I bet the 76ers get Josh Smith or Elton Brand
I know they really like Josh Smith... I know I will be excited with either addition.
I bet the 76ers get Josh Smith or Elton Brand
I know they really like Josh Smith... I know I will be excited with either addition.
Bold Move Surprises Nelson
Baron Davis | Warriors
What promised to be a tumultuous offseason for the Warriors was kicked into overdrive Monday when point guard Baron Davis left $17.8 million on the table and opted out of the final year of his contract, becoming an unrestricted free agent and throwing Golden State's immediate plans into confusion.
"I'm surprised, because 17 million is a lot of money for a year of basketball, but that's his prerogative,' Warriors coach Don Nelson said. 'He talked to me a couple days ago and said he was coming back. ... Opting out of a $17 million contract, that's (bold).'" -- Contra Costa Times
Arenas Offered Two Max Deals
Gilbert Arenas | Wizards
Both the Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors have offered Gilbert Arenas max deals, according to a source close to the three-time All-Star point guard.
The Wizards early Tuesday morning offered Arenas a six-year $127 million deal, according to the source, and the Warriors offered Arenas five years for $101 million. The Wizards, because Arenas was under contract with them, are permitted to offer six years while other teams can offer only five. -- The Washington Times
According to a source close to Arenas, the three-time all star is mulling the offers but is leaning towards staying with the Wizards and is willing to take less than the maximum if it will help Ernie Grunfeld make other moves he needs to make this summer.
Also, I heard from a very reliable source that the Sacramento Kings contacted Arenas and said they are willing to do "whatever it takes" to land his services even if they have to "trade their entire team." -- The Washington Post
Because of his $35 million deal with Adidas, Gilbert Arenas has flexibility and -- according to a close friend of the guard -- could consider signing for another team for less if it meant having a greater chance at contending for a title more quickly.
But the source added Arenas has not scheduled any visits with other teams and will not consider fielding outside inquiries until any possible scenario that includes a return to the District is ruled out. -- The Washington Times
Lower Salary Will Help Wizards
Antawn Jamison | Wizards
According to a source familiar with the specifics of Antawn Jamison's contract, his first year salary cap number will be less than $10 million, which is significant because that should give Ernie Grunfeld room to sign Gilbert Arenas and still have enough money below the NBA's luxury tax threshold to possibly sign another player.
The team's only other free agent is shooting guard Roger Mason Jr., who is likely to draw offers from other teams after a career season with the Wizards. -- The Washington Post
Knicks To Offer Two-Year Deal
Chris Duhon | Bulls
Looking to add a point guard on the cheap, the Knicks went into the start of free agency at 12:01 a.m. Monday targeting Chris Duhon, who has been a backup with the Bulls during his first four NBA seasons.
The Knicks are expected to offer Duhon a two-year deal worth roughly half of the mid-level exception, totaling around $6 million, according to NBA sources. -- New York Daily News
New coach Mike D'Antoni is high on adding Duhon to his system. In fact, when D'Antoni was the Suns' coach, he tried a few times to acquire Duhon as a backup to Steve Nash.
"We're getting our notes ready," said Duhon's agent, Kevin Bradbury. "It seems like it'll be a good fit." -- Newsday
Contract Talk Begins Today
Josh Smith | Hawks
The Hawks will get first crack at Josh Smith, who is expected to meet today with his representatives and Hawks management, the first day they are allowed to do so by league rules. Such a meeting with Josh Childress also could occur.
"We want to sit down and talk to [the Hawks] first and gauge their interest and see exactly where we are," said Wallace Prather, one of Smith's agents. "I think everybody realizes that Josh loves it here and loves his teammates and loves playing in his hometown. If everything goes well, hopefully, we won't have to talk long. But if they send us off to find another offer, then we'll have to do that as well."
Smith is expected to be in Philadelphia for a visit later this week. The 76ers, with more than $11 million in projected salary cap space, can offer Smith a lucrative, front-loaded deal greater than the $45 million offer the Hawks made -- and Smith turned down -- last summer. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Three Or Five Years?
Chris Paul | Hornets
Lance Young said Chris Paul has gone back and forth in recent weeks, trying to decide whether to accept the five-year or three-year deal. It's all but certain, though, Paul will re-sign with the Hornets.
"We have obviously gone over this a lot," Young said. "He's kind of gone back and forth if he wants to do the longer deal or the shorter deal.
