Duke’s Jabari Parker is expected to make a decision on Wednesday on whether or not he will leave for the NBA: “Duke freshman forward Jabari Parker is expected to meet with coach Mike Krzyzewski Tuesday and announce the next day whether or not he will forgo his final three seasons of eligibility to enter the 2014 NBA Draft. Parker is the highest-scoring freshman in Duke history. The 6-foot-8, 235-pound Chicago native averaged 19.1 points and 8.7 rebounds while leading the Blue Devils to a 26-9 record, an appearance in the ACC title game and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Parker is considered a consensus top-three selection should he choose to enter the draft. The All-American was in Oklahoma City on Monday with his parents to accept the Wayman Tisdale Award as college basketball’s top freshman.”
John Calipari says he is content at Kentucky: “”I think I would be [better than my previous NBA stint] if I did it, but that’s not the point for me,” Calipari said on ESPN’s “Numbers Never Lie” on Tuesday. “Can I say this in a humble way — I don’t need the money. If I stop coaching today at Kentucky, my toes are up and I’m eating Cheetos and I’m fine. “But here’s my point: What’s happening for me, what I’m feeling about coaching, goes beyond wins, goes beyond building a franchise. Can I do that in the NBA? If there was some place that I felt that it would be more than just coaching and trying to win … I’m not there to help you build your franchise value or help sell tickets. That doesn’t move me. What moves me now is what I’m doing and how I’m helping families.” Calipari’s Wildcats lost in the NCAA final to Connecticut on April 7. Prior to the game, word spread that Calipari would be the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers next season, rumors he quickly denied.”
Mike Woodson says the team could have used Lamar Odom this season: “Knicks coach Mike Woodson said he hasn’t been kept abreast of the Lamar Odom negotiations, but wishes they had signed the forward for this season. Odom is expected to sign with the Knicks before the season finale on a deal with a second, non-guaranteed year. Odom would not play this season, but would begin to work out under the auspices of the team during the offseason. If things don’t work out with the troubled big man/reality TV star, who allegedly dealt with drug issues while sitting out this NBA season, Phil Jackson can use the non-guaranteed pact as a cap filler in a trade this summer. The Knicks have one open roster spot. “His name came up, but nothing ever materialized,’’ Woodson said of Odom. “But his name did come up. “I like him,’’ Woodson added. “I like Lamar. I don’t know much about it, but from what I hear from [the media]. I think he’s a talent. He could’ve been good for us earlier. He does a lot of things on the floor that help you win basketball games, that’s for sure.’’”
Arizona’s Aaron Gordon is heading to the NBA: “Gordon was named the Pac-12 freshman of the year after averaging 12.4 points and 8 rebounds per game. He is a projected lottery pick, according to ESPN’s Chad Ford, and is currently No. 6 on Ford’s Big Board. Johnson built up his draft stock with a superb junior season, earning numerous All-America honors and the Pac-12 player of year award. Johnson led Arizona with 16.3 points per game last season while proving to be one of the nation’s best perimeter defenders. He is a projected second-round pick, according to Ford. Coach Sean Miller said freshman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and sophomore Kaleb Tarczewski will remain at Arizona for another season.”
Amar’e Stoudemire may play in Israel after his contract expires with the New York Knicks: “Stoudemire is part of a four-man ownership group, including superagent Arn Tellem, that purchased 60 percent of Hapoel Jerusalem last summer and turned the franchise into the top team in the Israeli league at 20-7. Stoudemire’s late surge, during which he played near his All-Star level the season’s final month, could prompt him to seek another NBA contract after 2014-15 when his $100 million pact expires. But he’s also mulling Israel to boost its profile. Stoudemire’s oft-troubled knees calmed down this season, and he has played 63 games entering Tuesday’s game in Brooklyn, averaging 11.9 points and five rebounds in 22.6 minutes, shooting 56 percent. “We’ll see,’’ Stoudemire told The Post. “You can’t rule anything out. The future is unknown and so if I have an opportunity to [play in Israel] and am still in great health, it would be great. I have one more year left on my deal and we’ll go from there.’’”
Luol Deng has won the NBA’s Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award: “He has spent much of his adult life trying to give back to his native South Sudan, the war-torn African nation the Cavaliers forward and his family fled when he was a young boy. And while Deng’s contributions have touched many, he knows the work will never end. “I wish I could wake up tomorrow and nobody needs help,” Deng said. “But we all know that’s not going to happen. I’m just happy to be in the position that I’m in to be able to do the things that I’m able to do.” On Tuesday, Deng was commended for his compassion and dedication when he was named the winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, given annually to an NBA player, coach or trainer for outstanding community service. Deng has had a long commitment to philanthropic work in South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011 but has been ravaged by ethnic violence. The two-time All-Star, who came to Cleveland in a trade from Chicago in January, recently recorded a public service announcement for EnoughProject.org, urging peace in his homeland. In a video directed at the nation’s youth, Deng says, “Look around you, and reach out. Make peace among those who are fighting. Forgive one another and encourage others to forgive. Build trust with people who fear each other. You are young, and if you are wise, you will build bridges with people your age that will last a lifetime.””
Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.
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The reason I think Melo has played his last game, is that PJax must have liked the way the Knicks were playing tonight, without Melo. Melo is set to get 22.5 Million next year, and 29 million in year 6, if he is offered a Max contract.
PJax would probably want to plan his new team around the younger players, and use his charm to attract free agents next summer.
Therefore PJax will ask Melo to accept a big discount. If he refuses, PJax will let him walk.
Nix would get a better draft pick that way.
correction: Its 29 million in year 5.