The Miami Herald is reporting that Tyronn Lue will take a physical for the Heat on Monday and if the results are good, will be given an offer from the team. Lue then said that he would decide between the Phoenix, Boston and Miami. The Heat may be offering it's 1.9 million bi-annual exception. My guess is that the Celtics are offering a veteran's minimum contract. Last week, Lue said that Phoenix was his first choice but he feels that Miami would be a good situation, as unlike in Boston or Phoenix, he would be a starter for the Heat. Boston has the benefit that Kevin Garnett is one of his best friends.
The Boston Globe has this little tidbit at the bottom of an article:
Possibly the biggest surprise of the first round of the recent NBA draft was IUPUI guard George Hill being selected by the Spurs with the 26th pick. But if that didn't happen, could Hill have ended up a Celtic? Hill was projected by many as a second-round pick and wasn't even listed among the 123 prospects in the NBA's predraft media guide. But after Hill's introductory news conference in San Antonio, his agent, Michael Whitaker, said the Celtics had promised to select Hill with the 30th pick if he was available. With Hill off the board, Boston selected New Mexico guard J.R. Giddens with its first-round pick. Despite Whitaker's claims, an NBA source said the two players on Celtics general manager Danny Ainge's wish list with the 30th pick were Giddens and swingman Bill Walker.
Danny made a promise to Hill? The Spurs have a way of taking players the Celtics want. I still haven't forgiven them for getting the first pick back in 1997. It may work out well, because I like Giddens and think he will be a very good player. I am also very excited about Walker. Danny was able to pick 2 players with low risk high reward type potential.
The Boston Globe tells us that there could be something contract wise about James Posey today. There are several teams interested including the Wizards, Lakers, Cavs, and Detroit, but according to reports, New Orleans has come out as the Celtics biggest rival to sign him. Posey will be in Boston today for the premiere of the Championship DVD and he will be promoting the DVD with Eddie House from 2-4 p.m. at Borders on Tuesday. Maybe it's me, but I don't see him announcing that he is signing with another team today and then facing the Celtics fans tomorrow to promote the DVD. So in my opinion, either he is re-signing with the Celtics or he isn't announcing it today.
According to ESPN, Ron Artest is now actively pushing for a trade and will act as his own agent. He has sent several emails to ESPN over the weekend expressing this fact. The article reports that the Kings want Lamar Odom for Artest and Kenny Thomas, but the Lakers don't want to give up Odom. It also shares some of the ramblings from Artest's emails to them including these gems:
"In a way I wish this [coming 2008-09 season] would have been [Theus'] first year and [Adelman] would have left this summer, because it could have showed how much [of] a winner I am. Guys like Rick Adelman and Rick Carlisle [brought] that out of me. Isiah [Thomas] was going to bring that out of me if he didn't get fired [by the Knicks]. A coach like Phil Jackson can bring that out me."
"When Rick Adelman got fired and Bonzi [Wells] didn't get re-signed, that messed up my legacy as a King because we were headed in the right direction. Now it's like I have to re-identify what type of team play I can bring to a team.
"I was blinded by friendship. Even Mama Maloof [Colleen Maloof, Joe and Gavin's mother] told me she wanted me to stay. I never knew that meant one more year. I thought it meant several. When Mama [Maloof] talks, you listen, and it's a must you consider and take heed to what she is saying.
"I didn't know I would be on this roller-coaster ride. Even my coaches convinced me things will be OK. I guess they didn't know, either, that would mean a couple more years. I feel like I let my family down by not being a smarter businessman."
The SacBee reported that all this is news to his actual agent who said that he still represents Artest. I guess after pouring his heart out in the emails to ESPN, he didn't have anything left to say as when interviewed in Vegas at the SL games, he answered no comment to every question asked as reported on Yahoo Sports. I really hope the Lakers are able to trade for him. They deserve each other.
It is being reported that the Clippers have already spoken to Andre Iguodala about an offer. Iguadala is a restricted free agent and the Sixers have made it clear that they will match any offers made to Iguodala. What better way to get even with the Sixers for luring away Brand. Make a huge offer to Iguodala so that either the Sixers have to pay more than they planned or let him go. If the Sixers choose not to match, the Clippers get a good player and get a certain amount of revenge.
David Lee is looking for a long term extension with the Knicks but they are reluctant to make an offer that goes beyond 2010 because they want to make a play for LeBron or any one of several stars that will be on the market that off season. Lee has been mentioned in several trade talks as to get rid of some of their dead weight, the Knicks may have to sweeten the deal by including Lee, who would really like to stay in New York. If they don't give Lee the extension, he will become a free agent after the season and newly signed rookie, Danilo Gallinari, plays his position so they may just let him go.
I like David Lee as a player and wouldn't mind having him in Boston but don't see a way to get him unless the Knicks wanted Scal, whose contract happens to be up after next year to clear space for LeBron. Unlikely, I know.
Gallinari has been very impressive so far. The coaching staff is most impressed with Gallinari's court awareness, which can't be taught. He can definitely find the open guy. He also is able to hit the outside shot and may be the Knicks best outside shooter this season according to his teammates. He is also reportedly very tough and willing to bang inside. The Knicks may have gotten a gem in this kid. Newsday reported this hilarious exchange between Quentin Richardson and Gallinari:
So anyway, Q sits down next to Gallo and asks him about this kissing routine the young Italian seems to have when he greets people he knows.
"Everybody I meet, I kiss them on each cheek," Danilo says.
Richardson seemed quite uncomfortable with this fact. "Really?"
Gallinari then quickly added, "But only the women."
"You and I will get along well then," Richardson replied.
The Orlando Magic have offered Keyon Dooling a contract, but it likely isn't enough for him to return and back up starting point guard Jameer Nelson. They offered him a 2 year contract at the bi-annual exception of 1.9 million a year. He made almost double that last year and so it doesn't seem like enough to keep him with several other teams interested in him as well. The Magic desperately need point guard help as they only have Jameer Nelson at that position right now. They are also looking at bringing back Carlos Arroyo or going after Jason Williams, Anthony Johnson or Tyronn Lue, who reportedly is choosing between the Heat, Celtics and Suns at present.
The Heat, like the Knicks and Nets have been working to clear space for the 2010 free agency period when Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and several other top-tier NBA players such as Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh all become free agents. Playing at Zo's Charity game, both Wade and LeBron joked about playing together in 2010. There may be a pairing in superstars in that offseason as LeBron lures Wade to Miami or LeBron lures Wade to Cleveland or several land on another team. Ray Allen's contract will be up that year as well so the Celtics may be in the hunt for a free agent also. It will be a busy off season that year.
Robert "Tractor" Traylor, who last played in the NBA in 2005, is playing on the Cavs Summer League team. This is the second time in the past eight months the Cavs have taken a look at Traylor. Last December, he worked out for the team before Anderson Varejao settled his contract dispute and returned to the team. He has played the past two seasons in Puerto Rico but would love another shot at playing in the NBA. In November 2005, he had heart surgery to correct an enlarged aortic valve, similar to the surgery that Ronny Turiaf and Etan Thomas have both had, but Traylor couldn't get back into the NBA after his surgery. He is hoping that his Summer League stint witht he Cavs will open up an opportunity with the Cavs or another team that sees him play.
The Warriors are intent on keeping Andre Biedrins and Monta Ellis. And though a league source said Ellis has drawn sign-and-trade interest from the Heat, Cavs and Blazers, nothing is likely to materialize. Any scenario would require approval from the Warriors who have said that they will match any offers made to their two free agents.
NewsOK reports that the league will start selling gear for the Oklahoma City Whatevers this week although they still have not come up with the official name or logo for the team as yet. The tee shirts and hats on sale this week will feature the black and white Oklahoma City logo the team used in the Orlando Pro Summer League last week.
The Boston Globe has this little tidbit at the bottom of an article:
Possibly the biggest surprise of the first round of the recent NBA draft was IUPUI guard George Hill being selected by the Spurs with the 26th pick. But if that didn't happen, could Hill have ended up a Celtic? Hill was projected by many as a second-round pick and wasn't even listed among the 123 prospects in the NBA's predraft media guide. But after Hill's introductory news conference in San Antonio, his agent, Michael Whitaker, said the Celtics had promised to select Hill with the 30th pick if he was available. With Hill off the board, Boston selected New Mexico guard J.R. Giddens with its first-round pick. Despite Whitaker's claims, an NBA source said the two players on Celtics general manager Danny Ainge's wish list with the 30th pick were Giddens and swingman Bill Walker.
Danny made a promise to Hill? The Spurs have a way of taking players the Celtics want. I still haven't forgiven them for getting the first pick back in 1997. It may work out well, because I like Giddens and think he will be a very good player. I am also very excited about Walker. Danny was able to pick 2 players with low risk high reward type potential.
The Boston Globe tells us that there could be something contract wise about James Posey today. There are several teams interested including the Wizards, Lakers, Cavs, and Detroit, but according to reports, New Orleans has come out as the Celtics biggest rival to sign him. Posey will be in Boston today for the premiere of the Championship DVD and he will be promoting the DVD with Eddie House from 2-4 p.m. at Borders on Tuesday. Maybe it's me, but I don't see him announcing that he is signing with another team today and then facing the Celtics fans tomorrow to promote the DVD. So in my opinion, either he is re-signing with the Celtics or he isn't announcing it today.
According to ESPN, Ron Artest is now actively pushing for a trade and will act as his own agent. He has sent several emails to ESPN over the weekend expressing this fact. The article reports that the Kings want Lamar Odom for Artest and Kenny Thomas, but the Lakers don't want to give up Odom. It also shares some of the ramblings from Artest's emails to them including these gems:
"In a way I wish this [coming 2008-09 season] would have been [Theus'] first year and [Adelman] would have left this summer, because it could have showed how much [of] a winner I am. Guys like Rick Adelman and Rick Carlisle [brought] that out of me. Isiah [Thomas] was going to bring that out of me if he didn't get fired [by the Knicks]. A coach like Phil Jackson can bring that out me."
"When Rick Adelman got fired and Bonzi [Wells] didn't get re-signed, that messed up my legacy as a King because we were headed in the right direction. Now it's like I have to re-identify what type of team play I can bring to a team.
"I was blinded by friendship. Even Mama Maloof [Colleen Maloof, Joe and Gavin's mother] told me she wanted me to stay. I never knew that meant one more year. I thought it meant several. When Mama [Maloof] talks, you listen, and it's a must you consider and take heed to what she is saying.
"I didn't know I would be on this roller-coaster ride. Even my coaches convinced me things will be OK. I guess they didn't know, either, that would mean a couple more years. I feel like I let my family down by not being a smarter businessman."
The SacBee reported that all this is news to his actual agent who said that he still represents Artest. I guess after pouring his heart out in the emails to ESPN, he didn't have anything left to say as when interviewed in Vegas at the SL games, he answered no comment to every question asked as reported on Yahoo Sports. I really hope the Lakers are able to trade for him. They deserve each other.
It is being reported that the Clippers have already spoken to Andre Iguodala about an offer. Iguadala is a restricted free agent and the Sixers have made it clear that they will match any offers made to Iguodala. What better way to get even with the Sixers for luring away Brand. Make a huge offer to Iguodala so that either the Sixers have to pay more than they planned or let him go. If the Sixers choose not to match, the Clippers get a good player and get a certain amount of revenge.
David Lee is looking for a long term extension with the Knicks but they are reluctant to make an offer that goes beyond 2010 because they want to make a play for LeBron or any one of several stars that will be on the market that off season. Lee has been mentioned in several trade talks as to get rid of some of their dead weight, the Knicks may have to sweeten the deal by including Lee, who would really like to stay in New York. If they don't give Lee the extension, he will become a free agent after the season and newly signed rookie, Danilo Gallinari, plays his position so they may just let him go.
I like David Lee as a player and wouldn't mind having him in Boston but don't see a way to get him unless the Knicks wanted Scal, whose contract happens to be up after next year to clear space for LeBron. Unlikely, I know.
Gallinari has been very impressive so far. The coaching staff is most impressed with Gallinari's court awareness, which can't be taught. He can definitely find the open guy. He also is able to hit the outside shot and may be the Knicks best outside shooter this season according to his teammates. He is also reportedly very tough and willing to bang inside. The Knicks may have gotten a gem in this kid. Newsday reported this hilarious exchange between Quentin Richardson and Gallinari:
So anyway, Q sits down next to Gallo and asks him about this kissing routine the young Italian seems to have when he greets people he knows.
"Everybody I meet, I kiss them on each cheek," Danilo says.
Richardson seemed quite uncomfortable with this fact. "Really?"
Gallinari then quickly added, "But only the women."
"You and I will get along well then," Richardson replied.
The Orlando Magic have offered Keyon Dooling a contract, but it likely isn't enough for him to return and back up starting point guard Jameer Nelson. They offered him a 2 year contract at the bi-annual exception of 1.9 million a year. He made almost double that last year and so it doesn't seem like enough to keep him with several other teams interested in him as well. The Magic desperately need point guard help as they only have Jameer Nelson at that position right now. They are also looking at bringing back Carlos Arroyo or going after Jason Williams, Anthony Johnson or Tyronn Lue, who reportedly is choosing between the Heat, Celtics and Suns at present.
The Heat, like the Knicks and Nets have been working to clear space for the 2010 free agency period when Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and several other top-tier NBA players such as Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh all become free agents. Playing at Zo's Charity game, both Wade and LeBron joked about playing together in 2010. There may be a pairing in superstars in that offseason as LeBron lures Wade to Miami or LeBron lures Wade to Cleveland or several land on another team. Ray Allen's contract will be up that year as well so the Celtics may be in the hunt for a free agent also. It will be a busy off season that year.
Robert "Tractor" Traylor, who last played in the NBA in 2005, is playing on the Cavs Summer League team. This is the second time in the past eight months the Cavs have taken a look at Traylor. Last December, he worked out for the team before Anderson Varejao settled his contract dispute and returned to the team. He has played the past two seasons in Puerto Rico but would love another shot at playing in the NBA. In November 2005, he had heart surgery to correct an enlarged aortic valve, similar to the surgery that Ronny Turiaf and Etan Thomas have both had, but Traylor couldn't get back into the NBA after his surgery. He is hoping that his Summer League stint witht he Cavs will open up an opportunity with the Cavs or another team that sees him play.
The Warriors are intent on keeping Andre Biedrins and Monta Ellis. And though a league source said Ellis has drawn sign-and-trade interest from the Heat, Cavs and Blazers, nothing is likely to materialize. Any scenario would require approval from the Warriors who have said that they will match any offers made to their two free agents.
NewsOK reports that the league will start selling gear for the Oklahoma City Whatevers this week although they still have not come up with the official name or logo for the team as yet. The tee shirts and hats on sale this week will feature the black and white Oklahoma City logo the team used in the Orlando Pro Summer League last week.
Original Story:
