Not sure how the new CBA will impact the free agent signings, but it may be worth discussing:

Biggest expiring contracts (excluding players with team or player options):

Kevin Garnett $21,247,044
Tim Duncan $21,164,619
Antawn Jamison $15,076,715
Chris Kaman $14,030,000
Steve Nash $11,689,062
Jason Terry $11,158,000
Marcus Camby $11,071,500
Mehmet Okur $10,890,000
Jason Kidd $10,121,000
Ray Allen $10,000,000



List of players with expiring contracts, with links to team salaries and full list of free agents: http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/expirings.jsp

Man that's a lot of old guys making a lot of money...

I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Duncan signs with the Spurs.

Mavs need to keep Jet, get rid of Kidd

JET won't be a Mav next year unless he gets insulted on the market (plausible). Kidd will sign for cheap.

DWill, CJ Miles, Omer Asik are guys I'd like to see the Mavs take a shot at.

I'd like to see Delonte West return as well.

Haywood will be amnestied at some point. Depends on when we can get a replacement in there. I've seen a million different scenarios for centers in draft trade-ups (high enough to be in position to get Drummond or Leonard) to Kaman (which would be a disaster I think). Someone smarter than me will have to figure out our center situation.

Everything the Spurs do will be contingent upon how much money Tim Duncan takes. Lorbek, the Slovenian big acquired in the George Hill trade, is coming to the Silver and Black according to multiple sources. He's got a nice low post game and can also spread the floor. He'd be a welcome addition and would make Bonner and Tiago expendable (his rebounding and defense are questionable though).

There are talks about the Spurs wanting to trade for a first rounder, but they don't really have any big trade assets short of Tony Parker (the remaining players are essentially expiring contracts). So I don't see that happening (they actually worked out Andre Drummond, but it is probably just for the sake of him considering the Spurs in free agency in the future).

I think they should re-sign Diaw at the right price. I also think that they will have to choose between Neal and Green. Green will probably command more money, but I think we should re-sign him, despite his poor playoff performance as he is an athletic defender that we need. Nando De Colo, the 6'5" French guard might also be an option. He's the best point guard in Europe right now, but his lack of quickness is an issue.

Two of my posts on the subject immediately after the end of the WCF:

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The Spurs lost this series for a couple reasons. One is that the Thunder are a really freaking good team, and there is no shame in losing to them. Losing in the WCF to a team like that is not a sign that you need to totally rebuild. The second is that the Spurs role players vanished, killing the Spurs' depth.

Must keep:
Duncan: will likely take a pay cut next year, but still a solid starter in the league. Don't forget, he just put up 25 and 14 against one of the best post defenders in the league.
Parker: demands a ton of focus from the defense. Unable to carry the team for 48 minutes from simple exhaustion. That's a depth issue.
Ginobili: Your wildcard and gamechanger. Every team needs a guy like that. He can still take over a game.
Leonard: This is the long, athletic defender the Spurs need. Don't forget, he's still a 20 year old rookie, and he played good defense against Durant... Durant is pretty good at this basketball thing though.
Jackson: You can not measure what Jackson brings to a team. Hopefully he'll take a bit of a paycut on his next contract to stay with the Spurs.
Diaw: Fits into the Spurs offense very well with his versatility. Smart player who can body up strong offensive players.

Expendable:
Splitter: Unless he can make a huge leap defensively, he's a less-talented Scola.
Blair: Nice player to have coming off the end of the bench, but otherwise not really a contributor, and the Spurs have too many posts who can't create a shot or defend the rim.
Green: He could easily progress; he played good defense even when he wasn't hitting his shot. Another year with the Spurs might elevate his offensive game beyond the open corner three. I'm not ready to give up on him, but I think he is replaceable.
Neal: He's good at creating his shot but seems to be a loose cannon on offense, only not as dynamic as Ginobili and not much of a passer or defender.
Patty Mills: Haven't seen much of him. The Spurs need a backup PG, but preferably one more well-rounded than Mills.
Cory Joseph: Looked awful as a rookie last year, no idea if he is going to progress.

Must go:
Bonner: Not a playoff caliber player. Time for him to go.
Anderson: Only plays so Pop can make the point that the regular rotation isn't hustling.

If I could pick the guys who are still here next year, I would probably hang on to all the players from the first category plus Green, Neal, and Splitter (in hopes that he will get his act together; you can't teach 7' tall). They are also bringing over a guy from Europe. That leaves them space for a backup PG and an athletic post in the draft.

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quote:

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If the Spurs can trade up to 20-25th in the draft, players like Andrew Nicholson, Fab Melo, and Festus Ezeli will be available. JaMychal Green, Henry Sims, Kyle O'Quinn, and Cameron Moore will likely still be on the board in the second.

I'm no talent scout, but I bet Pop and RC could get a pretty solid rim protector with enough offense to force the other team to guard him out of that group.

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They need a backup PG, a shotblocker, and another perimeter scorer. If they think Leonard can expand his offensive game with a full offseason, then they might not need a FA for that. As I've mentioned earlier, I'd like to see them figure out a way to trade up and draft one of the guys I mentioned above. That leaves a backup PG if they don't think Mills can handle it.


The Spurs are still a really good basketball team, so they don't require much action in FA other than resigning Duncan, preferably to a smaller contract.

For Bulls fans, what do you think will happen this off-season?

They already have $60 mil in Boozer, Rose, Noah, Deng, and Hamilton.

Steve Nash signs with the Heat for less money to get some rings.

Camby signs with Houston to finish his career

Goran Dragic signs with the Rockets, and Morey puts together a trade with Lowry, Dalembert, and the #16 pick for someone

Saying this morning Ray Allen is interested in Miami.

A lot of Rockets fans wont agree but I am in the select few who think Morey needs to do whatever is necessary to get an NBA Superstar who isnt too old to come to Houston. Even if that means a one year rental on Dwight Howard and trying to convince him to stay by building around him. He is not gonna get the job done by consistently putting a mediocre product on the court. Hanging around .500 all season and hoping the fans won't complain too much if we get into the first round of the playoffs with an early exit. That sh** needs to stop.

Early word:
Rockets are keeping Dragic (soon to be starting PG)
Re-signing Camby
Re-signing Courtney Lee and matching all offers
Considering keeping Lowry but likely shopping him

quote:

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A lot of Rockets fans wont agree but I am in the select few who think Morey needs to do whatever is necessary to get an NBA Superstar who isnt too old to come to Houston.

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i 100% agree. 1st, morey needs to go, but that's another story for another day

UFA from the 2007 Draft (and in league):
Greg Oden
Yi Jianlian
Spencer Hawes
Nick Young
Sean Williams
Marco Belinelli
Morris Almond
Carl Landry
Ramon Sessions
Aaron Gray

2008 Draft FA (lottery guys only):
Michael Beasley - $8.2 million Qualifying Offer
OJ Mayo - $7.4 million Qualifying Offer
Eric Gordon - $5.1 million Qualifying Offer
D.J. Augustin - $4.4 million Qualifying Offer
Brook Lopez - $4.2 million Qualifying Offer
J. Forehead Bayless - $4.2 million Qualifying Offer
Jason Thomposn - $4.1 million Qualifying Offer
Robin Lopez - $4.0 million Qualifying Offer

I would love to see Landry back in a Rockets uniform.

I think we should package scola, lowry, and first round pick for the best sg we can get. Then pick up landry and a backup pg in the second round.

quote:

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A lot of Rockets fans wont agree but I am in the select few who think Morey needs to do whatever is necessary to get an NBA Superstar who isnt too old to come to Houston. Even if that means a one year rental on Dwight Howard and trying to convince him to stay by building around him.

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I'm not sure why any Rockets fan would not want this. I absolutely would be in favor

What moves will the Heat make?

Ray Allen
Steve Nash
Lamar Odom
Jermaine O'neal

Amnesty Mike Miller
Drop Howard, Curry, Harris, and Turiaf

Yes please LO to the Heat. They deserve each other.

i think ray allen will join the heat since james jones and mike miller are leaning towards retirement

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Amnesty Mike Miller

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I know people are talking about Miller retiring, and I partly think that is the hope of the Heat, but I think it will need an Amnesty move to get rid of him & his salary.

He's due $12 mil over the next two years, and a player option of $6.6 mil for 2014/15.

Here's what is odd:
He's auctioning his house off in Miami this weekend:http://www.platinumluxuryauctions.com/listings_detail.php?ListingID=23



And he is still trying to sell off his house in Memphis ($2.7 mil if interested): http://www.crye-leike.com/main/browsedetail.php?region=West+Tennessee&beds=5&description_search_type=3&mgrp=32&ln=1&tid=memphis&mlsnum=3234542<b=1&cid[0]=1042





Is he wanting to retire to Minnesota; is he hurting for $? He either needs to keep playing or maybe he is completely set on his money.

Any chance the Mavs go after Nash if they don't get Williams? Still an upgrade over Kidd's old legs.

Why not? Dirk is 34. Mavs kind of need to win now.

I really think Nash is OK staying in Phoenix, and I really don't see him playing for a deep discount, just to win a championship.

Championship caliber teams where he is an upgrade at PG (assuming no other FA signing):
Lakers
Heat
Mavs


My guess is Phoenix for Nash.

the mavs, who were a 7 seed, are "championship caliber?"

If Nash wants to take a pay cut to win a title, he's not going to Dallas unless another big, non-pg FA signs first. The Mavs aren't in the same league as teams like the Heat, Thunder, or Lakers.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 6/26/2012 11:22a).]

Put Jim Buss out to pasture.

via twitter: Yahoo Sports A.W.

Detroit has traded Ben Gordon and a protected future first-round pick to Charlotte for Corey Maggette, league sources tell Y! Sports

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the mavs, who were a 7 seed, are "championship caliber?"

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According to Vegas and future odds, where they have the 6th best odds, I'd say so.

Although, I think Vegas is too optimistic on Rose's return, but they probably know more about it than most.

Miami Heat 5/2
Oklahoma City Thunder 5/2
Chicago Bulls 5/1
San Antonio Spurs 7/1
Los Angeles Lakers 12/1
Dallas Mavericks 15/1

And the rest of the future oddshttp://www.vegasinsider.com/nba/odds/futures/

The Mavs could have easily won 3 of those 4 that they lost to OKC. Not having Chandler was probably the difference in that series.

Mavs pick up a PG and a C, and they could be right back in the thick of it. There is still some tread on the tires of Dirk and Marion.

For the non-Texas teams in the SW division.

NOH are going to have the opportunity to be very good this off-season. They have multiple lottery picks and a ton of cap space. The problem is, I'm not sure they will be able to use it get anyone better than what they currently have on their roster (I think they keep Eric Gordon).

They've unloaded $20 mill in contracts, and have a bunch of rookie contracts and reasonable contracts in Jarrett Jack and Jason Smith. They have a lot of space, but there isn't a lot of appealing players out there.

The Hornets could be a team that takes on a hefty contract in the short term because they need players, have cap space, but want to maintain cap flexibility.

For the Grizzlies:

They are deciding on what they are going to do with their 3 restricted free agents: OJ Mayo, Darrell Arthur, and Mo Speights. Especially OJ Mayo since the Grizzlies are horrible from long distance.

I think they make QO to all but Speights, who has played his way to a bigger deal.

They have very little space under the lux tax threshold, so they probably can't keep Mayo because of the fat contracts of Rudy Gay, ZBo, and Gasol.

With new ownership, I do not expect any flashy moves this off-season.

Woj is reporting that the Spurs are shopping Blair. I don't think they would get any better for a late first round/early second round for him.

[This message has been edited by ItalAggie (edited 6/28/2012 11:17a).]

I doubt they can get a first rounder for Blair. If they can package Blair with their 2nd round pick they might be able to move up to late first.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 6/28/2012 2:48p).]

Funny enough, the Warriors are interested in Blair. Maybe get back that pick we traded away?

Green and Mills have been extended qualifying offers by the Spurs. I think their market value will be somewhere around $5MM and $2MM per year, respectively.

[This message has been edited by ItalAggie (edited 6/29/2012 6:42a).]

Jamison to rockets. We dont have enough 6-9 PF