Michael Redd

Latest On Michael Redd

After seeing his playing time and production decline significantly due to injuries during his previous three seasons, Michael Redd had a bit of a bounceback year in Phoenix in 2011/12, averaging 8.2 points in just 15.1 minutes per game. Those numbers should be enough to earn him another NBA contract, and according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio, there are a number of potential suitors in play. While Amico says the Cavs don't have interest, he lists the Nuggets, Wizards, Grizzlies, Bulls, and Thunder as possible fits (Sulia link).

I outlined yesterday why the Nuggets could use a shooter, and I could see the Wizards and Grizzlies wanting to add a little more size at the two. While we heard of the Bulls' interest earlier in the summer, I can't see them as a real possibility at this point, considering their cap situation — they'd have to trade away a player before they'd even have room to sign Redd. As for the Thunder, they could add one more backcourt player to replace Derek Fisher, as Amico notes, adding that he wouldn't be surprised to see Fisher end up in San Antonio.

Redd is probably unlikely to land more than a minimum-salary deal this offseason, which may limit his earnings, but should open up plenty of options. While a number of teams no longer have cap space or mid-level exceptions available, clubs can use the minimum salary exception as many times as they like.

Pacific Notes: Lakers, Redd, Warriors

As we wait for basketball action to resume at the London Olympics, let's round up a few of Wednesday's stories out of the Pacific Division….

  • Magic Johnson weighed in on the Lakers' offseason moves yesterday, as Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes. Johnson praised the Lakers' acquisitions of Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison, but said the team could still use a shooter.
  • Michael Redd, who spent 2011/12 with the Suns, is taking his time and weighing his options in free agency, agent Kevin Poston tells Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida (Sulia link). According to Tomasson, after showing interest in Redd earlier, the Suns and Bulls appear to have backed off for now.
  • Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News confirms that the Warriors' recent roster moves put them about $400K over the luxury tax threshold. Golden State could trade a player before season's end to dip back under the tax line, but team co-owner Joe Lacob tells Kawakami that he's "prepared to spend money to win."
  • Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com passes along a few comments from Warriors president Rick Welts on plans for the club's proposed San Francisco arena.

Free Agent Rumors: Nets, Pacers, Green

The July moratorium came to an end late last night, and a number of teams didn't waste any time in finalizing moves. The Lakers' acquisition of Steve Nash was the first transaction to become official, followed closely by the Knicks' signing of J.R. Smith, Deron Williams' contract with the Nets, and Blake Griffin's five-year extension with the Clippers. We're expecting more deals to be formally announced today, but there are plenty of free agents still on the market too. We'll be tracking the latest news on those guys right here, with the newest items added to the top of the page throughout the day….

Earlier updates:

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Free Agent Rumors: Lucas, Camby, Lewis

Jeff Green reached an agreement to remain with the Celtics on Saturday, while Aaron Brooks became an unrestricted free agent after the Suns withdrew their qualifying offer to the guard. What will Sunday bring? Here are the latest rumors on a number of free agents still on the market:

Earlier updates:

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Free Agent Rumors: Redd, Camby, Stiemsma

Brandon Roy, Jason Kidd, and Jamal Crawford were among the players to reach agreements with new clubs yesterday, while Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lin agreed to lucrative offer sheets that their current teams are expected to match. What will Friday bring? Here are the latest rumors on a number of free agents still on the market:

Earlier updates:

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Schmitt Boyer On Cavs’ Free Agency, Draft, Varejao

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer has posted a new mailbag column, covering various topics surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the fourth overall pick in the June 28 draft. Relevant points below:

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Pacific Notes: Clippers, Kings, Redd

Should the Suns be able to outlast the Rockets and Jazz for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, it will be the first time since 2007 that three teams from the Pacific Division had made the playoffs simultaneously. Phoenix plays host to the Thunder, while Houston travels to Dallas and Utah draws Portland tonight. On an evening that will surely have a strong impact on the standings in the West, you'll find the latest division rumblings here: 
  • Despite some belief that coach Vinny Del Negro was treading on thin ice after the Clippers had lost 12 of 19 games after a 19-9 start, he responded with a 12-2 record over the club's next 14 contests. T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times writes about Del Negro's resiliency on a team has appeared to hit a stride with just a handful of games left until the postseason. 
  • Mark Nugent of Hoopsworld discusses some topics surrounding the Kings moving forward: the uncertainty of the team remaining in Sacramento, how that will impact management and coaching, handling the free agency of Jason Thompson and the contract extension of Tyreke Evans, the potential to be highly active in free agency, and the draft.
  • Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson is calling for the city to explore constructing a downtown sports and entertainment complex regardless of whether or not the arena would have an anchor tenant, writes Ryan Lillis, Tony Bizjakand, and Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee. The Kings had previously been expected to be a tenant of the potential arena before the Maloof brothers had pulled out of a deal. In a separate article, Dale Kasler writes that the Maloofs are reaching out to the business owners that had reportedly called for them to sell the team. They have also been calling season ticketholders, attempting to reassure their ownership's commitment to Sacramento and urging them to renew their season tickets for next year.  
  • Suns guard Michael Redd sat down for an interview with Hoopsworld, and when asked if he'd like to continue playing for Phoenix beyond this season, Redd responded with: "I've had a great time here. I love the coaches, I love the organization, I love my teammates. We'll see what happens in the summer time, but this has been a great place for me."

Odds & Ends: Sessions, Irving, Blazers, Redd

With a full slate of NBA action set to get underway shortly, let's take a look around the league to see what's going on:

  • The arrival of point guard Ramon Sessions via trade from the Cavaliers has revitalized the Lakers, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld
  • Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer contends Kyrie Irving is the favorite to take home rookie of the year honors given his outstanding performance thus far this season. Irving, who recently celebrated his 20th birthday, is averaging 18.9 PPG and 5.7 APG through 41 starts this season. 
  • The Trail Blazers aren't going to give up on the rest of the season even after cutting ties with head coach Nate McMillan and revamping a majority of their roster at the trade deadline, writes Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld.
  • Michael Redd is slowly rebuilding his career with the Suns after a fall from grace due to injuries that slowed the former Ohio State star, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer. Thanks to the outstanding training staff in Phoenix, Redd has been able to find a fountain of youth and channel flashes of his former self.