Shareef To Nets, Kings, Clippers?

[Kori Ellis]

Nets seek Swift end to chase
BY OHM YOUNGMISUK
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/st...p-279732c.html


While Shareef Abdur-Rahim toured Sacramento, the Nets were preparing to talk to Stromile Swift about their power forward vacancy.

According to two sources, the Nets will meet with Swift today in Las Vegas, where the team is playing in a summer league. Even though the Nets' top target is Abdur-Rahim, they cannot afford to wait too long for his decision. Abdur-Rahim, who spent two days with the Nets in New Jersey last week, was in Sacramento yesterday and may still visit Miami or San Antonio.

The Nets have until July 29 to use their trade exception worth nearly $5 million in a sign-and-trade deal.

By using their trade exception on either Abdur-Rahim, Swift or, perhaps, Donyell Marshall, the Nets can save their mid-level exception - worth roughly $5 million - for other free agents like point guard Keyon Dooling.

The Nets likely will have to execute a sign-and-trade to land one of their coveted free agents since it would allow them to sign a new power forward for up to six years and $38 million - one year and $10 million more than the mid-level offers.

Swift, who has visited Houston, which can only offer him its mid-level, would seem like a better fit for the Nets than Abdur-Rahim.

While Abdur-Rahim has a much more refined post game, the 25-year-old Swift is three years younger and his more athletic game suits Jason Kidd.

Some are concerned about Swift's at ude since his potential has been largely untapped.

The 6-9 Swift would provide many of the same strengths and weaknesses Kenyon Martin brought, but Lawrence Frank may prefer Abdur-Rahim since the two have a relationship dating back to 1997 when they were together in Vancouver.

The Nets likely will wait for Abdur-Rahim's decision, but their meeting with Swift shows they will not wait too long.

"There's a time element for everybody - a team time frame and player's time frame," Nets president Rod Thorn said. "And I wouldn't be surprised about anything."

[Kori Ellis]

Nets, Blazers slow to agree on Abdur-Rahim

By BOB CONSIDINE
Staff Writer

http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../1011/SPORTS10

The Nets know they want Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

Abdur-Rahim was impressed with the Nets after visiting them last week.

Whether the star forward can be acquired by New Jersey ultimately depends on if the Portland Trail Blazers accept what it offers in a sign-and-trade. And at the moment, talks between the teams are at a standstill, prompting Nets president Rod Thorn to keep a closer eye on other potential deals.

"There's a difference of opinion," Thorn said Monday night. "If that remains, we'll have to go another way and they'll go another way.

"We did not expect this to be any kind of slam dunk, and it isn't. So we've got to look at other options."

Abdur-Rahim, who is averaging 19.8 points and 8.1 rebounds in his 10-year career, will take a pay cut if he signs with New Jersey. But the Nets are poised to make the best offer out of the handful of competing (and winning) teams that are interested in his services.

New Jersey has a $4.9 million trade exception to offer Portland. At its six-year maximum, with annual increases of 10.5 percent, Abdur-Rahim could take in $38 million.

Sacramento, who Abdur-Rahim visited Sunday and Monday, Miami and San Antonio all have varying degrees of interest in Abdur-Rahim, but can only offer their $4.9 million mid-level exceptions. Those contracts can be maxed out only for five years and a total of $28 million.

Over the weekend, Abdur-Rahim turned down a $47 million contract offer from the Milwaukee Bucks because it wasn't a winning situation. The Kings are also eyeing a sign-and-trade for Antoine Walker.

Aaron Goodwin, Abdur-Rahim's agent, did not return calls for comment Monday.

Both the Nets and Blazers seem to be clamoring for leverage. Thorn would not given any details of Portland's demands, but some believe Blazers general manager John Nash might want a No. 1 draft pick to go along with the trade exception.

The Nets have two No. 1 picks in 2006 -- one an unprotected pick from the Los Angeles Clippers that figures to be very valuable and won't be given up. One league source said that the Nets would be unwilling to give up any future No. 1 pick.

If Abdur-Rahim signs with another team for a mid-level exception or with an under-capped team like Cleveland or Atlanta, Portland would lose him and get nothing in return.

"They (the Trail Blazers) don't have to do anything," said Thorn, who is with the Nets' summer league team in Las Vegas. "It's really up to them as to what they will or won't do. They can do a sign-and-trade with anybody if they're willing to take what they're willing give them."

The Nets don't have time on their side. Their $4.9 million trade exception expires July 29. And Thorn would like to pursue other free-agent forwards (like Donyell Marshall or Stromile Swift) if a deal for Abdur-Rahim can't be reached.

"My time frame is just doing what I have to do," Thorn added. "I'm not going to sit out here and let things pass by. I'm going to get involved (with other situations) and see what happens. We've been looking at other options, anyway."

