2007 NBA Draft/Offseason Thread

[stevew]

Darko is not actually a FA yet, from what I've been reading. Since it's in the moratorium, they still have several more days in which to find a sign and trade deal for him, presumedly for a trade exception. Or they can try to move a few players and work out a new contract with him.

At some point, though, they will have to renounce him, and sign Lewis. Although I'm not entirely sure how it works....Lewis could just still remain a "free agent" for a few weeks until the situation is resolved, and then sign with the Magic for the agreed upon amount. Still, it's an interesting situation.

[Groundhog]

Looks like the Magic have renounced their rights to Darko now:

hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2925284

As one unnamed GM in the article says, strange that they didn't even try and get something for him, considering they gave up a 1st round draft pick.

Also according to that article only the Bobcats, Grizz and Bucks have cap room to offer more than the mid-level, though Grizz sound like they have already gone after Varejao. I can't see the Bucks chasing him with all the depth they have at PF/C plus their need to get themselves a PG or resign Mo Williams, so Bobcats are probably the most likely to throw money at him. They also have a need at the C spot, so that makes it all the more likely.

Bulls can clear some cap space too apparently (though that doesn't seem right without looking at their financial situation... I thought they were over the cap), but I'm sure they'd rather have Nocioni than Darko.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Looks like the Magic have renounced their rights to Darko now:

hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2925284

As one unnamed GM in the article says, strange that they didn't even try and get something for him, considering they gave up a 1st round draft pick.

Also according to that article only the Bobcats, Grizz and Bucks have cap room to offer more than the mid-level, though Grizz sound like they have already gone after Varejao. I can't see the Bucks chasing him with all the depth they have at PF/C plus their need to get themselves a PG or resign Mo Williams, so Bobcats are probably the most likely to throw money at him. They also have a need at the C spot, so that makes it all the more likely.

Bulls can clear some cap space too apparently (though that doesn't seem right without looking at their financial situation... I thought they were over the cap), but I'm sure they'd rather have Nocioni than Darko.

And his agent is PO'd

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...,4816290.story

Power forward Darko Milicic never will play for the Orlando Magic this season or any other "as long as Otis Smith is general manager," an irate Marc Cornstein, told the Sentinel.

Late Tuesday, shortly after the Magic withdrew their qualifying offer to Milicic -- whom Smith had said was a priority before the free-agent courting period began -- Cornstein blasted Smith for being a "liar." He called Smith's handling of his client "deceitful, disrespectful and a disgrace."

Cornstein said Smith had indicated that the Magic wanted to re-sign Milicic, but then sent an e-mail to him Tuesday telling him they had withdrawn their qualifying offer and made him an unresticted free agent.

Said Smith, "Our goals remain the same. To sign a free agent and try to retain Darko."

Cornstein said there's no chance.

"There's no chance. Put it in big capital letters," Cornstein said. "You can say that as long as Otis Smith is the general manager of the Orlando Magic, there's no chance."

Cornstein said that when the Magic did not contact him when the free-agency courting period began, "He didn't want to be here in the end. If Otis Smith had been a decent human and told us that Rashard Lewis was the player they wanted and would have to sacrifice Darko to get him, my reaction wouldn't have been happiness. But I would have said, 'I appreciate you telling me.'

"Instead, the guy told us Darko was a priority, and he lied."

Copyright © 2007, Orlando Sentinel

This may be the first time I have ever heard of an agent being upset about his client becoming an unrestriced free agent.

[st.cronin]

I don't understand why he's upset?

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

I don't understand why he's upset?

My assumption is the agent believes that if the Magic would have told him they were not going to sign Darko, the agent would have already had Darko signed to a long tern deal somewhere else.

[Young Drachma]

Is Darko ever going to be good? I'm honestly wondering. I mean, if you're a GM with cap room, do you go after him? And start him every game?

[Arles]

Suns just signed Grant Hill:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns...illonline.html

Hill was offered the Suns' biennial exception, which will pay him $1.83 million in the coming season and give him a player option to return at $1.97 million for 2008-09.

Looks like he will be a legit scoring option in the second unit with Barbosa when Nash goes out. Hopefully, it will help the Suns tread water a little better when Nash sits. Either way, it's a low risk move.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

The Knicks were rumored to be interested in a sign and trade with Seattle to get Lewis. Now that he is off the market, they may be setting their sights on getting.....Ron Artest.

Knicks really needed Lewis. they have to get rid of Q Richardson, and cut ties with the circus act known as Nate Robertson.

Artest would make the Knicks instant contenders.

