Mavs’ Cuban to meet with free agent Kidd
June 30, 2009
DALLAS (AP)—Mark Cuban wants to be first in line to talk to Jason Kidd(notes).
Cuban posted Tuesday on Twitter, “Getting ready to fly up to NYC for FreeAgent meeting at 12:01,” and that free agent is Kidd, according to a personwith knowledge of the situation. The person spoke on condition of anonymitybecause NBA rules prevent commenting on such things.
Cuban has made it clear he wants to keep Kidd alongside Dirk Nowitzki(notes) on theDallas Mavericks, but it might not be that easy.
The New York Knicks are believed to be interested, too. So could LeBronJames’(notes) Cavaliers or perhaps Kobe Bryant’s(notes) Lakers. Kidd has never won an NBAchampionship, but has won two Olympic gold medals, including one with James andBryant just last year. Other teams also may be calling agent Jeff Schwartz.
ESPN.com first reported that Cuban’s New York trip is for Kidd.
Kidd made more than $21 million last season. At 36, he knows to expect a dip— but how much could be the big difference. Another likely factor will be thelength of the contract.
The Lakers and Cavaliers might only offer a one-year deal, dangling theirhopes of a title as incentive. Kidd would then be a free agent again in 2010,meaning he’d still have a chance for one last big payday.
“You would love to win a championship, but there are no guarantees,” Kiddsaid in mid-May, a day after the Mavericks’ season ended with a second-roundloss to the Denver Nuggets. “You could pick the favorites for next year to wina championship and things could go sideways.”
So maybe he’d prefer big money now from a team already in contention. Thatcould be Dallas, which might be willing to pay more than other teams to helpmaximize the prime of Nowitzki’s career and to avoid the problem of trying toreplace him.
“I’m not looking at it as … hitching on a bandwagon and jumping on with ateam that’s a favorite,” Kidd said. “I’m looking to help a team try to win achampionship. Whether it’s here in Dallas or wherever it may be, I still feelthat I have a lot to give to the game. I feel great, and I thought I had apretty good season. As much as everybody talks about my age, I still feel like Ican compete at a high level.”
The Knicks are early in a rebuilding phase, but are hoping to speed thingsup by signing James in 2010. Having Kidd play for them this season, even if onlyon a one-year deal, could help their recruitment of James next summer.
Kidd played 81 games last season, averaging 9 points, 8.7 assists and 6.2rebounds per game. Dallas won 50 games, then cruised by San Antonio in the firstround of playoffs before getting stopped by Denver.
Kidd said he “would love to be back” with the Mavericks. He also said hebelieves he has three good years left. He’s already played 15 seasons, rackingup the third-most assists in NBA history.
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Bobcats to consider free agent Iverson
June 30, 2009
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—The Charlotte Bobcats have an owner who’s losing millionsand looking to sell. They’ve struggled to move tickets, win games and becomerelevant in a town that used to adore the NBA.
Allen Iverson(notes) could change that. Pair the polarizing guard with coach LarryBrown again and they wouldn’t just be talking about games in Charlotte, they’dbe talking about practice, too.
Whether Iverson is reunited with his former adversary-turned-buddy Brown isCharlotte’s most intriguing storyline as the NBA’s free agency period opensWednesday.
Iverson is a 34-year-old free agent, far removed from his NBA MVP days andcertainly about to be paid much less than the nearly $22 million he made lastseason, when he was traded from Denver to Detroit.
Seven years after Iverson’s famous “We’re talking about practice!” rantdirected at Brown when they were in Philadelphia, the two have made up. Iversonwas spotted in Charlotte in May, when Brown said he’d have no problems coachinghim again and Iverson’s agent indicated his client would be open to playing forthe Bobcats.
Leon Rose declined further comment on Tuesday, but he’s expected to talk tothe Bobcats as the free agency negotiating period starts Wednesday.
“Even though there are things that went on during our careers, the work hedid was phenomenal,” Brown said recently. “He wants to win, he competes everynight, he plays hurt.”
Brown did question whether the Bobcats, who have never won more than 35games in a season, would be a good fit for a player seeking to win an NBA titlebefore retiring. But Rose said his client would have no qualms coming toCharlotte.
The Bobcats were the lowest-scoring team in the NBA last season, butIverson’s role here would be uncertain.
