Knicks Acquire Andrea Bargnani
JULY 10TH, 11:07am: The Knicks and Raptors have both confirmed that the deal is now finalized (Twitter links). Toronto receives Camby, Novak, Richardson, a 2016 first-round pick, and 2014 and 2017 second-rounders in exchange for Bargnani.
JUNE 30TH, 11:20pm: The Raptors just completed the deal that will send Bargnani to New York, a source told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). The deal cannot be officially made until July 10th, however.
9:38pm: Martin isn't interested in being sent to Toronto in a sign and trade deal, meaning that the Knicks will have to look elsewhere, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Earl Barron or Quentin Richardson are probably in line for a nice payday, but not a Keith Bogans-style one (link).
8:49pm: The deal will likely be made official on July 10th, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. Marc Stein of ESPN.com tweets that a sign-and-trade of a minimum salary player such as Kenyon Martin or Pablo Prigioni would get the deal done.
8:33pm: The trade will not be approved by the league office tonight and as a result, the teams will have to restructure under 2013/14 cap figures, tweets Beck. Both sides are still motivated to do the deal, but it will have to be re-worked after July 1st. It's unclear at the moment as to why the league office shot the deal down (Twitter links).
6:33pm: The Raptors are getting the Knicks' 2017 second-round selection plus the 2014 second-round pick from OKC, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet (on Twitter).
6:03pm: The Knicks will send a 2016 first round pick in the deal, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times (on Twitter). Frank Isola of the Daily News (on Twitter) points out that the deal must be finalized tonight for salary cap purposes. The Knicks will send not one, but two second-round picks to the Raptors in the trade, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
The Knicks have already traded their own second-rounders through 2016, so the second-rounders are probably be the Kings' 2014 pick (top-55 protected) and the Thunder's 2014 pick. Otherwise, it will involve one or both of the club's original 2017/2018 seletions.
5:50pm: The Knicks have agreed to a deal that will bring Andrea Bargnani to New York, a source tells Howard Beck of the New York Times (agreement news via Twitter). The Knicks will send Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick north of the border for the Italian big man. The deal has been agreed to but is awaiting final approval from the NBA (Twitter link).
Several teams have pursued Bargnani, but the Knicks recently emerged as the “strong favorites” to land him. The former No. 1 overall pick has career averages of 15.2 PPG and 4.8 RPG in seven NBA seasons. He's owed $22.25MM over the next two seasons.
Moving Barngani would be the first major move by new Raptors decision-maker Masai Ujiri. Outgoing GM Bryan Colangelo was open about his desire in past years to move Bargnani, but no deal ever materialized for him.
We heard earlier today that the Knicks were open to the idea of trading the sharpshooting Novak. The 30-year-old shot an eye-popping 47% from long range in 2011/12 but came back down to earth when he shot at a 42.5% clip from downtown last season. Novak will earn a combined $11MM over the next three seasons.
Camby, 39, returns back to the organization that drafted him in 1996. The shot-blocking big man has impressed in recent years with his tremendous rebounding but played in just 24 games for the Knicks last season. He'll earn $7.5MM between next season and 2014/15.
Raptors To Sign Julyan Stone
JULY 10TH: Stone's deal will be worth about $1.9MM over two years, tweets Shams Charania of RealGM.com. A minimum-salary contract would be worth $1,832,456, so it's not clear whether Charania's figure is just slightly off, or whether the Raptors are signing Stone using a non-minimum exception.
JULY 4TH: The Raptors have agreed to sign free agent guard Julyan Stone to a two-year deal, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). The 24-year-old was eligible for restricted free agency this summer, but didn't receive a qualifying offer from the Nuggets, and became unrestricted.
With Sebastian Telfair and John Lucas III seemingly headed elsewhere in free agency, the Raptors are in the market for point guard help this summer. I doubt Stone will be Kyle Lowry's primary backup, but he could be a serviceable third-stringer at the point, and has played both backcourt positions in the past.
Presumably, new Raptors head of basketball operations and former Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri played a major role in luring Stone to Toronto. It's not clear if one or both of the years on Stone's deal will be guaranteed. Either way though, a multiyear contract for a player who has accumulated just over 200 NBA minutes in two seasons is rare.
While the level of guarantee on Stone's deal isn't yet known, I would assume it's for the minimum salary. Stone is represented by agent Giovanni Funiciello.
