P.J. Carlesimo has an agreement in principle to join the Toronto Raptors as an assistant coach under Jay Triano, according to league sources. Carlesimo last served as a head coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder but was replaced by Scott Brooks midway through the 2008-09 season. Prior to that, Carlesimo served as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Poppovich. Carlesimo spent this season working for the Spurs as a color commentator on their radio broadcasts. - ESPN
Matt Barnes will test the free-agent market this summer. Barnes said minutes ago that he will not exercise his player option for the 2010-11 season, but he added that he hopes to return to the Orlando Magic. “As for me and my contract situation, I’m going to opt out,” Barnes told reporters gathered at RDV Sportsplex this morning. - Orlando Sentinel
Word is Brandon Bass wants assurances from Otis Smith and Stan Van Gundy that he will have a much larger role next season or he wants to be traded. Bass was patient with the process this year and tried to stay positive in the face of a tough situation, but sources close to Bass say enough is enough. - HoopsWorld
But Lewis blossomed from an overmatched high school kid into a 16.7 points-per-game scorer and 39.2 percent 3-point shooter, a two- time All-Star and the holder of a $118 million contract thanks in part to the seven years he spent with Dwane Casey at the start in Seattle. "He's a great coach," Lewis said of Casey, the Sonics' longtime assistant who has had two interviews for the vacancy in Atlanta and is a candidate for other openings. "He's a gym rat. He made sure I worked on my game all the time. He knows the X's and O's. He was a great assistant coach when he did the scouting report. He's just one of those guys who eats, sleeps basketball." - NBA
Magic general manager Otis Smith wants to be clear: He's not looking to overhaul the roster again. Unless he does. Smith said Monday he doesn't expect any major moves this offseason, even after failing to return to the NBA finals. He believes Orlando already has the roster to win its first championship. - USA Today
Garnett, however, kept his shields up when asked after a practice in Waltham, Mass., recently about the roads not taken. "My road is what it is. I traveled it," Garnett told me. "Can't go back in time. Can't change that road. I have a greater sense of appreciation now, because of my journey. And I don't think too much into it, because it's really [wasted] energy to do that. There's no sense in doing that. It's not going to fix anything. It's not going to make anything better with me. I'm living in the moment and I'm enjoying it." - NBA
Gaffney, a Boston native, was signed to the Lakers training camp roster last summer after going undrafted out of the University of Massachusetts. He was the was the last player cut from training camp and went overseas to play in Israel before being signed by the Celtics in April. It has been months since he returned to Los Angeles, and he’s thrilled to be arriving as a member of the Celtics. “I wouldn’t want to be going back any other way. I’m looking forward to it,” he said before the team flew out to California on Monday. “It’s definitely unique, and having the two teams [that I’ve played for] be the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers makes it that much more special. Obviously they’re two top of the line, class A organizations, it’s no surprise as to why they are in the finals. Having gotten the chance to witness that and see it firsthand, to me this all makes sense.” - WEEI
First, a source says that less than a week before the June 24 Draft, the Sixers have tentatively scheduled a workout in Philly that will feature Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins and Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors, the top two big man prospects in the Draft. There would be no reason to schedule such a workout -- and certainly no reason for either Cousins or Favors to attend -- if there wasn't some kind of indication sent by the Sixers that they're seriously considering one or the other with the second pick. - NBA
Dwight Howard might not play for USA Basketball at this summer's world championships. Orlando's All-Star center and the NBA's two-time defending defensive player of the year said on Monday that he hasn't decided if he will play. It was the first time Howard has publicly wavered about playing in this summer's world championships. He had stayed firm on his commitment all season even as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and other stars expressed doubts about participating because of impending free agency. "I haven't decided what I'm going to do," Howard said after the Magic's end-of-season meeting. "I'm just going to get some rest and think about that later on." - ESPN
Columnist Ted Green wrote on Sunday, in a blog post for the Los Angeles Times, a list of reasons to hate the Celtics. In the post, he suggested that Paul Pierce’s “idea of a fun night is going clubbing and getting stabbed. Good times!’ In 2000, Pierce was stabbed 11 times in his neck, back and face. He was rushed to New England Medical Center where lung surgery was needed. William Ragland was convicted of assault and battery in the stabbing and sentenced to seven-to-10 years in prison, while Trevor Watson was given a one-year sentence. The blog post has been removed by the LA Times as of 12:00 pm EST. WEEI.com attempted to contact both Green (who is apparently a freelance writer) and LA Times sports editor Mike James but did not receive a response. - WEEI
The New Orleans Hornets have begun contract discussions with the representatives of Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Hornets general manager Jeff Bower has exchanged proposals with Creative Artists Agency, which represents Thibodeau, on parameters of a possible deal. Sources say Thibodeau still plans to meet with New Jersey Nets GM Rod Thorn about his coaching vacancy sometime before the start of the NBA Finals on Thursday. - Yahoo! Sports
“Doc knows I want him to stay, and it’s something we’ll discuss three or four weeks from now,” Ainge said this weekend. “That’s the way he’s approached it every year, and that’s how it will be this time. But I have nothing else to say about that.” - Boston Herald
Nash on a scenario that Amar'e Stoudemire leaves Phoenix and his former Dallas buddy, Dirk Nowitzki, opts out of his contract and joins the Suns: "I always assume that he's going to re-sign in Dallas. I haven't thought about it but obviously I had a great time playing with him." - Arizona Republic
But the consensus from his teammates was that they want STAT back in a Suns uniform for the long-term, and will do whatever it takes to get that done. “I’m definitely on the bring Amare back campaign,” said Jason Richardson. “I think I’m going to start a website. Start a website, start a Twitter page, I’m going to do everything it takes to bring this guy back.” - Valley Of The Suns
Frye, who grew up in Phoenix and attended the University of Arizona, also believes that he’s carved out a home in the Valley. “I definitely look forward to being back here,” Frye said. “It’s just a tough situation and there are so many things to think about on my end and their end. I’ve just got to step back and appreciate the year that we’ve had and when that (time) comes, we’ll talk about it. But Steve (Kerr) is a great guy and we have a great open line of communication. I might even go over to his house for dinner one night.” - NBA
Prince, in the final year of his deal that is set to pay him $11 million, might be the wiser option to keep. "Tayshaun is more versatile and he's younger," said Bill Duffy, Prince's agent. "He's the perfect complementary player, and I don't think there's any question that Rip is the kind of player who is in need of the ball. He's a great scorer, but obviously not as versatile as Tayshaun. Tayshaun can blend better with the new players that they have and the younger crew." - Detroit Free Press
Game 1 is Thursday night at Staples Center. "The challenge is to win the championship," Bryant said. "The Celtics are in the way. They feel the same way about us. Obviously this is a matchup that's very easy to talk about. There's a lot of things that people can write about and talk about. "It's a sexy matchup. We're looking forward to this challenge, looking forward to the test. When the ball goes up, we'll be ready to go." - Los Angeles Times
Odom said that has him wondering whether it’ll be safe for his wife, reality-show personality Khloe Kardashian, to attend Games 3, 4 and perhaps 5 of the 2010 NBA Finals in Boston. “I don’t know how my wife is going to be able to sit in the crowd,” Odom said, later adding that security might be needed. - Orange County Register
"The biggest regret of my life, really, is bailing out on that Pacer team," Artest said. "I mean, outside not going to church every single Sunday, bailing out on that Pacer team is my biggest regret. Every time I see Jermaine, every time I see Steve [Jackson] and Jamaal [Tinsley] ... I get a little bit of a feeling when I see Bird, because he was such a great player and I respect him so much. So I get that feeling when I see Bird. I feel like a coward. I feel like I don't even belong in their presence, really." - CBSSports
Team USA is preparing to lean heavily on younger players during this summer’s World Championships because several of the national team’s stars have yet to commit to playing. “I’m predicting that we would have a lot of young guys,” USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said. “But we have a very deep roster. We will see who shows up. There will be a number of them who might not play because of free agency and personal issues. There could be five or six from the Olympic team that won’t be there. We’re prepared for that.” - Yahoo! Sports
Matt Barnes will test the free-agent market this summer. Barnes said minutes ago that he will not exercise his player option for the 2010-11 season, but he added that he hopes to return to the Orlando Magic. “As for me and my contract situation, I’m going to opt out,” Barnes told reporters gathered at RDV Sportsplex this morning. - Orlando Sentinel
Word is Brandon Bass wants assurances from Otis Smith and Stan Van Gundy that he will have a much larger role next season or he wants to be traded. Bass was patient with the process this year and tried to stay positive in the face of a tough situation, but sources close to Bass say enough is enough. - HoopsWorld
But Lewis blossomed from an overmatched high school kid into a 16.7 points-per-game scorer and 39.2 percent 3-point shooter, a two- time All-Star and the holder of a $118 million contract thanks in part to the seven years he spent with Dwane Casey at the start in Seattle. "He's a great coach," Lewis said of Casey, the Sonics' longtime assistant who has had two interviews for the vacancy in Atlanta and is a candidate for other openings. "He's a gym rat. He made sure I worked on my game all the time. He knows the X's and O's. He was a great assistant coach when he did the scouting report. He's just one of those guys who eats, sleeps basketball." - NBA
Magic general manager Otis Smith wants to be clear: He's not looking to overhaul the roster again. Unless he does. Smith said Monday he doesn't expect any major moves this offseason, even after failing to return to the NBA finals. He believes Orlando already has the roster to win its first championship. - USA Today
Garnett, however, kept his shields up when asked after a practice in Waltham, Mass., recently about the roads not taken. "My road is what it is. I traveled it," Garnett told me. "Can't go back in time. Can't change that road. I have a greater sense of appreciation now, because of my journey. And I don't think too much into it, because it's really [wasted] energy to do that. There's no sense in doing that. It's not going to fix anything. It's not going to make anything better with me. I'm living in the moment and I'm enjoying it." - NBA
Gaffney, a Boston native, was signed to the Lakers training camp roster last summer after going undrafted out of the University of Massachusetts. He was the was the last player cut from training camp and went overseas to play in Israel before being signed by the Celtics in April. It has been months since he returned to Los Angeles, and he’s thrilled to be arriving as a member of the Celtics. “I wouldn’t want to be going back any other way. I’m looking forward to it,” he said before the team flew out to California on Monday. “It’s definitely unique, and having the two teams [that I’ve played for] be the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers makes it that much more special. Obviously they’re two top of the line, class A organizations, it’s no surprise as to why they are in the finals. Having gotten the chance to witness that and see it firsthand, to me this all makes sense.” - WEEI
First, a source says that less than a week before the June 24 Draft, the Sixers have tentatively scheduled a workout in Philly that will feature Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins and Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors, the top two big man prospects in the Draft. There would be no reason to schedule such a workout -- and certainly no reason for either Cousins or Favors to attend -- if there wasn't some kind of indication sent by the Sixers that they're seriously considering one or the other with the second pick. - NBA
Dwight Howard might not play for USA Basketball at this summer's world championships. Orlando's All-Star center and the NBA's two-time defending defensive player of the year said on Monday that he hasn't decided if he will play. It was the first time Howard has publicly wavered about playing in this summer's world championships. He had stayed firm on his commitment all season even as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and other stars expressed doubts about participating because of impending free agency. "I haven't decided what I'm going to do," Howard said after the Magic's end-of-season meeting. "I'm just going to get some rest and think about that later on." - ESPN
