Sources: Brooks Looking for 4-Year Deal

Scotty Brooks’ contract as OKC coach ends when June ends. The widespread assumption persists that Brooks and the Thunder will hammer out a new deal now that they no longer have a deep playoff run to manage, but sources close to the process continue to caution that A) extension talks have been slow-moving for weeks now and B) concern is rising within the organization that the sides are not nearly as destined to reach an agreement as everyone else around the league presumes.

Sources told ESPN.com this week that the Thunder have offered Brooks an annual salary “north of $4 million.” But those same sources maintain that the length of the deal is the primary holdup. Brooks is said to be seeking a guaranteed four-year deal; sources say OKC prefers a two- or three-year deal.

via Marc Stein of ESPN

Thomas Robinson Won’t Go One-on-None Anymore

As for (Thomas) Robinson, Friday looms large for his chances of being the second overall pick as he is scheduled to work out against Connecticut center Andre Drummond for the second time in three days. The two squared off in Cleveland on Wednesday, which never would have happened if Robinson didn’t change his own strategy and tell his management team that he just wasn’t a one-on-none type of guy.

After flying solo at a workout in Washington on June 13, Robinson told his agents, Tony Dutt and Jason Martin, that he was done with the individual workout approach. To Drummond’s credit, he obliged. And Robinson, who I spoke with over the weekend as his strategy was changing, was thrilled to get his way.

“We’ve been going (in this draft process) for a long while, just practicing and not being in a game atmosphere,” he said. “I want to go out there and compete, to get that game feeling. You don’t get that just playing (in an individual workout). It’s even worse because it’s not like you’re training for college and you’re going back to a place you know. With training, you don’t’ know where you’re going to go.”

Yet while Robinson knows he won’t be going No. 1, he made it clear at the Chicago predraft camp earlier this month that he thinks he should be the top pick. It’s all part of a personality that is the most fiery in this entire bunch and part of the gritty makeup that makes him so attractive to teams who are confident he’ll be a high-level, reliable forward for years to come.

via Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated

GM’s Concerned with Jared Sullinger

A number of GMs are legitimately concerned with what their doctors found concerning (Jared) Sullinger’s back. They claim it’s much more serious than what Sullinger’s camp is saying. We will continue to try to get a handle on this situation in the next few days.

Still, there will be a certain spot in the draft where Sullinger’s reward outweighs the risk. I’m not totally sure this is it, but the Nuggets need a 4 who can bang down low, so this might be a win-win for Sullinger and Denver.

via Chad Ford of ESPN

Michael Jordan a Fan of Harrison Barnes’?

The Bobcats continue to talk with teams about trading the No. 2 pick. But if they keep it, most of the signals coming out of the organization point to (Thomas) Robinson being the man. He is a super athletic, physical 4 who should be an instant upgrade over Tyrus Thomas and D.J. White.

I’m hearing Harrison Barnes may be in second place on their wish list. Apparently, MJ is a fan. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal are in the mix, too, though I’m told MKG didn’t blow anyone away in his workout for the Bobcats on Monday and also hurt his back a little.

via Chad Ford of ESPN

Pepsi MAX & Kyrie Irving Present: "Uncle Drew"

Sources: Hornets Consider Zeller with #10

After trading starting center Emeka Okafor to the Wizards on Wednesday, the New Orleans Hornets are more likely now to give serious consideration toward using their No. 10 overall pick in the draft on June 28 to select North Carolina 7-foot center Tyler Zeller, sources confirmed. Although Hornets General Manager Dell Demps won’t say for sure who they will select, their need to obtain a center has increased significantly.

With center Chris Kaman set to become a free agent July 1 and unlikely to re-sign with the Hornets, power forward Jason Smith is the only player on the roster who has played any significant time at center.

The Hornets traded Okafor and forward Trevor Ariza to Washington in exchange for forward Rashard Lewis and the 46th overall pick in the second round of the draft.

via John Reid of The Times Picayune

Lakers’ Bryant Tops Jersey Sales Again

The National Basketball Association (NBA) today released its first-ever overall international top selling jerseys list and five-time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant has the most popular NBA jersey internationally.  The top 15 list was based on sales at adidas locations outside the United States during the 2011-12 NBA season.

Chicago’s Derrick Rose, Miami’s LeBron James, Boston’s Kevin Garnett and Orlando’s Dwight Howard, round out the top five. The list features three players in the NBA Finals: James, Dwyane Wade and Kevin Durant. International stars such as Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol from Spain, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki from Germany, San Antonio’s Tony Parker from France, and Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio from Spain made the top 15.

The NBA also announced the top five selling jerseys in key regions: China, Europe and Latin America. In China, Bryant has the top selling jersey for the sixth straight season while Rose moves up to No. 2. Bryant had the top selling jersey in Europe and Latin America this season.