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nykfan4ever
Posts: 20042
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Joined: 1/22/2002
Member: #193
7/1/2002  12:38 PM
can some1 post todays insider on how we replacing marcus camby?
AUTOADVERT
BigSm00th
Posts: 24504
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 12/9/2001
Member: #178
USA
7/1/2002  12:52 PM
Boston Celtics
Team Needs: Point guard, rebounding
Cap Situation: Ugly. They have $51.7 million in committed payroll, meaning they are right on the verge of paying the luxury tax.
Top 3 prospects: Rodney Rogers, Erick Strickland, Mark Blount
The Skinny: Don't expect the Celtics to get too creative this summer. Their first and primary order of business is getting Rogers to re-sign. They were hoping to do that on the cheap, but Rogers has some value and teams like the 76ers and Lakers will show some interest. GM Chris Wallace has the OK to exceed the luxury tax to get Rogers in the fold, but after that he doesn't have much flexibility. They'd love to bring back Strickland, but he'll have to accept another minimum deal to stay in Boston. The Celtics would love to keep Blount, but they won't be able to match an offer from a team willing to pony up a million a year. Given the dearth of big men available, he may be able to get that from someone. The Celtics also need help at the point guard position. Omar Cook may or may not stick this summer, but unless they can move Kenny Anderson, they aren't really in a position to trade or sign for a decent one this summer. The Celtics' other free agents, Roshown McLeod and fan favorite Walter McCarty, aren't expected to re-sign with the team.
#Knickstaps
BigSm00th
Posts: 24504
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 12/9/2001
Member: #178
USA
7/1/2002  12:52 PM
Miami Heat
Team Needs: Point guard, long-distance shooting
Cap Situation: Ugly. They have $56 million in committed payroll, meaning they will likely pay the luxury tax.
Top 3 prospects: Rod Strickland, Travis Best, Voshon Lenard
The Skinny: After letting Anthony Mason, Bruce Bowen and Tim Hardaway slip away last summer because of fear of the luxury tax, Pat Riley is determined to get the Heat back in the playoffs. The Heat won't start throwing around cash until next summer, but they already took a huge step in the right direction by drafting Caron Butler. That will likely kill all of the Devean George talk. Priority No. 1 is bringing back Strickland to run the point. He was on his best behavior last season and Miami needs his veteran leadership until Anthony Carter gets his legs. If Strickland wants to play elsewhere, Best is a great second option. He's flirted with the Heat for the last few years and brings an energy Riley loves. The Heat also will try to bring back Jimmy Jackson, Vladimir Stephania and Eddie House, but only if they'll re-sign on the cheap. Now that Riley will likely be allowed to use their mid-level exception, expect the Heat to add a shooter to the mix. Former Heat sharp shooter Lenard can be had cheap. And the Heat will also see how Iowa two guard Luke Recker performs in the summer league.
#Knickstaps
BigSm00th
Posts: 24504
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 12/9/2001
Member: #178
USA
7/1/2002  12:53 PM
New Jersey Nets
Team Needs: Shooting, backup point guard
Cap Situation: Ugly. They have $56.8 million in committed payroll, meaning they will pay the luxury tax.
Top 3 prospects: Bryon Russell, Michael Redd, Jacque Vaughn
The Skinny: The Nets desperately need to improve their perimeter shooting. They would have drafted either Casey Jacobsen or Freddie Jones had either still been on the board. Now, they'll have to address the need via free agency. Luckily, ownership will allow team president Rod Thorn to go over the luxury tax to keep rebuilding. Russell has the playoff experience and versatility to play two positions. Redd is a top-notch shooter, but he'd probably cost the Nets their full mid-level exception to bring him on board. Even then, there's a good chance that the Bucks would match the offer. The Nets also need to find a more reliable backup for Jason Kidd. There aren't a lot of great point guards on the market right now. Vaughn has the experience, court savvy and energy the Nets are looking for in a backup. He'll also come cheaply. Chris Childs is another option, though he may be unwilling to play for the veterans exception. The Nets will also see what Keith Van Horn would bring on the trade market. A Russell or Donyell Marshall for Van Horn sign-and-trade isn't out of the question. The Nets other two free agents, Anthony Johnson and Donnie Marshall, better pack their bags.
#Knickstaps
BigSm00th
Posts: 24504
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 12/9/2001
Member: #178
USA
7/1/2002  12:53 PM
New York Knicks
Team Needs: Point guard, center
Cap Situation: The Knicks have a whopping $91.3 million in committed payroll this season -- tops in the league.
