Brian Schmitz: 13 days before camp opens, Magic are STILL negotiating with Hedo Turkoglu on his buy-out. Turk owed $12 million, only half guaranteed. Twitter @MagicInsider
Can Deron Williams not only help the new-look Brooklyn Nets knock off the Miami Heat this season but also take away the MVP crown from LeBron James? Two new members of the Nets, coach Jason Kidd and sixth man Jason Terry, have said Williams should be in the MVP conversation in 2013-14. And that's got D-Will pumped up. "It definitely excites me when they're talking about you like that," he told Bleacher Report. "I feel like if we're winning and I'm playing well, it will take care of itself. I don't get caught up too much into that stuff." Bleacher Report
Cleveland Cavaliers rookie forward Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 pick in June's NBA draft, resumed playing five-on-five basketball this week, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Yahoo! Sports
The former UNLV star was not able to play for the Cavaliers' summer league team in Las Vegas because of the injury. Bennett, however, began playing five-on-five without any restrictions this week for the first time since the surgery. He has played well, but needs to get in much better shape as the start of training camp nears. Yahoo! Sports
The Cavaliers are expected to start Tristan Thompson at power forward and not use Bennett at small forward this season, a source said. It is possible that if center Andrew Bynum isn’t able to return from his lingering knee injury by season’s start that Bennett could become the starting power forward if Thompson moves to center. Yahoo! Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers, Andrew Bynum, Injuries, Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett
Jonny Flynn, the No. 6 pick in the 2009 NBA draft, is headed to a pro team in China, according to his high school coach. Sal Constantino, the head coach at Niagara Falls High School, said Friday that Flynn, who played at Syracuse University from 2007 to 2009, has signed to play for the Sichuan Blue Whales in China's professional basketball league. Flynn's decision to head to China was first reported on twitter by @HomeBaseBuffalo. "He's going to go play in China,'' Constantino said. "In fact, I think he's leaving this weekend.'' The Post-Standard
Alex Kennedy: Former Dallas Mavericks guard Dominique Jones has decided to sign with a team in China, according to sources close to the situation. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA
Chase Budinger missed nearly 60 games last year because of that left meniscus tear in November, and when he did return in late March he made his impact felt despite playing on a knee that was less than 100 percent. He spent the summer rehabbing and said while it was a different offseason program-wise, it paid off with how his leg now feels. It will be a work in progress throughout the year, and he’ll need to continue rehabbing, icing and treating it. But compared to the end of last season, there’s a world of difference. “It’s way better,” Budinger said. “The end of last season it felt like I had a brick on that foot. I’m starting to get my hops back a little bit and able to take off on it and land on it and not be able to think about it.” NBA.com
Andrew Perna: Paul George has been talking like an extension with #Pacers is completely, but from what I hear that's far from true. Things take time. Twitter @Andrew_Perna
After living Downtown during his first three years with the Pacers, George, who said earlier this week he will sign a long-term contract with the team prior to the season, has moved near Geist Reservoir. David West is the Pacers’ veteran spiritual leader. Lance Stephenson gives them an edge. Longtime star Danny Granger returns after playing in just five games last season. George Hill is the local hero. Indianapolis Star
All-Star forward Paul George and the Indiana Pacers are finalizing a five-year, $90 million-plus maximum contract extension, league sources told Yahoo Sports. A deal is expected to be signed this week, league sources told Yahoo
Hoops Talk
“I want to go to China so I can go home faster. With China, I get to go and still play and then I can get back home and spend more time with the kids. I get to be home in February and enjoy the family, I don’t need the NBA money, I have enough of it. Now it’s about spending time with the family and the kids." -- Gilbert Arenas
Neither side would comment for the record on what Deng was asking for, though the Bulls have maintained they'd be willing to pay him at or above market value. Given that Andre Iguodala, a player with some similarities to Deng, got a four-year, $48 million free agent deal from Golden State as part of a sign-and-trade deal with Utah, Deng's floor would be at $12 to $13 million per year. Anything above that is likely to be too rich for the Bulls, given the possibilities Chicago can entertain after this season. "We never negotiated," Rudoy said Friday. "We had several meetings. One was to discuss the medical care he got, or did not get, after his spinal tap [in May], which was of great concern to him." NBA.com
Jason Lloyd: Mike Brown said Andrew Bynum is running on treadmills, still not cleared for contact. Still believes Bynum can return to being elite center Twitter @JasonLloydABJ
Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins is on course to see his contract extended before the Oct. 31 extension deadline for 2010 first-round picks, according to sources with knowledge of the talks. ESPN.com
The Knicks will add veteran forwards Ike Diogu and Josh Powell to their training camp roster, league sources said. Both were part of the group of free agents who had a two-day workout with the Knicks last week. Neither will get any guaranteed money, but will sign make-good contracts. Newsday
When the Knicks add these two it will give them 18 players. They also signed Chris Smith, J.R. Smith’s brother, and Toure’ Murry to make-good deals. The Knicks could add another player or two. One likely would be a center Newsday
Not so fast, says Pacers president Larry Bird. While at the Brickyard Crossing for the Pacers annual golf outing, he said a deal is not done yet. When asked whether the reported terms were accurate, Bird said, "I never heard that number. I wish it was my number instead of [Paul's]. NBA.com
Although a new deal isn't complete just yet and George hasn't signed on the dotted line, everything is expected to be resolved this week. "I know Paul's worth," said Bird. "I'm not banking on what's going to happen in the future, even though you do somewhat. It's what he's accomplished now and that what we'll go off of. It's always good to have the leverage but the number has got to be a number we both like. And that's what it's all about. It's all about money. Yes, he wants to be here.
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