Free Agents

NBA: Free Agents Include McDyess, Stoudamire, Horry

Hoopsworld — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:49:38 -0800

By: Wendell Maxey

With Chicago (Kirk Hinrich), Atlanta (Josh Smith), San Antonio (Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili) all sidelined for the coming weeks, a number of remaining free agents are holding out hope of returning to the hardwood. Heck even Shane Battier (foot), Al Harrington (back), Kevin Martin (ankle) and Antonio Daniels (knee), Michael Redd (ankle) and Devin Harris (ankle) are gimpy.

It's good to be free.

So as the walking wounded list continues to fill-up weeks into the regular season, HOOPSWORLD takes a look at a few free agents for hire, some possible destinations and who would benefit from their services....

Robert Horry: Does "Big Shot Bob" have one more big shot left in him? If so, Boston Celtics point guard Sam Cassell - who played and won a ring with Horry in Houston - is making a ploy of sorts to see his next shot go down for Boston. When asked if Horry could be wearing green, Cassell recently said "it's a possibility" and that the veteran point guard has "mentioned it to him". Maybe if Cassell keeps mentioning it, Horry might take Boston up on the offer before too long.

Where Could He Land: Boston

Who Could Use Him: San Antonio or Los Angeles Lakers

Bonzi Wells: The NBA season started without Wells having found a home, but how long will he remain homeless? Some around the league believe the 6-5 swingman is most equipped to contribute to a team more than the other remaining free agents - with Antonio McDyess being the exception - at this time. The dilemma is - as it has been most recently - Wells' conditioning. Has he lost a step? While his conditioning may be up for debate, news of his return to the court is pretty straightforward. BDA Sports - the agency that represents Wells - said there is "no news" about his future. Bonzi's agent, Bill Duffy, isn't discussing his client's future either. Could it be Wells' suitors aren't exactly lining up?

Where Could He Land: Atlanta

Who Could Use Him: Washington or Toronto

Antonio McDyess: Could the San Antonio Spurs be the front-runner to sign McDyess? How about Cleveland? Or will he opt to return to Detroit as has been the report? If he does decide to return as a Piston, it will be a 30-day wait based on NBA rules. But that's not a given. McDyess' agent Andy Miller has said 17 teams are interested in his client, but all the Pistons can think about right now are the two teams that are showing heavy interest in the 6-9 veteran foward: Cleveland and Boston. For now though, all signs point to McDyess re-signing with the Pistons.

Where Could He Land: Detroit

Who Could Use Him: Cleveland or Houston

Damon Stoudamire: Stoudamire could be returning to the court soon, but will it be as a player or coach? Weeks ago the 5-10 point guard and University of Arizona alum said he would "love to be part of the Wildcats" coaching staff in the next year or two. While Stoudamire remains hopeful he has a place on the sidelines with his alma mater, point guard injuries around the league could bring him back to the NBA sooner rather than later. After playing with the San Antonio Spurs last season, he tried to get on with the Houston Rockets but failed to even land a spot in training camp. Now with Tony Parker hobbled, might "Mighty Mouse" try to save the day?

Where Could He Land: San Antonio

Who Could Use Him: Chicago or Los Angeles Clippers

Lindsey Hunter: Just when you thought Hunter was heading for retirement, the veteran point guard is staying busy and in-shape. Hunter worked out for the Los Angeles Clippers weeks ago in an attempt to find a back-up (or security blanket) for Baron Davis. While the Clippers didn't bite, Mark Bartelstein - Hunter's agent - has been talking to teams like the Dallas Mavericks and the Orlando Magic. The Magic apparently aren't interested in Hunter but that still leaves Dallas a possible destination if the two parties are in serious talks.

Where Could He Land: San Antonio

Who Could Use Him: Golden State or Chicago

P.J. Brown: Brown's agent Mark Bartelstein confirmed to HOOPSWORLD that his client isn't taking many calls these days about coming back. "Right now his mind is not on playing. It's with his family," Bartelstein said. Be that as it may, that's not keeping Boston from trying to re-lure Brown out of retirement - especially if they can't land Antonio McDyess. Despite the loss of James Posey - and the Celtics looking to invest in their youngsters (J.R. Giddens, Bill Walker and Gabe Pruitt) - it's clear Boston misses Brown. Last year it was Paul Pierce and Ray Allen who made their sales pitch to Brown to come and play in Boston. Will two out of the "Big Three" place another call? Better yet, will he pick up on the other end?

Where Could He Land: Boston

Who Could Use Him: Dallas or San Antonio

Other Notable Available Free Agents: Juwan Howard; Ira Newble; Damon Jones; Othella Harrington; Derek Anderson; Dikembe Mutombo; Alonzo Mourning

Your Turn: Now that you know who the usual suspects are and the talk circulating around the league, which free agents would you like to see in some new (or old) digs this season?