"Obviously, locking into that security, making $18 million to $20 million on that last year is pretty hard to turn down. Also, he doesn't want to lock himself in where he has got the next six years where he's with New Orleans without knowing what exactly is going to happen."
"One of our top priorities all summer remains getting Chris signed long term," Hornets owner George Shinn said Monday. "He's not only the best point guard in the league and an asset to our team, but also to our New Orleans community and the entire state of Louisiana." -- The Times-Picayune
Kings To Offer Full Midlevel Exception
Beno Udrih | Kings
Numerous sources close to the team said the Kings were prepared to offer Beno Udrih their full midlevel exception (approximately $6 million) in a five-year deal. Former Kings point guard Anthony Johnson and forward Lorenzen Wright also became free agents; the team is not expected to pursue either.
"Every team, maybe with a few possible exceptions, has an equal playing field now," Cornstein said by phone Monday afternoon. "With (Udrih) being unrestricted instead of restricted, you would think this would be a fairly quick process, but I've learned not to make assumptions."
Asked about the perceived interest level, Cornstein said: "I could speculate and say that there appears to be more of a demand for point guards than there is a supply." -- Sacramento Bee
Agent Wants The Max
Andrew Bynum | Lakers
Andrew Bynum can get a contract extension this summer from the Lakers. When his agent was told that Bynum suggested he would be willing to take less than the maximum of five years, $80 million, David Lee said they would be seeking the maximum.
"He was talking as a 20-year-old," Lee said in a telephone interview Monday. "He had not consulted with his representatives. I think the Lakers know how we feel about this."
"The ball is in their court," Lee said. "They've got a decision to make. The question is whether they believe in him the way I believe in him. It's their decision to make if they want him there for the future." -- Riverside Press-Enterprise
Primary Focus
James Posey | Celtics
For the NBA champion Celtics, free agency begins today with James Posey as the primary focus. Most other personnel matters will be handled after Posey's situation is settled.
"Posey will be a guy we'll be talking to right away," Ainge said yesterday. "He's a top priority for us. Once we start there, we'll move toward other free agents and go from there." -- The Boston Globe
Posey's hometown Cleveland Cavaliers are said to be putting together an offer, in addition to the Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. New Jersey, which came close to signing Posey last summer before he was talked into going with the Celtics, also may revisit the situation, though like most teams the Nets are carving out cap space for 2010. -- Boston Herald
Rockets Pursue Barry
Brent Barry | Spurs
The Rockets began the free-agent recruiting period with an 11 p.m. call to Spurs guard Brent Barry on Monday, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said.
The Rockets telephoned Barry as soon as NBA rules allowed in an effort to land the free agent, who got away last season when he was released by the Seattle SuperSonics but chose to return to the San Antonio Spurs. -- Houston Chronicle
Deal Wanted Before Olympics
Andrew Bogut | Bucks
Andrew Bogut and his agent, David Bauman, hope to make a deal with the team during the negotiating period, which began at 11:01 p.m. Monday.
"If the deal is not done by mid-July, we'll table it," Bauman said. "He wants to join the national team. If we don't get it done fast enough, it's more important for him to play for the Boomer team.
"We're confident something can get done, and we think a deal is there to be made." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Priority No. 1
Jose Calderon | Raptors
"You take care of priority No.1 and then you let the rest of the pieces fall into place," Bryan Colangelo said yesterday.
The Raptors aren't expected to be major players in the free-agent sweepstakes, other than by taking care of their own. Jose Calderon is by far the No.1 item on Colangelo's to-do list, especially after the trade of T.J. Ford to the Indiana Pacers last week. -- Toronto Star
More Tests Needed
Carl Landry | Rockets
The Rockets have asked for Carl Landry to undergo more in-depth testing of his right knee, which was injured during the season, before they extend an offer.
"We're only making an offer if he (Landry) gets a more detailed examination than imaging," Daryl Morey said.
Morey did not say there were specific concerns, only that the team wanted as much information as possible before making an offer. -- Houston Chronicle
Bargain Hunters This Summer
The Orlando Magic were the big spenders in free-agency last summer, signing forward Rashard Lewis. It's no coincidence then that they're expected to be bargain-hunters this summer.
Corey Maggette, Kurt Thomas and James Posey are out of their price range.
