Top 25 NBA Free Agents

[RhymesayersDU]

Updated: June 29, 2006, 5:47 PM ET
Free agent roundup: Big Ben and the domino effect
By Chris Sheridan

The NBA draft and its mind-numbing 15 trades are behind us, so now the focus shifts to free agency. There are a bunch of big men and point guards on the market, not many small forwards and even fewer shooting guards.

This summer's market actually will pale in comparison to next summer's if all the players with opt-outs, including Dirk Nowitzki, Rashard Lewis, Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce, end up exercising them.

But for now, the dominoes likely will begin to fall as soon as Ben Wallace hears what the Detroit Pistons are willing to offer him. If he deems that offer unfair, the whole equation changes.

The Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets and Toronto Raptors will all have significant cap space, though the exact amount will not be known until the new cap is set on July 12. All of them need size, and any of them could make a run at Wallace if he and his new agent, Arn Tellem, don't like Detroit's offer.

With that huge unknown hanging in the balance, we enter the free agency season -- which officially begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday when teams can begin contacting free agents and offering extensions to the draft class of '03 -- with an updated top 25:

1. Ben Wallace, Pistons
On the night the Pistons were eliminated from the playoffs in Miami, Wallace was pressed by reporters on whether he'd be returning to the Pistons. "Everyone knows where my heart is," Wallace said before pausing for effect. "It's in my chest." Wallace's relationship with coach Flip Saunders was anything but rosy at the end, and Wallace was miffed that Saunders benched him for the entire fourth quarter of the Game 6 loss to the Heat. A new contract starting at $12,000,001 would make Big Ben the highest-paid Piston and would balloon out to $55.2 million over four years. But would Wallace consider such an offer fair? Insider believes he wouldn't.

2. Al Harrington, Hawks
The Hawks' unsettled ownership situation is throwing a huge wrench into Harrington's future plans; GM Billy Knight certain to be out of a job if Steve Belkin is successful in the courtroom in his fight to take over from his former ownership partners. Atlanta will have first dibs on Harrington, but Knight might be better served to go with the best sign-and-trade offer -- and there will be lots. Count on Indiana, Golden State and Minnesota making a run, and don't count out the Lakers. Another idea that might sound far-fetched but could become plausible is a sign-and-trade with Detroit for Ben Wallace.

3. Jason Terry, Mavericks
Agent Dan Fegan said on the eve of Game 1 of the Finals that Terry expected to get a five- or six-year contract, and Terry enhanced his value the next night by going for 32 points. The Mavs need his outside shooting, and you'd think they'd never let another top-tier point guard get away, but the equation changes if signing Mike James is their backup plan. Terry took a financial risk three years ago when he signed a three-year offer sheet with Utah and Atlanta matched it, and he wants to cash in long-term this time. Fegan is known to aim high with his monetary demands, and Mavs owner Mark Cuban is trying to exercise some degree of fiscal restraint, so this one is another potential wild card.

4. Nene, Nuggets (restricted)
Denver is trying desperately to trade Kenyon Martin in order to free up money to re-sign the Brazilian big man and make a run at the next guy on this list, Bonzi Wells. If July 12 arrives and Martin is still in Denver, teams with significant cap room could offer Nene a front-loaded contract that Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke would have to think twice about matching because of the luxury tax implications. Note: Teams now have seven days to match offers to restricted free agents, down from 15.

5. Bonzi Wells, Kings
In a market short on two guards, especially two guards who can score, Wells is a hotter commodity than his résumé and his reputation might warrant. The general feeling around the league is that no one will step up with an immediate offer to Wells worth more than the mid-level exception, unless they can interest the Kings in a sign-and-trade that bumps Bonzi into the $6-7 million starting salary range.

6. Joel Przybilla, Trail Blazers
One of his primary leverage options disappeared when the Raptors went out and traded for Rasho Nesterovic, but the Bulls and Hornets both need size and have the cap room to afford the premium they'll have to pay for a big man. Remember, nobody gets overpaid in the NBA like centers, and if Samuel Dalembert is worth $8.4 million and Tyson Chandler $9 million, Przybilla will want to be in the same league.

7. Nazr Mohammed, Spurs
San Antonio will deem him expendable if it feels the price is too high. The Spurs believe they can get by at the position in this age of small ball by going more with Tim Duncan at center, backed up by Fabricio Oberto and the incoming Robertas Javtokas. But again, centers are at a premium when they go onto the free agent market, and Mohammed shouldn't have trouble finding a team willing to give him the five-year deal he's seeking.

8. Peja Stojakovic, Pacers
He didn't help his value by sitting out most of the Pacers' first-round loss to Indiana with a knee injury, which partially accounts for his fall to No. 8. Agent David Baumann expects the Pacers to make an offer a few minutes after midnight Friday, "and I also expect to hear from at least two other teams." Much will depend on how lucrative Indiana's offer is. Insider believes five years and $50 million won't get it done, but six years and $70 million probably will.

9. Jared Jeffries, Wizards (restricted)
Another hard-to-find talented, young swingman, and easily the one impending free agent whose stock rose the most in the playoffs. Only 24 years old and a rangy 6-foot-10, his ability to defend on the perimeter will enhance his value as teams look for players with abilities suited to the league's new defensive rules. The Bulls like him, and they'll have enough cap room to get both Jeffries and either of the top two guys on this list.

10. Matt Harpring, Jazz
Kevin O'Connor said re-signing Harpring was the club's top offseason priority, and coach Jerry Sloan loves Harpring's competitiveness and versatility. But will the Jazz be willing to outbid others both in dollars and years? Harpring sounded decidedly undecided about his future after Utah's season ended, saying he wanted to compete for a championship. After eight years in the league, he's never been to the second round of the playoffs.

11. Mike James, Raptors
Hopefully he hasn't taken too many head shots while taking up boxing -- not exactly the brightest hobby we've ever heard of a guy picking up on the eve of going after the biggest payday of his career. Toronto is not interested in making a five-year commitment to a player who will be 31 when next season begins, so look for the Raptors to let him go. If Dallas is really as interested as Insider is hearing, it'll impact the Mavs' decision on Terry.

12. Vladimir Radmanovic, Clippers
Los Angeles is interested in bringing him back, and they can retain him at a discount since Radmanovic waived his Bird rights (and his ability to be moved in a sign-and-trade) when he accepted the deal sending him from the Sonics to the Clippers. But the Bucks could make a run at him if they can find a deal that rids them of Jamaal Magloire so they can move Andrew Bogut to center.

13. Marcus Banks, Timberwolves
He wasn't happy when the Celtics declined to pick up his fourth-year option, but it's going to end up being worth millions to him. Other teams were impressed by his play for the Wolves over the second half of the season when he displaced Marko Jaric as the starter, and a few teams might be prepared to offer him mid-level money. Are the Lakers one of them?

14. Tim Thomas, Suns
The guy sure knows how to perform in a contract year, eh? Thomas re-established his value while starting for Phoenix during the playoffs, and the Suns would like to keep him. They saved $6 million in cap space and an additional $3 million in likely future luxury taxes by trading Brian Grant and their two first-round picks Wednesday. But the guys with first dibs on the big money are Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa, who are up for extensions. Thomas won't get any more than mid-level money on the open market.

15. Sam Cassell, Clippers
If history is to be a guide, Sammy will be complaining about his new contract -- whoever gives him one -- by midseason. His age makes him a less valued commodity than Banks, but his history of being such a clutch player -- his eight-second violation in the playoffs against Phoenix notwithstanding -- will guarantee plenty of interest. In the short term, for a team looking to make a move similar to the one Miami made with Gary Payton, he's a safer bet than most of the other free agent point guards

16. DeShawn Stevenson, Magic
Took a big risk by opting out of the final year of his contract, forfeiting a guaranteed $3 million, and is counting on being a sleeper free agent whose value as a perimeter defender will be recognized and rewarded. Few, if any, benefit more from the dearth of free agent two guards. Eddie House joins that category if he opts out in Phoenix.

17. Drew Gooden, Cavs (restricted)
Had one great playoff game in the opener against Washington, then fell off the face of the earth as Anderson Varejao showed himself to be more than capable of taking over as LeBron James' starting power forward. Look for a sign-and-trade here.

18 . Rasual Butler, Hornets
The outside shooting specialist has come a long way since being the 11th man on the Heat's bench two years ago, and he's earned a payday somewhere in the area of $3 million. If anyone is willing to go north of that number, the Hornets will have to think extra hard about whether they're willing to pay the same.

19. Jackie Butler, Knicks (restricted)
For whatever it's worth, Larry Brown liked him a whole lot more than he liked Eddy Curry. The Cavs like him, and they're looking for someone to be ready to step in behind Zydrunas Ilgauskas. With New York committed to Curry and Jerome James, the Knicks might not match anything long-term.

20. Ronald (Flip) Murray, Cavaliers
Another player who waived his Bird rights by agreeing to a midseason trade last February, he's more valuable to the Cavs than he'd be anywhere else. We'd put Fred Jones here, but Insider believes the Pacers will match any offer the restricted free agent receives.

21. Chris Wilcox, SuperSonics (restricted)
Seattle was quite happy with him after dealing Radmanovic to get him, and they're not about to let him leave. Unless, perhaps, an absurdly front-loaded contract is offered by someone else.

