Artest To Come Off Bench In LA

The LA Times reports

Lakers Coach Mike Brown said he’s planning on starting Derek Fisher at point guard because of his experience and locker-room standing, though he stressed it’s not a binding decision. What appears more binding involves playing Metta World Peace off the bench. And the player formerly known as Ron Artest loves the idea.

“It’s going to be good,” said World Peace, who last season averaged a career-low 8.5 points per game in 29.4 minutes per contest. “I get a chance to come in with extra responsibility, which I’ve had my whole career. It’s going to put the other team off balance. When Kobe [Bryant], Pau [Gasol] and [Andrew] Bynum are out, you still have to double-team me. You can’t leave me open. At all times on the floor, there will be a threat.”

Utah Switch Defensive Philosphy

The Desert News reports

The Jazz are overhauling their defense to divert opposing ballhandlers to the baseline instead of funneling foes into the paint.

The bold move, which has been introduced and implemented to players during training camp, is the first big imprint Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin has put on the franchise since taking over in February.

Corbin adding

“It (pushing to the middle) worked here for a long time. We can’t knock the history the team’s had,” Corbin said when asked if the change was considered during Sloan’s tenure. “But the personnel’s different. We just changed.”

Atlanta To Push The Tempo

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports

Before last season the Hawks said they wanted to run the fast break more often. It was easy to see why.

Atlanta had fast, athletic players at every position, notably forward Josh Smith. And yet the Hawks finished last season ranked just 11th out of 15 Eastern Conference teams in the percentage of possessions used (shot, free throw or turnover) in transition, according to Synergy Sports Technology.

The Hawks return nearly all of those same athletic players and are again planning to run more.

That’s where Jeff Teague comes in.

New Orleans Overpay Jason Smith

Adrian Wojnarowski tweets

Jason Smith has agreed to a three year, $7.5 million deal to stay with the New Orleans Hornets, a league source tells Y! Sports.

Haha, that’s hilarious.

Utah Sign Josh Howard

ESPN reports

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor watched Josh Howard work out in North Carolina this week. It was enough to convince him the small forward could help in the condensed season.

Howard agreed to a deal with the Jazz on Thursday, pending a physical. O’Connor said he expects Howard to be in uniform Saturday night when the Jazz have an intrasquad scrimmage.

“The first thing he brings is an ability to play in the NBA,” O’Connor said Thursday night. “He’s a guy that at the 3 spot has rebounded the ball exceptionally well. And he’s played on a winning team and in an NBA championship series.”

Surprisingly, New Orleans Holds Onto Carl Landry

Nola.com reports

The New Orleans Hornets and free-agent Carl Landry have agreed to a new contract, sources said Thursday morning.

Landry, who had been aggressively pursued by several teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers, accepted the Hornets’ proposal. He likely will step directly into the starting power forward role, left vacant when David West signed with the Indiana Pacers.

Marc Stein tweets that the contract is worth $9 million over one year.

Nets Waive Outlaw, Sign Shawne Williams

ESPN reports

The New Jersey Nets swapped out forwards on Thursday, signing Shawne Williams to a deal and waiving Travis Outlaw through the amnesty clause in the new collective bargaining agreement.

Nets coach Avery Johnson confirmed Thursday that the sharpshooting Williams has chosen New Jersey over the Knicks.

The deal is reportedly for two years and $6.1 million.

“He gives us a guy that can stretch the floor,” Nets general manager Billy King said of Williams, who shot 40.1 percent from 3-point range for the Knicks last season. “We were looking at that as we tried to build a team.”

Bobcats Sign Reggie Williams

Adrian Wojnarowski tweets

Reggie Williams has agreed to a two-year deal, $5 million deal with Charlotte, a league source tells Y! Sports.

A decent but unexceptional signing.

Reggie Williams is a good scorer with very good jump-shooting ability but struggles to defend or rebound his position. On an offensively deficient group like the Bobcats, Williams should receive plenty of playing time and shot attempts to show off his full repertoire of skills.

Raptors Sign Gary Forbes

InsideHoops.com reports

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have signed forward Gary Forbes after the Denver Nuggets chose to not match Toronto’s offer sheet for the restricted free agent. It is reportedly a three-year deal, with a team option on the third year.

Orlando Signs Earl Clark

Adrian Wojnarowski tweets

Earl Clark has agreed to a two-year deal with the Orlando Magic, league source tells Y! Sports.

Good signing.

Earl Clark showed himself to be an intriguing defensive player last season under Stan Van Gundy.