Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports: “Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis is on the brink of becoming the coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, multiple league sources told Yahoo! Sports. After meeting with Timberwolves executives, including owner Glen Taylor, Rambis was working on assembling a coaching staff in anticipation of receiving a formal offer on Thursday, sources said. Rambis is expected to hire Dave Wohl as his top assistant, an Eastern Conference executive said. Let go as an assistant GM in Boston this summer, Wohl has a close relationship with Rambis and has nearly 25 years of NBA coaching experience. It is believed that one current Minnesota assistant – possibly Ed Pinckney or Dean Cooper – could stay to be a part of Rambis’ staff. Rambis’ hiring could have a positive impact on the Wolves’ chances of luring the fifth overall pick in the draft, Spain’s Ricky Rubio(notes). Rubio’s agent, Dan Fegan, is fond of Rambis. Rambis is expected to beat out television analyst Mark Jackson and Houston assistant Elston Turner for the job. All the coaching finalists had to undergo a lengthy psychological exam, sources said.”
Andrew Kamenetzky of the Los Angeles Times: “Yes, Rambis would be taking over a lousy team, but they’re a lousy team with two good pieces (Al Jefferson, Kevin Love), a few youngsters with potential (Jonny Flynn, a healthy Corey Brewer, Ricky Rubio?) and high draft picks certain to come. And since there’s no pressure to win right away, the powers that be can afford to take a patient look at Rambis. Plus, Rambis might get to sign off on a Quentin Richardson trade, which is apparently a lot of fun, since everyone’s doing it this offseason!!! In the meantime, the Lakers will have an easier time, should they choose to do so, transitioning Brian Shaw as the next head coach not named ‘Phil’ or ‘Jackson.’ It’s a role I’ve long felt Shaw was being groomed for- I actually thought Shaw would be the guy taking over for Frank Hamblen before PJ shocked the world with his return- and like Rambis in Minnesota, I think the former three-peat member would be a great call. He’s young enough to remember what it’s like being a player, but far enough removed from active duty to reek of ‘coach.’ He communicates well and has a very good way with people. Plus, he’s got the everlasting respect of Kobe Bryant, and I’ll go out on a limb and predict the brain trusts want a dude with 24’s stamp of approval.”
Chip Crain of 3 Shades of Blue: “When asked about the scouting moves Wallace stated that he didn’t fire 5 people. Ryan West (Jerry West’s son) and David Booth resigned. West took a similar job with the LA Lakers (no big surprise there) and Booth took an assistant coaching position at his alma mater in the Big East. For Booth this was a promotion of sorts and gets him on track for his ultimate career goals of being a head coach one day. Wallace supported his decision whole-heartedly and encouraged him to pursue the opportunity. The Grizzlies did dismiss three other scouts. One of the scouts was in Europe but Wallace feels that the team has great contacts in Europe already and the team still has another full-time scout working for them over there. That person has been scouting since 1990. He lives in Italy and gets tapes of every game and forwards those he feels are worthing talking about. Wallace mentioned that he talked to this scout practically once a week if not more every week of the year. The people Wallace is going to count on going forward include the Barone’s, Kenny Williamson and the European scout as well as Wallace himself becoming more active in scouting.”
Marcus Thompson II of the Oakland Tribune: “Early in the offseason, new general manager Larry Riley said to expect changes. He said he wanted a point guard, beef on the front line and experience. Then, the draft-day rumors of trading for Phoenix Suns All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire teased fans. But as the offseason progressed, and NBA players moved around, reality began to set in. The players the Warriors want either aren’t available or aren’t willing to sign long term if Golden State acquires them. That, or they aren’t clearly better than second-year forward Anthony Randolph, who’s entrenched as a cornerstone of the franchise. Or they aren’t worth giving up center Andris Biedrins for. With the Stoudemire trade nowhere near happening — according to multiple sources — the Warriors are left with few options. It may not be the worst thing in the world, though. If this were the roster heading into the season, the Warriors would get a chance to play their young studs big minutes, getting them the experience they need. Also, the Warriors might be setting themselves up to be players next offseason, when a wealth of talent is expected to be available.”
