~--~Official 2012 NBA Draft/Offseason Thread~--~

[Mask]

HoopsHype asks Nicolas Batum: "Are You Going To Be Upset If You Have To Go Back To Portland? "



Jorge Sierra, the man behind NBA super site HoopsHype, posted a Q&A with Trail Blazers restricted free agent Nicolas Batum about free agency and the upcoming Olympics in London. It's worth a complete read, but the part Trail Blazers fans will probably be the most interested in pertains to Batum's ongoing free agent negotiations:

Your agent has been very vocal about how you want to go to Minnesota, but you haven't spoken at all about the issue.

Nicolas Batum: I just want to focus on the National Team right now. That's his job, to get a contract done. That's why I got an agent, that's his job.

Are you going to be upset if you have to go back to Portland?

Nicolas Batum: No.

What kind of player do you see yourself becoming in the NBA from an individual standpoint?

Nicolas Batum: I just want to be a leader. A very good player and that's why I'm working every day since I was born. I don't want to just. be in the NBA. I want to have success as a player, but also with my team. I want to be a special player.

(snip)

Do you have a feeling about where you're going to play next season?

Nicolas Batum: I don't know. We'll see in a couple of days.

Free agent contracts can be officially signed tonight at 9 PM, Portland time. Teams have three days to match offers to restricted free agents. Batum reportedly has an offer from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

 

[Mask]

Dave Hyde
When Mario Chalmers was asked about the Ray Allen signing on Mike & Mike and said, "I don't think we should miss a 3 next year," he was exaggerating, of course. But look at the numbers. Allen and Mike Miller tied for 4th in the league in 3-pt shooting at 45.3%. James Jones was 20th (40.4%). Mario Chalmers was 36th (38.8%). Shane Battier's career suggests he's closer to the 38.2% he shot in the playoffs than the 33% of the reg season. Bosh shot 53.8% in playoffs. Chalmers, you see, has a point.

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[Mask]

Tim Duncan to sign three-year contract with Spurs



Tim Duncan will sign a three-year contract with the Spurs this week, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Duncan's representatives and the Spurs are finalizing a few items, but the structure has been agreed upon. The contract is expected to be in the range of the three-year, $34 million deal Kevin Garnett reached with the Boston Celtics the day before the NBA's free-agent market opened.

The Spurs have reached agreements with free agents Danny Green (three years, $12 million) and Boris Diaw (two years, $9.2 million). They also have a struck a deal to re-sign guard Patty Mills, who opted out of his contract after last season, and intend to add French guard Nando De Colo.

Duncan, 36, declared himself "a Spur for life" during the Western Conference finals, and showed little interest in testing the free-agent market. He averaged 15.4 points and nine rebounds last season.

 

[Mask]

Courtney Lee says he wants to play with Celtics next season


You lose Ray Allen but replace him with Jason Terry and Courtney Lee? Every GM in the league would take that deal.

Boston lost Allen to Miami and signed Terry already.

Now they may get Lee — he wants to play in Boston next season, he told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Lee has a long-standing relationship with Doc Rivers. The problem is the Celtics don’t have the cap space to give Lee a market rate contract, so they are working on a sign-and-trade.

“Me and Doc, we’ve always had a relationship since I’ve been in the NBA,” he said. “I’m a friend of both of his kids, Austin and Jeremiah. We work out together, always see each other. Me and Doc always speak. There’s interest there, but there was no verbal agreement or anything, just hearing each other out. He expressed his interest. I expressed my interest.

“It’s not basketball-wise that needs to be discussed, it’s the front office and my agent that needs to communicate and go from there.”

So again, it’s all about money. And compensation to the Rockets in a sign-and-trade. Houston GM Daryl Morey is going hoarder on future draft picks, so if there is a deal to be had that is something to watch.

 

[sinsay]

Courtney Lee says he wants to play with Celtics next season


You lose Ray Allen but replace him with Jason Terry and Courtney Lee? Every GM in the league would take that deal.

Boston lost Allen to Miami and signed Terry already.

Now they may get Lee — he wants to play in Boston next season, he told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Lee has a long-standing relationship with Doc Rivers. The problem is the Celtics don’t have the cap space to give Lee a market rate contract, so they are working on a sign-and-trade.

“Me and Doc, we’ve always had a relationship since I’ve been in the NBA,” he said. “I’m a friend of both of his kids, Austin and Jeremiah. We work out together, always see each other. Me and Doc always speak. There’s interest there, but there was no verbal agreement or anything, just hearing each other out. He expressed his interest. I expressed my interest.

“It’s not basketball-wise that needs to be discussed, it’s the front office and my agent that needs to communicate and go from there.”

So again, it’s all about money. And compensation to the Rockets in a sign-and-trade. Houston GM Daryl Morey is going hoarder on future draft picks, so if there is a deal to be had that is something to watch.

