Poll: Where Will Eric Gordon End Up?
Earlier today, Luke Adams posted a breakdown of Eric Gordon‘s free-agency outlook for the summer. Later, SI.com’s Sam Amick named the Mavericks, Pacers, Suns, and Trail Blazers as teams that could potentially compete with the Hornets for Gordon’s services. The fourth-year guard, acquired by New Orleans in the Chris Paul trade, is set to be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Where do you think Gordon will end up: back with the Hornets, with one of these rumored suitors, or somewhere else entirely?
Where Will Eric Gordon End Up?
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Indiana 32% (198)
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Other 25% (151)
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New Orleans 15% (91)
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Dallas 11% (69)
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Phoenix 10% (60)
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Portland 7% (42)
Total votes: 611
Southwest Rumors: Gordon, Hornets, Grizz, Odom
Around the time I posted this afternoon's Free Agent Stock Watch piece on Eric Gordon, SI.com's Sam Amick published an article in which he discussed Gordon's impending free agency with the Hornets guard himself. While New Orleans has the inside track to sign Gordon this summer, Amick names the Pacers, Trail Blazers, Mavericks, and Suns as other teams with some interest. The Hornets' new ownership group could also have an impact on how aggressive New Orleans is in matching rival offers for Gordon.
Here are a few more Southwest Division links:
- Mike Dunleavy is part of the group likely to purchase the Hornets, a fact that concerns the team's current management, according to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. "Mike is going to want his own people in there, he has a reputation as a control freak," a Hornets source told Deveney. "It will be good for the team obviously to have an owner in. But I think everybody is a little on edge because of that, because you don't know what is going to happen. Or I guess you do know, you know there are going to be changes coming once there’s a new group in charge. It could be a house cleaning."
- Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has transformed the team's rotation through minor roster moves and lineup shuffling, says Rob Mahoney of the New York Times.
- Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com wonders how much money Lamar Odom cost himself in the long-term due to his poor season with the Mavericks.
- Mavericks owner Mark Cuban never believed that Odom wanted to sit out this season, writes Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Kyler’s Latest: Williams, Nash, Nelson, Hibbert
Within his preview of a few of the summer's top free agents, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld shares some rumors on the potential landing spots for those players. Let's check out the highlights….
- The Deron Williams sweepstakes are the Nets' to lose. If the team can't surround Williams with satisfactory talent, expect the point guard to sign elsewhere.
- Kyler hears the Suns have "put the idea of a two-year, $20MM offer on the table" for Steve Nash. Nash is said to be seeking a three-year deal, and if Phoenix were to add an extra year, it would almost certainly be the best offer the veteran would receive. Still, Kyler points out that Nash has earned well over $100MM in his NBA career, so he won't necessarily just take the highest salary.
- Jameer Nelson has yet to decide on his player option for next season. While he's very unlikely to find a higher salary for 2012/13 on the open market, Nelson could potentially land a larger guarantee over multiple years. Declining the option would also give him more agency in determining where he plays, since he'd be a trade candidate with the Magic.
- The Nets' Gerald Wallace is also undecided on his 2012/13 player option, though opting in seems more likely at this point.
- It's very unlikely that another team poaches restricted free agent Roy Hibbert from the Pacers.
- The Nuggets will probably match any offer for JaVale McGee of $7MM or less annually, but it's unclear whether they'd go much higher than that.
Suns Undecided On Aaron Brooks
As I outlined yesterday when I looked at Aaron Brooks' stock in free agency, the time Brooks spent playing in China means the Suns have exclusive negotiating rights with the restricted free agent until July. According to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, Phoenix remains undecided on how to act on the point guard.
Adding Brooks to the current Suns roster, which already features three point guards, seems unlikely with just over three weeks remaining in the season. However, letting the 27-year-old hit restricted free agency again this summer would mean opening up the bidding to a number of other suitors, potentially driving up the price and reducing Phoenix's leverage.
"It's put us in a situation where we need to have some serious conversations, internally and potentially with Aaron, about the state of where we are and what's going to make the most sense with the organization," Suns GM Lance Blanks said. "I can't give you A or B right now, but it certainly needs to be discussed. He's a NBA-level point guard and a pretty good one. Does it make sense now or later?"
Blanks traveled to China last week to visit Brooks and watch him play in the best-of-seven CBA Finals, which Brooks' Guangdong Southern Tigers ended up losing 4-1. Still, the Phoenix GM was glad to get a chance to talk to Brooks and was impressed with what he saw.
