i'll do it but you have to pay me $50/year
Joe Johnson
Suns Suns Mo' Joe
<Jul. 6> The Suns want Joe Johnson back and have made him a contract offer, the Arizona Republic reports. The team has made it known that the restricted free agent is a top priority and now await his response.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Stromile Swift
Grizzlies Knicks?
76ers?
Rockets? Swift in Houston
<Jul. 6> In need of frontcourt help, the Rockets will meet with free agent power forward Stromile Swift today, reports the Houston Chronicle. Swift's youth and athleticism make him attractive to the Rockets. However, the club can only offer him the mid-level exception because they are over the salary cap.
The Rockets have also inquired about Donyell Marshall, Antoine Walker and Bobby Simmons, while Swift's agent, Andy Miller, said other teams are also pursuing Swift.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Robert Horry
Spurs Spurs Horry prefers Spurs
<Jul. 6> According to the San Antonio Express-News, Big Shot Rob has agreed to a three-year deal with the Spurs, putting to rest any ideas of a reunion with Shaq in Miami.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Doug Christie
Magic Magic? Christie wants out of Orlando
<Jul. 6> Doug Christie never got it going with the Magic and after his season-ending ankle surgery, he demanded a trade. And even with all of the front-office changes, he's still looking to get out, Florida Today reports.
"Hopefully he'll have a change of mind," new head coach Brian Hill said, "because I think Doug is a pretty good basketball player, especially at the defensive end of the floor. I'd love to have him back here to try and fit in with this team."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Cuttino Mobley
Kings Nuggets?
Clippers? Mountain time for Mobley?
<Jul. 6> The Nuggets are high on Cuttino Mobley's list. According to the Denver Post, Mobley's agent, Andy Miller, spoke to Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe several times Tuesday. Said Miller: "(Mobley) thinks (Karl) can fine-tune his game and make him better while also helping take the team to the playoffs."
Mobley, who declined his option with Sacramento, would fill a need for Denver -- 3-point shooting. However, the Nuggets may have only the mid-level exception to offer, so a sign-and-trade may be in order. According to the Rocky Mountain News, the Kings want Nene.
The Los Angeles Clippers are also reportedly interested in Mobley, says the Post.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Trail Blazers Spurs?
Heat?
Magic?
Nets? Moving Forward
<Jul. 6> The Nets are doing everything they can to land some frontcourt help, including enlisting the help of Jay-Z perhaps. According to the New York Daily News, the Nets will give Abdur-Rahim the red-carpet treatment starting today during his two-day visit to New Jersey as they try to convince the power forward to take the $4.9 million they have available.
But, Aaron Goodwin, Abdur-Rahim's agent, said last week that it is "doubtful" he'd take lesser money to go to New Jersey. The only draw might be Lawrence Frank and Jason Kidd. Frank was a scout and assistant with the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1997 when Abdur-Rahim played up north. And Kidd and Abdur-Rahim both played college ball at Cal.
Abdur-Rahim is also slated to visit Sacramento, says the Daily News.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Stephon Marbury
Knicks Bulls?
76ers? So long, Steph?
<Jul. 6> Nobody's safe with Isiah Thomas running the Knicks. According to the New York Times, two sources said the Knicks are open to moving Stephon Marbury, who was once considered an untouchable.
ESPN Insider Chad Ford has also heard a few rumors involving the Knicks guard. One is a sign-and-trade that would send him to the Sixers for center Samuel Dalembert. The other is a deal with the Hawks for forward Al Harrington.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Greg Buckner
Nuggets Nuggets?
Rockets? Who's got Buckner's back?
<Jul. 6> The Denver Post is reporting that Greg Buckner is still interested in returning to the Nuggets. "They'd like him back and he'd like to be back," Buckner's agent, Steve Kauffman, said.
Buckner is looking for a deal that at least approaches the mid-level exception range. Kauffman also said his client has heard from five or six teams, with Houston believed to be among them.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Bobby Simmons
Clippers Clippers?
Rockets? It's Bobby's world
<Jul. 6> The Clippers are keeping an eye on Bobby Simmons, the L.A. Times reports. "They're trying to do everything they can to improve their team, so I think they're looking at a lot of different things," Simmons' agent, Mark Bartelstein, said of the Clippers. "But they've certainly made it clear that they want Bobby back."
The Times also said that the Houston Rockets are among the teams interested in Simmons, an unrestricted free agent and the league's most improved player.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Marko Jaric
Clippers Clippers?
Nuggets? Marko on the market
<Jul. 6> According to the L.A. Times, the Clippers are expected to renew talks about re-signing Jaric. But they may have competition in the Denver Nuggets, who are among the teams interested in the restricted free agent point guard.
Tuesday, July 5
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Ray Allen
SuperSonics SuperSonics Ray to Stay
<Jul. 5> Ray Allen's agent, Lon Babby, told ESPN Insider Chad Ford that Allen has agreed to terms with the Sonics on a five-year deal. The Hawks and Clippers were also reported to be interested.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Michael Redd
Bucks Bucks
Cavaliers Seeing Redd
<Jul. 5> Michael Redd is scheduled to visit Cleveland this week, possibly as early as Wednesday, the News Herald reports. The Cavs reportedly made Redd a five-year, $72 million offer last Friday.
Meanwhile, the Bucks are offering Redd a max deal worth $94 million over six years, but sources say he wants to see what the Bucks do with their coaching vacancy before he decides.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Willie Green
76ers Jazz?
