NBA Free Agency Starts Today

[RedRigmaJacket]

as of july 1 at 12:01 am, the phones are ringing...not only are the signing of free agents fun to watch (c'mon cavs!!!!), but also the trades that are made become very interesting.

michael redd, come to the dark side (a cleveland sports team).

[chuxxter]

Here's hoping the NJ Nets can find their new power forward off the bench. I keep hearing Donyell Marshall and Shareef. Would gladly take either.

[RedRigmaJacket]

Here's hoping the NJ Nets can find their new power forward off the bench. I keep hearing Donyell Marshall and Shareef. Would gladly take either.


supposedly coach frank flew to shareef last night to get things started.

[The Sheck]

Two words for T-Wolves fans.

Ray Allen.

[Jake_Barnes]

as of july 1 at 12:01 am, the phones are ringing...not only are the signing of free agents fun to watch (c'mon cavs!!!!), but also the trades that are made become very interesting.

michael redd, come to the dark side (a cleveland sports team).

They going to re-sign Big Z?



The Sixers will be quiet, since their cap situation is pretty scary. I think if they do go after anyone, it will be Donyell Marshall, who would have fit in great in Jim O'Brien's system, but I don't know about Mo Cheeks' system.

[jcarwash31]

Two words for T-Wolves fans.

Ray Allen.
I have always loved Ray Allen. It's about time they sign him....I mean they did draft him after all.

I'm betting Sprewell is gone. I wonder what will happen with Cassell. He has a year left on his contract.

[RedRigmaJacket]

They going to re-sign Big Z?



most likely -

1. we have the money
2. we got another lithuanian in the draft that has the same agent as z
3. he's the only good center on the market - besides eddie curry.

[The Sheck]

I have always loved Ray Allen. It's about time they sign him....I mean they did draft him after all.

I'm betting Sprewell is gone. I wonder what will happen with Cassell. He has a year left on his contract.

Cassell will be here. The trouble is Mark Madsen, Eddie Griffin and Anthony Carter are free agents, too. They HAVE to resign Griffin. Olowakandi in the middle fails to strike fear in any number of Junior Varsity teams across the country.

Cassell, Allen, Szcerbiak, Garnett, and Griffin is a pretty intimidating five.

[RedRigmaJacket]

Cassell will be here. The trouble is Mark Madsen, Eddie Griffin and Anthony Carter are free agents, too. They HAVE to resign Griffin. Olowakandi in the middle fails to strike fear in any number of Junior Varsity teams across the country.

Cassell, Allen, Szcerbiak, Garnett, and Griffin is a pretty intimidating five.


wally should head to cleveland.

and am i the only one who thinks cassell aged 10 years in 2 seasons? he pulled a muthafuckin' mutumbo.

[jcarwash31]

Cassell will be here. The trouble is Mark Madsen, Eddie Griffin and Anthony Carter are free agents, too. They HAVE to resign Griffin. Olowakandi in the middle fails to strike fear in any number of Junior Varsity teams across the country.

Cassell, Allen, Szcerbiak, Garnett, and Griffin is a pretty intimidating five.
I still hold out some hope for Kandi. If he can stay healthy I think that would help alot. You are right, that would be an awesome lineup and Szcerbiak will stop bitching about not starting. They need to have Mad Dog off the bench.

[The White Rhino]

Screw the stupid Timberwolves and get Szczberbiak out of there. I'm sick of what they have done to him. Every year it seems like the same story. Let him go somewhere else, and give him the chance to start AND score.

[Jonathan]

I still hold out some hope for Kandi.
Wow. I don't think I've heard anybody say that since he was drafted.

[The Sheck]

Screw the stupid Timberwolves and get Szczberbiak out of there. I'm sick of what they have done to him. Every year it seems like the same story. Let him go somewhere else, and give him the chance to start AND score.

The trouble is a) Wally cannot create his own shot, which will hurt him wherever he goes. b) He's, at best, below average defensively. He'll get the chance to start this year with Sprewell gone.

[jcarwash31]

The trouble is a) Wally cannot create his own shot, which will hurt him wherever he goes. b) He's, at best, below average defensively. He'll get the chance to start this year with Sprewell gone.
I cringe everytime he puts the ball on the floor. His ball handling is below average. He is great at running the fast break, finishing his shots, and knocking down any open shot. Sheck is dead on with his points on Wally.

