NBA Free Agency Central

[Jamaaliver]

With Free Agency just a few hours away, consider this a place to stay updated about where the top FA's sign and any major trades that get accomplished.

Updated 7/1

Chris Paul - Likely Staying with LA Clippers

Dwight Howard - Visiting with HOU, DAL, ATL, GS and Lakers

Josh Smith - receiving interest from Detroit, Boston, Houston

Jeff Teague - Qualifying Offer extended by Atlanta (He's now a Restricted Free Agent)

Tyreke Evans -Restricted, Offered 4 yr Deal by NO

Brandon Jennings - Qualifying Offer extended by MIL (He's now a Restricted Free Agent)

Andrea Bargnani - Traded to NY Knicks.

Tiago Splitter - Qualifying Offer extended by San Antonio (He's now a Restricted Free Agent)

Omer Asik - the Rockets have made Omer Asik available http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ken-berger/22588779/sources-confident-rockets-make-asik-lin-available-in-trades

Hawks been linked to Asik, Iggy, Corey Brewer

[Jamaaliver]

1. Man, I hope we get some useful pieces in a Sign and Trade for Josh.

2. Houston is approaching Dwight with Harden, Hakeem and Kevin McHale among others. (That's a hell of a recruiting group.) Dallas is expected to present with Cuban, Dirk and Coach Carlisle. (Not a bad group either.)

3. Utah is expected to keep either Jefferson or Milsap, not both.

4. Regarding Bargnani to NKY: I like this trade as the Knicks desperately need another player who can score besides just Carmelo.

5. Rockets seem supremely confident they can land Dwight Howard. First, they traded Thomas Robinson to POR for table scraps. Now they're trying to trade Asik. We gotta get in on this!!!

[theatlfan]

Can't say I'm expecting much in a Smoove SNT. If we can convince BOS to hand over a '14 pick or 2 and an expiring, then I'd be ecstatic - h3ll, I'd take on Wallace or Green for that package and still be really happy. In all likelihood though, I'm expecting a TPE.

At this point, we're the only team in the mix that can offer the full max to Dwight outside of LAL. HOU and DAL are confident they can get there but both need a dancing partner to take some salary and I can't see anyone giving it up on the cheap. Honestly, I think we're just leverage so that Dwight can force those teams to deal assets that they've been guarding to get the breathing room to offer the max. Even so, I still prefer to put Ferry and Coach Bud in front of Howard than not be in the game though.

Anyone think we'll make a play for Bynum? Just looks more and more likely. We showed in the draft that we're looking to close out the C position quickly and Bynum is the most available. He does have talent and an impressive NBA resume when healthy... which is the problem. We seem to be the team that has the unique combination of desperation, cap room, and the necessary young talent so that we wouldn't be backed against a wall when deciding if we should enact any of the risk mitigation clauses in Bynum's contract. The numbers of such a deal would obviously be directly tied to whatever Bynum and his reps would agree to in terms of said risk mitigation clauses, but it's a gamble that could pay off.

[Jamaaliver]

Anyone think we'll make a play for Bynum? Just looks more and more likely.

I can't see it. Ferry as far back as last year has been spouting lines about creating a culture of hard work, integrity and bringing in the right type of players.

It would fly in the face of everything he's said and done to bring in Bynum.

There are few players in the NBA as lazy, selfish and immature as Andrew.

Worse than that, he's only played in about 60% of potential games in his career. He has spent almost half of his career on the bench with one ailment or another.

It just seems ill advised for a rebuilding team to make an investment in such an undependable player.

Update: Bynum's reps have indicated he will not workout for teams.

[Jamaaliver]

Hawks rumored to be interested in Iggy and AL Jefferson if Dwight goes elsewhere...

Worth noting: Josh Smith and Coach Bud have been in contact since his hiring. Josh reportedly is still open to returning to Atlanta.

[jagstang76]

I'll throw this out there too. Not sure if Kirilenko makes the most sense, but he's opting out as well.

[url]http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9435921/andrei-kirilenko-opts-minnesota-timberwolves-deal-last-year/url]

We do need a SF, and Kirilenko does fit the bill of solid defensive/shooting SF who would be very valuable next to Horford and potentially Howard should he come here.

