ESPN Rumor Central

[SanduskyCav]

I'll put all my money on that being a link to the Bob Finnan article that Smooth posted in Team Talk.

Monday, August 3
Cleveland Cavaliers
2010 FREE AGENCY: Bosh won't join LeBron
Chris Bosh will be a member of the stellar 2010 free-agent class next summer, but one team he won't be signing with is the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The (Northern Ohio) News-Herald points out that the team won't have enough money under the cap next summer to bring in a high-dollar free agent after signing Anderson Varejao, Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon to multiyear contracts last month.
-Chad Ford
Ranking the 2010 free agents (2010 free agents)
"Bosh has been pegged since last year as the young star free agent most likely to bolt his team. The Raptors have been struggling, and Bosh has been privately pining to return to the States. I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that he will leave, but the Raptors are really sweating it. They need to show huge improvement this season."

FREE AGENCY: Sessions, Knicks near deal
Ramon Sessions | Bucks
Chubby Wells, the agent for Ramon Sessions, told the New York Post yesterday that the point guard could accept a Knicks offer sheet either today or tomorrow.

"We've been playing footsie with the Knicks the last two weeks," Wells said. "I'm sure we'll clarify something in the next couple days with the Knicks or another team [Los Angeles Clippers] and figure out what's going on."

The Milwaukee Bucks will have seven days to match the offer sheet once they get a copy of it.

FREE AGENCY: Ivey returning to 76ers
Royal Ivey | 76ers
On Saturday, Royal Ivey wrote on his Twitter page that he was "Going back to Philly!" The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the point guard will re-sign with the 76ers, and the deal should be signed by Wednesday or Thursday.

FREE AGENCY: Cavs No. 1 choice for Powe?
Leon Powe | Celtics
The (Northern Ohio) News-Herald reports free agent Leon Powe, who had microfracture and ACL surgeries on his knee, might be targeting Cleveland as his top team to sign with, and the Cavaliers might have offered him a contract.

"It would be nice to work something out," agent Aaron Goodwin said. "He's an incredible young man. The Cavs are a great, patient organization."

Powe might not be able to play until January or February.

 

[Walter White]

Wow....its like a revelation to every sports sight in America. That is pathetic.

 

[SanduskyCav]

June 29th 2010

Report: Shaw, Cavs near deal
11:57 AM ET
Cleveland Cavaliers

We noted Monday that a good interview with the Cavs for Brian Shaw could net him a job offer.

It appears that has indeed happened.

From Sam Amick of FanHouse: "A source told FanHouse the Lakers assistant is finalizing a deal to join the Cavaliers just one day before James' much-anticipated free agency begins."

But Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer cautions with this: "According to a source, the Cavs have yet to offer coaching job to anyone. Though it is clear Brian Shaw has emerged during interview. Not saying it won't happen but as of now, two sources telling me Shaw has not been hired by Cavs and right now is 'not close.'"

With a coach in place by the start of free agency Thursday, the Cavs would have a little more stability heading into their attempt to keep LeBron James in Cleveland.

Also, this would put Shaw out of the running for the Lakers job should Phil Jackson decide to retire.

Miller in play for Orlando?
11:46 AM ET
Brad Miller | Bulls

Miller's potential landing spot
Chicago. He's given the impression he wants to stay, and the Bulls could continue to use him as Joakim Noah's backup.
Houston. He has a relationship with Kevin Martin from their time in Sacramento and could provide insurance behind Yao Ming. He's familiar with Rick Adelman from Sacramento as well.
Orlando. If Marcin Gortat gets traded, there could be a spot for him.
New York. There may be interest, but Miller has said, "I'm not going to New York."
According to WKMG in Orlando, the Magic are "seriously considering" adding free agent Brad Miller to their roster.

There would seem to be a logjam at center, with Dwight Howard and Marcin Gortat already in place, but WKMG explains how that could be resolved:

?The reason for such a move: the Magic are shopping the services of Gortat, the backup center to Howard who signed a $34 million deal last year.?