22. Reggie "The Ball Grabber" Evans, Nuggets
Would be a nice fit for New Jersey, which is resigned to bringing back Cliff Robinson if nothing better comes along this summer. Melvin Ely of Charlotte would occupy this spot if he weren't a restricted free agent.

23. Lorenzen Wright, Grizzlies
This is where we'll see the Jerome James rule (unproductive centers still get paid) come into effect. Wright is finished in Memphis, but somebody will pick him up for a lot less money than the $7.7 million he made last year.

24. Speedy Claxton, Hornets; Bobby Jackson, Grizzlies
Both want to change employers, but neither will be helped by the glut of point guards out there, and the best they'll be able to do is a sizeable chunk of someone's mid-level. Someone will get good value if either of these guys stays unsigned well into August. There's at least one player who gets squeezed on the free agent market every year.

25. Dalibor Bagaric, Fortitudo Bologna (Italy)
Had a brief stint with the Bulls earlier this decade, but popped back up on scouts' radars after playing against Andrea Bargnani in the Italian League Finals. At 7-2 and 270 pounds, there's a market for him.

Others

Restricted: Alex Acker, Pistons; Trevor Ariza, Magic; Keith Bogans, Rockets; Antonio Burks, Grizzlies; Kevin Burleson, Bobcats; Ronald Dupree, Timberwolves; Francisco Elson, Nuggets; Devin Green, Lakers; Mario Kasun, Magic; Boniface N'Dong, Clippers; Andre Owens, Jazz; Shavlik Randolph, 76ers; Justin Reed, Timberwolves; Bernard Robinson, Bobcats; John Salmons, 76ers; Awvee Storey, Wizards; Jiri Welsch, Bucks.

Unrestricted: Shandon Anderson, Heat; Darrell Armstrong, Mavericks; Stacey Augmon, Magic; Matt Barnes, 76ers; Lonny Baxter, Bobcats; Michael Bradley, 76ers; Rick Brunson, Rockets; Greg Buckner, Nuggets; Anthony Carter, Timberwolves; Kelvin Cato, Pistons; Calbert Cheaney, Nuggets; Antonio Davis; Richie Frahm, Rockets; Reece Gaines, Bucks; Devean George, Lakers; Eddie Gill, Pacers; Adrian Griffin, Mavericks; Alan Henderson, Cavs; Lindsey Hunter, Pistons; Jermaine Jackson, Bucks; Jim Jackson, Lakers; DerMarr Johnson, Nuggets; Ervin Johnson, Bucks; Jumaine Jones, Bobcats; Toni Kukoc, Bucks; Voshon Lenard, Trail Blazers; Sean Marks, Spurs; Darrick Martin, Raptors; Walter McCarty, Clippers; Alonzo Mourning, Heat; Terence Morris, Magic; Lamond Murray, Nets; Michael Olowokandi, Celtics; Greg Ostertag, Jazz; Bo Outlaw, Magic; Jannero Pargo, Bulls; Eric Piatkowski, Bulls; Scot Pollard, Pacers; Bryon Russell, Nuggets; Jamal Sampson, Kings; Charles Smith, Nuggets; Latrell Sprewell; Keith Van Horn, Mavericks; Jacque Vaughn, Nets; Jake Voskuhl, Bobcats; David Wesley, Rockets; Mike Wilks, Sonics; Aaron Williams, Hornets; Loren Woods, Raptors; Qyntel Woods, Knicks.

Player options: Pat Burke, Suns; Tony Delk, Pistons; Pat Garrity; Magic; Brian Grant, Celtics; Jason Hart, Kings; Eddie House, Suns; Jeff McInnis, Nets; Mikki Moore, Sonics; Ruben Patterson, Nuggets; James Posey, Heat; Darius Songaila, Bulls; Eric Williams, Raptors.

Team options: Malik Allen, Bulls; Alan Anderson, Bobcats; Brandon Bass, Hornets; Zarko Cabarkapa; Warriors; Matt Carroll; Bobcats; Royal Ivey, Hawks; Amir Johnson, Pistons; Maciej Lampe, Rockets; Keith McLeod, Jazz; Cliff Robinson, Nets; Donta Smith, Hawks; Bracey Wright, Timberwolves.

[RhymesayersDU]

CO, MP, or Nugs4, enlighten me: That Calbert Cheaney thing is a misprint, right?

[Clockwork Orange]

CO, MP, or Nugs4, enlighten me: That Calbert Cheaney thing is a misprint, right?

It was accurate 4 years ago. Today it's a misprint.

[Nuggets4]

Cheaney's still in the league?!?

[Clockwork Orange]

Cheaney's still in the league?!?

Just glancing at the list, I was surprised to see that Stacey Augmon is still in the league. I remember wanting the Nuggets to draft him, but they took Mark Macon instead.

http://thedraftreview.com/history/drafted1991/images/mark-macon.jpg

[Nuggets4]

Just glancing at the list, I was surprised to see that Stacey Augmon is still in the league. I remember wanting the Nuggets to draft him, but they took Mark Macon instead.

http://thedraftreview.com/history/drafted1991/images/mark-macon.jpg

That turned out well for us too. Ugh. That was one of the "classic drafts" on NBA TV this week. The announcers kept saying Macon was a better pick because he was an "excellent defender". Yeah, the plastic man really sucked on D. Ugh.

[Clockwork Orange]

That turned out well for us too. Ugh. That was one of the "classic drafts" on NBA TV this week. The announcers kept saying Macon was a better pick because he was an "excellent defender". Yeah, the plastic man really sucked on D. Ugh.

But, but Macon had a 50 point game in college!! What more could you want in a prospect? :nono:

[Clockwork Orange]

Sports Illustrated's top free agents and possible destinations. ("http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/marty_burns/06/30/free.agent.tracker/index.html[/URL)

Nenê*, Denver Nuggets
Possible suitors: Bulls, Hawks, Hornets, Nets
Leader in clubhouse: Nuggets
This Brazilian big man is a former high draft pick (No. 7) with a promising future. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL suffered on opening night, but he says he is now fully recovered. Quick for a man his size and willing to takes charges, Nenê could be a valuable pickup for a team in need of interior defense and scoring punch inside. He is a restricted free agent, and the Nuggets have said all along they intend to match. But Denver has a new basketball staff, and it's impossible to say what the organization might do.

Please don't ask me why they've got a picture of Jason Terry where Nene's should be, I have no idea. They've also got a picture of Bonzi Wells where Joel Przybilla's should be too. ::)

[Clockwork Orange]

Might as well start putting the news in here.

Raptors trade Charlie Villanueva to Milwaukee for TJ Ford. (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/news_story/?ID=170150&hubname=)

[WABronco]

Might as well start putting the news in here.

Raptors trade Charlie Villanueva to Milwaukee for TJ Ford. (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/news_story/?ID=170150&hubname=)
Hmmmmmmm...

Interesting. You have to wonder why the Raps were so desperate to trade Villanueva...even before they took Bargeagnagnani.

[Clockwork Orange]

Dirk thinks Cuban needs to tone it down. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2506302)

Dirk Nowitzki has all but acknowledged that Mark Cuban's antics are a distraction to the Dallas Mavericks, saying that the team's owner must "learn to control himself as well as the players do."

In a stories posted Friday night on the Web sites of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The Dallas Morning News, Nowitzki was quoted as saying, "We can't lose our temper all the time on the court or off the court, and I think he's got to learn that, too. He's got to improve in that area and not yell at the officials the whole game."

The newspapers also reported that Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Steve Nash had asked Cuban in the past about watching games from a suite, rather than from his usual seat near the Mavericks' bench.

"The game starts and he's already yelling at [the officials]," Nowitzki was quoted as saying. "He needs to learn how to control himself a little better. If somebody's in your ear constantly. ... I'd be [ticked] off if I were an official."

Cuban was fined $250,000 for his outbursts about the officiating during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, and commissioner David Stern said he was tired of off-court antics drawing attention from the series.

Cuban has been fined at least $1.65 million since buying the team in January 2000. The exact total of his punishment tab isn't known because the league doesn't always publicize action against team owners. Cuban has said he matches every dollar he is fined with a charitable donation.

[RhymesayersDU]

Might as well start putting the news in here.

Raptors trade Charlie Villanueva to Milwaukee for TJ Ford. (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/news_story/?ID=170150&hubname=)
Holy ****. He actually played pretty solid for them last year. If Bogut is even remotely a ball player, those two could be a force in the East.

[RhymesayersDU]

Here's a question: Is that whole 12:01 AM July 1st thing on Eastern Time?

If so, Carmelo is about 20 minutes away from what should be a max deal.

:)

[Clockwork Orange]

Here's a question: Is that whole 12:01 AM July 1st thing on Eastern Time?

If so, Carmelo is about 20 minutes away from what should be a max deal.

:)

Should be. Let us hope beyond hope that the Nuggets don't find a way to screw it up somehow. From the article in todays paper, they're planning on making an offer to Nene too.

[-Slap-]

Dirk thinks Cuban needs to tone it down. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2506302)

Dirk Nowitzki has all but acknowledged that Mark Cuban's antics are a distraction to the Dallas Mavericks, saying that the team's owner must "learn to control himself as well as the players do."

