NBA Free Agency

[Dtownsfinest]

Wow....that's a great move by the Spurs...especially if he buys in to their culture.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Ball stopper Rudy Gay with the Spurs? I can't see it.

It's the Spurs. They make sand paper look good on their team.

[Underdog]

@wojespn: Free agent James Johnson has agreed to the framework of a four-year deal to stay with the Miami Heat, league sources tell ESPN.

[Underdog]

@wojespn: The Houston Rockets are working to flip their $10M in non-guaranteed contracts for players or assets, league sources tell ESPN.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

It's the Spurs. They make sand paper look good on their team.

Yeah true. I just think it will be similar to when Rjeff signed there. A guy going from 19-20ppg and drops to 12-14 in that system. It could be even worse with him coming off that injury.

[DirkFTW]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@wojespn: Free agent forward Rudy Gay has agreed to a two year deal with the Spurs, league sourcs tell ESPN.

@wojespn: Sources: Rudy Gay's deal with the Spurs: two-years, $17M-plus with a player option.

ESPN has it in their headlines list now. Sources: Gay Spurs agree on 2 years, $17.2M

[mavErika]

https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-71m...032621506.html

Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Tim Hardaway Jr. has signed a four-year, $71-million-plus offer sheet with the New York Knicks, league sources told The Vertical.

^this coud help ease the NN-situation, right?

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by mavErika

https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-71m...032621506.html
^this coud help ease the NN-situation, right?

Bingo, looks like Atlanta is probably out of the running... There are very few teams left that can even offer Noel max.

[Underdog]

@JoshEberley: Jim Dolan: "Don't worry Steve, you can't possibly do worse than Phil with the Noah deal."

Steve Mills: "Hold my beer."

@JoshEberley: "The market is gone, nobody left to compete with. The perfect time to over pay Tim Hardaway Jr..." - Knicks

[mavErika]

Yeah, it actually seems not a big stretch to think that this will ultimately hurt our position and leave Atlanta with even more room to spend.
At least the THj contract takes one of Atlanta or NYK (most likely, who I think could have become a problem should they rid themselves of Carmelo) out of the Nerlens race.

I kinda hope both sides (Donnie and NN) are anxious enough, from lack of tangible offers or Atlanta's and Brooklyn's looming spending room respectively, to cut a deal on a good value contract before it comes to that. Then again, I don't really see Atlanta (or PHX, IND) making big, long 20M+ offers for NN. But I could be wrong, or nerlens could be next in line for a Nets offersheet.



Also, this is happenning:

@wojespn
The Boston Celtics are finalizing a trade to send Avery Bradley to Detroit, league sources tell ESPN.
@wojespn
The Pistons are sending Marcus Morris to Boston in the deal, league source tells ESPN. Lakers, Clippers were prominent in talks until end.

[mavErika]

@WindhorstESPN

Pistons talks w/Kentavious Caldwell-Pope haven't progressed, sources say. Possibility Pistons make him unrestricted or not match offer sheet

http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=2...578850494628-4

The Pistons are now $16.5M below the hard cap with the $8.8M Avery Bradley contract. If a team comes in with an offer sheet greater of $16.5M for restricted free agent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit would need to shed salary or not match. Avery Bradley is in the last year of his contract and can only be extended for a total of three years (including the current year) with a 5% raise off his 17-18 salary during the next 6 months. Bradley will command top dollar as a free agent in 2018.
Bobby Marks, ESPN

There you go, Atlanta/Brooklyn!

[tap2390]

Damn how pissed are the Knicks they gave Tim Hardaway the deal they should've given KCP. I suspect Hawks let Knicks overpay THJ & extend KCP an offer.

[tap2390]

Pistons actually gave up a lot for a one year rental of Bradley (who I suspect will walk after this season).

Good move for the Celtics as they already have to pay Thomas next offseason. They keep Crowders reasonable contract and Smart the RFA. they are just plain loaded at the 3/4. I'm guessing Hayward starts at the 2, Brown at the 3, and who knows at the 4.

[Underdog]

@wojespn: Free agent guard Shelvin Mack is finalizing a two-year, $12M deal with the Orlando Magic, league sources tell ESPN.

[Underdog]

@MarcJSpearsESPN: The Hawks announce they have waived Jamal Crawford.

[Underdog]

@WindhorstESPN: Cavs have agreed with Jeff Green on a 2.3M l, 1-year minimum deal, sources say

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@MarcJSpearsESPN: The Hawks announce they have waived Jamal Crawford.

If the Nets go after KCP, then the Hawks are the only real threat to get Noel right? Would suck if they maxed him out.

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@WindhorstESPN: Cavs have agreed with Jeff Green on a 2.3M l, 1-year minimum deal, sources say

Yikes........how did Vince get 8 million and he only got 2.3 million? That's a nice signing.

[tap2390]

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

Yikes........how did Vince get 8 million and he only got 2.3 million? That's a nice signing.

Ironically, because the Cavs are repeat tax payers, Jeff Green will end up costing them about $8 million.

[Underdog]

@BobbyMarks42: We already have 12 teams that have surpassed $100M in guaranteed money: CLE, POR, GSW, OKC, MIL, LAC, WAS, CHA, NOP, HOU, DET, MEM

@BobbyMarks42: Add Toronto to that mix. Raptors in the top 4 after the Lowry and Ibaka signing.

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@BobbyMarks42: We already have 12 teams that have surpassed $100M in guaranteed money: CLE, POR, GSW, OKC, MIL, LAC, WAS, CHA, NOP, HOU, DET, MEM

@BobbyMarks42: Add Toronto to that mix. Raptors in the top 4 after the Lowry and Ibaka signing.

And we already know who is going to win the championship next year.

[tap2390]

Hawks pass on Knicks offer to RFA Tim Hardaway Jr. LOL

I think Hawks go after Kentavious Caldwell Pope.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by tap2390

Hawks pass on Knicks offer to RFA Tim Hardaway Jr. LOL

I think Hawks go after Kentavious Caldwell Pope.

Hope so, that would take them off the market for Noel.

[Underdog]

@wojespn: Toronto has traded DeMarre Carroll, a future first-round and second-round pick to Brooklyn for Justin Hamilton, league sources tell ESPN.

@colezwicker: This takes the Nets below tier 1 max cap room (Noel). Can still carve out $20-21M in space (KCP). Fiscal move for the Raptors

[spreedom]

For a team without its 2018 first-round pick and that's a longshot to make the playoffs this season, I actually kind of like what the Nets have done this offseason. I've felt they should be in contract absorbing/asset gathering mode since it was clear the Deron/KG/Pierce team was obviously not going to work. It's not in their best interest to absolutely suck right now, and the most direct way to stop sucking is taking on overpaid but productive players.

What if the Nets end up with the 10th-worst record this season and Boston really held off on trading the pick for Butler or PG? Yikes.

[Underdog]

@ShamsCharania: Sources: Bulls pulled qualifying offer on forward Joffrey Lauvergne, making him unrestricted free agent. Several teams showing interest.

[tap2390]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@wojespn: Toronto has traded DeMarre Carroll, a future first-round and second-round pick to Brooklyn for Justin Hamilton, league sources tell ESPN.

@colezwicker: This takes the Nets below tier 1 max cap room (Noel). Can still carve out $20-21M in space (KCP). Fiscal move for the Raptors

SMDH Raptors mortgage their future by overpaying Lowry & Ibaka. Now they trade their draft picks away to shed what's actually a reasonable contract compared to those two. SMDH.

Edit: DeMarre has two years left on that deal. This is the sort of move the Mavs should have made. The truth is there are not many free agents in 2018 that make sense for us.

[minkbarn]

Originally Posted by spreedom

For a team without its 2018 first-round pick and that's a longshot to make the playoffs this season, I actually kind of like what the Nets have done this offseason. I've felt they should be in contract absorbing/asset gathering mode since it was clear the Deron/KG/Pierce team was obviously not going to work. It's not in their best interest to absolutely suck right now, and the most direct way to stop sucking is taking on overpaid but productive players.

What if the Nets end up with the 10th-worst record this season and Boston really held off on trading the pick for Butler or PG? Yikes.

10th is not possible for the Nets. The Bulls and Hawks might give them a run for the the worst spot, especially since Brooklyn won't be tanking.

The Nets gained a few guys and lost Lopez. They depend on young players, have limited talent, and Carroll was so disappointing to the Raptors they had to do this deal to get rid of him.

Brooklyn is still near the bottom.

[Underdog]

@wojespn: Toronto is finalizing a sign-and-trade with Indiana to move Cory Joseph for CJ Miles, league sources tell ESPN.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@wojespn: Toronto is finalizing a sign-and-trade with Indiana to move Cory Joseph for CJ Miles, league sources tell ESPN.

Nice move for them. They replace the 3/4 depth they lost with Tucker and Carroll leaving. And Patterson for that matter. And Miles shot 41% or something from 3. Delon Wright is the higher upside play than Joseph anyway. They can see what they have with him. Been curious to see myself since he was reportedly who we wanted in the Simba draft. He's looked good in the minutes I've seen him play.

[EricaLubarsky]

All signs point to Knicks remaining a stagnant mess
https://sports.yahoo.com/signs-point...065634856.html

LAS VEGAS – Can’t understand the New York Knicks these days?

Don’t worry – you’re not alone. A sizable number of team executives gathered at the NBA’s annual desert summer league can’t either.

Think the Knicks overpaid for Tim Hardaway Jr.? Guess what? Hardaway’s four-year, $71 million deal startled more than a few decision makers here. The Hawks were keen on keeping Hardaway. At $40 million. Maybe $50 million.

