NBA Offseason Stuff

[Ripper 0]

It was the lockout and coke that hurt Shawn Kemp. he was still the man, then he came back from the lockout FAT as all hell. Thats because he didn't work in the offseason. Amare has a reportedly sick offseason workout routine. If he keeps working he is fine. and on court, he is way better than Shawn Kemp ever was in his prime. I don't think he ever averaged over 20 points a game.

 

edit: You know, I just looked at his stats and fat shawn kemp was still good for 18 and 9 in Cleveland. he got traded to portland and his minutes got cut in half(along with his output). I wonder....did Kemp really fall off or did people just stop giving him a chance, cause at his fattest while he was in Cleveland, he was still puting up allstar numbers. Well...goddamn.

[nogoodnick 0]

Bobby Simmons to the Bucks.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2103984

Former Clippers swingman Bobby Simmons agreed to a five year, $47 million deal with the Bucks on Friday, his agent Mark Bartelstein said.

"Bobby intends to sign with the Bucks when the moratorium ends," Bartelstein told ESPN.com. "He was very appreciative of the opportunity that the Clippers gave him but felt like this was the best opportunity for him."

 

The move is the clearest signal yet that the Bucks are serious about competiting for a championship this year. In the past week, they signed the No. 1 pick in the draft, Andrew Bogut, agreed to a six-year, $90 million dollar deal with Michael Redd and began the on the court rehab for point guard T.J. Ford.

 

The Bucks have two more significant free agents, Dan Gadzuric and Zaza Pachulia, that they are also trying to re-sign.

 

Simmons will join Desmond Mason, Jiri Welsch and Redd to form a pretty potent combination at the shooting guard and small forward positions. Mo Williams and hopefully Ford will take care of the point. Their only area of weakness now is at the four where Joe Smith is the only big guy holding down the fort.

 

The loss of Simmons, coming on the heels of the rejection by free agent Ray Allen, is yet another blow to the Clippers. Simmons had a breakout year for them and was a key to their success this season. However, head coach Mike Dunleavy was uncomfortable paying Simmons, who has played well for just one season, that type of money.

 

The Clippers could also lose free agent Marko Jaric this summer, putting into serious question their hopes of making the playoffs next season.

 

Simmons won 2004-05 NBA most improved player honors in his second year with the Los Angeles Clippers.

 

The Bucks also hired Terry Stotts as their new head coach Friday.

 

ESPN.com senior NBA writer Marc Stein contributed to this report.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

DAMN

 

Speaking as a Clipper fan, as much as it hurts to lose Bobby, there is no way I would have paid him 9.4 million dollars a year. I guess Mobley might be the Clippers choice for shooting guard.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Don't worry, you still have Brand and Livingston.

[alfdogg 0]

Speaking as a Clipper fan, as much as it hurts to lose Bobby, there is no way I would have paid him 9.4 million dollars a year.

No shit, that's fuckin' ridiculous. I'm not saying he won't be a good player, but the guy's had one productive season. What if Gheorghe Muresan or Isaac Austin had gotten that kind of money after winning the MIP.

[Krankor 0]

Damn thats a big contract for him.

Well Washington can forget about using Simmons to replace Hughes. With TJ Ford coming back next year Milwaukee's lineup is finally starting to resemble a basketball team. They still don't look like playoff material.

 

The Clippers could also lose free agent Marko Jaric this summer, putting into serious question their hopes of making the playoffs next season

 

The Clippers better not let this guy get away. He had problems with injuries last year but when he was playing he was a huge asset to the team. He's one of the best unknown point guards in the league.

[alfdogg 0]

I changed the format of the first post, it should be a little easier to follow now.

[Precious Roy 0]

The Clippers better not let this guy get away. He had problems with injuries last year but when he was playing he was a huge asset to the team. He's one of the best unknown point guards in the league.

 

Jaric's had problems with injurys EVERY year, which is why he's not as highly regarded or known as his talent would indicate. The dude misses 20-30 games a year, and half the games he plays he's hobbling around playing through pain. If he can play 80 games in a season, great, but let someone else take that risk, the Clippers really don't need him.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

jebus, some of these contracts being signed, max deals or close to it, are insane. I personally dont think either Redd, Simmons, or Hughes deserves those huge contracts, good players for sure, but compared to how mcuh some players who move their teams in the playoffs make, its just... wow.

[alfdogg 0]

Hawks will sign Joe Johnson to a five-year, $70 Million offer sheet, Suns will match

 

Link~

[MrRant 0]

Can someone post the ESPN Insider story about 10 players who may be traded?

