HORNETS HIRE REED: The New Orleans Hornets hired NBA Hall of Famer Willis Reed as vice president of basketball operations Tuesday, giving the former New York Knicks star a chance to finish his career in his native state.
"This will be my last job," said the 62-year-old Reed, who built a house in northern Louisiana and plans to retire there.
He expects to be more than a figurehead for the Hornets, contributing to roster decisions and advising the coaching staff, all while using his well-known name to promote the team.
"This is not early retirement," he said.
Reed, who led the Knicks to NBA titles in 1970 and 1973, was an adviser for the Knicks last season after 14 years in the New Jersey Nets' front office.
NETS MAKE MARTIN AN OFFER: The New Jersey Nets have made a qualifying offer to All-Star power forward Kenyon Martin.
A restricted free agent, Martin will be eligible to talk with any team during the first two weeks of July. The Nets will have 15 days to match any offer he receives, team president Rod Thorn said Tuesday.
RAPTORS HIRE MITCHELL: Sam Mitchell understands there might be questions about his inexperience as a head coach going into his first season leading the Toronto Raptors.
So he has a few answers.
Mitchell, hired Tuesday just two years after he retired as a player, will rely on his assistants to help him out.
SPURS WANT GINOBILI: Spurs guard Manuel Ginobili hopes to sign a long-term contract with San Antonio.
"I would love to stay in San Antonio; that would be ideal," Ginobili said Tuesday. "The only thing that might woo me away is a considerably higher offer or a longer contract."
Denver and Utah have also reportedly expressed interest in him.