Suns Pull Qualifying Offer To Aaron Brooks
SATURDAY, 5:38pm: According to a tweet by Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld, the Suns have officially withdrawn their qualifying offer to Brooks, making him an unrestricted free agent.
3:10pm: Kennedy and Brooks have deleted their tweets, and Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, reporting mutual interest between Brooks and the Rockets, refers to Brooks as a restricted free agent. So, it appears the issue has not yet been finalized.
2:04pm: Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld confirms the Suns have withdrawn the qualifying offer, making Brooks an unrestricted free agent (Twitter link).
FRIDAY, 10:45pm: It appears that the Suns have withdrawn their qualifying offer to Aaron Brooks after the guard sent out a tweet reading, "Unrestricted :-)." If Phoenix has in fact pulled the qualifying offer from Brooks, he is now an unrestricted free agent.
Odds & Ends: Kobe, Stiemsma, Batum, Allen
After Team USA's first practice Friday afternoon, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant told reporters, including Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter), that he's not so sure that the team is done making trades. "I don't think that they're done. The moves they make just seem to come out of nowhere," Bryant said. Here's some more Saturday afternoon linkage..
Knicks Notes: Camby, Prigioni, Jeffries
The Knicks will meet with free agent center Marcus Camby in the next few days, but a source told Marc Berman of the New York Post that it won't be in New York. The get-together will likely take place in Las Vegas as coach Mike Woodson is already there with assistant GM Allan Houston for the U.S. Olympic Team practices. More out of MSG..
Hoops Links: Summer League, Green, Jennings
Here at Hoops Rumors, we've been enjoying the start of an action-packed NBA offseason that will only get more intense as time goes on. However, on this date in 1978, a transaction took place that you're not likely to see replicated on our site. The NBA signed off on 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 would be moved to San Diego to become the Clippers.
If you have a piece that you feel should be a part of Hoops Links for next week, send me an email at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..
Rockets Rumors: Camby, Brooks, Felton, Sessions
Earlier today, we learned that the Rockets are no longer the frontrunner for Marcus Camby as the big man isn’t overly thrilled with the direction that the club seems to be going in. While the veteran hopes to play for the here-and-now, Houston’s moves this summer indicate that they plan on rebuilding. Here’s the latest on Camby and the Rockets..
Atlantic Notes: Allen, Celtics, Williams, Brand
Earlier this evening, Celtics fans were disappointed to learn that sharpshooter Ray Allen has opted to leave the C's for the Heat. The shooting guard turned down what was reportedly a two-year, $12MM offer to stay in Boston in favor of a three-year deal worth just over $9MM.
Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes that the loss of Allen is effectively a double-whammy for the C's as they cannot easily turn around and sign a similar player to offset the loss. This is because the Celtics only have the bi-annual exception available to lure a player in. Boston may also bring back swingman Mickael Pietrus, but for now it would seem that they'll have to bank on quality production and perimter shooting from Jason Terry to fill the gap. Here's more out of the Atlantic..
Free Agent Rumors: Meeks, Sessions, Gee, Cavs
The Rockets are now in play for free agent guard Ramon Sessions, a source tells Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com. The 26-year-old is said to be seeking a starting job and the security of a multiyear deal, something that the Mavericks seem prepared to offer. We ran down the day’s free agent rumors earlier today, here’s the latest batch..
Eric Gordon Unhappy With Hornets
Shortly after receiving an offer sheet from the Suns and flatly stating that his "heart is in Phoenix," free agent Eric Gordon expanded on those comments while speaking with reporters today. The two-guard says that he will play in New Orleans if the club matches the four-year, $58MM offer sheet but won't be happy about it, writes Jimmy Smith of the The Times-Picayune.
Raptors Shopping Jose Calderon
JULY 6th, 3:16pm: There's a "growing sense" around the league that the Raptors will either trade or keep Calderon, rather than amnestying him, says ESPN.com's Marc Stein (via Twitter).
JULY 1st, 11:52am: The Raptors are trying to trade Calderon so that they don't need to amnesty his expiring contract, tweets ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Stein adds in a second tweet that the Raps are seeking a trade partner with a big enough trade exception or chunk of cap space to absorb Calderon's salary. The Nuggets are the only team with a trade exception large enough for Calderon's contract, so finding a deal could be tricky.
Ray Allen To Sign With Heat?
The Heat have reached agreement on a deal with free agent guard Ray Allen, Heat owner Micky Arison announced via Twitter. The agreement was confirmed by agent Jim Tanner, tweets Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated. The veteran is widely expected to sign for the mini mid-level exception, worth $3.09MM per year.
"Its 2:30am in London and I was just woken up with great news. Welcome to the family #20!!," Arison announced.
Allen met with Miami on Thursday night without giving them an answer on their contract offer. The 36-year-old reportedly widdled his choices down to the Heat and Celtics, despite interest from other clubs including the Timberwolves and Grizzlies.