Amundson Talking With Bobcats, Knicks
The Bobcats and Knicks are looking at free agent forward Louis Amundson, a source close to the forward told Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Tomasson’s source also says that it’s unlikely that he would go to Greece, even though Panathinaikos has been mentioned as a possibility. Amundson’s people are concerned about how playing in Greece would affect his game after Josh Childress‘ dropoff.
Amundson, 29, is said to be in the market for a deal in the vicinity of $3MM, which would either be the $3.09MM taxpayer’s mini-midlevel or the $2.575MM room exception. However, the Knicks can only offer the 6’9″ forward a minimum contract. Yesterday, Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com reported that Amundson was in discussions with a number of clubs.
Knicks, Bulls, Pacers Interested In Greene
Free agent forward Donte Greene says that the Knicks, Pacers, and Bulls now make up his “top three” list of potential destinations. In an interview with internet radio show TheCDNetworks.com (hat tip to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com) the former Kings big man explained that while he is open to other possibilities, those three clubs are the ones that he is working to get a deal done with.
Greene, 24, averaged 5.4 PPG and 2.5 RPG in just under 15 minutes per contest last season. While the Syracuse product has only suited up for the Kings, he was involved in two trades prior to his first NBA game. Shortly after being drafted by the Grizzlies, Greene was sent to the Rockets as a part of a three-team deal. In August, Houston sent Greene to the Kings in a package to land Metta World Peace.
A little over two weeks ago, Greene said that he hoped to sign with Chicago, but the two sides have yet to hammer out an agreement. The 6’11” forward became an unrestricted free agent on June 27th when the Kings declined to extend him a qualifying offer.
Odds & Ends: Atkinson, Spurs, Macklin, Amundson
Knicks assistant coach Kenny Atkinson will be leaving New York and taking the same position with the Hawks, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley. Atkinson was a crucial cog in the development of Jeremy Lin. Here's more of what we're hearing from around the Association:
- With a report being released tonight that Spurs assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey might be heading to the Jazz to become their new general manager, Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News writes that other teams are gutting San Antonio's front office.
- Vernon Macklin's agent has informed Hoopshype.com that his client is currently drawing interest from the Nets, Suns, Bucks, Wizards, and Lakers. Macklin spent last season in Detroit, and is also drawing interest overseas, in Turkey and Greece.
- Free agent power forward Louis Amundson is in discussions with a number of teams, but has yet to make up his mind, Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com reports, adding that he's likely to sign for a team's mini mid-level exception (Twitter link). It's not clear whether Zwerling means the taxpayer's mini mid-level of $3.09MM or the room exception, a mini-midlevel of $2.575MM available to teams under the cap. However, the list of remaining mid-level exceptions that Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors put together Friday provides a hint. Only the Lakers have all of the taxpayer's mini mid-level available, and they're looking for backcourt help, meaning that if Amundson goes for a mini mid-level, it's likely to be the room exception currently held in full by nine teams.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel ponders the merits of Dexter Pittman, 45th overall pick Justin Hamilton and free agent Mickell Gladness as reserve center options for the Heat. As Winderman points out, Pittman will almost assuredly be on the team, since his minimum-salary contract is guaranteed.
- The Jazz starting lineup isn't set in stone, and Jody Genessy of the Deseret News handicaps the team's positional battles.
- Sam Smith of Bulls.com catches up with recent Bulls signee Nazr Mohammed, a Chicago native who says he always dreamed for playing for his hometown team.
Atlantic Rumors: Garnett, Delfino, Knicks, Teletovic
It's not uncommon for NBA players to own a stake in other sports. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol are joint owners of a racehorse, and LeBron James is a part of Fenway Sports Group, the parent company of baseball's Boston Red Sox and English soccer club Liverpool FC. Nonetheless, the NBA will not permit Kevin Garnett to invest in AS Roma, an Italian soccer team, because Celtics minority owner James Pallotta is already one of the club's owners, as Frank Dell’Apa of the Boston Globe reported this weekend. We've got more on the C's and their Atlantic Division rivals here:
- Celtics coach Doc Rivers tells the Argentinian website Ole (translation via HoopsHype) that the team has looked into signing Carlos Delfino and wishes they had the money to get a deal done. The Hawks, Pacers, Rockets and Cavaliers have also been linked to the 6'6" swingman, who's reportedly seeking a multiyear deal.
