Thread: NBA 2010 Offseason News Thread

Tyson Chandler: Bobcats center Tyson Chandler won't opt out
Tyson Chandler - C - CHA - Jun. 30 - 12:33 pm et
Bobcats center Tyson Chandler has decided not to opt out of the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.
Chandler stands to make $12.7 million next year, far more than he would have otherwise earned. He is confident that he's healthy and ready to return to his prime form, but we'll believe it when we see it. Jun. 30 - 12:33 pm et
Source: AP

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/pla...=137263&spln=1

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disappointing. . . i was kinda hoping he might be avilable on the cheap. . . no surprise, though-- makes a ton of sense for him to take the big money this year, and try to have a good season to pump up his value in what will be a less overwhelming free agent class next year. . .

Phil Jackson Returning For Another Run

LOS ANGELES -- The idea of his fourth three-peat must have been too much for Phil Jackson to pass up.

The Los Angeles Lakers coach told the team on Thursday that he will return for his 11th season on the bench in L.A. and an even 20th to cap his NBA coaching career.

"Count me in," Jackson said in a statement. "After a couple weeks of deliberation, it is time to get back to the challenge of putting together a team that can defend its title in the 2010-11 season. It'll be the last stand for me, and I hope a grand one."

Jackson had told the Lakers he needed to address health concerns before committing to another season. His right knee has been bothering him for some time.

Jackson received a clean bill of health early this week after going through a series of examinations to check out both surgically replaced hips, his heart that had a stent placed in it during the 2003 playoffs, kidney stones that had bothered him this season, and his troublesome right knee that caused him to start regularly wearing a knee brace for support.

Jackson had been weighing whether to have knee-replacement surgery this summer, but he's likely to defer that until next summer at the earliest.

"Everything [with his health] is good," Jackson's agent, Todd Musburger, said in a telephone interview Thursday. "That was of course a big part of the process that he wanted to go through before making a decision as to whether or not he should return to coaching or retire."

Jackson, who turns 65 in September, is a member of the Hall of Fame who has led the Lakers and Chicago Bulls to 11 championships, the most of any coach. The Lakers have won the last two after winning three in a row from 2000 to '02. The Michael Jordan-led Bulls won titles in 1991-93 and 1996-98 with Jackson at the helm.

"We're extremely pleased that Phil has decided to return," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "With this most recent championship, we've now won five titles in the 10 years he's been our head coach and have been to the Finals in seven of those 10 years, which is amazing. He's not only the best coach for this team, but quite simply the best coach in the history of the NBA."

Jackson's contract terms for next season were not immediately available, but one source close to the situation told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that Jackson knew and accepted them in a meeting with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss before he returned to his offseason home in Montana.

Multiple reports have stated Jackson will take a pay cut this season, but Jackson admitted, "It's still a ridiculous salary, whatever it is," when asked about the projected figure during the Western Conference finals in May.

According to Lakers sources, the terms of a new deal have not been formally agreed upon, but both sides said a one-year deal would be reached quickly. At the end of the deal, if Jackson changed his mind and wanted to return, the Lakers would again be open to that possibility.

"We expect that to go smoothly at the right time for the Lakers office and for us," Musburger said. "We'll get at it."

Jackson, who said last week he was "leaning towards retiring" just a day after Sports Illustrated quoted his daughter Chelsea as saying, "I think this is it. I think he's done now," in a cover story about the Lakers' Finals victory against the Boston Celtics, has become reinvigorated in recent days when removed from the daily pressure of his occupation.

"He sounds extremely pleased with what he's decided and he's already looking forward to next season," Musburger said. "Truthfully, Phil does enjoy what he does. We all know how stressful it must be, we can only empathize with that. The stress is high, the pressure is great. When you manage the Yankees or coach the Lakers or you're the soccer coach for England, there are expectations and winning is not good enough, you have to win the championship.

"Phil obviously has some real gifts for what he does. He loves it. The game is of course a huge part of his life. I don't expect any change in his intensity, or his focus, or his desire. He loves being a part of the action. He's had tremendous success. He really enjoys his fellow coaches. They're very important to him. And he obviously enjoys the club that he has and he looks forward to saddling up again."

