Free Agents

[Stranger]

We have the full MLE this summer right? Any thoughts on free agent signings? Here’s a list:

Probably Available for the MLE:

Francisco Elson (restricted)
Marvin Ely (restricted)
Ron “Flip” Murray
Fred Jones (restricted)
Lorenzen Wright
Chucky Atkins
Bobby Jackson
Jiri Welsch (restricted)
Rasual Butler
Nazr Mohammed
Matt Harpring
Jared Jeffries
Reggie Evans
Alonzo Mourning (retiring?)
Gary Payton (retiring?)
James Posey
Ruben Patterson

Will Probably Command More than the MLE:

Al Harrington
Drew Gooden (restricted)
Bonzi Wells
Chris Wilcox (restricted)
Mike James

Nothing very interesting. Harpring or Radmanovic could both be upgrades over Van Horn. Flip Murray is a pretty good player. I’d also be interested in making a run at Ben Wallace if he becomes available.

Edit: Removed players that have since signed.

[Carolina Blue]

Quite an underwhelming list...I like Cassell but I'm not sure he'd be too interested in coming off the bench. Mike James would be worth a look, as would any PG that could shoot.

[Five-ofan]

Ive always thought melvin ely could play if he ever got minutes but he wouldnt get any here either so i dont know if he would be worth it but for those that want an athletic banger to back up dirk he is your guy.

[jacktruth]

I like Reggie Evans to replace Josh Powell on the bench.

[jayC]

Tim Thomas had a great year for the Suns. He might command a bigger contract, than the MLE. I would love to have him on my team. He can floor the ball and shoot the three. Other than Dirk and Terry no mav could drain a wide open three pointer.

[EricaLubarsky]

James won't get the MLE. Close to it, but not it, and not more.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

James won't get the MLE. Close to it, but not it, and not more.

You don't think he will get the MLE? Dude scored 20 a game last year.

[nashtymavsfan13]

James will get more than the MLE. Even so I think we should go after him.

Other guys that interest me that we might make a run at are, Tim Thomas, Harpring, Cassell, Evans, Posey, and Wilcox.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Could someone please explain to me how the MLE works, and how much it is?

[EricaLubarsky]

He just turned 31, and he earned 3.4 million last year. MLE is like 5.3million this year isnt it?

yeah maybe he'll get 5-6 mill, nevermind

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by nashtymavsfan13

Could someone please explain to me how the MLE works, and how much it is?

I don't know the exact amount but I think there are MLE's and LLE's. MLE's (I thought) were the average salary of the league. A team can use all of it no matter whether they are over the cap or not. In the past it's been about 5Mill+.

Then there is the LLEs which I don't know how it is calculated but it has been about 1.5million or so. You can't combine the two for a player but have to use them seperately.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by nashtymavsfan13

Could someone please explain to me how the MLE works, and how much it is?

A team is allowed to sign a player to a contract equal to the average NBA salary, even if the team is over the salary cap already, or if the signing would put them over the cap. This is known as the mid-level exception, and it can be used each season, either on one player or split up between multiple players.

Teams over the cap can sign as many players as they want for the minimum scaled for the amount of NBA experience, but they also get a mid-level exception.

MLE
2004-2005= 4.9mill
2005-2006= 5.0mill
2006-2007= 5.1-5.2mill

The MLE can be split between two players or used in its entirety but not combined with other exceptions. The players signed with the MLE can sign contracts up to 6 years.

LLE

and a 1 million dollar exception that teams get once every other season (note: the million dollar exception hasnt been 1million for years)

In 2005-2006 it was 1.672 million
In 2006-2007 it will be near 1.75

The LLE can be split up amongst different players, but the contracts can only be a maximum of 2 years long, which means that players signed with the LLE dont get full bird rights (although they get early bird rights).

I dont know if we used the LLE last year though.

Drafted players dont count for any of the cap, so we were able to sign Harris for a few million and still use the MLE.

[chumdawg]

We used the double-L on Benga two years ago. We have it again this year.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

We used the double-L on Benga two years ago. We have it again this year.

DJ didn't get the full one did he?

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by dude1394

DJ didn't get the full one did he?

We gave DJ 800K which would have been half of the LLE. I forget who we used the other half on if we used it at all.

[Carolina Blue]

I'd sign Eddie House...only cuz he's an ASU alum and quite frankly, there's not enough ASU alums on the Mavs roster...

[EricaLubarsky]

0-1 is good enough for me. I don't think a team with two arizona alumns ever went anywhere in the NBA.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Teams over the cap can sign as many players as they want for the minimum scaled for the amount of NBA experience, but they also get a mid-level exception.

MLE
2004-2005= 4.9mill
2005-2006= 5.0mill
2006-2007= 5.1-5.2mill

The MLE can be split between two players or used in its entirety but not combined with other exceptions. The players signed with the MLE can sign contracts up to 6 years.

LLE

and a 1 million dollar exception that teams get once every other season (note: the million dollar exception hasnt been 1million for years)

In 2005-2006 it was 1.672 million
In 2006-2007 it will be near 1.75

The LLE can be split up amongst different players, but the contracts can only be a maximum of 2 years long, which means that players signed with the LLE dont get full bird rights (although they get early bird rights).

I dont know if we used the LLE last year though.

Drafted players dont count for any of the cap, so we were able to sign Harris for a few million and still use the MLE.

Thanks! I get it now

[spreedom]

Mike James DID average 20ppg last year.. but also said he was playing for a contract, and looked like he did a big-time freeze-out act on his team mates.. no thanks. We're getting JET back and that's good enough for me.

[kriD]

Diving into free agency

By DWAIN PRICE
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Unlikely to have landed any franchise players in Wednesday's NBA Draft, league executives now turn their attention to free agency.

But they might not find much help there, either. Like the draft, the free-agent market appears weak.

Teams can begin negotiating with free agents today, but cannot sign them until July 12.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban -- who plans to re-sign his top free agent, point guard Jason Terry -- said he'll also be "looking for guys who can come in and play."

One player on the Mavs' radar is Toronto Raptors free agent Mike James. Like Terry, James, 31, can play both guard spots. James also earned an NBA championship ring with Detroit in 2004 and averaged 20.3 points per game last season.

The top available free agents, by position, according to staff writer Dwain Price:

Small forwards

1. Peja Stojakovic, Pacers

His chances of getting a major payday were hampered when he missed four of the Pacers' six playoff games because of a knee injury.

2. Vladimir Radmanovic, Clippers

3. Tim Thomas, Suns

4. Matt Harpring, Jazz

5. Jared Jeffries,* Wizards


Power forwards

1. Al Harrington, Hawks

He can't wait to get away from a franchise that doesn't seem to have a clue on how to build a team. He averaged a 18.6 points and 6.9 rebounds last season.

2. Chris Wilcox,* Sonics

3. Nene, Nuggets

4. Drew Gooden, Cavaliers

5. Reggie Evans, Nuggets


Shooting guards

1. Bonzi Wells, Kings

His stock soared big-time when he torched Bruce Bowen and anybody else on the Spurs who tried to guard him during the first round of the playoffs.

2. Greg Buckner, Nuggets

3. Fred Jones,* Pacers

4. Flip Murray, Cavaliers

5. DeShawn Stevenson, Magic


Point guards

1. Jason Terry, Mavericks

Hopes to reach an agreement on a new contract with the Mavericks as soon as possible.

2. Sam Cassell, Clippers

3. Mike James, Raptors

4. Speedy Claxton, Hornets

5. Bobby Jackson, Grizzlies


Centers

1. Ben Wallace, Pistons

He's hired agent Arn Tellum to handle negotiations, and teams with maximum salary cap space -- such as the Bulls, Hawks and Raptors -- could be on his radar.

2. Joel Przybilla, Blazers

3. Nazr Mohammed, Spurs

4. Alonzo Mourning, Heat

5. Jarron Collins, Jazz

*restricted free agent

[jayC]

Mike James was offered the mavs midlevel exception for three years. TIm Thomas and Vlad are off the list. Peja Stojackovic signed a five year deal with the hornets.

[GP]

I think they better offer James that 4th year or else he might just go somewhere else to. NBA owners are passing out crazy money again this year after being somewhat restrained last year. I am wondering if the players union hires telepaths to hypnotize the owners into becoming complete idiots and imbeciles during this time.

[birdsanctuary]

I think the FA activity this year is going to be light...

Look for the Mavs Brain Trust to move Daniels + Stack + ? in a blockbuster deal...

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by jayC

Mike James was offered the mavs midlevel exception for three years. TIm Thomas and Vlad are off the list. Peja Stojackovic signed a five year deal with the hornets.