Plus, we can't trade him. If we do, we would see less of his hot wife.

Wow. I don't think I've heard anybody say that since he was drafted.
Well he was drafted by the Clippers. There is no hope there.

[The Sheck]

Plus, we can't trade him. If we do, we would see less of his hot wife.

Damn straight! *WOOOOOO* What a looker!

[RedRigmaJacket]

dammit - ray allen is resigning with seattle.

[The Sheck]

dammit - ray allen is resigning with seattle.

Foo. Why would he want to play on a contending team on the rise rather than play for the T-Wolves? Asshat.












;)

[FOBAgain]

Looks like Redd is re-signing with the Bucks... (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2102454)

[RedRigmaJacket]

Looks like Redd is re-signing with the Bucks... (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2102454)


yeah - my brother just called me. fuck!

perhaps we'll get larry hughes...it's all looking bleak...

[keyst2891]

CRAP--- I wanted Redd very badly... Although I think the $90 million price tag is overpaying for him. He can shoot but he is very shaky on defense and not the strongest at taking it to the hole.


Personally, I see the Cavs going after Larry Hughes now but I hope they are keeping their eyes open for a trade opportunity.

Any word on whether Big Z is going to resign with the Cavs???

[The Sheck]

CRAP--- I wanted Redd very badly... Although I think the $90 million price tag is overpaying for him. He can shoot but he is very shaky on defense and not the strongest at taking it to the hole.

$90 MILLION?!? Oh man...it's Jerry Stackhouse all over again.

[RedRigmaJacket]

Any word on whether Big Z is going to resign with the Cavs???


i see it happening because:

1. we drafted the other lithuanian center
1a. they have the same agent
2. we are thinking about picking up that lithuanian point guard in free agency soon.
3. we have the money
4. besides atlanta, nobody seems THAT interested...why go to a shit team when you're finally ready to hit the playoffs?

[mik]

Looks like Redd is re-signing with the Bucks... (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2102454)

It is good to see the Bucks hang on to a free agent, especially one who was receiving so much attention.

[RedRigmaJacket]

larry hughes agrees to sign with cavs!!!!!!

Larry Hughes has come to terms with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a five-year deal, his agent, Jeff Wechsler, told ESPN Insider Chad Ford.


2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
61 22.0 6.3 4.7 .430 .777

"Larry intends to sign a contract with the Cavs when the moritorium ends," Wechsler said.

Wechsler wouldn't comment on the actual numbers of the deal, but it's believed to be a five-year deal between $65 million and $70 million.

Wechsler told Insider that he informed Washington Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld on Thursday that Hughes is going in a different direction.

The news comes as major blow to the Wizards, who were confident they could re-sign Hughes. However, the Wizards took a risk that Hughes would allow them to match any offer. Instead, Hughes began negotiating with the Cavs early in the week and worked out a deal on Thursday evening.

For the Cavs, Hughes gives them a great scorer and defender to put at the two alongside LeBron James. He isn't a great shooter (something the Cavs desperately need), but he's a fantastic ball handler and rebounder making him -- like LeBron -- a very versatile piece in the puzzle.

With Hughes on board, the Cavs will now focus their atttention on bringing back free agent Zydrunas Ilgauskas. They're also in hot pursuit of Lithuanian point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, widely regarded as the best international player not playing in the NBA.

The Wizards now have to start over from scratch. The team now has a gaping hole at the two to fill and must also deal with the likely departure of Kwame Brown. The Wizards can get about $9 million below the cap if they don't re-sign Brown. However, the market for two guards is getting thin.

The last major two guard on the market is Joe Johnson. However, Johnson is a restricted free agent and most teams believe that the Suns will match any offer. There's also talk from multiple league sources that Johnson is in serious negotiations with the Atlanta Hawks about signing a max offer sheet.

That leaves Bobby Simmons, Cuttino Mobley and Latrell Sprewell as the top two guards left on the board. The Wizards could also, at this point, try to work out a sign-and-trade with Brown that brings them back a top-flight shooting guard.

