Insider Special: Who's Left

Sorting out the free-agent market

By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider

The NBA's free-agent wooing period ends at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Offers can become official. Trades finally can be completed. GMs, frightened by what happened to the Cavaliers with Carlos Boozer, can breathe a little easier knowing the oral commitments they've received will become binding.

The movement over the past 12 days has been unprecedented. Almost all the top free agents have agreed to deals. Several blockbuster trades are in the works. The going rate for free agents hearkens back to the dot.com days when money grew on trees.



BryantIronically, Kobe Bryant, the guy at the top of the free-agent list who was supposed to gum up the whole process, is still undecided. While almost everyone believes he'll choose the Lakers now that they've dumped Phil Jackson and are on the verge of trading Shaquille O'Neal, the Clippers are still in the hunt.
Kenyon Martin, Insider's second-rated free agent, will wear either a Nuggets or Nets jersey next year. It's up to the Nets to either work out a sign-and-trade or decide to match the offer Denver will make in the event it can't get a sign-and-trade done. Our third-rated player, Rasheed Wallace, will try to hammer out a deal to remain with the Pistons today.



DampierOther top free agents without a home? Erick Dampier is struggling to get the Warriors to OK a sign-and-trade. Numerous teams have made offers, but the Warriors are reluctant to help Damp out unless they get a great offer in return. Jamal Crawford, Darius Miles and Stromile Swift are struggling through the doldrums of restricted free agency. The Bulls and Grizzlies are claiming they'll match any offer, forcing potential suitors to work out sign-and-trades.
After that group, the pickings are pretty slim. Vlade Divac, Derek Fisher, Eric Williams, Karl Malone, Greg Ostertag, Jon Barry, Toni Kukoc, Bob Sura, Michael Doleac, Rodney Rogers and Keon Clark top the unrestricted free agents still on the board. Mo Peterson, DeShawn Stevenson and Chris Mihm top the restricted free agents still looking for a home. Several top international players, including Andres Nocioni and Fabrico Oberto, are also drawing considerable interest.

Here is Insider's team-by-team take on who has done what, and who has money left to spend.


Atlanta Hawks
Cash remaining: $19.8 million
Players signed: None
Players lost: Stephen Jackson (Pacers)
Skinny: The Hawks will sign-and-trade Jackson to the Pacers and get forward Al Harrington in return. Atlanta needs a power forward in the worst way, and Harrington has the ability to play both the three and the four. The team also has made a max contract offer to Kenyon Martin, but Martin will only sign it as a last resort. He prefers to return to the Nets or to play with the Nuggets, who are trying to work out a sign-and-trade with the Nets. The Hawks have also agreed to two year, $3.2 million dollar deal with Jason Collier.

Boston Celtics
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: Mark Blount
Players lost: None
Skinny: Re-signing Blount was the team's top priority. Because the Celtics owned Blount's "early" Bird rights, they did not have to use their mid-level exception, despite being over the cap. They are looking to add another player with their mid-level and have had talks with Antonio McDyess, Eric Williams and Rodney Rogers. The Celtics also made an offer to their own restricted free agent, Chris Mihm, but he's looking for a better deal.

Charlotte Bobcats
Cash remaining: $17.4 million
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: The Bobcats have been unusually quiet. It's becoming very clear the team plans to save as much money as possible this season. Charlotte still needs a ton of help in the backcourt but apparently hasn't made any offers so far.

Chicago Bulls
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: The team has been trying to work out a sign-and-trade for restricted free agent Jamal Crawford all week and hoping to convince someone to take one of the Bulls' bad contracts (Jerome Williams or Eddie Robinson) along with him. The Knicks, Heat and Timberwolves have shown interest, but so far Chicago hasn't been unable to cut a deal. The closest is the Knicks. New York has agreed to take Williams and Robinson but wants the Bulls to swallow the contracts of Shandon Anderson and Moochie Norris in return. The Bulls will eat Anderson's deal, but they want Dikembe Mutombo (who is in the last year of his contract) substituted for Norris. However, sources told Insider last night that the two sides were close to a deal. On the free-agent front, the Bulls looked hard at Brian Cardinal but couldn't commit to him until they moved Crawford. Cardinal agreed to terms with the Grizzlies over the weekend.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Cash remaining: $2.5 million
Players signed: None
Players lost: Carlos Boozer (Jazz)
Skinny: Boozer agreed to a six-year, $68 million contract with the Jazz. The Cavs have his restricted rights but can only match up to the mid-level. They'd have to clear an additional $8 million in cap space to get far enough under the cap to match the Jazz's offer. Most likely, they won't even try. Cleveland believes Boozer agreed to re-sign for the mid-level in return for letting him out of the last year of his contract. The loss is deveastating for the Cavs, who must now find a power forward to replace Boozer.

