NBA Free Agency Thread

[stevew]

Nash to Phoenix
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1833028

[stevew]

Im guessing that the Suns wont be going after Kobe now.

[MrBug708]

Vince Carter wants a trade

[stevew]

Its interesting that Cuban reportedly refused to match this offer. Its about time he started to show restraint. 5/65 is a lot for nash at this stage of his career.

[Arles]

I don't know if it was restraint as much as matching Nash would have taken Dallas out of the Shaq sweepstakes. Still, it's on the high end of what Nash is worth. ESPN was reporting he would get a deal at around 10 mil a year, so this is slightly more.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Arles

I don't know if it was restraint as much as matching Nash would have taken Dallas out of the Shaq sweepstakes. Still, it's on the high end of what Nash is worth. ESPN was reporting he would get a deal at around 10 mil a year, so this is slightly more.

I think matching Nash's offer would have meant forcing Cubans hand in a Shaq to Dallas trade giving the Lakers the advantage

[TroyF]

This move has been in place sinse the draft. You don't pick Harris 5th and sit him behind Nash. Harris is a defensive PG and it's been clear for awhile that Cuban wants better defense on the floor. They offered Nash what they felt he was worth. He went for more money.

As a Nugget fan, I'm content with that. The Suns will be a good team, but they could have been great with Kobe. I'm just scared of what Denver will do. Signing Camby to a 9 million a year deal is frightening.

[Arles]

From what I understand, Phoenix offered Kobe 6 years at over $100 mil last night and he responded today in a very lukewarm manner. The local sports radio here said their sources said that Kobe is still intent on resigning with LA and that he was going to take a while to decide. So, Phoenix went to plan B since it seemed Kobe coming to the suns was a long shot and there was no way guys like Nash and Ocur would wait 2-3 weeks for Kobe to make up his mind.

[stevew]

The Cavs decided not to pick up Boozers 3rd year option and made him an unrestricted FA. This is freaking stupid. I know the general plan is for him to stay, but now the Cavs could have their own "Joe Smith" type situation.

[JeeberD]

I guess it's gonna be Marquis Daniels' time to shine...

[Mantle2600]

actually the cavs did pick up boozer's option, their not THAT stupid.

[Neuqua]

They did not pick up the option. But Boozer says he isn't even considering signing anywhere else.

[MrBug708]

Boozer wants to be on the LeBron gravy train!

[pennywisesb]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Vince Carter wants a trade

are you kidding me with this?

[TroyF]

I couldn't believe the Cavs didn't make the qualifying offer to Boozer. I don't care how much he says he wants to stay and how much of a sure thing that is. Things can change incredibly quickly with things like this. Just taking an "out there" scenario, say his wifes mom was dagnosed with cancer and she lived in another city. Do you think Boozer might alter his plans a bit?

I'm 99.9% certain Boozer will resign, but I still think it's an incredibly stupid move for the Cavs not to have picked up that option so it was a 100% thing. Make enough moves like that, it'll bite you in the rear end at some point.

It's amazing how many big names are on the block right now. VC, Ray Allen, Shaq, Peirce in the right trade, AI in the right deal, TMAC/Francis already dealt. I've thought that VC would be wanting out for a couple of years now. I'm surprised it took this long for the trade demand.

[Mantle2600]

your right im sorry, the plain dealer said that they did pick it up, and then other newspapers say they didnt. my heads about to explode from all the confusion

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Mantle2600

your right im sorry, the plain dealer said that they did pick it up, and then other newspapers say they didnt. my heads about to explode from all the confusion

Everybody thought it was an obvious thing for them to pick the option up. They better not let him get away.

[Gary Gorski]

Originally Posted by Arles

and there was no way guys like Nash and Ocur would wait 2-3 weeks for Kobe to make up his mind.

Wow, you guys must have really wanted Okur out there huh?

j/k Arles, just havin some fun with ya. Besides, we'd prefer to keep him here in Detroit, where we know how to pronounce and spell his name

[SonyLuang]

Didn't Dallas get Devin Harris from Wisconsin? Do you guys think he'll start at PG for the Mavs?

[The_herd]

Originally Posted by SonyLuang

Didn't Dallas get Devin Harris from Wisconsin? Do you guys think he'll start at PG for the Mavs?

