I like swaggy p, i think hes one of those in the middle of his career breakout players
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Mr G and Mr G
THE OFFICIAL 2014-2015 NBA THREAD
- Thread starter Rasan
- Start date
I bet it's going to take Wiggins being traded to get that Love deal done, and maybe 2 first round picks. The crazy thing is, I heard that Cleveland has a Miami pick to trade. That's going to be a lottery pick in the 2015 draft at this rate.
I have been pretty vocal about my hate for Lebron after he went to Miami but I'm pretty happy he went back, I think it's cool personally. It also makes the east more interesting in my opinion. I also think Houston will be one of, if not THE best, team in the league if Bosh goes there.
I have been pretty vocal about my hate for Lebron after he went to Miami but I'm pretty happy he went back, I think it's cool personally. It also makes the east more interesting in my opinion. I also think Houston will be one of, if not THE best, team in the league if Bosh goes there.
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Mr G and Mr G
Suns got Thomas from a sign n trade I might add. Great move for Phx and at a low rate for a really good pg who is gonna come off the bench for the Suns. Suns lookin hella deep right now wit pg's. gonna be interesting to see which one leaves. They can match any team for Bledsoe n they'll be fuccin dumb to let Dragic go
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks negotiating deal; Chicago Bulls out - ESPN New York
Representatives for Carmelo Anthony are presently in negotiations on a contract that will bring him back to the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
The Chicago Bulls and the Houston Rockets have been told by Anthony's representatives to move on, the sources said.
Melo's 15 Best/Worst Moments In N.Y.
ESPNNY.com takes a look back at Melo's most memorable scores and scandals during his career with the 'Bockers.
Photo Gallery Photo Gallery Top 25 Knicks Photo Gallery
Knicks president Phil Jackson said Thursday that he hadn't heard from Anthony in recent days but remained confident the All-Star forward would re-sign with the Knicks. Jackson said the Knicks have made five different contract offers to Anthony, one of which is believed to be a maximum deal of $129 million over five years.
Knicks coach Derek Fisher seemed to be on the same page as Jackson.
"I haven't heard anything different than that," Fisher said Friday after the Knicks started Las Vegas Summer League play with a 76-64 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. "We talked all this week about the fact that it's not our decision."
The first-time coach stressed that point.
"Decisions as free agents are never as easy as they seem," he said. "A lot of focus is on the contract size or the amount of money and the years, but oftentimes, guys are thinking on a much larger level.
"It's not just about basketball. Guys have wives, families, kids. Moving is tough."
The Bulls had moved Anthony down on their priority list as recently as Friday, as sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Bulls were prioritizing their pursuit of free-agent forward Pau Gasol even ahead of their long-running efforts to sign Anthony, fearing that Anthony was likely to stay with the Knicks. Gasol and the Bulls are closing in on a deal, according to the Spanish newspaper Marca and other media reports.
The Knicks, whose maximum offer to Anthony would have a first-year salary of $22.5 million, hadn't shown any interest in participating in a sign-and-trade with Chicago as of late Friday night.
Information from ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley and ESPNNewYork.com contributor Fred Katz and was used in this report.
Representatives for Carmelo Anthony are presently in negotiations on a contract that will bring him back to the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
The Chicago Bulls and the Houston Rockets have been told by Anthony's representatives to move on, the sources said.
Melo's 15 Best/Worst Moments In N.Y.
ESPNNY.com takes a look back at Melo's most memorable scores and scandals during his career with the 'Bockers.
Photo Gallery Photo Gallery Top 25 Knicks Photo Gallery
Knicks president Phil Jackson said Thursday that he hadn't heard from Anthony in recent days but remained confident the All-Star forward would re-sign with the Knicks. Jackson said the Knicks have made five different contract offers to Anthony, one of which is believed to be a maximum deal of $129 million over five years.
Knicks coach Derek Fisher seemed to be on the same page as Jackson.
"I haven't heard anything different than that," Fisher said Friday after the Knicks started Las Vegas Summer League play with a 76-64 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. "We talked all this week about the fact that it's not our decision."