"He looked like Aaron, especially in (Game 5)," Blanks said. "He had a substantial moment or two in the second half where he took over. It was virtually impossible to stay in front of him, similar to when he was here. He looked in good shape and engaged."
Free Agent Stock Watch: Aaron Brooks
With the fate of the NBA season still up in the air last November, Aaron Brooks agreed to sign with China's Guangdong Southern Tigers. Less than two weeks later, the players and owners reached a tentative deal to resolve the lockout, but Brooks was locked in to his contract in China for the rest of the CBA season. For Brooks, whose team reached the CBA Finals, that season lasted longer than it did for fellow NBA players like Wilson Chandler and J.R. Smith. But after losing to Stephon Marbury's Beijing Ducks in the Finals, Brooks' path has been cleared for a return to NBA.
Because he was a restricted free agent heading into the lockout and offer sheets can't be signed after March 1st, Brooks can only sign with the Suns if he's going to play this year. Phoenix has no interest in signing Brooks for the rest of the season and allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, so unless the point guard agrees to a cap-friendly, multiyear deal, it's unlikely he'll play in the NBA this season. Comments made by Suns GM Lance Blanks on his blog after a recent visit to China also suggest Brooks will sit out the season:
"[Brooks] is eager to get back home to the States, see his family and begin his off season training to prepare himself for a return to NBA."
If Brooks is already beginning his offseason training, we can assume he'll become a restricted free agent again this summer, though perhaps he'll be better positioned than he was a year ago. After a successful 2009/10 campaign in Houston, Brooks took a slight step back last year, spending half the season with Phoenix after a deadline deal. His 10.7 PPG, .375 FG% and 13.1 PER in 2010/11 were all below his career rates entering the season (13.0 PPG, .421 FG%, 14.5 PER).
However, Brooks was impressive during his stint in China, averaging 22.3 points and 4.8 assists in just 29.9 minutes per game, along with shooting rates of .553/.407/.830 (stats via Asia-Basket.com). He's only 27, and he'll hit the free agent market during a year when the draft is light on top point guards. The free agent market features plenty of options, but probably only one true star in Steve Nash.
Brooks' future may ultimately be tied to Nash's. The Suns are expected to make an effort to retain their longtime point guard, but if Nash decides to sign with a team closer to title contention, Phoenix will find itself under more pressure to keep Brooks. If Nash re-signs, the Suns may not want to commit so much free agent money to one position and keep both point guards, but if Nash is gone, I'd expect the team to match any offer sheet for Brooks.
The Hawks, Mavericks, Lakers, Heat, Magic, and Trail Blazers are among the other clubs who could kick the tires on Brooks in the offseason, but between Blanks' visit to China and Brooks' fondness for Phoenix, the Suns are the favorites. I don't expect Brooks to be offered more than the mid-level exception, so Phoenix should have the means to comfortably match any rival offer.
Pacific Notes: Suns, Nash, Warriors, Clippers
The Clippers finish off tonight's slate of NBA action as they take on the Jazz at the Staples Center. Chris Paul & Co. are coming off of their fourth straight win after edging the Trail Blazers last night, 98-97. News out of the Pacific..
- Suns guard Steve Nash refuted a recent report which suggested that he was upset over the club's failure to actively pursue former teammate Boris Diaw after he was cut by Charlotte, writes Vince Marotta of Arizona Sports. The 38-year-old will be a free agent after this season and recently said that he wants to see the club make upgrades this summer.
- Meanwhile, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News (via Twitter) is hearing that Nash will not rule out the Knicks in free agency, even though his former coach Mike D'Antoni is no longer there.
- Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com opines that the Warriors shouldn't make a deal to get their top seven protected first-round pick back from the Jazz this year. Owner Joe Lacob has hinted at such a move to regain the pick if it falls outside of the top seven but Steinmetz doesn't believe that it will be worth the sacrifice down the line.
- Clippers guard Randy Foye is in the final year of a $4.25MM contract but isn't worried about his future beyond this season, writes Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
- Longtime Warriors forward Adonal Foyle is now in Orlando's front office and appears to be a GM-in-training, writes Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel.
Pacific Notes: Cousins, Warriors, Brooks
The Pacific Division's top two teams are both in action at Staples Center today, and if the first-place Lakers get upset by the Hornets the afternoon and the Clippers beat the Jazz tonight, there will be a tie atop the division. Here's the rest of the news from the West Coast:
- The Kings picked up DeMarcus Cousins' $3.88MM option for 2012/13 this past offseason, and the investment looks smarter as the center matures and develops, writes Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee.
- Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com criticizes the Warriors' approach to the season, reasoning that the caliber of player the team is likely to get in the draft probably won't be enough to make Golden State a contender.
- Suns GM Lance Blanks blogged about his trip to China to see Aaron Brooks for Suns.com. Blanks' comment that Brooks is "eager to get back home to the States, see his family and begin his off season training to prepare himself for a return to NBA" seems to indicate that the point guard will not play in the league this season, and instead test restricted free agency this summer. The Suns hold the right to match any offer Brooks gets.
- The Clippers have started winning again, but the heat is still on coach Vinny Del Negro, writes Sam Amick of SI.com. Amick says Del Negro has been told to heighten the team's offensive pace, get them to play more aggressive defense, and regard stars and role players with the same level of scrutiny.
- The Kings, who've signed Terrence Williams for the rest of the season, have quickly come to trust him in the 10 days he's spent with the team, giving the former 11th overall pick key fourth-quarter minutes, notes Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee.
Odds & Ends: Terry, Hill, Parker, Bulls
Let's round up a few Friday morning links….
- According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, Jason Terry won't be willing to take a discount to stay with the Mavericks. Terry, an unrestricted free agent at season's end, would prefer to remain in Dallas, but at a fair market price, says Kyler. Terry said yesterday that he'd be interested in signing with the Heat this summer, so I wonder if the no-discount stance applies to them as well — as a taxpaying team, Miami couldn't make Terry a very significant offer.
- Suns forward Grant Hill will undergo minor knee surgery and could miss the rest of the regular season, writes Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
- Retirement is becoming a distinct possibility for Anthony Parker, says Bob Finnan of The News-Herald. As he has said before, the veteran Cavalier will weigh his options, including retiring, at season's end: "It's not something I've decided on. Obviously, it will be decided after the season."
- In a mailbag for Bulls.com, Sam Smith fields readers' questions on Derrick Rose, Greg Oden, Joakim Noah, and more.
Steve Nash Discusses Free Agency
One of the biggest potential trade chips on this season's trade market never seemed close to being dealt. The Suns insisted they'd keep Steve Nash unless the point guard asked to be traded, and Nash never made that request. While the 38-year-old didn't want to ask out of Phoenix, he definitely intends to explore his options when he becomes a free agent this summer. Nash appeared on the Dan Patrick Show this morning and addressed the topic (hat tip to Royce Young of CBSSports.com).
"It's going to be interesting this summer," Nash said. "Being a free agent, I didn't really want to leave at the deadline. I felt I owed it to me teammates and the Suns organization and the fans. I could possibly be back for sure. but that will be more interesting than the trade deadline."
Nash didn't rule out the possibility of joining former teammate Dirk Nowitzki and said he'd "definitely listen" if the Heat were interested. I can't picture Miami making a serious play for Nash with only the $3MM taxpayer mid-level exception to offer him, but it would certainly solidify the team's position as a title favorite.
As I wrote when I began examining the free agent market earlier this week, Nash might be the most attractive piece out there for contenders in need of a point guard. However, the Suns will almost certainly make a competitve bid, perhaps offering their star a multiyear deal. Would a return to Phoenix interest Nash?
"I'm not going to come back to the Suns if there isn't an improvement," Nash said. "If they're not ambitious and they're not looking to upgrade the roster seriously. And I think they are. They'll have a lot of flexibility in free agency. I think I've been standing pat so they could do some things this summer. I think they'll become a definite possibility for me, but I do want to win and I do want to consider all my options."
Pacific Notes: Brooks, Rush, Warriors, Lakers
Aaron Brooks will return from China soon, but the Suns are unlikely to sign him this season unless he agrees to a cap-friendly, multiyear deal, says Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. The Suns hold Brooks' rights, so if they decide not to sign him this season, they could renounce his rights and let him become an unrestricted free agent. It's more likely, however, that the team will keep its rights to Brooks, resulting in him becoming a restricted free agent this summer.
Here are a few more Thursday morning notes out of the Pacific Division:
- The Warriors may have a logjam of wing players next season, which makes Brandon Rush's future uncertain, as he tells Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle: "I just want to finish the season out strong and showcase what I can do. I know I'm auditioning for 29 other teams. I've had a great opportunity here, because the coaches are letting me play all kinds of positions, and I appreciate that." Rush will be a restricted free agent this summer if the Warriors extend him a $4.09MM qualifying offer.
- Barry Stavro of the Los Angeles Times rounds up reactions from members of the Lakers, among others, on Magic Johnson's involvement in buying MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Lakers executive vice president Jim Buss deserves more credit than he gets for his roster decisions, according to T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times.