The Magic have been a rumored destination for Gilbert Arenas, and it's possible a Gortat-Vince Carter package could be used to acquire him.

Miller may be past his prime, but he proved to be effective for the Bulls last season in spurts. He's essentially admitted he'll play on the cheap, so the Magic could potentially sign him to the veteran's minimum.

New York's plan with Johnson
11:32 AM ET
Joe Johnson | Hawks

It's been reported that the Knicks' first move once free agency hits is to head to L.A. to meet with Joe Johnson.

It's a little surprising, considering LeBron James has long been known as the team's top target.

According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, going after Johnson first has a LeBron angle.

"A source familiar with the Knicks' thinking told the Daily News that the club believes that getting Johnson to agree to a contract is crucial because adding the All-Star shooting guard makes the team more appealing to James and gives him more incentive to leave Cleveland," Isola wrote.

It seems like a sound strategy, but as ESPN's Marc Stein wrote Monday, James doesn't seem like a guy headed to New York at the moment:


ESPN's Marc Stein
Dolan could be problem for LeBron
"Which is why the steady stream of LeBron-to-New York rumblings we've heard since the arrival of Donnie Walsh as team president and Mike D'Antoni as the Knicks' LeBron-endorsed coach have been drowned out by more persistent rumblings that James -- on top of concerns about the Knicks' thin roster and unwelcome smothering from the New York tabloid media -- does not want to attach himself to habitually unsmooth Knicks owner James Dolan. No matter how much cash Dolan has splashed around in his tenure."

Bucher: No sign-and-trade for LBJ
11:10 AM ET
LeBron James | Cavaliers

According to ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher, the Cavs will not do a sign-and-trade if LeBron James decides to leave Cleveland.

Bucher reports that the Cavs wouldn't want to help a team like the Bulls build a dynasty within their own division, nor do owner Dan Gilbert and GM Chris Grant want to be known as the guys that traded LeBron.

If this rings true, the Mavericks, as well as any other teams over the cap that might try and get into the mix, now face even longer odds to land the King.

Wade, Bosh and James talk
10:49 AM ET
Dwyane Wade | Heat

UPDATE: ESPN's Marc Stein and ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard wrote Monday night that "sources close to the situation" say Wade, James and Bosh met over the weekend to "seriously discuss their futures, with a focus on the increasingly plausible possibility of those three teaming up with Wade's Heat."

But they added that "sources with knowledge of the meeting stressed to ESPN.com that James, while clearly intrigued by the possibility of forming a star-studded Miami trio with Wade and Bosh, has not yet committed to leaving his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers for South Beach. One source did label Miami as the new frontrunner to land James in a package deal with Bosh and a re-signed Wade but also cautioned that James was 'non-committal' with the start of free agency fast approaching."

Ira Winderman has a new report, writing: "The Sun Sentinel has learned that the three star free agents have gone as far as to acknowledge that it might not be possible for the Heat to clear the needed space to start each of the three at the $16.6 million maximum salary that they would be eligible for in the first year of new contracts.

"According to the source, the three have agreed to consider to 'split the money up,' if need be."

So while discussions have certainly been had by these three, no ultimate decision has been made by James. And while the Heat do have money for all three, they don't have enough for three max contracts, which could be an issue.

--

From Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel: "A source close to Wade said the Heat guard believes his team is poised to pull off a free-agency coup of landing himself, James and Bosh. However that same source, as well as a party inside the league, told the Sun Sentinel that Wade also plans to cover himself during the initial days of the free-agency negotiating period by scheduling interviews with the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and, in somewhat of a surprise, the Dallas Mavericks."

We stress that this in no way means this trio is headed to South Beach, even though it's certainly within the realm of possibility as free agency hits Thursday. "His team is poised to pull off" is a lot different than "Wade knows it's going to happen beyond a shadow of a doubt."

The Bulls are also poised for such a coup with James and Bosh. And though in recent days the Knicks' odds of landing James seem to be dropping, they have cap space to add both players, as well.