In a stories posted Friday night on the Web sites of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The Dallas Morning News, Nowitzki was quoted as saying, "We can't lose our temper all the time on the court or off the court, and I think he's got to learn that, too. He's got to improve in that area and not yell at the officials the whole game."

The newspapers also reported that Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Steve Nash had asked Cuban in the past about watching games from a suite, rather than from his usual seat near the Mavericks' bench.

"The game starts and he's already yelling at [the officials]," Nowitzki was quoted as saying. "He needs to learn how to control himself a little better. If somebody's in your ear constantly. ... I'd be [ticked] off if I were an official."

Cuban was fined $250,000 for his outbursts about the officiating during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, and commissioner David Stern said he was tired of off-court antics drawing attention from the series.

Cuban has been fined at least $1.65 million since buying the team in January 2000. The exact total of his punishment tab isn't known because the league doesn't always publicize action against team owners. Cuban has said he matches every dollar he is fined with a charitable donation.

So long, Dirk.

:wave:

[Clockwork Orange]

Cavs offer Lebron max contract extension. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2506087)

[Nuggets4]

Might as well start putting the news in here.

Raptors trade Charlie Villanueva to Milwaukee for TJ Ford. (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/news_story/?ID=170150&hubname=)

This is a steal for Toronto. I've always believed that Villanueva is a lazy bum. Now that he "proved everyone wrong" from draft night, I can see him slacking off again. TJ Ford will be great in the up-tempo offense that Toronto wants to use.

[RhymesayersDU]

Cavs offer Lebron max contract extension. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2506087)
Come on Stan, follow suit here...

[Nuggets4]

Time to exhale... (http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nba/article/0,2777,DRMN_23922_4816422,00.html)

[RhymesayersDU]

Wooooo Hooooo.

It's A Celebration Tonight!

[MadCity]

Dallas Mavericks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=dal) guard Jason Terry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3333) made it as close to official as the rules allow Saturday, telling ESPN.com that he has accepted the Mavericks' contract offer.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2506660

[RhymesayersDU]

Dallas Mavericks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=dal) guard Jason Terry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3333) made it as close to official as the rules allow Saturday, telling ESPN.com that he has accepted the Mavericks' contract offer.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2506660
Good move for them, Terry is awesome.

[RhymesayersDU]

More NBA Free Agency Tidbits...

Trades and extensions will be the talk this summer
By Marc Stein

The NBA opens for free-agent business one minute past midnight Friday.

The wide-open NBA.

Miami's stunning ascent from a 52-win regular season to a championship, with an aggressively assembled team that even Pat Riley admits was built for the now, is likely to spark a flurry of bold moves this summer. From contenders and even noncontenders.

After the most unpredictable playoffs in memory, it makes sense. Teams in both conferences are bound to believe more than ever, as Riley (now triumphant and vindicated) did last summer, that ambitious additions to the roster -- if they're the right gambles -- can lead to big things.

Bracing for another busy offseason, then, here are five things to watch for (just for starters) ... along with the usual reminder that signings and trades can be verbally agreed to but not officially finalized until July 12.

1. An Allen Iverson trade

There's one small consolation in circulation for any Philly fanatics dreading the increasingly inevitable departure of Allen Iverson:

By the time this deal actually happens, after so much speculation already, maybe it won't be so shocking.

Maybe.

That'll naturally depend on the package Philly ultimately receives in return and where Iverson lands. Yet it's safe to say the city is firmly on high alert, awaiting the official word that their li'l Answer is headed elsewhere. Widespread knowledge of serious Sixers-Celtics talks before Wednesday's draft has given everyone a chance to get used to the idea that Iverson will not be with the Sixers come October ... and that there'll be at least one summer blockbuster this free-agency season.

However ...

The Stein Line view holds that Iverson won't/can't wind up in Boston, no matter what you've heard. Seriously. How could the Sixers possibly trade away Iverson -- a more controversial move than shipping out Charles Barkley -- to the Celtics? The Celtics?

I've run this past a few unattached executives and the reaction is pretty much the same every time. Trading Iverson is a rough, tough sell in any circumstances. Trading him within the Eastern Conference and within the same division doesn't make it any easier. Trading him to your archrival is unsellable ... unless Paul Pierce is the return.

And he's not.

The problem? Boston seems to want Iverson more than anyone else, believing that an Iverson-Paul Pierce tandem not only can work -- since Pierce and Antoine Walker did -- but also can thrust the Celts into contention. That's why Boston is trying so hard to recruit a third team to make the deal more palatable for the Sixers and is ignoring anyone saying this is all crazy talk.

Another big reason: I'm told that GM Danny Ainge has been an Iverson fan for years. AI apparently has the Michael Jordan brain type and Ainge's reliance on and devotion to brain-typing is well-documented.

Yet another factor to help Boston's cause: Atlanta and Memphis, two of the more sensible Iverson destinations, aren't exactly in prime bidding position.

The Hawks, as noted here for years, are desperate for a dynamic winner/entertainer in the Michael Vick mode, because that's what the city's hard-to-get NBA customers want and expect. The Hawks also have a coach (Mike Woodson) who knows Iverson (as a Sixers assistant) and the pieces to make Philly an offer (starting with signed-and-traded free agent Al Harrington) that wouldn't require a third team.

The Hawks, though, are gripped by ownership uncertainty. Ousted co-owner Steve Belkin might be on the verge of reclaiming control of the franchise from the seven owners who forced him out, but it's unclear how long it will take to settle that battle in court. So it's hard to imagine, no matter which faction ends up in power, that the Hawks will be sufficiently stable this summer to make a real Iverson play.

The Grizz, meanwhile, probably ruled themselves out -- if they were ever seriously interested -- by surrendering Shane Battier in a draft-night trade with Houston to acquire the rights to Rudy Gay. Grizz boss Jerry West, who has resisted Battier overtures for years, would have been forced to part with his favorite swingman if he hoped to pair Iverson with Pau Gasol and land the ticket-seller Memphis so badly needs. He opted for Gay instead.

We'll see who else materializes as an Iverson suitor. But there's one last thing to ponder here until the next twist: How much fun will that first prac-tiss in October be if the Sixers, after talking so much trade, can't consummate an Iverson deal before training camp commences in Spain? Did someone say international incident?


2. An even bigger trade?

Don't get greedy.

We keep writing this but you keep asking us, so we repeat for the umpteenth time: Minnesota is not trading Kevin Garnett.

Not to a contender or noncontender. Not now, anyway. Not yet. Not before the season starts.

That won't change unless Garnett demands a trade and, by all indications, he won't. The Wolves, in turn, want to take one more stab at building around him despite two straight seasons out of the playoffs. Teams that called to inquire about Garnett's availability in conjunction with the draft were told not to waste their time, sources said.

The same, according to NBA front-office sources, applies to Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal. Anybody but O'Neal is the latest word from Pacers officials. Ditto for Pierce in Boston.

Iverson, then, is the only franchise player presently on the market.

Even Seattle's Rashard Lewis, from the next tier, was mentioned at draft time only because the talks involved Phoenix's Shawn Marion. Lewis isn't being "shopped." I'm hearing that the Sonics will consider a Lewis deal only if they're getting back Marion-level talent.

That's not to say this market lacks intriguing trade candidates. The Warriors have an array of trade chips and are a lock to move someone notable in a bid to shake up their roster, since they persist with coach Mike Montgomery. That someone is most likely power forward Troy Murphy.

Milwaukee's Jamaal Magloire and Utah's Carlos Boozer add some variety and depth to the list of available big men. Denver, meanwhile, continues to aggressively shop Kenyon Martin, ambitious as that is given Martin's enormous contract.

Rewind to Iverson and that's five trade contenders in the $10 million-a-year range, with the Clippers' Corey Maggette ($7 million) not far off.

You'll hear other recognizable names, too, given the so-so nature of the free-agent class. Trades figure to supply most of the offseason excitement, which means heavy doses of speculation but no shortage of real-deal chatter, either.

3. The $80 million dash

LeBron James. Carmelo Anthony. Chris Bosh. NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade.

All are eligible for five-year contract extensions this offseason worth around $80 million.

Repeat that figure out loud a few times and you'll know why we've continually advised fans in Cleveland, Denver, Toronto and Miami to stop fretting. There is no uncertainty here.

The four best players from the 2003 draft will sign maximum contract extensions well before the Oct. 31 deadline. Look for all four to sign this month, actually.

Yes. That includes LeBron, who was never looking to leave on-the-rise Cleveland.

At their ages especially, you don't turn down max money to wait two more years for unrestricted free agency. You take the money immediately and then, if you want a change of scenery later, you tell your agent to figure it out.

That should be clear by now, after two months of Bosh -- who's facing a climb to contention in Toronto better measured in years -- telling anyone who asks that he'll sign his extension as soon as he's legally able to do so on July 12.

With Darko Milicic, Chris Kaman, Kirk Hinrich and Josh Howard -- arguably the next-biggest cluster of names from the class of 2003 -- there's some uncertainty. It's a safe bet that one (or more) of those gems will not have an extension secured in time for opening night.

