Ah, rumor season… that week or so which spans the period between which players officially become free agents and the day they’re allowed to sign a shiny new contract. Signing day 2012 just so happens to fall on July 11th, meaning we’ve got about nine more days of unofficial agreements, speculation, and Chris Broussard before any ink is actually put to paper. Here’s the latest from the East, team by team…
Atlanta Hawks: According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, GM Danny Ferry is focused on “salary cap flexibility.” As you know, Joe Johnson will be hogging a large portion of the Hawks’ cash—about $80 million total over the next four years, if I’m not mistaken—so Ferry figures to be exploring some major trade options. Could there possibly be a suitor for Johnson’s contract, you wonder? Well, as I always say, I’ve seen Hedo Turkoglu get traded like five times… meaning that anything is possible. If you believe ESPN (you shouldn’t, but anyway), the Nets are a possible trade destination for Mr. Johnson. However, according to the report, the Nets feel that “they’re surrendering too much financial flexibility in the various trade proposals presented to date.” Word?
Boston Celtics: Much to the delight of sentimental sports fans everywhere, it appears that Boston’s big three will not be dismantled until 2014. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are both rumored to be re-signing, the former for three years $34 million and the latter for two years $12 million. Paul Pierce is already under contract through ’13/14. Assuming Ray Allen doesn’t make a surprise decision to take a substantial pay cut to sign with Miami, the Cs will now be paying approximately $32 million (annually for the next two years) to three players who will be 35, 36, and 37 at the start of the coming season. With LeBron James in his prime, this formula doesn’t figure to produce another Finals berth… but if Kevin Garnett can continue to play like he did last season the Celtics could be in position to advance two rounds or so. I’d consider this a success assuming they’re able to develop some young talents, such as Jared Sullinger, along the way.
Charlotte Bobcats: Eh… they’ve got new jerseys, and Ben Gordon. What more could the worst team ever ask for?
Chicago Bulls: Whether with the Rockets or the Bulls, Omer Asik will be making over $14 million three years down the line. With all due respect to Omer Asik’s defensive prowess, this blows my mind. Chicago’s bench mob figures to take another hit as CJ Watson probably won’t be re-signed on account of the drafting of Marquis Teague. In an attempt to address their long-time hole at the two, the team will have a chat with Brandon Roy.
Cleveland Cavaliers: After completely f@cking up the draft by not choosing Thomas Robinson and trading their other three picks for one player, the Cavs made a slam-dunk decision to extend a $1 million qualifying offer to Luke Harrangody, the three-point shooter who can’t shoot. The Cavs also made offers to Alonzo “Nothin’ But A” Gee and Semih Erden. They’ve got a ton of money with which to make a major move, but there doesn’t seem to be a major move to make.
Detroit Pistons: Whatever the hell a Vyacheslav Kravtsov is, the Detroit Pistons plan to sign it. They were also on the other end of that aforelinked Ben Gordon trade, receiving Corey Maggette in a deal made to save money and boost fan frustration. Sir Charles Villanueva remains on the roster.
Indiana Pacers: Now that he’s back with the Pacers, Donnie Walsh has a big decision to make. The Portland Trail Blazers have elected to toss $80 million at Roy Hibbert, Indiana’s restricted-free-agent center who is coming off an All-Star season and a strong playoff performance. The contract would cover the next five years, taking Hibbert through his ninth NBA season (during which he’ll turn 30 years old). At age 25, Hibbert is becoming a known commodity that produces about 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. Essentially, he is what he is—a borderline All-Star performer—who helps make Indiana what they are—a pretty good team that will suffer annual losses to LeBron James for the foreseeable future. Do you pay out $16 million per season for five years to maintain this situation? I’m not sure that you do.
Miami Heat: The Heat have $3 million to spend, and they’d like to give it to a veteran free agent willing to take a pay cut in order to compete for a title. Candidates include Steve Nash, Jason Terry, Ray Allen (not likely given his offer from Boston), Antawn Jamison, Chris Kaveman, and Jason Kidd. I figure this money will end up going to a point guard or a center… probably a center considering the serviceable nature of Mario Chalmers and the playmaking ability of LeBron James.
Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks no longer lead the league in Jons, having dealt both Leuer and Brockman to Houston in exchange for Samuel Dumblembert. With the selection of power forward John Henson at #14, one has to wonder if Milwaukee is preparing for the departure of Ersan Ilyasova, who is about to cash in on a stellar finish to the ’11/12 season. I’m going to laugh if Ilyasova is retained and gets off to a poor start this coming November. Scott Skiles’ leash is notoriously short, and there’s little doubt in my mind that he’d explore every option from Drew Gooden to Ekpe Udoh despite Ersan’s shiny new deal. This is all hypothetical, of course, and would require a player who looks pretty good to play pretty bad.
New Jersey Brooklyn Nets: Deron Williams is scheduled to meet with both the Nets and the Mavericks today. Also, Dwight Howard… sources say his sources have told Chris Broussard’s sources that he’d like to be resourcefully traded to the Sourcetown Sourcerers prior to the 2012 Source Awards, where sources say Benzino will not rock the party.
New York Knicks: Via Iamagm.com: “…the Knicks are prepared to offer the Suns assets in return for a sign-and-trade transaction. The players that would go to Phoenix are Landry Fields, Toney Douglas, Dan Gadzuric, Jerome Jordan and $3 million in cash.”
Wait, didn’t that snippet mention something about assets? I don’t see any assets here.
Orlando Magic: Breaking: The Orlando Magic reportedly have players not named Dwight Howard. One of them was Jameer Nelson, but he just opted out. I guess he really wants a long-term deal… I mean, would you pay Jameer Nelson (not the guy from however many years ago, but current Jameer Nelson) $7.3 million? I certainly wouldn’t. In other news, Ryan Anderson. Don’t forget about him… he’s a restricted free agent.
Philadelphia 76ers: Lavoy Allen shot 55.7% from the floor throughout Philly’s playoff run, and the team is prepared to reward him in the form of six million dollars. Other than that, Lou Williams is testing free agency and Andre Iguodala will be hypothetically traded by every media outlet in the NBA circuit (if you google search “Andre Iguodala” right now and click “news,” seven of the first eight articles that pop up are suggesting that he should be/will be/could be traded. The other reports that he sold his house). Andre Iguodala getting traded has become the Detox of the NBA.
Toronto Raptors: No matter how much money ($36 million is the offer) Toronto tries to give Steve Nash, he’ll never be the first Canadian to suit up for the Raptors. Jamaal Magloire, b!tches.
Washington Wizards: Looks like John Lucas III will be a full-time NBA player now. Good for him (but watch the f@ck out for that dude LeBron James).
