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 Hollins' deal could be worth as much as four years and $20
million if the team picks up his fourth-year option, ESPN.com
reported.
The deal comes just two days after the Nets made a trade with
Milwaukee to allow Kidd out of his contract so the Bucks could hire
him.
Hollins led the Memphis Grizzlies to three consecutive playoff
appearances in his last three seasons with the team. In 2012-13, his
last year at the helm, the Grizzlies won 56 games and advanced to
the Western Conference finals.
---If Milwaukee Bucks general manager John Hammond was concerned
about his future after new owners Wes Edens and Marc Lasry sought
and hired Jason Kidd as the team's new head coach, he wasn't showing
it when Kidd was introduced at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
"These are great days for us," Hammond said. "We're thrilled with
the opportunities that we have."
Kidd formally joined the organization after a weekend filled with
rumor and speculation. Edens and Lasry, who bought the team at the
end of last season, admitted that mistakes were made along the way,
beginning with the decision to exclude Hammond from the process.
 Now Hammond, under contract through 2015-16, is set to work with
Kidd, who was 44-38 in one season as Nets coach and inherits a team
that went a league-worst 15-67 last year.
---The Indiana Pacers offered a five-year, $44 million contract to
free agent shooting guard Lance Stephenson, but he wants more,
ESPN.com reported Wednesday.
ESPN sources said the two sides are currently at an impasse over a
new deal. Several clubs have reached out to Stephenson's agent,
Alberto Ebanks, to register their interest, most notably the Los
Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls, according to ESPN. Michael Jordan
and the Charlotte Hornets reportedly have interest in Stephenson.
Stephenson averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists last
season -- all career highs for the four-year player.
---The Orlando Magic signed two first-round rookies, forward Aaron
Gordon and guard Elfrid Payton, the team announced Wednesday.
[to top of second column] |
Gordon was selected by Orlando in the first round (fourth overall)
of the 2014 draft. Payton was taken by Philadelphia in the first
round (10th overall) of this year's draft. He was then acquired by
Orlando in exchange for the draft rights to Dario Saric, a future
first-round draft pick and a future second-round draft pick.
The Magic also waived guard Ronnie Price. He played in 31 games (two
starts) last season with the Magic, averaging 2.4 points, 2.1
assists and 1.4 rebounds per game.
---Free agent point guard Patty Mills will have right shoulder
surgery for a rotator-cuff injury that bothered him during the
season as the San Antonio Spurs won their fifth NBA championship and
he will be sidelined up to seven months, according to reports.
ESPN.com reported that Mills, the backup to Tony Parker, will
receive a firm diagnosis after the surgery.
Mills scored 17 points in the Spurs' clinching Game 5 of the NBA
Finals over the Miami Heat. Mills, a second-round draft pick by
Portland in 2009, averaged 10.2 points in 18.9 minutes per game in
his fourth full season.
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