Williams had received interest from the Miami Heat as well this off-season but ultimately ended up staying in Orlando for his second season with the team.

Williams played in all 82 games last season, averaged 6 points, 3.4 assists and .6 steals in 20.8 minutes a game. Jason had the best shooting season of his career last year, knocking down 44% of his shots and 38% of his three-point attempts.

Williams will likely have a smaller role this season as free agent acquisition Chris Duhon figures to be Jameer Nelon’s primary back-up but Orlando knows that he is a competent back-up and it will be easy for him to adjust to being the number one back-up should anything happen to Nelson or Duhon.

NBA News and Rumors reported earlier this morning that the Miami Heat will open the season against the Boston Celtics.

NBA News and Rumors also reported yesterday that the Miami Heat will open Amway Arena against the Orlando Magic in their second game of the season.

NBA News and Rumors also reported via inside sources yesterday that the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Miami Heat on Christmas Day.

Photo via @NBA_Photos

This is the second blockbuster game to leak out this morning and the third headliner to feature the Heat to come out over the past day.

NBA News and Rumors reported earlier this morning that the Miami Heat will open the season against the Boston Celtics.

NBA News and Rumors also reported yesterday that the Miami Heat will open Amway Arena against the Orlando Magic in their second game of the season.

Spears also reports that John Wall will make his debut against the Orlando Magic on October 27th, likely in Washington.

NBA News and Rumors reported yesterday that the Heat and the Magic will open Amway Arena on October 28th.

Caracter’s other suitors are believed to be the Denver Nuggets and several European teams.

As NBA News and Rumors reported last Thursday, the Lakers are also expected to sign Shannon Brown within the coming days barring a late snag by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The New York Knicks are also in the running for Brown, according to other reports.

The 11-time NBA champion coach announced on July 1 that he would return for what he called “the last stand for me” but it took until last week to finalize a new contract, according to a source close to the situation.

Terms of Jackson’s new contract have not been released. A message left for his agent Todd Musburger Monday evening was not returned.

With Jackson’s deal finally in place, the Lakers were able to quickly reach agreements with the rest of his staff. Longtime assistants Brian Shaw, Frank Hamblen and Jim Cleamons are returning and special assistant Chuck Person has officially been added to the staff.

More details as they emerge.

Palmer, a six-foot-six small forward, played for the Wizards’ Summer League team in Las Vegas, Nevada, averaging eight points, three rebounds and one assist in four games. Kevin shot 57% from the field and 50% from three during his time in Vegas.

Palmer seems to be a long shot to make the team but having added experience with an NBA team will give him an opportunity to showcase his abilities while also establishing relationships with fellow players and coaches.

The source also told NBA News and Rumors that the New York Knicks are the favorites to land Fernandez at this point in time. Rudy is a perfect fit in Mike D’Antoni’s fast paced, three-point heavy offense and isn’t a bad athlete either.

The Bulls are still talking to Portland about Rudy but nothing has materialized as of yet, says the source.

The Boston Celtics have signed Von Wafer to a one-year minimum deal, according to sources close to the situation.

Wafer was an offensive spark off the bench with the Rockets but had issues with the coaching staff and had some character issues. Defensively, he isn’t comparable to Tony Allen but that will be his role, backing up Ray Allen and defending some of the opposition’s better perimeter options.

Eddie House has reached agreement on a two-year, $2.8 million deal with the Miami Heat, his agent, Mark Bartelstein tells Y! Sports.

Miami beat out the Chicago Bulls to get House. With a history of clutch shooting that includes multiple big games with the Boston Celtics over the past three years, House will help support Miami’s starry core off the bench.

House averaged seven points and one assist last season in 68 games with the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. House is a career 40% three-point shooter and should see most of the back-up minutes for Dwyane Wade.