[jcarwash31]

Wechsler told Insider that he informed Washington Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld on Thursday that Hughes is going in a different direction.

I thought this was hilarious.

Hughes is going in the direction of winning and the Wizards are going it the direction of still sucking.

[The Sheck]

I'm seeing Washington offering Spree a huge contract to 'feed his family' in the cards.

[jcarwash31]

I'm seeing Washington offering Spree a huge contract to 'feed his family' in the cards.
Yeah, me too. It seemed his first year with the Wolves everything was like 'let's go out and win this thing', but last year I think he just bought a ticket for the KG ride. It was probably due to problems at home. Tensions get high when you can't put food on the table or another Bentley in the garage.

[sabos_glasses]

larry hughes agrees to sign with cavs!!!!!!

Damn, that's awesome for the Cavs. Should (maybe) be an exciting team to watch.

[RedRigmaJacket]

Yeah, me too. It seemed his first year with the Wolves everything was like 'let's go out and win this thing', but last year I think he just bought a ticket for the KG ride. It was probably due to problems at home. Tensions get high when you can't put food on the table or another Bentley in the garage.


i'm curious to see what the T-wolves have been up to this off-season. they should start making some moves soon.

[jcarwash31]

i'm curious to see what the T-wolves have been up to this off-season. they should start making some moves soon.
I think they are likely going to try to resign Eddie Griffin (who is serving a 15 day jail sentence for violating probation) and Madsen. Not very likely Spree will be back, which will appease Szczerbiak because he will be a starter again. That may be it with the addition of McCants. I'm curious what will come of Cassell.

edit: Cassell said he wanted to stay and he does have a year left on his contract. I think he really showed his age last season. There was alot of speculation that if he would have been healthy 2 years ago, the Wolves could have won the title.

[The Sheck]

I think they are likely going to try to resign Eddie Griffin (who is serving a 15 day jail sentence for violating probation) and Madsen. Not very likely Spree will be back, which will appease Szczerbiak because he will be a starter again. That may be it with the addition of McCants. I'm curious what will come of Cassell.

edit: Cassell said he wanted to stay and he does have a year left on his contract. I think he really showed his age last season. There was alot of speculation that if he would have been healthy 2 years ago, the Wolves could have won the title.

I don't know if they could have won the title, but they would have beaten the Lakers, for sure. Cassell is almost done. I would try to trade him to some team looking for salary cap space, and pick up a point guard who thinks to 'pass first, score second.'

I agree on the Griffin and Madsen calls, though.

[RedRigmaJacket]

I don't know if they could have won the title, but they would have beaten the Lakers, for sure. Cassell is almost done. I would try to trade him to some team looking for salary cap space, and pick up a point guard who thinks to 'pass first, score second.'

I agree on the Griffin and Madsen calls, though.

cassell, like i said earlier in the thread, aged considerably these past two seasons. i also agree on the griffin and madsen comments...

spree, i see, will go to a guaranteed playoff team. but the wolves need to dump him.

what's up minnesota getting stuck with assholes like randy moss and spreewell?

[The Sheck]

what's up minnesota getting stuck with assholes like randy moss and spreewell?

Sports fans and writers would rather have a volatile personality be the center of things instead of a good team. The Twins should be selling out every game with three straight division titles, but they struggle to draw 20,000 fans each night. Maybe Torii Hunter should go gangsta.

[jcarwash31]

I think the Wolves problems last season revolved around Spree (give me more money), Cassell (where's my walker?), and Wally (all that matters is starting). Hudson was trying to do too much, which didn't help. I love the guy, but you can't push everything.

what's up minnesota getting stuck with assholes like randy moss and spreewell?
The Twins, however, are asshole free. :)

[jcarwash31]

Sports fans and writers would rather have a volatile personality be the center of things instead of a good team. The Twins should be selling out every game with three straight division titles, but they struggle to draw 20,000 fans each night. Maybe Torii Hunter should go gangsta.
The Wolves didn't need a volatile personality. KG sells tickets. The Vikings needed it to distract from all the sucking. There is much more hope this season now that they have built up the defense a bit, but if they start to suck we always have Kelly Campbell arrests and Fred Smoot's mouth to look forward to. (Smoot just likes to talk a lot. Not saying he is bad)

[Jonathan]

I think the Wolves problems last season revolved around Spree (give me more money)
Well, you know, he did have to feed his family.

