Free Agent Rumors: Timberwolves, Rush, Mills
A couple more notable names came off the free agent market this morning, when Kris Humphries landed a two-year deal from the Nets and Grant Hill agreed to sign with the Clippers. While a number of solid rotation players are still available, the market is rapidly thinning for teams in search of starters. As clubs continue to jockey to sign the remaining available players, we'll track many of today's free agent rumors right here:
- Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune lists who the Timberwolves will target with nearly $14MM in cap space if they lose out on Nicolas Batum, specifically highlighting Courtney Lee, Jordan Hill, and Greg Stiemsma.
- Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times says that despite the delay on an official decision regarding Brandon Rush's future, the Warriors are still likely to retain him.
Earlier updates:
Atlantic Notes: Lin, Valanciunas, Raptors, Nets
"Though he sure didn't act like it," writes Marc Berman of the New York Post, "Jeremy Lin still wants to be a Knick." Berman cites a source close to Lin who says that the young point guard is hoping the Knicks match Houston's offer sheet. Berman's apparent critique of Lin's handling of free agency is somewhat bizarre, considering the Post scribe reported two weeks ago that the Knicks intended to sit back and wait while Lin went out and let the market set his price tag.
As we wait to see whether the Knicks will truly let Lin walk, here are a few more items out of the Atlantic Division:
- The Knicks still want to make some minor adjustments and figure to make a couple more small moves, says Gery Woefel of the Racine Journal Times (via Twitter).
- Expect the Raptors to sign 2011 fifth overall pick Jonas Valanciunas in the "next couple days," tweets Doug Smith of the Toronto Star.
- With Jose Calderon's future in Toronto uncertain, the Raptors would like to upgrade their bench at point guard, says Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun (via Twitter).
Earlier updates:
Kings Acquire James Johnson From Raptors
12:14pm: The deal is now official, according to Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee (Sulia link).
7:28am: The Kings and Raptors have agreed to a trade that will send James Johnson to Sacramento in exchange for a future second-round pick, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein. The second-rounder heading to Toronto is for 2014, according to SI.com's Sam Amick (via Twitter). Stein adds that the deal could be made official as soon as today.
Raptors Sign Quincy Acy
The Raptors officially signed Quincy Acy on Sunday, according to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun (via Twitter). The terms of Acy's deal aren't known, but a multiyear, partially-guaranteed, minimum-salary deal seems likely.
Acy, a 6'6" wing, was selected 37th overall by Toronto in June's draft. The 21-year-old averaged 12.0 points and 7.4 rebounds in 29.7 minutes per game in his senior year at Baylor.
Odds & Ends: Calderon, Suns, Magic, Howard
Ever since the Raptors' acquisition of Kyle Lowry, there has been a steady flow of rumors revolving around Jose Calderon's future, or lack thereof, in Toronto. Calderon, who will run the point for Spain's Olympic team later this month in London, has already expressed his discontent with the thought of being relegated to back up duties, but according to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, he may not have a choice.
Wolstat caught up with Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo who said, “We have had a few more trade inquiries regarding Jose (but) the scenario doesn’t seem to present itself to a trade today, but we’ll continue to monitor that and just try to determine whether it’s going to work in the long run.” Colangelo also implied that amnestying Calderon is not in the plans.
Here are some more updates from around the league on Sunday night:
Landry Fields Signs Raptors’ Offer Sheet
JULY 14TH, 8:38pm: The Knicks will not match Toronto's offer sheet, officially making Fields a member of the Raptors, reports Al Iannazzone of Newsday (via Twitter).
JULY 11TH, 4:31pm: Fields officially signed Toronto's offer sheet today, according to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). The Knicks will have three days to decide whether to match it, and figure to take their time, as we heard earlier today.
JULY 3RD, 1:09pm: The third year in Fields' offer sheet with Toronto is worth roughly $8.5MM, tweets Marc Berman of the New York Post. Added to a first-year salary of $5MM and a second-year salary of $5.225MM, that would put the total value of the agreement at a little over $18.7MM. Berman adds that the Knicks are unlikely to match the offer.
Odds & Ends: Lorbek, Magic, Mavs, Nash
Although the Spurs will bring one international prospect stateside this season, having signed Nando De Colo to a contract, another of the team's top international players doesn't appear headed for San Antonio. Spanish club Regal Barcelona announced today that they have re-signed Erazem Lorbek to a three-year deal to remain with the team (English translation via Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). The Spurs, who hold Lorbek's NBA rights, were said earlier this offseason to be "very close" to a deal with the Slovenian forward, so it's a little surprising to see him re-up with Regal Barcelona.
Let's round up a few more Friday morning odds and ends….
Calderon Requests Trade From Raptors
Marc Stein of ESPN writes that Jose Calderon would like to be traded from the Raptors. Calderon is well aware that the team does not plan to waive him with their amnesty clause, but is likely seeking a change of scenery with Kyle Lowry appearing to be the team's new starting point guard. Calderon's agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed that he and Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo are now working to find a deal (Twitter link). Stein cites sources that believe the Raptors prefer to trade the Spanish guard to a team with cap space in order to acquire a trade exception.
Kyler On Calderon, Howard, Blair, Augustin
Jose Calderon's name has surfaced as a possible amnesty candidate a few times this offseason, but according to Raptors president Bryan Colangelo, the team doesn't expect to amnesty Calderon or anyone else this week. While Colangelo acknowledged that Calderon wasn't "thrilled" about the trade that brought Kyle Lowry to Toronto, he still views him as a valuable piece on the roster, as Eric Koreen of the National Post writes. Colangelo confirmed that a few teams have inquired on Calderon, and Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld writes that a trade is much more likely than an amnesty. Here are a few more notes from Kyler's HoopsWorld piece:
Knicks May Match Raptors’ Fields Offer Sheet
While it's widely been assumed that the Knicks would decline to match the Raptors' three-year, $19MM offer sheet for Landry Fields, that's not necessarily a given. Raptors president Bryan Colangelo told Toronto media today that there's a "50/50 chance" the Knicks match the Raps' offer to Fields (Twitter link via Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun).