The Official 2008/09 Player movement/Trade thread

[nenjabin]

Calderon has re-signed with Toronto for a reported $40M over 5 years... excellent value in my opinion, its gonna seem like a bargain in a year or two i reckon... i would rather him than tj ford anyday!

Awesome move, and expected. Quality pass first PG who can shoot too. If JO stays fit, this guy could average 15 dimes a game

 

[WoobieZarz]

Smart move from Dallas (not very often people say that) picking up Green.

He did show signs of greatness early on, but that dwindled quickly.

I believe that Ed Jones is looking to retire, so the Mavs will need a SG/SF off the bench along with Stack.

Green will run well with Kidd at the point. But don't look for him to take control, and drop 15 points a game......

 

[rhysjsolomon]

This may seem a dumb question, but oh well!!!

Just wanting to know the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?

Just not sure the it means!!!!

thanx guys

 

[nenjabin]

This may seem a dumb question, but oh well!!!

Just wanting to know the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?

Just not sure the it means!!!!

thanx guys

Restricted means that the player can be offered a contract by any team, but the team he is currently with has 15days to match that offer and keep him. This is for players coming off rookie contracts, I think of 2 years or longer.

Unrestricted is simply free agency. They can sign anywhere they want (there still might be a limit though, such as only the team they currently play for can give them 6 years and a slightly higher maximum salary? Will need others comments on that).

Hope this helps Rhys!

 

[ozballer23]

Looks like the sixers want a piece of the Brand pie too!

Los Angeles Times - News from Los Angeles, California and the World

Warriors make offer to Elton Brand
Golden State reportedly offers the free-agent forward a larger deal than the Clippers, who have reached agreement with Baron Davis.
By Jonathan Abrams, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
July 3, 2008
Suddenly and swiftly, the question in Clipperland on Wednesday became: What will Elton Brand do?

In a whirlwind that amounted to "who has the salary cap space now?" the Golden State Warriors reached deep down the coastline and even deeper into their pocketbooks, offering free-agent forward Brand a five-year, $90-million contract, according to multiple NBA sources who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about player movements.

Elton BrandThe offer came after the Clippers expected to reach an agreement with Brand, 29, as soon as Wednesday for a five-year deal worth about $70 million, the most the team could offer under salary cap considerations and still sign free-agent guard Baron Davis, whom the team had come to a verbal agreement with Tuesday, according to the sources.

No deal can be announced until July 9, when next year's salary cap, expected to be about $58 million, is set. Also, teams are not permitted to speak on the specific status of free agents until that date.

The Philadelphia 76ers, one of the remaining teams with significant space under the expected cap, are also expected to enter the competition for Brand's services, creating a potential bidding war for the All-Star forward.

"This is the NBA," Clippers President Andy Roeser said Wednesday. "It's very fluid and anything can happen, but we're confident it's all going to work out for us at the end of the moratorium."

Brand departed for Washington on Wednesday to meet with his agent, David Falk, according to the sources. Neither he nor Falk could be reached for comment.

As Brand flew, the Clippers spent much of the afternoon on the phone with Falk, according to the sources.

Only a day earlier, the club pulled off possibly the biggest free-agent coup in the franchise's history by landing Davis. Todd Ramasar, Davis' agent, said Tuesday that Davis verbally agreed with the Clippers in part because of the lure and likelihood of playing alongside Brand.

Brand and forward Corey Maggette, who for years have been the faces of the franchise, opted out of the final season of their contracts Monday, choosing to test free agency.

Entering his 10th NBA season, Brand has averaged 20.3 points and 10.2 rebounds a year. He sat out all but eight games last season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles' tendon and was due $16.4 million next season had he stayed under the final year of his contract.

He is well-received and respected within the organization, not only in the way he trains and dedicates himself to the game, but also in how he handles himself off the court.

But the latest developments in the team's attempts to reach a deal with him on a contract have left some confused, according to the sources.

When reached by phone Monday shortly after choosing to become a free agent, he referred to the Clippers as "we" and said that he would like the Clippers to land a player "solid at the point guard spot," before he would agree to re-sign with them.

At that time Falk said that Brand's decision to opt out had partly been made to allow the Clippers breathing space under the salary cap to sign an impact free agent.

That day, the possibility of the Clippers' losing both Brand and Maggette reflected a dreary day for an organization that has seen more than its share of them.

The next, highlighted by the agreement with Davis, who had appeared to fill the need for a solid point guard, reflected unbridled enthusiasm that had rarely been seen in the Clippers' past.

Wednesday?

Déjà vu day.

If Brand departs the Clippers, they would again have enough salary cap space to re-sign Maggette, who was their leading scorer last season and was due to make $7 million next season. Maggette, however, is also an attractive free agent and is being wooed by the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs.

The Clippers could also begin targeting Atlanta Hawks restricted free-agent forward Josh Smith, who visited the 76ers on Wednesday.

Ramasar could not be reached Wednesday to be asked how Brand's situation potentially affects Davis' verbal agreement with the Clippers.

 

[nenjabin]

Looks like the sixers want a piece of the Brand pie too!

Los Angeles Times - News from Los Angeles, California and the World

Would not be unhappy with a Brand/Dalembert front court pairing

 

[ozballer23]

Would not be unhappy with a Brand/Dalembert front court pairing

Not many would be unhappy with that lol pick up a cheap pg (duhon) and you have a playoff contender!

 

[nenjabin]

Not many would be unhappy with that lol pick up a cheap pg (duhon) and you have a playoff contender!

What's wrong with Andre Miller? Kevin Ollie doesn;t need much court time and is a good defender. Lou Will can play the Point too.

 

[ozballer23]

What's wrong with Andre Miller? Kevin Ollie doesn;t need much court time and is a good defender. Lou Will can play the Point too.

Nothing is wrong with him, I never said there was A little more depth wouldn't hurt any team...

I got a feeling we may be seeing JS instead of Brand though...

76ers court Josh Smith
By Joe Juliano

Inquirer Staff Writer

The 76ers spent the day yesterday showing Josh Smith around the city on his recruiting trip, hoping the 6-foot-9 forward of the Atlanta Hawks would leave his hometown and join them for the next several years.
Smith arrived yesterday morning at Philadelphia International Airport, then headed for the Wachovia Center, where a Sixers jersey with his name and number on it hung in the locker room and his head shot appeared on the Jumbotron. He was escorted on his tour by president and general manager Ed Stefanski and community ambassador Sonny Hill and even had lunch with Mayor Nutter.

The Sixers later showed off Philadelphia to Smith and his representatives before taking them out to dinner.

Amid all the red-carpet treatment, the Sixers certainly spent a significant part of the day talking dollars and cents with Smith and his agent, Brian Dyke. They have roughly $11.5 million to spend on a free agent, and were expected to make him an offer before he left town this morning.

Smith, a quick and athletic power forward, sounded as if he's interested.

"They fit the style of play that I like to play, which is up-tempo," Smith told reporters at the airport. "They have great talent. This is one of the teams that I'm looking at."

If the Sixers give Smith $11.5 million in the first year of his deal and extend it to the maximum five years, he could be offered a contract worth $66.7 million. Under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, the Sixers could offer an 8 percent raise off the base year salary each year, or $920,000 per year.

The Hawks have the right to match any offer to Smith, 22, a restricted free agent, and can offer him a six-year deal under league rules.

But based on the $45 million they offered (and Smith turned down) before last season, they would have to make an enormous commitment. That may be beyond their means, given their ownership problems of recent seasons and sizable salaries owed to guards Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson.

"Everything is going good. He's enjoying his time here," Smith's agent Wallace Prowther said. "They seem to like him. They seem to be genuine."

The Sixers also were expected to set a date for Smith's teammate, Josh Childress, another restricted free agent, to visit them. Childress, a 6-8 forward, was contacted by several teams, including the Sixers.

Childress' agent, Jim Tanner, was not available for comment yesterday. But he told ESPN.com that interest in his client was "broad and enthusiastic," and that he would look for a team with good players where he would be a good fit.