Yet when it comes to the Fab Four, it'd be wiser to bill it as a race. Who will sign first? Who will be the first to verbally commit between Saturday and July 11? Will any of them actually let their employers sweat until August, just for fun? These are the pertinent questions.

4. Where the actual free agents go

Ben Wallace
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
Will Big Ben still be anchoring Detroit's frontline in '06-07?

Oh, yeah.

Them.

You've probably heard by now that this isn't the best free-agent crop in history. Maybe so, but that won't stop phones from ringing at 12:01 a.m. Saturday to open the bidding. As stated at the top, too many teams feel too close to championship contention to sit back. Plus, there should be a frenzy feel to this free-agency season thanks to the trade possibilities alone. Promise.

A few starting points before the buzzer sounds:

• In its quest to re-sign Ben Wallace, Detroit is deeply concerned about only one team: Chicago. The Bulls are believed to be the only club of the five out there with salary-cap room that Wallace would consider. And with a rich six-year offer, Chicago might have a real shot at stealing him away. The Pistons, by all accounts, are reluctant to offer Wallace anything longer than a four-year deal, albeit with a starting salary that exceeds $11.5 million to make Big Ben their highest-paid player based on annual wage.

Yet I'm still betting big that Wallace stays, even though he's hired high-powered Arn Tellem to find opportunities via sign-and-trade if necessary. Big Ben remains the face (and hair) of the modern-day Pistons and I struggle to imagine him playing for anyone else. I'm guessing he struggles to imagine that, too.

No less a source of intrigue, to me, is what happens with the Pistons' $5 million mid-level exception. There are rumblings that Sacramento's Bonzi Wells is willing to take a pay cut to reunite with former Blazers buddy Rasheed Wallace and provide the jolt Detroit needs after crashing out of the East finals. That would be an undeniable steal, especially after seeing how much Wells hurt San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs, but the Pistons also crave a point guard who can push the pace -- not a Chauncey Billups specialty -- and are said to be high on the list of New Orleans-Oklahoma City's Speedy Claxton.

In the dream-scenario event that they both become candidates for the $5 million exception, Detroit would have an interesting choice to make: Wells or Claxton. You'd figure then that the Pistons would have to sign Wells and use their smaller exception ($1.7 million) to pursue Pistons alumnus Chucky Atkins or Bobby Jackson for the backcourt.

• A full column devoted to the summertime challenges facing the Clippers is available on ESPN.com's Free Agency page. The condensed version: Sam Cassell is a free agent, coach Mike Dunleavy is entering the final year of his contract and long-suffering Clipper Brand-wagoners fear that Sam I Am won't be retained and/or that Dunleavy won't be extended. That would be problematic because Cassell and Dunleavy, along with Elton Brand, were widely regarded as the main catalysts in the Clippers' breakthrough season.

Adding to the Cassell intrigue is the Lakers' alleged interest. One theory reverberating in the Staples Center hallways suggests that the 36-year-old, if he receives no more than a one-year offer from the Clips, will spite them by signing a multiyear deal with the glamorous team in the building, even though the Lakers' starting price can't rise above $5 million mid-level. Lakers skeptics dismiss the viability of that theory, figuring that Cassell's camp wants that notion out there merely to put pressure on Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling.

My take? I don't think Cassell is kidding. Kobe Bryant and Sam I Am would be a rather nasty combination, and Phil Jackson is certainly lusting for some additional veteran know-how after Kobe's kids couldn't finish off Phoenix after taking a 3-1 series lead.

Then there's this variable: Word is that Cassell is hiring David Falk to handle these negotiations. Which is either good news for the Clips, since Falk also represents Elton Brand, or a clear signal that Sam I Am will not be settling for a one-year deal.

• More than one executive who spoke to ESPN.com expressed surprise about this, but it appears to be a reality: Indiana's Peja Stojakovic has scarcely been mentioned lately in GM circles. Call it a strong sign that most teams see Peja as a lock to re-sign with the Pacers.

We've discussed previously that Stojakovic and best friend Vlade Divac would love to reunite in Los Angeles, with Divac now serving in the Lakers' front office, but that would require a sign-and-trade. If L.A. didn't have enough to tempt Indiana when Ron Artest was available, its chances of concocting a deal for the shooter Kobe so badly needs probably aren't worth discussing.

5. What the NBA finalists do

Dallas will be active right from the start, maybe more active than you'd expect for a team that just went to the Finals for the first time ever. Activity is probably a good thing, though, for a team trying to gain some distance from the biggest Finals collapse in league history ... and for a team that has to outlast San Antonio and Phoenix just to have another shot at the title.

Free-agent guard Jason Terry has told teammates that they can expect him to re-sign as early as possible, but the Mavs -- who also hope to sign Howard and Dirk Nowitzki to contract extensions -- still plan to pursue Toronto's Mike James in a sign-and-trade. Mavs coach Avery Johnson is a fan of James' toughness and confidence and likes the idea of playing James and Terry together.

The issues? The Mavs are planning to offer Marquis Daniels in a sign-and-trade for James, having concluded that Daniels' future is elsewhere, but the Raps are cool on the swingman, believing they'll get better sign-and-trade offers. Issue No. 2: James, 31, is seeking a five-year contract, and the Mavs are unlikely to offer more than three years. With James expected to attract plenty of interest in the West alone, Dallas could be forced to look elsewhere in its search for better playmaking and another shooter.

As for the new champs, I'm really focused on only one of their free agents. Alonzo Mourning, Gary Payton and James Posey are certainly important, and the Heat will have to address their bench and advancing age to hold off next season's long list of challengers, but Riley's return is the story.

If the Heat really want to repeat, they have to start by re-upping the coach who molded this team into a unit, outsmarted us all and turned up the intensity on this summer.

[Clockwork Orange]

Looks like it's Peja to the Hornets, Vlad Rad to the Lakers and Tim Thomas to the Clippers. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2507013)

[GonzoLays]

Charlie Villanueva AND CASH to the Bucks for TJ Ford. OUCH!

The Raps got bent over in that deal. They should have AT THE MINIMUM secured a furture first as well.

On the other hand, with the way the game is moving, having a penetrating point guard is quite valuable. No hand checking really opens up their games.

[RhymesayersDU]

wow @ all the moves.

Peja will make the Hornets a playoff team. They were on the fringe last year and will only get better.

Tim Thomas will help the Clippers for sure, even if they let Cassell go I think Livingston is ready to start.

Vlad can play some ball, him Kobe and Odom could be a decent trio.

[WABronco]

Vlad can shoot 3's...and that's all.

Fixed:)

[Clockwork Orange]

Nuggets Cassell quest may come up short. (http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nba/article/0,2777,DRMN_23922_4817877,00.html)

The Nuggets have made a run at Sam Cassell. It's possible it will be short-lived.

The Los Angeles Clippers free-agent guard said in a brief phone conversation late Saturday afternoon that he spoke on the phone earlier in the day with Nuggets coach George Karl, and that he was strongly considering the Nuggets.

"Me and George talked," Cassell said. "It's (Cassell's interest) pretty serious."

Karl, who coached Cassell with Milwaukee from 1998-2003, agreed matters were serious.

"He's a wonderful human being," Karl, whose team is also taking a long look at Sacramento shooting guard Bonzi Wells, said Saturday night. "If we weren't interested in him, I wouldn't have made the call. But we have restrictions."

The foremost restriction is the Nuggets only have the midlevel exception of $5 million to offer Cassell, who made $6.1 million last season. And there are reports from the Los Angeles Times and Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Cassell has agreed to return to the Clippers for $13 million over two years.

Cassell could not be reached to comment on the report, although he told ESPNNews "it's looking pretty good'' for the Clippers. One of his agents denied the Atlanta report late Saturday night.

"I don't think so," Charles Tucker said of an agreement being reached with the Clippers.

Tucker did say that agent David Falk is also working with Cassell on a deal. He said both the Clippers and the Atlanta Hawks have given Cassell two-year, $13 million offers.

As for the Nuggets, Tucker said does not believe they can land Cassell unless it's in a sign-and-trade.

"I would think it probably would have to be that," Tucker said.

Using the midlevel exception, the most the Nuggets could offer Cassell over two years is about $10.5 million.

Cassell wants to play two more years, and get into coaching. His great respect for Karl is one reason he has talked about possibly joining the Nuggets.

Cassell spent Saturday in his hometown of Baltimore. He joined Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony, who also is from Baltimore, at a three-on-three event Anthony hosted.

Having just the midlevel also could hamper the Nuggets in their pursuit of Wells, who made $8 million last season and doesn't appear ready to take much of a pay cut. Wells' agent, William Phillips, said has spoken to the Nuggets about his client.

"Their interest is very strong," Phillips said. "But there are teams under the cap that are interested (and could offer more)."

Phillips said the Kings have made Wells an offer for more than the midlevel exception, but he declined to give precise details. Phillips believes the Nuggets would need to put together a sign-and-trade to land Wells.

Phillips said he will set up visits for Wells to five or six teams. He declined to say whether Wells, who played in Portland when Nuggets director of player personnel Mark Warkentien and assistant coach Tim Grgurich were there, would visit Denver.

With Saturday being the first day teams could contact free agents, the Nuggets were busy on the phones. Agent Mark Bartelstein said they called to ask about several of his players.

