NBA Offseason News and Moves

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

Just like the other threads, figured we'd keep it all here.

 

Free agent signings, Trades, the NBA Draft, Kobe Bryant watch, watching the Lakers fall apart, etc...

 

ALL goes here.

[Fuzzy Dunlop 0]

Karl Malone has filed for free agency, rather than just retiring right now.

[razazteca 0]

Bruce Bowen looks to opt-out and try the free agency market. Also Malik Rose most likely not be a Spur next season because of the issues he has with the coach. It would not be surprising to see 6 or more new bench warmers next season for the Spurs. It would be nice to see the team sign a shooter who is not just a 3 point specialist.

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

I don't expect to see Bowen sign anywhere else; he's probably just doing it to help San Antonio cap-wise.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Do we really need a single thread for EVERYTHING NBA related? This OaO thread shit is getting tiresome.

[CanadianChris 0]

Funniest line ever in the NBA injury listing...

 

"Pistons F Darko Milicic undergoes surgery (hand)"

 

Remember, kids: High-fiving your teammates on the bench can shorten your career.

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

Do we really need a single thread for EVERYTHING NBA related?  This OaO thread shit is getting tiresome.

Perhaps you'd prefer a separate thread for the draft, the start of free agency, the trade deadline, training camp, etc?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Perhaps you'd prefer a separate thread for the draft, the start of free agency, the trade deadline, training camp, etc?

 

Yes. ESPECIALLY the Kobe Bryant trial, and the NBA Draft.

[KingPK 0]

I do agree with Al that one thread encompassing everything is not a great idea.

 

How about this thread is used for offseason FA signings, retirees, and any pre-season observations and another is created for the Draft when it comes along? The season, however, is WAY too long for just one thread. A OaO MLB thread would be hideously long, which is why the TWiB threads exist. When the season starts, someone can put up a thread a few weeks in and people can offer their thoughts on how things are going so far.

 

Threads about Kobe's trial belong in CE.

Edited June 18, 2004 by Kingpk

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Threads about Kobe's trial belong in CE.

 

I disagree. The results of Kobe's trial will have drastic implications primarily in the sporting world. Its a sports story, and those interested most are sports fans. Besides, one thread is hardly offensive in the grand scheme.

[KingPK 0]

Point taken. Just don't do it in this thread so people who don't want to hear about it won't have to (i.e. Me).

[therealworldschampion 0]

Rumors are that 76ers GM Billy King wants to move up in the draft and select Luol Deng or Shaun Livingston. If that doesn't happen, it has been said that the Sixers will select a point guard, Ben Gordon maybe, at #9.

 

If Gordon is drafted by the Sixers, Allen Iverson could possibly be traded, since a Iverson/Gordon backcourt would possibly be the smallest in the league.

[The Electrifyer 0]

Threads about Kobe's trial belong in CE.

 

I disagree. The results of Kobe's trial will have drastic implications primarily in the sporting world. Its a sports story, and those interested most are sports fans. Besides, one thread is hardly offensive in the grand scheme.

What results? If Jayson Williams can get acquitted of murder, Kobe's easily going to be acquitted of rape.

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

BTW, when I said "Kobe Bryant watch" I meant, what team he is going to end up on...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If it isn't the Cell Block D Team.

[alfdogg 0]

Once again, the division realignments:

 

East

Atlantic: Boston, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto

Central: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee

Southeast: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, Washington. Jesus, talk about a cake walk for the Heat.

 

West

Southwest: Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, San Antonio. Poor Byron Scott.

Northwest: Denver, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle, Utah

Pacific: Golden State, Clippers, Lakers, Phoenix, Sacramento

[alfdogg 0]

Apparently, it's all but been confirmed that Phil Jackson won't be back.

 

Link~

 

Mo Cheeks also seems to have a hard-on for Sebastian Telfair.

[razazteca 0]

Once again, the division realignments:

 

East

Atlantic: Boston, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto

Central: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee

Southeast: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, Washington. Jesus, talk about a cake walk for the Heat.

 

West

Southwest: Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, San Antonio. Poor Byron Scott.