And there's the yacht on Lake Michigan that needs maintaining. Yachts don't come cheap, ya know... :p

[RedRigmaJacket]

bobby simmons is signing a five year deal with the bucks...damn, look out for milwaukee next year.

if TJ Ford heals and Bogut ends up playing like a #1 overall pick...geez.

[The Sheck]

Bogut ends up playing like a #1 overall pick...geez.

Yeah, if he plays like Olowakandi, the Bucks are gonna win it all.
:rolleyes:

[RedRigmaJacket]

Yeah, if he plays like Olowakandi, the Bucks are gonna win it all.
:rolleyes:

nice. or kwame brown.

[eno is god]

Cleveland 2006 NBA Champs

[RedRigmaJacket]

Cleveland 2006 NBA Champs


shiiiiiiiiiiit. i wish...if they're going to win a championship, i'll predict 2008.

but there is a lot of players on the trading block (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&id=2102101&CMP=ILC-INHEAD) . i love chad ford...

i bet there is going to be a shitload of sign-and-trades this summer. c'mon july 22nd already.

- he says wally and cassell are being shopped - possibly to portland...for darius miles! miles blows.

[The Sheck]

- he says wally and cassell are being shopped - possibly to portland...for darius miles! miles blows.

:eek: God I hope this isn't true. Why not go after Jason Kidd? He'll be available and is probably a hair better than Cassell if they still want an aging point guard. ;)

[jcarwash31]

Timberwolves to sign St. Joseph's C Jones (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2104407)

Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA -- Saint Joseph's center Dwayne Jones is skipping his senior season for a shot at the NBA.

Jones, fifth in the nation in rebounding and blocks, was close to signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the possibility of his return to the Hawks ended after he began contract discussions, coach Phil Martelli said Saturday.

"Once it became evident negotiations had been going on, we cut it off," Martelli said.

Jones, 6-foot-11, averaged 11.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks last season. He was not selected in the NBA draft and was eligible to return for his senior season because he had not hired an agent.

Saint Joseph's already had started the process for Jones to regain his eligibility. Jones told the school he was done with the NBA and committed to finishing his career with the Hawks.

This week, Jones asked to meet with Martelli to follow up with the Timberwolves about possible interest. Martelli called vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale and discovered the team wanted to sign Jones as a free agent.

"In the process of doing it, I was led to believe it was a done deal, which was again disappointing," Martelli said.

A telephone message left for Jones was not immediately returned. Martelli said he did not know the terms of the deal or if Jones had hired an agent.

After competing in the NBA's predraft camp in Chicago, most NBA scouts had Jones projected as a late second-round pick, at best. Jones believed he proved his worth in Chicago and said he thought he could go late in the first round.

One of the ways for Jones to come back was to repay any expenses from his various NBA workouts. Martelli said the school sent forms to nine teams asking for a list of charges and expenses. One team that didn't respond -- Minnesota.

"Once anybody started talking contract it made any reinstatement null and void," Martelli said.

----------------

I don't know anything about this kid. My guess is that he will be fighting for a roster spot.

[The Sheck]

We already have one Ndebi Edi on the roster. Why get another?

[jcarwash31]

I wonder if Ebi will get some actual playing time anytime soon?

[The Sheck]

I wonder if Ebi will get some actual playing time anytime soon?

Apparently Hartman has been saying Ebi is being burned horribly by Junior College kids in the Pro-Am summer league going on now. :eek:

[RedRigmaJacket]

Z's going back to the cavs. Nice! From cleveland.com:

Free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will remain with the Cavaliers. Ilgauskas intends to sign a five-year deal worth between $55 and $60 million on July 22, the first day free agents can sign. Ilgauskas, who averaged 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds a game this past season, is the second free agent to agree to a deal with the Cavs. Washington Wizards guard Larry Hughes intends to sign a deal with the Cavs worth between $65 and $70 million dollars.

[crazybob60]

Z's going back to the cavs. Nice! From cleveland.com:

Free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will remain with the Cavaliers. Ilgauskas intends to sign a five-year deal worth between $55 and $60 million on July 22, the first day free agents can sign. Ilgauskas, who averaged 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds a game this past season, is the second free agent to agree to a deal with the Cavs. Washington Wizards guard Larry Hughes intends to sign a deal with the Cavs worth between $65 and $70 million dollars.

I just saw this about Z on the bottom scroll thing during the Home Run Derby. I think that Z is probably one of if not the most underrated Centers if not one of the most underrated front court players in the NBA today...what he does under there goes mostly unnoticed due to the fact of them having such a superb swingman by the name of LeBron. I have liked and seen this guy develop since day one of coming to the states and when he is healthy, watch out and that has been a big factor in his coming out party the last two or so seasons, he really hasn't had any setbacks in injuries like he did the first few seasons that he came over here from his native land. The cavs getting Larry Hughes, I think was a perfect fit as long as they kept Z. I never thought they needed a Redd or anything of the sort they just needed a little above average guy to supplement LeBron because in my opinion Z does so much, yet so much of it is unnoticed...Don't be surprised in a huge turnaround in the Cavs this season, I bet Eastern Conference finals...Hughes was a HUGE pickup for them. I disagree with them letting Silas go, but that can be forgiven with time...this team imo rides on the health of Z, healthy Eastern Conference finals, not healthy, well either first round of playoffs or just barely missing them. Bold statement I know, but just wait and see.

[Handy Smurf]

Cassell will be here. The trouble is Mark Madsen, Eddie Griffin and Anthony Carter are free agents, too. They HAVE to resign Griffin. Olowakandi in the middle fails to strike fear in any number of Junior Varsity teams across the country.

Cassell, Allen, Szcerbiak, Garnett, and Griffin is a pretty intimidating five.
Dude, the problem with your team is Garnett doesnt know how to assert himeslf yet as "the man"
Szcerbiak cant play D
The alien is a selfish prick, as was Spree
Griffin is a total focking headcase
Olowakandi is softer than cotton candy
And McCants (Ive heard) is too much a combination of selfish/headcase

Let Garnett begin to really assert himself and get yourself a few more role players like Hoiberg

[The Sheck]

Dude, the problem with your team is Garnett doesnt know how to assert himeslf yet as "the man"

Uhh...ok...Garnett only leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists every year. You're right..he's a total slacker. :rolleyes:

[Handy Smurf]

Uhh...ok...Garnett only leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists every year. You're right..he's a total slacker. :rolleyes:
How often does he hit a big shot to win a game?
2 years ago against Sacramento and LA in the playoffs, was he getting the ball as often as Jordan, Hakeem, Malone, Reggie, Duncan would have in a similar circumstance? The guy isn't the cut and dried #1 option on that team because he isnt forcible enough about it. He's lets ballhogs like Sprewell and Cassell run the show the past 2 years while he's entering his prime. The fact that Garnett puts up the Rb, Ass, Blk numbers that he does is evidence of how incredible he is. I think he could/should easily be scoring 27-28 a game, though.
When the Wolves need a score, it should be an absolute no doubter that theyre going to Garnett and he'll make it

thats what I meant

Its his team, get rid of the headcases like Spree and Cassell, give him some more team players, stand back, let him dominate

[The Sheck]

How often does he hit a big shot to win a game?

Uhh...he hit the big one in the only meaningful series the T-Wolves have played against Sacramento in '04. Game 6.

Its his team, get rid of the headcases like Spree and Cassell, give him some more team players, stand back, let him dominate

I think Spree is probably gone. The supposed Cassell/Szcerbiak trade for Darius Miles makes me want to barf. Hoiberg may be out for all of next year because of his heart surgery. It may be a rough Winter in Minny again.

