Monta Ellis, Kings Discussing Deal
12:39pm: The Kings' pursuit of Ellis has been described as "aggressive," a source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link).
10:01am: Sacramento owner Vivek Ranadive, GM Pete D'Alessandro, and head coach Michael Malone all have roots in Golden State, and that influence may result in the Kings adding an ex-Warrior to their roster. According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, the team is currently discussing a free agent deal for veteran guard Monta Ellis.
Berger's report reiterates many of the same points we heard from ESPN.com's Marc Stein earlier today, noting that other likely suitors for Ellis appear to be exploring alternative options. The Nuggets are discussing acquiring Randy Foye via sign-and-trade, while the Hawks are considering a sign-and-trade for Brandon Jennings.
Stein also noted in his piece that the Kings were investigating trade options involving Jimmer Fredette and Chuck Hayes, dangling them in talks with the Cavaliers. Berger confirms that the Kings are exploring potential deals for those players in order to create the cap space necessary to accommodate a $12MM starting salary for Ellis.
While multiple reports prior to July indicated the Kings would have interest in Ellis, this is the first time we've heard the team linked strongly to the 27-year-old since free agency officially got underway.
Stein’s Latest: Ellis, Jennings, Teague, Fredette
As we noted already this morning, ESPN.com's Marc Stein was the first to pass along word that the Nuggets and Randy Foye were nearing a verbal agreement. Stein also includes a number of somewhat related tidbits in his latest entry on ESPN's TrueHoop blog, so let's dive in and round them up….
- An agreement between Denver and Foye would likely take the Nuggets out of the running for Monta Ellis, which would seem to open up the Hawks' lead for the free agent guard. Stein reported over the weekend that Ellis was Atlanta's top target.
- However, an alternative scenario appears to be in play for the Hawks. According to Stein, Atlanta and Milwaukee have discussed a deal that would send Jeff Teague to the Bucks and Brandon Jennings to the Hawks, both via sign-and-trade. If those talks get serious, Stein says Atlanta would likely rescind its interest in Ellis, considering an Ellis/Jennings backcourt didn't take the Bucks far last season. Milwaukee's interest in Teague was reported at the very start of free agency last week.
- The Kings also remain in the hunt for Ellis, according to Stein, who says Sacramento has been shopping Jimmer Fredette and Chuck Hayes to the Cavaliers in an effort to clear the necessary cap room.
- As Stein notes, Hayes may not appeal to the Cavs, who are attempting to retain as much 2014 cap space as possible. The veteran forward is owed close to $6MM in 2014/15, while Fredette has a team option worth about $3.11MM.
Free Agent Rumors: Bynum, Teague, Kirilenko
Free agents continue to reach deals with teams across the NBA in advance of Wednesday, when agreements can become official. Here's the latest on the moves that could be next:
- The Mavs were in contact with Andrew Bynum even before Dwight Howard turned them down, and Stein tweets that Dallas is indeed pursuing the oft-injured Bynum now that Howard is out of the picture. Still, the Mavs will make a detailed and careful evaluation of the big man's health before reaching an agreement, according to Stein.
- Jeff Teague's camp is becoming increasingly frustrated with the Hawks, who have yet to engage in meaningful negotiations on a new deal, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter links). The point guard is a restricted free agent, so Atlanta controls his destiny.
- The Kings aren't considering Andrei Kirilenko, tweets Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee.
- The Knicks remain in play for Elton Brand, as do other teams, but a decision could come this weekend, a source tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com (Twitter link).
- The Jazz and Grizzlies also made offers to Dorell Wright, who wound up agreeing to join the Blazers instead, tweets Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. The Thunder also made an offer, as previously reported, Haynes notes.
- Decision makers within the Blazers front office have led The Oregonian's Joe Freeman to expect that the team won't re-sign Elliot Williams (Twitter link).
- Joe Dumars, fresh off his agreement to sign Josh Smith, has his sights on a perimeter sharpshooter for the Pistons, according to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio (on Twitter). Keith Langlois of Pistons.com agrees, and hints that the team could hit the trade market as well (Twitter link).