Columnist Ted Green wrote on Sunday, in a blog post for the Los Angeles Times, a list of reasons to hate the Celtics. In the post, he suggested that Paul Pierce’s “idea of a fun night is going clubbing and getting stabbed. Good times!’ In 2000, Pierce was stabbed 11 times in his neck, back and face. He was rushed to New England Medical Center where lung surgery was needed. William Ragland was convicted of assault and battery in the stabbing and sentenced to seven-to-10 years in prison, while Trevor Watson was given a one-year sentence. The blog post has been removed by the LA Times as of 12:00 pm EST. WEEI.com attempted to contact both Green (who is apparently a freelance writer) and LA Times sports editor Mike James but did not receive a response. - WEEI
The New Orleans Hornets have begun contract discussions with the representatives of Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Hornets general manager Jeff Bower has exchanged proposals with Creative Artists Agency, which represents Thibodeau, on parameters of a possible deal. Sources say Thibodeau still plans to meet with New Jersey Nets GM Rod Thorn about his coaching vacancy sometime before the start of the NBA Finals on Thursday. - Yahoo! Sports
“Doc knows I want him to stay, and it’s something we’ll discuss three or four weeks from now,” Ainge said this weekend. “That’s the way he’s approached it every year, and that’s how it will be this time. But I have nothing else to say about that.” - Boston Herald
Nash on a scenario that Amar'e Stoudemire leaves Phoenix and his former Dallas buddy, Dirk Nowitzki, opts out of his contract and joins the Suns: "I always assume that he's going to re-sign in Dallas. I haven't thought about it but obviously I had a great time playing with him." - Arizona Republic
But the consensus from his teammates was that they want STAT back in a Suns uniform for the long-term, and will do whatever it takes to get that done. “I’m definitely on the bring Amare back campaign,” said Jason Richardson. “I think I’m going to start a website. Start a website, start a Twitter page, I’m going to do everything it takes to bring this guy back.” - Valley Of The Suns
Frye, who grew up in Phoenix and attended the University of Arizona, also believes that he’s carved out a home in the Valley. “I definitely look forward to being back here,” Frye said. “It’s just a tough situation and there are so many things to think about on my end and their end. I’ve just got to step back and appreciate the year that we’ve had and when that (time) comes, we’ll talk about it. But Steve (Kerr) is a great guy and we have a great open line of communication. I might even go over to his house for dinner one night.” - NBA
Prince, in the final year of his deal that is set to pay him $11 million, might be the wiser option to keep. "Tayshaun is more versatile and he's younger," said Bill Duffy, Prince's agent. "He's the perfect complementary player, and I don't think there's any question that Rip is the kind of player who is in need of the ball. He's a great scorer, but obviously not as versatile as Tayshaun. Tayshaun can blend better with the new players that they have and the younger crew." - Detroit Free Press
Game 1 is Thursday night at Staples Center. "The challenge is to win the championship," Bryant said. "The Celtics are in the way. They feel the same way about us. Obviously this is a matchup that's very easy to talk about. There's a lot of things that people can write about and talk about. "It's a sexy matchup. We're looking forward to this challenge, looking forward to the test. When the ball goes up, we'll be ready to go." - Los Angeles Times
Odom said that has him wondering whether it’ll be safe for his wife, reality-show personality Khloe Kardashian, to attend Games 3, 4 and perhaps 5 of the 2010 NBA Finals in Boston. “I don’t know how my wife is going to be able to sit in the crowd,” Odom said, later adding that security might be needed. - Orange County Register
"The biggest regret of my life, really, is bailing out on that Pacer team," Artest said. "I mean, outside not going to church every single Sunday, bailing out on that Pacer team is my biggest regret. Every time I see Jermaine, every time I see Steve [Jackson] and Jamaal [Tinsley] ... I get a little bit of a feeling when I see Bird, because he was such a great player and I respect him so much. So I get that feeling when I see Bird. I feel like a coward. I feel like I don't even belong in their presence, really." - CBSSports
Team USA is preparing to lean heavily on younger players during this summer’s World Championships because several of the national team’s stars have yet to commit to playing. “I’m predicting that we would have a lot of young guys,” USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said. “But we have a very deep roster. We will see who shows up. There will be a number of them who might not play because of free agency and personal issues. There could be five or six from the Olympic team that won’t be there. We’re prepared for that.” - Yahoo! Sports
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