"They called about Darius Songaila, Eddie House, Tony Delk, Jake Voskuhl, Aaron Williams and Devean George," Bartelstein said.

With shooting being Denver's top priority, House, who did not pick up his player option with Phoenix, and George, almost certain to leave the Los Angeles Lakers after they agreed to a deal with Vladimir Radmanovic, look to the two of the most interest on that list. The Nuggets did try to acquire Delk when his contract was bought out by Atlanta late last season, but he ended up in Detroit.

"I think everybody knows we need shooting," Warkentien said. "We were 30th in the league in (three-point shooting)."

Warkentien would not talk about free agentss. The Nuggets are also believed to be interested in Cleveland shooting guard Ronald Murray.

The Nuggets have six free agents. Warkentien said he spoke Saturday to the agents of all of them, including Dan Fegan, who represents restricted free-agent big man Nene.

"I can confirm we've begun negotiations with Nene," said Warkentien, declining further comment on the big man who could command $10 million a year.

Karl reiterated his interest in wanting to hold on to Nene.

"I'm very confident about Nene," Karl said. "Everybody knows that I'd like to keep Nene."

The Nuggets would have seven days to match any offer for the big men. Among teams with cap room, Atlanta is said to be in the mix while Chicago is looking first at Ben Wallace and Joel Przybilla. Toronto looks as if it may not go after Nene after having drafted Andrea Bargnani and trading for Rasho Nesterovic.

NBA observers expect Nene's negotiations to not go quickly. Due to missing the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in the opener, he would have to be looked at carefully by another team before an offer is made.

Also, the risk is increased due to Nene, who got married Saturday in Brazil, being a restricted free agent.

The Nuggets have two other free-agent big men in Reggie Evans and Francisco Elson, who is restricted. Karl said the Nuggets will move slowly on those two.

"Nene is ahead of him," Karl said when asked about Evans. He put Elson in a similar category, but then added that both "could be in our plans."

Elson has a better chance of staying than Evans. Because he is restricted, the Nuggets can match any offer and they can exceed the salary cap to sign him. The Nuggets would have to use part or all of their midlevel exception to retain Evans.

An individual close to Evans said he is considering signing with New York, Memphis, the Clippers and Minnesota.

Elson's agent, Calvin Andrews said three or four teams have called about Elson. He said the Nuggets have no problem with Elson looking at other teams.

"They want him back," Andrews said. "But we're going to field offers and see (what happens)."

Karl also spoke of wanting to hold onto free-agent guard Greg Buckner.

"Of course, I'd like to keep Buck," Karl said. "He's an important part of our first seven players."

Karl was less strong on free-agent guard DerMarr Johnson, saying he would be addressed later in the process. If the Nuggets trade disgruntled forward Kenyon Martin, it would seem unlikely that Johnson, his good friend, would return.

[Clockwork Orange]

Per the aforementioned "source" there should be an announcement this evening that the Nuggets have agreed on a deal with Nene.

[Nuggets4]

Charlie Villanueva AND CASH to the Bucks for TJ Ford. OUCH!

The Raps got bent over in that deal. They should have AT THE MINIMUM secured a furture first as well.

On the other hand, with the way the game is moving, having a penetrating point guard is quite valuable. No hand checking really opens up their games.

Villanueva is going to resort to being the lazy player he was in college. He wanted to prove people wrong from the draft and did. Now he's going to be the slug he's always been. Meanwhile, TJ Ford is a potential all-star.

[Nuggets4]

Per the aforementioned "source" there should be an announcement this evening that the Nuggets have agreed on a deal with Nene.

6 years, $60 million. (http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_4005750)

[Man-Goblin]

6 years, $60 million. (http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_4005750)

That's about what I expected....They really have to, HAVE to trade Martin now....I don't think silent Stanley is too interesting in paying a Cuban-esque amount of luxury tax...

[RhymesayersDU]

That's about what I expected....They really have to, HAVE to trade Martin now....I don't think silent Stanley is too interesting in paying a Cuban-esque amount of luxury tax...
I think you're right, and I am hoping that this means that they have a K-Mart deal in place, which is why they went ahead and signed Nene.

[Man-Goblin]

I think you're right, and I am hoping that this means that they have a K-Mart deal in place, which is why they went ahead and signed Nene.

I hope that's the case, but you gotta figure even if they didn't have a deal for K-mart done they had to act fast on Nene. You didn't want another franchise blowing in his ear and driving up the price.

[BroncoBuff]

6 years, $60 million. (http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_4005750)
That article says they're close with Reggie Evans, too.

They've gotta unload Kenyon now. With Nene, Evans and Najera, there's no room for him ... and what are the chances of keeping Elson?

[WABronco]

That article says they're close with Reggie Evans, too.

They've gotta unload Kenyon now. With Nene, Evans and Najera, there's no room for him ... and what are the chances of keeping Elson?
It seems like a forgone conclusion to me as well. Don't forget Kleiza either...

That's going to be a killer rotation at the 4. Evans and Najera are gonna just wear everyone out...

[JunkyardWillie]

Hopefully there is something in the works for a good SG for say some roster trash like Kenyon and Patterson

[Man-Goblin]

This was an interesting note in the ESPN.com Nene article....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2507745

"One potential suitor for Martin is Dallas. Sources say the Mavericks are interested in adding toughness and athleticism to their front line."

Off the top of my head, they'd probably have to take Van Horn's salary off their hands...and maybe Marquis Daniels? I've heard the Nuggs have had interest in him in the past. Makes sense considering he can't shoot from the perimeter....I like him better than Patterson or Wells, at least.

[Clockwork Orange]

Looks like Karl is at least going to attempt to mend fences with Martin. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2507685)

DENVER -- Enough time has passed since a confrontation with Kenyon Martin, and George Karl is ready to mend the relationship.

The Denver Nuggets head coach suspended Martin for the final three playoff games against the Los Angeles Clippers last spring for insubordination and hasn't spoken to him since. Karl said he wanted things to cool off before they spoke.

However, Karl is hoping their paths soon cross.

"Hopefully we'll be able to work it out," said Karl, who was watching the Nuggets' summer-league team practice Sunday at the Pepsi Center. "There's a high likelihood that he could be part of the team come October. He's got to be ready for that, and I've got to be ready for that."

Carmelo Anthony has even agreed to play the role of mediator, should his services be needed.

When told of that, Karl just smiled.

"That's fine," Karl said.

Martin and Karl had a heated confrontation during halftime of Game 2 in Los Angeles. Martin, who played a career-low 56 games last season thanks to microfracture surgery on his left knee, was irritated over playing limited minutes in the playoffs.

Soon after the outburst, Karl suspended him.

One of the glaring questions this offseason was whether Karl and Martin could repair the rift between them. Martin still has five years left on the seven-year, $93 million deal he signed before Karl joined the Nuggets. The high price tag makes trading him difficult.

So Karl and Martin have to find a way to work together. Karl thinks some type of understanding can be reached.

"I'm just trying to coach my team and Kenyon's a part of the team," Karl said.

One player that Karl will be able to coach for years to come is Anthony after the Nuggets signed him to a contract extension Saturday. The Nuggets worked out the parameters of a five-year deal worth approximately $80 million. Anthony can't officially sign the contract until July 12.

Karl was glad to see a deal take place.

"He's a special player," Karl said. "Everybody wants to keep him in Denver forever. He's earned that by what he's done."

Anthony, 22, was named to the third team all-NBA last season when he averaged 26.5 points a game. Anthony, taken with the third pick in the 2003 draft, is averaging 22.8 points in his career.

Yet Anthony has never helped the Nuggets win a playoff series. The team has been eliminated in the first round the past three years.

"He's very disappointed ... and challenged by that," Karl said.

During a news conference last week, Anthony was asked about his relationship with Karl and more specifically, if he was getting acclimated to Karl's coaching methods.

"I've learned to deal with George and his style," Anthony said. "He has his own way of going about [coaching]. He wants to win. He wants to make players better."

Karl said all he asks for is an honest day's effort.

"The only guys I've ever really had trouble with are guys who don't play hard and don't like to practice," Karl said. "I think Melo likes to play and likes to practice and so I don't think we'll ever have a problem.

"Sometimes as a coach you push your players to be better and sometimes you cross the line, and sometimes they cross the line on not giving enough competitive spirit."
--------------------------------

Could just be a ploy to try and make sure they get a little something back when they trade him. Highly likely considering the kind of money they just gave Nene.

[jossjeff]

Wow

I like Radmanovic as a player but he can't defend to save his life.

Dude can bust a 3 though, at 6'9'' he is an interesting matchup.

But 30 plus million for a part timer who is really one dimentional?

I wanted him resigned but I have to say I'd rather have Tim Thomas. That MF killed us in the Suns/Clips playoff series.He can shoot the 3 but that's not all he can do. Hopefully now that it's not a contract year he will continue to make plays for us.

The article also points that Cassell is next in line, that was really starting to make me nervous.

My wish list would include another defensive Guard and Post player.

Other than that I'll take a Thomas for Vlad swap considering we actually paid him less.

[Clockwork Orange]

6 years, $60 million. (http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_4005750)

That seems like a lot until you look at what other bigs have signed for recently. His deal actually looks pretty standard.