Top 3 prospects: Jeff McInnis, Rasho Nesterovic, Jerome James
The Skinny: Luckily for GM Scott Layden, the team will spare no expense in trying to get back in the playoffs. The Knicks addressed their power forward needs when they traded for Antonio McDyess, but still need a starting point guard and someone in the middle to replace Marcus Camby. The Knicks are still pursuing Andre Miller, Baron Davis and Nick Van Exel in trades, but chances are they only have a shot at landing Van Exel. If they strike out there, McInnis has the size and scoring ability to run the point. Travis Best is also another solution, though he's more of a scorer. Rookie Frank Williams will also get a chance to play, but it's tough to make a playoff run with a rookie. As for replacing Camby, Kurt Thomas filled in admirably at center last season, but the Knicks would like a bigger body blocking shots and crashing the offensive boards. Nesterovic really came on for the T-Wolves last season and has the height and fundamentals. James is a much rawer prospect, but has the athleticism and shot-blocking skills the Knicks covet. As for the Knicks own free agents Lavor Postell (sorry prowler), Felton Spencer and Larry Robinson will all likely be toast.
#Knickstaps
BigSm00th
Posts: 24504
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 12/9/2001
Member: #178
USA
7/1/2002  12:54 PM
Orlando Magic
Team Needs: Point guard, power forward
Cap Situation: Not too shabby. The Magic have $46.8 million committed. That puts them over the salary cap but well under the expected luxury-tax threshold. However, the team won't spend too much this summer. It is still trying to clear cap space to make a run at Tim Duncan in the summer of 2003.
Top 3 prospects: Jeff McInnis, Charles Oakley, Popeye Jones
The Skinny: Doc Rivers doesn't want to wait another season to put his best team on the floor. The Magic are hoping that Stephen Hunter, Ryan Humphrey, Jeryl Sasser and Rashard Griffith all develop this season, but they can't bank on any of them. Priority No. 1 is re-signing Pat Garrity. His outside shooting and toughness saved the Magic from sinking into oblivion when Grant Hill went down last season. From there, the team has to figure out what to do to help out the rapidly declining Darrell Armstrong. McInnis would give them a solid starting point guard to platoon with the Armstrong. Jacque Vaughn would be a more affordable option. They could alway re-sign Troy Hudson, but are wary of his contract demands. They may also just decide to let Grant Hill take over the point guard duties if he's healthy. Oakley, Jones or Scott Williams would give the Magic that veteran toughness underneath they thought they were getting from Horace Grant and Patrick Ewing last season.
#Knickstaps
BigSm00th
Posts: 24504
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 12/9/2001
Member: #178
USA
7/1/2002  12:54 PM
Philadelphia 76ers
Team Needs: Backup power forward and center, small forward
Cap Situation: Nasty. The Sixers have $59.2 million in committed salaries. They are already deep into luxury-tax land.
Top 3 prospects: Devean George, Keon Clark, Rodney Rogers
The Skinny: The good news is that the Sixers have Larry Brown and he loves to tinker. Expect them to use their full $4.5 million exception to land a more athletic small forward or power forward. The team needs more scoring punch and Brown is determined to get it this summer. The Sixers have a bunch of good options. George has the outside shooting, athleticism and toughness he's been looking for. Clark is a match-up nightmare, great shot blocker and solid rebounder, but will the Raptors let him slip away? Remember, he's a restricted free agent. Rogers is one of the best long-distance shooters available and Brown has coveted him for some time. The Sixers will even take a long look at Larry Hughes, who Brown still believes can be a point guard. As far as their own free agents go, the Sixers have tendered an offer to restricted free agent Matt Harpring. But Raja Bell, Damone Brown, Corie Blount, Vonteego Cummings, Tim James and Derrick McKey may all be looking for new homes this summer.
#Knickstaps
BigSm00th
Posts: 24504
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 12/9/2001
Member: #178
USA
7/1/2002  12:54 PM
Washington Wizards
Team Needs: Point guard, depth
Cap Situation: Good. MJ has gotten the Wizards down to a respectable $36 million. They'll be in great shape next season if they keep spending down.
Top 3 prospects: Rashard Lewis, Devean George, Chauncey Billups
The Skinny: The first order of business will be to re-sign Popeye Jones. His toughness was the glue that held the Wizards together in MJ's absence. The team drafted a promising young combo forward in Jared Jeffries, but the Wizards won't be shy in pursuing top free agents like Lewis and George. Both are unrestricted and have indicated an interest in playing in Washington. Lewis would have to take a pay cut to play in D.C., but it isn't out of the question. The Sonics aren't thrilled about paying Lewis the max, and Lewis' eyes have been wandering for months. George is a more realistic possibility. Spending a few years under the tutelage of Phil Jackson has got to make him a Jordan favorite. The team drafted Juan Dixon to play point guard, but he's still a few seasons away. Billups would give them the size and scoring touch at a reasonable price. Look for Tyrone Nesby to lace them up somewhere else next season.
#Knickstaps
nykfan4ever
Posts: 20042
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 1/22/2002
Member: #193
7/1/2002  1:40 PM
thanks
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