NBA: Free Agency, News, Notes, And Updates

felton

Not a lot has happened thus far in terms of the big name free agents, but here are some news and notes surrounding some of the lesser known players available this summer.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics have inquired about Brad Miller and David Lee.  If the Celtics have eyes on retaining Pierce and Ray Allen they have very little cap space to work with when it comes to signing any other free agents.  They may be able to land a guy like Miller for a modest price, but it seems unlikely they will be able afford a guy like Lee who will easily command a deal worth over $10 million a season.

Raymond Felton

The market seems to be pretty big for Felton.  No less than six teams place a call to Felton’s agent on Thursday: Miami, Indiana, Memphis, New Jersey, Dallas, and New York.  Felton is widely considered to be the free agent point guard this summer and is going to command a lot of interest.  It is interesting to note some of the teams that are calling on Felton.

Memphis already has a starting point guard in Mike Conley, but they are always rumored to be looking at other options as Conley seems to just fall short of breaking through each season.

New Jersey already has a point guard in Devin Harris.  Does this mean Avery Johnson is looking at moving Harris over the two spot?  I cannot imagine Felton signing with a team where he would potentially be coming off the bench.

Dallas would have to do a sign-and-trade to land Felton and would probably offer up either Caron Butler or Errick Dampier who both have hefty contracts that expire after next season.  Felton might be willing to wait it out another year before taking over for Jason Kidd.

Indiana is desperate for an upgrade at the point guard position and is expected to go hard after Felton.

Felton would flourish in Mike D’Antoni’s system in New York, but is he interested in signing there prior to the Knicks securing another big name player?

The same question needs to be asked about the Heat who currently only have Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers under contract for next season.

Mike Miller

The Lakers are talking to the veteran sharp-shooter about signing for the team’s mid-level exception.  This represents a significant pay cut from the $9.8 million he made last season so one wonders if he will hold out for the time being and see if something a bit more lucrative comes along unless, of course, he wants to compete for a championship next season knowing that he is on the downside of his career.

Brad Miller

In addition to the Celtics, the Cavs, Rockets, and Bulls are talking with Brad Miller’s agent as well.  At 34 Miller is on the downside of his career and is likely going to get a mid-level type of deal from a playoff-caliber team looking for a big man to come off the bench and give them 20 to 25 good minutes a game.

Tyrus Thomas

With talks between the Suns and Amar’e Stoudamire reportedly coming to a grinding halt the Suns have turned their attention to restricted free agent Tyrus Thomas.  FOXSportsarizona.com reports the Suns are moving on and talking with Thomas whom the Charlotte Bobcats own the right of first refusal to.  The Bobcats have already gone on record stating they see Thomas as a building block of the future and intend on retaining him.  So, unless the Suns throw some obscene amount of money at him it seems unlikely Thomas will be playing for Phoenix next season.

Wesley Matthews

The Blazers have reportedly inquired about restricted free agent Wesley Matthews.  The Jazz still have the right to match any offer given to Matthews and they have stated they intend on keeping him in the fold.  As with Tyrus Thomas it seems unlikely Matthews is going anywhere unless a team throws an obscene amount of money at him.

Jordan Farmar

The Lakers chose not to tender Jordan Farmar a contract offer making him an unrestricted free agent.  The Pacers and Blazers are said to have an interest in Farmar’s services.

If Farmar were to go to Portland it would be strictly as a backup to Andre Miller and a fall back plan if Jerryd Bayless does not progress next season as much as he did this past season.

It is no secret that the Pacers are not in love with their current point guard situation and are looking for a young PG to develop.  Farmar would have a chance to compete for the starting job in Indy and the consensus seems to be that is where he is leaning towards.  However, the Pacers may also wait it out and see if they can land Felton before closing the deal with Farmar and Farmar may want to wait that out as well.

Related Posts