Free Agent Rumors: Kirilenko, Andersen, Collison
It's been a busy night in NBA free agency, as Dwight Howard has decided, after much back-and-forth, that he'll sign with the Rockets. His decision appears to have set in motion a domino effect, with Jose Calderon heading to the Mavs and a pair of ex-Jazz players agreeing to terms with the Hawks. Here's more on the latest from around the league:
- The Wolves and Andrei Kirilenko didn't speak about the notion of a return today, but the team hasn't given up and retains his Non-Bird Rights, as Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities reports via Twitter.
- With several teams showing interest in him, Chris Andersen remains in "decision mode," according to Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. Andersen, who was expressed a desire to re-sign with the Heat, figures to make a decision early next week, says Zwerling (Twitterlinks).
- Darren Collison will be prioritizing winning over salary or a starting role in free agency, sources tell Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld. According to Ingram, Collison has been in contact with the Cavs, Kings, Spurs, and Clippers so far. We had previously heard about Cleveland's interest, but the rest of that list of potential suitors is new.
- The Blazers are still pursuing Dorell Wright, but they're one of several teams with strong interest, according to The Oregonian's Jason Quick. (Twitter link). His agent, presumably Greg Lawrence, tells Quick a decision is coming soon.
- Though the Hawks used up some of their cap space on agreements with Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll tonight, Atlanta remains the team most likely to make a lucrative offer to try to lure Nikola Pekovic from the Wolves, tweets Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune.
- The Hawks were considering an offer to Mo Williams before they decided to do a deal with Millsap instead, tweets HoopsWorld's Yannis Koutroupis.
- The Knicks had strong interest in re-signing Chris Copeland, but never made him an offer before he chose the Pacers instead, notes Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter).
- The Nets are still seeking to sign a backup point guard, tweets Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Chauncey Billups Plans To Play Two More Years
Back in April, Chauncey Billups indicated that he wasn't considering retiring, and it doesn't sounds like retirement is an option he wants to entertain next year either. According to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard (via Twitter), Billups is looking to continue his NBA playing career for at least two more seasons.
It's not clear whether or not that means Billups is seeking a multiyear deal in free agency, but the 36-year-old doesn't seem to have a shortage of suitors. Broussard suggests in his tweet that a reunion with the Pistons isn't out of the question, and we heard yesterday that the Cavaliers, Spurs, Mavericks, Kings, Nets and Wolves have also shown some interest in the veteran guard. The Clippers likely wouldn't mind bringing Billups back as well.
Even though injuries limited him in the last two seasons in Los Angeles, Billups still earned a spot in the starting lineup in all 44 games he played for the Clippers. Wherever he lands in free agency though, Billups figures to be a backup, which he understands, according to Broussard.
Kings Won’t Match Evans Offer, Discussing Trade
3:51pm: Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter) that the proposed three-way deal would see Evans go to the Pelicans, Lopez to the Trail Blazers, and Vasquez to the Kings, with the Blazers sending out picks and cash. The specifics on the Portland picks and money aren't known, nor is it clear which team would receive them.
3:39pm: Jose Calderon has passed on an opportunity to sign with the Kings, clearing the way for the team to complete the three-way agreement that would see Vasquez land in Sacramento, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Wojnarowski adds (via Twitter) that the Pelicans had been hoping to sign Calderon and move Vasquez elsewhere.
11:11am: Sam Amick of USA Today confirms that trade talks are ongoing, but says the proposed scenario would be a three-way deal, with Vasquez going to Sacramento and Lopez heading to Portland. According to Amick, the Kings have "other situations still in play" but are looking to get something in return for Evans rather than just letting him walk (Twitter links).
7:49am: With Tyreke Evans preparing to sign a four-year, $44MM offer sheet with the Pelicans, the Kings do not plan to match the offer, according to Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee. However, according to Voisin, the Kings and Pelicans are working on an agreement that would send Greivis Vasquez and Robin Lopez to Sacramento in exchange for a signed-and-traded Evans.
