7/12 Espn Insider - Newest Updated fee Agent Watch

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2003 NBA Free Agent Watch
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford Tuesday, June 17
Updated: July 11
2:48 PM ET


Updated July 11 Karl Malone playing for a million dollars in L.A.? Jason Kidd re-signing in New Jeresy? Alonzo Mourning ready to follow him up north? There's nothing off about this offseason ...


Here's Insider's latest look at who's going where.

Exclusive complete 2003 free agent list
Key: (R) = restricted free agent

1. Tim Duncan, PF, Spurs
In the mix? Spurs
Outlook: All signs still point to Duncan staying in San Antonio. He did just opt out of his deal, but there's almost zero chance he bolts San Antonio this summer.
Insider Prediction: Duncan will be flying the flag in the Alamo for years.

2. Jason Kidd, PG, Nets (PO)
In the mix? Nets, Spurs
Outlook: Kidd confirmed in a statement Friday afternoon that he's staying in New Jersey. "After great thought and consultation with the important people in my life, I have decided that I want to remain a New Jersey Net," Kidd said. "I have enjoyed being here the past two years, I have worked hard with my teammates and believe in our future. I've been fortunate to have had significant interest from other great organizations but ultimately I want to finish what we started here and bring a Championship to the Nets.
Insider Prediction: We've been saying all summer that Jason stays in bed with the Nets. With 'Zo on board, it's a lock.

3. Jermaine O'Neal, PF, Pacers
In the mix? Pacers, Heat, Spurs, Mavs
Outlook: It appears the Pacers are very close to locking up Jermaine O'Neal to a seven-year, $120 million contract. "Arn [Tellem, O'Neal's agent] called and said J.O. would like to be (with the Pacers)," Pacers GM Donnie Walsh told the Indianapolis Star. "We've started talking about some of the finer points, and we're getting close to the end of the process. All I can say is it looks good. But until the 16th, I don't know if it's good. It's not over until you sign the contract."
Insider Prediction: There's no place like home. It looks like O'Neal is sticking in Indiana.

4. Elton Brand, PF, Clippers (R)
In the mix? Clippers, Spurs, Jazz
Outlook: Everyone has interest, but so do the Clippers. The latest has them offering Brand a five-year, $65 million contract. Will Brand take it? The Jazz reportedly have offered Brand a six-year max deal, but agent David Falk is afraid to pull the trigger out of fear the Clips will match. Brand doesn't want to re-sign with L.A. unless Donald Sterling also forks over some cash for a few more free agents. Expect Brand to take the Clips' offer or snag the one-year tender and hit unrestricted free agency next summer.
Insider Prediction: Brand has to endure the Clippers for one more year.

5. Gilbert Arenas, PG, Warriors (R)
In the mix? Nuggets, Warriors, Heat
Outlook: He was the hottest free agent on the market. But with Denver cooling on his price tag, he may be out of suitors quickly. The Warriors desperately want to keep him, but the most they can offer him is $4.5 million next season. Expect the Nuggets to offer him a contract starting at around $7 million a year. Arenas' agent, Dan Fegan, claims Arenas needs closer to $9 million a year, but who's going to pay it? The Heat are also an option at this point now that they have $11 million under the cap.
Insider Prediction: Arenas strikes gold with the Nuggets.

6. Corey Maggette, SG/SF, Clippers (R)
In the mix? Nuggets, Spurs, Jazz, Clippers
Outlook: No one's stock has risen more this season than Maggette's. We've known for a while that he's one of the best athletes in the league. But his development of a consistent long-range jumper has really opened up the game for him. He's likely to be another casualty of the Clippers' salary-cap woes. The Nuggets look like they're the most interested in bringing him into the fold. He was in Denver last week and said after the visit that he hopes the Nuggets make him an offer. The Jazz met with Maggette in Salt Lake on Tuesday. He also has a visit scheduled with the Spurs. The Clips claim they'll match any offer for Maggette.
Insider Prediction: Expect a fierce bidding war on Maggette, and expect the Nuggets to come out on top.