The Bobcats have depth in the backcourt. They drafted shooting guard GeraldHenderson(notes) with the 12th pick to back up Raja Bell(notes). D.J. Augustin(notes) is expected toagain back up point guard Raymond Felton(notes).
Charlotte last week gave Felton a one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer tomake him a restricted free agent and plan to sign him to a long-term deal thissummer.
“I don’t see any situation where he will not be with this team,” managingpartner Michael Jordan said. “Granted, we’ve got a lot of business decisions tomake and a lot of negotiations ahead. But I anticipate us keeping and signingRaymond Felton, without a doubt.”
Under that scenario, Iverson would likely have to take on a lesser role,something he resisted in Detroit last season.
It’s also uncertain if the two sides could agree on a contract. The Bobcats,who are over the salary cap, will probably not offer more than a midlevelexception of about $5.6 million for a free agent.
Management has been told by owner Bob Johnson, who has slashednon-basketball payroll and is exploring selling the team, not to exceed theluxury tax threshold of about $70 million.
“I don’t think it’s fair for us to get anywhere close to the luxury taxnumbers,” general manager Rod Higgins said. “We’re just trying to get to theplayoffs. We’re not there yet, so it’s going to be hard pressed for us to go toownership and say we want to go to the tax level.”
The Bobcats’ biggest need is the frontcourt. Injury-prone power forward SeanMay(notes) becomes an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday after Charlotte declined togive him a one-year qualifying offer of $3.7 million.
The Bobcats could still try to re-sign May for less, and they must addressBoris Diaw’s(notes) backup because veteran Juwan Howard(notes) is also a free agent. RasheedWallace(notes) and Antonio McDyess(notes), both of whom have played for Brown, are available.
Charlotte has big money tied up in reserve big men Nazr Mohammed(notes) ($13.2million owed over the next two seasons) and DeSagana Diop(notes) ($19.4 million overthree years), but didn’t make a draft-week trade to clear cap space to be amajor player in free agency.
But with Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta and Washington all making recent deals,the Bobcats may have a tough time becoming a playoff team in an improved EasternConference next season if they don’t make a move or two to upgrade offensively.
Notes: Johnson again declined an interview request Tuesday, two days afterthe Houston Chronicle reported former Rockets executive George Postolos made aninquiry about buying the Bobcats. Postolos declined comment in an e-mailresponse. … With the Bobcats not fielding a summer league team to save money,Henderson will play for Minnesota’s entry in Las Vegas July 10-19. Second-roundpick Derrick Brown(notes) will play for Utah in Orlando July 6-10.
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Rockets keeping quiet about Yao’s injury
June 30, 2009
HOUSTON (AP)—On the eve of the NBA draft, Houston Rockets general managerDaryl Morey said that the franchise was still determined to build aroundAll-Star center Yao Ming(notes).
“He’s the cornerstone of the team,” Morey said.
A few days later, the future of the team and the All-Star center from Chinahave suddenly been thrown into question amid ominous reports from the teamdoctor that the hairline fracture in Yao’s left foot could not only possiblykeep him out all of next season, but potentially end his career.
That would not only be devastating news for the Rockets, but a cripplingblow to the NBA, which would lose one of its most influential internationalambassadors.
On Tuesday, the league was still holding out hope that Yao would play again.
“I think it’s awfully premature for us to comment on that,” leaguespokesman Tim Frank said. “Let’s see how this works out first.”
Morey said Monday he would not comment on the reports about Yao “until wehave all the facts.” A team spokesman said Tuesday that nothing was definitiveand that Yao and his representatives were seeking other medical opinions thisweek.
The Rockets already know that Tracy McGrady(notes) could be out until next Februaryafter undergoing risky microfracture surgery on his left knee. Morey also has todecide what to do with Ron Artest(notes), who becomes a free agent after making over $7million in a productive first season in Houston. Artest said after the seasonthat he wanted to come back—but that was when he believed the Rockets couldcompete for the Western Conference title.
Releasing McGrady and Artest could save the Rockets money, but probably costthem a season. It would also mark a disappointing end to the star-crossedpairing of Yao and McGrady.
The two have only played together in 220 games across five seasons.Together, they’ve missed 204 games to injuries and illnesses since McGradyjoined the team in June 2004.