Various members of the Lakers organization shared in Jackson's joy.

"I'm happy, I'm glad," said Craig Hodges, Lakers special assistant coach. "It's a chance to make some history."

Free agent Shannon Brown, in the midst of contract negotiations with the Lakers himself, said, "I'm excited and happy for him!!!" in a text message to ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Ron Artest posted a message to his Twitter feed that said, "Thank You Phil Love you man!!!!! Let's get it LA."

Jackson's girlfriend and Lakers executive Jeanie Buss, a Twitter regular, tweeted earlier in the week that she remained "optimistic" about him returning to coach.

"I knew it was getting close when Phil asked me if Doc was coming back (he doesn't watch too much TV in MT)," Buss wrote, referring to Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who made it official he was returning to Boston on Wednesday.

While Jackson is calling 2010-11 his "last stand," he's been known to bend the definition of the word "last" in the past. In 1997-98, he bonded the Bulls with the theme of looking at the season as the "Last Dance." In October of 2004, Jackson released a book called "The Last Season," in which he documented a turbulent '03-04 campaign with the Lakers that ended with a Finals loss to the Pistons, leading to a dismantling of the team and the second retirement of Jackson's coaching career.

Dave McMenamin covers the Lakers for ESPNLosAngeles.com. Follow him on Twitter. Information from ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne contributed to this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=5346690

Hawks waiting on Joe Johnson's decision
July 1, 2010 - 10:55 PM ET

The Hawks had a successful second meeting with Joe Johnson on Thursday and expect him to except their six-year offer for more than $121 million.

Johnson is going to talk to some other teams and make sure signing with the Hawks is the right move, but considering the enormity of the offer, we don't really see the point. In other words, he should just take it and run to the bank.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/380501...s-player_news/




Johnson, Gay agree to stay as free agent shopping begins

By J. Michael Falgoust and Mike Dodd, USA TODAY
A lot could change with the most anticipated free agent class in NBA history, but early signs show much could stay the same after the first day of negotiations between clubs and players.
In a surprise Thursday, the Atlanta Hawks met twice with Joe Johnson and were expecting him to accept a "max" contract of six years and roughly $121 million to stay with the team, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Contracts can't be signed until next Thursday, when the new salary cap takes effect.

Although Johnson is considered among many second-tier superstars available behind LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the All-Star guard is in position to earn a first-tier salary.

His proposed deal could have a trickledown effect. The New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets, in particular, were interested in Johnson. His addition could have helped with the recruiting of James, Wade and Bosh.

Forward Rudy Gay is expected to stay with the Memphis Grizzlies— five years, more than $80 million.

So do clubs need to change the sales pitches to the top stars?

"No," said Kiki Vandeweghe, former general manager of the Nets. "You're throwing everything you can at them. You have to convince them you have the best chance of anywhere of winning a championship. You can have a great home there, great players around him and that he's going to like his coach."

Vandeweghe thinks teams go after superstars equally. If they don't get one, on to the next.

"All those guys are game-changers," he said. "They're all going to make your team significantly better. I can't see a real scenario where you don't get one of them so you take your deal to the others off the table."

Wade's first face-to-face came at United Center with the Chicago Bulls, a two-hour pitch.

As a news media contingent camped out nearby, a smiling Wade rolled down the window of his SUV and gave a peace sign, then a thumbs-up as he left.

He met later with the Nets, who flew to Chicago after meeting with LeBron James in Cleveland, and said he was "impressed." Wade is set to meet with the Knicks today.

"So far, so good, very informative," his agent, Henry Thomas, said of the pitches. Asked if any agreements were in place, Thomas said, "Way too soon."

But the Heat are still "very confident" Wade will stay with Miami, said Alonzo Mourning, his former teammate and now an executive in the organization.

Bosh flew to Chicago to meet with the Heat. "It was real good," he said. He later met with the Nets and posted on Twitter it went "very good as well. These guys really know how to sell."

Bosh visited with the Houston Rockets in Dallas shortly after the free agent period began Thursday and is expected to meet with the Bulls today. The Heat began the day in Los Angeles meeting with Amar'e Stoudemire.

•Center Darko Milicic agreed to a four-year, $16 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. … Forward Drew Gooden agreed to a five-year, $32 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, who could be retaining guard John Salmons. … Forward Amir Johnson agreed to a five-year, $34 million deal to stay with the Toronto Raptors.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baske...son-sign_N.htm

It's official: Cavs hire Byron Scott as coach 1:10 AM ET
Byron Scott has officially been announced as the coach of the Cavaliers with a press conference scheduled for Friday.

"This is a great job and an impressive organization and I am very happy to be a part of it." The Cavs hope the hiring of Scott will help LeBron James decide to stay in Cleveland. We should know if it worked by Monday night.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/380511...s-player_news/



Phoenix Suns, Channing Frye reach 5-year, $30 million deal
League source on Stoudemire's return to Phoenix: 'Highly unlikely.'
92 commentsby Paul Coro - Jul. 1, 2010 09:37 PM
The Arizona Republic

The price of keeping Suns big men in Phoenix is rising.

Channing Frye agreed to re-sign with the Suns for five years and $30 million, $8 million more than the Suns figured to pay.

Amar'e Stoudemirehas yet to get the five-year offer from the Suns he wants, making a league source call a return to Phoenix "highly unlikely." He met two hours late Wednesday with Miami, and his agent said he received a better offer from another team Thursday and plans to go to New York for a meeting Monday with the Knicks.

Louis Amundson has fielded free-agent interest from 12 teams, including the Suns, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said.

Stoudemire's agent, Happy Walters, said they met with a third team Thursday, when he also spoke with more teams. Some of the teams with the largest cap space (Miami, New York, New Jersey and Chicago) have interest in Stoudemire, as well as teams over the salary cap such as Houston, Cleveland and Orlando, who could do a sign-and-trade deal with Phoenix.

Walters said he spoke with Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver multiple times Thursday but no progress was made.

"We're really not that close to an agreement," said Walters, who said Stoudemire would not accept a contract for fewer than five years.

The Suns offered a maximum-salary, four-year deal worth about $80 million. A compromise might be to add a fifth year with stipulations for games played or wins.

League sources not involved in pursuing Stoudemire are mixed on whether other teams would top the offer, with some believing teams will use their salary-cap space to give Stoudemire a maximum-level deal if other free agents continue re-signing with their teams. Others believe teams are too concerned about Stoudemire's knees to include a fifth year.

If the Suns don't land Stoudemire, they would pursue a sign-and-trade deal or a less-expensive power forward on a one-year deal with an eye toward 2011 free agency, when they could have room for a maximum-level player, as Jason Richardson's contract expires. But there is a strong risk of a lockout season next year.

Amir Johnson was one of those "bargain" free-agent possibilities, but he received a shocking five-year, $34 million deal to stay with Toronto. Hakim Warrick and Tyrus Thomas, a restricted free agent with Charlotte, are also possibilities for Phoenix.

Johnson's deal was one reason the Suns went beyond their expectations for Frye, who had held off on what was billed as a final five-year, $25 million Suns offer.

Johnson averaged 6.2 points last season and Drew Gooden, going to his ninth team, agreed to a five-year, $30 million deal with Milwaukee. Even Darko Milicicgot a four-year, $20 million deal from Minnesota, helping Frye get his raise from last season's $2 million salary.

Frye can't sign a new deal until Thursday.

Frye averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds last season, making an argument to be the NBA's top long-range shooting big man with 43.9 percent 3-point shooting (sixth in the NBA) and 172 made 3s (fourth in the NBA).

He could be the starting power forward if the Suns lose Stoudemire.

Amundson's recruiting included a call from Denver, his childhood favorite.

"It's nice to know I have options," he said. "All indications from the Suns are that they're serious about trying to bring me back. Hopefully, it can work out. I love playing there and for Alvin (Gentry)."



Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/arti...#ixzz0sV2jCURf

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/arti...0-million.html
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damn, how freakin' sicknasty would amare next to dwight howard be? hah. . . now i want orlando to make it happen just because it would be fun as hell to watch. . . amare could go back to being a power foward, and devote the majority of his energy to putting up big offensive production every night-- with howard being such a monster rebounder and paint defender, of course. . . it would also help howard's offensive game considerably-- teams couldn't double him nearly as consistently without letting amare go off, and amare is also a more accomplished passer out of the post than howard. . . that's a front court that could give the lakers bigs fits. . .