C - Curry
PF - Randolph
SF - Artest
SG - Crawford
PG - Marbury

wow, that's a team right there. i'd actually have to start watching Knick games more regularly.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

Knicks really needed Lewis. they have to get rid of Q Richardson, and cut ties with the circus act known as Nate Robertson.

Artest would make the Knicks instant contenders.

C - Curry
PF - Randolph
SF - Artest
SG - Crawford
PG - Marbury

wow, that's a team right there. i'd actually have to start watching Knick games more regularly.

The Knicks would certainly have more talent, but I just don't see "contender" in that lineup. Four of those five players show little to no interest in team defense. Even if you believe Marbury's statements about supressing his own scoring for the sake of the team, that is still a team with too many players who demand the ball often. And of all the coaches to get a team like that to actually play together, I'm not sure Isiah is the one. Then, there is the meltdown possibilities with the personalities on that team. I just don't see a contender in that lineup - too many "stars," not enough role players, and no team defense.

[Anthony]

Cleveland's problem was they didn't have enough stars. Boston seems to think they're one star away from playoff contention. too many stars is never a bad thing.

now, i'm saying on paper they're 1 small forward away from being major contenders. i agree Isaiah Thomas is likely not qualified to guide this ship, but how many teams have been derailed by unqualified coaches? countless others.

[JPhillips]

When you think of places free from distractions, where Ron Artest can focus on basketball and getting his life in order, NY is the first place that comes to mind.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

Cleveland's problem was they didn't have enough stars. Boston seems to think they're one star away from playoff contention. too many stars is never a bad thing.

While the East is full of teams with too little talent, that doesn't mean collecting "stars" isn't a problem as well. The Knicks have been trying that approach for years only to find collecting ballhog stars doesn't work out as planned. Stevie Franchise was a "star" (21.3 PPG, 7.0 APG, 5.8 RPG the year before coming to the Knicks). Quentin Richardson was a "star." Starbury is the very definition of the ballhog star. Jalen Rose, Mo Taylor, and Penny were all "stars."

At least with this team, the Knicks have some youth. But getting this team to play together (especially on defense) is going to be VERY difficult. In the East, they should make the playoffs on talent, but I don't see them being a contender even with Lewis (had they acquired him) or Artest (although he at least adds individual defense).

[st.cronin]

I think Crawford + Marbury is a terrible backcourt.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

wow, that's a team right there. i'd actually have to start watching Knick games more regularly.

One cannot discount this factor. Win or lose, that lineup would put butts in the seats and get people to turn on their TVs. An owner cannot ignore that.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

When you think of places free from distractions, where Ron Artest can focus on basketball and getting his life in order, NY is the first place that comes to mind.

right, because Artest has proven that even optimal conditions will result in him not being a jackhole. he is what he is, putting him in NYC or Happytown, USA isn't going to make a difference.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

I think Crawford + Marbury is a terrible backcourt.

ditto. Crawford is a small shooting guard. makes money shots, and isn't afraid to take the big shot. you can't bat your eyes at that, but still, Crawford/Marbury isn't scaring anyone.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

C - Curry
PF - Randolph
SF - Artest
SG - Crawford
PG - Marbury

The biggest problem on this team is Randolph and Curry are essentially the same post player. Both sit on the block, are useless anywhere outside the paint, don't defend anyone, and almost refuse to pass the ball when they get it in the post. Combine that with a PG that doesn't exactly work to get everyone involved and I think it'll be an interesting season for the Knicks.

Artest also needs to play better than he did last year. He's a good, but not great offensive player, but in the past he's been one of the top 3 defenders in the league. Last year he was probably a little better than average. Probably just a motivation issue, but you have to wonder exactly what you can do to motivate a guy that applied to work at Best Buy after his rookie year because he wanted the employee discount.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

ditto. Crawford is a small shooting guard. makes money shots, and isn't afraid to take the big shot. you can't bat your eyes at that, but still, Crawford/Marbury isn't scaring anyone.

Biggest problem with Crawford is that he isn't afraid to take any shot... I admit that I've managed to avoid watching any Knicks games over the past couple of seasons bar 1 or 2 so maybe he's improved that part of his game somewhat, but when he was a Bull he would just hit these cold shooting spells and try and shoot his way out of them with horrible contested jumpers.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Arles

Suns just signed Grant Hill:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns...illonline.html



Looks like he will be a legit scoring option in the second unit with Barbosa when Nash goes out. Hopefully, it will help the Suns tread water a little better when Nash sits. Either way, it's a low risk move.

Very nice pickup. I figured he'd likely go to Detroit.

