2014 Free Agency Updates

[wuck]

@WojYahooNBA: Biggest issue for Miami could be this: How does it meet Bosh salary desires, and keep any real space for free agents? Crunch time for Riley.

@WojYahooNBA: If LeBron James wants a short-term deal in Miami, why would Bosh commit long-term at a steep discount -- only to get left behind later?

 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>For agents negotiating on free agents w/ Heat, so far impossible to get concrete offers b/c Riley doesn't have precise figures on Bosh-Wade.</p>&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/485465806843564032">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Meanwhile, Rockets, Cavs pushing closer to creating max contract slots. Deals lined up for Jeremy Lin. Cavs shopping Jarrett Jack w/ a pick.</p>&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/485467685858193408">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>We're gotten to the point in free agency where some teams in pursuit think LeBron is more likely to leave than Melo. Stunning turn of events</p>&mdash; Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/485469204754092032">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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:huh:

 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jazz fans should watch Jarrett Jack over the next 24-48 hours. Cle shopping him and 2015 first to dump his salary</p>&mdash; Tony Jones (@Tjonessltrib) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tjonessltrib/statuses/485470032428679168">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>As ESPN reported late Thursday, Houston already courting Bosh in anticipation of Melo staying w/NYK. Must trade Lin to make Bosh big offer</p>&mdash; Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/485475325183139840">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Trading for Lin all about asset(s) you can get from Houston WITH Lin. Teams with cap space want the future pick or prize that comes with him</p>&mdash; Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/485474905191092224">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>As ESPN reported late Thursday, Houston already courting Bosh in anticipation of Melo staying w/NYK. Must trade Lin to make Bosh big offer</p>&mdash; Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/485475325183139840">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[wuck]

Pick one:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I'm told that Devin Harris deal reported by <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine">@ESPNSteinLine</a> is for same terms originally agreed to last summer (3 years, $9-plus million).</p>&mdash; Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/statuses/485492795202093058">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Former Jazz guard Devin Harris will re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks for four years, $16 million, according to a source.</p>&mdash; Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) <a href="https://twitter.com/DJJazzyJody/statuses/485499888717680640">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[wuck]

Jason Kidd, you wanted Jack before when you were with the Nets -- what is the hold up?


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>In addition to weighing possible trade for Lin, I'm told Bucks are pitching offer sheet to RFA Eric Bledsoe and pursuing PG Greivis Vasquez</p>&mdash; Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/485496057313652737">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sounds like Jason Kidd is searching for a new point guard. The Bucks have a gaping hole at the position at the moment.</p>&mdash; Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/statuses/485496604729036801">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[wuck]

From David Aldridge:

Pat Riley pitched today how Miami was a good fit for Luol Deng. But Deng can't commit unless/until he knows how much money Wade/Bosh will take. Sides will talk again next week.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Riley was &quot;very charming,&quot; per source, and visit had the feel of a college recruiting trip. But it's all about the dollars at this point.</p>&mdash; David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/statuses/485523350777626624">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Lakers free agent G Kent Bazemore is receiving interest from BOS (meeting), SA (meeting), ATL, HOU, UTAH, GS, LAL, PHX, DAL, a source said.</p>&mdash; Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/statuses/485534103735787520">July 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[wuck]

Great column by Wojo:

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LeBron James still has ability to keep Big Three in Miami as rivals hope for breakup
Adrian Wojnarowski
By Adrian Wojnarowski 1 hour ago Yahoo Sports

As LeBron James remains uncommitted and the Miami Heat work to solidify contract terms with Chris Bosh, there's a renewed hope throughout the NBA the franchise's Big Three could be jarred loose into seriously considering the free-agent market, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

And yet for all the machinations and fluidity of this complex dance, James holds the power to bring everything back together for the franchise.

"Bosh is back in a second if LeBron commits," one league source involved in the dialogue told Yahoo Sports.

Miami president Pat Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra have been crossing the country and meeting with free agents, but have remained unable to offer competitive market deals to top available players, sources said.

There had been suggestions the renegotiated contracts of James, Bosh and Dwyane Wade could leave the space for a $9 million-$10 million annual salary slot, but the figure that Miami has floated to prospective players is a first-year salary in the range of $5.5 million and hazy suggestions about sign-and-trades that would ultimately be difficult to execute, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

"A lot of hocus pocus," one high-profile agent told Yahoo Sports.

Barring Bosh and Wade caving on dramatic pay decreases, Miami's best offers still promise to be significantly below the market values of such free agents as Trevor Ariza, Luol Deng and Pau Gasol.

Riley and Spoelstra met with Deng on Saturday afternoon in Chicago, and pitched him on a free-agent deal with the Heat, sources said. Riley sold Deng on the Heat's ability to cultivate a player's personal brand through the winning of championships and how so many players stay connected to the organization for a lifetime, sources said. Spoelstra laid out a plan to use Deng's versatility to complement the Heat's Big Three, explaining how he'd use Deng in multiple offensive scenarios to make him the most efficient of his career.

Deng turned down a $10 million-a-year extension with Chicago before his trade to Cleveland in January, and so far he's been resolved to accept nothing less than that figure, sources said.

Riley and Spoelstra met with also Gasol and Ariza in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Miami has exuded confidence in meetings that it will retain James, Bosh and Wade, but teams continue to make moves hoping James and Bosh look seriously at the free-agent market.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are shopping Jarrett Jack's contract with a future draft pick to move closer to freeing a full maximum contract slot to offer James, league sources said. If the Cavaliers lose out on James, they're still considering a max-level offer sheet on Utah restricted free agent Gordon Hayward, sources said. The Cavaliers want to engage the Jazz on a sign-and-trade for Hayward, but Utah has shown no inclination to do anything with Cleveland but unblinkingly match an offer sheet and keep Hayward, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The Phoenix Suns remain an intriguing dark horse for James because general manager Ryan McDonough could offer him something no one else outside Miami can now: a second max-salary slot to pick a co-star. The Suns can quickly shed $10 million more in contracts to pursue James and a second star – perhaps Bosh, if James wanted – and they'd still be able to keep the talented core of Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and center Miles Plumlee.

James' agent Rich Paul represents Bledsoe and understands James' commitment to the Suns would almost guarantee he could get Bledsoe a max-contract extension with the Suns.

For now, Bosh has remained committed to finding a way to make things work in Miami, sources told Yahoo Sports, and continues to work with Heat management to find creative financial ways to upgrade the roster. As free agents start to leave the board and sign elsewhere, it could be come increasingly difficult for Riley to make a dramatic change to the roster. For now, the Heat president is on the clock and working desperately to find a way to keep it all together.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lebron...ami-as-rivals-hope-for-breakup-225603512.html

 

[wuck]

Another from Wojo:

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Sources: Lakers move into contention to sign Carmelo Anthony
Adrian Wojnarowski
By Adrian Wojnarowski 16 minutes ago Yahoo Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers have ascended into serious contention to sign New York free agent Carmelo Anthony, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The Lakers moved into strong consideration with the front-running New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls over this weekend, sources told Yahoo Sports.

No one with direct knowledge of the process would declare the Lakers had overtaken New York and Chicago in Anthony's mind, but one source close to Anthony said of the Lakers, "They're in the game now."

The Lakers met with Anthony on Friday, offering him a four-year, $97 million contract. Lakers star Kobe Bryant has been in constant contact with Anthony, and the Lakers could re-sign Pau Gasol to pair with Anthony on the frontline.

The Lakers' roster is stripped of talent, and the combination of Bryant and Anthony possessing max contracts would limit the financial flexibility to upgrade the roster. Nevertheless, Anthony keeps a home in Los Angeles and the franchise's pitch has resonated with him.

After Friday's meeting with Knicks president Phil Jackson and coach Derek Fisher, sources told Yahoo Sports that Anthony had become more comfortable with Jackson's plan to use him as the cornerstone to lure free agent stars into salary cap space in 2015 and '16. One thing that still bothers Anthony is Jackson had wanted him to take less than a max contract, sources told Yahoo Sports.

Anthony, 30, is a seven-time NBA All-Star.

 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Suns &amp; RFA Eric Bledsoe's agent Rich Paul in early stages of contract talks, a source said.Other suitors in limbo until LeBron &amp; Melo decide</p>&mdash; Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/statuses/485597222436737024">July 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[wuck]

From The Bullshit Whisperer:

NBA Report: Bosh unaware of LeBron's next step, sources say
Sam The Bullshit Whisperer

JUL 05, 2014 9:48p ET

A few news and notes from around the NBA with free agency heating up:

-- While sources have told FOX Sports Ohio that Chris Bosh is seeking a deal worth $90 million over five years, there is talk the All-Star big man may be willing to accept slightly less with the Heat if LeBron James returns.

-- Both the Rockets and Mavericks are highly interested in Bosh should the Heat's Big 3 of Bosh, James and Dwyane Wade go their separate ways. Bosh is definitely interested in the Rockets and Mavs as well, sources told FOX Sports Ohio.

-- Bosh has "zero knowledge" of what James is going to decide in free agency "at this minute," one source said on Saturday evening.

-- The Cavaliers could also potentially become players in the Bosh sweepstakes should James return to Cleveland. It is possible that's something the Cavs expressed to James' agent, Rich Paul, when the sides met earlier in the week.

-- The Cavs are not even slightly concerned about available salary-cap space. They believe that resources are in place to "create monumental space for talent," a source said Saturday.

-- Paul has not led the Cavs in any specific direction, but sources said he has made them aware he's impressed with their ideas to improve the team.

-- As an organization, the Cavs are upbeat. They've been talking to a couple of teams about trades, and they are more than willing to bring on another All-Star and enhance the roster should they land LeBron. Everyone other than Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson can be had for the right price, sources said. It should be noted that, yes, the Cavs strongly prefer to retain No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins as well.

-- But LeBron James or not, the Cavs appear on path to make a move. It is quite evident they have several things in the hopper.

-- Dion Waiters seems to be the name other teams are asking about most and Cavs general manager David Griffin is in a difficult spot. He really likes Waiters, but Griffin also knows he may have to move the talented shooting guard, sources said.

-- As an interesting aside, some of the behind-the-scenes credit within the organization is being given to former Cavs GM Chris Grant - and some of the moves he made to enable the team to move forward this summer.

-- That said, opposing executives seem to have a greater deal of respect for Griffin. The first-year GM is viewed as a stand-up guy who has always been fair and humble, both in dealing with his staff and in discussing trades with those outside the organization.

-- It appears Cavs free-agent forward Luol Deng is standing firm in his desire to receive a contract that will pay him no less than $12 million a year. Deng and his representatives have been involved in conversations with several teams, including the Hawks and Heat. But the Hawks don't want to play him that type of money right now, sources said, and the Heat can't afford to with the status of their Big 3 in question. According to one source, Deng may meet with the Mavericks next.

-- The Mavs are also said to have expressed an interest in Trail Blazers free-agent guard Mo Williams.

-- Grizzlies free-agent forward Ed Davis has drawn interest from the Lakers, sources said.

 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Heat waiting on answers from main trio they r pursuing (Gasol/Deng/Ariza). All longshots to some degree, w/ Ariza least likely.</p>&mdash; Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/EthanJSkolnick/statuses/485794554335875073">July 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>It will be interesting to see how quickly the SF market moves once Melo commits, and to see if LeBron stalls it (if tms believe he'll move)</p>&mdash; Michael Dugat (@mdug) <a href="https://twitter.com/mdug/statuses/485795561103425537">July 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Free agency for off-Broadway teams means UT to overpay to keep good-not-great Gordon Hayward. Or CHAR will. Is ORL next with Nik Vucevic?</p>&mdash; Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/MagicInsider/statuses/485777954262507520">July 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
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