Jordan Farmar Exercises Player Option
5:54pm: Farmar confirmed to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (via Twitter) that he will be opting in for next year.
5:26pm: Jordan Farmar is opting into the final year of his contract, according to Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star-Ledger (via Twitter). The news contradicts yesterday's report that indicated the point guard would opt out and test the open market.
Free Agent Notes: Nelson, Pacers, Terry, Duncan
Jameer Nelson decided yesterday to opt out of his contract, which will make him an unrestricted free agent this summer. However, turning down his player option with the Magic doesn't mean Nelson doesn't want to return to Orlando. According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, signing a long-term deal with the Magic is still Nelson's number one goal, and the point guard confirmed as much on Twitter today
"Like I have said over and over," Nelson tweeted. "I'd love to stay a Magic and I would love to play for the best fans in the NBA. And I still have faith that it can happen. So again thanks you guys for all the support."
Here are a few more updates on some soon-to-be free agents….
Kennedy On Lin, Gordon, Mayo, Hibbert, Hill
We keep hearing teams like the Mavericks, Nets, and Raptors named as potential suitors for Steve Nash, but if one of those teams misses out on both Nash and Deron Williams, its next target could be Jeremy Lin. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld hears from sources that one of those three clubs could sign Lin to an offer sheet, forcing the Knicks to match. Here are a few more free agent updates from Kennedy, with just over 12 hours left until the fun begins….
Steve Nash Expects Quick Free Agent Decision
We're currently less than 15 hours away from the start of the NBA's 2012 free agent period, and Steve Nash doesn't expect to take much time to decide on his destination. Nash tells ESPN.com's Marc Stein that he might make his decision within the "first day or so" of free agency.
"It's crazy to decide on the next three years of your life in an afternoon or a day," Nash said. "Just because things happen fast. People want to get it out of the way and move on. Not only myself but the teams as well. If something funny happens and I want to take my time, I'll definitely take my time. But the way these things go, I feel, usually (they) happen quick."
Odds & Ends: Deng, Batum, Jennings, Warriors
Eight years ago today, the Rockets made one of the biggest trades in team history, sending Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Kelvin Cato to the Magic in exchange for Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, and Reece Gaines. GM Daryl Morey and the Rockets may have been looking to make a similarly big splash this June, but draft day came and went without a major trade from Houston. Still, if nothing else, the Rockets accumulated a ton of talent Thursday night, drafting Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, and Terrence Jones with their three first-round picks.
Here are a few more Friday afternoon odds and ends from around the NBA:
Jordan Farmar Intends To Opt Out
Jordan Farmar plans to opt out of his contract with the Nets and become an unrestricted free agent, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times. Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (Sulia link) also hears Farmar is leaning toward declining his player option, though Farmar himself tells Bondy he's still undecided (Twitter link). The 25-year-old's option for 2012/13 is worth $4.25MM.
Post-Draft Rumors: Suns, Lakers, Hawks, Jazz
A handful of draft trades were consummated tonight, but we didn't get treated to the blockbuster moves many were hoping for or expecting. The highest pick to change hands was the Mavericks' first-rounder, 17th overall. Still, the absence of lottery movement wasn't for lack of trying. With the 2012 draft in the books, rumors are beginning to trickle out about failed deals that teams explored. We're likely to hear about many of those in the coming days, but here are a few that surfaced immediately in the wake of the draft:
- The Suns explored ways to acquire a late-first-round pick to acquire the slipping Perry Jones III, tweets Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
Earlier updates:
D-Will Leaning Toward Re-Signing With Nets
We're still a few days away from free agency and Deron Williams reportedly has yet to decide on his future. However, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld hears from multiple sources that the prize of the free agent market is leaning toward re-signing with the Nets (Twitter link). Earlier this week, we heard that D-Will had narrowed his options down to the Nets and Mavericks.
Nets Acquire Pick No. 54 From Sixers
The Nets have bought another second-round draft pick, this one from the 76ers, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Brooklyn will use the 54th overall pick to draft Tornike Shengelia, says Ford.
The Nets have now bought a pair of second-rounders tonight, having already acquired the No. 41 pick from the Trail Blazers.
Nets Acquire No. 41 Pick From Blazers
The Blazers will select Tyshawn Taylor with the No. 41 pick and send him to the Nets, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). The Nets will send cash to Portland in the deal, tweets Wojnarowski.
The Nets, who didn't send out any cash at the trade deadline, were expected to use that money tonight in order to facilitate a deal.