Cavs rumoured to be looking at Mo Pete. I think that'd be a good signing, and surely his value has never been lower? Would probably still cost the entire MLE though.

[Anthony]

Knicks are rumored to be including David Lee in a package to aquire Ron Artest. i'll take that, although Lee is one of the best 6th men in the league and one of the hardest hustlers the Knicks have had since the early 90's Riley days.

this would be great though, i can see the Knicks giving more minutes to Balkman. that guy caused IT a lot of flack but he just seems to make one or two plays a game when he's on the floor. key rebound. timely block. that sort of thing. i swear, if the Knicks pull this off i have nothing bad to say about IT or Dolan and will go back to being a fulltime fan (watching several games a week, buying jerseys, etc).

[Neuqua]

The Chicago Bulls and F Andres Nocioni agreed to an extention this morning.

http://hothand.org/

[dime]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

too many stars is never a bad thing.

the Kobe/Shaq/Malone/Payton abomination would disagree.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by dime

the Kobe/Shaq/Malone/Payton abomination would disagree.

i said "too many stars", not "too many alpha males".

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by dime

the Kobe/Shaq/Malone/Payton abomination would disagree.

If Malone didn't get hurt for the Finals, the Lakers would have had 4 out of 5

[Groundhog]

Not that summer league games mean too much, but lotsa rookies saw action today, including lotto picks Oden, Durant, Conley Jnr., and Jianlian.

Oden had just 6 points on 3-4 shooting, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks and 10 fouls. Durant had 18 points on just 5-17 shooting with 1 board. Conley Jnr had 12 points on 4-6 shooting with 5 boards and 3 steals. Jianlian was probably most impressive of all, with 23 points on 7-15 shooting and with a couple of big dunks for the Chinese team... he was on the receiving end of a few too however.

[miami_fan]

How long do we have to wait before we rip Yi for not wanting to play in MIL?

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

How long do we have to wait before we rip Yi for not wanting to play in MIL?

its hard not to blame him. but he should be gratefull hes not stuck in the a$$crack of the NBA, NY

[Groundhog]

Halftime in the Kings-China right now. Even though it's just summer league, it's easy to spot the difference between the NBA guys and the FAs who will likely never suit up for an NBA team in the near future.

Justin Williams and Francisco Garcia have been the standouts. Justin Williams is a man amongst boys, pulling down boards and nearly tearing the rim off a few times, most notably when he threw down a slam on Yi Jianlian for the and-1. Francisco Garcia has hit some nice pressured jumpers, but outside of a good feeds to Williams and Hawes for dunks he's been looking for his own shot and has missed some wide open guys in favour of a tough shot, though, in his favour, he has knocked them down. He seems to be playing PG.

Lotto pick rookie Spencer Hawes has a couple of nice turnaround jumpers from around the FT line and a slam off a Garcia feed, but hasn't stood out too much. He definitely looks like a high-post guy.

Of all the not-ready-for-the-NBA guys, Mustafa Shakur has been the most visible. He has been burnt on D a couple of times, blown a layup after a nice drive, and thrown some risky passes off the penetration. He's had a couple of nice passes and stole an inbound pass, but I don't think he's done anything to improve his stock.

Yi Jianlian has been pretty invisible and unremarkable - much like the entire Chinese squad, actually. Only time I really notice him is when he picks up a foul or when Justin Williams dunked on him.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Halftime in the Kings-China right now. Even though it's just summer league, it's easy to spot the difference between the NBA guys and the FAs who will likely never suit up for an NBA team in the near future.

Justin Williams and Francisco Garcia have been the standouts. Justin Williams is a man amongst boys, pulling down boards and nearly tearing the rim off a few times, most notably when he threw down a slam on Yi Jianlian for the and-1. Francisco Garcia has hit some nice pressured jumpers, but outside of a good feeds to Williams and Hawes for dunks he's been looking for his own shot and has missed some wide open guys in favour of a tough shot, though, in his favour, he has knocked them down. He seems to be playing PG.

Lotto pick rookie Spencer Hawes has a couple of nice turnaround jumpers from around the FT line and a slam off a Garcia feed, but hasn't stood out too much. He definitely looks like a high-post guy.

Of all the not-ready-for-the-NBA guys, Mustafa Shakur has been the most visible. He has been burnt on D a couple of times, blown a layup after a nice drive, and thrown some risky passes off the penetration. He's had a couple of nice passes and stole an inbound pass, but I don't think he's done anything to improve his stock.

Yi Jianlian has been pretty invisible and unremarkable - much like the entire Chinese squad, actually. Only time I really notice him is when he picks up a foul or when Justin Williams dunked on him.