Terry and Lee are a nice recovery for the Celtics.

 

[ScottyPiffen745]

Courtney Lee says he wants to play with Celtics next season


You lose Ray Allen but replace him with Jason Terry and Courtney Lee? Every GM in the league would take that deal.

Boston lost Allen to Miami and signed Terry already.

Now they may get Lee — he wants to play in Boston next season, he told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Lee has a long-standing relationship with Doc Rivers. The problem is the Celtics don’t have the cap space to give Lee a market rate contract, so they are working on a sign-and-trade.

“Me and Doc, we’ve always had a relationship since I’ve been in the NBA,” he said. “I’m a friend of both of his kids, Austin and Jeremiah. We work out together, always see each other. Me and Doc always speak. There’s interest there, but there was no verbal agreement or anything, just hearing each other out. He expressed his interest. I expressed my interest.

“It’s not basketball-wise that needs to be discussed, it’s the front office and my agent that needs to communicate and go from there.”

So again, it’s all about money. And compensation to the Rockets in a sign-and-trade. Houston GM Daryl Morey is going hoarder on future draft picks, so if there is a deal to be had that is something to watch.

The Bulls FO sucks ass. They let everybody in the free agency walk through the door and walk the fuck right back out.

 

[M.H.C.]

I knew the Cavs would punk out.

 

[Mask]

Hell yea, nice pieces, depending on the rookies progession I'll give them major props

 

[Kadraven]

I knew the Cavs would punk out.

I think Humphries wanted a four year deal, and the cavs have alot of cap space they didnt want tied up with him. I wouldnt give him that shit either.

 

[c_commander]

The Bulls FO sucks ass. They let everybody in the free agency walk through the door and walk the fuck right back out.

They were working with limited funds so to get Lee they pretty much would have had to do a sign and trade. Acquiring Hinrich only cut into the money and I still don't get why they'd rather pay Korver 5 million than pay C.J. Watson 3.2

 

[c_commander]

Danny Ferry continues to make nice moves.

The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a multiyear contract with free-agent guard Lou Williams, a league source told ESPN.com.

Williams averaged 14.9 points and 3.5 assists with the Philadelphia 76ers last season.

 

[Meezy22]

Danny Ferry not playin

HTC EVO 4G LTE

 

[AgentCreed]

Jamie O'Grady (@LoHudKnicks)
7/10/12 6:10 PM
WOW. RT @AlexKennedyNBA: ORL, LAL and HOU discussing a 3-team deal that sends Dwight Howard to LA and Bynum to HOU

Lopez wants Max money and Orlando saw his health records and want no parts of it yet they'll take Andrew and his knees? Lopez must be fucked up. lol and the Nets will have to give him Max money... for a 5rpg center...awesome

hmmmm

Marcus Camby said he couldn't see himself as a Heat since he was an Ex-Knick, it didn't feel right... And muthafuckas say players don't wanna be Knicks? This man was traded over 10 yrs ago and his heart still bleeds orange and blue... Hopefully he brings some of that Knick nastiness too.. I'd love to see how the league handles a return to physical knicks basketball... with all these pussy soft actors on the court... physical basketball would be great...

 

[Johnny_2_Clips]

hmmmm

Bynum stated Hou as one of the teams he would sign with. So now it's down to Dwight. I wonder who Magic would get

 

[AgentCreed]

Bynum stated Hou as one of the teams he would sign with. So now it's down to Dwight. I wonder who Magic would get

I just wanna hear dwight say he doesn't want to play with 2 hall of famers and prefers brooklyn... lakers will rape the nets soul if he tries to force his way from LA to BK...he told steven a he doesn't want the pressure to be a great center like past laker centers...he doesn't want pressure... so i think there is a good chance he will try to force LA to send him to BK...

great entertainment...

 

[Johnny_2_Clips]

I just wanna hear dwight say he doesn't want to play with 2 hall of famers and prefers brooklyn... lakers will rape the nets soul if he tries to force his way from LA to BK...

In a way I can see why. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson are younger than Kobe and Nash, and maybe Dwight feels that offers a better chance of winning more than one ring.

Another reason I heard was that he doesn't want to be seen as following Shaq's footsteps and be in his shadow.

 

[AgentCreed]

In a way I can see why. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson are younger than Kobe and Nash, and maybe Dwight feels that offers a better chance of winning more than one ring.

Another reason I heard was that he doesn't want to be seen as following Shaq's footsteps and be in his shadow.

Let make his own... Shaq followed great centers who followed great centers... shit u think when the bulls get a great sg he's gonna say "I dont wanna follow Jordan" ? unless u go to a team that has done NOTHING as a player u have a legacy to live up too on any team...Dwight is mentally soft... he should embrace the Laker legacy and use it as Motivation...not run from it.