Atlantic Notes: Rondo, Raptors, Celtics
A few notes from around the NBA's Atlantic Division.
- According to a tweet from Hoopsworld.com's Bill Ingram, a rumor has bubbled to the surface that the Rockets are interested in trading for Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, but Dwight Howard has no interest in playing with the four-time All-Star.
- The Raptors have officially announced they will be making Nick Nurse an assistant head coach on Dwane Casey's staff, according to the Toronto Sun's Ryan Wolstat. Nurse will run the team's offense.
- The Celtics are in talks to sign Brazilian big man Vitor Faverani, according to TuBasket.com. The Boston Herald's Mark Murphy reported Boston's interest this morning, but made it clear an expensive buyout with Faverani's team in Brazil could sour things.
Odds & Ends: Assistants, SVG, Brewer, Lakers
As teams continue to finalize their coaching staffs for the 2013/14 season, a pair of clubs made official announcements today. The Kings have formally hired Dee Brown and Micah Nori, who spent the last four seasons as an assistant in Toronto, while the Raptors have made a hire of their own, announcing that Nick Nurse, coming off a D-League championship, will join Dwane Casey's staff.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the Association:
- Former Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy tells Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida that it's "very possible" he won't return to an NBA bench for the 2014/15 season, adding that there's no guarantee he'll ever coach again. Tomasson's piece includes plenty of interesting tidbits and quotes from Van Gundy, including word that four teams contacted him in the spring about coaching vacancies.
- We passed along reports today indicating that the Timberwolves are eyeing Corey Brewer, and Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune adds another detail, writing that Minnesota is exploring its options for a potential sign-and-trade deal with the Nuggets.
- Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com hears that Raja Bell, Kenyon Martin, and Bobby Brown are among the free agents with interest in the Lakers, though it's not clear if that interest is mutual (Twitter link).
- In his latest mailbag, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel addresses whether or not it makes sense for the Heat to save their amnesty clause until next year.
- Before they decide whether or not to use their amnesty provision this year, the Raptors will wait to see exactly what the luxury tax threshold is, tweets Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun.
- Grantland's Zach Lowe takes an extended and interesting look at how the Pelicans' offseason moves will shape the team going forward.
2013 Amnesty Primer
Today is the last day of the July moratorium, which means NBA teams can officially resume full activity beginning tomorrow. In addition to signaling the end of the moratorium, July 10th also marks the first day that teams are eligible to amnesty players. This year's amnesty period will run from the 10th until the 16th — after that, teams that still haven't used their amnesty clause won't get another chance to do so until next July.
With amnesty week upon us, here's a refresher on how the process works, which teams still have the amnesty option available, and which players remain amnesty-eligible….
How does it work?
The amnesty provision provides a team an opportunity to clear a bad contract from its books for salary cap and luxury tax purposes. Although a team still has to pay the remainder of the amnestied player's salary, as it would for any released player, the player's salary no longer counts against the team's cap (except for minimum payroll purposes) when the amnesty clause is used. For instance, if and when the Lakers amnesty Metta World Peace, they'll still pay him his full $7,727,280 salary for 2013/14, but will remove that figure from the cap, significantly reducing the team's tax bill.
The amnesty provision can be used on any player, as long as the following rules are observed:
- A team can only amnesty one player — not one player per season.
- The amnesty provision can only be used on a player who signed his contract prior to July 1st, 2011. If a contract was signed, extended, or renegotiated after that date, the player cannot be amnestied.
- A team can only use its amnesty provision on a player who was on its roster on July 1st, 2011. If a player was traded after that date, he cannot be amnestied.
- The amnesty clause can only be used during the seven days following the July moratorium. If a team doesn't amnesty a player during that week, it won't get another chance to do so until the following July.
- A team that has yet to use its amnesty clause can do so in any of the next three years. The 2015/16 season is the last year in which a player can be amnestied under the current CBA.
Amnestied players are placed on waivers, but the waiver rules are slightly different than usual. An under-the-cap team can still place a full waiver claim on an amnestied player, if it doesn't mind being on the hook for the rest of the player's contract. However, clubs also have the option to submit partial waiver claims, in what essentially amounts to an auction for the player's services. If no team places a full claim, the team with the highest partial claim is awarded the player. If two teams bid the same amount, the club with the worse record wins out. If neither a full or partial claim is submitted, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.
