Wolves Rumors: Pekovic, Martin, Trades, Rubio
According to reports from Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities and Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, the Timberwolves have formally extended a multiyear contract offer to restricted free agent Nikola Pekovic. Zgoda, who expects Pekovic to sign a four-year deal worth $12MM or more, says the offer was made on Friday and that the Wolves expect an answer from the big man's camp early this week.
Here's more out of Minnesota from Wolfson:
- The Thunder have interest in signing-and-trading Kevin Martin to the Wolves, but an outright signing is more likely. Andrei Kirilenko's camp is also pushing for a sign-and-trade, says Wolfson, but the Wolves are more likely to simply renounce his rights.
- In their search for a defensive-minded wing, the Wolves are exploring trades involving Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea. While Ridnour is drawing more interest, the team may prefer to move Barea, since head coach Rick Adelman likes Ridnour.
- Prior to being waived yesterday, Greg Stiemsma was offered to every team in trade talks, but no clubs were willing to give up anything of value.
- The Wolves have inquired on Chauncey Billups, but are focusing on other needs for now.
- Barring an unforeseen catastrophe, Ricky Rubio will be offered a new five-year contract next summer, when he becomes extension-eligible.
- While Wizards exec Milt Newton appeared to be a candidate for the Wolves' GM job, he'll likely remain in Washington. Wolves president Flip Saunders figures to promote internally for the team's GM job, with Wolfson citing Rob Babcock as a possibility.
Stein’s Latest: Ellis, Jennings, Teague, Fredette
As we noted already this morning, ESPN.com's Marc Stein was the first to pass along word that the Nuggets and Randy Foye were nearing a verbal agreement. Stein also includes a number of somewhat related tidbits in his latest entry on ESPN's TrueHoop blog, so let's dive in and round them up….
- An agreement between Denver and Foye would likely take the Nuggets out of the running for Monta Ellis, which would seem to open up the Hawks' lead for the free agent guard. Stein reported over the weekend that Ellis was Atlanta's top target.
- However, an alternative scenario appears to be in play for the Hawks. According to Stein, Atlanta and Milwaukee have discussed a deal that would send Jeff Teague to the Bucks and Brandon Jennings to the Hawks, both via sign-and-trade. If those talks get serious, Stein says Atlanta would likely rescind its interest in Ellis, considering an Ellis/Jennings backcourt didn't take the Bucks far last season. Milwaukee's interest in Teague was reported at the very start of free agency last week.
- The Kings also remain in the hunt for Ellis, according to Stein, who says Sacramento has been shopping Jimmer Fredette and Chuck Hayes to the Cavaliers in an effort to clear the necessary cap room.
- As Stein notes, Hayes may not appeal to the Cavs, who are attempting to retain as much 2014 cap space as possible. The veteran forward is owed close to $6MM in 2014/15, while Fredette has a team option worth about $3.11MM.
Warriors, Nuggets, Jazz In Advanced Trade Talks
The Warriors, Nuggets, and Jazz are in "advanced discussions" on a three-way deal that would result in two players being signed-and-traded, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. According to Wojnarowski, the move would involve Andre Iguodala heading to Golden State via sign-and-trade, Randy Foye going to Denver via sign-and-trade, and a Warriors second-round pick heading to the Jazz.
If the deal were to be agreed upon, Foye would receive a three-year, $9MM contract from the Nuggets, with a team option on the third season, says Wojnarowski. ESPN.com's Marc Stein first reported late last night that Foye and the Nuggets were closing in on a verbal agreement. Meanwhile, the deal would mean yet another pick headed to Utah from the Warriors, who are already set to send the Jazz multiple first- and second-round picks in a separate agreement.
Over the weekend, I explained why the Warriors would likely pursue a sign-and-trade agreement with Denver rather than sign Iguodala outright, despite having already agreed to a four-year contract with him.
In that piece, I suggested that Golden State would take on Iguodala using the $11,046,000 trade exception the team will create by moving Richard Jefferson. That would create a trade exception worth the same amount for the Nuggets, though they may have to use a portion of it to acquire Foye. We'll have to wait to see if an agreement is reached before determining how all the cap details will work.
Odds & Ends: Jamison, Stiemsma, Douglas, Telfair
We learned earlier today that the Clippers have interest in signing free agent Antawn Jamison, but the veteran might not fit into their plans so easily. The club is also targeting Lamar Odom and since they're unlikely to get both, it's a one-or-the-other scenario for the Clippers, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Here's more from around the Association..
