I got an email about this, and I’ve been searching all morning for a good source to confirm it. I think I’ve got it. Per Eurobasket, Ridiculous Upside and Sportando.net:
Robert Vaden, selected in the last NBA draft with the 54th overall pick by Charlotte Bobcats, inked a contract with Imola, in Italia Legadue. Vaden, in his senior year with UAB Blazers, averaged 17.6ppg, 4.9rpg and 2.1apg. His best season was in the 2007/08 when he averaged 21.1ppg.
So it doesn’t look like Vaden will be part of either the Thunder or 66er roster this season. He definitely didn’t do much for himself during the Summer Leagues, averaging under five points a game and around 40 percent shooting. Not good for someone that was brought in to be a shooter. That’s one less roster spot to worry about, meaning it’s pretty likely that Kyle Weaver will be part of the active 12-man roster come opening night. This whole roster situation is becoming clearer by the day.
@Vega
Thanks for the sweet pics, I think this calls for an avatar change!
Royce :Awesome to see the Oklahoman pick this story up today and give NO credit. That was cool.
If you do not expect anything, then you can never truly be let down. Unfortunately, low expectations has become a necessity for most newspapers/reports and their journalistic integrity.
@Vega
I agree with you about Mason. Nice guy, but not worth what he would cost to play third string behind Thabo,Harden,KD,Uncle Jeff. I don't see him signing for less than 2 mill, and paying any-more than that would be silly.
Here are a few pictures of Byron Mullens and James Harden that will be used on trading cards.
http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/multimedia/photo_gallery/0908/09rookie.portraits/images/bharden550-080909.jpg
http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/multimedia/photo_gallery/0908/09rookie.portraits/images/9.jpg
http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/multimedia/photo_gallery/0908/09rookie.portraits/images/10.jpg
Awesome to see the Oklahoman pick this story up today and give NO credit. That was cool.
@Daniel
That pretty much never happens. Once a guy goes to Europe, the chances of him becoming a good NBA player are very slim.
Also, why does everyone want Mason? Weaver and Sefolosha are younger and better than him right now, and Etan Thomas is fulfilling the Useless Native Oklahoman role now, so Dez is unnecessary.
Let's hope a year or two in Europe gives him some seasoning and experience. Nobody's surprised by this, but I hate losing out on the whole "Darth" Vaden thing.
This could be a good thing. Maybe he'll get some experience in Europe and come back better. We'll still own his rights.
Buddinger would've been BALLLLLIN.
Right after I made post of the week saying how I thought he had a spot on the team. Fire Presti!
So we've got 14 under contract now, right? That leaves a spot for one more (like Mason) -- with Ibaka, Mullens, and maybe Ollie inactive until someone gets banged up.
I'm still holding out hope that we'll ink Mason when all is said and done.
I was hopeful for RV, but I guess the door is closing. He scored a lot in College, just not terribly efficiently, which was my main concern.
Waste of whatever we paid to get him. Should have gotten Budinger or Calathes.