NBA signings and trades 2010-2011

[CKR13]

Adam Morrison

Teams that I think Adam Morrison could fit in.

5. Utah Jazz
Under Jerry Sloan and with Andrei Kirilenko in and out for the expected season, Morrison gives the Jazz a SF after Gordon Hayward.

4. Atlanta Hawks
Reunite with former LA Lakers teammate Josh Powell. A third option at SF after Marvin Williams and Josh Smith.

3. New Jersey Nets
A Low-Risk-Middle-Payoff move; they also have too much CAP space.

2. Golden State Warriors
No defense necessary and the system is very accommodating to trigger happy players.

1. Miami HEAT
He could be the lucky charm for the HEAT.

[dxjayrock2008]

Teams that I think Adam Morrison could fit in.

5. Utah Jazz
Under Jerry Sloan and with Andrei Kirilenko in and out for the expected season, Morrison gives the Jazz a SF after Gordon Hayward.

4. Atlanta Hawks
Reunite with former LA Lakers teammate Josh Powell. A third option at SF after Marvin Williams and Josh Smith.

3. New Jersey Nets
A Low-Risk-Middle-Payoff move; they also have too much CAP space.

2. Golden State Warriors
No defense necessary and the system is very accommodating to trigger happy players.

1. Miami HEAT
He could be the lucky charm for the HEAT.

None of the above? Lol.

[dxjayrock2008]

From nba.com


Shortly after getting promoted in Cleveland, new GM Chris Grant hired Byron Scott (right) as coach.
David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images

Summer shuffling reaches league's front offices, too


Posted Aug 18 2010 7:27AM

We don't witness the likes of LeBron James switching sides every summer, but mass turnover is a given every offseason. It's part of the league's lifecycle, with a fresh crop of rookies coming in, current players swapping jerseys as they relocate in new cities and still others just deciding it's time to hang it up.

Coaches undergo their own shuffle. This offseason has seen new sideline skippers take over in Cleveland, Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta, New Jersey and with the L.A. Clippers. As with the infusion of new players on a roster, each new coach comes of a promise of brighter days ahead.

But what about those largely responsible for the above? The wheelers and dealers, the personnel mavens and contract negotiators who scour the world for talent and hire the guys in expensive suits are under the same scrutiny as the familiar faces on the court every night.

The winds of change have swept through front offices around the league since the Lakers hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Portland, New Orleans, Phoenix, Cleveland and New Jersey have hired general managers since, Denver is currently undergoing a front-office restructuring. (The Suns and Philadelphia also brought on new presidents.)

The wave of new hires has naturally left a trail of former GMs out there, including Kevin Pritchard, Danny Ferry, Mark Warkentien, Jeff Bower, Kiki Vandeweghe and Mike Dunleavy. As for the new GMs on the block, here's a rundown:
Rich Cho, Portland

The 44-year-old former Boeing engineer who grew up outside of Seattle heads back to the Pacific Northwest after nine years with the Seattle Sonics/Oklahoma City Thunder franchise. Having worked his way up from the ranks of intern, Cho appears well versed in the many job duties required of today's GMs.

With a law degree from Pepperdine in tow, Cho's responsibilities with the Thunder as assistant GM included constructing trades, contract negotiations, salary cap and Collective Bargaining Agreement matters, player contracts and player personnel issues. He values the new-age use of analytics in evaluating players, but hasn't forsaken the importance of old-fashioned eyeball scouting.

Showing he understands the value of connecting with fans, Video Cho conducted an online chat shortly after getting the job. He believes the Blazers are a player or two away from competing for a title.
Lance Blanks, Phoenix

After five years in Cleveland's front office, the 43-year-old is a first-time GM under a first-time team president (Lon Babby) for a team that reached the Western Conference finals. Blanks has been around his share of winners. Not only was he a part of five Cavaliers playoff teams, including two that had the league's best record, he spent the previous three years as San Antonio's director of scouting.

Blanks logged three years in the league during the early 1990s (playing for Detroit and Minnesota) and has made his post-playing career mark on the personnel side. He's demonstrated an impressive track record in assessing talent, playing a critical role in drafting players such as Tony Parker, Luis Scola and J.J. Hickson.