Tyson Chandler: 6 years, $75 million
Adonal Foyle (believe it or not): 5 years, $41.6 million
Samuel Dalembert: 6 years, $58 million

People can say the Nuggets overpaid if they want, but it sure looks like they paid market value to me.

[Jens1893]

Nowitzki is about to extend his contract that runs until 2008 for 3 years for almost $ 60m

[RhymesayersDU]

Nowitzki is about to extend his contract that runs until 2008 for 3 years for almost $ 60m
Despite the Dirk/Mavs bashing that goes on around these parts to get under the skins of the Maverick Faithful, he deserves every penny. Phenomenal year he had.

[Gcver2ver3]

Time for the Bulls to pull in the number one free agent out there....


C'mon Big Ben....pack your bags and head to the Windy City!!

[NCSTBronco]

he is, 4 year 52mil

[WABronco]

Wow

I like Radmanovic as a player but he can't defend to save his life.

Dude can bust a 3 though, at 6'9'' he is an interesting matchup.

But 30 plus million for a part timer who is really one dimentional?

I wanted him resigned but I have to say I'd rather have Tim Thomas. That MF killed us in the Suns/Clips playoff series.He can shoot the 3 but that's not all he can do. Hopefully now that it's not a contract year he will continue to make plays for us.

The article also points that Cassell is next in line, that was really starting to make me nervous.

My wish list would include another defensive Guard and Post player.

Other than that I'll take a Thomas for Vlad swap considering we actually paid him less.

Yea, Vlad blows. He pouts too much and he can't rebound or defend to save his life...

I'd definitely take Thomas over Vlad...

[RhymesayersDU]

Free Agency Winners, Per ESPN

Bulls are big winners in free agency so far
By John Hollinger

The free-agent feeding frenzy is off to an unusually quick start this summer, perhaps propelled by the near-total lack of anyone even remotely resembling a superstar. With so little quality on the market, teams with cap space jumped in early and drove up the bidding on the few players worth more than the midlevel exception.

Some teams play this game better than others, however, so it's time to begin sorting out the winners and losers. While this may seem mildly insane given that we've had less than a week of dealing and contracts can't be signed until next Wednesday, enough activity has already gone down that there's plenty of material with which to work.

Let's start with the winners, or rather The Winner. Actually, there are two other teams that qualify as winners, but the Chicago Bulls are the runaway winner from early July on my scorecard.

I have them in that spot not only because of the signing of Ben Wallace, but for the ancillary moves they've made (and are still making) that has them positioned to be a major player in the East for years to come.

The story begins with Wallace, though, since he's the main piece around which the others will revolve.

The Bulls have become a pretty decent team even without an All-Star caliber player -- they won 41 games in 2005-06 and took Miami to six games in the first round. If they were able to do that with a frontcourt in which Malik Allen, Mike Sweetney, Darius Songaila and Othello Harrington played major roles (starting 94 games between them), one has to think their odds of joining the 50-win elite in the East improve significantly with Big Ben in the middle.

Moreover, they didn't overpay as grossly as some might fear. They gave Wallace some serious wampum at $15 million a year, but for an All-Star center that's not horribly extravagant. A year earlier, for instance, Zydrunas Ilgauskas got five years and $55 million from the Cavs, and his health concerns were more serious than those for Wallace.

I won't even talk about what Erick Dampier, Samuel Dalembert, Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler got in the last two offseasons. Even Wallace's former team, who presumably would be able to gauge his value the best, offered an average of $13 million a year. Chicago overpaid, but it wasn't by a lot.

Additionally, the Bulls gave Wallace a four-year deal, not the standard five or six-year fare, which means if he turns out to be a bust they won't spend the next five years trying to dump his contract.

That may seem like a minor point now, but it's an important consideration when you look at some of the recent big free-agent contracts.

Over the past two years, 34 different players signed free-agent deals worth at least $35 million. Of those, by my count, there are at least 15 whose teams would gladly give them away if they could. I mean literally give them away, just to be rid of the contract.

(Those lucky souls would be Dampier, Dalembert, Chandler, Darius Miles, Kenyon Martin, Brian Cardinal, Marquis Daniels, Adonal Foyle, Marko Jaric, Troy Hudson, Mark Blount, Quentin Richardson, Etan Thomas and Derek Fisher, whom in fact the Warriors did just hand over to the Jazz.)

Beyond those, there are at least another five whose teams deeply regret signing them (or should) -- Curry, Carlos Boozer, Larry Hughes, Stephen Jackson, and Bobby Simmons.

So basically, out of 34 players, at least 20 have worked out absolutely terribly for the team that signed them. Even that list leaves out a few deals that don't seem so fragrant now and could eventually make the list (Cuttino Mobley in L.A., for instance, or Dan Gadzuric in Milwaukee).

Twenty busts out of 34 contracts. Isn't that amazing, considering these teams are the supposed "winners" of free agency? And shouldn't that be a huge signal that teams ought to be more careful in taking risks like this in the free agent market?

Thus, teams need to factor in the possibility of needing to dump the contract at some point, and the risk of being stuck with a cap-killer like K-Mart's deal in Denver. By limiting the years on Wallace's deal, Chicago did that. Yes, they still overpaid, but in this market you have to. The Bulls at least limited their risk as much as they could.

Additionally, the fit couldn't be more perfect. The Bulls are hardcore about defense, so Wallace should be right at home at that end of the floor. He'll take over the role previously filled by Tyson Chandler, only he'll do it much, much more effectively. And because the Bulls like to push the pace offensively, he should be able to benefit from more easy transition baskets than he got in Detroit's plodding system.

But I like the Bulls' moves for more than just the Wallace signing. As I mentioned above, they've done yeoman work in getting the proper surrounding pieces in place. Most notable is the deal the Bulls have made that will send Chandler to the Hornets for forward P.J. Brown and guard J.R. Smith.

If and when this trade is consummated on July 12, as expected, it will be a huge win for the Bulls on several levels.

In terms of the talent acquired, it's exactly what Chicago needs. Smith is a 6-6 shooting guard with massive potential as a scorer, and the two things the Bulls need most desperately are scoring and big guards. And in terms of the talent departed, it's exactly what the Bulls don't need -- in Wallace, they already have a center who defends and rebounds but can't score, and he's better than Chandler.

Second, there's the salary angle. Brown's contract expires after the season, while Chandler still has five years left on his deal. This is hugely important for the Bulls because it will pull them far enough away from the luxury tax that they can keep adding to their core next year -- even after they extend the contracts of Kirk Hinrich and Andres Nocioni, who are both eligible for deals this fall.

Finally, there's the big fish they're still trying to catch. The one thing the Bulls lack is a genuine superstar, and there's a certain fellow in Minnesota who has Chicago roots and could fill that niche nicely. Even if they can't obtain Kevin Garnett this summer, the Chandler deal keeps the Bulls in position to make a run at him in the next 12 months by adding an enticing young trade pawn in Smith and maintaining enough luxury-tax room to absorb Garnett's behemoth salary.

Besides, it's tough not to like Paxson's trades when he chooses his partners so well. His trading strategy of the past few years can neatly be summarized as "find the biggest sucker at the table and take all his chips before everyone else does."

Just look at what happened when Isiah Thomas took over in New York. Right away, there was Pax-man on the phone, happily dishing out a Jamal Crawford appetizer before serving up the Curry main course.

In the 2006 draft, Paxson expanded his trading universe only slightly, keeping his dealings limited to the lost-at-sea, GM-less Blazers and the Sixers' embattled Billy King and ending up with high-flying forward Tyrus Thomas and Swiss swingman Thabo Sefolosha.

So now I have to wonder -- is the Hornets' Jeff Bower Paxson's next target? Bower hasn't seemed a fool in his brief stewardship, but perhaps Paxson knows something we don't. Certainly the Hornets' moves this summer leave a lot to be desired as I discuss in my rundown of July's losers.

Regardless, it's hard not to like these revamped Bulls. It's not just that they added a cornerstone in Big Ben, it's that they did it while keeping their risk somewhat limited and staying in position to strike if Kevin Garnett becomes available. They seem ready to make the leap to the Eastern Conference's elite, and for that reason I'm crowning them the big winner of the first week of free agency.

Other winners:

Los Angeles Clippers
Beyond the shocking fact that they actually spent some money was the nearly equally shocking fact that they spent it fairly intelligently. Sam Cassell's 2-year, $13 million deal is completely, utterly reasonable, which is almost unheard of in an offseason that's already seen several goofball contracts thrown around.

I was less thrilled with Tim Thomas's four-year, $24 million deal, but if the choice is between that and paying $31 million to Vladimir Radmanovic, I'll take Thomas, thanks. Not only will he do the same things Vlad did for less money, but adding him also takes a bite out of the Clippers' key rival for Pacific Division supremacy.

You could almost picture a faux-apologetic Elgin Baylor calling Mike D'Antoni and saying, "Sorry we took your player. By the way, enjoy the Eric Piatkowski era. He's a legend here."

Milwaukee Bucks
I've always felt Larry Harris was an underrated GM, and he made a great deal trading T.J. Ford for Charlie V. A great deal.