For a few more details on the amnesty process, check out our complete explanation in the Hoops Rumors glossary.
Which teams still have the amnesty provision available?
Exactly half of the NBA's 30 teams have used the amnesty provision in the last two offseasons, leaving 15 clubs with the option of amnesty still at their disposal. These are the teams still in play, per our amnesty provision tracker:
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
- Charlotte Bobcats
- Chicago Bulls
- Detroit Pistons
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Miami Heat
- Milwaukee Bucks
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Sacramento Kings
- San Antonio Spurs
- Toronto Raptors
- Utah Jazz
The Pelicans no longer have any amnesty-eligible players left on their roster, and reports have suggested the Bobcats will amnesty Tyrus Thomas, while the Lakers will amnesty World Peace. That would leave just 12 teams with the amnesty option available.
Which players are still eligible to be amnestied?
While there are 35 players still eligible to be amnestied, some are likelier candidates than others. I examined a few of this summer's potential amnesty candidates back in March, but here's the complete list of players that technically remain amnesty-eligible, along with the total money left on their deals:
- Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford ($36MM)
- Boston Celtics: Rajon Rondo ($24.86MM), Avery Bradley ($2.51MM)
- Charlotte Bobcats: Tyrus Thomas ($18.08MM)
- Chicago Bulls: Joakim Noah ($36.7MM), Carlos Boozer ($32.1MM), Luol Deng ($14.28MM)
- Detroit Pistons: Charlie Villanueva ($8.58MM), Greg Monroe ($4.09MM)
- Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant ($30.45MM), Pau Gasol ($19.29MM), Metta World Peace ($7.73MM), Steve Blake ($4MM)
- Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Randolph ($34.3MM), Mike Conley ($26.08MM)
- Miami Heat: LeBron James ($61.77MM), Chris Bosh ($61.77MM), Dwyane Wade ($60.49MM), Mike Miller ($12.8MM), Udonis Haslem ($8.96MM), Joel Anthony ($7.6MM)
- Milwaukee Bucks: Drew Gooden ($13.37MM), Larry Sanders ($3.05MM)
- New Orleans Pelicans: No players eligible
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant ($56.99MM), Kendrick Perkins ($18.63MM), Nick Collison ($4.83MM), Thabo Sefolosha ($3.9MM)
- Sacramento Kings: John Salmons ($14.58MM), DeMarcus Cousins ($4.92MM)
- San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker ($25MM), Matt Bonner ($3.95MM)
- Toronto Raptors: Amir Johnson ($13.6MM), Linas Kleiza ($4.6MM)
- Utah Jazz: Derrick Favors ($6.01MM), Gordon Hayward ($3.45MM)
Marcus Camby Requests Trade Or Buyout
12:28pm: Kaplan tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com (Twitter links) that he and Camby "haven't demanded anything" from the Raptors, which doesn't contradict Berman's report (linked below).
"We are working collaboratively with the Raptors to end up in a situation that works for everyone," Kaplan said.
12:20pm: The Knicks and Raptors haven't formally completed the deal yet that will send Marcus Camby to the Raptors, but the veteran big man is already requesting to be moved again, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Berman reports that Camby has asked the Raptors for a trade or buyout so that he can join a contender.
When the deal between the Knicks and Raptors was agreed upon last weekend, Camby indicated that he planned to explore his options, and at least one report suggested Toronto would be open to the idea of buying him out. Agent Rick Kaplan, who tells Berman his client has no plans to retire, appears optimistic that the two sides will get something done.
"We have a great deal of respect for and faith in the new management of the Raptors," Kaplan said. "So something is likely to work out for all involved."
Camby, who has two years remaining on his deal, is set to earn about $4.38MM next season, but his 2014/15 salary is only partially guaranteed for about $1.03MM. If he were to reach a buyout agreement with the Raptors and hit the free agent market, he'd be ineligible to sign with the Knicks, but could join any other contending team.
Atlantic Notes: Copeland, Knicks, Raps, Stevens
Let's round up the latest news, notes, and rumors out of the Atlantic Division….
- Chris Copeland's agent John Spencer isn't ruling out his client returning to the Knicks, but he expects to receive offers starting at higher than $1.75MM. As Marc Berman of the New York Post writes, after committing a portion of their mid-level to Pablo Prigioni, the Knicks only have about $1.75MM left on their MLE. Using that remaining money on a power forward like Elton Brand is more likely than a Copeland reunion, according to Berman.
- Assuming Copeland doesn't take less to remain in New York, the Pacers, Lakers, Jazz, and Nuggets are in play for him, according to Spencer.
- Agent Andy Miller tells Berman that his client, Sebastian Telfair, would "consider the Knicks very strongly." New York is eyeing another point guard and has also been in touch with reps for Earl Watson, Will Bynum, Aaron Brooks, and Devin Harris.
- The second year of the Raptors' agreement with Julyan Stone won't be fully guaranteed, says Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. Smith notes within the same piece that it remains extremely unlikely Toronto uses its amnesty clause next week.
- Celtics GM Danny Ainge had long targeted Brad Stevens as a potential replacement for Doc Rivers, as Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe writes (subscription required). Ainge himself confirmed at this morning's press conference that Stevens was his first phone call after the Rivers transaction, tweets Sean Deveney of the Sporting News.
Raptors Not Looking To Trade Rudy Gay
The Raptors are not looking to move Rudy Gay and the two years ($37.2MM) remaining on his contract, according to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard (via Twitter). When a report surfaced yesterday that the Pistons had offered up two expiring contracts for Gay, there was speculation that new GM Masai Ujiri could be looking to unload his small forward, but that's not the case, says Broussard.
Because Gay was acquired by the Raptors' old front-office regime, headed by Bryan Colangelo, it was unclear whether Ujiri valued the 26-year-old as strongly and considered him a part of Toronto's long-term plan. While that's still not entirely clear, it's at least obvious that Ujiri and the Raptors won't be inclined to move Gay for nothing, and likely don't plan to shop him either.
Pistons Made Trade Offer For Rudy Gay
WEDNESDAY, 8:45am: The Raptors turned away the Pistons' proposal for Gay and don't intend to move him for nothing, tweets Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun.
TUESDAY, 11:03pm: The Pistons have offered the Raptors the expiring contracts of Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva in a package for Rudy Gay, league sources told Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com.
Stuckey and Villanueva will both earn $8.5MM in 2013/14 and while Gay has two years and $37MM left on his deal. Detroit is hoping that GM Masai Ujiri is planning even more drastic change in Toronto days after agreeing to ship Andrea Bargnani to the Knicks.
Gay averaged 19.5 PPG while shooting 43% from the floor in his 33 games for the Raptors. Detroit was among the bidders for him when the Grizzlies made him available last season and they are making another play for him this summer.
Central Rumors: Pistons, Rondo, Pacers, Bucks
With new general managers taking over for a handful of NBA franchises this offseason, there's a chance that organizational philosophies or approaches could shift drastically in some instances. The Pistons are hoping that's the case with the Raptors, offering up a package of expiring contracts to Toronto in exchange for Rudy Gay, who was acquired by old head of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo.
However, Grantland's Zach Lowe tweets that he'd be "blown away" if the Raptors accepted Detroit's offer without a significant sweetener. And as Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun notes (via Twitter), just because an offer is on the table, it doesn't mean the Raptors have to take it, as several teams have made "unimpressive" proposals for Gay.
Here's more on the Pistons and their Central Division rivals:
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News tweeted yesterday that the Pistons would be at the front of the line if the Celtics make Rajon Rondo available. While Boston GM Danny Ainge continues to insist he's not interested in moving Rondo, despite plenty of incoming calls, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com also reports that the Pistons have made their interest clear in case Ainge changes his mind.
- Within Berger's piece, the CBSSports.com scribe says the Pacers have explored potential trades involving Danny Granger and/or Gerald Green. However, they're finding "no market" for either player so far.
- The Pistons remain interested in Josh Smith and Andre Iguodala, but are reluctant to engage in a bidding war, tweets Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.
- The Bucks may be emerging as the leading suitor for J.R. Smith, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post, pointing out that deals for J.J. Redick and Kevin Martin could set Smith's market value at $7MM+ per year. That would be more than the Knicks are able to offer.
- Prior to reaching an agreement with Mike Dunleavy, the Bulls viewed him as their top priority in free agency, tweets Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.