[jcarwash31]

How often does he hit a big shot to win a game?
2 years ago against Sacramento and LA in the playoffs, was he getting the ball as often as Jordan, Hakeem, Malone, Reggie, Duncan would have in a similar circumstance? The guy isn't the cut and dried #1 option on that team because he isnt forcible enough about it. He's lets ballhogs like Sprewell and Cassell run the show the past 2 years while he's entering his prime. The fact that Garnett puts up the Rb, Ass, Blk numbers that he does is evidence of how incredible he is. I think he could/should easily be scoring 27-28 a game, though.
When the Wolves need a score, it should be an absolute no doubter that theyre going to Garnett and he'll make it

thats what I meant

Its his team, get rid of the headcases like Spree and Cassell, give him some more team players, stand back, let him dominate
I watch the Wolves quite regularly and when the game is tight in the 4th quarter, every possesion goes through Garnett. That's how it was 2 years ago when they kicked ass. This didn't occur as often last season either from guys being selfish or just trying to do too much or simply because they were out of it by the 4th anyway. I don't think this is a reflection of KG's leadership. He's not going to go and call somebody out because they didn't get him the ball (we had Shaq and Kobe for that kind of shit).

[jcarwash31]

The supposed Cassell/Szcerbiak trade for Darius Miles makes me want to barf.
I hadn't heard that. That is funny. Who wants Darius Miles anymore?

[Handy Smurf]

The fact is, I dont think Garnett is dominating at the level he could be...if you dont think he has room for improvement, then I guess we just have that point of contention.
I think clearing some of the riff raff off your roster would be a good first step. Throw in a center who can rebound, play defense, and has a halfway decent post game and you've got step 2.
Its a shame that Dean Garrett, Joe Smith, and Gary Trent are probably the best pf/c that Garnett has played with, in that order

[jcarwash31]

Oooh the center situation :( . Eddie will probably be better at center than all of those guys were. I can think of 2 ex-Wolve center that were no good who went on to win championships: Rasho Nesterovic and Luc Longley.

[Handy Smurf]

Oooh the center situation :( . Eddie will probably be better at center than all of those guys were. I can think of 2 ex-Wolve center that were no good who went on to win championships: Rasho Nesterovic and Luc Longley.
Anybody couldve sat the bench in Rasho's spot and earned a ring
Longley was gone well before the Garnett era...and as much as he contributed to the Bulls success, I doubt the wolves missed him much.
Griffin is 6 ten, skinny, and soft. As far as I know, he isnt very good defensively. He is also an idiot. You be better off cutting ties with him. I dont know why they didnt try to get someone in the draft.

[jcarwash31]

.
Griffin is 6 ten, skinny, and soft. As far as I know, he isnt very good defensively. He is also an idiot. You be better off cutting ties with him. I dont know why they didnt try to get someone in the draft.
He is an excellent shot blocker and did play relatively well this year. I think they are hoping he has put the idiot stuff behind him.

[The Sheck]

He is an excellent shot blocker and did play relatively well this year. I think they are hoping he has put the idiot stuff behind him.

As Griff sits in a Houston jail for the next week... :eek:

[RedRigmaJacket]

kwame brown is going to the lakers for caron butler and chucky atkins: from ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2107572).

i think the wizards made out in this one.

[RedRigmaJacket]

and Knicks picked up Jerome James...kind of a nobody.

[The Sheck]

kwame brown is going to the lakers for caron butler and chucky atkins: from ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2107572).

i think the wizards made out in this one.

Anyone else get the feeling Phil Jackson's main goal in coming back to the Lakers was to systematically destroy them?

[sabos_glasses]

Anyone else get the feeling Phil Jackson's main goal in coming back to the Lakers was to systematically destroy them?

I thought it was to spread communism :confused:

But I do hope it helps bring the Lakers back to their winning ways.

[jcarwash31]

Anyone else get the feeling Phil Jackson's main goal in coming back to the Lakers was to systematically destroy them?
No. I think he came back because he thinks that after last season he can slap Kobe around and be the last man left (between Shaq, Kobe, and Phil) in LA.

I hate Kobe. He is an overhyped, whiney, selfish bitch.

[jcarwash31]

Cuttino Mobley is going to the Clippers. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2107691)

[RedRigmaJacket]

Cuttino Mobley is going to the Clippers. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2107691)


that's huge for the clippers. could they actually make the playoffs next year?

[crazybob60]

that's huge for the clippers. could they actually make the playoffs next year?

Maggette, Brand, Cutt...