Bottom line: We're hearing a lot of reports about possible additions to teams as free agency looms Thursday, ones that make a fair amount of sense. But there's still a lot of things in flux right now, things that will be sorted out and will become definitive quite soon.

Ferry top choice for the Blazers?
10:10 AM ET
Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers are looking for a new general manager and Danny Ferry appears to be at the top of the list of candidates. Ferry recently resigned as the general manager of the Cavaliers.

President Larry Miller said the team wants to hire someone with experience, particularly at executing trades and recruiting free agents. As of Monday, Miller has not interviewed any candidates.

"We haven't reached out to anybody," Miller told The Oregonian."But we do have a list of who we might want to talk to. And I think there are a couple who you can say are at the top of that list."

Miller said Ferry fits the mold of a GM the Trail Blazers are looking for, but Portland has not reached out to him yet.

Durant expects a max offer
9:38 AM ET
Kevin Durant | Thunder

Kevin Durant is eligible to sign a five-year extension between July 1 and Oct. 31, and he feels he's worth a max contract. The Thunder are expected to meet him when free agency begins, and they'll likely give him what he wants.

"Kevin expects to have an opportunity to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder and continue to play," Durant's agent, Aaron Goodwin, told The Oklahoman. "And he fully believes that that opportunity should be a maximum opportunity, as do I.

"Kevin has surely put himself in position, by becoming a first-team All-NBA player, by leading his team to the playoffs and the great run that they had, to be deserving of that."

Durant's extension will fall under the next collective bargaining agreement, so the exact figures aren't known, but it should be about $85 million.

Permanent damage to Kobe's finger?
9:14 AM ET
Kobe Bryant | Lakers

Kobe Bryant played most of this season with an injured right index finger, and it may never heal, according to Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register.

"The middle knuckle on that critical finger on Bryant's shooting hand is so debilitated by arthritis after the past season of misuse and overuse that there may be no real way to fix it,? Ding wrote. ?Bryant will consult with specialists in July to figure out his options, but arthritis is not a problem that can just be cleaned up with arthroscopic surgery or wished away with a little rest. Bryant suffered an avulsion fracture in two places near the tip of the finger on Dec. 11 as he tried to field a low Jordan Farmar pass. Bryant kept playing despite a projection of needing at least six weeks to heal -- and he played pretty well. … Cartilage damage in a finger joint simply isn't easily fixed because there is so little cartilage with which to work. For Bryant's purposes of shooting and handling a basketball, fusing the joint is hardly a viable option."

Jazz will get first crack at Boozer
8:51 AM ET
Carlos Boozer | Jazz

When free agency begins, Carlos Boozer "is going to give the Jazz that first chance to work something out," a source told The Salt Lake Tribune. Boozer sees no need to meet with the Jazz, and he will visit Chicago, Miami and New Jersey.

Boozer is below Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire on the free-agent power forward list but is level with David Lee. If Boozer leaves Utah, it will probably come via a sign-and-trade so the Jazz can receive a large trade exception.

Jazz restrict Fesenko and Matthews
8:39 AM ET
Utah Jazz

From The Salt Lake Tribune:

"The Jazz on Monday tendered one-year qualifying offers to Kyrylo Fesenko ($1.0875 million) and Wesley Matthews ($937,195). Both are now restricted free agents, with the Jazz retaining the right to match any offer either receives from another team."

Warriors restrict Morrow and Watson
8:29 AM ET
Golden State Warriors

The Oakland Tribune reported that the Warriors have extended qualifying offers to Anthony Morrow and C.J. Watson. Both are now restricted free agents, and the Warriors have the right to match any offer sheet they might sign from another team.

Anthony Tolliver and Chris Hunter were not tendered qualifying offers and will be unrestricted free agents beginning Thursday.

Bauman clients won't opt out
8:17 AM ET
Free Agency

Agent David Bauman represents New Orleans forward Peja Stojakovic and Golden State forward Vladimir Radmanovic, and he told FanHouse on Monday that his clients won't opt out of their contracts.