Without a doubt. Cuban probably new before the draft that Nash was, in all likelyhood, gone. Picking up Harris gave them a bit of insurance and made them a bit younger. I also don't think losing Nash hurts Dallas that much because I think Harris will end up being a better PG and it spreads the shots out a bit more. They do have to suffer through the growing pains of a rookie PG though.

[HornedFrog Purple]

Dont' forget about Marquis Daniels. If they manage to work out a deal with him, they have a nice duo at PG. Marquis can ball.

I'll miss Nash though, the guy is a scrapper and goes all out every game. Thanks for helping to take the Mavs out of the crapper.

[MikeVic]

Vince Carter said something like he's not happy with the way the organization is going... I don't know about other Raptors fans, but I can't believe Vince said this. He's the reason the Raptors are going down every season. He gets flicked on the wrist and goes down holding his leg, then goes on the DL for 3 weeks. Then when he plays, he dosn't drive and dunk anymore... he shoots jumpers from half-court.

As much as I loved Carter during his first few years, I wouldn't be sad to see him go. As long as they get enough in return for him.

[The_herd]

Originally Posted by HornedFrog Purple

Dont' forget about Marquis Daniels. If they manage to work out a deal with him, they have a nice duo at PG. Marquis can ball.

I'll miss Nash though, the guy is a scrapper and goes all out every game. Thanks for helping to take the Mavs out of the crapper.

I'll be shocked if Daniels is a Mav next season. If I'm the Bobcats I'm offering him somewhere in the range of 7-8 million per and the promise of playing 40 minutes a night. Neither of which the Mavs can match.

[The_herd]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1833400

DALLAS -- Marquis Daniels agreed to a six-year contract worth roughly $38 million to stay with the Mavericks, helping Dallas secure the other half of its starting backcourt soon after losing point guard Steve Nash.

Daniels, who made the league minimum of $366,931 last season after going undrafted out of Auburn, will receive the midlevel exception of around $5 million this season, then have annual raises of 10 percent. The exact figures will be set by the league before July 14, which is the earliest the contract can be signed.

"Once we got what we wanted, from the team we wanted, Marquis said, 'Let's get it done,'" agent Glenn Schwartzman said Friday. "This is where his heart is."

Daniels spent part of last season as Nash's backup, then thrived once he joined him in the starting lineup as the off guard. His playmaking may be needed more next season now that Nash has agreed to sign with Phoenix, probably turning over point guard duties to rookie Devin Harris.

Daniels made Dallas' roster in training camp, then started the season near the end of the bench. He became a starter in March and into the playoffs.

By scoring 30 points in three of his 15 regular-season starts, and averaging 15.8 in the playoffs, Daniels turned himself into quite a commodity on the free-agent market.

About a dozen teams called his agent when the negotiating period opened late Wednesday. His suitors included Utah, Denver and three other teams that were well under the salary cap, Schwartzman said.

The Mavericks could've been outbid if a team under the cap exceeded the midlevel figure. But with free agency just starting, no team was willing to break the bank for Daniels just yet.

Not wanting to take any chances, the Mavericks made the maximum offer they could and asked for an immediate answer.

"I think they felt they needed a commitment because they didn't want to lose both Steve and Marquis," Schwartzman said.

I WAS WRONG!!!!

Anyway, I'm really surprised to see loyalty from anyone in the NBA these days. I have quite a bit of respect for Daniels now. I'm sure Dallas new the Bobcats would throw quite a bit of money at him, so they locked him up as soon as possible.

[HornedFrog Purple]

Yeah the Mavs have made a move to get younger. I am happy Daniels resigned. Finley is now the old man on the team and Josh Howard is his heir apparent.

If Najera was 6 inches taller he would be the perfect center for this team.

[j51]

Man, how would you like to be a late first round pick making peanuts for your first 4 years while you see an undrafted kid get a $38 million deal after 1 season?

[JeeberD]

Daniels can flat out play. I see him starting and Harris backing him up, though there's a good chance both of them will be on the floor at the same time (ala Nash and Van Exel)...

[Hammer755]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Vince Carter said something like he's not happy with the way the organization is going... I don't know about other Raptors fans, but I can't believe Vince said this. He's the reason the Raptors are going down every season. He gets flicked on the wrist and goes down holding his leg, then goes on the DL for 3 weeks. Then when he plays, he dosn't drive and dunk anymore... he shoots jumpers from half-court.

