You know the deal… I’ll updating this post throughout the day as free agent news and trade rumors emerge.
Kwame Brown, CHA, UFA: According to CBS sports, Kwame “hopes to join the Heat.” I was under the impression that he prefered to remain a Bobcat, but I don’t doubt that anyone would like to play in Miami.
Caron Butler, DAL, UFA: Caron Butler met with the Clippers yesterday, and apparently it went very well; so well that he’ll be meeting with them again today. The Mavs want to bring Butler back on a one-year deal (they want cap space for next summer), which is probably why his interest in a return to Dallas has dwindled. Butler does plan to meet with a few more teams before making a final decision.
Samuel Dalembert, SAC, UFA: Samuel Dalembert himself has come out and stated that it’s unlikely he’ll join the Heat because it “would be tough” for him to accept $5 million. Yes, some team is going to give Dalembert quite a bit more than $5 million, and it looks like Houston might be the suckers to do it. Dalembert calls them “the best.” I’m going to assume that basically means he thinks they’ll pay him the most.
Rudy Fernandez, DAL: Rudy’s got a few issues with his Visa that are keeping him in Spain right now. He was supposed to fly to Dallas on Wednesday, but he may be playing in a Euroleague game instead. Hopefully he doesn’t hurt himself.
TJ Ford, IND, UFA: TJ Ford apparently has a deal line up with someone, but refuses to tell us who it is.
Eric Gordon, LAC: Earlier today it was reported that the Clippers made an offer for Chris Paul that would send DeAndre Jordan AND Eric Gordon to New Orleans. Ric Bucher is now saying that never happened.
Dwight Howard, ORL: Dwight is still yet to tell the Magic if he wants to stay, go, or be traded right now. The most recent trade rumors have Dwight AND Chris Paul headed to the Lakers, but if Howard doesn’t even want to leave Orlando then he’s obviously not being traded. That being said, I’m pretty confident that he’ll at least look into playing elsewhere. As I’ve said over and over again, his frustration with last season’s Magic team was obvious, and they haven’t gotten any better.
DeAndre Jordan, LAC, RFA: The Clippers have extended a five-year, $40 million offer the way of young Jordan. I’m almost positive that he’ll be offered more and the Clippers will be forced to match. I think $8 million a year is a bargain for a young big man of DeAndre’s caliber.
Jason Kapono, PHI, UFA: Looks like the Lakers have found a replacement for the Machine. I fully expect Kapano to do little but compete with Derek Fisher for the title of most hated Laker by Laker fans this season.
Carl Landry, NOH, UFA: The Hornets probably won’t be able to keep Chris Paul, but Carl Landry wants to stick around anyway. I expect Landry to be re-signed as David West will likely go elsewhere.
Rashad McCants, —, UFA: Well here’s an unexpected development: Rashad McCants sighting!
If I’m the Lakers and this dude has any semblence of a game left then I’m strongly considering choosing him over Jason Kapono. Yeah, Kapono can shoot better, but he’s so weak in every other area that you have to wonder how often they’ll even want to have him on the floor. Can’t make threes from the end of the bench. Rashad’s been MIA for a few years and reportedly gave up on the NBA, so who knows where his body/head is at… but not that long ago he was an athletic guy who could score the ball.
Tracy McGrady, DET, UFA: According to Stephen A. Smith, T-Mac is likely to become an Atlanta Hawk. That’s assuming that the Bulls don’t make a better offer. It seems that Chicago is the place that T-Mac would really like to be, but the Bulls are chasing guys like Arron Afflalo and Jamal Crawford.
Nene, DEN, UFA: Larry Bird is getting agressive in the Nene sweepstakes; he’ll be flying to Denver today to pitch the Pacers to the Brazilian big man. Rather than offer a ridiculous sum of money, Larry will try to sell Nene on Indiana’s status as a playoff team in the East. Other teams that are courting him, such as New Jersey and Houston, can’t do that.
Leon Powe, MEM, UFA: Leon is seeking a job in the NBA for the 2011/12 season, maybe with the Grizzlies or Celtics (two of his former teams). Is the interest mutual? Probably not yet, but if Boston has an extra roster spot and a little money to spend when most other options have disappeared then I could see them bringing them back. Whether or not Leon can play has never been the issue… the man can absolutely play. It’s the injuries that have been the problem.
Rajon Rondo, BOS: Danny Ainge won’t admit that he’s shopping Rondo, and Chris Paul says he won’t sign an extension in Boston. Apparently Danny is fibbing and doesn’t care about an extension, because it’s just been reported that Ainge contacted the Warriors about a Rondo/Curry swap. The assumption is that he would’ve then tried to flip Curry for Paul.
Jason Terry, DAL: Terry’s perogative this season is to sign a fairly lengthy extension with Dallas. Why wouldn’t Dallas want the same thing? Terry has been an integral part of their attack for years and helped the franchise win their first ever NBA title. But, unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that he’s 34 years old, and despite what he seems to think I don’t believe that he’ll be the same ol’ JET at age 39.
Al Thornton, GSW, UFA: Al Thornton has reportedly drawn the attention of the Denver Nuggets, who are in serious need of some players. According to Thornton there are actually “four or five” other teams that are also interested in his services, which kind of surprises me. He fell off the map after leaving LA… I could hardly remember which team he’d suited up for most recently.
Reggie Williams, GSW, RFA: The Charlotte Bobcats will likely have one of the sorriest offenses in the NBA, but bringing in Reggie Williams would be an inexpensive move that could make them slightly-less sorry. Golden State is known to be after some more expensive targets, so they may not want to match an offer.
Last updated at 9:22 PM ET on 12/6/11.
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