[alfdogg 0]

Here you go.

 

Tired of hearing about Michael Redd and Joe Johnson?

 

Wishing your team, over the cap and out of the running for major free agents, could still make major improvements this summer?

 

Keep hope alive. NBA general managers are predicting a robust trading season once the July player movement moratorium is lifted.

 

New rules in the collective bargaining agreement allow teams an extra 10 percent wiggle room (from 15 to 25 percent) when trading salaries, allowing for more trade possibilities. And, with the possibility of waiving one player and having him removed from the cap for luxury tax purposes, more owners may be willing to take on a bad deal.

 

After calling around the league and talking to numerous GMs, here's a look at 10 big names (not including free agents) who could be traded this summer.

 

Stephon Marbury, PG, New York Knicks

Knicks president Isiah Thomas went nuts over Tuesday's column (and a New York Times report) stating that Isiah was willing to trade Marbury.

 

"That is so far from the truth," Thomas told reporters, in an angry tone, at a press conference after the Knicks' first summer league game. "And I'm ashamed for you guys that you even have to ask me that, because there is absolutely no truth to it at all."

 

Marbury has "never been in play," and the Knicks will "never put him in play," according to Isiah.

 

That's sharply at odds with what several NBA executives have told Insider over the course of the last week.

 

Thomas also took issue with the use of other, unnamed executives as sources.

 

"Tell the GM, whoever the GM is, to put his name on it," Thomas said.

 

Knicks fans likewise were displeased at suggestions that Thomas would be willing to trade Marbury to get Samuel Dalembert in a sign-and-trade. They were even more shocked at the possibility of trading him to Atlanta for Al Harrington, Tony Delk and Jason Collier.

 

The funny thing is, trading Marbury is a move the Knicks should make. A trade for Dalembert (which I'm told Sixers GM Billy King has zero interest in) would help the Knicks here and now. That trade would add a shot blocker, put Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson at the point and give the Knicks a good chance at the playoffs.

 

A potential Hawks trade would be more about the future. By moving Marbury for players like Harrington, Delk and Collier (all in the last year of their contracts), Isiah could be on the verge of the previously unthinkable -- cap room. If Marbury were moved and Thomas could resist the urge to throw a max deal at every free agent that bats his eyes at him, the Knicks would be around $20 million under the cap going into the summer of 2007.

 

That just happens to be the summer that LeBron James becomes a restricted free agent, with his full free agency to follow a year later. Given what we know about the huge endorsement kickers James would get by playing in a big market like New York, combined with the chaos in Cleveland right now, it isn't a stretch to think that the Knicks would be real players in the LeBron market, provided they can get their house in order.

 

If Thomas really is going to hold firm on his pledge to "never" put Marbury in play, he's going to have to do something else to ease what's turning out to be a major logjam in the backcourt. The Knicks have Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Allan Houston, Penny Hardaway and Nate Robinson, making a total of $66 million.

 

Houston will likely be waived using the new "amnesty" rule set up in the new CBA. Hardaway is in the last year of his contract, which makes him a tradable piece. But even with those two players eventually out of the picture, the Knicks logjam is still fairly significant and Crawford will be unhappy if he has to come off the bench.

 

Paul Pierce, SG, Boston Celtics

Danny Ainge, and now head coach Doc Rivers, have both, on the record, said that Pierce isn't going anywhere. Nevertheless his name has appeared in constant trade rumors and several GMs Insider has spoken with say that the Celtics have made Pierce available at the right price.

 

The fact that the Celtics had produced promotional materials with and without Pierce's image in it right before the draft lead credence to the theory.

 

While a Marbury trade makes sense for the Knicks, I'm not sure that a Pierce trade works for the Celtics right now. The team already has a plethora of young prospects: seven, to be exact. Two of those, Al Jefferson and Gerald Green, have star potential. What the Celtics need are veterans who can show them how to win. I think that probably behooves the Celtics to keep Pierce on board, and possibly even re-sign Antoine Walker if he'll agree to a reasonable contract.

 

Jamaal Magloire, C, New Orleans Hornets

The Hornets offered him to the Raptors in a deal that Raptors GM Rob Babcock turned down. The Hornets wanted the Raptors' two first round picks and Babcock came to the questionable conclusion that draft picks Charlie Villanueva and Joey Graham would be more valuable to the franchise than what they desperately needed -- a veteran, All-Star-caliber center to play alongside Chris Bosh.

