Del Negro Expects Paul Back During Camp

Any fears Clippers fans might have about All-Star point guard Chris Paul having surgery Tuesday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb should be put to rest, according to Coach Vinny Del Negro.
He wanted to reassure fans that Paul “will be all right” and will “resume all basketball activities” after being sidelined for about eight weeks.
It’s possible that Paul could be back sometime during training camp, which starts Oct. 1.
“I don’t want to put an exact date on it,” Del Negro said. “When he’s ready to play, he’ll play. But I expect him back sometime during training camp. I don’t know when, but the most important thing is to get ready for the start of the season.”

NBA BEATS - After watching the clippers in the playoffs I came to realize that they are not that great. Mostly because of Blake Griffin. He just is not that good. He is to passive. He should not be a superstar.The man can dunk. We know that. But that is why he is so well known. I would rather have Al Jefferson. Don't get me wrong. Griffin is good. There is not many players I would want over him. I am just a Jefferson fan. I would rather have Jefferson. I would be surprised if the clippers make it to the finals. But I am wrong quite a bit. Just my to cents.

Report: Boston Celtics Sign Jeff Green

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent forward Jeff Green. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are thrilled to be able to have Jeff back with the Celtics,” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations. “Jeff’s versatility on offense and ability to guard players out on the perimeter is something that we are looking forward to having on the court this season.”

Can Thunder Afford to Extend Eric Maynor?

Eric Maynor. Remember him?
Maynor is seeking an extension to his rookie contract with the Thunder, just like Serge Ibaka and James Harden. However, Maynor’s name often gets dropped when trying to decipher the Thunder’s trilogy of contracts.
Retaining Maynor ranks third among the trio, but he is not a throwaway player. He unquestionably has worth.
What about Maynor? In what future financial neighborhood will he reside? Will it be $14 million for four years? $16 million? $18 million? Higher? Lower?
Extending Maynor’s contract might not be financially feasible given Ibaka’s deal and what Harden’s potential deal could be.

NBA BEATS - Eric Maynor defineltly has some value. He is a nice player. I just don't see how OKC can afford to keep all these guys. He seems like one that may have to go. I would like my hometown team to pick him up.

Ibaka Deal Opens Door to Suns for Harden?

News that Serge Ibaka reached agreement on a four-year contract with Oklahoma City should catch the attention of Suns fans.
The amount of the deal, $48 million, will make it trickier for the Thunder to secure James Harden, who could command a maximum contract as a restricted free agent after the 2012-13 season. That could open the door for the Suns, who have maintained $15 million in cap space for next summer’s free-agency period and who have expressed interest in Harden behind the scenes.
Much will hinge on what becomes important to Harden. No one could fault him for chasing the money if a max deal (roughly $60 million over four years) is offered. But would the appeal of sticking it out with his Thunder teammates make him willing to stay for say, $52 million?
Harden’s mom lives in the Valley and the player has said he still has great affection for the area.

NBA BEATS - I sure hope so. I live in Mesa, AZ. So I would love to see Harden in the valley of the sun. He did attend college here. I don't think he can be a number one option on a team. But he is the perfect role player. And he definetly should be starting. He is to good to come off the bench.

Hornets the Next Up-and-Coming Team?

With New Orleans Hornets rookie forward Anthony Davis set to make his debut this upcoming season and the average age of their core players only 24 years old, the team appears to have taken the appropriate steps this summer to achieve long-term sustainability. Several former NBA players, who were in New Orleans this past weekend for the National Basketball Retired Players Association’s conference, said they believe the Hornets could become the next emerging team in the Western Conference because of their young talent.
“The direction the Hornets are in right now is really positive,” former Utah Jazz forward Stephen Howard said. “I think General Manager Dell Demps has done a tremendous job trying to build them into a team that will contend day in and day out.”
When the Hornets open training camp in October, their roster will include eight new players. Davis was the No. 1 draft pick in NBA draft in June after winning a national championship as a freshman with Kentucky in April.

NBA BEATS - I agree, Hornets could be a up and coming team. But I wouldn't say the General Manager or the organization did a good job. It is called getting the number one pick. That is why this is being said about them.

Thunder Has Interest in Jimmer Fredette?

Speaking of Kings, Jimmer Fredette would love to go someplace where someone other than just DeMarcus Cousins will pass him the ball. Thunder would love to pry Fredette away from Kings as replacement for Derek Fisher.

NBA BEATS - I think Jimmer whould thrive in a different enviroment. It is just the players the Kings have. Sacramento is a selfish team. A guy that can shoot that good is always a threat. Just needs to be in the right situation. But then again just look at how Adam Morrison turned out. Maybe Jimmer is a dud. But I think he has some real value in the right enviroment. Hope he does go to OKC.

Iguodala Thinking Long-Term with Nuggets

Andre Iguodala says he doesn’t want Denver to be just a stopover. The Nuggets wholeheartedly agree.
The Nuggets acquired the All-Star swingman from Philadelphia in the blockbuster trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Iguodala is under contract for this season with a player option for 2013-14. At his introductory news conference at the Pepsi Center on Thursday, he said he told Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri he wants to be here a while.
“We weren’t coming into this thinking this will be a one-year deal,” Iguodala said. “… This is definitely a place that I can see myself for more than just a year or two.”

Ujiri said he’ll work on an extension this upcoming season for the defensive-minded star who helped the U.S. win the gold medal at the London Olympics.