Atlantic Notes: Young, Teletovic, Allen, Gordon
Earlier this afternoon we learned that the Raptors have offered Steve Nash a three-year, $36MM deal. The aging point guard is also being courted by the division rival Nets, Knicks, as well as the Mavericks. Here's the latest out of the Atlantic..
Williams To Meet With Mavs Before Nets
The Mavericks will get the first face-to-face sitdown tomorrow afternoon with Deron Williams, sources familiar with Williams’ plans tell Marc Stein of ESPN.com. The Nets will get their chance to talk to the point guard at night to recap the pitch that they have been pushing for weeks.
With Dirk Nowitzki traveling and owner Mark Cuban in Los Angeles working on his television show this week, sources say that Dallas will be represented by president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson, coach Rick Carlisle, and former player Michael Finley. However, Dallas is really banking on Jason Kidd making a strong pitch for them as the two vacation in the Hamptons.
Lakers, Nets, Rockets Talking Howard Trade
The Lakers and Magic have had preliminary contact about a possible deal for Dwight Howard, league sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The Nets and Rockets have also talked to Magic officials, sources said.
Free Agent Rumors: Terry, Lewis, Bass, Young
As the first day of free agency continues, reports continue to pour in on teams reaching out to certain players, perhaps to schedule meetings or make contract offers. We've rounded up plenty of those items already today, but we'll use this space to follow a few more updates, as they come in….
Josh Howard Drawing Interest From Mavs, Others
12:15pm: In addition to the six clubs reported by Spears, two other teams have expressed interest in Howard, tweets Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune. Howard is seeking a multiyear contract, according to Smith (Twitter link).
10:10am: Nearly two and a half years after the Mavericks traded him to Washington in a seven-player blockbuster, Josh Howard is drawing interest from his old team. According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), the Mavs are one of a handful of teams showing interest in the small forward. Spears names the Jazz, Lakers, Nets, Spurs, and Celtics as other potential suitors.
Free Agent Rumors: Lakers, Mavs, Cavs, Crawford
It's past midnight on the East Coast, and that means teams may negotiate with free agents from other clubs, as the NBA's offseason gets under way in earnest. Players can't officially sign contracts until July 11, and trades can't be made official until that date either. That doesn't mean there won't be plenty of talk and agreements in principle between now and then, and if this evening is any indication, we're in for a busy couple of weeks ahead. There are several bits of news rolling in on free agents as July begins, so we'll round up what we're hearing around the late-night rumor mill here.
- The Lakers are seeking a point guard in free agency, and in addition to reaching out to Ramon Sessions, they're also targeting veterans like Chauncey Billups, Jameer Nelson, and Kirk Hinrich, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- In search of a center, the Mavericks have shown some interest in Hasheem Thabeet and Joel Przybilla, says Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com.
- The Cavaliers have expressed interest in Jonny Flynn, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. They're also eyeing Sonny Weems, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (Twitter link).
Earlier updates:
Howard Upset With Magic; Orlando Exploring Trade
The situation between Dwight Howard and the Magic is getting ugly, tweets Chris Broussard of ESPN.com, who says Howard feels the team made promises they didn't keep to get him to waive his early termination option. Ric Bucher of ESPN hears that the players' union is considering legal action on Howard's behalf in hopes of eliminating D12's opt-in and making him a free agent this summer (Twitter links).
Howard Meets With Hennigan, Wants Trade To Nets
SUNDAY, 1:07am: The new management team in Orlando won't trade Howard until it has completed its due diligence, tweets TNT's David Aldridge. According to Aldridge, Hennigan and the front office won't let outside talk force them into making a decision before they're ready.
SATURDAY, 10:23pm: Howard has sought to nullify his decision to opt in to the final year of his contract, Broussard reports, but the players union will not pursue the complaint. There's no chance such a nullification will happen, league sources tell Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (Twitter link). Howard told Hennigan he thought the Magic had blackmailed him into opting in, according to Broussard.
Nets Might Pursue Mayo, Almost Traded For Scola
The Nets, who are reportedly in discussions with the Hawks about trading for Joe Johnson, are considering making a significant offer to unrestricted free agent O.J. Mayo, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The Nets were also "deep in discussions" today about a trade for power forward Luis Scola before talks with the Rockets broke down, Wojnarowski also reports via Twitter.
Williams, Kidd Intend To Sign With Same Team
9:14pm: Williams has denied that he and Kidd have decided to play for the same team, ESPN's Chris Broussard reports. Williams told Broussard he's leaning toward either the Mavs or Nets, but wouldn't say which one (Twitter links). Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reported earlier this week that Williams is leaning toward the Nets.
2:06pm: Throughout the year, Jason Kidd has repeatedly voiced his desire to back up Deron Williams next season, and it sounds like he'll make good on that statement. According to Ric Bucher of ESPN, Kidd will sign with whichever team Williams does. Since D-Will has narrowed his choices to the Nets and Mavericks, Kidd figures to end up one of those two squads as well.