Justin Williams is no joke. Believe that. It's too bad Wyoming sucked when he was here. Anytime you can be top 10 in blocked shots and boards in the nation, in college, that's legit. We were pleased to see he got signed for the rest of the year last season by the Kings.

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

its hard not to blame him. but he should be gratefull hes not stuck in the a$$crack of the NBA, NY

NY's a huge media market with lots of endorsement opportunities versus Milwaukee which has uh...

....

Not much of anything really.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Of all the not-ready-for-the-NBA guys, Mustafa Shakur has been the most visible. He has been burnt on D a couple of times, blown a layup after a nice drive, and thrown some risky passes off the penetration. He's had a couple of nice passes and stole an inbound pass, but I don't think he's done anything to improve his stock.

Now you know what it was like to be an Arizona Wildcat fan the past 3 seasons.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

its hard not to blame him. but he should be gratefull hes not stuck in the a$$crack of the NBA, NY

Just following the precedent of Stevie Franchise

[Neuqua]

To the Cavalier fans on the board, would you rather have Verejao or Gooden on your team? I've read that is the predicament current Cavaliers GM is in right now and was wondering what the fanbase would prefer.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

To the Cavalier fans on the board, would you rather have Verejao or Gooden on your team? I've read that is the predicament current Cavaliers GM is in right now and was wondering what the fanbase would prefer.

I'd prefer Varejao personally, but the problem with that is that Gooden is the better offensive player - when he isn't sucking up the joint, anyway - which is a need. Neither player has a particularily great basketball IQ, though Varejao is still miles ahead of Gooden in this area, and his energy is contagious.

If they keep one and trade the other then their already shallow depth just gets worse. If they absolutely must trade one, which seems likely, then it's a matter of figuring out which one of the two has the greatest trade value, which might very well be Gooden anyway.

[Groundhog]

Much better showing from Oden today, with 13 points (6-11 2pt, just 1-5 ft), 5 boards, 4 blocks, but 9 fouls.

Aldridge played well again too. I didn't see any of Aldridge last last season when he turned it on, but watching these past 2 summer league games has convinced me that he's a mighty big talent who the Bulls should have hung on to. He can score from inside-out and is going to make Oden's transition a lot easier by drawing defenders to the high-post.

Nick Fazekas, a guy I've been rooting for for a few weeks now, has been struggling with the Mavs, who seem to be playing him on the perimeter as a SF.

[st.cronin]

Groundhog, I'm loving your summer league posts.

Is Glen Davis playing?

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Arles

Now you know what it was like to be an Arizona Wildcat fan the past 3 seasons.

Lute should learn to coach better?

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Is Glen Davis playing?

Davis played on Friday against Portland, and though Davis didn't have a great game statistically (0-5 shooting, 6 boards, 3-4 FT, 8 fouls), it was Davis and Leon Powe who took Oden out of the game by being aggressive around the hoop offensively and drawing fouls on Oden, and also by bodying up on Oden and Aldridge on D. Even though Aldridge scored 26 points, it wasn't through lack of D from these guys - he was just knocking everything down.

Leon Powe was terrific with 19 points and 9 boards and was very aggressive, which might not bode well for Davis because I'm not sure that they'll want both Davis and Powe on the roster, especially with all the praise Boston has been throwing on undrafted FA Brandon Wallace, a 6'9 SF who figures to be a lock to make the final 15. Wallace played OK, but didn't stand out thanks to Powe and Gerald Green's solid games.

Play of the game was Gerald Green throwing down a tip-slam off the offensive rebound. It was incredible, his chin was level with the rim. He had a number of good plays, but is still more of an athlete than a basketballer.

Rajon Rondo was a bit dissapointing. It's the first time I've seen him play big minutes, and he passed up on shots he really should have taken (including a fast break) and instead looked to feed other guys often in worse positions. Gabe Pruitt was more agressive than Rondo and knocked down some nice jumpers.

Boston plays the Spurs tomorrow.

[Groundhog]

Much better game from Glen Davis today. He missed some shots (2-8 FG), but led the Celtics with 12 points and 9 boards, and was the hardest working player on the court. Powe took a step back today as it looked as though the gameplan was to try and get the other players involved, which led to a pretty ugly game from both the Spurs and the Celtics.

Rondo looked a little more aggressive, but he made some bad turnovers and suffered from playing with a bunch of guys who couldn't knock anything down.

[DeToxRox]

Rodney Stuckey with a nice 27 point performance for the Pistons tonight, going 9-9 from the line. I think he'll contribute off the bench right away this year.