Plus Terry resigned and Cassell resigned.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Stranger, once a player signs you should delete him from the list so we can see the possible targets we have left.

[Strokepod]

If you look at how the suns are going to contend next season, they really need to add a big piece in free agency. Stoudemire and his questionable health may not take them over the top. Next season, (in the playoffs) they will have to face both Dallas AND San Antonio. Another scary team may be the Clips. Tim Thomas is a big loss for the suns, as they will really only have a 7 man rotation again with Amare back.

[Stranger]

Originally Posted by nashtymavsfan13

Stranger, once a player signs you should delete him from the list so we can see the possible targets we have left.

Done. I removed Peja, Tim Thomas, Sam Cassell, and Radmonovic. Think that's all of them.

[dude1394]

Can someone refresh my memory on the bad blood between Dallas and James' agent?

Is it just the Nash thing? or other items?

[aexchange]

Originally Posted by dude1394

Can someone refresh my memory on the bad blood between Dallas and James' agent?

Is it just the Nash thing? or other items?

olwokandi originally, then nash.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by aexchange

olwokandi originally, then nash.

Can you elaborate on olowakandi? The nash thing I remember but kandi-man no.

Sounds like he did us a favor there however.

[mattyd]

Originally Posted by dude1394

Can you elaborate on olowakandi? The nash thing I remember but kandi-man no.

Sounds like he did us a favor there however.

James woudl be nice here...the high pick and roll with him and Dirk would be great. But if he and his agent want to play hardball...let him rot his days away in Tor or Atl or somewhere like that.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by mattyd

James woudl be nice here...the high pick and roll with him and Dirk would be great. But if he and his agent want to play hardball...let him rot his days away in Tor or Atl or somewhere like that.

He'll go to houston imo if we don't get him.

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by dude1394

Can you elaborate on olowakandi? The nash thing I remember but kandi-man no.

Sounds like he did us a favor there however.

We expected to hear from Duffy if Candi was going to sign for the MLE. Duffy sent Ranmivic (sp?) from the TWolves to the Spurs and helped the Pups out by getting them a replacement center in Candi.

Cuban was livid.

[MFFL]

I would be happy if we got either Bonzi or Harpring as a FA.

James I neither like or dislike - I suppose the upgrade at point would be nice but shooting guard would be too crowded then (assuming Terry moves to SG).

[fluid.forty.one]

I'm down for Bonzi. I wouldn't mind Evans either.

[dalmations202]

To tell the truth, IF they don't sign James, I'd like to see House as a Mav.

I know he is a little streaky, but he can light it up as a shooter at times.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Sonics, Wilcox far apart in first contract talks

By TIM BOOTH, Associated Press Writer
July 3, 2006

SEATTLE (AP) -- The first contract talks between the Seattle SuperSonics and restricted free agent forward Chris Wilcox on Monday failed to yield much positive news.

"We're far apart in what we believe Chris' value to be and his contribution to the Seattle SuperSonics," Wilcox's agent, Jeff Fried, told The Associated Press. "We view Chris as an important part of the core."

Seattle has already made a qualifying offer to Wilcox, meaning the Sonics can match any offer he receives from another team. Wilcox could also choose not to sign a long-term deal, agree to a one-year contract with the Sonics and become an unrestricted free agent after next season.

But Wilcox and Fried seem focused on getting a long-term deal. In recent days the market has seen former Seattle forward Vladimir Radmanovic agree to a midlevel deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Nene reach agreement with Denver for six years, $60 million.

No contracts can be signed before July 12, and Sonics' general manager Rick Sund declined to comment on Monday.

Wilcox thrived after being traded to Seattle on Feb. 14 in exchange for Radmanovic. Playing in an up-tempo system more to his liking, Wilcox averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in his 29 games with Seattle. He also shot 59 percent -- including many thunderous dunks -- and averaged 30 minutes per game.

Fried and Wilcox flew to Seattle on Sunday night to meet in person with Sonics management. Fried said there has been plenty of interest from other teams, and that the focus is finding the best situation for Wilcox.

The Bulls, Hawks, Clippers, Bobcats and Raptors are some of the teams considered to have enough salary cap space to pursue Wilcox. Sund reiterated during last week's NBA draft that resigning Wilcox was the Sonics' top priority in the offseason.