Dallas Mavericks
Cash remaining: $1.6 million exception
Players signed: Marquis Daniels
Players lost: Steve Nash (Suns)
Skinny: Dallas is off to a rocky start this summer. After a great draft, the Mavs were dealt a huge blow on July 1 when Nash agreed to sign with the Suns. Nash gave Dallas a chance to match Phoenix's six-year, $66-million offer, but owner Mark Cuban declined. The next day, the Mavs used their full mid-level exception to re-sign Daniels.

Denver Nuggets
Cash remaining: $16 million
Players signed: Marcus Camby
Players lost: None
Skinny: Camby's deal will be for six years, and roughly $50-60 million, depending on incentives. The team spent most of Sunday on the phone with Rod Thorn in an attempt to work out a sign-and-trade for Kenyon Martin. It might be difficult. The Nuggets are unwilling to part with Nene, and instead are trying to get the Nets to accept Nikoloz Tskitishvili as part of a package for Martin. If the sign-and-trade cannot be worked out by Wednesday, the Nuggets have offered to sign Martin to an offer sheet. However, if the Nets won't deal, it's a pretty strong sign they plan to match any offer for K-Mart.

Detroit Pistons
Cash remaining: $8 million
Players signed: None
Players lost: Mehmet Okur (Jazz)
Skinny: The Pistons are actively recruiting two free agents -- Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess. The Pistons can offer Wallace more than any other team and are working on a five-year, $55-million offer. McDyess and the Pistons are still negotiating, but they're close to a deal for four years and $23 million, with a fifth year that becomes guaranteed if McDyess plays in 60 games in year four. The Jazz have extended a six-year, $50-million offer sheet to Okur. The Pistons have no plan to match it. Look for them also to re-sign free agent guard Lindsey Hunter.

Golden State Warriors
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: Adonal Foyle
Players lost: Brian Cardinal (Grizzlies)
Skinny: The Warriors may have made the most controversial deal of the summer when they offered five years and $42 million to Foyle. The team knew it was losing both Foyle and Erick Dampier and needed someone to play center. Foyle has been great in the locker room over the years but hasn't been so hot on the court lately. The team lost Cardinal to the Grizzlies and likely will lose Dampier as well. For the past week we've believed the Warriors will work out a sign-and-trade for Damp, but several teams told Insider over the weekend that the Warriors' demands are very high -- too high. Dampier may be forced to sign elsewhere for the mid-level exception.

Houston Rockets
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: The team is looking for a veteran point guard and had talks with Brent Barry (who has agreed to a deal with the Spurs) and Derek Fisher. However, the team may try the trade route to address its needs. The Rockets own a $6.9 millon trade exception that could be very handy down the road.

Indiana Pacers
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: Stephen Jackson (Hawks)
Players lost: Al Harrington (Hawks)
Skinny: The Pacers and Hawks agreed to a sign-and-trade of Jackson for Harrington over the weekend. Doing so allows the Pacers to bring in Jackson without using their mid-level exception. The Pacers wanted to add more than one player this summer and likely will split the mid-level between a backup center and a veteran point guard. Don't be surprised if the Pacers look overseas for one or both players.

Los Angeles Clippers
Cash remaining: $14.9 million
Players signed: None
Players lost: Quentin Richardson (Suns)
Skinny: The Clippers have been focused entirely on landing Kobe Bryant this summer, however it's looking like it's going to be a lost cause. All the moves the Lakers have made this summer have paved the way for Kobe to return to the Lakers. If the Clips don't land Kobe, they have to decide whether to match the Suns' six-year, $48-million offer to Richardson. If they do match Q, the Clips still have enough money left to add a veteran point guard.

Los Angeles Lakers
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: Kobe or no Kobe? That's the question right now. The Lakers have done everything Kobe has wanted. Phil Jackson is gone. Shaq is just about gone. Good young players like Lamar Odom and Caron Butler are on their way. Now it's time for Kobe to commit. If he does, the Lakers will try to use their mid-level exception to lure a center. Erick Dampier is their first choice, but Vlade Divac might be a more affordable short-term option. The team has also made an offer to their own free agent, Slava Medvedenko..

