Teams with cap space for 2009

[pacershereiam]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/ ... der-081113

Can anyone summarize what is being said here? i dont have insider. thanks

[count55]

Given current projections, seven teams -- the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Detroit Pistons, the Atlanta Hawks, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Miami Heat -- will have significant money to spend in 2009.

Basically, the Thunder and the Griz will have enough to make a max offer. Portland might, depending on what they do with their current FA's. Detroit could, but would have to give up AI & Rasheed, and Dumars will probably want to hold it for 2010.

The Hawks could have $20, but they'd have to let Bibby and Williams walk, and renounce the rights to Childress...so they'll more likely be around $6-8mm. Minny has $12 if they let McCants go, but will more likely be around $9.

The Heat will have $10 if they let Marion walk.

[huskyfan224]

who could the grizzlies go after???

[Scoot McGroot]

Kobe Bryant could be out there with an early termination option, and then there are unrestricted guys like Shawn Marion, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Jason Kidd, Rasheed Wallace, Andre Miller, and Mike Bibby. Guys who could opt out are Hedo Turkoglu, Memo Okur, and Carlos Boozer, while Steve Nash has a team option that the Suns are highly likely to exercise (meaning they'd keep him in Phoenix). Charlie Villanueva, Hakim Warrick, Leon Powe, Marvin Williams, Brandon Bass, and David Lee are among the guys that will hit the market off their rookie deals (most of them are unrestricted free agents, though a small handful of them are restricted).


2009 is definitely the warmup for 2010 currently though.



Specifically, seems like Memphis could go after Carlos Boozer to fill the hole at PF and let Arthur grow behind him. Otherwise, they're pretty set at the 1-3 spots with guys like Conley, Crittenton, Lowry, Mayo, and Gay all lining up for them at those spots for the long forseeable future.

[Tommy Udo 6]

It's interesting that Ben Gordon has not been mentioned yet. Of course, Ben has an inflated sense of his value & has already turned down 6 yrs/$54-59 million (reports vary) from the Bulls last off season.

Ben was coveted by Miami & some reports said a trade was agreed, but Miami backed away when Gordon would not lower his salary demands. They may still be interested.

A perfect fit for Gordon would be Oklahoma City and they have the cap space to meet his reported $10-12 million per year demand.

[APerna]

I think Memphis could wait a year, let their young talent develop in order to hopefully attract better players.