The first-time coach stressed that point.
"Decisions as free agents are never as easy as they seem," he said. "A lot of focus is on the contract size or the amount of money and the years, but oftentimes, guys are thinking on a much larger level.
"It's not just about basketball. Guys have wives, families, kids. Moving is tough."
The Bulls had moved Anthony down on their priority list as recently as Friday, as sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Bulls were prioritizing their pursuit of free-agent forward Pau Gasol even ahead of their long-running efforts to sign Anthony, fearing that Anthony was likely to stay with the Knicks. Gasol and the Bulls are closing in on a deal, according to the Spanish newspaper Marca and other media reports.
The Knicks, whose maximum offer to Anthony would have a first-year salary of $22.5 million, hadn't shown any interest in participating in a sign-and-trade with Chicago as of late Friday night.
Information from ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley and ESPNNewYork.com contributor Fred Katz and was used in this report.
Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls near deal, according to reports - ESPN Chicago
Pau Gasol is inching closer to becoming a Chicago Bull, according to the Spanish newspaper Marca and other media reports.
The Gift of Giving
In Pau Gasol, the Bulls would be getting a gifted passing big man. Among players 7 feet tall or taller, Gasol has registered the third-most seasons in NBA history averaging at least three assists per game.
Player Seasons
K. Abdul-Jabbar 14
W. Chamberlain 11
P. Gasol 9
V. Divac 8
-- ESPN Stats & Information
The paper first reported late Friday that the Bulls are closing in on a deal with Gasol despite the absence of a sign-and-trade agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne late Friday that a sign-and-trade arrangement had not been struck, with the Lakers still looking for draft compensation -- as they received in Friday's earlier trade with the Houston Rockets to take back the contract of Jeremy Lin -- as the primary return for Gasol.
ESPN.com reported earlier Friday that the Bulls and San Antonio Spurs had emerged as the two leading candidates to land Gasol, with San Antonio poised to land the Spaniard if the Bulls and Lakers could not finalize a sign-and-trade deal.
Sources told ESPN.com late Friday that the Bulls were prioritizing their pursuit of Gasol even ahead of their long-running efforts to sign Carmelo Anthony, fearing that Anthony is likely to stay with the New York Knicks.
The Lakers appear resigned to seeing Gasol exit after a successful six seasons together. Prior to Friday, the Lakers offered Gasol two deals: two years worth $23 million, and three years worth $29 million, a league source told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin. Gasol turned down both offers, according to the source.
MORE ON ESPN.COM
• Complete list of 2014 free agents
• Pelton: Top free agents by numbers Insider
• Elhassan: Free agent Big Board 4.0 Insider
• NBA cap space meter: Who has room?
• Player Movement Predictor: Play it!
• NBA Rumor Central: Latest buzz Insider
• Free Agency 2014: Complete coverage
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been pursuing Gasol as hard as anyone, but sources indicated Friday that the Spurs have joined the Bulls ahead of the Thunder in Gasol's pecking order.
The Thunder had a $6.5 million trade exception that expired Friday night at 11:59 p.m. ET that they had hoped to use in their own sign-and-trade with Los Angeles.
Making hard runs at free agents is not something seen often from the Thunder, but Gasol had been lobbied face to face by Oklahoma City stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as well as coach Scott Brooks and general manager Sam Presti since free agency began.
The Knicks, meanwhile, had been trying to trade Amar'e Stoudemire or Andrea Bargnani in hopes of clearing sufficient salary-cap space to convince Gasol to come to New York to play alongside a re-signed Anthony. But sources said Friday night that the Knicks, like the Lakers and Thunder, appeared to be out of contention.
Pau Gasol is inching closer to becoming a Chicago Bull, according to the Spanish newspaper Marca and other media reports.
The Gift of Giving
In Pau Gasol, the Bulls would be getting a gifted passing big man. Among players 7 feet tall or taller, Gasol has registered the third-most seasons in NBA history averaging at least three assists per game.
Player Seasons
K. Abdul-Jabbar 14
W. Chamberlain 11
P. Gasol 9
V. Divac 8
-- ESPN Stats & Information
The paper first reported late Friday that the Bulls are closing in on a deal with Gasol despite the absence of a sign-and-trade agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne late Friday that a sign-and-trade arrangement had not been struck, with the Lakers still looking for draft compensation -- as they received in Friday's earlier trade with the Houston Rockets to take back the contract of Jeremy Lin -- as the primary return for Gasol.
ESPN.com reported earlier Friday that the Bulls and San Antonio Spurs had emerged as the two leading candidates to land Gasol, with San Antonio poised to land the Spaniard if the Bulls and Lakers could not finalize a sign-and-trade deal.
Sources told ESPN.com late Friday that the Bulls were prioritizing their pursuit of Gasol even ahead of their long-running efforts to sign Carmelo Anthony, fearing that Anthony is likely to stay with the New York Knicks.
The Lakers appear resigned to seeing Gasol exit after a successful six seasons together. Prior to Friday, the Lakers offered Gasol two deals: two years worth $23 million, and three years worth $29 million, a league source told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin. Gasol turned down both offers, according to the source.
MORE ON ESPN.COM
• Complete list of 2014 free agents
• Pelton: Top free agents by numbers Insider
• Elhassan: Free agent Big Board 4.0 Insider
• NBA cap space meter: Who has room?
• Player Movement Predictor: Play it!
• NBA Rumor Central: Latest buzz Insider
• Free Agency 2014: Complete coverage
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been pursuing Gasol as hard as anyone, but sources indicated Friday that the Spurs have joined the Bulls ahead of the Thunder in Gasol's pecking order.
The Thunder had a $6.5 million trade exception that expired Friday night at 11:59 p.m. ET that they had hoped to use in their own sign-and-trade with Los Angeles.
Making hard runs at free agents is not something seen often from the Thunder, but Gasol had been lobbied face to face by Oklahoma City stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as well as coach Scott Brooks and general manager Sam Presti since free agency began.
The Knicks, meanwhile, had been trying to trade Amar'e Stoudemire or Andrea Bargnani in hopes of clearing sufficient salary-cap space to convince Gasol to come to New York to play alongside a re-signed Anthony. But sources said Friday night that the Knicks, like the Lakers and Thunder, appeared to be out of contention.
Houston Rockets seriously pursuing Trevor Ariza - ESPN
The Houston Rockets are seriously pursuing unrestricted free-agent small forward Trevor Ariza, according to sources close to the situation, signaling that they are exploring their options for replacing Chandler Parsons.
[+] EnlargeTrevor Ariza
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY SportsThe Rockets are chasing Trevor Ariza in case they cannot keep Chandler Parsons, sources say.
The Rockets, sources say, also pursued free agent Luol Deng but appear to have fallen out of contention for the former All-Star, with Miami said to be making progress in its recruitment of Deng after losing LeBron James on Friday.
The Rockets have until 11:59 p.m. Sunday to decide whether to exercise their right to match Parsons' three-year, $46 million offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks.
A source told ESPNDallas.com earlier Friday that the Rockets planned to match the offer to Parsons after signing Chris Bosh. The Rockets spent the afternoon clearing salary cap space, including trading guard Jeremy Lin and a future first-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers, in anticipation of signing Bosh to a near-max deal.
However, Bosh opted to stay in Miami on a five-year, $118 million max contract, sources confirmed to ESPN. The Rockets could only offer Bosh a four-year deal for a little more than $80 million in order to keep point guard Patrick Beverley and match the Mavs' offer to Parsons.
The Rockets must decide whether it's worth paying Parsons more than $15 million per season without accomplishing their goal of adding an All-Star power forward this summer. Ariza would be a less expensive alternative while still giving the Rockets, who are coming off a 54-win season, a chance to contend in the loaded Western Conference.
Ariza -- and Deng -- are also on the short list of the Mavs' targets if Houston opts to match the offer to Parsons, sources said. Deng is seeking a multiyear contract with a starting salary around $12 million, while Ariza is seeking a multiyear deal with a starting salary between $9 million and $11 million.
The Mavs also are maintaining contact with the agents of free agents Lance Stephenson, Paul Pierce and Shawn Marion, who played the last five seasons in Dallas. The Parsons offer sheet, which starts with a $14.7 million salary, accounts for the rest of the Mavs' cap space after the soon-to-be-official deals for Dirk Nowitzki and Devin Harris are done.
ESPNDallas.com's Tim MacMahon contributed to this report.
The Houston Rockets are seriously pursuing unrestricted free-agent small forward Trevor Ariza, according to sources close to the situation, signaling that they are exploring their options for replacing Chandler Parsons.
[+] EnlargeTrevor Ariza
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY SportsThe Rockets are chasing Trevor Ariza in case they cannot keep Chandler Parsons, sources say.
The Rockets, sources say, also pursued free agent Luol Deng but appear to have fallen out of contention for the former All-Star, with Miami said to be making progress in its recruitment of Deng after losing LeBron James on Friday.
The Rockets have until 11:59 p.m. Sunday to decide whether to exercise their right to match Parsons' three-year, $46 million offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks.
A source told ESPNDallas.com earlier Friday that the Rockets planned to match the offer to Parsons after signing Chris Bosh. The Rockets spent the afternoon clearing salary cap space, including trading guard Jeremy Lin and a future first-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers, in anticipation of signing Bosh to a near-max deal.
However, Bosh opted to stay in Miami on a five-year, $118 million max contract, sources confirmed to ESPN. The Rockets could only offer Bosh a four-year deal for a little more than $80 million in order to keep point guard Patrick Beverley and match the Mavs' offer to Parsons.
The Rockets must decide whether it's worth paying Parsons more than $15 million per season without accomplishing their goal of adding an All-Star power forward this summer. Ariza would be a less expensive alternative while still giving the Rockets, who are coming off a 54-win season, a chance to contend in the loaded Western Conference.
Ariza -- and Deng -- are also on the short list of the Mavs' targets if Houston opts to match the offer to Parsons, sources said. Deng is seeking a multiyear contract with a starting salary around $12 million, while Ariza is seeking a multiyear deal with a starting salary between $9 million and $11 million.
The Mavs also are maintaining contact with the agents of free agents Lance Stephenson, Paul Pierce and Shawn Marion, who played the last five seasons in Dallas. The Parsons offer sheet, which starts with a $14.7 million salary, accounts for the rest of the Mavs' cap space after the soon-to-be-official deals for Dirk Nowitzki and Devin Harris are done.
ESPNDallas.com's Tim MacMahon contributed to this report.
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Utah Jazz match Gordon Hayward offer sheet from Charlotte Hornets - ESPN
The Utah Jazz have retained Gordon Hayward after matching the Charlotte Hornets' four-year, $63 million offer sheet to the restricted free agent.
Mark Bartelstein, Hayward's agent, told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Jazz made "a great statement" to his client by matching the Hornets' offer.
MORE ON ESPN.COM
• Complete list of 2014 free agents
• Pelton: Top free agents by numbers Insider
• Elhassan: Free agent Big Board 4.0 Insider
• NBA cap space meter: Who has room?
• Player Movement Predictor: Play it!
• NBA Rumor Central: Latest buzz Insider
• Free Agency 2014: Complete coverage
"We're extremely appreciative to Michael Jordan, Rich Cho, Steve Clifford and the Hornets for wanting Gordon and making Gordon feel like such a critical piece to the team they're building," Bartelstein said. "That's something that's really appreciated by Gordon and myself, not just the contract but the whole presentation that they made.
"But It's always a wonderful thing when your own organization values you so much that they'd match a contract like this. I think it makes a great statement to Gordon about how they feel about him and value him."
The Jazz previously had stated over the past several months that they intended to match any offers for the 24-year-old Hayward, who averaged career highs of 16.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists last season.
The Jazz could have kept Hayward off the open market had they negotiated a contract extension with the versatile swingman back in October.
But talks broke down last year, with Hayward reportedly seeking a four-year contract valued at $13 million annually and Utah reportedly holding firm at $12 million annually.
Utah's decision to match Charlotte's offer sheet was reported earlier Saturday by Yahoo! Sports.
The 6-foot-8 Hayward returns to a rebuilding Utah team that also features Trey Burke, Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Alec Burks and promising rookie Dante Exum.
The Utah Jazz have retained Gordon Hayward after matching the Charlotte Hornets' four-year, $63 million offer sheet to the restricted free agent.
Mark Bartelstein, Hayward's agent, told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Jazz made "a great statement" to his client by matching the Hornets' offer.
MORE ON ESPN.COM
• Complete list of 2014 free agents
• Pelton: Top free agents by numbers Insider
• Elhassan: Free agent Big Board 4.0 Insider
• NBA cap space meter: Who has room?
• Player Movement Predictor: Play it!
• NBA Rumor Central: Latest buzz Insider
• Free Agency 2014: Complete coverage
"We're extremely appreciative to Michael Jordan, Rich Cho, Steve Clifford and the Hornets for wanting Gordon and making Gordon feel like such a critical piece to the team they're building," Bartelstein said. "That's something that's really appreciated by Gordon and myself, not just the contract but the whole presentation that they made.
"But It's always a wonderful thing when your own organization values you so much that they'd match a contract like this. I think it makes a great statement to Gordon about how they feel about him and value him."
The Jazz previously had stated over the past several months that they intended to match any offers for the 24-year-old Hayward, who averaged career highs of 16.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists last season.
The Jazz could have kept Hayward off the open market had they negotiated a contract extension with the versatile swingman back in October.
But talks broke down last year, with Hayward reportedly seeking a four-year contract valued at $13 million annually and Utah reportedly holding firm at $12 million annually.
Utah's decision to match Charlotte's offer sheet was reported earlier Saturday by Yahoo! Sports.
The 6-foot-8 Hayward returns to a rebuilding Utah team that also features Trey Burke, Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Alec Burks and promising rookie Dante Exum.
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Miami Heat front-runner to land Luol Deng - ESPN
The Miami Heat spent much of Saturday negotiating with free-agent swingman Luol Deng, according to sources close to the process.
Sources told ESPN.com that Miami is the closest thing to a front-runner in the chase for Deng in the wake of LeBron James' blockbuster announcement that he's returning to his home-state Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Heat, sources say, want to do a two-year deal with Deng in the $20 million range to team him with the freshly re-signed Chris Bosh and soon-to-be-reupped Dwyane Wade.
Sources say it's possible Wade's looming deal with the Heat might not be finalized until next week while negotiations with Deng continue. But Miami's current aim is assembling a core that features Wade and Bosh with newcomer Josh McRoberts and Deng if they can complete a deal with the former Chicago Bulls All-Star.
Dallas and Atlanta remain interested in Deng as well, with sources saying Saturday that the Phoenix has also jumped into the mix for Deng, who was traded from Chicago to Cleveland in January after years of trade rumors.
The Miami Heat spent much of Saturday negotiating with free-agent swingman Luol Deng, according to sources close to the process.
Sources told ESPN.com that Miami is the closest thing to a front-runner in the chase for Deng in the wake of LeBron James' blockbuster announcement that he's returning to his home-state Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Heat, sources say, want to do a two-year deal with Deng in the $20 million range to team him with the freshly re-signed Chris Bosh and soon-to-be-reupped Dwyane Wade.
Sources say it's possible Wade's looming deal with the Heat might not be finalized until next week while negotiations with Deng continue. But Miami's current aim is assembling a core that features Wade and Bosh with newcomer Josh McRoberts and Deng if they can complete a deal with the former Chicago Bulls All-Star.
Dallas and Atlanta remain interested in Deng as well, with sources saying Saturday that the Phoenix has also jumped into the mix for Deng, who was traded from Chicago to Cleveland in January after years of trade rumors.
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