Insider Special: Rumours

List of potential suitors for Okur is growing

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Mehmet Okur
Pistons
Pistons
Mavericks
Knicks
Jazz
Suns May. 25 - While the Pistons have been positioning themselves to ensure their ability to re-sign Okur, set to be a restricted free agent this summer, teams are starting to line up to bid for the second-year PF/C from Turkey. The Deseret News of Utah indicates the Mavericks and Knicks have joined a list that already included the Suns and Jazz.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Head coach
Hornets
Brian Hill
Michael Cooper
Mike Fratello
Byron Scott May. 25 - New Jersey assistant coach Brian Hill will interview for the Hornets' head coaching job, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The paper also reports George Karl's agent has said the former Bucks' and Sonics' coach isn't interested.

Other candidates are said to include Michael Cooper, coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, and TNT analyst Mike Fratello, former coach of the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Byron Scott, fired by the Nets during the season, interviewed in New Orleans last week.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Brent Barry
Sonics
Sonics
Nets
Nuggets
Cavs
Warriors May. 25 - Expect the Nets, Nuggets, Cavs and Warriors to make runs at Barry in free agency, according to the New York Daily News. The paper indicates Barry will be seeking the mid-level exception of $5 million per year over three to four years. However, the Seattle Times cites sources who say Barry has turned down a three-year, $18 million deal to re-sign with the Sonics and is seeking a four-year contract. The Times indicates the Sonics still hope to re-sign him.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Leon Smith

Bulls May. 25 - He's back, this time in Berto Center for a free-agent tryout camp with Chicago Bulls. It didn't work in Dallas, Atlanta or Seattle, but after leading the Continental Basketball Assoctiation in rebounding last season, the 6-foot-10 Smith is getting yet another shot at the NBA.

"It will help our process if we think about calling guys up again next year or, at the very least, inviting them to summer league," GM John Paxson told the Chicago Tribune. "It's a good way to get all the people we've had some interest in in one place and see what we like and don't like."

Smith, 23, was drafted in the first round draft by San Antonio in 1999 and promptly traded to Dallas. But personal and legal issues led to his release, and he was out of the league until joining Atlanta for 14 games in the 2001-02 season. He signed a 10-day contract with the SuperSonics in April but appeared in only one game.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Troy Hudson
Timberwolves
Clippers
Suns
Hawks
Jazz May. 25 - The New York Daily news reports the Clippers are among teams interested in Minnesota's backup PG, who had ankle surgery in April and is out for the season. However, the paper also suggest Hudson will draw interest from teams like the Suns, Hawks and Jazz.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Gordan Giricek
Jazz
Blazers?
Nets? May. 25 - Published reports indicate the Trail Blazers have Giricek on the list of shooting guards they hope to pursue this summer, and the Nets could come after him, as well. But according to the Deseret News, Giricek will give the Jazz every opportunity to retain his services. "They (the Jazz) will be in front of anybody," Giricek said.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Shawn Bradley
Mavericks
Jazz? May. 25 - A report that the Mavericks and Jazz were considering swapping centers has been shot down almost as quickly as it cropped up. A Dallas radio station apparently first floated the idea of a Bradley-for-Greg Ostertag deal, and the Memphis Commercial-Appeal subsequently picked it up.

However, the Deseret News reports there "is no substance whatsoever" to the report. The proposal as floated had the Jazz re-signing Ostertag, an unrestricted free agent, then trading him to Dallas for Bradley, who has three years left on his contract.