|
| Okafor wants sign-and-trade | Monday 7/21, 11:49 PM CT |
|
The Bobcats and big man Emeka Okafor are at an impasse in their long-term contract negotiations, and Okafor wants a sign-and-trade, the Charlotte Observer reports. He is currently a restricted free agent. The Bobcats are offering something less than the $12-plus million per year they put on the table a year ago.
Our View: Many franchises are shying away from long-term deals now in the hopes of clearing space for the summer of 2010, but we have to believe there's a decent market out there for Okafor. |
|
|
| Telfair returns to Minnesota | Monday 7/21, 10:21 PM CT |
|
The Timberwolves and point guard Sebastian Telfair agreed to a multi-year contract on Monday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Financial terms were not disclosed. The Wolves previously declined to make Telfair a one-year, $3.5 million qualifying offer as a restricted free agent.
Our View: Randy Foye was the only point guard on the roster before this re-signing, so Wolves fans can breathe a little easier. Telfair has never been able to live up to his high school hype, but he at least gives the club a decent backup option. |
|
|
| Camby rips on Nuggets | Monday 7/21, 9:19 PM CT |
|
Marcus Camby had his introductory press conference with the Clippers on Monday, and he continued to rip on the Nuggets. "I thought the way (the Nuggets) went about it was classless," he tells the AP. "I thought it could have gone down a whole lot better. I’ll get over it once training camp begins when I’m around the guys. You never forget. I’m definitely looking forward to those couple games we play against Denver."
Our View: Camby is slated to start alongside Chris Kaman, and there's no way both big men can both maintain their gaudy rebound and block averages. We still like Marcus when he's healthy, but his key numbers could come down a little. |
|
|
| Chandler not out of the picture | Monday 7/21, 8:30 PM CT |
|
Team USA hasn't completely given up on center Tyson Chandler, but they are going to check their other options. Chandler is out due to a big toe injury. "We just found out about it a couple days ago, so what we're going to do is look at the pool of [alternates] and let a couple people know that if something happens, you are probably going to be the guy -- but we haven't decided yet who those guys are going to be," head coack Mike Krzyzewski tells ESPN.com. Chandler will travel with the team to Asia for a series of pre-Olympics exhibition contests.
Our View: Our concern is that Chandler would try to play and then suffer a setback that would hurt him for the 2008-09 season. We doubt that will happen, though. |
|
|
| Dooling dealt to New Jersey | Monday 7/21, 6:22 PM CT |
|
Updating an earlier report, the Nets have acquired guard Keyon Dooling from the Magic in exchange for a trade exception and cash considerations, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Dooling will sign a three-year deal before being dealt.
Our View: The Nets continue to have a busy, sometimes strange offseason. Dooling is a solid defender and sixth/seventh man who can play both guard spots. He doesn't have much fantasy value, though. |
|
|
| Kidd is golden | Monday 7/21, 5:39 PM CT |
|
If team USA wants to win the gold in Beijing this summer, Jason Kidd's performance could be the determining factor. On a team filled with scorers, his leadership, passing skills, and refusal to play favorites should keep everything in order, reports Fox Sports.
Our View: Lets hope team USA can put it all together and bring back the gold to the United States. |
|
|
| Dooling deal almost complete | Monday 7/21, 3:08 PM CT |
|
Pending league approval, the New Jersey Nets have acquired guard Keyon Dooling from the Orlando Magic, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Our View: The Nets are set to give Orlando cash considerations in exchange for Dooling as well as a $3.3 million trade exception that they acquired from Dallas in the Jason Kidd trade. Dooling will receive a three-year deal, averaging about $3 million per year. Only the first two years are guaranteed. |
|
|
| Brezec bound for Rome | Monday 7/21, 12:50 PM CT |
|
Primoz Brezec has reportedly agreed to a deal to play with Rome's Virtus Roma, according to the Euroleague.net. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Brezec said, "I am very happy and proud to play next year in Rome. It's beautiful to return to Europe after seven years in the NBA with one of the best teams on the continent, with the great, successful coach Repesa and the most beautiful city in the world."
Our View: Brezec only averaged 2.2 points per game with the Raptors last season and will have a better chance to contribute with his new club. |
|
|
| Deng unhappy with Bulls | Monday 7/21, 11:17 AM CT |
|
Yahoo! Sports reports that Luol Deng has set an August 4th deadline to reach a long-term agreement with the Bulls. If a deal is not negotiated, he will take the one year qualifying offer of $4.5 million and become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. If that is the case, Deng is not expected to ever negotiate with the Bulls again.