The Magic likely will be looking at a list that includes point guards Jason Williams and Chris Duhon, guard/forward Mikael Pietrus, guard/forward Jarvis Hayes and forward Malik Allen, in addition to some of their own free agents. -- Orlando Sentinel
Smith Won't Trade Turkoglu For Maggette
Corey Maggette | Clippers
The Magic think highly of Clippers guard Corey Maggette, but it will almost certainly take a sign-and-trade deal to lure him back to Orlando. Maggette started his career in Orlando and still owns a home in Central Florida (where his parents live). But getting him would likely cost the Magic Most Improved Player Hedo Turkoglu in a trade, and that's a deal GM Otis Smith isn't eager to make.
Said Smith: "It's going to be awful hard for me to change our core group of guys at this point in time. Our strengths are our forwards and our center position and we're not going to mess with that." -- Florida Today
Lee Could Be Traded
David Lee | Knicks
"I love David Lee," Mike D'Antoni said. "I read someplace, he doesn't fit my style. Let's see, he averaged 10 rebounds, 10 points. He fits anybody's style. To be creative, he's the best we have to be creative. [But] the franchise will do their job of exploring every option. At the end of the day, I'd be very happy to coach David Lee.
"But again it's the business, it's the future and we're doing what you can within certain parameters. It's overblown because everyone that calls asks about him because he's the main guy. And it should be a compliment to him. It hasn't happened. I don't expect it to happen. If it did, it would have to be somebody good." -- New Yor Post
Pargo Opts Out, Ely Opts In
Agent Mark Bartelstein said Hornets guard Jannero Pargo opted out of his contract by Monday's deadline and is an unrestricted free agent.
Backup center Melvin Ely will not pursue free agency, deciding against opting out of the final year of his deal. But it's unlikely the Hornets will re-sign Bonzi Wells, who was obtained in a trade with the Houston Rockets last February. Backup center Chris Andersen could return, but he likely will get interest from other teams. Ryan Bowen is not expected to be a sought-after free agent. -- The Times-Picayune
Spurs Want To Re-Sign Thomas
Kurt Thomas | Spurs
Kurt Thomas, a gritty forward who joined the team in a February trade, was a key postseason contributor for the Spurs. They might not have been able to handle the Shaquille O'Neal-infused Phoenix Suns without him.
Re-signing Thomas became an even greater offseason priority for the Spurs when Tiago Splitter, last year%u2019s first-round draft choice, re-upped with his Spanish League club in early June.
"Whether Splitter was coming or not, Kurt Thomas was a guy we wanted to re-sign," Gregg Popovich said. -- San Antonio Express-News
Bulls Won't Be Shoppers
The NBA's free-agent negotiating period begins today, but the only free agents the Bulls will chase are their own.
GM John Paxson has made re-signing restricted free agents Luol Deng and Ben Gordon the top priority. He acknowledged Monday that the Bulls will not be heavy free-agent shoppers. The roster is nearly full and the team's payroll will be approaching the luxury-tax threshold if both Deng and Gordon sign new contracts.
"We have 13 roster spots covered right now," Paxson said. "If our roster stays as is, to add someone will probably be a big body of some type if we can. Other than that, if we're going to do something substantial, it's going to have to come through trade. Camp is three months away and I still think we have the ability to do something with our roster." -- Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Looking To Clear Cap Room
The Indiana Pacers don't look like a team primed to be a major player in the free agent negotiating period that begins today.
After deals with Portland and Toronto that will bring seven players to town, the Pacers appear to be looking to clear salary-cap space rather than add to the payroll.
A possible free agent target for the Pacers is Carl Landry.
"We believe a number of teams have interest," Landry's agent, Buddy Baker, said Monday. -- The Indianapolis Star
Grizzlies Don't Qualify Brown
Memphis tendered a qualifying offer to guard Juan Carlos Navarro so that they can retain his rights should he return to the NBA. Navarro already has informed the Griz that he will play in Spain this season.
The team didn't extend a qualifying offer to forward Andre Brown. That decision would have put more than $1 million on the table for Brown, so the Griz will possibly explore a deal with Brown later this summer.
Also, the Griz will not attempt to re-sign Casey Jacobsen and Kwame Brown. -- Memphis Commercial-Appeal
George Open To Returning To Mavs
Devean George | Mavericks
Mark Bartelstein, the agent for Devean George, said Monday that his client is open to the possibility of returning to the Mavericks and, in fact, may be leaning that way since the hiring of Rick Carlisle.
"He's been working out with Rick a little and really enjoys that," Bartelstein said. "He likes the direction that the team is going."