As with Smith, the Hawks can match any offer made to Childress, 25, a four-year pro.

Smith, who grew up in the Atlanta area, averaged a career-high 17.2 points, along with 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks last season, his fourth in the NBA. He helped lead the Hawks to their first playoff berth since 1999, and the team took the eventual champion Boston Celtics to Game 7 in the first round.

Elton Brand, another free agent in whom the Sixers have interest, apparently is involved in a competition between two West Coast teams for his services.

The Los Angeles Clippers would like to re-sign him to team with Baron Davis, who reportedly has reached a contract agreement with the club. But the Golden State Warriors, who lost Davis, have offered Brand a lucrative deal, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

Brand opted out of his contract Monday with the Clippers, giving up $16.4 million in salary.

In another report, ESPN.com said Corey Maggette, who also opted out of his deal with the Clippers, would be of interest to the Sixers if negotiations with Smith do not work out. But Maggette plays the same position as Andre Iguodala, whom the Sixers would like to sign to an extension, and has the same agent, Rob Pelinka.

Pelinka did not return a call yesterday seeking comment.

Iguodala is a restricted free agent, as is teammate Lou Williams, but there was nothing to report on negotiations with them.

 

[nenjabin]

Nothing is wrong with him, I never said there was A little more depth wouldn't hurt any team...

I got a feeling we may be seeing JS instead of Brand though...

Here's hoping, but then who's to say Atlanta won't match...

 

[ozballer23]

Here's hoping, but then who's to say Atlanta won't match...

True, but I gotta gut feeling that JS will be on the move...

 

[breakerswitch]

True, but I gotta gut feeling that JS will be on the move...

If the Josh's leave Atlanta I will cry No crap I will bawl my eyes out lol
I cant see Atlanta letting go of either of them.
As for Brand, IF davis is coming to the clippers wouldnt you want to stay? I mean Davis, Thornton Brand and Kaman would be a pretty tight four to have on your team.

 

[nenjabin]

If the Josh's leave Atlanta I will cry No crap I will bawl my eyes out lol
I cant see Atlanta letting go of either of them.
As for Brand, IF davis is coming to the clippers wouldnt you want to stay? I mean Davis, Thornton Brand and Kaman would be a pretty tight four to have on your team.

I doubt both Josh's will leave, you'd likely retain 1.

And agree, why would Brand wish to move other than to further line his pockets? (Which he really doesn't need to do)

 

[ozballer23]

Al Harrington is another seeking a trade. Looks like the warriors will struggle at the point if they don't sign a FA soon. Too much pressure on young Monta to carry the team...

 

[WoobieZarz]

Mavs fill another need...

The Mavericks have addressed a need and a want in the early stages of free agency.

They needed a big man and they got him Wednesday, agreeing to terms with former Maverick DeSagana Diop on a multiyear deal that starts at the full mid-level exception, an NBA source said. Most NBA executives expect the exception to be around $5.5 million.

They wanted a young, athletic and, yes, affordable player who might have unlimited upside. They got that in Gerald Green, a three-year veteran who has yet to fulfill his vast potential.

Diop's deal will be for five seasons, the maximum term for a mid-level exception contract.

His addition will solidify the center position, which will include Diop and Erick Dampier, the same twosome that helped the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2006.

Until Diop's accord, the Mavericks had only Dampier, Dirk Nowitzki and Brandon Bass as centers and power forwards under contract.

The Mavericks are not permitted to comment on free-agent negotiations until July 9, when deals agreed to during the moratorium can be signed.

Diop, who has played seven seasons in the league but is only 26, was a favorite of the Mavericks and fans in nearly three seasons before he was traded in February as part of the Jason Kidd deal. Diop is a strong ally of Nowitzki's and a solid influence in the locker room.

Also found this on Ed Jones:

Eddie Jones will not opt out of his contract with the Mavericks, meaning he's on board for the 2008-09 season at slightly under $2 million.

That means eight players are under contract: Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Kidd, Erick Dampier, Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Brandon Bass and Jones.

