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Content provided by Rotoworld Player News - Monday, June 18th, 2012

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Bobcats name Mike Dunlap new head coach 06-18-2012
The Bobcats have reportedly named a new head coach -- current St. John's assistant Mike Dunlap.

Rick Bonnell on Twitter 		Dunlap had been mentioned as an option before, but his hiring still comes as a major surprise. Adrian Wojnarowski writes that "Dunlap's considered an excellent X's and O's coach on college level, well-respected in profession. Still, a huge gamble for Michael Jordan." He'll be teaching the neophyte Bobcats as much as he'll be coaching them, which no doubt weighed heavily in Charlotte's decision-making.
Shaw no longer candidate for Bobcats job 06-18-2012
Brian Shaw is no longer a candidate for the Bobcats' open head coaching position.

David Aldridge on Twitter 		Quin Snyder is now the favorite, and with no prior head coaching experience and a checkered past Bobcats fans have right to be concerned. We're guessing that pay and questions about ownership are the stumbling blocks, here. Shaw will be among the most sought-after coaches this offseason, and is the lead candidate for the Magic's open position.
Hornets shake up front office, keep GM/coach 06-18-2012
Eric Gordon G NO
The Hornets, under new owner Tom Benson, have decided not to retain team president Hugh Weber -- the job now belongs to Dennis Lauscha, who is also the president of the New Orleans Saints.

New Orleans Times-Picayune 		Saints GM Mickey Loomis is now in charge of 'basketball operations' for the franchise, but both GM Dell Demps and coach Monty Williams will remain in place. Two more Hornets notes: the team may 'fast-track' a request to change its nickname from the 'Hornets', and Demps remains confident that the team will retain restricted FA Eric Gordon.
Blazers' coach search will be 'exhaustive' 06-18-2012
LaMarcus Aldridge F POR
The Blazers' search for a head coach will be "exhaustive," according to GM Neil Olshey.

Columbian 		Olshey had referred to interim coach Kaleb Canales as an 'in-house favorite' for the position, but that no longer seems to be the case. Brian Shaw and Mike Malone have been mentioned as possible candidates, and we're sure to hear many more names in the coming weeks.
Joel Freeland delays NBA decision 06-18-2012
Nikola Vucevic F ORL
Joel Freeland, whose rights are held by the Trail Blazers, will wait until after the Olympics to decide whether to sign in the NBA.

Wendell Maxey on Twitter 		The Blazers sound noncommital about bringing Freeland aboard, but there's also a chance that they'll trade his rights this summer -- according to Wendell Maxey, "a number of [NBA] teams" have already contacted Freeland about his future.
Patty Mills expected to test free agency 06-18-2012
Patrick Mills G SA
Patty Mills said that he is "considering" opting out of his contract.

San Antonio Express-News 		Mills would be an unrestricted free agent if he were to opt out of his deal. He's set to make slightly less than $1 million if he stays with the Spurs next season, a decision he must make by July 1.
Roger Mason Jr. to have pin removed Tuesday 06-18-2012
Roger Mason G NO
Roger Mason Jr. will have the pin removed from his surgically-repaired finger on Tuesday.

Craig Stouffer on Twitter 		The veteran ended the season on the sidelines due to the injury. He said "we'll see" when asked if he'd return to the Wizards next season, but Washington may not have interest in retaining him as the team transitions toward the future.
Tyreke Evans wants ball in his hands 06-18-2012
Tyreke Evans G SAC
When asked what position suits him best, Tyreke Evans said that he's better when he has the ball in his hands.

Sportsradiointerviews.com 		"It doesn't really matter but if it was my decision I think I'm better with the ball in my hands but I did a good job of learning how to play the three spot, even though that is not my natural position," he said. Evans finished his quote by reiterating that he's better with the ball in his hands, and it certainly doesn't sound as if he was thrilled about having to play off the ball. This should do absolutely nothing to cool off trade rumors involving Evans this summer.
Jan Vesely committed to improving jumper 06-18-2012
Jan Vesely said that he is devoting his offseason to work on his shooting.

Truth About It 		"I devote my summer to improve my shooting," he said. "I'll try to refine my shot every day." Vesely admitted that he'll probably never be an "excellent shooter," but he wants to get comfortable with it so he's not afraid to take an open jumper. It's good to see that he wants to improve after averaging 6.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 52 percent shooting over 20 starts.
Iman Shumpert targeting January return 06-18-2012
Iman Shumpert (knee surgery) is targeting a January return.

New York Post 		"The target date [for my return] is January," Shumpert said. "[The rehab] is going well." If Shumpert does return in January, he'll miss at least the first two months of the season. At this point, his timetable remains fluid, but every report has been positive for Shumpert along the way. The Knicks will miss him until he's able to return.
Pera's purchase of Grizzlies not in trouble 06-18-2012
Rudy Gay F TOR
Robert Pera's purchase of the Grizzlies is "not in serious trouble."

Memphis Commercial Appeal 		Contrary to a report from the NY Daily News, Pera's net worth is around $800 million and his purchase of the team is not in jeopardy. "Speculation to the contrary is false," writes the Commercial-Appeal, citing a league source. We're inclined to take this report over anything else, as Ronald Tillery is very tuned into all things on the Grizzlies' front. Pera is still expected to buy the team.
Jason Terry wants to re-sign with Mavericks 06-18-2012
Jason Terry G BOS
Unrestricted free agent Jason Terry said that he would like to re-sign with the Mavericks.

Dallas Morning News 		It's an interesting ploy from Terry, who earlier this season said he would be a good fit in Miami with the Heat. Mavs president Donnie Nelson previously stated that he would "love to have" Terry back, and while the feeling may be mutual, Terry could very well price himself out of Dallas' comfort range. "If they're not ready to step up and do that, then I'll have to make my home elsewhere," Terry said. It doesn't sound like he's contemplating giving the Mavericks any kind of discount to remain in Dallas.
Report: Anderson Varejao (wrist) pain-free 06-18-2012
Anderson Varejao C CLE
Anderson Varejao (wrist) is practicing without pain.

Cleveland Plain Dealer 		Varejao is getting ready to play for the Brazil National Team. It's good to hear that Varejao is finally pain-free as the wrist injury kept him out of action for much longer than initially anticipated this season, and he should be all systems go for the start of the 2012-13 season.
Report: Cavs not interested in Michael Redd 06-18-2012
Michael Redd G PHO
Contrary to a previous report, unrestricted free agent Michael Redd is not thought to be an option for the Cavs.

Cleveland Plain-Dealer 		Fox Sports Ohio previously reported Redd could be on the Cavs Radar in the offseason, but that doesn't appear to be the case. The team is thought to be more interested in developing their young players, which makes much more sense than bringing in an aging veteran like Redd.
Report: Grizzlies sale to Pera in jeopardy 06-18-2012
Rudy Gay F TOR
The sale of the Grizzlies to Robert Pera is "already in serious trouble," sources tell the New York Daily News.

New York Daily News 		Per the report, Pera's company, Ubiquiti Networks, has had stock issues and the price "bottomed out in the last two weeks," causing Pera's net worth to drop significantly. Pera agreed to buy the club from Michael Heisley for $350 million, and it should be interesting to see how this situation is ultimately resolved.
Lou Williams wants to re-sign with Sixers 06-18-2012
Louis Williams G ATL
Despite opting out of the final year of his contract, unrestricted free agent Lou Williams would like to re-sign with the Sixers.

Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News 		"We'd like to sign him, if at all possible," said Rod Thorn. "He wants to test the waters." A league source told the Philadelphia Inquirer that interest is "significant" in Williams, and his next deal could mirror Thaddeus Young's five-year, $43 million contract. If that's the case, it's going to be extremely tough for the Sixers to re-sign Williams. He averaged 14.9 points in just under 26 minutes per game last season and was the Sixers leading scorer.
Report: Lakers looking to trade Pau Gasol 06-18-2012
Pau Gasol F LAL
The Lakers are "committed to moving Pau Gasol," according to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News.

New York Daily News 		Lawrence is rehashing the same information that is common knowledge at this point. The Lakers have limited flexibility on the trade front, and Gasol is the most obvious (and perhaps only) candidate to be dealt. There are going to be trade winds swirling around Gasol until he's ultimately dealt somewhere, but it's not groundbreaking news that he's on the block.
Report: Orlando GM decision imminent 06-18-2012
Dwight Howard C LAL
A decision on the Orlando Magic general manager job is expected "by mid-week, if not sooner," according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter 		The Magic have really dragged out the process, but it's understandable. The team wants to be sure of its next candidate after the Otis Smith disaster, and anyone interviewing is going to have a long list of work ahead with the Dwight Howard situation still looming and a roster that needs to undergo significant construction. We should have an answer this week.
Report: Luol Deng could be on the move 06-18-2012
Luol Deng F CHI
Trading Luol Deng is a strategy "under consideration right now," to move up in the draft, league sources tell the Daily Herald.

DailyHerald.com 		A plethora of NBA teams, if not every single team, is evaluating all of its potential strategies prior to draft night, so we're taking this with a huge grain of salt. Harrison Barnes has been mentioned as a potential target, but we can't see the Bulls being able to execute a trade into a draft slot that would lead to a realistic shot of landing the UNC prospect. It won't be easy to move Deng with wrist surgery looming and nearly $28 million owed to him through 2014.