For Evans to be part of a sign-and-trade deal, he'd have to hold off on officially signing the Pelicans' offer sheet — once he signs, the Kings would only have the option of matching the offer or letting him walk. With the July moratorium extending into next week though, the two teams have plenty of time to work out an agreement, avoiding the need for that offer sheet.
The Pelicans had been attempting to move Lopez in order to make room under the cap for their offer sheet to Evans, so involving the two players in the same deal makes sense. Meanwhile, with New Orleans putting together a backcourt that includes Evans, Jrue Holiday, and Eric Gordon, Vasquez appears to be the odd man out.
It's not clear if only Vasquez and Lopez would be heading to Sacramento in the proposed move, or if more pieces would be involved, but the Pelicans would be able to absorb Evans into their cap space, so no further players would be required.
According to Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee, the Kings' price to bring back Evans was something in the $8-9MM range, annually, which is significantly less than the $11MM annual salary the Pelicans offered. For him not to agree to New Orleans' offer, Evans was seeking a $12MM starting salary from Sacramento, says Jones.
While they debated whether or not to try to bring back Evans, the Kings also pursued Andre Iguodala, making him a four-year, $52MM offer. However, the club rescinded the offer when Iguodala was noncommital about signing it. With Evans seemingly on his way to New Orleans, the Kings could revisit Iguodala, but if they take on Vasquez and Lopez, their ability to make another big-money offer would be limited.
This post was first published on July 4th at 7:49am CST.
Tyreke Evans To Sign Pelicans’ Offer Sheet
9:03pm: Evans has officially given a verbal commitment to the Pelicans that he will sign their offer sheet on July 10, tweets USA Today's Sam Amick. David Aldridge of NBA.com confirms Amick's report via Twitter. The Kings will have three days to match the four-year, $44MM offer.
8:41pm: Stein is now hearing that the Pelicans and Evans are finalizing an offer sheet (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Jason Jones reports that Evans planned on giving the Kings until today to make an offer or he'd agree to the New Orleans offer sheet. There have been conflicting reports regarding where Evans would like to end up, as can be typical when it comes to restricted free agents.
6:07pm: Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee tweets that Evans is waiting on the Kings to make him an offer before committing to New Orleans, presumably in response to the ESPN report. Jones also tweets that while Evans is aware the Kings can always match the offer sheet, he wants to give them every chance to beat it. It is worth noting that it was Jones who reported earlier that Evans would prefer to sign in Sacramento.
5:41pm: We heard earlier today that there was no guarantee that restricted free agent Tyreke Evans would sign the four-year, $44MM contract offer extended to him by the Pelicans, and that a comparable offer from the Kings would ensure he stays put in Sacramento. Now, per a report from Marc Stein and Jeff Goodman of ESPN, it appears that Evans is "ready for a change" and plans to sign in New Orleans. The report cites sources "familiar with his thinking."
Evans has been frustrated by the negotiations with the Kings and is "determined" to leave the organization and sign with the Pelicans on the first day possible, according to the report. Evans has yet to verbally agree to the deal with New Orleans, but it is an "inevitability" for that to happen this week. Evans apparently plans to sign the Pelicans' offer sheet on July 10 – the first day possible per NBA restrictions – and giving the Kings three days from then to either match the offer or pass.
After Sacramento drafted Ben McLemore last week and extended a big offer to Andre Iguodala yesterday, before withdrawing it today, Evans seems to be hurt that the team, and new owner Vivek Ranadive, has yet to make a realistic attempt at bringing him back. According to the source, the Kings could have retained Evans had they showed interest earlier.
Odds & Ends: Celtics, Smith, Billups, Martin, More
The news that the Celtics have landed Brad Stevens to be their next coach has shocked the NBA world. Sean Deveney of the Sporting News points out, via Twitter, that of the twelve new head coaches hired this offseason, eight have now been first timers, adding that the Sixers will probably make it nine of thirteen. The Stevens hire has also led to some speculation that Rajon Rondo will be on his way out of Boston. The Pistons have explored the possibility of trading for both Rondo and/or Rudy Gay, according to HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy (via Twitter). For what it's worth, Rudy Gay tweeted tonight that he hopes to play a full season in Toronto this year.