Well if Kaman can show up big in the middle and Livingston can develop into the PG that they want him to be (which I still think is a few years away) they could contend...

[The Sheck]

that's huge for the clippers. could they actually make the playoffs next year?

Maybe...San Antonio, Phoenix, Seattle, Sacramento, Dallas, and Houston are probably locks. They could finish 7th or 8th.

[jcarwash31]

that's huge for the clippers. could they actually make the playoffs next year?
No. Just something to keep Clipper fans interested so they can continue to sell tickets and be one of the most profitable franchises.

[Handy Smurf]

and Knicks picked up Jerome James...kind of a nobody.
you kidding me? This is the first hard nosed "big man" they have over 6 foot 8
James is a space eater who has been slowly getting better every year
He can board, play some D, block a few shots, and he has a decent post game close to the basket
Make no mistake, the sonics wanted to keep him.
The Knicks are full of Malik Roses, Mike Sweetneys, etc. and then they draft Channing Frye, who is 6 eleven and 200 lbs. soaking wet...and he doesnt rebound. They needed a semi legitimate center.

[Handy Smurf]

Maybe...San Antonio, Phoenix, Seattle, Sacramento, Dallas, and Houston are probably locks. They could finish 7th or 8th.
and that says nothing about Minn and LA, who have 2 of the best players in the game in Garnett and Kobe, respectively

[RedRigmaJacket]

donyell marshall!!!! finally a 3-point shooter. from cleveland.com:

The Cavaliers continued to bolster their roster by reaching an agreement with free agent power forward Donyell Marshall on Tuesday.

Marshall, according to sources, will sign a four-year deal worth between $20 and $25 million. Marshall, who played in Toronto last season, averages 12.4 points and 7.3 rebounds over his 11-year career.

Marshall, guard Larry Hughes and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas are expected to officially sign free agent contracts with the Cavaliers on Friday, the earliest date free agents can sign with teams.

[RedRigmaJacket]

we agreed to terms with the lithuanian point guard. holy shit, we're going to be good next year.

danny ferry, i'm sorry i ever doubted you if you can take us deep in the playoffs.

[Handy Smurf]

we agreed to terms with the lithuanian point guard. holy shit, we're going to be good next year.

danny ferry, i'm sorry i ever doubted you if you can take us deep in the playoffs.
Wow, I hear he's Lith-tastic...

[RedRigmaJacket]

this article (http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1121774104182400.xml&coll=2) was on cleveland.com the other day - a story on the cleveland lithuanians being very excited about cavalier basketball.

i've met Z by the way...good guy.

[RedRigmaJacket]

so apparently the lithuanian guard agreed to terms with the pacers...

[The Sheck]

From the Mpls. Star Tribune today:

Rumors are that Cleveland General Manager Danny Ferry has some interest in making a trade with the Wolves for point guard Troy Hudson. One player the Wolves have interest in is point guard Earl Watson of Memphis.

[jcarwash31]

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves bolstered their bench on Tuesday, signing forwards Mark Madsen and Nikoloz Tskitishvili.

Madsen, a free agent who had spent the two previous seasons in Minnesota, signed a five-year contract. The terms of Tskitishvili's deal were not disclosed.

full article (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2129898)

McHale - "We found unique and beautiful ways to lose games last year."

[The Sheck]

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves bolstered their bench on Tuesday, signing forwards Mark Madsen and Nikoloz Tskitishvili.

Madsen, a free agent who had spent the two previous seasons in Minnesota, signed a five-year contract. The terms of Tskitishvili's deal were not disclosed.

full article (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2129898)

McHale - "We found unique and beautiful ways to lose games last year."

Losing isn't an art form...unless you're the Cubs.

That Tizshie28&@#%il guy got a contract based on ONE summer game. :rolleyes:

[The Sheck]

T'Wolves trade Sam Cassell to the Clippers for Darko Jaric. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2132990)

[jcarwash31]

Wolves release Hoiberg.....sort of. (http://www.startribune.com/stories/511/5562133.html)

Jay Weiner, Star Tribune
August 16, 2005 WOLF0816




Fred Hoiberg, who underwent an aortic root operation in June, and Glen Taylor, who survived bypass surgery six years ago, had a heart-to-heart conversation last week.