Northwest: Denver, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle, Utah

Pacific: Golden State, Clippers, Lakers, Phoenix, Sacramento

Atlantic: New York - because its the center of the universe

Central: Detroit - if they keep 'Sheed then they will win the division

Southeast: Miami - it does look easy but the team needs to stay healthy

 

Southwest: San Antonio - still needs an inside shooting threat not named Duncan

North: Minnesota has it as easy as the Heat

Pacific: California sux so PHX wins by default

[Spicy McHaggis 0]

First, Malone did not file for free agency, he just didn't turn in certain paperwork. It's a financial move and he'll either stay with the Lakers or retire.

 

Second, O'Neal is pissed about Kupchak's remarks about trade possibilities. This is a good sign that the emphasis is shifting to Kobe.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Once again, the division realignments:

 

East

Atlantic: Boston, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto

Central: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee

Southeast: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, Washington. Jesus, talk about a cake walk for the Heat.

 

West

Southwest: Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, San Antonio. Poor Byron Scott.

Northwest: Denver, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle, Utah

Pacific: Golden State, Clippers, Lakers, Phoenix, Sacramento

Atlantic- I think Boston takes it. Time for some new blood.

Central- Detroit, hands down. Indiana and possibly even Cleveland could make a run, but not likely.

Southeast- The Heat will torch everyone. Especially if T-Mac leaves Orlando.

 

Southwest- Or, the Texas division. San Antonio, unfortunately. (Fuck Texas).

Northwest- Minnesota, hands down.

Pacific- Depending on the offseason, it could be the Lakers or the Kings. But I doubt we'll be seeing a West champion out of here again soon.

[alfdogg 0]

Atlantic: My first impulse is to say Nets, but I think the Knicks will strike something in the offseason big enough for them to sneak in and take it.

 

Central: Detroit, they'll in all likelyhood have both Wallaces for the full season this time. If the Pacers can land McGrady as has been rumored without having to deal Artest, this prediction is subject to change.

 

Southeast: Heat. Like fish in a barrel, really.

 

Southwest: San Antonio, though if Memphis can stay consistent for a full season they could pull off a shocker.

 

Northwest: Minnesota. They don't have it *quite* as easy as Miami, Denver could give them a test, but I doubt it.

 

Pacific: Sacramento, without much doubt. Jackson is as good as gone from what I've heard, and it will piss off Shaq and make Kobe happy. And we all know what great friends they are.

[alfdogg 0]

Shareef to Jersey?

 

I take most of the stuff at the InsideHoops message board with a grain of salt, but the guy said it was from ESPN Insider, so I'll bite on this one.

 

ESPN INSIDER:

 

Several NBA agents told Insider on Thursday that the Nets canceled workouts with draft candidates. As we first reported last week and again on Thursday, the Nets have been in serious discussions with the Blazers about a trade to acquire Shareef Abdur-Rahim for Kerry Kittles, Aaron Williams and New Jersey's No. 22 pick. Now that the Nets are canceling workouts, is the deal done? Nothing can become official until after the expansion draft, because Kittles was left unprotected. It's unlikely the Bobcats will select him, meaning the Nets could to trade him Wednesday, a day before the draft.What will the Blazers do with three picks? One of the later picks likely will be used for Sebastian Telfair. The other two? Don't be surprised if they package both to move up higher in the draft. Most of the players the Blazers like won't be on the board when their first pick comes up at No. 13.

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

Mo Cheeks also seems to have a hard-on for Sebastian Telfair.

::Sigh::

 

Sebastian should've went to College, but I guess when you have a $10 - 20 million Sneaker Contract thrown your way, you take it.

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - The Zen Master is done coaching the Los Angeles Lakers (news) and his two biggest stars could be leaving the team, too. Phil Jackson, one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, won't return as coach of the Lakers. Meanwhile, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant looked as if they could be playing elsewhere next season.   

 

A team source told the AP on condition of anonymity that O'Neal had requested a trade. And as expected Bryant became an unrestricted free agent, opting out of his contract.

 

Jackson, who won three straight championships with the team, agreed with Lakers owner Jerry Buss to end his tenure as coach, the team said in a statement.

 

Buss offered Jackson another position with the organization, which Jackson will decide whether to accept in the near future, the team said.

 

"The experience of the past five years has been great," Jackson said. "Three rings and a fourth opportunity makes this a bittersweet ending, but it's time to pause and reflect. I'm appreciative of all the Lakers, the organization, the fans and Dr. Buss."

 

Jackson's departure was expected even before he met with Buss following the coach's participation in season-ending interviews with several players earlier in the day.

