NBA Rumors Round-Up

NBA Rumors: Cavs Confident They’ll Sign Ray Allen

Cleveland Cavaliers are confident they’ll sign Ray Allen … Nate Robinson recovering well from ACL surgery … Leandro Barbosa auditioning for NBA teams at FIBA World Cup

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Cleveland Confident In Acquiring Ray Allen

via Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports

Ray Allen has yet to announce whether he will return to play a 19th season in the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been widely regarded as the front-runner to sign Allen with LeBron James back in town. Now, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports is reporting that Cleveland is confident that Allen will sign with the Cavaliers before the start of training camp.

Shawn Marion reportedly decided to sign with Cleveland on Sunday, even though the Cavs only have the veteran’s minimum to offer players at this point.

At age 39, Allen is still in great shape and is still one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in the NBA. Last season, Allen averaged 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, two assists and shot 44.2 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond-the-arc. With Cleveland, Allen would be looked to as a veteran leader and sharpshooter to spread the floor. Allen is the NBA’s all-time leader in three pointers made with 2,973 career makes.

Allen played the last two seasons in Miami with James. In the 2012-13 NBA Finals, Allen hit a historically clutch three-pointer in Game 6 to tie the game.  Miami ultimately forced a Game 7, where the HEAT closed out the San Antonio Spurs.

Nate Robinson Recovering Well From ACL Surgery

http://instagram.com/p/rvAuaiAryA

U thinks it’s a GAME ? Oh I forgot it is lol #holdatnation #bounce here to stay … #nogrindnoshine #notrainnogain new me coming soon … #heartoverheight #stateofnate

via Nate Robinson’s Instagram

It seems that Denver Nuggets point guard Nate Robinson is recovering well from an ACL tear he suffered on January 29. Robinson posted a video on Instagram of him dunking on an outdoor court.

Robinson, a notoriously hard worker, is rehabbing in the hopes of being ready for the start of the 2014-15 NBA season. The fact that Robinson is already able to dunk is quite impressive considering that he is just 5’9, and underwent surgery roughly seven months ago.

Robinson is one of the most explosive players in the NBA, and is nearly unstoppable when he catches fire. At 5’9 Robinson is one of the smallest players in the league, but plays as hard as anyone and makes up for his lack of size with sheer determination and competitiveness.

Last season, in 44 games with the Nuggets, Robinson averaged 10.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 42.8 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three-point range.

Leandro Barbosa Aiming To Show He Is Healthy In FIBA Tournament

Leandro Barbosa has had discussions with a few NBA teams about a possible free agent deal, hoping to use the upcoming FIBA World Cup to further prove his health, the 11-year veteran told RealGM.

Barbosa hasn’t held visits with any team, nor is he considering a return to the Brazilian league. The 31-year-old has focused on his Team Brazil, which lost to USA Basketball in its first exhibition game.

via Shams Charania of RealGM 

Leandro Barbosa played in 20 games with the Phoenix Suns last season, averaging just 18.4 minutes per game. Barbosa is now looking for a new team to sign on with for the 2014-15 NBA season, and he’s using the upcoming FIBA World Cup Tournament as an audition stage for NBA teams.

Barbosa, who plays for the Brazilian national team, scored 13 points and registered four assists and four rebounds against the USA national team in an exhibition match on Saturday.

Barbosa, nicknamed the “Brazilian Blur,” had his best years early in his career with the Phoenix Suns. However, since 2011-12, Barbosa’s production has declined. In February 2013, Barbosa tore his ACL, but managed to return to action within eight months after undergoing surgery.

With the world watching, Barbosa has an opportunity to show NBA teams that he is healthy and ready to contribute. At age 31, Barbosa may still be a solid bench player for a team in need of help in the backcourt.

 

 

Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.

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