He takes over a team in transition despite last season's unexpected playoff run. The Suns failed to re-sign Amar'e Stoudemire in the offseason and instead has added Hedo Turkoglu, Hakim Warrick and Josh Childress.
Dell Demps, New Orleans

Crisis management and the willingness to stick your neck out are two of the many traits needed in a GM. Demps, on the job less than a month, has already Video dealt head on with Chris Paul rumors and pulled off a major trade. Welcome to the hot seat, Dell.

On his first full day on the job, Demps -- along with new coach and old friend Monty Williams -- met with Paul to discuss the star point guard's future with the Hornets. The parties involved insisted that Paul is committed to New Orleans. To that end, Demps traded for Houston swingman Trevor Ariza last week in an ongoing effort to upgrade the roster around CP3.

Demps, 40, comes to New Orleans after serving five years in San Antonio's director of player personnel. He also served as general manager of the Spurs-owned NBA D-League affiliate, the Austin Toros. A teammate of Williams in the mid-1990s, Demps enjoyed a 10-year playing career that included stops overseas. After retiring, he worked as a D-League assistant before joining New York as a scout in 2003.
Chris Grant, Cleveland

Another first-time GM immediately thrown into the fire. Not only did Grant have LeBron James' impending decision hanging over his head after taking over for friend and mentor Danny Ferry in early June, he also had a coaching search to deal with.

The Cavaliers have begun the process of moving on post-LeBron behind Grant, owner Dan Gilbert and coach Byron Scott. Grant, 38, spent five years as Ferry's right-hand man. With 15 years of experience -- he spent the previous 10 in Atlanta -- Grant is well known and respected around the league.

As vice president of basketball operations, Grant oversaw the team's college scouting department and preparations for the draft. Contract negotiations were also on his plate. His task now is to reposition the Cavs and, as Gilbert promised, help deliver a championship parade before South Beach.
Billy King, New Jersey

Hand-picked by new Philadelphia president Rod Thorn as his successor, King inherits a new coach (Avery Johnson), the purse strings of Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov and the league's worst team. But optimism runs deep with the as-of-now-named Nets, who have a two-year detour through Newark before putting down stakes in Brooklyn.

King, 44, beat out former college teammate Danny Ferry for the Jersey job. King came on board after the Draft and after most of the dust settled in free agency, but he did help execute last week's four-team trade that landed Troy Murphy.

King is lead executive for the second time in the NBA, having previously served as Philadelphia general manager before being promoted to team president from 2003-07. He spent 10 years in the Sixers' front office. He's also worked with USA Basketball and was an assistant under Larry Brown in Indiana.

Art Garcia has covered the NBA since 1999. You can e-mail him here and follow him on twitter.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.

[mvblair]

Teams that I think Adam Morrison could fit in.

I'm surprised that Morrison has not had a bigger role in the NBA. His game seemed perfect for the NBA. He's still young, so he's still got a chance.

[NorCal]

I'm surprised that Morrison has not had a bigger role in the NBA. His game seemed perfect for the NBA. He's still young, so he's still got a chance.

I agree. Everyone knew he would have trouble defensively but I'm very surprised that he hasn't done better on the offensive end.

[CKR13]

The Memphis Grizzlies have yet to sign their first round draft pick Xavier Henry, formerly of Kansas and Greiviz Vasquez of formerly of Maryland.

Now, teams have been calling of trading both of the player's draft rights.

[dxjayrock2008]

Which NBA team should Allen Iverson join in? Lol.


Would an Allen Iverson-Larry Brown reunion work in Charlotte this season?
David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

Possible destinations for Iverson -- with Dr. Seuss twist


Posted Aug 20 2010 7:23AM
With Shaquille O'Neal now planted in the middle of Boston's shamrock patch and Tracy McGrady opting for a bailout in Detroit to continue his comeback, there is only one former NBA scoring champion still looking for a home this season.