Yao and McGrady have played in 10 All-Star games as Rockets, but they’venever led Houston out of the first round of the playoffs together. McGradywatched from the sidelines as Houston beat Portland in the first round lastseason, the Rockets’ first series victory since 1997.
Yao was injured in Game 3 of the second-round series with the Los AngelesLakers, and Houston pushed the eventual NBA champions to seven games. But thescrappiness the Rockets showed won’t be enough to carry them through a wholeseason without a superstar.
That leaves Morey with difficult—and far-reaching—decisions to make thissummer.
Yao is due to make over $16 million next season, with a player option for2010-11 that would pay him over $17 million. McGrady will make over $22 millionnext season, the last year of his contract.
Before the draft, Morey said teams have made “very aggressive” offers forMcGrady. They’re probably more interested in McGrady’s expiring contract thanwhat he could provide on the court, but either way, Morey hasn’t seen a deal helikes.
“We are getting a lot of interest on Tracy and I do have to listen,” Moreysaid. “It’s my job to make this team as ready to win the title as possible.”
But how realistic is that if Yao is sidelined for the season or longer?
Morey said last Friday that the uncertainty surrounding Yao had not changedhis offseason strategy for trades. That was before team doctor Tom Clanton toldthe Houston Chronicle that Yao’s injury could threaten his career.
If Yao is out for the season, the Rockets could apply for an injured playerexception and use that money toward signing a free agent, said Frank, the NBAspokesman. It would amount to the value of the midlevel exception, equal to 108percent of the average player salary from last season (about $5.6 million).
Some of the unrestricted free agent big men available this summer, if theRockets won’t have Yao, include Chris Andersen(notes), Brandon Bass(notes), Rasheed Wallace(notes),Antonio McDyess(notes), Chris Mihm(notes), Francisco Elson(notes), Jamaal Magliore and Drew Gooden(notes).
A doctor approved by the NBA would have to declare Yao out for the seasonbefore Houston would get the exception. And the Rockets would not be able tocombine the two exceptions to make an $11 million offer to one player.
The absence of Yao would have a major impact far beyond Houston.
Rockets games routinely draw television audiences between 20 and 30 millionin China, said Marc Ganis, the president of the Chicago-based sports consultingfirm SportsCorp Ltd., which has partners in China.
The NBA became the first American sports league to host games in China in2004, when Yao’s Rockets played Sacramento in Beijing and Shanghai. The leagueopened offices in China in January 2008, and NBA games and programming areavailable on 51 television and digital outlets there.
Ganis says the NBA would’ve eventually developed a strong presence in China,but Yao accelerated the process by a decade or more. Yao adorns larger-than-lifebillboards, stars in commercials and even provided the voice for a character ina Chinese-language animated movie after the Rockets’ season.
“His emergence as a rock star allowed the NBA to get on his broad shouldersand be carried to a much higher level of popularity than it would’ve been,”Ganis said. “His value to the league has been almost incalculable.”
Even if Yao never plays another NBA game, Ganis said his internationalimpact is permanent.
NBA merchandise is sold in 30,000 retail stores in China. Kobe Bryant(notes) hashad the top-selling NBA jersey in China for two straight seasons. Yao ranks10th, but only because most Chinese fans already have them.
“It’s inevitable that one day, he will no longer be playing in the NBA, butthat could be a decade down the road,” Ganis said. “But I would expect Yao tobe an ambassador for the NBA in Asia and I would expect him to be a significantcontributor for the development of basketball in China.”
For now, all China, the Rockets and everyone else can do is wait to see ifhe plays in the league again.
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Pacers make offers to Jack, McRoberts
June 30, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—The Indiana Pacers have made qualifying offers to pointguard Jarrett Jack(notes) and forward Josh McRoberts(notes), making them restricted freeagents.
Jack’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, said Tuesday that his client has enjoyedplaying for the Pacers. The Pacers announced the offers in a news release.
Jack averaged a career-high 13.1 points per game last season while sharingthe starting job with T.J. Ford(notes). Team president Larry Bird said at the end ofthe season that he wanted to make the offer to Jack, but said as the draftapproached the right point guard could make Jack expendable. The Pacers diddraft Connecticut’s A.J. Price(notes) last week.