"There's no decision to make," Bauman said. "They?re not going to opt out."

Next season Stojakovic will make $14.25 million and Radmanovic will get $6.88 million.

Decision time for Pierce
7:55 AM ET
Paul Pierce | Celtics

Paul Pierce has until Wednesday night to opt out of his contract. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge told the Boston Herald on Monday that he's spoken to Pierce's agent, Jeff Schwartz, about an extension for the small forward.

There's a good chance Pierce will choose to become a free agent due to the uncertain futures of coach Doc Rivers and free-agent shooting guard Ray Allen. Also, with so many teams under the cap, it would be prudent for Schwartz to check out the market for Pierce.

According to the newspaper, Schwartz will check if there's any interest from the Knicks and Clippers.

Bulls won't make Wade a priority?
7:31 AM ET
Chicago Bulls

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Monday that Dwyane Wade will talk with the Knicks, Mavericks and Bulls, even though most expect him to re-sign with the Heat.

Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald doesn't think the Bulls will make signing Wade a priority.

"The Heat star planned to cover his bases by scheduling meetings with the Bulls, among other teams, when the free-agent negotiating period opens Thursday at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time,? McGraw wrote. ?This might be news to the Bulls. A source familiar with the situation does not think the Bulls have plans to meet with Wade. When the plan was hatched to create cap space for the summer of 2010, the Bulls thought they had a reasonable chance to sign Wade. Now they might see the pursuit as a waste of time, though things could always change if Wade waves the olive branch."

Why Wesley wants LeBron to leave
7:19 AM ET
LeBron James | Cavaliers

Even though he rarely does any interviews, powerbroker William Wesley has been getting a lot of ink lately due to his connection with LeBron James.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports has some insight into the power struggle going on in the James camp regarding the free agent's future.

"To team executives in the chase and those familiar with the dynamics of James' inner circle, World Wide Wes' agenda is clear: Get LeBron out of Cleveland and push himself into a prominent place of power,? Wojnarowski wrote. ?To be considered the architect of the sports grandest transaction, World Wide Wes needs James out of the clutches of the Cavaliers. … This is the push and pull on the inside of Team LeBron, sources say -- agendas colliding in self-interest as the start of free agency creeps closer on Thursday. In the end, James is too strong to let someone else make a decision for him, but there remains strong influences deeply immersed in this process with him.?

One source said getting LeBron away from Cleveland will give Wesley the control he?s looking for.

"If LeBron leaves, Wes is going to get carte blanche wherever he signs," the source said. "He's going to have the run of the place, and he doesn't have that in Cleveland. He has access there, but Maverick Carter is the guy with the keys there. … [Carter's] much more influential and would always be in Cleveland."

Pistons sale close?
6:58 AM ET
Detroit Pistons

Crain's Detroit Business reported Sunday that Mike and Marian Ilitch and Sam Simon, president and chairman of Atlas Oil Co., could be part of a group that will buy the Pistons.

In an e-mail to the Detroit Free Press on Monday, Simon wrote, ?We are far away before anything happens here.?

Simon said he might have more to say "if we get close."

Pistons owner Karen Davidson said last week that she expects the team to be sold by the start of next season.

Kahn to call Gay
6:32 AM ET
Rudy Gay | Grizzlies

A league source told the Star Tribune that the Timberwolves have targeted Rudy Gay and GM David Kahn will contact him shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday.

The Memphis Grizzlies have said several times that they'll match any offer sheet signed by the restricted free agent.

Kahn wants free agents to tour the club's facility and meet owner Glen Taylor.

"We have a decent little story to tell. It's one that's building as opposed to one that's already there," Kahn told the Pioneer Press.

Barnes wants a decent contract
6:15 AM ET
Matt Barnes | Magic

The Orlando Sentinel caught up with Matt Barnes on Monday, and the small forward said he'd like to re-sign with the Magic, but he has options.