There's much more on this in my July losers column, in which I talk about the Toronto Raptors, so I won't repeat myself here, but suffice to say that between Chicago and Milwaukee the Central Division just got even tougher.

[RhymesayersDU]

Losers, Per ESPN:

Hornets, Raptors may live to regret bold moves
By John Hollinger

The hard truth about sports is that not everyone comes out on top. For every winner, there must be a loser. So, to go along with my column on the three offseason winners (so far), here are the three teams that that probably have done more harm than good to themselves the past week:


New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
When it comes to personnel decisions, the single biggest mistake teams make is not being honest with themselves about where they stand. Examples abound, but one that sticks out came two years ago. That's when the 76ers imagined themselves to be a player away from contention and pulled the trigger on a deal for Chris Webber, a trade that only put them further away from the promised land and will probably result in Allen Iverson's departure this summer.

This year's better-take-another-look-in-the-mirror award goes to the Hornets, who apparently think they're on the cusp of something big. How else to explain the free-agent acquisitions of Peja Stojakovic and Bobby Jackson, or the trade for Tyson Chandler?

The Jackson addition can at least be written off as a wash. The man he replaces, Speedy Claxton, was an energizing, shoot-first backup point guard who will spend 30 games on the injured list next year -- just like Jackson, in other words. No harm, no foul on that one.

The Peja deal is harder to stomach. I talked in the winners column about teams signing players to big free-agent deals and then feverishly trying to unload them just a year or two later. This contract seems like a mortal lock to fall in that category.

Stojakovic will be making $13 million a year for the next five years, even though he's barely been worth half of that over the past two seasons. He's also had injuries to virtually every square inch of his legs in that time -- plantar fasciitis, sprained ankles, pulled hamstrings, sore knees -- which should be a giant red flag for any team about to sign him to a long-term deal that runs into his 30s.

When the Hornets are trying to unload Stojakovic in the summer of 2008, they'll also be desperately seeking takers for the final three years of Tyson Chandler's six-year, $60 million deal. (And unfortunately for the Hornets, Isiah Thomas probably will be out of a job by then.)

The Stojakovic and Chandler acquisitions might be acceptable if the Hornets were a veteran, 50-win team trying to make one last push for the ring. This team desperately needed shooting, and Stojakovic certainly can shoot the ball as well as anyone in the game.

It also lacked size in the middle, so adding Chandler to the mix should put the Hornets ahead on that front, too. Of course, cynics will point out that the Hornets already drafted not one but two big men that can't score (Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons), so adding Chandler to the mix seems like a Department of Redundancy Department special.

Let's get back to that pesky mirror, though.

Stojakovic and Chandler will probably help, but will it really matter if they do? The Hornets won 38 games a year ago, and were significantly worse than their record indicated -- based on points scored and points allowed, they could have expected to go 31-51. Thus, even with Stojakovic and Chandler, they could easily end up south of .500.

Moreover, the two contracts they took on mean the Hornets' rebuilding effort is essentially over already. Even after signing Stojakovic, they were looking at having significant cap space again next summer because the contracts of Brown, Marc Jackson, Desmond Mason and Moochie Norris were coming off the books. Instead, they've essentially opted to have Chandler be their free-agent signing for 2007. That is, unless they don't plan on extending David West this fall, which would be an odd move considering he's twice the player Chandler is.

(Incidentally, this is why we shouldn't be too quick to pat Hornets owners George Shinn on the back for spending money. Even after all this action, the team is under the luxury tax and will barely be over the cap next year.)

The Hornets should have gone in an opposite direction from the one they took.

Rather than trade a 20-year-old with Smith's potential, they should be exploring ways to mend his relationship with Byron Scott.

Rather than targeting Stojakovic, Jackson and Chandler, they should be focused on adding less expensive players with greater upside -- Jackie Butler instead of Chandler, Eddie House instead of Jackson. And, if they were really that desperate for a shooter, Vladimir Radmanovic instead of Stojakovic.

They'd be slightly worse in 2006-07, but have much more room to maneuver in the future.

Instead, because they weren't honest with themselves, the Hornets may have inadvertently made themselves the new 76ers -- a capped-out 38-win team that has itself painted into a corner with untradable contracts.

Toronto Raptors
Between the draft and free agency, a little deal between Toronto and Milwaukee got lost in the shuffle. It shouldn't have, because it's potentially one of the most one-sided trades of the decade.

Just before free agency opened, the Raptors dealt forward Charlie Villanueva to the Bucks in return for guard T.J. Ford. There were no draft picks, cash or deadweight contracts thrown in -- it was just Ford for Villanueva, straight up. As such, it was one of the more baffling deals I've ever seen.

As with most one-sided deals, it came about because a team had a need at a position and decided to overpay to meet it. With Mike James's impending free agency, Toronto found itself needing a point guard, and in Villanueva had a surplus forward to use as the bait.

The problem is that now the Raptors don't have Villanueva . . . and they still need a point guard. Ford is a fine energizer as a 20-minute guy off the bench, but as the Bucks learned last season, he leaves much to be desired as a starter.

Ford's inability to shoot makes it easy to defend him in pick-and-roll situations and encourages opponents to play zones -- especially since the Raptors don't have a Michael Redd to keep opponents honest. And on defense, his 5-10 frame (or 6-0, if you believe the official listing) makes him ripe for abuse by all but the smallest opposing point guards.

Ford is also a major injury risk, missing the entire 2004-05 season after bruising his spinal cord -- the result of a condition called spinal stenosis that makes him vulnerable to this sort of injury. Plus, at 165 pounds, it's not like his neck is the only body part that's at risk.

Then there's the salary angle. Ford is eligible for an extension this summer, while Villanueva will be playing for peanuts for three more seasons.

Since the Raptors just traded for Ford, from a face-saving perspective it will be very difficult for them not to extend his deal -- otherwise, why trade a popular rookie for a guy who leaves after one season as a free agent? And since Ford's agent undoubtedly knows this, the price is likely to be much higher than it ought to be.

Even if they made the same money, or had the same injury risk, or were the same age (Villanueva is more than a year younger), this deal is a tough one to fathom.

Villanueva finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting after a stellar 2005-06 season which include a 48-point explosion against the Bucks in March. He is 6-11, rebounds well, can handle the ball and has 3-point range. Basically, he's the prototypical modern power forward. Yes, he sometimes loses concentration and his defense needs a lot of work, but the talent disparity in this trade is simply enormous.

The thing that really puzzles me about this deal is that Bryan Colangelo was the one pulling the trigger for Toronto. Nearly everything he touched turned to gold in Phoenix, and his first move with the Raptors seemed just as astute -- swinging the little-discussed Rafael Araujo-Kris Humphries deal that bought him some extra cap space this summer and, if he gets lucky, a real basketball player instead of Araujo.

But trading Villanueva for Ford? Sorry folks, I have to call 'em like I see 'em, and I see this one as being just astoundingly stupid. Even if they'd decided to get rid of Villanueva -- a defensible position, considering the Raptors' surplus of big forwards -- they had to be able to get much more than this in return. And if this was really all the market would bear, they should have waited till the trade deadline.

But most of all, they shouldn't have done this deal. Villanueva is a rising star. Ford is a backup-quality point guard who will cost more and has much greater odds of getting hurt.

By swapping the two, Toronto took a major step backward, and Milwaukee an equally big step ahead.

Detroit Pistons
They fall in this category not because they failed to match the Bulls' offer to Ben Wallace, but because of the poor planning that preceded it. All of Detroit's moves of the past 12 months were predicated on the idea that they would re-sign Ben Wallace and go on merrily winning. So how did they end up failing to keep Wallace and having Nazr Mohammed as the fallback position?

When Joe Dumars traded Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo to the Magic at midseason, his logic was that Milicic wasn't ever going to get a chance to play in Detroit with Wallace around, and that his team needed space under the luxury tax in order to keep Big Ben. That would have been fine and dandy if he had read the market for Wallace correctly, but he didn't.

In a market where five teams had max-contract cap space but Wallace was the only All-Star caliber free-agent, Dumars had to know that somebody was going to step forward with an over-the-top offer to try to lure Wallace away. So at the time he dealt Milicic, he should have been looking at only two alternatives -- matching the inevitable insane offer for Wallace, or making contingency plans.

Instead, he went halfway -- dumping just enough salary to make a halfway decent offer for Wallace and counting on Wallace's loyalty to prevail over the dollar signs. That's not the way to bet, my friends.

As a result, instead of being able to plug Darko in at center, having Arroyo around to back up the point and keeping enough assets to make a run at Al Harrington, Dumars is trying to plug several holes at once while his team is over the salary cap.

(And while we're talking about Detroit salary dumps, what about inexplicably giving away Maurice Evans last week to the Lakers for a second-round draft pick? His $1.5 million is one of the league's biggest bargains, and they just donate him to L.A. for no reason? Huh?)

I'll give Detroit a mulligan if they somehow entice the Hawks to sign-and-trade Harrington, but considering the Hawks' needs at point guard and center and Detroit's inability to meet them, I can't see it happening.

And while I like Mohammed -- an intelligent, underrated, low-key guy who will fit perfectly in Detroit -- it's going to be tough for Detroit to keep contending for titles with such a drop-off at the center spot.