- The agent for Greg Stiemsma told Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (via Twitter) that there's still a chance that his client could return to the Wolves after being waived earlier today. The conversation Zgoda had made it seem as though the move was procedural and that there is still mutual interest in a new deal.
- Meanwhile, the Wolves continue to talk with Minnesota's own Alan Anderson, agent Mark Bartelstein told Zgoda (on Twitter).
- A source tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter) that Toney Douglas is being looked at by a couple of teams to fill a backup role. The Knicks could be in play for him as he offers defense, three point shooting, and a decent transition game.
- More from Zwerling (on Twitter) who says that Sebastian Telfair might not be in play for the Knicks after all due to financial reasons.
Hoops Links: Howard, Draft, Oden, Seattle
On this date in 1978, the NBA approved a franchise swap in which Buffalo Braves owner John Y. Brown and Harry Mangurian acquired the Celtics, while the Celtics owner Irv Levin got the Braves, who were later moved to San Diego to become the Clippers.
Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..
- True Sports Blog looks at the Warriors' crazy offseason after missing out on Dwight Howard.
- Wearing Film brings us a 2013 draft report card.
- Turnaround J runs down the second-tier free agents, including Greg Oden.
- Kingdome Of Seattle Sports is still hopeful that the NBA will return to Seattle.
- Red94 reflected on the Howard news the day after.
- The Dream Shake wonders if Kevin McHale can resurrect the Twin Towers in Houston.
- Pounding The Rock analyzes the Jeff Pendergraph pick up for the Spurs.
- Raptors HQ bid farewell to Andrea Bargnani.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Odds & Ends: Morrow, Ellis, Rivers, Collison
Here's tonight's look around the Association..
- The Grizzlies, Warriors, and Bobcats are the latest teams to show interest in Anthony Morrow, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. The Lakers, Spurs, Suns, Rockets, and Knicks have all reached out as well.
- Nothing is imminent at this point between the Hawks and Monta Ellis, but the two sides are engaged in talks, Kennedy tweets.
- Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck took a shot at former coach Doc Rivers, telling Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald that "Doc left us, period." Still, Grousbeck is confident his team can rebuild, as Bulpett observes in a separate piece.
- Many around the league are surprised that the Clippers were able to snag Darren Collison for a starting salary of just $1.9MM, Grantland's Zach Lowe tweets.
- The Spurs called 6'8" sharpshooter James Southerland to see if he would consider playing overseas next season if they took him with the 58th pick in last month's draft. Southerland turned down the offer and went undrafted, and is trying to prove himself with the Sixers and Warriors in summer league, as Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
- Josh Smith's agreement with the Pistons shatters the notion that marquee free agents won't come to Detroit, observes MLive's David Mayo, who examines how Smith fits on the team and what moves might be next for Joe Dumars and company.
Celtics Sign Kelly Olynyk
The Celtics announced that they have signed first-round pick Kelly Olynyk. The 7'0" forward was the 13th overall pick in the 2013 draft.
Olynyk was a consensus All-American and the West Coast Conference Player of the Year during the 2012-13 season for Gonzaza. He averaged 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26.4 minutes per game, while finishing third in the nation in field goal shooting at 62.9%.
Olynyk’s draft rights were acquired from Dallas in exchange for the draft rights to Lucas Nogueira and two future second round draft picks. If C's go to 120% of the rookie scale, Olynyk will earn $2MM in his first year.
Week In Review: 7/1/13 – 7/7/13
It has been a crazy start to free agency this summer, but one story stood above all the rest. Dwight Howard, who many say has been dissatisfied with the Lakers organization, decided to take his talents to the Lone Star State and sign with the Rockets. Howard left an extra contract year on the table and a decent chunk of money to leave Los Angeles, but he felt that Houston gave him the best chance to win. Here's the rest of the top stories from this past week..
- The Pistons got one of this summer's top free agents when they agreed to a four-year, $54MM deal with Josh Smith. The high-flyer can earn an additional $2MM through incentives.
- The Warriors will ink Andre Iguodala to a four-year, $48MM deal.
- The Jazz took on Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins, Brandon Rush, and more from the Warriors and acquired Golden State's 2014 and 2017 first-round picks.
- Carl Landry will get a four-year, $26MM deal from the Kings.
- The Hawks quietly made a great signing when they agreed to a two-year, $19MM deal with Paul Millsap.
- A three-way trade sent Eric Bledsoe to the Suns and J.J. Redick to the Clippers.
- The Clippers will re-sign Matt Barnes to a three-year contract.
- The Nuggets reached agreement on a deal with J.J. Hickson.
- The Bobcats landed Al Jefferson on a three-year, $41MM deal. The final year will be a player option.