Memphis Grizzlies
Cash remaining: $1.6 million exception
Players signed: Brian Cardinal (Warriors)
Players lost: None
Skinny: The Grizzlies need a big man in the worst way but surprisngly decided to sign Cardinal, yet another forward, to a six-year deal for their full mid-level exception. They've been after Dampier for more than a year but will have to pull off a sign-and-trade to get him now -- something the Warriors don't sound inclined to do. The Grizzlies have scared off just about everyone eyeing restricted free agent Stromile Swift by threatening to match any offer.

Miami Heat
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: Rafer Alston (Raptors)
Skinny: Now that Shaq apparently is in the fold, and the rest of the team is gutted, Pat Riley is going to have to work some magic in the free-agent market. The team needs a power forward, small forward and backup point guard. Players like Jamal Crawford, Darius Miles, Derek Fisher, Toni Kukoc and Eric Williams all would be good fits in Miami, but Crawford and Miles are restricted free agents looking for more than the mid-level. Fisher and Williams would accept the mid-level, but it's doubtful they'd settle for much less given the market. Kukoc, who the team has contacted, might be willing to play for less. As for power forwards, the cupboard is pretty bare at this point.

Milwaukee Bucks
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: Brian Skinner (Sixers)
Skinny: Sources claim the Bucks made an offer to Wizards restricted free agent Etan Thomas to the tune of six years for the full mid-level exception. However, there's been no confirmation yet that Thomas has accepted the offer. If he does, the Wizards may match it. Ernie Grunfeld told Insider he wanted Thomas back and the team would consider matching any offer for Thomas. Skinner was an important player on the front line for Milwaukee last season, but the team was unwilling to give him the five years, $25 million the Sixers offered.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: Troy Hudson opted out of his contract to secure a more lucrative deal with the Wolves. The sides have been negotiating for a week, and it appears Hudson will be back in Minnesota with a six-year contract. Hudson played just 29 games last year because of injury, but he's instant offense off the bench when healthy. The team also has its mid-level exception but doesn't seemed inclined to spend the money. Because of Kevin Garnett's huge contract, the Wolves are a luxury tax player and don't want to incur any more salary than they have to. While there are a few free agents on the market that could make some sense for them (the team has shown strong interest in Jamal Crawford) it appears unlikely they'll spend the money.

New Jersey Nets
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: Kenyon Martin is being wooed heavily by the Nuggets and Hawks. Nuggets sources told Insider on Sunday evening they had ramped up their pursuit, engaging in day-long sign-and-trade discussions with the Nets. While sources maintain that a sign-and-trade is Denver's preferred method of landing Martin, the Nuggets have assured Martin they will give him a max offer sheet, expected to be for six years and in excess of $80 million, if a trade cannot be completed by July 14. Martin, who reportedly has received a similar offer from the Atlanta Hawks, told the Nuggets he would accept their offer sheet over Atlanta's if a trade does not occur, a Nuggets source said. The Nets will have 15 days to match, or they can agree to the sign-and-trade with Denver. The Nets have been trying to pry away Nene, but the Nuggets won't trade him. Nikoloz Tskitishvili and a first-round draft pick or two (the Nuggets own six over the next two years) appear to be the Nuggets' best offer.

New Orleans Hornets
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: The Hornets have been very quiet on the free-agent front so far. Instead the team appears focused on trading Jamal Mashburn. They have made an offer to one of their own free agents, Robert Traylor.

New York Knicks
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: The team has been in hot pursuit of Bulls guard Jamal Crawford, a restricted free agent looking for a contract bigger than the mid-level exception. That means the Knicks will have to work out a sign-and-trade. The latest according to sources has the Knicks landing Jamal Crawford (6 years, $55-60 million), Jerome Williams and Eddie Robinson while giving up Shandon Anderson, Moochie Norris, Othella Harrington, Frank Williams and Cezary Trybanski.

Orlando Magic
Cash remaining: None
Players signed: Hedo Turkoglu (Spurs)
Players lost: None
Skinny: Obviously the Magic have their doubts about Grant Hill's comeback. Signing Turkoglu (six years, full mid-level) shores them up at the three but still leaves them very weak at center, with just Kelvin Cato and Andrew DeClerq to patrol the middle.