"I'm out in L.A., and I've heard that the Lakers are definitely interested. But who knows?" Barnes said. "I've heard a lot of rumors about a lot of things."

Barnes said he's willing to come off the bench if the Magic sign a power forward and move Rashard Lewis to small forward.

"If we get one of those free agents, I'd have no problem going to the bench," Barnes said. "Everyone wants to be a starter, sure, but the goal is to win a championship."

Barnes said he's looking for a decent contract.

"I'm not asking for the world at all," Barnes said. "I've been grinding my whole career. I'm looking for something decent and hope to stay with the Orlando Magic and win a championship."

Why Wade chose free agency
5:59 AM ET
Dwyane Wade | Heat

Dwyane Wade has given Heat management a wish list of free agents he'd like the team to target. It probably includes LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire.

"I've told [the Heat] what I would like to see happen," Wade told The Miami Herald. "But what I want to see, that doesn't mean it's going to happen. This situation is a no-brainer. But just in case it isn't, I've got to see what's out there. For me, it's not about the money. I just want to win."

Wade said the possibility of building a dynasty factored into why he opted for free agency instead of signing an extension.

"I don't need to sign an extension and kill some of that [salary] room," Wade said. "I want them to keep as much of that room as possible to sign some outstanding players. Until then, we can all sit back and read the speculation."

Spoelstra safe (Why would LeBron or Bosh want to be coached by Spoelstra?)
5:52 AM ET
Erik Spoelstra | Heat

There were some rumblings at some point that Miami Heat president Pat Riley might return to the bench if a top free agent demanded that as part of signing with the team, but Erik Spoelstra has been assured that's not going to happen.

According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, a source close to Dwyane Wade said LeBron James "would be receptive to working" with Spoelstra, if he should sign with the Heat.

2010-11 will be Spoelstra's third season as Miami's head coach.

Bosh is likely leaving Toronto
5:28 AM ET
Chris Bosh | Raptors

Most NBA pundits have agreed for a long time that if one of the top free agents were not going to return to his team it would be Chris Bosh and it was all but confirmed Monday.

"I think it's likely that he will leave," Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo told The Fan 590's "Prime Time Sports" on Monday. "It's the perfect storm for Chris Bosh to leave."

"My gut tells me he's leaving," a source told the National Post.

A source close to Bosh told the newspaper that the power forward is tired of being the centerpiece of a team that can't get out of the first round of the playoffs.

"It's like if you went to work every day and you worked hard, and you never got a promotion," the source said. "You want a chance to get ahead."

Colangelo is willing to work with Bosh on a sign-and-trade because it will allow the team to get some players in return or a large trade exception.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein and ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard report Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James met this past weekend in Miami about the possibility of playing together in South Florida.

Monday afternoon a source close to Wade reportedly told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that the shooting guard thinks the Heat have a good chance at signing Bosh and James.

 

[SanduskyCav]

The latest on Jackson
4:24PM ET
Phil Jackson | Lakers

Last week, Phil Jackson said he was leaning towards retirement.

Jackson has stated his health will likely play a big role in whether he returns, and he was set to get some tests run shortly after the season.

According to a source speaking to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, Jackson's health checked out OK in a physical, though he hasn't been given the full go ahead yet. The source indicated he believed Jackson would be back.

"Jackson has yet to receive the full green light from doctors to coach again next season, but a person with strong ties to him said Monday early indications are that Jackson's postseason physical went fine," Berger wrote. "If that's the case, health won't be the reason Jackson, 64, retires if that's what he decides to do. The gut feeling with the source, who is familiar with Jackson's thinking, remains that the 11-time champion will be back on the Lakers' bench next season."

If Jackson is indeed back, that could shut out Byron Scott in the coaching ranks for the 2010-2011 season. Though the Cavs have yet to officially bring Brian Shaw on board, indications are he'll likely become their next coach.

Scott was in the running for the Cavs job. If Jackson ends up coming back, that would also take another potential job away from Scott.