Big P
07-01-2007, 08:25 PM
link (http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22543.shtml)
Free Agency Update…
The NBA Free agency period opened at 12:01am EST on Sunday night and several teams wasted no time reaching out to would-be prospects…
Jason Kapono Agrees To 4-Year $24 Million…
The Toronto Raptors made the first splash landing the 2007 NBA three-point shootout champion on a four-year deal worth a reported $24 million. Kapono will be leaving the Miami HEAT for the bigger money offered by Toronto. Last week Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo admitted that his club might have to over-pay to get the right free agent, and Kapono netting $24 million might be exactly that. Teams began negotiating deals last night, but players can not officially be signed until July 11th, when the NBA sets the 2007-2008 salary cap.
Luke Walton Gets $30 Million from The Lakers…
The LA Lakers have reached a new agreement with Luke Walton on a six-year deal worth a reported $30 million. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak placed a call one minute after midnight to Walton’s agent, seeking to make a deal. Walton will sign the new deal on July 11th.
Vince Makes A Deal…
The New Jersey Nets and free agent Vince Carter have come to terms on a new four-year deal worth a reported $61.8 million; the deal also has an optional fifth year. It had been assumed Carter would agree to a new deal for several weeks. The new deal calls for Carter to make an average of $15.4 million per season, a small discount from the $16.3 he was slated to make before opting out of his old contract.
Rashard Gets The Love…
Tony Dutt the agent for Seattle free agent Rashard Lewis said as many as 20 NBA teams have contacted him about meeting with Rashard. The first team to get an audience was Seattle. The Sonics flew a contingent of people to Houston to meet with Rashard and mapped out a plan showing him where they hope the team will be in the near future, and identified him as the center piece in which they wanted to add Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. According to reports the parties never discussed money, rather a vision for the future. Houston is also in the hunt for Rashard as are the Orlando Magic the only team that could sign Rashard outright to a contract near the $15 million per season he is said to be seeking. There is a sentiment among NBA insiders that Rashard may be using Orlando as leverage to force a sign and trade to a team closer to a championship, although Tony Dutt told the Orlando Sentinel, that in his opinion the Magic are the best fit for Rashard.
No Magic Love For Darko…
Agent Marc Cornstein says he has yet to hear from the Orlando Magic, regarding his client Darko Milicic. Cornstein says he’s heard from at least 10 NBA teams who have interest in Darko, but none of them are the Orlando Magic – something he was somewhat surprised about. Darko is a restricted free agent so the Magic have the right to match whatever offers Darko receives on the open market. It is also believes that the Magic could be looking at using Darko in a sign and trade package for a free agent like Rashard Lewis. It’s not uncommon for teams holding restricted free agents to force them to establish market value rather than irrationally overpay, especially considering that Cornstein has implied for months that Darko was worth $60 million.
Free Agency Update…
The NBA Free agency period opened at 12:01am EST on Sunday night and several teams wasted no time reaching out to would-be prospects…
Jason Kapono Agrees To 4-Year $24 Million…
The Toronto Raptors made the first splash landing the 2007 NBA three-point shootout champion on a four-year deal worth a reported $24 million. Kapono will be leaving the Miami HEAT for the bigger money offered by Toronto. Last week Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo admitted that his club might have to over-pay to get the right free agent, and Kapono netting $24 million might be exactly that. Teams began negotiating deals last night, but players can not officially be signed until July 11th, when the NBA sets the 2007-2008 salary cap.
Luke Walton Gets $30 Million from The Lakers…
The LA Lakers have reached a new agreement with Luke Walton on a six-year deal worth a reported $30 million. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak placed a call one minute after midnight to Walton’s agent, seeking to make a deal. Walton will sign the new deal on July 11th.
Vince Makes A Deal…
The New Jersey Nets and free agent Vince Carter have come to terms on a new four-year deal worth a reported $61.8 million; the deal also has an optional fifth year. It had been assumed Carter would agree to a new deal for several weeks. The new deal calls for Carter to make an average of $15.4 million per season, a small discount from the $16.3 he was slated to make before opting out of his old contract.
Rashard Gets The Love…
Tony Dutt the agent for Seattle free agent Rashard Lewis said as many as 20 NBA teams have contacted him about meeting with Rashard. The first team to get an audience was Seattle. The Sonics flew a contingent of people to Houston to meet with Rashard and mapped out a plan showing him where they hope the team will be in the near future, and identified him as the center piece in which they wanted to add Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. According to reports the parties never discussed money, rather a vision for the future. Houston is also in the hunt for Rashard as are the Orlando Magic the only team that could sign Rashard outright to a contract near the $15 million per season he is said to be seeking. There is a sentiment among NBA insiders that Rashard may be using Orlando as leverage to force a sign and trade to a team closer to a championship, although Tony Dutt told the Orlando Sentinel, that in his opinion the Magic are the best fit for Rashard.
No Magic Love For Darko…
Agent Marc Cornstein says he has yet to hear from the Orlando Magic, regarding his client Darko Milicic. Cornstein says he’s heard from at least 10 NBA teams who have interest in Darko, but none of them are the Orlando Magic – something he was somewhat surprised about. Darko is a restricted free agent so the Magic have the right to match whatever offers Darko receives on the open market. It is also believes that the Magic could be looking at using Darko in a sign and trade package for a free agent like Rashard Lewis. It’s not uncommon for teams holding restricted free agents to force them to establish market value rather than irrationally overpay, especially considering that Cornstein has implied for months that Darko was worth $60 million.