Latest: Cavs, Heat, Waiters, Beasley

Per the Cleveland Plain Dealer: "Obviously, LeBron James was the driving force to the title. But James and the players believed in (Tyronn) Lue. One of the reasons for the firing of (David) Blatt was to take away the coaching excuse from the players."

More from the Plain Dealer: "Many of them -- not just James -- had major doubts about Blatt. So did (David) Griffin, and it was Griffin's decision to fire Blatt."

Also per the Plain Dealer: "Kevin Durant joining Golden State makes the Warriors the favorite to win the title. That will motivate the Cavs, just as Stephen Curry winning the last two MVP awards has been an inspiration for James to keep reminding everyone who is the best player in the world."

Former Cavaliers and D-League forward Kevin Jones (West Virginia) has agreed to a contract with Russian club Lokomotiv Kuban, per Amico Hoops.

Free agent point guard Ronnie Price (Suns) is likely to sign a two-year deal with the Thunder, per Basketball Insiders.

Recently retired NBA big man Amare Stoudemire has signed a two-year contract with Israeli club Hapoel Jerusalem, per the team.

The Rockets will hold on to forward Michael Beasley, whose $1.4 contract becomes fully guaranteed Aug. 1, per ESPN.

The contract for Spurs forward Jonathon Simmons has also become full guaranteed for next season, per Sportando.

Per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "As of now the Heat roster is at 18 players, which means they need to waive three players, which most likely are Stefan Jankovic, Okaro White and Rodney McGruder. I think the best option is to trade Josh McRoberts so McGruder can stay."

Per the Miami Herald: "Some nuggets on Heat addition Dion Waiters: The Heat is looking at him as a potential starter at shooting guard and his numbers are similar in 179 career games as a backup and 110 as a starter. But last season, he was far better as a backup, especially on threes (38.5 percent on threes as a backup, to 27.6 percent on threes as a starter)."

Per the Cleveland Plain Dealer: "In this summer of outrageous contracts, Waiters received a very modest deal. Now, he will start for Miami at shooting guard -- in Dwyane Wade's old spot. Wade has left the Heat for Chicago." (Full column.)

The Celtics will likely wait until next season to decide whether to keep center Kelly Olynyk long term, per the Boston Globe.

Per NBA.com: "Gold comes in many forms. There is gold 14K and 24K. There is gold-plated, gold-filled, gold-wrapped, even gold-flecked candy that you can sink your gold tooth into. Then there is the kind of gold that Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and their friends will be looking to mine starting next week at the Rio Olympics. 'It’s the gold standard,' said forward Harrison Barnes. 'It's way up there.'"

-- Amico Hoops Olympic page

Former Ohio University forward Leon Williams has reached a contract agreement with Balikesir of Turkey, per Amico Hoops.

Ex-Miami (Ohio) guard William Hatcher will sign a contract with BC Partizan of Serbia, per Amico Hoops.

Undrafted guard Josh Adams (Wyoming) has agreed to a contract with Russian club Avtodor Saratov, per Amico Hoops.

Former Villanova point guard Maalik Wayns has agreed to a contract with Enisey Krasnoyarsk of Russia, per Eurobasket News.

Weekend News

The Cavaliers could potentially bring back swingman Dahntay Jones on a veteran minimum deal, per D-League website Upside & Motor.

The Cavs waived Jones and allowed two trade exceptions to expire Saturday. (Amico Hoops report.)

Recently retired NBA big man Amare Stoudemire intends to sign with Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel, per international basketball journalist David Pick.

Former NBA All-Star forward Carlos Boozer intends to play in China next season, Pick reports.

Ex-UConn standout guard Ryan Boatright, waived by the Nets and Pistons last season, will also play in China, Pick reports.

Klay Thompson on playing with Harrison Barnes, now a former Warriors teammate, on Team USA (via NBA.com): "It's weird. It's like the last chapter we’ll play together in our basketball careers. But we’re embracing it. HB's a great guy. … He's only scratched the surface of what he can do. I'm happy for him, and me and Draymond are happy for one more go-round because he really is a great teammate." (Full feature.)

The Wizards are unlikely to pay more players to attend training camp, per CSN MidAtlantic.

Hawks point guard Jarrett Jack says he is "looking forward to a new start," in a Q&A with ESPN.

Per the Lexington Herald-Leader: "(Devin) Booker described being on the USA Basketball Select Team as a step toward fulfilling his dream of playing for the U.S. in the Olympics. 'I’m on the right road,' he said. 'Obviously, the Olympics is something I want to do in the future. And hopefully, I can make that jump.'" (Full report.)

Saturday's News

Forward Aaron White, a 2015 second-round pick of the Wizards, has signed with Zenit St. Petersburg of Russia, White announced on Twitter.

White is a product of Strongsville (Ohio) High. "I'm really excited to continue my career in Europe and play at this high level for St. Petersburg," he told CSN MidAtltantic via text message.

White played collegiately at Iowa. He has played in the NBA summer league for the Wizards two straight years. This marks his second season overseas.

The Bucks plan to sign first-round draft pick Thon Maker and second-rounder Malcolm Brogdon sometime Saturday, per Yahoo Sports.

Maker will receive a four-year deal, with Brogdon getting three years, the website reports.

The Heat are attempting to trade forward Josh McRoberts but finding little interest, per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Former Pelicans coach and current U.S. Olympic basketball team assistant Monty Williams has been offered a position with the Spurs, per ESPN.

Several teams must decide on guaranteed contracts by Monday morning. Hoops Rumors has compiled a list. (Related: Cavs and Dahntay Jones.)

Former D-League guard and Celtics draft pick Marcus Thornton has agreed to a contract with Pesaro of Italy, per Sportando.

The Warriors have added former NBA guard Willie Green as an assistant coach, per The Vertical.

Free agent center JaVale McGee has agreed to a "make good" training camp contract with the Warriors, per ESPN.