FreshHoops.com
The latest and freshest news from the world of the NBA.
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The New Jersey Nets have traded a second-round pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Mehmet Okur - the Jazz will also receive a trade exception. The move seems like a knee-jerk reaction by the Nets after it was announced earlier today that Brook Lopez will be out for an undetermined length of time after injuring his foot; he’ll have surgery on Friday.
This seems like a simple salary shed by the Jazz who seem to currently be moving in a rebuilding direction.
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The Phoenix Suns have waived Mickael Pietrus, according to ESPN. Pietrus was traded to the Toronto Raptors earlier in the year for a conditional second-round pick but he failed his physical due to a troublesome knee and so the trade was rescinded.
According to Mark Stein, Pietrus and his agent reached a buyout agreement with the Suns meaning he will become an unrestricted free agent and will be able to sign with a contender/team of his choice after clearing waivers.
His best season came in 2006 at Golden State when he scored 11.1 points per game and grabbed 4.5 rebounds whilst shooting .488 from three-point range.
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Kobe Bryant on possibly “healing” upset Pau Gasol after he was nearly traded, ‘Nah, gotta be grown men. No time to be babysitting people; burping people.’
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Sources told the Chicago Tribune that reigning MVP Derrick Rose will sign a five-year contract extension worth $94 million.
According to the Tribune, Rose said: “I don’t play for money, I play to win.”
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The Josh McRoberts show - Lakers vs Clippers.
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Kobe chided Caracter and Goudelock for wearing Air Jordans after practice: ‘That MF retired in ‘98, you got to get you some Kob’s.’
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According to ESPN, free agent Baron Davis hopes to know by Monday which NBA team he’ll be signing with. According to sources, his top three destinations are the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat. The Knicks are thought to be pusuing Davis aggressively, which may influence his decision when deciding to where to go.
Even though Davis is currently out of action with a back injury, he’d like to sign with a team so he can prepare for the season mentally by learning his new team’s playbook and players whilst healing up. All three potential suitors could possibly give Davis a starting position judging by their current rosters.
Los Angeles native Davis became a free agent earlier this week after no teams bid on him after he was amnestied by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Kobe Bryant has been working “around the clock” with 22-year-old Lakers sophomore Devin Ebanks to try and prepare him for this season, which should see him get increased minutes after the departure of Lamar Odom and he could even wind-up becoming a starter.
New Lakers coach Mike Brown announced yesterday that he would be moving Metta World Peace to the bench so he could lead the second unit, meaning there’s an open spot at the starting small forward position. The three players in contention for the spot are Ebanks, Matt Barnes and Luke Walton. Whilst Barnes currently looks like the favorite, there is still 9 days til opening night and a lot can happen within that time frame.
Today at the Lakers’ open scrimmage at USC, Ebanks scored 12 points, going 4-for-6 from the field, 4-for-4 from the foul line and adding two assists and a steal, according to ESPN.
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SHAWN MARION IS COMING FOR YOU…with his weird pinky.
The latest and freshest news from the world of the NBA.