[theatlfan]

I can't see it. Ferry as far back as last year has been spouting lines about creating a culture of hard work, integrity and bringing in the right type of players.

It would fly in the face of everything he's said and done to bring in Bynum.

There are few players in the NBA as lazy, selfish and immature as Andrew.

Worse than that, he's only played in about 60% of potential games in his career. He has spent almost half of his career on the bench with one ailment or another.

It just seems ill advised for a rebuilding team to make an investment in such an undependable player.

Update: Bynum's reps have indicated he will not workout for teams.

OTOH, we're still making a play for Howard who has many of the same attributes.

If we're going to make a play, we'll have risk mitigation built into any contract. TO after y1 makes sense. If he comes in and proves his health, then we gain an All-NBA type talent at C and we could be the envy of many teams with our frontcourt depth. If he comes in, isn't healthy, and pouts about his role or whatever, then all we've lost 1 year's worth of salary and we dive back into the '14 FA class with Bynum's cap space.

Not saying I'd like the move on the surface, but if the contract is well-structured, then it could make a lot of sense.

Hawks rumored to be interested in Iggy and AL Jefferson if Dwight goes elsewhere...

Worth noting: Josh Smith and Coach Bud have been in contact since his hiring. Josh reportedly is still open to returning to Atlanta.

Quite honestly, I've been impressed with Smith concerning his upcoming FA. Over the past year or 2, he seems to have looked at the game and the FA period in a business sense and has never closed any doors to any team - something I didn't really expect after seeing him earlier in his career. Still, I'd be surprised if he's back. No knock on him, just that the situation between him and the fans has been borderline toxic at times. I will wish him well no matter where he ends up.

As for the Iggy and Big Al... meh. I actually like them as players, but the ? I always ask myself is when spending the type of $$ that it'd take to attract these two is whether or not they are the final piece to a championship team. If the answer is no, then we're treadmilling. I just can't see landing those two as pieces that would push over the top and into the conference finals over the likes of MIA, IND, BRK, NYK, and CHI (assuming a healthy Rose). Would it be wise to tie ourselves into deals that will hover in the $25-30M range for the next 3-4 years if we top out as a 5th seed?

I'll throw this out there too. Not sure if Kirilenko makes the most sense, but he's opting out as well.

[url]http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9435921/andrei-kirilenko-opts-minnesota-timberwolves-deal-last-year/url]

We do need a SF, and Kirilenko does fit the bill of solid defensive/shooting SF who would be very valuable next to Horford and potentially Howard should he come here.

Kirilenko is a solid shooter?! His shot is about as good as Josh's. Having said that, I think I'd prefer him to the Big Al/AI guys at the top assuming we miss out on Howard and don't make a run at someone very interesting that isn't mentioned here yet (note: no one in particular - just saying...). The cost wouldn't be as handsome as it would be for the other two and partially because of that, I also see him as a better trade asset in the case that we do decide to become sellers at the deadline.

[Jamaaliver]

Pistons reportedly made a 'substantial' offer to Smoove at 12:01AM.
Pelicans submitted an offer sheet to Tyreke Evans
Bobcats made an offer to AL Jefferson

I sure hope Dwight tells us no upfront, so we can pursue other free agents instead of sitting around waiting for him the next week...

[ATL Boy]

ESPN Los Angeles is reporting that Chris Paul will sign a 5 year $107 million contract with the Clips.

So ends our year long pipe dream of bringing in Paul and Dwight

[GhostRaider2013]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/351657224562679808[/tweet]

[jagstang76]

[quote="theatlfan"]Kirilenko is a solid shooter?! His shot is about as good as Josh's. Having said that, I think I'd prefer him to the Big Al/AI guys at the top assuming we miss out on Howard and don't make a run at someone very interesting that isn't mentioned here yet (note: no one in particular - just saying...). The cost wouldn't be as handsome as it would be for the other two and partially because of that, I also see him as a better trade asset in the case that we do decide to become sellers at the deadline.[/quote]

Ok, I just looked at his stats and saw he's not the 3pt threat I thought he was. We could platoon him with a guy like Korver to have that offense/defense rotation at the 3. Plus, he can move to the 4 on occasion when we go small. It's like having Josh around still except less expensive, no attitude, and is actually a better fit at the 3. If we somehow manage to get D12 here, I would push hard to get him and Korver anyways because they would fit perfectly.