It's good that we've got Jones for another year.

And this on Del Harris:

Meanwhile, Del Harris, who served as assistant coach to Don Nelson and Avery Johnson over a nine-year stay with the organization, is expected to sign a contract today to be an assistant in Chicago for new Bulls' coach Vinny Del Negro, a source said.

 

[nenjabin]

Mavs fill another need...

Also found this on Ed Jones:


It's good that we've got Jones for another year.

And this on Del Harris:

Some good Mavs news there Have liked Diop and he's a good solid backup big man.

 

[ozballer23]

Bass will the monster for them, has just started to draw attention to himself towards seasons end, expecting big things from him...

 

[rhysjsolomon]

Restricted means that the player can be offered a contract by any team, but the team he is currently with has 15days to match that offer and keep him. This is for players coming off rookie contracts, I think of 2 years or longer.

Unrestricted is simply free agency. They can sign anywhere they want (there still might be a limit though, such as only the team they currently play for can give them 6 years and a slightly higher maximum salary? Will need others comments on that).

Hope this helps Rhys!

Thanx heaps mate! Just what I needed to fill the gap! haha

 

[loafic]

The Diop deal seems to be finalised today $31M over 5 years... good value i think

 

[ozballer23]

Duhon now a knick

SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NBA Basketball stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from NBA Basketball columnists

Posted: July 4, 2008
Sean Deveney
Sporting News


After four years with the Bulls, point guard Chris Duhon is moving on, verbally agreeing to a deal with the Knicks on Friday, according to Duhon and his agent, Kevin Bradbury.

Bradbury could not comment on the terms of the deal. But a source said it was a major commitment on the part of the Knicks -- a two-year deal starting at the full mid-level exception. The value of the mid-level exception will be announced on July 9 (when contracts can officially be signed) but it's expected to be about $5.8 million, making Duhon's total contract worth around $12 million.


"I am just excited, I am ready to get to work for the Knicks," Duhon said. "It's a big stage, playing in New York. It's something every player in the NBA wants."

Duhon met with the Knicks on the first day of free agency. Making Duhon their first free-agent meeting was a clear indication that the new Knicks brass -- general manager Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni -- was committed to making him their point guard. Duhon also met with the Magic on Wednesday, and was receiving interest from other teams. But the Knicks' willingness to offer their full mid-level slot showed they wanted Duhon.

"Chris could have shopped himself around more, but in the end, he wanted a fit where he felt comfortable and he knew what kind of opportunity he would be getting," Bradbury said. "He wasn't worried about trying to find more money on the market or anything like that. He wanted the right situation, and this just felt like the right situation."

The Knicks surely need Duhon, the best point guard now available on the unrestricted free-agent market. The team is expected to release point guard Stephon Marbury this summer. Even with Marbury, New York ranked last in the league in assists, and ranked 27th in 3-point shooting (33.7 percent).

Duhon averaged 6.9 points in his career with Chicago, but was mostly asked to be a defender and a ball distributor, taking open 3-pointers when they presented themselves. He averaged 4.5 assists in his Bulls career, against just 1.37 turnovers. More than half his shots with Chicago were 3s, and he made 35.6 percent of them.

Duhon had been liked by ex-Bulls coach Scott Skiles, who plugged him into various roles throughout his Chicago career. Typically, the team would try to make undersized guard Ben Gordon a starter early in the year, then give up on that idea, moving Gordon back to the bench in favor of Duhon's height and better defense. Duhon played 300 games for the Bulls, and 159 of them as a starter.

The opportunity to play for D'Antoni, maestro of the Suns' up-tempo offense before coming to the Knicks, was a major appeal for Duhon. "You know he is going to want to run and push the ball," Duhon said. "I feel, with the opportunity, I can do that. Really, I can't wait to get started."

He'll be starting on a long, daunting road, of course. The Knicks haven't finished over .500 since their magical Finals run in 2001. But the team drafted highly regarded forward Danilo Gallinari last week, and now, Walsh and D'Antoni are hoping that Duhon can play a key role in getting the team back into postseason contention.