 

Magloire has stated publicly and privately that he wants out of New Orleans. The Hornets granted Baron Davis his trade request near the trade deadline in February and appear to be willing to give Magloire the same courtesy.

 

Other teams, including the Knicks, Lakers, Timberwolves and Hawks, have shown interest in Magloire. He's a base-year player, meaning that any trade for Magloire probably cannot happen until July 29. But with it looking like the league may draw out the moratorium process anyway, that shouldn't be a big deterrent.

 

Steve Francis, G, Orlando Magic

Francis had an up-and-down year for Orlando last season. His numbers jumped back up to near All-Star levels after a down season in Houston, but midway through the year the team seemed to sour on him a bit and made the relationship rockier by moving him off the point to the shooting guard position. The fact that they've been actively pursuing point guards in the draft and in free agency is pretty telling when you consider they also have Jameer Nelson on the roster.

 

The problem is that there isn't a robust market for Francis at the moment. Many GMs no longer believe he's a point guard and he's a bit undersized at the two. Unless a team with cap room like the Hawks, Clippers or Cavs comes to the table, the Magic may have no choice but to make it work next year with Francis running the show. That Tracy McGrady trade is looking worse by the day.

 

Nene, PF, Denver Nuggets

Nene has been less than happy with the team ever since they signed Kenyon Martin last summer. This is a contract year for him and he wants to play. The Nuggets have kept him around as insurance should the always fragile Marcus Camby go down. Ironically it was Nene who spent most of the season on the injured list last season.

 

Now, Denver faces a different problem. Nene is looking for a big extension and the Nuggets have their reservations about giving it to him, especially if he's going to be backing up Martin and Camby. Meanwhile, the team is desperately searching for a sweet-shooting two guard to make defenses honest.

 

There's been talk in the media over the past few days that the Nuggets might agree to a swap with the Kings for Cuttino Mobley. That's a great move for the Kings if they can make it happen, but I doubt the Nuggets are that desperate for a two guard. Mobley's a good shooter, but Nene has a lot more value on the open market. They'd also consider a swap for Joe Johnson, but the Suns are very unlikely to bite.

 

Al Harrington, F, Atlanta Hawks

Harrington was the odd man out the minute the Hawks decided to draft Marvin Williams last week. Harrington was a mild disappointment to the Hawks last season and appears to be more comfortable in a supporting role.

 

The Hawks are using him as bait in an attempt to lure several restricted free agents (Samuel Dalembert, Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler) to the team via sign-and-trades. The most talked-about scenario has them sending Harrington to Chicago for Curry.

 

Wally Szczerbiak and Sam Cassell, Minnesota Timberwolves

Wolves vice president Kevin McHale promised big changes this year. Obviously not retaining Latrell Sprewell is a big move, at least symbolically. But there are more moves to come. The team has shopped both Szczerbiak and Cassell, hoping to shake things up more.

 

Szczerbiak has generated some interest in New York, Portland and New Orleans. The Wolves would love to do something with Portland that gets them Darius Miles or Shareef Abdur Rahim in a sign-and-trade.

 

Cassell has received less interest, though there's been talk that a deal with Memphis for Jason Williams is a possibility.

 

Caron Butler, SF, Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak took NBA writers to task for mentioning Butler's name in trade rumors before the draft, but a handful of GMs report that he's available.

 

He probably has to be if the Lakers are going to make any significant changes to their roster this summer. Right now, Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom are serving as the foundation. Butler, who many teams still covet, is the most expendable piece.

 

The Hornets and Bobcats have both shown a lot of interest in Butler.

 

Jason Williams, PG, Memphis Grizzlies

He was the team's golden child under Hubie Brown last season but resorted back to his old problem-child persona this season. Williams bumped heads constantly with new head coach Mike Fratello and ended the season on a pretty awful note.

 

The Grizzlies are trying to trade him, along with Bonzi Wells, but have struggled to find takers. While no one questions Williams' talent, he's a difficult guy to handle, both on and off the court. The team talked trade with the Wolves earlier in the season but so far nothing has come of it.

 

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

[Krankor 0]

Minnesota should really try to work a deal sending Cassell to Memphis for Jason Williams. If they could do that and add Abdur-Rahim I think they are almost instantly a playoff contender. They will still have a hole to fill with the exit of Sprewell.