Bartelstein reiterated that there was no lingering ill will between George and the Mavericks after he nixed the original trade in February that would have netted Jason Kidd. The Mavericks eventually reworked the deal. -- The Dallas Morning News
Will Wolves Re-Sign Telfair?
Sebastian Telfair | Timberwolves
The Wolves extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith and Chris Richard and declined to do so to Sebastian Telfair and Kirk Snyder. But Telfair's agent said Monday "all indications" suggest the Wolves will try seriously to re-sign his client.
"And Sebastian is interested in listening, but I'm fully confident he will have other offers," agent Andy Miller said. "We're going to take the offer that is best in the short- and long-term interest of Sebastian." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune
A Good Fit?
Matt Barnes | Warriors
Matt Barnes' agent, Aaron Goodwin, said Monday night that he was eager to initiate contact with the Mavericks.
"I think Matt is a good fit for them, but he's a good fit for a lot of teams," Goodwin said. "They are definitely on our list." -- The Dallas Morning News
Looking To 2010
For their part, the Spurs would like to limit transactions that would cut too heavily into the cap space available for the summer of 2010, which should be a windfall year for high-yield free agents.
That is one reason the Spurs might choose to sign one or both of this year's second-round draft picks, Malik Hairston and James Gist. Their contracts would be manageable, in terms of years and money.
The Spurs also could turn to the 2001 draft for help: They could opt to bring in 6-foot-11 Lithuanian forward Robertas Javtokas, their second-round pick seven years ago, although it would require buying out his contract in Russia. -- San Antonio Express-News
Finding A PG Is No.1 Priority
With draft pick Goran Dragic a long shot to arrive this year, Steve Kerr called a backup point guard his "No. 1 priority" going into July. The Suns not only want to limit Steve Nash to 30-32 minutes a game, they want to rest him for as many as 10 games during the season, such as in back-to-back situations.
That means looking hard at veteran Tyronn Lue, a player with championship experience whom the Suns chased in March before losing out to Dallas. The much-traveled Anthony Johnson is another realistic point possibility -- with fingers crossed that Chris Duhon isn't lured elsewhere with a mid-level deal. -- East Valley Tribune
No Tender
Yakhouba Diawara | Nuggets
Monday's deadline passed with the Nuggets making no announcement on picking up the $972,581 qualifying offer of guard Yakhouba Diawara, which would make him an unrestricted free agent instead of restricted.
"I guess there's no tender," Diawara's agent, Buona Ndiaye said Monday night. -- Rocky Mountain News
Option Picked Up
Steve Novak | Rockets
The Rockets did avoid free agency with Steve Novak, their 2006 second-round pick. They exercised their option to extend Novak's contract for a third season at $797,581. -- Houston ChronicleAllen Now Unrestricted
Tony Allen | Celtics
The franchise failed to make Tony Allen a qualifying offer, thus making the guard an unrestricted free agent, according to his agent, Mike Higgins.
"Obviously they had some tough decisions to make," Higgins said late last night. "With the number they're at [player wise] they couldn't sign everybody. For the past month, he knew they were either going to make him an offer or they weren't. He understood." -- The Boston Globe
More Rest Needed
Zydrunas Ilgauskas | Cavaliers
Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas had an MRI on his back last week. He's supposedly doing OK, but the MRI confirmed more rest was needed. -- The News-Herald
Rudy has some hype, Blazers getting another good gaurd.
Tue,
July 1 Charlotte extends qualifying offers to Emeka Okafor and Ryan Hollins and picks up the 2008-09 option on Jermareo Davidson.
Portland signs Rudy Fernandez.
Houston picks up contract option for Steve Novak.
Well how would that rotation work out? Smith is a good player, but he is not much different theny Young, better defender, and AI is an atletic slahser. Are they looking to play Young at the 4 and try to find a shooter t obe Suns East?
Differance between Josh and Thad is Josh is actually a PF. Young is a tru SF. Not as strong as Josh is either.
Other than LeBron, who is likely to be a FA in 2010? I keep hearing it's gonna be a crazy talented group, but the only name mentioned is LeBron..I'm assuming Melo as well? Maybe Wade?
With more than $11 million in salary-cap space available, the 76ers contacted restricted free agent Josh Smith shortly after midnight on Tuesday and plan to meet with the Hawks star on Wednesday.