 

Jackson's five-year, $30 million contract expires at the end of the month. He was discussing a contract extension, but the Lakers broke off talks in February until after the season.

 

Jackson is well-known for his offbeat coaching style and motivational ploys, from practicing Zen philosophy to urging his players to meditate and buying them books for long road trips.

 

Jackson joined the Lakers in June 1999, and coached them to their first championship in 12 years in his first season. Two more titles followed, giving Jackson nine to tie him with former Boston coach Red Auerbach for the most in NBA history.

 

The Lakers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by eventual champion San Antonio last year and reached the NBA Finals (news - web sites) this year before losing to the Detroit Pistons (news).

 

In 14 seasons as a head coach, Jackson is 832-316 for a .725 winning percentage — best in NBA history. His 175 playoff wins are the most ever and his .717 postseason winning percentage is also tops.

 

Jackson, 58, coached the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls (news) to championships in 1992-94 and 1996-98. Jackson then took a year off before becoming coach of the Lakers. His teams in Chicago and Los Angeles had a 9-0 record in the NBA Finals before this year.

 

There could be several more changes to follow.

 

Karl Malone has already opted out of his contract, although he hopes to play for the Lakers if healthy. Gary Payton and Derek Fisher could follow Bryant and Malone and opt out of their deals.

 

General manager Mitch Kupchak made clear the team's priorities Thursday when he said the Lakers would do anything they need to keep Bryant and would try to accommodate O'Neal if he demands a trade.

 

Apparently upset over Kupchak's remarks, O'Neal canceled his exit interview. O'Neal, who has been one of Jackson's biggest supporters, is under contract for two more years but could opt out after next season.

 

Jackson seemed in good spirits as he left the Lakers' practice facility for the last time as the team's coach — before his meeting with Buss.

 

Asked if he was looking forward to meeting with his boss, Jackson smiled and replied: "Oh, yeah."

 

Buss' daughter, Jeanie, Jackson's longtime girlfriend and the Lakers' executive vice president of business operations, said earlier this month she believed there was a 95 percent chance Jackson would return as coach.

 

She proved to be wrong.

 

Jackson said following the Lakers' 100-87 loss to the Pistons on Tuesday night that there was "a pretty slim chance" he would coach the team next season.

 

He proved to be correct.

 

 

The Orlando Magic lost one superstar eight years ago when Shaquille O'Neal left via free agency. Now they may trade away another one.

 

Tracy McGrady

Shooting Guard

Orlando Magic 

Profile

 

 

2003-2004 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

67 28.0 6.0 5.5 .417 .796

 

Tracy McGrady, who can become a free agent next year, informed the Magic on Friday that he does not want to re-sign with the club, league sources told the Orlando Sentinel.

 

In order to avoid losing McGrady without compensation, the Magic are expected to explore trade options. McGrady, who has led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons, should draw heavy interest.

 

The Sentinel cited the Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns as potential suitors. One source told the paper that the Magic have asked the Pacers for as many as four players -- Ron Artest, Jonathan Bender, Al Harrington and Jamaal Tinsley -- in return.

 

Although McGrady could not be reached for comment on Friday, he has said he would opt to leave if he didn't think the Magic could improve quickly. Orlando fell to a league-worst 21-61 record next season and has the No. 1 pick in the draft.

 

McGrady had hoped the team would trade the pick for veteran help, but the club wants to keep the selection. On Friday, the team worked out UConn's Emeka Okafor, and plans to do the same with high schooler Dwight Howard on Saturday. The Magic is expected to use the No. 1 pick on one of those two players.

 

Magic general manager John Weisbrod did say, however, he has received trade bids that are intriguing and getting better by the day.

 

"There are teams offering three guys and their first-round pick. Three established players and a lottery pick is certainly a respectable offer for a team that has a lot of holes to fill," Weisbrod said. "It comes down to making a judgment of how special you think one of these two kids can be."

 

McGrady had been pressured by Weisbrod to make a decision about his long-range future in Orlando. Weisbrod does not want to go into the 2004-05 season uncertain about McGrady's status.

 

McGrady's seven-year, $93 million contract runs through the 2006-07 season. But he can opt out of the deal after next season.

 

Magic owner Rich Devos was expected to meet with McGrady at some point. It is unsure whether that meeting took place on Friday.