McRoberts averaged 2.4 points per game last season.
Free agents can begin negotiating with teams on Wednesday.
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Boozer, Okur decide to stay with Jazz
June 30, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Carlos Boozer(notes) and Mehmet Okur(notes) are both staying with theUtah Jazz next season.
About two hours after Boozer let the Jazz know he decided against opting outof the final year of his contract—which he once said he intended to do—Okurjoined him Tuesday night.
The moves keep the Jazz lineup intact, but at a hefty price, as Boozer isscheduled to make $12.7 million next season and Okur $9 million.
Boozer told an ESPN.com reporter in December that he was definitely going toopt out of his contract, but backed off his original statement and said when theseason ended he wanted to consider all of his options.
He chose not to chance an iffy free agent market for more money and possiblya long-term deal.
“We are excited that Carlos has decided to remain with the Jazz,” generalmanager Kevin O’Connor said in a release. “We are hopeful he can continue toplay at an All-Star level and will have an injury-free season.”
Boozer and Okur took until the final day to reach a decision, announcingtheir choice one day after Kyle Korver(notes) told the team he would be return for hisguaranteed $5.2 million.
While relieved to have the three players back, O’Connor is looking at a hugepayroll that also includes $16.2 million for forward Andrei Kirilenko(notes)—andcould still get bigger.
Forward Paul Millsap(notes) is a restricted free agent who will draw interest inthe next week, when teams can negotiate with players. The Jazz will have theright to match any other offers in order to keep him, but could easily top theluxury tax threshold if another team puts up a big contract.
When healthy, Boozer has been the Jazz’s top scorer and rebounder and helpedlead Utah to three straight playoff appearances. He’s been an All-Star twice andwas a member of last year’s U.S. Olympic gold medal team, but injuries havetaken him out for large chunks of three of his five seasons in Utah.
Boozer has averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds since Utah signed him awayfrom the Cleveland Cavaliers as a restricted free agent five years ago, but hasonly played in 276 of a possible 410 games with the Jazz. He was limited to 37games last season, due largely to an injury that required surgery on his leftknee in January.
Okur, who joined the Jazz as a free agent shortly after Boozer, has averaged16 points and eight rebounds for Utah and is the team’s top 3-point shooter.
The Jazz struggled without him when he missed the first three games of theplayoffs this spring with a hamstring injury, falling behind the Lakers andnever recovering.
“He has clearly been an integral part of our success since his arrival andwe are hopeful that he will continue to perform at such a high level in thefuture,” O’Connor said.
Millsap averaged 13.5 points last season, getting double-doubles in 19straight games while starting for Boozer, and has career averages of 9.4 pointsand 6.4 rebounds since the Jazz selected him with the No. 47 pick in the 2006draft.
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Clips extend qualifying offer to F Novak
June 30, 2009
LOS ANGELES (AP)—The Clippers have extended a qualifying offer to forwardSteve Novak(notes), making him a restricted free agent.
Los Angeles also announced Tuesday that guard Ricky Davis(notes) has exercised hiscontract option for the 2009-10 season and forward Brian Skinner(notes) has decided notto exercise his option for the upcoming season, which makes him an unrestrictedfree agent.
The Clippers also decided not to exercise their team option on guard AlexAcker(notes).
Novak averaged 6.9 points and shot 42 percent from 3-point range in 71 gameslast season, his third in the NBA.
Under league rules, the Clippers had until Tuesday to make a qualifyingoffer to Novak. As a restricted free agent, he may sign an offer sheet with anyteam, but the Clippers can match.
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Nowitzki’s ex-fiancee in Missouri jail
June 30, 2009
BEAUMONT, Texas (AP)—Dirk Nowitzki’s(notes) former fiancee was transferred from aTexas jail to a lockup in Missouri on Tuesday, authorities said.
Crystal Taylor, arrested at the Mavericks star’s Dallas home in May, wastaken to Missouri after posting bond through a bail agency in Jefferson County.Keith Day of Professional Bail Bonding in Beaumont was listed as the agent whopaid, but officials there said they were unable to determine where the moneycame from.
Taylor, 38, faces probation violation charges in Missouri. She was chargedwith theft in Beaumont, Texas, for allegedly failing to pay for $10,000 worth ofdental work in 2006.