Until or unless Dumars can make a follow-up move that radically alters the picture, the Pistons join the Raptors and Hornets as the summer's biggest losers.

[Gcver2ver3]

Free Agency Winners, Per ESPN



good read.......

[RhymesayersDU]

Da Bulls...

Updated: July 5, 2006, 6:25 PM ET
Bulls to deal Chandler to Hornets for Brown, Smith
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

The Chicago Bulls and New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Wednesday reached a verbal agreement on the widely expected trade that will send Bulls center Tyson Chandler to the Hornets for veteran forward P.J. Brown and swingman J.R. Smith.

NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that the players involved have been notified that the deal will officially go through July 12, which is the first day NBA teams can officially complete signings and trades after the league announces the salary cap for the 2006-07 season.

The ability to deal away Chandler, who has five years and $54 million left on his contract, was crucial for the Bulls in their pursuit of Ben Wallace. They likely couldn't have offered Wallace as much as they did -- nearly $60 million over four years -- without receiving Brown's much friendlier contract in return.

The willingness to take on Chandler's contract, meanwhile, represents the third bold move from the traditionally quiet Hornets in the space of a week, after years of criticism endured by Hornets owner George Shinn for his reluctance to spend.

"It's my understanding that the trade is going to happen," said Mark Bartelstein, Brown's agent. "P.J. is very excited. He feels like the Bulls have an opportunity to compete for a championship. He really enjoyed his time with the Hornets, but he has so many fond memories of his days in Miami and contending every year that Chicago is a really good situation for him to get back to."

New Orleans/Oklahoma City commenced its aggressive summer makeover by offering Peja Stojakovic a five-year deal worth more than $60 million to entice the sharpshooting former All-Star to leave the Indiana Pacers. That was Saturday.

On Sunday, Shinn followed the Stojakovic coup by sanctioning a three-year commitment worth more than $15 million to Memphis Grizzlies guard Bobby Jackson.

The venerable Brown, who turns 37 in October, has only one season left on his contract at $8 million. Swapping Brown and the out-of-favor Smith for Chandler means New Orleans/Oklahoma City has committed to well over $120 million in new contracts since free agency began Saturday at 12:01 a.m.

It adds up to the most unexpected outlay ever seen from Shinn, even more unexpected than the big contracts he awarded Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn in the club's Charlotte days. Those moves were contract extensions. The Hornets have never been known for making offseason splashes such as these.

Yet this deal holds obvious appeal on both sides.

Hornets coach Byron Scott, himself the recipient of a three-year contract extension just before the draft, wants to play an up-tempo game and will inevitably see the more athletic Chandler, at 7-foot-1 and turning 24 in October, as a better fit than Brown alongside Rookie of the Year point guard Chris Paul, Stojakovic and power forward David West.

The trade makes even more sense for the Bulls. They don't want to play two non-scorers together (Chandler and Wallace) and moving out Chandler's expensive contract for Brown's expiring deal makes it much easier to absorb Wallace's deal.

Brown, furthermore, is regarded as one of the best locker-room influences in the league and, along with Wallace, would provide legitimate size ... as well as the veteran know-how lacking in Chicago since the breakup of Michael Jordan's Bulls after their sixth and final championship in 1998.

Smith has at least three players ahead of him in Chicago's swing rotation -- Andres Nocioni, Ben Gordon and Luol Deng -- but the 20-year-old has attracted significant trade interest since falling out of Scott's rotation halfway through the season. Smith, then, figures to be a valuable trade chip for the Bulls if he can't crack coach Scott Skiles' rotation, although league restrictions on trades would make it difficult for Chicago to move him until 60 days after this trade is officially consummated.

[RhymesayersDU]

Booo Jazz....

Updated: July 5, 2006, 6:53 PM ET
Jazz reportedly agree to take Fisher from Warriors
ESPN.com news services

Over the past few years, the Utah Jazz have assembled a quality frontcourt. It looks like they want a backcourt to match it.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported Wednesday that the Jazz have reached agreement in principle on a four-player trade with the Golden State Warriors that would bring point guard Derek Fisher to Utah.

Utah's backcourt was a revolving door last season, with 2005 first-round pick Deron Williams coming along slowly at the point, and journeyman Devin Brown and his 6.3 career scoring average earning starts at shooting guard. Things will be different this season.

According to the Tribune, the Jazz will ship Brown and guards Keith McLeod and Andre Owens to the Warriors for Fisher. That comes after the Jazz drafted combo guard Ronnie Brewer out of Arkansas and Williams' former teammate, point Dee Brown from Illinois, in this year's draft.

The trade with the Warriors will not become official until Owens signs a free-agent contract with the Jazz, something he can't do until July 12.

Fisher was a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. He spent the first eight years of his career in L.A., reaching his peak with a game-winning, buzzer-beating shot against the Spurs in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference finals. The Lakers won the series but lost in the NBA Finals.

Fisher was shipped out in the offseason and has spent the last two seasons with the Warriors. Although his scoring averages had been in decline for a number of years, Fisher found new life in the Bay Area. Backing up Baron Davis last season, he registered career highs in scoring (13.3) and assists (4.3).

[GonzoLays]

I'm still waiting on the Iverson to Boston deal. You guys don't want to see it. Nobody wants to see it. Iverson and Pierce together? A combined 60 pts per game average between them? What?! The greatest 1-2 scoring punch since who? Some tandem back in the 60's? You guys don't want to see it.

The Truth lies in The Answer, baby!!

[RhymesayersDU]

I'm still waiting on the Iverson to Boston deal. You guys don't want to see it. Nobody wants to see it. Iverson and Pierce together? A combined 60 pts per game average between them? What?! The greatest 1-2 scoring punch since who? Some tandem back in the 60's? You guys don't want to see it.

The Truth lies in The Answer, baby!!
I actually would like to see it. I've been an AI fan since he got into the league, and I'd love to see him win. Him and PP would be deadly.

Although that means I'd have to buy a Celtics jersey, and I don't have much green to match them.

[Clockwork Orange]

They'll trade Iverson to the Western Conference if at all possible.

[GonzoLays]

I actually would like to see it. I've been an AI fan since he got into the league, and I'd love to see him win. Him and PP would be deadly.

Although that means I'd have to buy a Celtics jersey, and I don't have much green to match them.

That would be the sweetest jersey on the market:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/celticskid15/43t4ert5f4e.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/celticskid15/aibos0zd.png

I have never purchased a jersey before because that ain't my style, but if the Answer comes to Boston I am going to be one jersey buying fool!

[RhymesayersDU]

Oh yeah, I'd get the home white for sure. It'd be sweet.

And <3 SLAM.

[GonzoLays]

They'll trade Iverson to the Western Conference if at all possible.


Yea, they would, but right now the only team showing interest in the West is Memphis. What do they have to offer? Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry and Eddie Jones' expiring contract? Who knows? Boston has a potential superstar to trade in Gerald Green (6' 7.5" SG with a unreal 45 inch verticle who can actually shoot the ball. Worst case scenario for this kid is Gerald Wallace but Wallace can't shoot and he averaged 15 pts and 7 boards last year. Green averaged 15 pts per game over the final seven games of the season when he finally got some run. And he shot nearly 50% from the floor. He can ball.), Rajon Rondo (A defensive PG, Philly needs one) and Wally Z who they can then trade to Cleveland for Drew Gooden. Gooden, Green and Rondo for Iverson is not that bad.

[GonzoLays]

Oh yeah, I'd get the home white for sure. It'd be sweet.

And <3 SLAM.

And I'm getting the arm and head band too! I'm going all out. !Booya!

F*ck the future Danny Ainge, get the Answer. Just get him. I'm tired of losing. Its been damn near 20 years since the Celtics were relevant in this league. We need to make that power move, now!

I will definitely be bumed if don't get Iverson after all this talk. Really bumed.

Just do it already!

[WABronco]

http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/7735/typosmall1ry.png

Hahahahahaha! I love it when ESPN makes a typo...and on their frontpage no less! Heh...

Hint: The guy in the pic isn't JR Smith.

[Nuggets4]

I still don't understand why everyone is on Villanueva's jock. I LOVE that deal from Toronto's view. Buy low, sell high. They did just that.

[Man-Goblin]

Mavs deal Marquis to Indiana for Croshere...so much for K-mart to Dallas. Where the hell else are the Nuggs going to deal this guy? Kinda scares me. Save us Isiah!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2510579

Good deal for the Pacers, though.

[Clockwork Orange]

Salary dump for the Mavs.

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

Great. Another tall, white stiff. Meh - it's a good deal. Salary dump, can package his salary with Stackhouse's before the deadline and the Mavs essentially trade away their 10th-12th man for Dirk's backup. Honestly at this point, I'd take Gary Coleman over Van Horn.

[WABronco]

Great. Another tall, white stiff. Meh - it's a good deal. Salary dump, can package his salary with Stackhouse's before the deadline and the Mavs essentially trade away their 10th-12th man for Dirk's backup. Honestly at this point, I'd take Gary Coleman over Van Horn.
Doesn't Croshere have a big contract too?

[Clockwork Orange]

Doesn't Croshere have a big contract too?

It expires after this season.

[WABronco]

It expires after this season.
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