Offer Sheet
Posted by Mark Travis in News on August 3, 2009
Update: An NBA source indicates to NBA News and Rumors that the Dallas Mavericks will not be matching the Timberwolves offer to Ryan Hollins and that Hollins will be a member of the Minnesota squad for next season.
Late last evening, the Minnesota Timberwolves signed restricted free agent Ryan Hollins, currently of the Dallas Mavericks, to an offer sheet. The Mavericks have 7 full days to match the offer.
While the Mavericks are thin at center, with the addition of Drew Gooden, many do not expect them to match the offer.
Update: The offer is 3 years, 7 million
Source: TwinCities
NBA To Release Schedule This Tuesday Per Yahoo!
Posted by Mark Travis in News on August 1, 2009
The NBA will release the schedule for the upcoming season will be released Tuesday, according to Yahoo! Sports.
The NBA’s 2009-10 regular-season schedule is slated to be sent to all 30 teams on Aug. 3, according to a league memo. The schedule will be released to the public at 1 p.m. ET on Aug. 4.
One match-up that is expected to be announced will feature the NBA Finals MVP and the NBA Regular Season MVP.
Oklahoma City Signs Veteran Point Guard Kevin Ollie
Posted by Mark Travis in News on August 1, 2009
The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed free agent point guard Kevin Ollie. Terms were not disclosed.
Ollie played 50 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, averaging 4 points, 2.3 assists, and 0.4 steals.
At 36 years old, Ollie has played for nine different teams in his 12 year career, averaging 3.8 points, 2.3 assists and 0.5 steals throughout his career.
Ollie will be the third point guard for Oklahoma City, behind Russell Westbrook and Shaun Livingston.
Tony Parker Unhappy With Spurs?
Posted by Mark Travis in News on August 1, 2009
Tony Parker
The San Antonion Spurs are bringing Tony Parker back to Texas for examinations after he injured himself last week while training for the French national team, which has upset the point guard.
Parker was quoted as saying:
“I don’t understand this decision [to return to the U.S. for tests]…I regret what is going on,”
Despite his “regrets”, Spurs GM R.C. Buford said the team is simply taking a precaution with Parker.
It should be added that no ligament damage was reveled in the original MRI.
Parker injured his ankle and thigh in a nasty collision during practice, resulting in Parker leaving the court on crutches.
Source: San Antonio Express-News
Lakers To Try And Extend Kobe Now?
Posted by Mark Travis in Rumors on August 1, 2009
The Los Angeles Lakers have completed all of their off-season moves by releasing shooting guard Sun Yue, who was guaranteed $100,000 of his $736,420 if he was on the roster on August 1st.
“We really appreciated the opportunity the Lakers gave Sun and the way they approached the entire situation,” Sun’s agent Charles Bonsignore said.
“They were all class. But because of the depth on their roster, we both knew that even if he made the team there wouldn’t be a lot of opportunity to play and the Lakers didn’t want to hold him back.”
With no more money to spend and with all players from last year being resigned, the Lakers will now “turn to the future, beyond this season,” according to GM Mitch Kupchak.
The first thing on the docket for securing the future of the organization? Signing Kobe Bryant to an extension.
Kobe acknowledged earlier this off-season that it would be best for the Lakers to focus on free agents before they started talks with him, but now seems like a good time to get things started.
Source: Los Angeles Daily News
Posted by Mark Travis in Quick Hits on August 1, 2009
Derrick Rose Wants To Be On Team USA: As for playing in the Olympics, Rose has a history of playing in big games, finishing off his days in Memphis in a National Championship Game and starting his NBA career with one of the best payoff series in the history of the game. But for Derrick, the Olympics would be a whole new monster. “It’s a little bit higher than all of that [referring to the National Championship Game and the Bulls-Celtics series from last season]. (Laughs). It’d be an honor,” Rose told me in an interview at the Showcase. “Everybody in the world is watching the Olympics if I do make the team. My mom was up watching the games at two or three o’clock in the morning, so I could tell it was a big thing. It’d be even bigger playing in it.” [But The Game Is On]
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