Carlos Delfino could miss the beginning of the season while recovering from a broken foot, from Gery Woelfel of Journal Times: “After a flurry of offseason trades and free-agent signings, they appear set at every position except small forward, which is where Butler plays. Carlos Delfino, whom the Bucks signed as a free-agent in July, had been the projected starting small forward. But Delfino is still recovering from surgery for a fractured bone in his right foot. There are whispers that Delfino will miss the entire preseason and even a portion of the regular season. The Bucks also have two other young small forwards on their roster: Khris Middleton, whom they recently acquired in a trade with Detroit, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, whom they selected in the first round of the June draft. While the Bucks are excited about the futures of Antetokounmpo and Middleton, neither player is close to being ready to play major minutes next season.”
Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has been charged with DUI, according to Mike Morris of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “As I spoke with him, I noticed that he had bloodshot and watery eyes and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath,” Trooper Johnathon Nelms wrote in his report. “I asked Mr. Budenholzer how much alcohol he had and he advised that he had one glass of wine to drink prior to driving,” Nelms said. After giving Budenholzer a field sobriety test, Nelms placed the coach under arrest. “I requested a breath test and Mr. Budenholzer refused the breath test by giving a verbal ‘No’,” Nelms said. Budenholzer’s attorney, Michael Hawkins, said late Thursday morning that while at the Atlanta City Jail, his client volunteered to take both a breathalyzer and a blood alcohol test, but, “his request for testing was refused.” A spokesman for the jail said Budenholzer, 44, was charged with DUI and a tail light violation, and was released on $1,524 bond at 3:45 a.m. Thursday.”
Despite being traded to the the 76ers, Royce White will open a mental health center in Houston, according to Jenny Dial Creech of Houston Chronicle: “While things didn’t work out with forward Royce White and the Rockets, the NBA player (traded to Philadelphia in July) will have an everlasting mark in the Bayou City. On Wednesday morning, White announced a partnership with his non-profit organization Anxious Mind’s Inc. and Bee Busy Wellness Center to create the Royce White Institute of Mental Health on the city’s southwest side. The Wellness Center, which is a 17,000-square foot facility that will also have dental and primary care, is located at 6640 W. Bellfort and will open in January 2014. “When I met Royce White a couple of years ago, I knew we would do something special like this,” Bee Busy CEO Normal Mitchell said. “I think it will be a great thing for this community.”
Zach Lowe of Grantland explained why the Phoenix Suns moved Caron Butler: “No one is in a hurry to exchange intrigue for Butler, it appears. Another type of deal would send a less exciting long-term salary and an asset to the Suns — something like Chuck Hayes and a second-round pick, or Brandon Bass along with some future asset from Boston. But those teams don’t appear to see Butler as appealing enough to part with a prime-age rotation player and an asset, and the Suns want to keep the salary slate as clean as possible… So the Suns are left to salary-dump Butler, a move that will make it a bit less painful to waive the troubled Michael Beasley, which many around the league assume is likely when the calendar flips to September 1. The Suns will have to pay Beasley his $9 million guaranteed regardless, but waiting until September 1 allows them to eat $6 million of that cap hit this season — to get it out of the way now. And that turd platter will taste at least a little better now that $5.5 million has come off the books in this Butler deal. (Note: If the Suns really want to tank, they should keep Beasley and play him 40 minutes a game. Just a suggestion.)”
Flip Saunders believes the Minnesota Timberwolves may try Derrick Williams at various positions, from Kurt Helin of ProBasketballTalk: “He’s the one guy I think everybody kind of forgot about and people don’t talk much about,” Saunders said. “This is a big proving year for him, he’s got to get out and really do some things. But I believe he’s gonna show he can play a couple different positions. He’s been working extremely hard to get in better shape, to get his weight down a little bit, so he can be a little bit more explosive, a little bit quicker.” Minnesota has Chase Budinger and Corey Brewer who are going to soak up the majority of minutes at the three, but if Williams can be effective there and fit in that rotation it will give Rick Adelman some good matchup options.”