The Sixers also contacted Smith's teammate, 6-8 forward Josh Childress, yesterday and expect to bring him to Philadelphia, but did not say when. The Hawks have rights of first refusal on both players, but it's unknown how much they'll be willing to spend to keep both in Atlanta, especially with Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby already commanding huge salaries.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
Joe Johnson
Ray Allen
Ben Wallace
LeBron James (player option, likely)
Dirk Nowitzki (player option, unlikely)
Josh Howard (player option, likely)
Marcus Camby
Rip Hamilton
Stephen Jackson
Tracy McGrady
Shaquille O'Neal
Dwyane Wade (player option for 10/11, unlikely)
Michael Redd (player option for 10/11, likely)
Tyson Chandler (player option for 10/11 - 50/50)
Eddy Curry (player option for 10/11 - 50/50)
Amare Stoudemire (player option for 10/11, unlikely)
Brad Miller
Manu Ginobili
Chris Bosh (player option for 10/11, unlikely)
Spurs plan to make offer for Maggette
By Jeff McDonald and Mike Monroe
San Antonio Express News
Two seasons after the Spurs unsuccessfully tried to trade for Corey Maggette, they appear to be trying to recruit him.
According to two NBA sources, one in the Western Conference and one in the East, the Spurs are preparing to make an offer to Maggette, who became an unrestricted free agent Tuesday when he opted out of the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Details of the proposal are not known, but the Spurs are believed to be poised to offer the 28-year-old guard their full mid-level exception worth about $5.8 million for the first year, the sources say.
Spurs general manger R.C. Buford declined to comment on negotiations with any particular free agent.
A 6-foot-6 slasher, Maggette would seem to satisfy the Spurs’ annual search for a young, athletic scorer on the wing. He has averaged 16.1 points during a nine-year NBA career, including 22.1 per game last season.
News of Maggette’s courtship came hours after Brent Barry informed the Spurs he had decided to opt out of his contract, making the veteran guard an unrestricted free agent for the second time in six months.
In an odd bit of coincidence, Barry was part of a failed deal with the Clippers in January of 2007 that would have brought Maggette to San Antonio. In another coincidence, Barry and Maggette share the same agent, Arn Tellem.
It is presumed Barry’s latest list of could-be suitors will look a lot like the one he mulled back in February, after a flurry of transactions saw him traded to Seattle and waived in the span of a few hours.
Barry eventually wound up re-signing with the Spurs then, shunning inquiries from Houston, Phoenix, Dallas and Boston. There is a chance he could end up with the Spurs again — although that could hinge on what happens with Maggette, since the two essentially play the same position.
The Rockets were among the first this week to contact Barry, who turned down $1.262 million of the Spurs’ money to test the free-agent market. Reportedly, the Rockets have offered the 36-year-old guard their $1.9 million bi-annual exception to move east down Interstate 10.
Jacque Vaughn, the only other Spurs player with the right to opt out of his contract this summer, has decided to return to San Antonio for the final year of his deal. Vaughn, a backup point guard who could see some of his minutes challenged by first-round pick George Hill, is scheduled to make $1.262 million next season.
Under NBA rules, teams cannot sign free agents until July 9. Between now and then, the Spurs could have some competition for Maggette’s services.
The Orlando Sentinel, citing an unidentified friend of Maggette’s, reported earlier this week that the guard was encouraging the Magic to join the bidding for him.
Maggette played for the Magic during his rookie season of 1999-2000, and his parents still live in Central Florida. Like the Spurs, Orlando can offer Maggette — who turned down $7 million from the Clippers — its mid-level exception as a starting point.
Barry’s latest turn on the free-agent Tilt-A-Whirl comes after one of the most head-spinning seasons of his professional career.
The first two months of Barry’s fourth season in San Antonio were among the most productive of his Spurs’ tenure. He averaged 7.3 points and shot a team-best 43-percent from beyond the 3-point arc over his first 29 games.
A calf injury in December all but derailed his promising campaign. He was still shelved in February, when the Spurs dealt him and Francisco Elson to Seattle in exchange for Kurt Thomas.
The Sonics quickly cut Barry, kicking off a month-long courtship that eventually ended with Barry right back where he started. Still recovering from the calf injury, Barry played sparingly for the Spurs until the posteason.
He was most active during the club’s Western Conference Finals ouster against the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored a season-high 23 points in the Spurs’ Game 4 loss, which ended in a controversial non-foul call that would have sent Barry to the foul line with a chance to tie the game.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....14978daf.html
Have to think tha Brand will be that much harder to get with Barron soon to be in the mix with the Clips.
Interesting to see the Spurs going after Cory, definitly looking to get more athletic.
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