NBA: Friday Report: Heat to Sign Livingston

Hoopsworld — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:44:14 -0700

By: Steve Kyler

Livingston Picks Miami: Yesterday HOOPSWORLD reported that Shaun Livingston will be signing a new deal with the Miami HEAT, he is expected to arrive in Miami this morning and sign a new deal sometime today. The move puts the HEAT over the NBA maximum 20 man training camp roster, which means Miami will be cutting someone loose almost immediately. The HEAT are also expected to try and move a guaranteed contract in trade to create some breathing room under the luxury tax threshold. The HEAT have until the NBA trade deadline before they have to deal with this issue so there is plenty of time. It's expected that Daequan Cook may be the odd man out, although printed reports have suggested that recently re-signed Dorrell Wright could return more value to Miami in terms of future draft picks. After signing a new contract this summer he cannot be traded for 90 days, which is mid-December. Daequan is scheduled to earn $1.27 million this year and a team option next year worth $1.36 million. Dorrell Wright recently signed a two-year deal paying him roughly $2.61 million this season and $2.88 million next season. Joel Anthony, Matt Walsh, David Padgett and Jason Richards were all camp invites and one or more of them could be released today.

Amare Injures Eye: Suns' All-Star Amare Stoudemire could be sporting new protective eyewear this season after getting a severely "poked" eye in Suns training camp this week. Amare's "nose to the basket" style makes him more prone to getting poked in the face, and Suns trainers have urged him to consider playing with protective goggles to help avoid this recurring issue. Amare is expected to miss the Sun's intra-squad scrimmage but is expected to be ready for the first pre-season game Wednesday versus Atlanta.

Jefferies Breaks His Leg: New York Knicks' forward Jared Jefferies has broken his left fibula and is expected to miss 8 to 10 weeks. Jeffries landed awkwardly while running during a Knicks training camp scrimmage. Jefferies complained of pain in the leg which was originally thought to be a strained calf. The severity of the injury was determined by X-Ray after the workout was over. Jefferies was one of the players Mike D'Antoni was most impressed with in camp, likely paving the way for a larger role for Jefferies in the new-look Knicks offense. The Knicks will also be without Eddy Curry, still recovering from a bacterial infection, and Danilo Gallinari, who is still receiving treatment for a bulging disc in his back. The Knicks open pre-season play next Wednesday at Toronto.

Stan Not Happy With Cook: Stan Van Gundy made a few things clear as the Magic begin the last few days of training camp. Stan plans to use a tight 10-man rotation and unless forward Brian Cook gets his conditioning right, he may not be part of the plan. Stan was candid with the Orlando Sentinel. "His conditioning hasn't been as improved as we would like," he said. "If his conditioning does improve, he'll play well. But he didn't spend as much time on his conditioning as a lot of the other guys and it has hurt him out here competing. But it's not a major issue; Brian's just not in as good as shape as he could have been or should have been… It puts him at a disadvantage." Cook was acquired in trade last year from the Lakers, and immediately fell out of favor due to conditioning. That does not seem to have changed.

NBA: Grading the Free Agent Deals

Hoopsworld — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:02:26 -0700

By: Preetom Bhattacharya

The smoke around the NBA has mostly cleared for free agents looking for a team and it's time to take a look back and grade the seven largest deals of the summer.

Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards: 6 years, $111 -million)
Grade: A
Although this seems like way too much money to give to a player returning from a pretty serious knee injury, the Washington Wizards sent a message to their fans, players, and the league at large by locking up their core of Arenas, Antawn Jamison (4-year, $50--million contract extension earlier this summer), and Caron Butler. That message? If healthy, the entire organization, from owner Abe Pollin down to head coach Eddie Jordan, believes this team is capable of a title run.

Arenas' contract is the sixth largest since the NBA instituted its collective bargaining agreement in 1999, but the dynamic scorer has rejuvenated the Beltway with his quirky personality and late-game heroics. He's the face of the Wizards franchise and is a legitimate superstar in the league, so his contract is right on line with his credentials when compared to other players of his caliber and status.

Elton Brand (Philadelphia 76ers: 5 years, $82 -million)
Grade: A+
The Philadelphia 76ers were pretty good last year, making a run into the playoffs behind the absolutely stellar play of Andre Miller and even scaring the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. But the Sixers sorely lacked an offensive presence in the paint, with their top four scorers all being perimeter players.

That all changes with the addition of Brand, who is coming off an injury himself but looked pretty good in the eight games he played at the end of last season. The Sixers didn't have to give up any of their depth to get Brand (which becomes more important now with Jason Smith out with a torn ACL) and get exactly what the team and picked up exactly what they needed in a proven veteran down low.

Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76er: 6 years, $80-million)
Grade: B
Iguodala gambled by not taking the five-year, $57.4-million the Sixers offered him last year, but things certainly worked out for him in the end and the Sixers locked him up for the long term. This is one of those deals that can turn out really great or could end up being a bit of a disappointment.

Iguodala is clearly a solid player and may even get better with Elton Brand beside him, but this was an awful lot of money to pay to a guy who has yet to develop a consistent outside jumper (especially from three-point range) or make an All-Star appearance. The Sixers are clearly banking on Iguodala's improvement and if he becomes a bit more versatile, this deal certainly will end up a great one.

Right now, it's just good.

Emeka Okafor (Charlotte Bobcats: 6 years, $72-million)
Grade: B+
At first glance, the Charlotte Bobcats gave Okafor a staggering figure because he largely goes unnoticed. Okafor lives in Dwight Howard's shadows not because he isn't a quality player, but because he isn't flashy in how he gets his business done.

You won't see Okafor flying around making your jaw-drop with his athleticism; instead, Okafor gets things done quietly as one of only four NBA players that have averaged double-doubles in each of the past four seasons. The other three are Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, and Howard – certainly not bad company by any means. He's been a dependable cornerstone for the Bobcats and will continue to give his consistency down low, but must fight the notion that he's injury-prone and stay healthy.

With Larry Brown coming into town, Charlotte will be getting a coach that can get the most of his players and having Okafor certainly gives Brown something great to start with .. even if he's not recognized as such.

Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls: 6 years, $71-million)
Grade: A-
You don't get paid to be a nice guy in the NBA, but Deng is by far one of the best teammates anyone could ask for. He's an assuming kind of guy who helps his team in whatever way he can. That makes him sound like a role player – which he isn't – but Deng's commitment to teamwork is what makes him a special player for the Chicago Bulls.

With the talent and athleticism to do just about whatever he wants on the court, Deng's going to keep getting better now that there is some semblance of stability in Chicago (his numbers were clearly down last year because of the initial Kobe Bryant trade talk to start the season and the midseason firing of Scott Skiles). Look for Deng to have a tremendous year – he was, after all, excited for next season and started to train way back in June.

Monta Ellis (Golden State Warriors: 6 years, $67-million)
Grade: B+
Ellis certainly cashed in this offseason after two years of very solid play for the Golden State Warriors. Although he has yet to prove himself as the point guard that head coach Don Nelson is going to ask him to be this season (he won't be carrying the ball so much, but the role is different nonetheless), Ellis has gotten better every year he's been in the league.

He's always been quick, but Ellis now counters that with one of the league's best mid-range jumpers – defenders have to pick their poison with him now and if they crowd him too much on the jumper, Ellis will blow by them and use his creativity and finishing ability around the basket. He's going to have to be a better defender, but Ellis has already shown his work ethic and is certainly is on the right track to league-wide recognition as a star.

Baron Davis (Los Angeles Clippers: 5 years, $65-million)
Grade: C+
There's a couple big questions when it comes to Baron Davis and the Los Angeles Clippers: can he stay healthy? Can he get along with Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy? When one looks at track histories, the answers to these questions don't exactly bode well for the Clippers.

Davis was indeed healthy for the first time in a long time last season, playing in all 82 games in what ended up being the last year of his contract. The last time Davis played in all of his team's games was in the 2001-2002 season, which coincidentally was also a contract year for him. After signing his big contract with the Hornets, Davis missed an average of 26 games per season over the next five seasons with both the Hornets and Warriors. Recalling Davis' injuries was like reading an anatomy book: out 13 games with a calf injury, out 3 games with a strained rib muscle, out 19 games with a sprained right ankle, out 17 games with an Achilles injury, out 18 games with a herniated disc.

As for getting along with Dunleavy, the coach has alienated a player in the past (see Corey Maggette) and Davis has had issues with past coaches (see Byron Scott). Before unloading Davis to the Warriors, Davis clashed with Scott and was accused of being out of shape. Things got so bad that Hornets' owner George Shinn called Davis a "poison." Maggette and Dunleavy clashed over playing time, among other things, before Clippers' owner Donald Sterling got involved to squelch their feud.

All that being said, if Davis is healthy and if Dunleavy can get the most out of him, the Clippers will be getting one of the premier guards in the league and will address their glaring need for a quality point guard. Davis can score (20 points per game in the past two seasons), set up his teammates (about 8 assists per game in the past four years), and has the variety of skills on offense that will excite fans.

Those are some big ifs, though...

How would you grade these deals... drop your comments below.