 

Devos was hoping to persuade McGrady to stay, citing the No. 1 pick and the possibility of Grant Hill coming back from injury.

 

Instead, it looks like McGrady will follow Shaq out of town -- although this time, the Magic are determined to get something in return.

 

"That was eight years ago and we're still trying to get our feet underneath us," Magic senior vice president Pat Williams said. "At least with the McGrady thing, we're wiser, we have greater insights into the whole process and we're better equipped to deal with it."

 

If McGrady is traded, he would be the fourth defending scoring champion in NBA history to be dealt away, and the first since the Buffalo Braves sent Bob McAdoo to the New York Knicks in 1976.

 

McGrady signed with his hometown team in 2000, thinking he and Hill could turn the Magic into championship contenders.

 

But Hill's injured left ankle has limited him to 37 games in four seasons, leaving McGrady with the task of carrying the team.

 

Despite his league-leading 28 points per game, McGrady couldn't make the Magic winners last season.

 

Evidently, McGrady doesn't think the drafting of Okafor would provide immediate help.

 

"That's his opinion," Okafor said Friday.

 

Yet Okafor, a two-time national defensive player of the year, would immediately toughen up Orlando's play in the paint. The Magic finished last in almost every defensive statistic last season.

 

Okafor averaged almost 4.3 blocks per game in his three seasons at Connecticut, and his 411 career blocks rank seventh in NCAA history. He also averaged 10.6 rebounds.

 

The knock on Okafor is his offense, although it improved at Connecticut. His career average of 13.8 points has many wondering if his ceiling is limited.

 

"I'll try to help in as many ways as I can," Okafor said. "I'm not a big guy about talking, 'I'm going to do this, I'm going to do that.' I pretty much just show up and let my play do the talking, and come season time, everybody's questions will be answered, good or bad."

[alfdogg 0]

One source told the paper that the Magic have asked the Pacers for as many as four players -- Ron Artest, Jonathan Bender, Al Harrington and Jamaal Tinsley -- in return.

Sounds like someone's been playing NBA Live too much...

[alfdogg 0]

Here's an article regarding the Shaq situation.

 

And a couple quotes:

 

"See, with me and Karl and Gary and a lot of other guys, you can say something and it doesn't matter how you say it. They don't take it the wrong way. For example, I can say, 'Come on, Devean, mother------, play hard.' I can say that to Karl. But a sensitive guy will take that very sensitively."

 

 

Like Kobe?

 

 

"Like Kobe."

"If we split up and I don't win, then everybody'll say, 'Well, if Shaq had Kobe, he would've won.' And if he don't win, it'll be, 'Well, if Kobe had Shaq, he could've won.' That's what everybody will be saying next year ...

 

 

"Well, I like my chances better."

[Guest El Satanico]

So Kobe's a bitch...

 

It's not like we didn't know, but it's nice to hear it from someone who has been around him.

[razazteca 0]

Is Kobe worse than Allen Iverson or Dennis Rodman?

[Steviekick 0]

I'd say he's worse...

 

Iverson is willing to play hurt, ultra competitive, and at times is willing to take the blame when the Sixers mess up.

 

Post-Detroit Rodman may have been a huge off the court distraction, but when it came to showing up to play, he'd carry his load.

[Guest]

Rumors are that 76ers GM Billy King wants to move up in the draft and select Luol Deng or Shaun Livingston. If that doesn't happen, it has been said that the Sixers will select a point guard, Ben Gordon maybe, at #9.

 

If Gordon is drafted by the Sixers, Allen Iverson could possibly be traded, since a Iverson/Gordon backcourt would possibly be the smallest in the league.

He would have to get up to about 4 or 5 to take Deng or Livingston and Gordon wouldn't be there at #9.

[Steviekick 0]

Rumors are that 76ers GM Billy King wants to move up in the draft and select Luol Deng or Shaun Livingston. If that doesn't happen, it has been said that the Sixers will select a point guard, Ben Gordon maybe, at #9.

 

If Gordon is drafted by the Sixers, Allen Iverson could possibly be traded, since a Iverson/Gordon backcourt would possibly be the smallest in the league.

He would have to get up to about 4 or 5 to take Deng or Livingston and Gordon wouldn't be there at #9.

If King trades Iverson away, the people of Philly will eat him alive.