Taylor has told The Dallas Morning News that she is pregnant with Nowitzki’schild. Nowitzki has filed for custody if a paternity test proves he’s thefather.
Corrections officials in St. Charles County, Mo., said Taylor arrived earlyTuesday to face probation violations stemming from 1997 charges of forgery andstealing. She is scheduled to appear in court July 6 for a bond reductionhearing in Missouri, court documents said.
Calls to Taylor’s attorney Scott Renick were not immediately returned.
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Spurs G Finley to return for 15th season
June 30, 2009
SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Veteran guard Michael Finley(notes) has told the Spurs he plans toreturn for another season.
The 36-year-old Finley held the option on his contract for the 2009-10season, which will be his fifth in San Antonio. The team announced Finley’sdecision Tuesday.
Finley finished his 14th season with averages of 9.7 points and 3.3 reboundsin 81 games. He shot a career-best 41 percent from 3-point range.
Among active players, Finley is fourth in games with 1,057 and fifth in3-pointers with 1,422. He has career averages of 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3assists.
Finley played nine seasons in Dallas after starting his career in Phoenix.
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Knicks hoping to keep Lee, Robinson
June 30, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—David Lee(notes) and Nate Robinson(notes) become free agents on Wednesday, andthe New York Knicks say they would like to keep both.
The players shouldn’t expect too big an offer. Those are reserved for theguys who hit free agency next year.
In the meantime, the Knicks face decisions on two of their own, a pair ofpopular and productive players they will try to retain—but only if it doesn’tcost them too much.
New York’s goal remains to be a major player next summer, and not overspendin 2009.
“I’m always looking at 2010, because I want to be in the free agent marketin a big way,” team president Donnie Walsh said.
That’s why a player like Lee will become a free agent. The Knicks could haveextended him and Robinson before last season, and teams often take that option.Walsh, however, didn’t want to make any commitments without seeing how they fitinto coach Mike D’Antoni’s system.
“You don’t normally have a guy like this in free agency,” Lee’s agent,Mark Bartelstein, said of his client. “Usually these guys are extended beforethey get there.”
Lee went on to lead the NBA with 65 double-doubles and rank in the top 10 inrebounding and field goal percentage, averaging 16 points and 11.7 boards.Robinson also had the best season of his career, scoring 17.2 points per game asone of the league’s top sixth men.
Both are restricted free agents, meaning the Knicks can match an offer theyreceive. Walsh said he tries to make a fair offer first, but knows he hasoptions if that doesn’t go far.
“You try to discuss what the numbers are and if you’re really far apart inrestricted free agency then you keep talking, but you’re almost saying, ‘Well,you better prove it to me,”’ Walsh said.
That won’t be easy this summer, because there aren’t many teams who havemoney and want to spend it. The economy has hit some teams hard, and othersprefer to wait until 2010, for what could be one of the strongest free agencyclasses ever.
The Knicks understand that, but also realize one of those teams with money,such as Detroit or Oklahoma City, could make a strong bid that would changetheir strategy.
“Problem is, you can have a feeling where the league is, but it just takesone person to buck that trend,” D’Antoni said.
Robinson made $2 million and Lee a little less in the final years of theirrookie contracts, and both will seek much larger deals. Lee likely has a betterchance to get it, especially from the Knicks, with Bartelstein noting the6-foot-9 forward has improved every season.
But after devoting last season to untangling the Knicks’ salary cap mess,Walsh doesn’t plan to overspend.
“The one thing is, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to lose them, butyou might have to pay them a lot more,” Walsh said. “That’s the decision thatwe have to make.”
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Eddy Curry’s Chicago home in foreclosure
June 30, 2009
BURR RIDGE, Ill. (AP)—Court records show that former Chicago Bulls playerEddy Curry’s(notes) suburban Chicago mansion is in foreclosure.
It’s the same home where Curry was bound and robbed in 2007. He now playsfor the New York Knicks.
Documents show that Curry was more than $217,000 behind on his $3.7 millionmortgage as of Friday. Records reviewed by the Chicago Sun-Times show that Curryand his wife, Patrice, took the 30-year mortgage out in July 2003 to buy thehome. A court filing says the Currys’ initial interest rate on the home loan was9.25 percent with a monthly payment of $28,675.
Curry’s attorneys did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday.
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