Nets Maintain Interest In Ersan Ilyasova
The Nets still have interest in pursuing Ersan Ilyasova if they're unable to acquire Dwight Howard from the Magic, tweets Fred Kerber of the New York Post. Peter Vecsey of the New York Post first tweeted that Brooklyn would target a sign-and-trade deal for Ilyasova if Howard was unobtainable.
Marcus Camby Considering Six Teams
TUESDAY, 1:06pm: Camby has updated his wish list, replacing the Celtics with the Nets, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The timing is a little odd, as Brooklyn committed its mid-level exception to Mirza Teletovic today, so Camby would have to sign for the bi-annual exception or veteran's minimum to end up in Brooklyn.
The Rockets, Knicks, Heat, Spurs, and Mavericks are Camby's other options.
Odds & Ends: Hawks, D-Will, Calderon, Celtics
It's been another whirlwind day of player movement in the NBA, as the Hawks agreed to two significant trades, sending Joe Johnson to the Nets and Marvin Williams to the Jazz. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld speculated that Josh Smith may be the next Hawk to go (Twitter link), but Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN.com report that Smith is excited about the moves, which would free up plenty of cap space for next summer, when Atlanta could go after Smith and other major targets. Here's news from elsewhere around the busy Association.
Odds & Ends: Duncan, Kaman, Miles, Korver
Tim Duncan is having good contractual talks with the Spurs about re-signing and it’s very unlikely that he will consider another team, sources told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). Then again, it seems like Duncan never thought about leaving San Antonio to begin with. In the middle of the team’s postseason tear, the big man admitted to reporters that he had little interest in testing the open market. Here’s tonight’s look around the Association..
Josh Howard Drawing Interest From Mavs, Others
12:15pm: In addition to the six clubs reported by Spears, two other teams have expressed interest in Howard, tweets Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune. Howard is seeking a multiyear contract, according to Smith (Twitter link).
10:10am: Nearly two and a half years after the Mavericks traded him to Washington in a seven-player blockbuster, Josh Howard is drawing interest from his old team. According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), the Mavs are one of a handful of teams showing interest in the small forward. Spears names the Jazz, Lakers, Nets, Spurs, and Celtics as other potential suitors.
Lakers Eyeing Jose Calderon
The Raptors don't necessarily have to amnesty Jose Calderon to create the necessary cap space to make Steve Nash an aggressive offer in free agency, but it seems like the team is at least considering it. Clearing Calderon from their books could give the Raptors the flexibility to try to sign not just Nash, but another quality free agent as well. If Toronto does decide to use its amnesty provision on Calderon, the Lakers may have the inside track on picking him up, says ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
Danny Green, Roger Mason Interested In Jazz
The Jazz are expected to seek an outside shooting threat at the wing position in free agency this year, and two such players are interested in filling that role, reports Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune. Danny Green and Roger Mason have interest in signing with Utah, Smith says, and a source close to Green says the Jazz could be a "perfect fit."
Free Agent Notes: Nelson, Pacers, Terry, Duncan
Jameer Nelson decided yesterday to opt out of his contract, which will make him an unrestricted free agent this summer. However, turning down his player option with the Magic doesn't mean Nelson doesn't want to return to Orlando. According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, signing a long-term deal with the Magic is still Nelson's number one goal, and the point guard confirmed as much on Twitter today
"Like I have said over and over," Nelson tweeted. "I'd love to stay a Magic and I would love to play for the best fans in the NBA. And I still have faith that it can happen. So again thanks you guys for all the support."
Here are a few more updates on some soon-to-be free agents….
Odds & Ends: Rockets, Magic, Wolves, Green
With less than 24 hours to go until teams can officially begin negotiating with free agents, the focus has shifted from the draft and incoming rookies to where NBA veterans will end up. No free agent is more coveted than Deron Williams, but he's narrowed his choices to the Mavs and Nets. There are plenty of quality players left for other teams, however, including Roy Hibbert and Eric Gordon, whom the Rockets will target, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, adding that the team is also going after Omer Asik. Here's more on the free agent plans of teams around the league and other late-night news:
Spurs Extend Qualifying Offers To Green, Mills
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford confirmed today that San Antonio has officially extended qualifying offers to Danny Green and Patty Mills, tweets Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. The one-year offers make Green and Mills restricted free agents and ensure that the Spurs will have the opportunity to match offers for both players.
Having met the starter criteria as defined by the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, Green is eligible for a qualifying offer of close to $2.7MM. Mills, who turned down his player option with the team this week, will receive a more modest offer of about $1.09MM.