Peachtree Hoops: NBA News And Notes, Post Lockout Edition

[Hawksquawk]

Here are several post-lockout nuggets as we head rapidly towards training camps and free agency.

• It appears that all NBA teams will play two preseason games according to a report by NBA.com's John Schuhmann. The games are likely to be set up regionally and be a home and home. I am guessing that means the Hawks will be tuning up against Charlotte. 
• We have talked a lot about the amnesty clause and will likely continue to do so right up through training camp. However, how much it is actually used remains to be seen. Howard Beck of the New York times cites an anonymous team executive that things only "three to six teams" will actually use the provision this season. SB Nation's Tom Ziller thinks that Orlando is the only sure bet with the Magic likely to waive either Gilbert Arenas or Hedo Turkoglu.  
• Another part of the new CBA that we haven't talked about much is the stretch exception which may have more of an impact than the amnesty clause. Chris Sheridan thinks that the stretch exception will eventually lead to a lot of bad contracts because teams won't worry about the last few seasons and will lesson the cap hit by using the stretch exception. 
• Since we have been following the Reno Bighorns start to the season, Scott Schröder of Ridiculous Upside talks about how the NBA Lockout ending is going to turn the D-League "upside down" as NBA training camp rosters are populated.  
• Bret LaGree of Hoopinion gives updates on the play of Zaza Pachulia and Pape Sy in Europe. Pachulia finished with 19 points in 10 rebounds in a recent Euroleague game while Sy has enjoyed the best stretch of his professional career in recent days playing in the Euro Cup. 
• Finally the Free Agent period hasn't started yet but the rumor mill is churning. Jamal Crawford might be unlikely to return to the Atlanta Hawks and you can add the New York Knicks to Portland and Miami as teams he has recently been linked to. 

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