Atlantic Notes: Deron Williams, Prigioni, Celtics
While optimists in Dallas believe that the chances of signing Deron Williams are 50-50, Ken Berger of CBS Sports writes that the Mavericks are becoming increasingly worried that their prized free agent target will re-sign with the Nets. On Sunday, we mentioned that Brooklyn can offer a $100 MM extension over five years, whereas Dallas can offer $75 MM over four. Here are more of this evening's rumblings out of the Atlantic Division…
Odds & Ends: Foye, Teletovic, Claver, Roy
It's still not entirely clear whether the players' union's victory in this month's Bird Rights ruling will withstand the NBA's appeal, but for now at least, it appears the Knicks will have a $3MM mid-level exception to sign outside free agents this summer. According to Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com, one player who is interested in signing for that MLE is Randy Foye. Zwerling hears from a source that Foye is expected to receive a handful of offers at or around $3MM, but that the guard's top choice is New York.
Here are a few more Tuesday afternoon odds and ends from around the NBA:
Amico On Bobcats, Lakers, Wizards, Hawks
We're tracking most of today's draft rumors right here, but the latest column from Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio has a few too many tidbits and rumors to condense it to a single bullet point. Amico's piece has draft-related updates on the Lakers, Hawks, Wizards, and more, so let's round up all the pertinent info below….
New York Notes: Lin, Woodson, Kidd
The Knicks and Nets have both been busy since their respective seasons came to a conclusion earlier this spring. For the Knicks, the team's attention has been focused on the future of Jeremy Lin while the Nets' energy has been spent on convincing Deron Williams to remain with the franchise. With the draft looming on Thursday and the start of free agency set to begin less than two weeks later, both New York and Brooklyn are in store for a working summer as the two teams look to reload for the fall. Let's check in on the latest news from Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center…
Amick’s Latest: Rockets, Hawks, Bucks, Nets
SI.com's Sam Amick says he'd be surprised if there weren't a few trades finalized this week, particularly on draft night. Amick points to the Rockets, who own the 14th and 16th overall picks in the first round, as a prime candidate to be involved in draft-day deals, confirming ESPN.com's report that the Kings are among the teams talking to Houston. Amick shares a number of other draft-related updates, and one non-draft rumor via Sulia. Here are the highlights….
HoopsWorld On Deng, Lowry, Gay, Gasol, Draft
Luol Deng's decision to play in this summer's Olympics rather than immediately undergoing wrist surgery has created some tension between the player and his NBA team, and Deng said this weekend that he wouldn't be shocked if the Bulls traded him. Both Alex Kennedy and Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld looked at the possibility of a deal, with Kennedy noting that the Bulls would "love to add a young star" in the draft lottery. Kyler adds that Deng's trade value takes a bit of a hit since he's expected to miss the start of the season, but says the Raptors and Warriors have shown "more than a passing interest."
Here are a few more Monday morning notes from the pair of HoopsWorld scribes on potential trades that could be consummated this week:
Odds & Ends: Nuggets, Heat, Thunder, Suns
The Nuggets now have more than enough assets to make a blockbuster deal for another superstar but they shouldn't rush anything, writes The Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman.
Deron Williams Will Only Sign With Nets Or Mavs
Nets point guard Deron Williams has narrowed down the list of potential teams he will sign with this summer to include Brooklyn and the Mavs, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com. The former Jazz star will become a free agent at midnight July 1 and has drawn attention from countless teams across the league. Williams, however, has instructed his representatives to inform teams that contact him that he will either re-sign with the Nets or return home to Dallas to play for the Mavs. The Nets can offer Williams a five-year, $100MM extension whereas the Mavs are limited to presenting the All-Star guard with a four-year, $75MM deal.
Lawrence On Riley, Shaq, Bulls, Knicks
Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News has a new column focusing on Miami Heat president Pat Riley, who is attempting to build a new dynasty in Miami following the team's NBA Finals victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. Here are the highlights of the column:
Raymond Felton Eyes Knicks, Blazers, Suns, Nets
Unrestricted free agent point guard Raymond Felton says he could wind up back with the Knicks or the Blazers next season, while the Suns and the Nets are also in the mix, according to comments he made to Conan Gasque of SCnow.com (hat tip to Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge). Felton, who turns 28 next week, says he's looking for a team that employs a fast-paced system similar to the one in which he thrived while playing for Mike D'Antoni with the Knicks.