$71 million?

Pass.

“I would have offered Dion Waiters money,” said a Western Conference exec, referencing the four-year, $52 million deal Waiters signed with the Miami Heat last week. “Seventy-one million? No one else was going to offer that.”

Here come the new Knicks, same as the old. Who knew former president Phil Jackson didn’t have the market cornered on questionable decisions? A year ago Jackson stunned the NBA by inking Joakim Noah to a four-year, $72.6 million deal. In Noah and Derrick Rose, Jackson had 40 percent of the Bulls’ 2011 starting lineup.

Turns out, he got 40 percent of the value. If that.

Can’t blame this one on Phil though, folks. He’s airing his toes out in Montana. No, this was a Steve Mills specialty. Mills, a James Dolan loyalist seemingly immune to regime change, pulled the trigger on an offer for a serviceable player who will consume 18 percent of the Knicks’ salary cap. Hardaway is 25 and on the rise, which automatically makes him a better signing than Noah, then 31 and on the decline.

Which is about the best thing you can say about it.

If only the Knicks had access to a veteran basketball executive, one with a championship on his résumé and widely held respect in league circles? In other news, David Griffin is still unemployed. The breakdown of the talks between Griffin and the Knicks was predictable. Griffin had the audacity, as an incoming top basketball executive, to ask for authority on all basketball matters, including staff. The Knicks, who value blind loyalty to Dolan above all other attributes, declined.

Oh, how the never mighty have fallen. The Knicks can’t erase the Jackson era – and judging by the early reviews of Dennis Smith, the explosive playmaker Dallas drafted one slot after Jackson tabbed Frank Ntilikina to be his triangle point guard of the future, the fallout from that era could linger for years – but they could have aggressively moved on from it. Instead, New York has fallen back on the loyal lieutenants from Dolan’s army, content to let those responsible for the past shape the future.

It’s astonishing. Operating an NBA team isn’t rocket science. Peter Holt – the former longtime Spurs owner with a fistful of championship rings – wasn’t a basketball savant. He just hired two, Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford, and got out of their way. Heat owner Micky Arison runs the Carnival cruise lines. His basketball brilliance traces back to the day he handed Pat Riley the keys to the kingdom.

Why is this so difficult in New York? Failure often leads a team to alter course. The Knicks double down on it. Winning the press conference takes precedent over winning games. And as the days tick by and the list of available qualified executives dries up, you can’t help but wonder: Is it only a matter of time before Isiah Thomas returns?

Impossible, right? Not in New York. No one would have believed that Thomas, who piled up losses as a Knicks coach and bloated contracts as an executive, would have been welcomed back into the Madison Square Garden fold after exiting in 2009. And yet there was Thomas, in 2015, being introduced as the president of the WNBA’s Liberty, back at the Garden, within earshot of Dolan again.

To be fair, Thomas has denied interest in a Knicks gig. And yet: Would he turn one down?

These are turbulent times in New York. The former franchise player, Carmelo Anthony, has been alienated. The current franchise player, Kristaps Porzingis, has, too. The NBA landscape is as complex as it’s been in years, with more and more talent migrating west and Golden State beginning a four-to-five year stretch in which, barring injury, it is unbeatable. A seasoned basketball mind is needed to guide the Knicks through this wilderness.

If only James Dolan knew it.

[Underdog]

@MarcJSpearsESPN: Free agent forward Shabazz Muhammad is receiving interest from the Hawks, Nets, Bucks and Knicks, a source says.

[Underdog]

@wojespn: Free agent Jonas Jerebko has agreed to a two-year, $8.2M deal with Utah, league source tells ESPN.

[sefant77]

OMG so freaking good....Kevin, where is your custom made cupcake ring cap? I thought it doesnt bother you...

https://streamable.com/s1u03

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by sefant77

OMG so freaking good....Kevin, where is your custom made cupcake ring cap? I thought it doesnt bother you...

https://streamable.com/s1u03

HA! Momma Durant was loving it.

[BPo001]

Bucci just said on ESPN that Lonzo isn't wearing his BBB shoes. He's got on purple Nike's. I really wanted him to have a blowout in his cheap knockoffs.

[Underdog]

@ShamsCharania: Sources: The San Antonio Spurs have renounced guard Jonathon Simmons, making him an unrestricted free agent.

[saclare]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@ShamsCharania: Sources: The San Antonio Spurs have renounced guard Jonathon Simmons, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Eat your heart out, Nets.

[Underdog]

@ShamsCharania: Utah has waived forward Boris Diaw ahead of guarantee date, league sources tell The Vertical.

[Bryan_Wilson]

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/885668745540026372

Story posting soon with @RamonaShelburne on ESPN: The Knicks have paused Carmelo Anthony trade talks with Houston and Cleveland.