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."
Pacific Rumors: Lakers, Nash, Kings, Kirilenko
The major news of the day in the Pacific Division, and the league, for that matter, is the four-team trade that brings Lamar Odom back to the Clippers, his original NBA team. Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes about several key decision the Wolves have to make Saturday, many of which may be tied to the team's pursuit of Pau Gasol via trade with the Lakers. Richardson mentions that Michael Beasley has been working out in Los Angeles with former Laker Norm Nixon, who says his old team would "love" to sign Beasley. Nixon doesn't speak for the Lakers in an official capacity, of course, but it's just one more intriguing tidbit as Sunday's start to free agent negotiation's draws near. Here's more from the West Coast:
- Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic says it seems Steve Nash's days in Phoenix are over, as the Suns appear unwilling to come close to the $11.7MM he earned in 2011/12. Coro believes another team will give Nash an offer that approaches that figure.
Earlier updates:
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:
Suns Interested In Ray Allen
The Suns will pursue unrestricted free agent shooting guard Ray Allen, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. There's mutual interest, and Allen would consider the Suns even if they don't re-sign Steve Nash, Wojnarowski says. Allen is a former client of Lon Babby, who worked as an agent before taking over basketball operations for the Suns.
The Heat have been linked to Allen of late, but they're not the frontrunners, Wojnarowski writes. ESPN.com's Stephen A. Smith said earlier today there's a good chance both Allen and fellow unrestricted free agent Kevin Garnett return to the Celtics.
Anderson, Lopez, Brooks Receive Qualifying Offers
1:47pm: Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic reports the Suns have issued qualifying offers to Robin Lopez and Aaron Brooks (Twitter link). The offer to Lopez is $4,001,917, and the offer to Brooks is $2,976,637. The Suns are reportedly planning to match offers other teams make to Lopez in restricted free agency.
1:40pm: The Magic have tendered a qualifying offer to Ryan Anderson, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports, via Twitter. The one-year offer is unlikely to be accepted and is largely a procedural move that will allow the Magic to match any offer that other teams can make after July 1. The offer to Anderson, who meets the starter criteria, is $4,385,416.
Steve Nash Discusses Free Agent Options
The market's top free agent, Deron Williams, may not be planning to meet with or visit any teams when free agency begins on July 1st, but it sounds like another top free agent point guard is looking forward to it. Steve Nash tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports that it will be interesting to hear the pitches presented by potential suitors, beginning on Sunday. According to Spears, the Suns, Knicks, Raptors, Mavericks, and Nets are expected to be in on the two-time MVP.
Lakers Rumors: Gasol, Flynn, Roy, Hill
A flurry of trade rumors surounded the Lakers and Pau Gasol yesterday, with Los Angeles reportedly "very open" to discussing Gasol trades. While Wednesday's round of rumors had L.A. potentially landing everyone from Josh Smith to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (in the form of a top-five pick), I wouldn't be surprised if Pau is a Laker at the end of the day. There still seems to be a divide between what the Lakers hope to get for Gasol and the Spaniard's actual trade value, given his sizable contract. Here are a few more Lakers swirling around on the morning of draft day though:
Draft Rumors: Tuesday
With two days remaining until the 2012 draft, we've seen a first-round pick change hands for the first time this offseason, as the Timberwolves agreed to send the 18th overall pick to Houston in exchange for Chase Budinger and the rights to Lior Eliyahu. The general consensus is that the move is the precursor to a bigger deal for the Rockets, and Houston isn't the only team rumored to be shopping picks. Here are today's draft-related rumors, with the newest updates added to the top of the page throughout the day….
- Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld tweeted that the Bucks are looking to move into the top 10, and are supposedly targeting John Henson.
- Kennedy says that the Rockets are still trying to acquire another first round pick, most recently in discussions with the Hornets about the 10th pick before talks broke down (Twitter link). He also tweeted that the Lakers and Nets are both looking to acquire a first rounder.
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.
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.