HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

In this edition of the NBA PM: Now Andres Nocioni wants out…Criticizing officials is now okay, apparently…Are Hawks close to naming Dwane Casey head coach?…HOOPSWORLD Chats.

Now Nocioni? There has been talk for almost a year now about Portland Trail Blazers guard Rudy Fernandez being unhappy in Portland. In every interview state-side Fernandez plays the diplomatic card, but whenever the interview comes from Spain the rhetoric is much louder about him wanting out (well, at least the translations are).

Earlier this week Toronto Raptors forward Hedo Turkoglu talked about wanting out of Toronto, possibly even to play in Europe, though it’s doubtful he’d be willing to give up the money left on his contract.

Now it’s Andres Nocioni’s turn. According to a Q&A on Ole Basquet (in Spanish, but translated by our friends at HoopsHype), Nocioni says he has told the Sacramento Kings he wants out – and they, apparently, have told him “OK.”

"I openly told the Kings that I wasn’t going to stay. They told me they were OK with it and that they were going to try to trade me to a competitive team, probably on draft day… I have to wait.”

Nocioni was then asked about a return to Europe.

"I wouldn’t have any problem with a return to Europe. I don’t dislike that, much to the contrary… I’ve been in the NBA six years and I was never crazy about playing there (in the NBA). It’s not like Luis Scola or Manu Ginobili, who always dreamed about it."

For a player who was never crazy about playing in the NBA, Nocioni has spent six seasons here. The first four-and-a-half years were with the Chicago Bulls, before he became part of the trade that sent center Brad Miller to the Bulls at the 2009 trade deadline. He also signed a six-year, $44.5 million contract in 2007. He’s under contract to the NBA for three more years and $23 million (the final season is a team option).

Quite the commitment for a guy who doesn’t want to be here; of course, money is a powerful motivator.

For trade purposes it’s worth noting Nocioni counts for $7.5 million through the draft, but then $6.85 million in July; his contract scales down the next two seasons, before jumping back up to $7.5 million in the option year. It should also be mentioned he won’t be allowed to return to Europe as a free agent unless he agrees to a significantly decreased buyout with the Kings. Because FIBA honors NBA contracts, he won’t be allowed to discuss a contract with a team from Europe.

His best role is probably as a sixth man on a contender rather than as a starter on a weaker team.

Given that, what teams would benefit from making a trade for Nocioni, even if he isn’t crazy about playing in the NBA? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Really? No Fines? When the 2010 NBA Playoffs began Commissioner David Stern made it abundantly clear the league wasn’t going to put up with any trashing of officials in the media. His message was concise: don’t talk about the officiating.

The league backed up the statement, too. First Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson was fined $35,000 for comments he made, followed by Boston’s Rasheed Wallace, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy, Orlando’s Matt Barnes, Orlando’s Dwight Howard, and Dallas’ Erick Dampier – all also $35,000.

The last fine was given to Howard back on April 28th, so you would think players and coaches had gotten the point.

Well, until we got to the 2010 NBA Finals between the Lakers and Celtics. Here is what Boston coach Doc Rivers told Chris Sheridan of ESPN:

"I think it was a ton of moving screens they got away with," Rivers said. "As far as off-the-ball action … you are not allowed to hold, you are not allowed to bump, and you are not allowed to impede progress. I read that this morning, and I’m positive of it. So, you know, when that happens it has to be called."

{AUTHOR_BOX}Now, those words aren’t necessarily inflammatory on their own or in their delivery, but at the same time the point is still the same as the words that drew earlier fines: the officiating is bad. I’m not a proponent of fining for comments like this, but when you issue a blanket statement that questioning the officials is not going to be tolerated, it’s best to follow through on each and every instance where the questioning happens.

Rivers should not be fined for this comment in my mind, but based on the fines from the second half of April I’m not seeing much of a difference.

Some Coaching Updates: The Atlanta Hawks may have found their man. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports many in the organization are ready to give the job to Dwane Casey, though there are some in the decision-making process who still aren’t fully on board with the decision. Assistant coach Larry Drew and former player and current T.V. commentator Mark Jackson are also in the final three.

Also in the Eastern Conference the New Jersey Nets seem to have finalized the deal with Avery Johnson – now it just needs to be signed. Reportedly the deal will be for three years and worth $11-12 million according to Dave D’Alessandro of The Star-Ledger.

D’Alessandro also breaks down the top candidates to be Johnson’s top assistant, including Portland’s Joe Prunty, Boston’s Armond Hill, and Cleveland’s Mike Malone.

Prunty is an interesting name on that list, notably because Portland has already lost Monty Williams as the new head coach of the New Orleans Hornets. Nate McMillan might find himself sorting through job applications.

HOOPSWORLD Chats: Yours truly will take questions tonight at 8pm Eastern Time. On Friday Coach Anthony Macri will be breaking down prospects for you at 10am Eastern Time followed up by longtime NBA journalist Chris Perkins at 11am Eastern Time. Remember – get your questions in early for the best shot at getting them answered! For all the complete chat wraps and upcoming schedule, click here!