With a tip of the cat in the hat to the late Dr. Seuss: Oh! The places you could go, Allen Iverson!
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
New York Knicks -- Break a leg! The show must go on! Has there ever been a more perfect setting for a gutty, gritty actor like Iverson to take his final bow than Broadway? No little guy has ever been slapped and hammered down to the floor like A.I., but kept getting back up and never forgetting his lines. He's been a star of the highest magnitude and could live in the spotlight of Madison Square Garden. After losing out in the LeBron James Sweepstakes, the Knicks got an OK consolation prize in Amar'e Stoudemire. But he's not enough to turn things around by himself and put N.Y. into the Eastern Conference race with Miami, Orlando and Boston. Raymond Felton and Roger Mason Jr. don't do the trick. It's still a long wait for Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul to make another super team next summer. In the meantime, could The Answer be the answer?
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
Charlotte Bobcats -- For all of his reticence last season to bring Iverson to Tobacco Road, Larry Brown knows that he can't resist a challenge and that he is the one coach who has been able to battle through the idiosyncrasies and get the most out of Iverson. The Bobcats may have made the playoffs for the first time last season, but haven't done much of anything since to help them move up in the increasingly-powerful Eastern Conference. Brown could sell him on coming off the bench, but it surely wouldn't be long before he's on the floor ahead of D.J. Augustin and Shaun Livingston. How'd you like to try to guard a backcourt with A.I. and Stephen Jackson?
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And you are the guy who'll decide where to go.
New Jersey Nets -- Does the Russian billionaire Mikail Prokhorov with all of those rubles to burn in his deep pockets really want to make his NBA debut with Jordan Farmar, Travis Outlaw and Troy Murphy as his headline acquisitions out of the great 2010 Free Agentpalooza? The Nets are putting together a solid young core around Brook Lopez, Derrick Favors and Devin Harris. But they really aren't going anywhere until they make the move to the new arena in Brooklyn in two more years. So why not give the fans a reason to drive a few extra exits down the turnpike to Newark to watch Iverson try to turn back the clock and work his old magic?
You'll look up and down streets.
Look'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
Miami Heat -- Four Kings? Four Horsemen? Four-midable? Would there ever have been a team put together with so much offensive firepower in one locker room? You couldn't say the Heat would ever run out of options late in a close game, if they ever had one. Of course, the fact that Iverson would be, at best, the third and more like the fourth option in the offense could provide enough crackling tension on the bench to power all of the clubs on South Beach straight through to sunrise. Right now, point guard is being held down by the likes of Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo, which means the position is in capable hands, but still has room for improvement. It would be a long, long, long shot all around for such a pairing of player and team. But it really could be Iverson's last chance to rehabilitate his damaged image and go out with a big winner, even in a small role.
And when things start to happen, don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along. You'll start happening too.
Cleveland Cavaliers -- OK, we know that adding Iverson is not going to get the Cavaliers any closer to fulfilling Dan Gilbert's pledge to win a championship before LeBron James. But after the classless way they were kicked by "The Decision" on national TV and misery of their summer, nobody needs a show to watch right now more than Cleveland fans. Are they really going to fill up the Q every night to watch new coach Byron Scott have his team play solid defensive fundamentals and run their offensive sets with the precision of a drill team? They've got Mo Williams and Ramon Sessions at the point and that could leave A.I. free to do his thing as a shooting, shooting, shooting and shooting guard. From Iverson's standpoint, he's not going to a contender and there are no rings in sight for the twilight of his career. But let's face it, he's not going to be truly happy playing anywhere in a backup role. In Cleveland, he could be The Answer to their sadness and woes. To follow in the footsteps of a superstar who might have given less than his all in his final playoff series in a Cavs uniform, here is a little guy who never stops charging, never quits. Let him go for 50 every night. Let him shoot for the scoring title. Just a freewheeling carnival ride to put a smile back on their faces and help everyone to forget whatshisname.
Fran Blinebury has covered the NBA since 1977. You can e-mail him here and follow him on twitter.

[CKR13]

Free agent guard Maurice Ager have signed a 1 year deal with the New York Knicks.

[CKR13]

The Denver Nuggets have placed guard JR Smith on the trading block.

I think the Nuggets are ready to blow up the team this season with all the news surrounding Carmelo Anthony on who most likely will not sign an extension sheet from the Nuggets unless the Nuggets trade him for value.