[Groundhog]

Man, this Marco Belinelli guy is pretty amazing for the Warriors. He's putting on another clinic tonight, and looks like his game will fit in very nicely with the Warriors up-tempo style of play. Pierre Pierce is also hitting everything as well for the Warriors.

As for Patrick O'Bryant, bleh. Who would have thought that a project bigman out of Bradley university would suck so much? Oh, that's right; everybody.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Rodney Stuckey with a nice 27 point performance for the Pistons tonight, going 9-9 from the line. I think he'll contribute off the bench right away this year.

I didn't catch this game but I'm looking forward to watching the replay later tonight. Stuckey didn't impress me much in his first game, but looks like his shot was falling and he handled the ball better against Conley/Lowry than he did against Louis Williams, who made him look silly on a couple of plays.

Another pretty solid outing by Cheikh Samb by the looks of things, too. He was pretty active against the Sixers, but I don't know what his chances of sticking are.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

I didn't catch this game but I'm looking forward to watching the replay later tonight. Stuckey didn't impress me much in his first game, but looks like his shot was falling and he handled the ball better against Conley/Lowry than he did against Louis Williams, who made him look silly on a couple of plays.

Another pretty solid outing by Cheikh Samb by the looks of things, too. He was pretty active against the Sixers, but I don't know what his chances of sticking are.

They're using this to decide if he'll be their 15th guy since his Spanish contract is up now and there is no buyout. He could go back to Spain, but then he'd need a new deal which would mean a buy out so the organizations hope is he forces them to sign him.

Stuckeys shot was falling and he looked 100x better this game then last. Just looked more confident.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Rajon Rondo was a bit dissapointing. It's the first time I've seen him play big minutes, and he passed up on shots he really should have taken (including a fast break) and instead looked to feed other guys often in worse positions.

Based on what I saw in college, Rondo has a pretty poor jump shot. He might simply be passing on shots that other point guards would make but that are outside of his skill set.

[Coffee Warlord]

Tyrus Thomas with 17 points, 7 boards, 5 blocks in summer league play last night.

[Arles]

Marcus Banks put up a summer league record 42 points on 13-19 shooting (4-5 from 3). He also added 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. I'm thinking he could be a solid rotation guy for Phoenix if Mike D'Antoni decides to play him.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

They're using this to decide if he'll be their 15th guy since his Spanish contract is up now and there is no buyout. He could go back to Spain, but then he'd need a new deal which would mean a buy out so the organizations hope is he forces them to sign him.

Stuckeys shot was falling and he looked 100x better this game then last. Just looked more confident.

Watch the Pistons game last night, and I agree about Stuckey - excellent game. I don't know that he's a PG, but he might even be ready for a combo-guard role off the bench THIS year as a 7th or 8th man. Both Stuckey and Afflalo looked real good out there actually, even if Afflalo wasn't hitting shots he usually would. He just plays really smart, and I think he'll prove a nice pickup in the late 1st round if he finds minutes.

I was pretty impressed by Samb, too. He's got a way to go, but you can see the raw talent. If I were the Pistons I'd get him signed this offseason and let him bounce around in the NBDL.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Arles

Marcus Banks put up a summer league record 42 points on 13-19 shooting (4-5 from 3). He also added 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. I'm thinking he could be a solid rotation guy for Phoenix if Mike D'Antoni decides to play him.

Everytime Banks has gone to a new team they've gushed over him, given him minutes, and then had him slink back down the depth chart not long after. He's still young and has the potential to be a great perimeter defender, but I think the problem is that he's just not really a PG. He could fill a Barbosa-esque role off the bench, but then the Suns already have another Barbosa-esque guy on the roster.

[Groundhog]

The worst thing about Jianlian through 4 games (3 of which I've now painfully sat through) of summerleague is not that he's shooting the rock at a .260 clip - it's that he just looks bad out there IMO. I was expecting to see a gazelle running around the perimeter after what I'd read about him, but I just don't like his game at all. I don't know if Team China just isn't using him correctly or what, but just about the only thing he's shown to me is that he can make his FTs.

Granted, his game winner against Cleveland was a nice shot, but when he humbly said post-game that it could have just as easily missed, well, you kind of believe the guy.

[dime]

marcus banks is crap. the fact that they are playing him in the summer league indicates that they are desperately trying to showcase him and unload him to another team...a team that says "wow, that 25 year old with 4 nba seasons under his belt just put up 42 points in the summer league!" isiah thomas should go for it!

I'm very interested to see what steve kerr will be able to do, if he can pull of a trade for garnett without losing amare the suns would be the favorite next year.