Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Roy Hibbert wants to stay in Indiana, but is unlikely to agree to an extension by Wednesday's deadline to re-sign 2008 draft picks, his agent, David Falk, said Monday.

"There's no rush," Falk said. "I think it’s unlikely that we’ll come to agreement this week. It doesn’t mean in any way that he's not happy in Indiana. ... We've had very friendly discussions, and both sides recognize that the discussion is probably premature."

Last year, only five of the 30 first-round picks agreed to in-season extensions that took them off the restricted free-agent market, including a five-year, $85 million deal for Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City. So far this year, only the Bulls' Derrick Rose and Durant's teammate, Russell Westbrook, have gotten extensions done. Sources say the most likely candidates to beat Wednesday's deadline for new deals are Kevin Love (Timberwolves), Danilo Gallinari (Nuggets), Ryan Anderson (Magic) and Nicolas Batum (Trail Blazers) -- with Eric Gordon (Hornets) also a possibility.

Hibbert, 25, is averaging 13.9 points and 9.9 rebounds and is shooting 54.2 percent from the field in his fourth season, leading the Pacers to an 11-4 start -- including a 98-96 victory over the Lakers Sunday. Hibbert's scoring and rebounding numbers have gone up every season he's been in the league.

123456loko

[DJ]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Contract talks with Gallo have been very quiet around Denver, but everyone is expecting him to be locked up very soon.

Indiana has quietly put together a real nice roster in the past 3 years. Good for them. I hope Hibbert stays and the Pacers continue to rise in the Eastern Conference.

[Altimus]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Bulls looking to sign Oberto to backup Noah... not sure why unless they have some deal in store to trade The Nightmare (AKA Asik).

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Phil Jackson on possible comeback:

For starters, Phil Jackson told the New York Times he's not interested in coaching right now. Let's get that out there, first and foremost. See, I'll even blockquote it, from the New York Times:

“I have no desire to coach,” he said. “You never say never, right? I mean, there’s always something that might change my mind — but I just don’t see it.

So Jackson is not "considering," "exploring," "rumored to be interested in," or in contact with the Knicks. He's hanging out in Montana and L.A., being Phil Jackson, and probably being pretty happy with the fact that when he baggage checks his championship jewelry, he has to pay the extra weight fees.

However, the very next quote in that article is what makes you stop and go "hmmm" much as Arsenio Hall did in the early 1990's.

“Without a doubt, New York is special,” he continued in a vein a little more encouraging for Knicks fans. “Why wouldn’t it be? When I was there, it was one of the greatest times to be in New York. I mean, the Mets, Jets and Knicks won championships all in one year.”

via Phil Jackson Is Seduced by the Energy of New York - NYTimes.com.

Jackson, of course, won his first NBA championship as a player with the Knicks in the 1970's. A former teammate from his time there, Walt Frazier, is the color commentator. Bill Bradley, another teammate, lives there. He has history there.

Mike D'Antoni is in the last year of his contract. The Knicks are stuck in neutral, and D'Antoni's high-flying system is ill-suited to focusing around a shoot-first, shoot-last, shoot-always small forward in Carmelo Anthony and without a legit point guard, Amar'e Stoudemire has none of his strengths being maximized. The Knicks are a better defensive team this year, but the offense is so dreadful that finger-pointing has begun. As far back as three years ago, when Jackson was still winning titles with L.A., there was talk of Jackson returning to finish off his coaching run where it began, at Madison Square Garden.

The fact that the current Knicks roster is so amazingly optimized for the Triangle offense Jackson has always run (and been the only coach to be successful with it in the NBA) should not be overlooked. With Tyson Chandler in the low block, Amar'e Stoudemire in the high post, and Anthony on ther perimeter, it would allow Anthony to improvise, shoot and create, while not forcing him into running the entire offense, as the Triangle delineates decisions down to a set of options versus a free-flowing system. The Knicks lack of real guard help, even with the return of Baron Davis, would be acceptable as they would rotate weak side available for kick-outs as shooters on kick-and-drives to the basket from the far side.

The coach back where it started. A team in need of his talents. The similarities between Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony, their friendship, even. One last run to finish his illustrious career where it began. It's too perfect. Which is why it probably will not happen. And yet, even as Jackson says he doesn't miss it... he kind of does. Again, from the Times:

“I don’t miss it. I really don’t miss it. But I think I have to stick my finger into an electric socket every once in a while just to get a little jolt out of life to keep it going because that’s what gave me the joys, the jollies of life.”

So, no, Phil Jackson will not be coaching the Knicks. Probably. Most-likely.

[ScoobySnax]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

This was a comment on ESPN about Flip Saunders' firing:

"I'm sure Flip Saunders is doing flips of relief."

[CMH]

Phil Jackson on possible comeback:

I'd love to have him coaching the Knicks but I'm skeptical it happens.


Sent from my mobile device.

[Boltman]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

I'd love to have him coaching the Knicks but I'm skeptical it happens.


Sent from my mobile device.

I would love to see him coaching the Knicks as well. It could only result in positive things for that organization.

Tired of seeing them as the piss poor team they've been for a long time now.

[23]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Phil aint coming back man

[Altimus]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Phil aint coming back man

Eh, I'm not so sold on that.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

That's the LAST thing I need to see happen.

The absolute LAST.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

It's Official:

Alex Kennedy: Kevin Love has agreed to a four-year, $62 million contract extension, according to Ray Richardson (@TwolvesNow) of the Pioneer Press. 1 minute ago

[Drewski]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Congrats to the T-Wolves, locking up a cornerstone to their franchise. Clock begins ticking.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Two sources close to process tell ESPN com that Kevin Love has NOT yet agreed to contract extension and that talks are still "ongoing"

Wolves have been unwilling to budge from four-year, $62M offer to Love, who's eligible for same five-year, $80M deal Westbrook got from OKC

Gotta love "sources"...........

[Jonesy]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Why wouldn't they give him the same $80M deal Westbrook got? Seems like a bargain to me, guy is a baller and seems to be a good character guy as well from what I have seen / heard.

[Altimus]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

While this is still ongoing, here's a question. Is Kevin Love a max player? Why or why not.