Kenyon Martin and Chauncy Billups are entering not only the last year of their contracts. but also the twilight of their careers.

[CKR13]

2010 NBA 2nd overall draft pick and Philadelphia 76ers Rookie guard Evan Turner has signed an endorsement deal with Chinese Footwear manufacturer Li-Ning.

Turner will have a sneaker on his brand debuting this fall and a set of apparels under his brand to come out next year.

Chinese company Li-Ning signs Sixers' Evan Turner to endorsement deal

Philadelphia Daily News

Daily News Staff Report

China's top athletic footwear brand is banking on Evan Turner being a star with the 76ers.

Li-Ning announced yesterday that it had signed the No. 2 overall pick to a multiyear contract. Turner will begin appearing immediately in the company's global marketing and will wear Li-Ning as a rookie. He will have his own branded sneaker and apparel in the second year of the deal.

CNBC first reported the contract.

"This is truly a game-changing moment for the Li-Ning brand," Brian Cupps, Li-Ning's brand initiative director for basketball, said in a statement. "Adding a supreme young talent like Evan Turner sends a message to the global basketball community that Li-Ning basketball is committed to being a player on the global stage."

It's both an honor and an opportunity," Turner said. "When I met with my agent, I told them I wanted to have my own brand, be able to build something and have it grow as I grow. We met with a few companies, and they weren't into trying to have it done . . . [Cupps] had my back 100 percent. I felt really comfortable. I'm really glad to have an opportunity to be a part of Li-Ning and appeal to people in different countries."

Li-Ning's U.S. campaign had been built around the Los Angeles Clippers' Baron Davis, The company also signed a 3-year deal with Hasheem Thabeet after he was drafted second by the Memphis Grizzlies last year.

Shaquille O'Neal previously had a contract with Li-Ning as well.

from phillydailynews.com

[CKR13]

The New Orleans Hornets have signed point guard Mustafa Shakur who played for the Tulsa 66ers on the NBADL.

While the Houston Rockets have signed guard Ishmael Smith to a 2 year deal on which the 3rd year is a non-guaranteed contract.

[dorothykirwan]

eastern

a must see eastern conference with two teams in eye of the championship, the miami heats and boston celtics. with such powerful roster, we can't seem to predict whether which of the two teams will win over other.

[CKR13]

The Denver Nuggets have named former Team Scout Masai Ujiri as the new General Manager.

Ujiri is due for some tough decisions regarding the Carmelo Anthony situation.

[CKR13]

Free Agents that are still left on the market

Among are free agents that NBA teams can pick up at this late, heading into training camp:

Delonte West
recently waived and awaiting offers.

Larry Hughes
played last season with the Charlotte Bobcats and currently in negotiations with the Bobcats

Earl Watson
Veteran guard and most likely playing abroad.

Earl Barron
averaged 11 ppg and 11 rpg for the New York Knicks last season on six games left for the Knicks.

Louis Amudson
Rumored to be pursued by Golden State and New Orleans.

Bobby Simmons
Former Most Improved Player in 2005. D-League bound.

Allen Iverson
It's A.I. this guy will still sell tickets. Most likely brought back in the Philadelphia 76ers.

Kyrylo Feslenko
Rumor has it that will be re-signing with the Utah Jazz.

Flip Murray
Bounced around for the last three years. I expect him to be picked up into the season when the injury bug bites some teams.

Joe Smith
Former 1st pick overall in 1995. Veteran big man ready to come off the bench for a minimum contract. Again, once the injury bug bites, teams may want to inquire of his services.

[mvblair]

Earl Watson
Veteran guard and most likely playing abroad.

He's good. He's pretty solid. He is a stable player. Where did he play last season? I'm not sure.

Allen Iverson
It's A.I. this guy will still sell tickets. Most likely brought back in the Philadelphia 76ers.

I wish he would consider going overseas. I think he would be a great boost to a developing league like Japan. Maybe even China.

Flip Murray
Bounced around for the last three years. I expect him to be picked up into the season when the injury bug bites some teams.

Yeah, he's had some fantastic games. Some unbelievable games. I've been surprised for a number of years that he hasn't signed a big contract. He must have some problems with coaches or something. That's just speculation.