[Kori Ellis]

Blazers could foil Nets' quest for Abrud-Rahim
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
BY DAVE D'ALESSANDRO
Star-Ledger Staff

http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/inde...360.xml&coll=1

The Portland Trail Blazers have decided to play hardball, and the Nets' pursuit of Shareef Abdur- Rahim may be submarined by their former general manager.

John Nash, the Blazers' GM who filled that job for the Nets from 1996-2001, said yesterday that he has no interest in the Nets' trade exception, which was their only tool by which to execute a sign-and-trade deal for the free agent and offer him a larger contract than the other teams bidding for him.

"The trade exception doesn't interest us -- we'd have no use for it," said Nash, whose team is in a cost-cutting mode. "We would be only amenable to discussing draft picks."

This means that if Abdur- Rahim is interested in playing for New Jersey -- and he is "very" inclined, people close to him are now saying -- the Nets are being told by Nash that they will have to surrender a first-round draft pick if they want to give the 28-year-old forward a contract a player of his stature deserves.

And the clock is ticking.

"I never thought this would be painless," Nets president Rod Thorn said yesterday. "(The Blazers) will play their cards, and we'll see when the dust settles. They have given us no indication that it will get done with the things we've been talking about. So now we have to keep our options open."

Abdur-Rahim was in Sacramento yesterday with agent Aaron Goodwin to meet with Kings officials, and that will be his last visit until further notice. As for pre-scheduled visits to San Antonio and Miami, Goodwin said, "Well, we don't know yet. We're going to sit back and figure out the next move. There's so much going on right now."

The reason: Player and agent want to see what the Nets and Portland can work out in Las Vegas, where Nash and Thorn are attending the Reebok Pro Summer League.

Like other suitors over the cap, the Nets can offer Abdur-Rahim their midlevel exception, which is the extra fund that all capped-out teams can use on free agents. That calls for a starting salary of $4.9 million with 8 percent annual raises, and stretched out over a maximum of five years, it would total $28.4 million.

Unlike the others, the Nets wanted to offer Abdur-Rahim a sign-and-trade deal involving his former team. They would do this by sending their $4.9 million trade exception to Portland -- that's the money left over from the Kerry Kittles deal, an extra bankroll that can be used to purchase an existing contract. It's far more lucrative this way: This transaction would involve 10.5 percent raises and could run for six years. The total would be $37.1 million.

"I would say that's a considerable difference," Goodwin said.

Portland could use the trade exception for future deals. But Nash claims he wouldn't use it, because it would take the Blazers over the luxury tax threshold.

So Nash is demanding a first- round pick to go with it.

The Nets, in turn, won't come off their offer of a second-rounder.

"It's a deal-breaker," a Nets official said last night. "And they're aware of that. They're not going to get (Abdur-Rahim) back, so why lose him for nothing? They don't want players. So this is a perfect thing."

Nash, however, didn't make it sound as though there was any 'give' here.

"Look, they can sign him with their midlevel. They don't need us," the Blazers exec said, matter-of- factly. "I have no idea what Goodwin is looking for at this point. We're not negotiating with him."

Goodwin, meanwhile, sounded as though he is prepared to exert some pressure on the Nets to get a sign-and-trade deal done -- even at the cost of a first-rounder -- because the Spurs and Heat are likely to ante up their midlevels.

"At the end of the day, if (New Jersey is) where Shareef wants to be, Rod has to work that out," the agent said. "We saw this coming the whole time. It's no surprise. It's up to New Jersey to work it out."

He can be certain that Thorn shares his urgency.

"I would doubt it could go beyond this week," Thorn said. "Something has to be done one way or the other in a timely fashion."

[timvp]

Who is Thorn trying to kid? He's going to end up giving Portland a first round pick. He's trying to bluff the Blazers into just taking cash and a second round pick, but the Blazer know that he is bluffing.

In a couple days, I'd expect that trade to be all but done.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Agreed!

[RobinsontoDuncan]

If Shareef goes to Miami, that's really bad

[constantstate]

a 3 team trade for what portland wants? not likely. so that guy is ending up in jersey.

[Mr. Body]

New Jersey needs him.

He needs New Jersey.

*applause*

A good match.

[Walton Buys Off Me]

Whatever happened to Luis Scola?

Remember him? The guy throwing down monster dunks in Athens? The guy the Spurs claimed was a priority this summer?

Let the bushleague Nets get Abdur-Rahim, I want a guy with a mean streak and a compe ive edge.

[usckk]

Shareef is definently going to end up in New Jersey.

[spurjur]

What the Spurs be willing to give a First Rounder?

[ducks]

would you give the full mle to scola to get him to come walton?

[AlamoSpursFan]

I would.

I've been waiting for Scola for 2 years now. I want to see what he brings. Something tells me Manu and Scola would develop a Stockton/Malone type chemistry that will be something special to watch for years to come.

