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….
Reaction To Lamar Odom/Mo Williams Trade
Lamar Odom is finally heading back to Los Angeles after a lost year in Dallas, as the Mavericks, Clippers, Jazz and Rockets finalized a four-team deal that makes Odom a Clipper and Mo Williams a part of a crowded backcourt in Utah. There's plenty of reaction to the trade, including its effect on the Mavs and their pursuit of major free agents. As Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld notes, the Mavs can only use the $8.9MM trade exception they got in the deal if they don't want to renounce the rights to some of their own free agents and go under the salary cap, which they'd have to do to sign Deron Williams or another big-time target from a different team. If the Mavs don't land a major free agent, they can go over the cap to sign their own guys and use the trade exception to swing a deal for another player who can help. Here's the rest of what NBA writers are saying about the trade:
Odom To Clips, Williams To Jazz In 4-Team Deal
The four-team deal between the Jazz, Mavericks, Clippers and Rockets that sends Lamar Odom to the Clippers and Mo Williams to Utah has been finalized, according to a release by the Mavs.
League, Union Reach Bird Rights Settlement
The league and the National Basketball Players Association have reached a settlement that will extend Bird rights to four players claimed off waivers this season, but will limit the retention of Bird rights for players claimed off waivers in the future, according to Howard Beck of The New York Times (Twitter links). From now on, full Bird rights will only be retained if the player is claimed off amnesty waivers. Otherwise, such players will retain only early Bird rights (Twitter links).
Mavs, Clippers, Jazz Agree To Odom Deal
FRIDAY, 6:17pm: The deal, which could become official later today, will also involve the Rockets, who'll receive Furkan Aldemir, taken 53rd by the Clippers in Thursday's draft, writes Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. The Rockets will send cash to the Mavs, tweets fellow Los Angeles Times writer Brad Turner.
FRIDAY, 5:32pm: The Mavericks and Odom have agreed to extend the deadline to fully guarantee Odom's contract by one day, until tomorrow, so that the trade can be finalized, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com says "only paperwork" is left to be done before the deal is official (Twitter links).
4:43pm: Williams has agreed to join the Jazz, a source tells Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune (via Twitter).
NBPA Wins Bird Rights Ruling
THURSDAY, 4:06pm: The union and the league are moving toward a settlement in the case, which could be finalized as soon as Friday, Howard Beck of The New York Times writes. The most likely outcome will allow players claimed off waivers to retain some form of Bird rights, Beck says.
June 22, 7:28pm: The NBA players' union doesn't think that an appeal from the league can be resolved by July 1st, which would effectively mean that the union's win will stand, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
June 22, 2:25pm: The NBA will appeal Dam's ruling, tweets Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Zillgitt adds that the appeal will be heard by a panel, but that no date has been set yet (Twitter link).
June, 22, 1:37pm: Kenneth Dam, the arbitrator tasked with making a decision on last week's Bird Rights hearing, has sided with the NBPA, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times. Dam's decision means that players claimed off waivers won't have their Bird clocks reset. As such, Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak will have Early Bird rights this offseason, while Chauncey Billups and J.J. Hickson will regain full Bird rights.
Amico On Lakers, Mayo, Rockets, Varejao
With the Lakers holding only the 60th pick in the draft, much of the talk surrounding the team has had to do with Pau Gasol. Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio hears much more from L.A. and shares it along with a number of tidbits from around the Association. A source tells Amico the Lakers will look to dump salary this offseason and sign Spencer Hawes, Nick Young, Kirk Hinrich and Kris Humphries. The Lakers may also look into trading for Jordan Crawford if the Wizards draft Bradley Beal tonight. Here's more from Amico:
Clippers Exploring Trade For Lamar Odom
THURSDAY, 1:59pm: The Jazz, willing to take on Mo Williams' contract, have emerged as a potential third team in a deal between the Mavs and Clippers, Stein and Chad Ford report. The deal is contingent on Williams exercising his $8.5MM option for next year. Realistically, Stein and Ford say, the deadline for the deal to happen is Friday, since that's when Odom's contract becomes fully guaranteed for next year.
TUESDAY, 11:40pm: The Clippers have engaged the Mavericks in trade talks to discuss the possibility of acquiring Lamar Odom, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein. For the Clips, a deal for Odom may hinge on their ability to find a third club willing to take on the contract of Mo Williams, says Stein. Involving a third team would allow the Mavericks to consummate a deal without taking back significant salary.
Clippers Rumors: Bledsoe, Griffin, Draft, Odom
The Clippers are in an unusual position for the franchise heading into tonight's draft, holding only a single late-second-round pick. Accustomed to picking in the lottery, the Clips will pick 53rd overall tonight, having sent their own first-round pick to Boston and the Timberwolves' first-rounder to New Orleans. As Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes, the Clippers want to ensure they make a habit out of picking outside the lottery going forward. Let's check out a few more Clippers notes from Shelburne's piece….
Sixers, Wolves, Celtics Pursuing Jamal Crawford
Although Jamal Crawford was planning to opt out of his contract, he extended his decision deadline for his player option two weeks, until June 29th. This move allows the Trail Blazers to try to find a suitable trade partner for Crawford on or before draft night. If the Blazers find a destination Crawford likes, he could agree to exercise his player option and be dealt. And according to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com, there's no lack of trade interest in Crawford. The Blazers are fielding offers from a number of teams, with the 76ers, Timberwolves, and Celtics among the most active suitors.