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: “A month ago, when Dwyane Wade was everywhere promoting the Summer Groove charity event, talk of his extension window opening was everywhere, as well. Since then, nothing has changed. The window is still open; Wade is still waiting, this time as he is off in Chicago again working with noted trainer Tim Grover. Most likely, that means opting out next June and then renegotiating a new deal next summer. As much as anything, Heat President Pat Riley is glad to have the discussions with Wade and agent Henry Thomas out of the headlines. ‘We continue to talk with Henry and with Dwyane about this,’ he said. ‘There is no timeline on it. We have not ever put a timeline on it. It’s out there and we continue talking all the time. I would say, probably, at least once a week I’m communicating with Dwyane on a number of different issues that involve the team and himself and his health and the Olympics and all of those things.’”
Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald: “Glen Davis now understands why the term ‘restricted free agent’ is an oxymoron. The Celtics forward, discouraged by the lack of progress in talks with the team as well as shrinking options in the free agent market, posted his frustration Tuesday night on Twitter. As evidenced by his tweets, Davis’ angst was tweaked in part by the C’s signing of free agent power forward Shelden Williams to a veterans minimum contract earlier this week. A league source also confirmed the Celtics finally started discussing numbers with Davis in the past week and made an offer that was considered disappointing by the player’s camp. Davis started free agency with the hope of earning mid-level money ($5.8 million) but has yet to draw any offers beyond the one recently made by the Celtics.”
Jason Quick of The Oregonian: “Roy stands to make nearly $82 million over the length of the contract, but exact figures won’t be known until the salary cap is set for the 2010-11 season. But if the cap stays the same next season, Roy would make $13.5 million in the first season of the contract. Roy will receive 10.5 percent raises each season, which could balloon his salary to $20.1 million in the fifth season, when Roy will be nearly 31. The $82 million would be the second largest deal in Blazers history, behind the six-year, $84 million deal the Blazers awarded Zach Randolph in 2004. The $20.1 million Roy could earn in the last year would be the highest single-season salary in team history, topping the $19.7 million Scottie Pippen made in the final year of his contract in 2002-03. Roy this season will make $3.9 million, which is the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. This season, he will be the seventh highest paid player on the Blazers behind Joel Przybilla ($6.8 million), Andre Miller ($6.7 million), LaMarcus Aldridge ($5.8 million), Greg Oden ($5.3 million), Martell Webster ($4.3 million) and Steve Blake ($4.0 million).”
Dave of Blazers Edge: “Obviously the team is showing Brandon respect by committing over $80 million to him. But this contract also earns him the respect of his peers, not only those currently in the locker room but those who might come along in the future. Money is part of the NBA culture. Everybody wants it. When you get maxed out you become the guy everybody wants to be. When you talk, nobody can speak against you. You can’t be called into question on your game because it was good enough to get that contract. You can’t be threatened because you have nothing to lose anymore. If you had to walk away tomorrow you’d walk away set for life. Roy was already the king of the hill because of his play, attitude, and leadership skills. This provides the final missing piece. He has arrived in every way possible. The Blazers knew the score exactly when they agreed to this deal. They might as well have turned to Brandon and hung a flashing neon sign around his neck saying, ‘LEADER.’ Unlike their last big-time deal (cough, Z-Bo, cough) they didn’t do it hoping Roy would grow into that role. They did it because Roy had already assumed that role. This wasn’t a gamble. This was the official crowning of the king.”
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel: “After a busy summer, the Magic’s payroll for the upcoming season has ballooned to nearly $80 million, well above the league’s luxury-tax threshold. At the end of the regular season, any team with a payroll over $69.92 million must pay a dollar-for-dollar tax for the amount above $69.92 million. The Magic currently have 11 players under contract, and General Manager Otis Smith wants to sign another backup point guard and another big man. When contacted Wednesday, Smith said he doesn’t expect any deals for the next couple of weeks. ‘Still looking and having conversations,’ Smith said. Former Miami Heat player Jason Williams could be a possibility at point guard, but the New York Knicks have the exclusive rights to negotiate with him through Thursday. The Magic had been interested in Golden State restricted free agent C.J. Watson, but the only realistic way the Magic could obtain him would be through a sign-and-trade deal with the Warriors. With the major offseason additions already made, Martins said the Magic will lose $40 million during the upcoming season. But the team hopes to break even once it moves into Amway Center. The revenue from the naming-rights deal will help reach that goal, he said.”