Philadelphia 76ers
Cash remaining: Partial mid-level; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: Brian Skinner (Bucks)
Players lost: None
Skinny: The team pursued Mark Blount hard but lost the bidding to Boston. The Sixers quickly turned around and offered Skinner a five-year, $25-million deal. The team still has roughly $2 million of its mid-level exception left.

Phoenix Suns
Cash remaining: None
Players signed: Steve Nash (Mavericks); Quentin Richardson (Clippers)
Players lost: None
Skinny: The Suns really set the tone of the free-agent market on July 1 when they offered Nash a six-year, $66-million deal. Nash stunned the Mavericks by accepting it a few hours later after Cuban refused to match it. The team also made a run at Okur and Turkoglu but was outbid both times. Finally, they settled on Richardson, offering him a six-year, $48-million offer sheet. Richardson is a restricted free agent, meaning the Clippers could match. If they don't, expect the Suns to explore trading Shawn Marion or Joe Johnson in an effort to land a legit center. Free agent Antonio McDyess likely will sign with the Pistons.

Portland Trail Blazers
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: The Blazers want to re-sign Darius Miles, but the two sides have yet to come to terms. Portland went hard after Brent Barry but lost out to the Spurs. The team still needs help in the backcourt, at both point and shooting guard. However, with the market thinning by the minute, the team likely will try to package Shareef Abdur-Rahim or Dale Davis in a trade to get more help.

Sacramento Kings
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: The Kings main focus this summer is figuring out what to do with free agent Vlade Divac. At 36, Vlade isn't getting any younger, and the team is reluctant to give him a huge deal. Several other teams, including the Lakers, Suns and Pacers, have shown an interest in Divac.

San Antonio Spurs
Cash remaining: $1.8 million
Players signed: Emanuel Ginobili, Brent Barry (Sonics), Bruce Bowen
Players lost: Hedo Turkoglu (Magic)
Skinny: The Spurs have been busy. They've fortified their backcourt by agreeing with Ginobili (six years, $52 million), Barry (four years, $22 million) and Bowen (three years, $12 million) on contracts, but they likely will lose Turkoglu in the process. He has agreed to sign with the Magic for six years, $39 million. The Spurs own Turkoglu's Bird rights and thus could go over the cap to match his offer, but they appear to be balking at the price. Instead, look for the Spurs to pitch the rest of their money toward a veteran forward. The team has made several ovetures to Karl Malone and also would be interested in bringing back Robert Horry.

Seattle SuperSonics
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: Brent Barry (Spurs)
Skinny: The Sonics made a hard push to re-sign Barry, but he opted for a chance at a championship with the Spurs. They've now focused their attention on Lakers point guard Derek Fisher, who visited the team over the weekend. However, Fisher has a number of other suitors and may choose to sign with a team with a better shot at winning a championship.

Toronto Raptors
Cash remaining: $1.6 million exception
Players signed: Rafer Alston (Heat)
Players lost: None
Skinny: The Raptors have been looking for a legit point guard for years, and Alston is a nice pick-up. He doesn't have star qualities, but he was very solid in a backup capacity for the Heat last year and should earn the starting job in Toronto. The team still needs a lot more size in the middle but likely will have to work out a trade to get it done.

Utah Jazz
Cash remaining: $6 million
Players signed: Mehmet Okur (Pistons), Carlos Boozer (Cavaliers), Gordan Giricek, Carlos Arroyo
Players lost: None
Skinny: No one has done more this summer than the Jazz. Their goal was to land a veteran center and power forward, and they did a great job in stealing Okur and Boozer. Utah had to take advantage of both team's disadvantages, but given how hard it is for the Jazz to lure top free agents, you've got to do what you've got to do. It's unlikely the Pistons or Cavs wil match the offers. The team also has agreed to new deals to retain Giricek and Arroyo and is making a strong push to re-sign three more of its own free agents -- Greg Ostertag, Jarron Collins and Mo Williams. If they can pull it off, GM Kevin O'Connor gets an A+ for the summer.

Washington Wizards
Cash remaining: Mid-level exception; $1.6 million exception
Players signed: None
Players lost: None
Skinny: It looks like restricted free agent Etan Thomas is going to get a big offer from the Milwaukee Bucks. Will the Wizards match? Ernie Grunfeld wants Thomas back and needs his bulk down low, but at what price? It looks like he's commanding the full mid-level from the Bucks. The team needs more size in the middle and has been a player in the Erick Dampier stuff.
Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.