NBA: Celtics reach deal with Pierce

Associated Press

The Boston Celtics have agreed to terms with Paul Pierce on a deal that could keep the MVP of their 2008 title run with the team for another four seasons.
The contract was not announced, but it was confirmed to the Associated Press by a Celtics official familiar with the deal.

Terms of the contract were not immediately available. The Boston Herald, which first reported on the deal, says Pierce would get $61 million over four years, with a mutual option for the fourth year.

Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss had no comment. Pierce's agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment.

Summer league. La Salle graduate Rodney Green will play with the Boston Celtics in the Pro Summer League that begins Monday in Orlando, Fla.

Free agency. Amare Stoudemire is out of Phoenix and headed to New York - for a meeting. If the Knicks are willing to give him a maximum salary contract, a deal might not be far behind.

Though the focus has been on LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Stoudemire might be able to land big bucks before them.

When the Suns gave long-term deals to Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick, it became clear that Stoudemire was on his way out of Phoenix. His agent, Happy Walters, confirmed that the Suns were no longer in the picture.

Wade met with the Knicks for a little over two hours Friday, then added a second meeting with the Chicago Bulls to his agenda for the day. Wade is due back in South Florida early next week, and it's believed that's when he and Miami Heat president Pat Riley will talk. Wade met with the Bulls and New Jersey Nets on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Riley spent about three hours in Cleveland with James. Dressed casually in a T-shirt and shorts, James then held court with the Los Angeles Clippers for about another hour.

Bosh tweeted that he and Wade dined Thursday night in Chicago and posted a picture. Bosh also said it felt "like someone [was] missing," an apparent reference to James.

The Bulls started Bosh's day with a meeting, and he was preparing to sit down with the Knicks later.



Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sport...#ixzz0sfTAZMXl
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I can not freaking wait for lebron to hurry the hell up and pick a damn team. The media has been on this non stop and they have'nt told anybody anything we did'nt already know 2 weeks ago. It's the same crap over and over and over.

Originally Posted by Skinny

I can not freaking wait for lebron to hurry the hell up and pick a damn team. The media has been on this non stop and they have'nt told anybody anything we did'nt already know 2 weeks ago. It's the same crap over and over and over.

you anxious to hear more about favre?

Originally Posted by dogfish

you anxious to hear more about favre?

Good point, but everybody already knew and knows what Brett is gonna do. The media don't know nann about lebron.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5360911

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are teaming up together on Wade's Miami Heat, the two free agents said Wednesday.

It was not immediately clear whether Bosh -- who spent seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors -- will sign with Miami outright or join the Heat through a sign-and-trade deal. Bosh could earn $125 million over six years via sign-and-trade, but only $96 million in five without it.

Whether LeBron James, the kingpin of this summer's celebrated free-agent class, will join them in Miami remains to be seen. James will announce his decision at 9 p.m. ET Thursday during a one-hour special on ESPN.

Wade and Bosh are expected to get the maximum amount allowable under the league's collective bargaining agreement, though the addition of James could change the players' salaries. Contracts cannot be officially signed until Thursday.

League sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that team president Pat Riley was trying to convince Bosh to take the five-year max deal and leave Toronto outright. The Raptors are trying to persuade Bosh to demand a six-year deal and a sign-and-trade so that they get something out of the deal.

Wade and Bosh are also expected, along with Riley, to continue to lobby James, to join them in Miami, despite the financial complexities involved for the Heat to make room for all three.

Amid a growing sense among rival executives that James intends to stay with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that James is still seriously considering joining forces with Wade and Bosh in Miami and had a discussion about the possibility that all three could wind up playing together for the Heat on a conference call early Wednesday morning.

Earlier this week, the Raptors reportedly had been reluctant to do a sign-and-trade, especially with Miami, contending the Heat did not have any players of interest. But if Bosh leaves outright, the Raptors are left with, at most, $4 million in cap space to replace Bosh.

One source with knowledge of Toronto's thinking told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Raptors, as of 9 a.m. ET, had yet to hear anything official from Bosh's camp about his intentions.