76ers? Time for Jazz to improv
<Jul. 5> With Raja Bell apparently on his way to Phoenix, the Jazz are now in search of guard help. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, one of the first phone calls Jazz vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor made was to Noah Croom, the agent of 76ers guard Willie Green. "Kevin indicated to me that he believes Willie could come to the Jazz and make an important contribution," Croom said.
However, Green is a restricted free agent and the Sixers intend on matching any offer for him.
Monday, July 4
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Cavaliers Cavaliers Cavs have tall order in Ilgauskas
<Jul. 4> Zydrunas Ilgauskas is a major priority for the Cavs and GM Danny Ferry proved it when he met with the center's agent, Herb Rudoy, over the weekend. But the five- or six-year deal Ilgauskas is seeking may be more than the Cavs are looking to offer, reports the Plain Dealer.
Says Rudoy: "There's a good number of teams we're talking to about a sign and trade, and there are a couple of teams under the cap that are talking to me. ... We're also talking to Danny [Ferry] about Z returning. Z's thinking about [remaining with the Cavs]. He'd like to stay."
The Atlanta Hawks also have an interest in Ilgauskas and have salary cap space.
WHO WHAT THE SKINNY
Milwaukee Head coach Who's coaching the Bucks?
<Jul. 4> According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, Doug Collins pulled his name out of the running for the Bucks' head coaching job over the weekend. That leaves Flip Saunders as the only serious candidate. However, Saunders is waiting to see how the Larry Brown situation in Detroit shakes out.
Sunday, July 3
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Antoine Walker
Celtics Celtics?
Rockets?
Knicks? Who's in the running for Walker?
<Jul. 3> Teams interested in a versatile power forward have been reaching out to Antoine Walker's agent, Mark Bartelstein. According to the New York Times, Isiah Thomas and the Knicks made a call. "We had a real good conversation," Bartelstein said. "Antoine thinks of the Knicks as a marquee franchise. He's a basketball junkie, and for anybody who loves basketball, the idea of playing in New York is exciting."
The Boston Herald also reported that the Rockets contacted Bartelstein to express interest in Walker, as did Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge to reiterate the Celtics' interest in bringing him back.
Friday, July 1
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Raja Bell
Jazz Suns Saved by the Bell?
<Jul. 1> Raja Bell told ESPN.com on Friday that he's planning to join the Suns later this month, as soon as NBA free agents are allowed to formally sign new contracts. "We're still negotiating the terms and everything, but that's where I intend to sign," Bell said.
Knowing that Bell is bound to attract considerable interest from teams looking for a quality defender who's also underrated as a shot-maker, Phoenix was apparently quick to offer Bell a multi-year deal.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Gary Payton
Celtics Timberwolves?
Heat?
Suns? Where does 'The Glove' fit?
<Jul. 1> Who needs a tough, veteran point guard? Not the Celtics apparently. The Boston Globe reports, Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge isn't planning on calling GP's agent. "We're moving in a different direction," Ainge said.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Nate
McMillan SuperSonics?
Knicks?
Bucks?
Trail Blazers? Following Nate's trail
<Jul. 1> Nate McMillan is a free man. His contract expired last night. Now, he might be off to make a trip to Portland this weekend, reports the Seattle Times. While the Sonics offered McMillan a four-year deal worth $18 million, the Blazers are thought to be willing to offer twice as much. Still, the same sources say McMillan will most likely re-sign with the Sonics than bolt for more money elsewhere.
"I'm still coach of this team," McMillan said Tuesday after the NBA draft concluded.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Vlade Divac
Lakers Lakers? Lakers taking time with Vlade
<Jul. 1> According to the L.A. Times, the Lakers and Vlade Divac have postponed a decision on the center's contract status until Sept. 30. The Lakers can pick up a one-year, $5.4-million option or buy him out for $2 million. The new deadline allows the Lakers to evaluate Divac's back and the development of rookie Andrew Bynum a few days before training camp.
"It's something that affords us a lot more flexibility in a lot of different ways," Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak said.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
New York Herb to the Curb?
<Jul. 1> It sure looks like Herb Williams' tenure as Knicks head coach is over. Isiah Thomas said of Williams at a press conference: "He did a fine job when he was here." Thomas later backtracked, but it is known that the Knicks president is still eyeing Larry Brown, and is also interested in Seattle coach Nate McMillan, reports the Star Ledger.
Bill Laimbeer also met with Thomas about the possibility of coaching the team.
Thursday, June 30
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Michael Finley
Mavericks Suns Prodigal Sun?
<Jun. 30> According to the Dallas Morning News, the Suns are interested in Michael Finley, who began his career in Phoenix and is expected to be waived by the Mavs due to the new CBA provision.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Eddy Curry
Bulls Baby Bull on the Block
<Jun. 30> According to the Daily Herald, the Bulls will look to trade the 22-year-old center if they can get a big man in return. But if there is little interest in Curry, due to his health problems, the Bulls are prepared to make him an offer as a restricted free agent.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Paul Pierce
Celtics Green Day
<Jun. 30> With the drafting of high school phenom Gerald Green, Paul Pierce's days in the green and white may be numbered.
Chicago Tribune columnist Sam Smith suggests the Celtics will try to trade Pierce this offseason as Ainge tries to shape a young roster into a winner. Pierce was "difficult and disruptive all season," Smith writes.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Kwame Brown
Wizards Knicks?
Wizards? Wanted in Washington?
<Jun. 30> Don't pack your bags just yet, Kwame. The Wizards have extended a qualifying offer to the disgruntled forward. "Time heals a lot of wounds and changes a lot of things," said team president Ernie Grunfeld in The Washington Times. "Everybody deserves a second chance, a second opportunity, so time will tell in what direction we go in. We're not closing the door to anybody
7/6/2005 2:44 PM