- Frank Isola of the New York Daily News hears Knicks assistant coach Kenny Atkinson is nearing a deal to take a similar position with the Hawks. Atkinson is the lone remaining holdover from the staff of former Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni. Jeremy Lin credited Atkinson for helping him to his sensational play this past season.
- Nets signee Mirza Teletovic spoke to Drago Perko of Kosarka.si, a Slovenian website, about his decision to come to Brooklyn (translation via NetsDaily). The 6'9" forward said he held off on jumping to the NBA for two or three years, and is focused on winning championships. He paid a $2MM buyout to Caja Laboral of Spain to get out his deal overseas and sacrificed close to another $2MM to sign for the taxpayer's mid-level exception instead of the full mid-level with the Nets so the team wouldn't be hard-capped this season.
Odds & Ends: Wizards, Smith, Christmas, Brooks
Matt Moore and CBS Sports continued their offseason report series today by taking a look at the Washington Wizards. The Wizards haven't made the playoffs since 2008 and have been relatively irrelevant over that time period, but they raised some eyebrows in the offseason with a series of moves that should put them in position to contend for the playoffs this coming season.
Here are some other links and rumblings from this Sunday evening…
- Josh Cohen from NBA.com addresses the Orlando Magic offseason by evaluating the importance of superstars in today's NBA, specifically mentioning how the Orlando franchise has thrived in recent history.
- J.R. Smith, who signed a two year extension with the Knicks in July, said the team has the pieces in place to win it all in an interview with ESPN New York, Ian Begley writes. Smith also conveyed his pleasure on hearing the news that the Knicks signed his younger brother, Chris Smith on August 1.
- Former Temple guard Dionte Christmas landed a partially guaranteed deal with the Celtics earlier this week. Greg Payne of ESPN Boston analyzed Christmas' prospects for the upcoming season with Boston and detailed his European journey that ended with his first NBA deal.
- Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman writes that with the Thunder going cheap in free agency, the growth and development of head coach Scott Brooks will be of increased importance.
Poll: Which NYC Team Will Win More Games?
The Knicks and Nets will begin their battle for ownership of New York City on opening night of the 2012/13 season at the Barclays Center. With the Nets adding and retaining key pieces like Joe Johnson and Deron Williams to their roster, the team looks to be more formidable heading into the season.
The Knicks weren't quiet either during the offseason as they strengthened their bench in a series of different moves that netted Jason Kidd and Marcus Camby, among others. The question becomes which team will finish the season with the most wins and be able stake claim to the title of best team in New York City.
Which New York Team Will Win More Games This Season?
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Nets 49% (589)
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Knicks 45% (539)
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Same amount of wins 6% (72)
Total votes: 1,200
Zwerling On Andersen, Blatche, Amundson, White
Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork passed along news yesterday that Kenyon Martin isn't interested in signing for the minimum, and he's got more on a few power forwards today. Let's run down the highlights:
- Zwerling updates his story after hearing from Chris Andersen's high school coach, who told him the Birdman would love an opportunity with the Knicks, where he could reunite with former Nuggets teammates Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith. Anderson is in talks with a few teams and will be ready come training camp after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee about a month ago, Zwerling adds.
Earlier updates:
- Chris Andersen is open to signing for the veteran's minimum, after the Nuggets used the amnesty clause to waive the Birdman last month, Zwerling hears. That means the Knicks, who are limited to handing out minimum-salary deals, could be in play, though there's no word that Andersen is interested in heading to New York, Zwerling writes. Andersen is a client of CAA, the agency that represents coach Mike Woodson and several Knicks players.
- A source close to Andray Blatche tells Zwerling that several teams are after the 6'11" free agent power forward. Blatche, like Andersen, was an amnesty casualty last month, when the Wizards let him go, and Zwerling says some "insiders" predict Blatche will sign a one-year deal with an up-and-coming team where he can be a starter, rehabilitate his image and command an eight-figure salary next summer. Blatche would likely have to make quite an impression this season to make that kind of money, however. Agent Andy Miller told Michael Lee of the Washington Post that teams have not yet made Blatche a significant offer this summer.
- Zwerling also hears Louis Amundson and D.J. White are in the market for mini mid-level deals that would be close to what they made last season. Amundson drew $2.763MM from the Pacers in 2011/12, while White cleared just over $2MM from the Bobcats.
Kenyon Martin Not Interested In Minimum Salary
The Knicks may still add a power forward to their roster this summer, and Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com notes that Kenyon Martin could be the best fit for New York. However, a source tells Zwerling that Martin won't sign for the veteran's minimum, which is all the Knicks have left to offer (Twitter link).
Despite signing well after the season was underway, Martin managed to land a $2.5MM contract with the Clippers in 2011/12, earning the team's full room exception. However, in the 42 games he played for the Clips, Martin established career-lows in many statistical categories — the former first overall pick averaged just 5.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 9.9 PER, perhaps reducing his appeal this summer. If the 34-year-old were to sign for the veteran's minimum for 2012/13, he'd earn just $1,352,181, by far his lowest salary since he entered the league.
If Martin remains unwilling to sign a minimum-salary deal, Andray Blatche could be an option for the Knicks, Zwerling suggests (via Twitter). Because he's still being paid by the Wizards, the amnestied Blatche may be more open to signing for the veteran's minimum.
Odds & Ends: Brewer, Raptors, Blazers, Olympics
As August begins, four deals became official today while another is on its way, as Roger Mason and the Hornets agreed to terms. There's plenty left to resolve this summer, with the Dwight Howard saga continuing to loom as the league's largest story. Two of the most significant plotlines don't involve players. The Blazers cut their list of coaching candidates in half today, while the Clippers continue to operate without a general manager. Here's what's up around the Association tonight:
- In a two–part interview with Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com, Ronnie Brewer explains why he turned down offers with more years and more money to sign for the minimum with the Knicks.
- Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun doesn't expect any more offseason movement for the Raptors (Sulia link).
- Jason Quick of The Oregonian notes that Terry Stotts and Kaleb Canales, the remaining candidates to coach the Blazers, are both clients of agent Warren LeGarie, who also represents GM Neil Olshey. Quick adds that since LeGarie represents more coaches than any other agent, it could simply be a coincidence (Twitter links).
- Jonathan Tjarks of RealGM.com says it would be shortsighted for the NBA to push for an age limit in the Olympics, arguing the exposure players get on a worldwide stage at the Olympics helps promote the NBA product internationally.
Knicks Sign Chris Smith
9:55pm: The deal is for two years and is partially guaranteed, reports Newsday's Al Iannazzone (Sulia link; hat tip to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com).
3:57pm: The Knicks have officially signed Smith, the team announced today in a press release.
1:43pm: The Knicks likely acquired Smith in order to assign his rights to their D-League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks, a source tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
11:49am: The Knicks have agreed to sign Chris Smith, J.R. Smith's younger brother, to a contract, according to Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com, who says the deal isn't official yet but should be finalized soon (Twitter links). Marc Berman of the New York Post tweets that the contract will earn the younger Smith an invite to training camp, though I'd imagine there's very little guaranteed money included.
Smith, 24, averaged 9.7 points per game in his senior year at Louisville and played for the Knicks' Summer League squad in Las Vegas in July. His numbers in Vegas weren't too impressive (5.2 PPG on .290/.375/.625 shooting) and he appears to be a long shot to earn a spot on the Knicks' regular season roster.