7. Alonzo Mourning, C, Heat
In the mix? Nets, Heat, Mavs, Pistons
Outlook: The latest word, verified to Insider by a league source who talked with free agent Alonzo Mourning's agent Thursday night, is that Mourning will bolt the Heat for the Nets -- apparently paving the way for Kidd to re-sign in New Jersey. Mourning may announce as early as today he'll sign a four-year, $20 million deal with New Jersey.
Insider Prediction: 'Zo follows Kidd to New Jersey hoping for a shot at a ring.

8. Andre Miller, PG, Clippers (R)
In the mix? Jazz, Nuggets
Outlook: The Clips can't afford to pay everyone, and most feel Miller will be the casualty. Despite a terrible season, he's the best point guard on the board after Kidd and Arenas. Expect the Jazz to make him a big offer. He wants to return to Utah,where he played in college, and the Jazz would love to have him. He's a perfect fit in their system and a great heir to John Stockton. The Nuggets are also taking a look, especially while Arenas keeps up his ridiculous demands. Miller was in Denver on Tuesday and will finish up his trip in Utah today.
Insider Prediction: It's Miller time in Utah.

9. Juwan Howard, SF/PF, Nuggets
In the mix? Pistons, T-Wolves, Magic, Nuggets
Outlook: The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting Howard has narrowed his free-agent list to the Timberwolves and Pistons. According to the report, Howard is only looking for a one-year deal.
Insider Prediction: Howard wants playing time, which is why he'll go to the T-Wolves for the mid-level.

10. Gary Payton, PG, Bucks
In the mix? Lakers
Outlook: Payton's agent told ESPN.com Tuesday that Payton had verbally agreed to sign with the Lakers for the mid-level exception.
Insider Prediction: Barring some change of heart before the signing period begins Wednesday, it looks like the Glove fits in L.A.

11. Karl Malone, PF, Jazz
In the mix? Lakers, Jazz, Kings, Mavs, Spurs, Nets
Outlook: Payton's agent, Dwight Manley, confirmed Thursday that Malone will sign with the Lakers for their $1.5 million exception.
Insider Prediction: It looks like the Mailman will deliver for the Lakers for the $1.5 million exception.

12. Lamar Odom, SF, Clippers (R)
In the mix? Heat, Nuggets, Spurs, Clippers
Outlook: If he's healthy and gets his head on straight, he's a top-five talent. Pat Riley loves him. But so does Elgin Baylor. Will the Heat give him some love? If Arenas or Michael Olowokandi fall through, Miami might try to steal Odom away from the Clips. If they do, will L.A. match? Odom's not in a bad situation either way.
Insider Prediction: Depends on what Miami does. If they don't make an offer, Odom will take the Clips' one-year tender.

13. Michael Olowokandi, C, Clippers
In the mix? Heat, Nuggets, Spurs
Outlook: The Heat, Spurs and Nuggets are all interested, but at what price? Olowokandi was to meet with Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe in L.A. this week. He claims the Nuggets are his first option. "Denver has always been at the top of my list," Olowokandi told the Rocky Mountain News. "It's a young team with a lot of promise. "I have a house in Miami, but I never planned to live there the whole year. I would rather stay in the West. And Denver is a little closer to Los Angeles. There's a lot more reasons for Denver than anywhere." If Sterling is willing to spend, a sign-and-trade isn't out of the question, either.
Insider Prediction: The Kandi-man will end up in either Miami or Denver. It all depends on what Maggette and Arenas do.

14. Brad Miller, C, Pacers
In the mix? Pacers, Heat, Nuggets, Spurs
Outlook: It's not a great year for big men in free agency or the draft. That could mean very big things for Miller. Indiana wants to re-sign him, but don't be surprised if the Heat come after Miller
Insider Prediction: The Pacers keep the other Miller home.