- J.R. Smith is staying in New York.
- The Wolves will keep Chase Budinger.
- David West will stay put in Indiana thanks to a three-year deal.
- Tiago Splitter and the Spurs agreed to a lucrative four-year deal.
- The Bulls will cut Richard Hamilton loose.
- The Grizzlies and Tony Allen came to terms on a fresh contract.
- The Hawks re-signed Kyle Korver for a whole lot of money.
- The Celtics replaced Doc Rivers with former Butler coach Brad Stevens.
- Meanwhile, Rajon Rondo wants to stay with the C's.
- The Mavs missed out on D12 and are spending the money elsewhere. They'll ink Jose Calderon in a few days.
- Martell Webster got a four-year deal from the Wizards.
- There's lots of turnover in Milwaukee and the Bucks will sign O.J. Mayo to their new look team with a three-year, $24MM deal.
- The Spurs agreed to a new deal with Manu Ginobili.
- The Rockets traded troubled forward Royce White to the Sixers for an international prospect and cash.
- The Pelicans will re-sign Al-Farouq Aminu to a one-year, $3.7MM deal.
- Omri Casspi agreed to a two-year pact with the Rockets.
- Former Knicks guard Chris Copeland is Indiana-bound.
- The Wolves will sign Kevin Martin to a four-year, $28MM deal.
- Omer Asik doesn't want to back up Howard and wants out. The Rockets say he's staying. Meanwhile, they're aggressively shopping guard Jeremy Lin.
- The Knicks will welcome back Pablo Prigioni.
- The Pelicans, Kings, and Blazers did a three-way deal involving a sign-and-trade of Tyreke Evans to New Orleans.
- The Mavs will welcome back guard Devin Harris.
- Dwight can opt out of his deal in 2016.
- The Rockets will bring back Francisco Garcia.
- Donald Sloan and the Pacers agreed to a deal.
- Andray Blatche is going back to Brooklyn.
- Howard's departure means that Pau Gasol won't be traded or amnestied.
- The Grizzlies re-signed Jon Leuer.
- The Spurs are set to sign sharpshooter Marco Belinelli to a two-year deal.
- The Nets will ink Shaun Livingston to back up Deron Williams.
- The Blazers agreed to a two-year deal with Dorell Wright.
- The Wolves waived Greg Stiemsma and Mickael Gelabale.
- The Cavs agreed to a deal with Earl Clark.
- The Cavs agreed to sign Jarrett Jack.
- The Bobcats will amnesty Tyrus Thomas.
- Quentin Richardson will be a part of the Andrea Bargnani deal.
- The Blazers said deuces to Sasha Pavlovic.
- Marcus Camby wants a trade or buyout.
- Nazr Mohammed is going back to Chicago.
- The Raptors will sign Julyan Stone.
- The Bulls got Mike Dunleavy.
- DeMarre Carroll will sign with the Hawks when he is allowed to.
- Eric Maynor and the Wizards agreed to a multi-year deal.
- The Clippers will re-sign Ryan Hollins.
- The Bucks will ink Zaza Pachulia.
- The Spurs agreed to sign former Pacer Jeff Pendergraph.
- The Bobcats will re-up Josh McRoberts.
- The Clippers agreed to sign Darren Collison for $1.9MM.
- The Blazers got Earl Watson.
Mutual Interest Between Lakers, Chris Kaman
In the wake of losing the league’s best center in free agency, the Lakers have growing interest in free agent center Chris Kaman and the feeling is mutual, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. As the Hoops Rumors Agency Database shows, the big man is a client of Landmark Sports Agency, the same agency that represents Kobe Bryant.
Several other teams have expressed interest in Kaman, including the Warriors, Hawks, Kings, and Knicks, according to sources. Discussions are still in the formative stages between the former No. 6 overall pick and the Lakers, but Kaman has a reputation as a hard-working, dependable player who can fill a needed role.
Kaman, who played his first eight seasons for the Clippers, likes the idea of returning to L.A., a league source said. The 31-year-old averaged 10.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 20 minutes a game for the Mavericks last year.
Omer Asik Requests Trade, Rockets Say No
Omer Asik has been vocal about his displeasure about the idea of backing up Dwight Howard and he has now taken the step of formally requesting a trade out of Houston, sources told Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. However, the Rockets have no plans to grant the center's wish.
Asik started all 82 games for the Rockets last season and wasn't ready to take a backseat to the league's No. 1 center. The former Bull averaged 10.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in his first season with the Rockets. Asik makes a very reasonable $5.225MM next season but his salary balloons to $14.9MM in 2014/15.