 

[daman200]

Bynum stated Hou as one of the teams he would sign with. So now it's down to Dwight. I wonder who Magic would get

wait a second so LA gets Howard, houston get Bymun and Orlando gets picks and cap space.....

Maybe houston morey is genuis.

But will andrew bymun sign extension with houston.

 

[Johnny_2_Clips]

wait a second so LA gets Howard, houston get Bymun and Orlando gets picks and cap space.....

Maybe houston morey is genuis.

But will andrew bymun sign extension with houston.

If you watched the Rockets play the Lakers last year you might think that Bynum hated the Rockets, and that the fans hated him as well. It’s been reported that Bynum has said if he doesn’t resign with the Lakers and becomes a free agent this offseason his first choice will be the Houston Rockets. Finally. A superstar player actually wants to be in Houston.

Bynum has also put the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks on his list, but his first choice would be to play in Houston

This came out when rumors started that Lakers were willing to trade him to the Magic.

 

[curryshotta]

Lopez wants Max money and Orlando saw his health records and want no parts of it yet they'll take Andrew and his knees? Lopez must be fucked up. lol and the Nets will have to give him Max money... for a 5rpg center...awesome

hmmmm

Marcus Camby said he couldn't see himself as a Heat since he was an Ex-Knick, it didn't feel right... And muthafuckas say players don't wanna be Knicks? This man was traded over 10 yrs ago and his heart still bleeds orange and blue... Hopefully he brings some of that Knick nastiness too.. I'd love to see how the league handles a return to physical knicks basketball... with all these pussy soft actors on the court... physical basketball would be great...

I am so amused by this you cant even imagine

 

[FJP]

LOL@ this shit... The "league" doesn't want to help Brooklyn become a "super" team but yet they are gonna turn LA into a bigger monster than Miami is?....LOL... the NBA is hilarious.

 

[AgentCreed]

nah, teams were blocking LA... LA and Houston just found even ground... teams were willing to help BK, nets just couldn't make it happen...but a ton of teams were trying to block LA...

 

[curryshotta]

LOL@ this shit... The "league" doesn't want to help Brooklyn become a "super" team but yet they are gonna turn LA into a bigger monster than Miami is?....LOL... the NBA is hilarious.

you wont hear half the "outrage" tho

 

[BLACKLOOP]

Kobe really wants that sixth ring huh..

 

[FJP]

Gasol, Howard, Nash and Kobe...is completely nuts.

 

[M.H.C.]

Everybody tooling up. I like that.

My team not even doing anything but for some reason I am at peace. I will be pissed if we don't retain McGee though.

 

[BLACKLOOP]

Gasol, Howard, Nash and Kobe...is completely nuts.

But Howard don't want that tho..like master of doom n gloom killa said he's more worried about flying private jets nd catching Broadway shows


Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk

 

[AgentCreed]

Knicks really are trying to bring back ugly physical basketball... in talks to get Dahntay Jones from the Pacers... thats another defender who plays physical...and Ivan Johnson is available...get him for the min and our second unit is straight goon!

I'd love this shit...straight knocking opponents around ...

 

[cli-terminator]

Knicks really are trying to bring back ugly physical basketball... in talks to get Dahntay Jones from the Pacers... thats another defender who plays physical...and Ivan Johnson is available...get him for the min and our second unit is straight goon!

I'd love this shit...straight knocking opponents around ...

Dahntay Jones would be a good pickup to play the SG spot. Even better when Shump comes back as we wouldn't lose defensive intensity. Damn we sure are looking at a lot of ex Nuggets

 

[vandamation]

Knicks really are trying to bring back ugly physical basketball... in talks to get Dahntay Jones from the Pacers... thats another defender who plays physical...and Ivan Johnson is available...get him for the min and our second unit is straight goon!

I'd love this shit...straight knocking opponents around ...

Dahntay would be a nice addition... I'm just waiting to see what they do with J.Lin... That's my MAIN concern right now... If they don't match then who is gonna be the starting PG???

 

[AgentCreed]

Dahntay would be a nice addition... I'm just waiting to see what they do with J.Lin... That's my MAIN concern right now... If they don't match then who is gonna be the starting PG???[/B]

they're matching Lin...

 

[AgentCreed]

Dahntay Jones would be a good pickup to play the SG spot. Even better when Shump comes back as we wouldn't lose defensive intensity. Damn we sure are looking at a lot of ex Nuggets

tryin to get Kmart for Vet min too...

 

[DAHITMAN]

they're matching Lin...

when will it be announced

 

[Mask]

I would say at 12:00am, but I don't know if the line will be busy.
Pacers, Trailblazers, Hornets and Knicks all waiting for the count down.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Dahntay Jones would be a good pickup to play the SG spot. Even better when Shump comes back as we wouldn't lose defensive intensity. Damn we sure are looking at a lot of ex Nuggets

For some odd reason the Knicks usually trade with the Nuggets. I wish they'd bring Al Harrington back.