With the NBA offseason in full swing, let's look at some of the news churning out of the rumor mill:
- After meeting with several teams in Los Angeles the past few days, unrestricted free agent Josh Smith will return to his home in Atlanta today to contemplate his future, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports.
- It might be tough for the Clippers to keep Chauncey Billups after their acquisitions of J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley, reports Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears. Billups, 36, has drawn interest from the Cavaliers, Spurs, Mavericks, Kings, Nets and Wolves.
- Per ESPN's Chris Broussard on Twitter, unrestricted free agent Kenyon Martin is drawing interest from the Lakers, Clippers, Spurs, Knicks and Nets. However, Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York tweets that no offers have been made.
- After visiting with the Cavs for two days, Earl Clark was impressed with what Cleveland had to say, writes Sean Deveney of Sporting News, who spoke to Clark's agent. Deveney has been all over the Clark rumors, and really likes how he would fit in Cleveland now that they took Anthony Bennett No. 1 overall.
- Considering the withdrawal of the Kings' offer to Andre Iguodala, the Nuggets are now in a much better spot if they are aggressive in trying to re-sign him, writes Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post. Like many of the top free agents, Iguodala's options hinge on Dwight Howard's destination and in the meantime, Dempsey writes, now is Denver's opportunity to strike.
FA Updates: Evans, Josh Smith, Pekovic, Clark
Tyreke Evans has been one of the most intriguing stories in free agency so far, with the Pelicans having extended a four-year, $44MM offer to the 23-year-old. Still, Evans has yet to agree to sign that offer, and there's no guarantee he'll do so, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports tweets. The situation remains fluid, and Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter link) believes if the Kings make Evans a comparable offer, he'd prefer to sign it and stay in Sacramento.
Let's round up a few more of today's free agent updates….
- As they continue to explore the possibility of making a big splash, the Warriors are trying to set up a meeting with Josh Smith, according to Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group (via Sulia). However, Smith doesn't seem as interested in the Warriors, who Thompson says "aren't going to jump as high as others to get him."
- Don't expect a whole lot of movement in talks for Nikola Pekovic until after Dwight Howard makes his decision, says Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (via Twitter).
- Sean Deveney of the Sporting News says (via Twitter) the Cavaliers are being extremely aggressive in their pursuit of Earl Clark, meeting with him yesterday and again today, though no offer has been extended yet.
- Dorell Wright met with the Thunder yesterday and was presented with one- and two-year contract offers, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, adding that Wright received a similar proposal from the Trail Blazers. The Spurs, Grizzlies, and Mavericks also have interest in Wright, says Spears (via Twitter).
- Australian forward Joe Ingles is drawing interest from four NBA teams, reports Shams Charania of RealGM.com, listing the Pacers, Grizzlies, Bucks, and Clippers as possible suitors for the 25-year-old.
Kings Withdraw Four-Year Offer For Iguodala
The Kings made waves last night when news broke that the team who hadn't been a major player in free agency for several years was offering a four-year, $56MM deal to Andre Iguodala. However, according to Sam Amick of USA Today, Sacramento has taken its offer to Iguodala off the table.
Amick reports that when Iguodala wasn't prepared to give a quick answer on the Kings' offer, which was actually worth $52MM, the team "made the calculated decision to go a different direction," though it's not immediately clear which direction that is. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Iguodala's desire to take more time before giving the Kings an answer signaled to Sacramento that the free agent swingman may be reluctant to leave a contending team for a rebuilding club.
With no other major offers on the table at the moment, Iguodala could resume negotiating a long-term contract with the Nuggets, says Wojnarowski. Denver hasn't been willing to offer the kind of annual salary the Kings put on the table, but the Nuggets want to hang on to the 29-year-old and made him a five-year offer earlier in the week, according to Woj's report.
As for the Kings, with Iguodala no longer in their sights, matching an offer sheet for Tyreke Evans, perhaps from the Pelicans, becomes a more realistic possibility. James Ham of Cowbell Kingdom of NBA.com (Twitter link) hears that Evans would prefer to stay in Sacramento if the club is willing to match New Orleans' offer, which is believed to be four years and $44MM.