Our View: If no deal is reached, Deng is left playing disgruntled for a franchise he knows he will be leaving, but he will also be playing for a new contract. That should translate into a lot of "me-first" effort from Deng. Regardless, expect him to rebound from a mediocre 2007-08 campaign. Finally, the added pressure on the Bulls may instigate a sign-and-trade with a team like the Utah Jazz, who are reportedly interested in the small forward. |
|
|
| Allen back with the Celtics | Monday 7/21, 11:10 AM CT |
|
Tony Allen and the Celtics have agreed upon a two-year contract, according to espn.com. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Our View: Allen averaged 6.6 points and 1.5 assists in 75 games for Boston last season. |
|
|
| House re-signed by Boston | Monday 7/21, 11:05 AM CT |
|
The Celtics have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with guard Eddie House, according to espn.com. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Our View: After already losing James Posey this off-season, the Celtics wanted to tie up some loose ends by bringing back House. He averaged 7.5 points and 1.9 assists last year with Boston. |
|
|
| Childress to Greece? | Monday 7/21, 10:13 AM CT |
|
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Josh Childress is considering an offer to sign with Olympiakos in Greece for the next three seasons. The deal is said to be worth $20 million over three years.
Our View: The Hawks and Grizzlies are the only teams that can match such an offer, so don't be surprised to see Childress in Europe next season. He has been a fantasy factor when he gets his minutes, but consistent playing time has typically only come with an injury to someone else. The deal with Olympiakos contains player options that would allow Josh to return in either of the next two summers. |
|
|
| Nachbar bound for Russia | Monday 7/21, 8:44 AM CT |
|
Bostjan Nachbar has agreed to a three-year deal worth $14.3 million to play for Russian team Dynamo Moscow, according to ESPN.
Our View: He averaged 9.9 points with the Nets last season, and realized he wasn't in their plan for the 2008-09 campaign when they dealt Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons, as well as signing free agents Jarvis Hayes and Eduardo Najera. |
|
|
| Gallinari nursing sore back | Monday 7/21, 8:39 AM CT |
|
Rookie Danilo Gallinari is nursing a sore back and the Knicks may shut him down for the remainder of the summer to rest, according to the NY Post.
Our View: The team is also requesting that he doesn't play for the Italian national team that will get together in two weeks. The Knicks are concerned about his durability and are also uncertain if the 19-year-old will contribute this season.
|
|
|
| Greene eager to excel | Monday 7/21, 8:08 AM CT |
|
Rookie Donte Greene is eager to excel with the Rockets, according to the Houston Chronicle. He fared well in the summer league, and the team believes he may be a steal as they acquired him with the 28th pick of the draft. GM Daryl Morey said, "He can score and he can attack the rim. He has all the abilities. He's starting to get a sense of what it takes, and he's improved each day with his intensity and effort." Greene said, "I feel like I can be put in there right now and be a contributor to the team. It's a matter of me working hard and being ready to go out there. I got to prove a lot of people wrong (referring to the fact he slipped to the bottom of the first round)."
Our View: Greene could develop into a solid pro, and prove to be a late-round steal like the Rockets stated, but he didn't have much college experience and it should be a tough transition to leap to a 55-win team (in 2007-08) as a rookie. |
|
Crushing hits. Explosive separation. Hail Mary bombs to streaking receivers. For that and fantasy analysis for all things football turn to Owners Edge NFL every week on your way to the championship.
A 95 mph heater. A perfectly executed hit and run. A blast into the sky. At Owners Edge MLB, we break down every conceivable fantasy angle from the simple to the complex to quench your fantasy thirst.
Power-plays. Goals. Fights. Great glove saves. If you are looking to augment your NHL experience with some of the most innovative fantasy hockey analysis on the Internet, then turn to Owners Edge NHL.
The hush at the tee box is followed by the sweat sound of metal on ball as someone in the gallery yells out 'you da man!' At Owners Edge PGA we bring refinement, analysis and passion to the sport of golf.
The smell of burning rubber. The thrill of unmitigated speed coming out of the turn. The visceral exhilaration of a pile up. At Owners Edge NASCAR we make the pit stop so you don't have to on race day.