[quote="Jamaaliver"]Pistons reportedly made a 'substantial' offer to Smoove at 12:01AM.
Pelicans submitted an offer sheet to Tyreke Evans
Bobcats made an offer to AL Jefferson

I sure hope Dwight tells us no upfront, so we can pursue other free agents instead of sitting around waiting for him the next week...[/quote]

Yeah, it would really suck for us and the other teams wanting him to have to wait and miss out on other options.

[parson]

Kirilenko is a solid shooter?! His shot is about as good as Josh's.

50.7% shooting this past year. I'm not saying I want Kirilendo but no one would complain about Smith's shooting if he took fewer dumb shots.

[theatlfan]

Other reports:
-BRK is courting Korver with their version of the MLE and there are rumblings of it being a "done deal". Where those rumblings are coming is another thing entirely though.
-Harris is talking with DAL.

Kirilenko is a solid shooter?! His shot is about as good as Josh's.

50.7% shooting this past year. I'm not saying I want Kirilendo but no one would complain about Smith's shooting if he took fewer dumb shots.

Didn't say his shot selection was the same as Smoove's - just the shot itself. If you're looking for a 3-and-D guy, then AK isn't your guy.

Ok, I just looked at his stats and saw he's not the 3pt threat I thought he was. We could platoon him with a guy like Korver to have that offense/defense rotation at the 3. Plus, he can move to the 4 on occasion when we go small. It's like having Josh around still except less expensive, no attitude, and is actually a better fit at the 3. If we somehow manage to get D12 here, I would push hard to get him and Korver anyways because they would fit perfectly.

Agree, except I think that AK could hold his own @ PF even when we're not going small.

[Jamaaliver]

You guys hear that Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo were apart of Houston's recruiting pitch to Dwight.

That group had their ducks in a row. Hall of Famers and World Champions make pretty convincing salesmen.

That team really is his best bet at a title...

[GrimeyKidd]

Sources say that our recent meeting with dwight howard went pretty well
@aboxofcookiesz

[Jamaaliver]

Sources say Tyreke is making a visit to the Hawks Tomorrow, July 2nd. he left New Orleans 4-yr deal on the table unsigned.

Methinks Mr. Evans is tired of playing for dysfunctional losers...and at long last our Hawks are no longer a member of that group!!!!

Tyreke for $8 million or less would be a steal!

[ATL Boy]

Tyreke would be an excellent addition for us. I really hope that Ferry feels the same way

[D21]

Look at his 2011-12 season
Net On/Off court on 100 possessions:
Cousins +3.3
Thomas +7.3
Thompson +5.5
Thornton +2.2
Evans -2.6

can you explain me how in a loosing team, where generally the bench guy can get some positive Net on/off court points because they play garbage time once starter has mainly lose the game, Evans can be the only guy with lots playing time and in negative, while the other are in positive ?

He can't have positive impact on the team while the four other guys have, so he' certainly a guy you will difficulty to integrate into a efficient roster, and I would not take the risk on that.

I could be wrong, or he can have impact in the right team, but again, it's too much gamble for me.

[parson]

The whole SAC team is a mess - he'll get some slack cut for that. Mainly, however, I think his ability to create on the dribble is what intrigues GMs. A man who can get his own shot in the 4th when the defense clamps down can be useful. It may be that some of his negative score comes from having the ball at crunch time, because his teammates can't handle it.

But I'm not a fan.

On the other hand, for the right price . . .

[Jamaaliver]

can you explain me how in a loosing team, where generally the bench guy can get some positive Net on/off court points because they play garbage time once starter has mainly lose the game, Evans can be the only guy with lots playing time and in negative, while the other are in positive ?

Bad coaching. Paul Westphal is terrible.

Also, Tyreke has been a starter for most of his career. Even back n 2012...

What were his +\- for the other 3 years n his career?
Including his ROY campaign when he avg 20/5/5.

It's also worth noting he shot career highs n FG% and had a career low in turnovers this season.