15. Rasho Nesterovic, C, T-Wolves
In the mix? Spurs, T-Wolves, Knicks
Outlook: Expect the Spurs to immediately get on the phone to center Rasho Nesterovic. The T-Wolves have made Nesterovic an offer starting in the $7 million range. If the Spurs can match that, Nesterovic would leave Minnesota to replace David Robinson in San Antonio, a source close to Nesterovic told Insider.
Insider Prediction: Nesterovic bolts the T-Wolves for San Antonio.

16. Richard Hamilton, SG, Pistons (R)
In the mix? Pistons, Spurs
Outlook: He had a big year in Detroit, meaning that the Pistons are trapped in the same dilemma they faced with Stackhouse. They really want to re-sign him, but what is he worth? Hamilton can play the free-agent market all he wants, but with the talent pool so deep, there may not be any money left by the time Rip bubbles to the top. Look for the Pistons to get a real bargain.
Insider Prediction: Hamilton keeps ripping the nets in Detroit.

17. Jason Terry, SG, Hawks (R)
In the mix? Hawks, Nuggets, Sonics
Outlook: 6-foot-2 shooting guard anyone? Anyone?
Insider Prediction: The Hawks drafted a big point guard in Boris Diaw so they can afford to keep Terry around as a bargain.

18. P.J. Brown, PF, Hornets
In the mix? Magic, Spurs, Jazz, Pistons, Mavs, Cavs
Outlook: He's not the flashiest player on the list, but he's among the most popular. His toughness in the paint and veteran leadership could really help a team like the Lakers, Mavs, Spurs or Magic. If he wants to bolt New Orleans for a contender and he's willing to play for the mid-level exception, he should be very popular this summer. He visted Orlando on Monday and was in San Antonio on Tuesday. But if 'Zo really is heading to Jersey, then it looks like Big D may be the place
Insider Prediction: Could Brown be the missing piece of the puzzle in Dallas?

LOOKS LIKE THAT"S WRONG !!!!!!

19. Kenny Thomas, SF/PF, Sixers (R)
In the mix? Sixers
Outlook: He's one of the best young power forwards available, but don't expect him to be out on the market for long. The Sixers really want him back. If there's any truth to the six-year, $50 million offer he'll get from the Sixers, there's no way he leaves Philly.
Insider Prediction: Time to quit doubting Thomas Sixer fans.

20. Speedy Claxton, PG, Spurs
In the mix? Knicks, Pistons, Wizards, Jazz, Cavs, Nuggets
Outlook: His heroic play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals will earn him a lot of cash. Size will be an issue, but with so many teams clamoring for a point guard, he'll land on his feet somewhere.
Insider Prediction: The Knicks, Pistons and Pacers look like frontrunners.

Best of the Rest: (in order by team) Dion Glover, SG, Hawks; DerMarr Johnson, SG, Hawks; Jumaine Jones, SF, Cavs; Donnell Harvey, PF, Nuggets; Jon Barry, SG, Pistons; Earl Boykins, PG, Warriors; James Posey, SG, Rockets (R); Reggie Miller, SG, Pacers; Eric Piatkowski, SG, Clippers; Travis Best, PG, Heat; LaPhonso Ellis, SF, Heat; Darrell Armstrong, PG, Magic; Kenny Anderson, PG, Hornets; Tyrone Hill, PF, Sixers; Derrick Coleman, PF, Sixers; Scott Williams, C, Suns; Antonio Daniels, PG/SG, Blazers; Scottie Pippen, SF, Blazers; Jim Jackson, SF, Kings; Stephen Jackson, SF, Spurs; Elden Campbell, C, Sonics; Predrag Drobnjak, PF, Sonics; Rafer Alston, PG, Raptors; Voshon Lenard, SG, Raptors

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Ugghhh. There's nobody left!