Timberwolves owner Taylor did most of the talking as he informed Hoiberg he was going to be released by the NBA club.

Ostensibly, the move came under the NBA's "amnesty clause," part of the league's new collective bargaining agreement. The clause allows a team to waive a player, pay him his salary, but rid itself of salary cap and luxury tax issues.

But Taylor said Monday, "This was not a basketball decision. It was one of those things that I didn't ask the coach [Dwane Casey] or Mac [president Kevin McHale]. I decided."

Taylor decided that Hoiberg, 32, who has suffered some setbacks and complications since his surgery and the insertion of a pacemaker, shouldn't be rushed back for next season.

Hoiberg wasn't available for comment Monday.

He will be paid $1.76 million next season for not playing. Even though he's been cut, the team can re-sign him for the 2006-07 season, if he's fully recovered from his surgery.

That was Taylor's point to the 6-5 Hoiberg.

" 'Fred, I'm really concerned about your health and you coming back this year,' " Taylor recalled telling Hoiberg in their phone conversation. "I think there's going to be a tendency among the media and fans to say, 'Whoa, we can't wait 'til Fred comes back. Maybe we'll have him for the playoffs.' People are going to be setting a timeline for you. There should be no timeline other than your own health."

Taylor said Hoiberg didn't argue. He said Hoiberg wasn't "100 percent happy" because he worried that he wouldn't be part of the team. But Taylor told him he could coach, if he wanted, as he recovered.

Taylor related his own experience. In 1999, doctors ordered him to refrain from going into his office until he was fully recovered from his heart bypass surgery.

"I came to work right away," Taylor said. "That's the problem with those competitive guys."

Most of Monday's releases were salary-cap skirts and luxury-tax dodges.

For the coming season, any team with a payroll higher than $61.7 million will be taxed by the league dollar for dollar; if a team has a $66.7 million payroll, it will owe $5 million to league coffers.

The Wolves' payroll last season was about $71 million. But without Latrell Sprewell ($14.6 million) and Ervin Johnson ($5 million) on the payroll next season, they might be under the tax threshold.

Still, by releasing Hoiberg, the team is playing it safe as it pertains to the tax. By focusing on his recovery, Hoiberg is playing it safe, too.

[RedRigmaJacket]

maybe they can take hoiberg's money and give even more money to madsen... :p

[The Sheck]

It sucks, but it's something the T-Wolves had to do. I don't think he's going to play at all this year. Besides KG, the Mayor was the most consistent player they had. This was Fred's last year of his contract, he's still getting paid for next year, and the Wolves can use the $2 million to get someone they need.

[jcarwash31]

Wolves re-sign Eddie Griffin. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2140620)

[The Sheck]

I heard Wilkins is going to be retained by Seattle. :(

[RedRigmaJacket]

hey, how about the fact that dsagana diop, a HUGE bust for the cavs, signed a 4 year deal with the mavs a few days ago? that guy suuuuuuuuuuucks. good riddance, lasagna joke.

[RedRigmaJacket]

sounds like the cavs will be getting damon jones...crossing my fingers.

the deal seems the rely on wherever finley ends up. then jones should be deciding.

[The Sheck]

sounds like the cavs will be getting damon jones...crossing my fingers.

the deal seems the rely on wherever finley ends up. then jones should be deciding.

San Antone, I figure.

[The Sheck]

San Antone, I figure.

I rule.

12335

[RedRigmaJacket]

I rule.

12335


good call, my friend.

[RedRigmaJacket]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

from cleveland.com

****

Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter

The Cavaliers and free-agent point guard Damon Jones agreed today to a four-year deal worth $15 to $16 million, according to several league sources.

Jones, who played last season with the Miami Heat, was the last of the top free agent point guards left. The Cavs had been talking to him for several weeks while the Heat negotiated with free agent Michael Finley, who eventually signed with San Antonio.

The addition of Jones will help the Cavs' poor 3-point shooting. Jones was fifth in 3-point field-goal percentage last season at 43.2 percent.

Jones, 29, will battle Eric Snow for the starting point-guard position.

***

yeah, right - jones is already the starter. this is wonderful news! :cool: