General NBA Free Agent News Thread

[GSH]

Miami would be at the top of Dampier list if he's released

Dampier has already told at least one long-time associate in his Jackson, Miss. hometown that Miami would be at the top of his list if he's released. Dampier's camp also indicated that to the Bobcats, who are convinced he's likely headed for Miami if Charlotte can't find a trade partner.

Read more: http://blogs.herald.com/miami_heat/2...#ixzz0zUkFOT32

It will be interesting to see how many players they can pack onto the Heat's bench. The roster size limit isn't the only problem they are going to run into:

A few years back, Portland supposedly had a super-team. The commentators all talked about how the Blazers had two complete starting 5's, plus the guys at the end of the bench would be starting on a lot of teams. Early in the season, they said that with all that talent it was hard to see how Portland was going to lose many games.

The first problem they had was finding the right 5-man rotations to be on the floor at any given time. Even with all that talent, it became obvious that "chemistry" really is a big deal. Just because players are talented at their spot, they don't necessarily complement each other on the floor. Then they started having problems because there weren't enough minutes to go around for so many talented players. They were all starters (or thought they were) so they all thought they could do the job better than the other players in their spots. They all claimed that they wanted whatever was best for the team, but they made it clear that they thought what was best was for them to be on the floor more. That team died a slow, miserable death.

I think that anyone else who signs with Miami is going to have to take a short paycheck. And if they don't get minutes, they aren't going to be doing a lot to improve their next contract either. We'll see how long some of these guys like riding the pine to try and get a ring.

[mountainballer]

I think that anyone else who signs with Miami is going to have to take a short paycheck. And if they don't get minutes, they aren't going to be doing a lot to improve their next contract either. We'll see how long some of these guys like riding the pine to try and get a ring.

Miami could only offer a vet. min contract anyhow. and at 35 Dampier knows he won't get much more at any place. having cashed about 100 million in his career (which is about twice or even three times as much as a player of his talent usually would make) the next contract isn't an issue for him either.
he would be an upgrade over Magloire and/or Howard, who the Heat likely would have to waive to create a roster spot for Dampier. but if they did, the question will be, what is the message to all other veterans who are willing to sign for min. money to become part of this team. Heat would win a small improvement at the 5th big spot, but might lose a lot of reputation, which could backfire down the road.

[TimDunkem]

Those fools!!! Don't they know that he's the next Kareem and Hakeem all rolled into one?!?!?!

Exactly! Well their loss is an NBA team's gain, as talent like Pops doesn't last long in the FA pool.


http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2010...s-returning-to

It could turn out that being released from his team in Spain is a blessing in disguise for the NBA veteran and former D-League All-Star, however, as he will sign with an NBA team this week according to agent John Greig. Greig wouldn't specify which team Mensah-Bonsu is signing with, only revealing that it is "not a team in the Northwest Division."

[Venti Quattro]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineSt...14#STORY_28088

"Despite four bodies at center, the Heat still has questions at the position. Unfortunately, Riley only has the veteran's minimum of $1.3 million to offer - and Dampier already reportedly has turned down more than that in some preliminary discussions on a new deal with Charlotte.

But this is Miami. And there's known to be mutual interest. In fact, Dampier has already told at least one long-time associate in his Jackson, Miss. hometown that Miami would be at the top of his list if he's released. Dampier's camp also indicated that to the Bobcats, who are convinced he's likely headed for Miami if Charlotte can't find a trade partner."

lol mavs

[DesignatedT]

Miami would be at the top of Dampier list if he's released

Dampier has already told at least one long-time associate in his Jackson, Miss. hometown that Miami would be at the top of his list if he's released. Dampier's camp also indicated that to the Bobcats, who are convinced he's likely headed for Miami if Charlotte can't find a trade partner.

Read more: http://blogs.herald.com/miami_heat/2...#ixzz0zUkFOT32

How surprising.

[ace3g]

SpearsNBAYahoo

Guard-Forward Stephen Graham to sign a two-year, $2.1 million deal with Nets (2nd year Nets option), agent Byron Irvin tells Yahoo! Sports.

SpearsNBAYahoo

Y! Sports' Woj: Celtics work out Adam Morrison, Cuttino Mobley, KG's buddy Trenton Hassell & Rashard McCants. http://yhoo.it/acQJrv

tribjazz

#Utah_Jazz want Fesenko to accept one-year, $1 million qualifying offer. Fesenko is hoping for at least a two-year deal.

[Spurs Brazil]

Tim Thomas Won't Play For Mavericks

Sep 15, 2010 7:52 AM EST
Tim Thomas won't be playing for the Mavericks this season.

Thomas has informed the team that his wife's illness, which took him away from the NBA last year, will prevent him from playing this season.

He agreed to a one-year contract with Dallas last month. He had signed for the veteran's minimum of $1.35 million.



Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...#ixzz0ze9hMNmi

[Spurs Brazil]

Jazz Sign Francisco Elson

Sep 15, 2010 6:46 PM EST
Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team has signed free-agent center Francisco Elson. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

Elson (7-0, 240, California) owns career averages of 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds over seven NBA seasons with Denver, San Antonio, Seattle, Milwaukee and Philadelphia.



Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...#ixzz0zeA2uCcn

[Mel_13]

The Mavericks are moving quickly to fill the unexpected vacancy left by Tim Thomas, with veteran Brian Cardinal emerging as the early favorite to sign a free-agent contract, league sources told NBA.com. A deal, however, has not been reached as Dallas continues to consider other options.

Those possibilities include Bobby Simmons and Steve Novak. Cardinal appears to have the edge in discussions within team circles based on his experience, shooting range and work ethic.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2010/0...rian-cardinal/

[ace3g]

SpearsNBAYahoo

Magic announce signing of forward Malik Allen.

[lefty]

Mobley is still alive ?

[ace3g]

SpearsNBAYahoo

Raptors announce signing of guard Ronald Dupree.

[ajballer4]

SpearsNBAYahoo

Raptors announce signing of guard Ronald Dupree.

Hasn't Super Dup been out of the league for a while?

[ace3g]

chadfordinsider

Grizz owner Michael Heisley backs down & agrees to pay Xavier Henry & G. Vasquez full rookie contract: http://bit.ly/bEdhqW

[Mel_13]

U1st Sports, the agency that represents Blazers guard Rudy Fernandez, denied a report on Thursday that he would join FC Barcelona in a written statement on its website.

The news release, which was original posted in Spanish, roughly translates as follows: "In relation to the information published today by the magazine Gigantes del Basket and before the repercussion that this information is having in different national and international mass media [...] U1st Sports wants to inform that it is false that some agreement between the FC Barcelona and [Rudy Fernandez] exists. Rudy Fernandez is player of Portland Trail Blazers, equipment with which has contract until season 2011/12."

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/stor...signing-report

How often must Rudy look at Splitter's situation and wish that he and his agent were as smart as Tiago and his?

[Bruno]

The Mavericks are moving quickly to fill the unexpected vacancy left by Tim Thomas, with veteran Brian Cardinal emerging as the early favorite to sign a free-agent contract, league sources told NBA.com. A deal, however, has not been reached as Dallas continues to consider other options.

Those possibilities include Bobby Simmons and Steve Novak. Cardinal appears to have the edge in discussions within team circles based on his experience, shooting range and work ethic.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2010/0...rian-cardinal/

Brian Cardinal?
What is the point of playing this season with that?
The NBA should just give the trophy to Mavs. They still have their parade route planed.

They staaaaaacked.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I know they're not planning on using them as major pieces to their team, but Cardinal over Simmons? Really?

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski WojYahooNBA

One of NBA's relentless vets -- Mario West -- a walk-on at G'Tech, undrafted in NBA -- will get workout with Boston next week, source says.

WojYahooNBA

West worked out with Spurs recently. Hawks released him after 2-plus seasons, and West finished year with Austin Ainge in Maine of D-League.

[ace3g]

The New Orleans Hornets have signed guard D.J. Strawberry and center Darryl Watkins.

Strawberry played in college for Maryland but has yet to catch on in the NBA after being taken in the second round of 2007 draft by the Phoenix Suns. Strawberry spent last season in the NBA Development League and played the season before in Italy.

Watkins was undrafted in 2007 but was later signed by the Sacramento Kings, for whom he played nine games. Watkins also played professionally in China in 2008-09.


Read more: http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archiv...#ixzz0zpnV2Snn

[ace3g]

JMcDonald_SAEN

Another SF off table, tho #spurs were never going to get him RT @PDcavsinsider Jawad Williams has decided to accept #Cavs qualifying offer

[Spurs Brazil]

Jerry Zgoda: Former #Timberwolves veteran forward Brian Cardinal on his way to Dallas, will sign with Mavs Twitter

Seven-year NBA veteran Melvin Ely will join the Nuggets, according to agent Byron Irvin. Ely, who has career averages of 5.6 ppg and 3.7 rpg, is about to sign a non-guaranteed contract with Denver, which would become his sixth team in the league. "This is a great opportunity for Melvin and he's ready for the challenge," Irvin said. HoopsHype.com

[ace3g]

WojYahooNBA

The Hornets have signed Joe Alexander to a partially guaranteed contract, a league source tells Y! Sports.

WojYahooNBA

Alexander was the 8th overall pick in the 2008 draft to the Bucks. He impressed Hornets front office and coaches in recent workout.

[ace3g]

SpearsNBAYahoo

Vet guard Earl Watson has committed to sign with Utah Jazz.

[Bruno]

Hornets have also added Pop Mensah Bonsu.

[benefactor]

Hornets have also added Pop Mensah Bonsu.

Championship piece.