As much as I loved Carter during his first few years, I wouldn't be sad to see him go. As long as they get enough in return for him.

I heard Carter on the Dan Patrick Show a week or two ago, and he is pushing hard to have Dr. J brought in as the team's GM. He also had a candidate that he wanted to be hired as head coach, but I can't think of who it was and I'm certiain it wasn't Sam Mitchell. Perhaps he's angry that the team hasn't listened to his input regarding the front office.

[MrBug708]

Harris plays better defense and is younger then Nash. A great deal all around

[Neuqua]

I actually don't see Harris becoming anything special at the next level. He does have the ability to hit big shots though.

[MrBug708]

He was probably the best talent in the Big-11

[Neuqua]

Player. Not talent.

[MrBug708]

No, Talent. you guys have one guy who'll be a Pro player, but Indiana, MSU, OSU, Purdue and the rest are all missing elite talents

[stevew]

Well to add to the "being tall gets you paid mad dollars" file.

Adonal Foyle for 41 million

Mehmet Okur for 50 million.

Okur is a restricted FA so the pistons could probably match the offer, but likely won't. A lot of what the Pistons do depends on what Sheed decides.

Markus Camby has also decided to stay in Denver. If he stays healthy it will be great for them, but hes super fragile.

[Huckleberry]

I want to make $366,931 for the next 4 years and call it peanuts.

[The_herd]

Did anyone else know Kidd's knee surgery was the Microfracture procedure?

Thats a pretty serious knee injury. I didn't realize it was that bad.

[sterlingice]

Hey, JeeberD. What's the buzz down there for point guard? Is there a serious push for a decent free agent?

SI

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by stevew

Well to add to the "being tall gets you paid mad dollars" file.

Adonal Foyle for 41 million

Mehmet Okur for 50 million.

Okur is a restricted FA so the pistons could probably match the offer, but likely won't. A lot of what the Pistons do depends on what Sheed decides.

Markus Camby has also decided to stay in Denver. If he stays healthy it will be great for them, but hes super fragile.

They signed Foyle to a big deal like that? What a joke. That guy sucks. If you want someone who can't stay healthy or rebound he's your guy.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Harris plays better defense ... then Nash.

And we would know this how?

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Hey, JeeberD. What's the buzz down there for point guard? Is there a serious push for a decent free agent?

SI

The rumors on the 'net are that the Rox are going to go after either Brent Barry or Derek Fisher...

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

I want to make $366,931 for the next 4 years and call it peanuts.

LOL, if you were the lowest paid member of your group, you would likely be a little pissed about it.

Then again, I would like to be in the position of making that much and constantly whining how underpaid I was.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Samdari

LOL, if you were the lowest paid member of your group, you would likely be a little pissed about it.

Then again, I would like to be in the position of making that much and constantly whining how underpaid I was.

Yo, you know how much those spinning rims cost dog? I gots to get paid

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by The_herd's newspaper link

"Once we got what we wanted, from the team we wanted, Marquis said, 'Let's get it done,'" agent Glenn Schwartzman said Friday.

You think? A ton of money from the team you want to play for and you have to mention that he said "Let's get it done"? Although I guess in this day and age you can't take it for granted that if a player wants to play for you and you give him what he's asking for, he'll sign.

Sorry, I just thought that was one of the dumbest quotes ever from an agent...

[bbor]

ALston to the Raps for 5 or 6 years at 25 or 29 mil.

Someone please take Wince Carter and his whiny baby ass off our hands.

Now i can see how Wince and T-mac are related.Crybabies.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by bbor

ALston to the Raps for 5 or 6 years at 25 or 29 mil.

Someone please take Wince Carter and his whiny baby ass off our hands.

Now i can see how Wince and T-mac are related.Crybabies.

Who would want Carter?

[bigdawg2003]

so much for fiscal responsibility in the NBA. watch a lot of these contracts become albatrosses in a couple years.

[bbor]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Who would want Carter?

His assist GM mom.

[The_herd]

This is absurd.

Restricted free-agent Hedo Turkoglu and the Orlando Magic and have agreed to a six-year $39 million contract, his agent, Lon Babby, said Wednesday.

[stevew]

Also word is that Manu Ginobli has been offered a 6 year deal starting in the 9 million dollar range by Denver. Contracts are starting to get out of hand.

[Neuqua]

Whoever lands Arroyo in a cheap deal will get a steal.