[Walton Buys Off Me]

I'm not saying the full MLE and I don't think salary is the issue holding this up. I'm pretty sure the delays here surround the buyout clause and the Argentinian team is probably asking for upwards of 2 million to let Scola walk. I say a three year deal valued at around 8 million is a fair price for a guy that has let to play a minute in the NBA. It's more than he'd be making as an NBA rookie.

I'm just anxious to see the guy in silver and black........

[BillsCarnage]

Who is Thorn trying to kid? He's going to end up giving Portland a first round pick. He's trying to bluff the Blazers into just taking cash and a second round pick, but the Blazer know that he is bluffing.

In a couple days, I'd expect that trade to be all but done.

Yeah, this is just silly. Give them the low first rounder and be done. The Clippers pick will likely be lottery and a shot at the #1 pick.

Just get it done Thorny so SA doesn't have a shot at him...

.

[tlongII]

Yes. Give us the 1st round pick and SAR is yours Thorn. That will give us 3 #1 picks next draft I believe.

[timvp]

Clippers Reportedly Pursue Abdur-Rahim
http://www.latimes.com/sports/basket...nes-sports-nba
By Jerry Crowe, Times Staff Writer


Amid speculation that they are close to reaching an agreement with Cuttino Mobley on terms of a five-year contract, the Clippers also are believed to have made an offer to free-agent forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

The Clippers, stung by Bobby Simmons' soon-to-be-official departure to the Milwaukee Bucks, have made landing Mobley their top priority.

The veteran shooting guard, who will turn 30 on Sept. 1, would fill their most pressing need after ranking third in the NBA in three-point shooting accuracy last season while playing for the Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings. The Clippers last season ranked last in the NBA in three-point shots tried and made.

Mobley's agent, however, denied that a deal was imminent.

Of scuttlebutt that the two sides were close to an agreement — contracts cannot be signed until a moratorium ends July 22 — Andy Miller said, "I'm glad the scuttlebutt thinks so. I can't answer for the scuttlebutt." Added the agent, whose client opted out of a contract that would have paid him $6.4 million next season: "We're still having discussions right now. I don't really have any answers; nothing substantive I can tell you at this point."

The Kings, though, say they believe Mobley will soon be a Clipper.

"I haven't heard it officially," club President Geoff Petrie told the Sacramento Bee, "but after my last conversation with Andy [Miller], it definitely sounded like the way he was headed.

"I'm going to assume that that is what is going to happen. I'm going to talk to him one more time in the morning."

General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe of the Denver Nuggets, who had shown interest in Mobley, told reporters in Las Vegas: "I hear rumors, and I heard he was close to signing. It's got to be the Clippers. I haven't heard back from his agent."

Abdur-Rahim's agent, Aaron Goodwin, did not return phone calls but told the New York Post this week that the Clippers were interested in his client, who has averaged 19.8 points and 8.1 rebounds in nine NBA seasons.

Abdur-Rahim, who will turn 29 on Dec. 11, reportedly also is being wooed by the Kings, New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards.

The former Cal star reportedly turned down a five-year, $47-million offer from the Bucks, money the Bucks used to outbid the Clippers for Simmons.

With the Portland Trail Blazers last season, Abdur-Rahim made $14.6 million. But he is expected to take a substantial pay cut, perhaps agreeing to the mid-level exception, which last season was about $5.3 million.

[whottt]

Shareef and the Clips...

That's a match made in heaven if ever there was one.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Per left coast sports news sources.

Interesting. I wonder if that makes Elton Brand tradeable...

[midgetonadonkey]

I'm actually surprised that the Clips are willing to spend money.

[Jdspur20]

so, since miami just recently re-signed haslem, do they even have the money to go after SAR? couldn't we offer rasho and more?

[milkyway21]

but some believe Blazers general manager John Nash might want a No. 1 draft pick to go along with the trade exception.

The Nets have two No. 1 picks in 2006 -- one an unprotected pick from the Los Angeles Clippers that figures to be very valuable and won't be given up. One league source said that the Nets would be unwilling to give up any future No. 1 pick.

i think this one will foil the Shareef to Nets. But if he'll sign with the Nets I would be glad at least he won't be going to LA or Minny.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I'd pretty much trade any combination of players not named Tim, Manu, Tony, or Bowen to the Clips for Elton Brand.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Actually come to think about it, I'd probably hesitantly send Tony and Rasho to the Clips for Brand, provided the Spurs could land Antonio to come back.

[milkyway21]

Actually come to think about it, I'd probably hesitantly send Tony and Rasho to the Clips for Brand, provided the Spurs could land Antonio to come back.

if the Spurs trade Rasho, Brand would be a perfect reason for that...I really like this player to play alongside Duncan.