 

The Eddy Curry/Hawks scenario is starting to become a possibility. He's meeting with Atlanta Monday and Tuesday to talk about a contract. Both the Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times have reported the past couple of days that Curry has been left with a sour taste about the slow contract process and Chicago's GM John Paxson has been saying that Curry's comments irritate him. John Paxson said he still plans on matching any offer Curry gets, but he might consider doing a sign and trade if Curry gets a long term deal that doesn't have clauses involving Eddy’s health problems.

 

As a Bulls fan I don’t want to see the big man go, but if a sign and trade happened involving Atlanta Al Harrington and Jason Collins better be involved. The only problem then is the Bulls will have nothing useful at the center position.

[nogoodnick 0]

I don't think filling Spree's shoes is going to be difficult. Wally isn't as talented as him but he's probably more consistent. Also McCants is good enough to log major minutes as SG and with so many veteran players around him he wont have to do as much.

[Dangerous A 0]

McCants should be solid, if not possibly spectacular. He is a shooter and scorer. Apparantly when he worked out for the T-Wolves, he hit an ungodly 64-75 3-pointers. The only red flag for me is he kind of shoots his mouth off when the press is around and the stomach problems he was facing through the middle portion of last season with the Tar Heels.

[alfdogg 0]

Ilgauskas will re-sign with the Cavs.

[Adam 0]

Yep, saw that coming. He fits in well with the team, and they needed him back desperately.

[Fökai 0]

The possibility of seeing Harrington as a Bull a year earlier than expected (the Bulls were going to offer him a contract at the end of the 2005-2006 season) has me excited. If we keep Chandler and Duhon, we have a great six-deep nucelus regardless of where we are with Curry.

 

If I'm Paxson, I'm trying my damndest to unload Curry in a sign-and-trade, because I doubt Curry willl sign a clause-laden contract that depends entirely on his heart problem. The Bulls have at least two teams that covet Curry (Cavaliers, Hawks), and a few that are willing to sign him to an offer sheet, so it's also an issue on finding a replacement at the 4 or 5 if Paxson decides to not match an offer on Curry.

 

EDIT: I don't know what the Bulls will do with their rotation if they sign Jaric. He's going to command a lot of cash for a bench player, especially on a team who already has a solid 2 fighting for minutes off the bench (Gordon).

[Guest rawmvp]

Per David Aldridge, The Lakers and Wizards are set to make a trade of Caron Butler for Kwame Brown.

[Guest]

That pretty much means Odom is going somewhere too.

[Precious Roy 0]

Per David Aldridge, The Lakers and Wizards are set to make a trade of Caron Butler for Kwame Brown.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Aw shit, that sounds like a nice situation for Kwame. Phil Jackson to babysit him and build back some of the confidence that Jordan shattered, and fellow HS-->NBAer Kobe to motivate him. Watch Kwame blossom and LA become a force again. FUCK

 

I don't think they're trading Odom though. Phil loves him, and he's hella versatile, can play the 3 or 4 depending on if Kwame is in at the 4 or 5.

 

I wonder what Isiah is going to do now. No Kwame, no Z, Dalembert is a longshot....I guess that means Stromile Swift is now the big target? Personally, I think he should go all out to get Jamaal MacGloire, hopefully we've got something that New Orleans might want...

[Guest]

If the Lakers have Odom play at the 3 and Kwame at the 4, this is a perfect trade.

[Dangerous A 0]

Ideally, it's a perfect trade. There are still question marks here.

 

While Odom is the guy Phil wants to initiate the offense, will it work out? We haven't seen whether or not the triangle will work for Odom or not. Plus, Odom hasn't shown he's dominating or a real winner. He didn't win with the Clips and the Heat were more pushed by the emergence of Wade moreso than anything Odom ever did. I have questions about his heart more than his ability.

 

Brown is an even bigger question mark in terms of heart and maturity. I think he has the talent to be just like Jermaine O'Neal, but will he show it? I also think he could be incredibly soft.

[alfdogg 0]

The LA-Was trade is just a rumor right now, it hasn't been confirmed as of yet.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

From the L.A. Times

 

Cuttino Mobley has agreed to sign a $42 Million/5 year deal with the Clippers

[alfdogg 0]

Haslem to re-sign with Miami

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Hey, could someone please post the latest rumors from ESPN Insider. I love reading those things. It would be greatly appreciated.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

According to the L.A. Times the Lakers-Wiz trade is done

 

Lakers get Brown and the Wizards get Caron Butler and either George or Atkins

[Adam 0]

Trade George, they need Chucky Atkins at the point, not as if there's much else.

[alfdogg 0]

Nobody needs Chucky Atkins.