Sources said that Emeka Okafor and the Bobcats are close to agreeing on a six-year pact believed to be worth at least $72 million, which would by far represent Charlotte's biggest expenditure on one player as the club readies for its fifth season. Okafor turned down a five-year deal with a similar $12 million annual average before last season, preferring to wait for restricted free agency. ESPN.com
Several top restricted free agents have endured slow-moving negotiations with their teams -- Atlanta's Josh Smith, Chicago's Luol Deng and Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala chief among them -- in a marketplace where only the Memphis Grizzlies have the salary-cap space to extend a lucrative offer sheet to Okafor and his peers in the restricted class. But Memphis has made it clear that it prefers to save its cap room for the summer of 2009. ESPN.com
An annual salary of $12 million would be in line with the contract extension 2005's No. 1 overall pick Andrew Bogut received from the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month. Bogut signed a five-year deal with $60 million with hard-to-reach incentives that, if realized, could take the overall worth of the contract past $70 million. ESPN.com
The 76ers have reached an agreement with Kareem Rush, a source close to the free-agent guard confirmed yesterday. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard is in Philadelphia and will sign with the Sixers today, the source said. Philadelphia Inquirer
Rush averaged 8.3 points and 1.3 assists last season for Indiana. A 6-6 shooting guard, he was drafted 20th overall by Toronto in 2002 and his draft rights then were traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant for two full seasons. Fourteen games into the 2004-05 season he was dealt to Charlotte for two second-round draft picks. Philadelphia Daily News
Specific terms of the deal were not revealed, but one source said it was a minimum-level contract, which, for a player like Rush, who is credited with six years of service in the NBA, would be $998,398. Sixers officials would not comment on Rush. Philadelphia Inquirer
Rush will become the 10th player under contract for this season. He made $770,610 last season with the Indiana Pacers. Philadelphia Inquirer
A source close to Andre Iguodala said the Sixers and Iguodala's agent were "in a dialogue to reach a deal." General manager Ed Stefanski has said the Sixers were still working on deals for Iguodala and Louis Williams. Rush was the Toronto Raptors' first-round pick (20th overall) out of Missouri in the 2002 NBA draft. Toronto immediately traded his rights to the Los Angeles Lakers, where Rush played for 21/2 seasons, averaging 6.4 points a game in 2003-04. Philadelphia Inquirer
Ed Stefanski officially announced the signing of Royal Ivey. The 76ers signed him to a multiyear, minimum-salary contract that is believed to include a significant amount of guaranteed money. The minimum salary for a player with four years in the NBA is $854,957. The Sixers did not disclose the terms. Philadelphia Inquirer
Ivey's agent, Keith Glass, said his client had offers from three other teams but chose the Sixers because he felt they presented the best on-court opportunity. Philadelphia Inquirer
The Minnesota Timberwolves and restricted free agent forward Ryan Gomes have agreed in principle on a five-year contract. Gomes was one of five players acquired by the Wolves last summer in the big trade with Boston for Kevin Garnett. Gomes played in all 82 games, 74 as a starter, and averaged a career-best 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds. The deal was agreed upon Friday, agent Bob Myers said. Gomes was expected to sign the contract on Tuesday. AP/Globe and Mail
A month into the NBA's free-agent negotiating period,
little progress seems to have been made in talks between the Bulls and restricted free agent Ben Gordon. The sides remain far apart on a long-term contract, and there's no telling whether the matter will be settled in August, September or after training camp begins in early October. Chicago Sun-Times
''The lines of communication haven't closed, so that's always a positive thing,'' Gordon said Monday before conducting a basketball camp at the Bulls/Sox Training Academy in Lisle. ''I don't know if the team is waiting to see what the market is for other guys, but I see guys like Monta Ellis signed, [Andris] Biedrins is signed and a couple of guys are getting deals done. Hopefully, that'll kind of propel things forward and we can get something done.'' Chicago Sun-Times
Gordon, 25, rejected a five-year, $50 million extension before last season, and it is believed the Bulls' best offer this summer hasn't matched that amount. When asked Monday if he regretted not accepting that deal last fall, Gordon quickly said, ''No.'' Really, there's no other way he could answer -- not without undercutting his negotiating position -- but the market may reward Gordon's patience. Chicago Sun-Times
Forward Luol Deng, another Bulls restricted free agent, has established Monday as a deadline to get his deal done. Deng wants the contract settled before he leaves for the European Championships, where he will play for the British team. Chicago Sun-Times
Nenad Krstic becomes the second former Net to leave for Russia in recent days. Unrestricted free agent Bostjan Nachbar signed with Dynamo Moscow last week. Krstic's team is called Triumph. "He had a difficult decision to make, but ultimately Triumph made him an offer that he could not refuse," Natasha Cornstein said in a second text message. NY Daily News
The situation is good for the Nets in that they don't have to worry about losing Krstic to another NBA team. In a sense, his time in Russia could be viewed as a long rehab assignment, allowing him to regain strength in the knee before making a comeback with the Nets. NY POst
At one point, the Grizzlies were offering a package that included either Kyle Lowry or Javaris Crittenton. Since the Nets already have 15 guys with guaranteed contracts taking back players becomes difficult because they would have to make more roster moves or buy out someone. Both could happen before the summer is out anyway. Bergen Record
The Cavaliers were in the game and made an offer to Krstic that was less than he would be getting in Russia. If he accepted it, the Nets could have matched it or lost Krstic outright since there really wasn't much on Cleveland they're interested in - other than LeBron James, of course. Bergen Record
For Krstic: The Bulls were involved late. They have a $5.2 million trade exception from the Ben Wallace/Larry Hughes trade and were contemplating throwing in a future first-round pick. Bergen Record
A Denver Nugget actually said this: "Defense is first on my mind, before scoring." Those were the words of Renaldo Balkman, whom the Nuggets acquired Monday from the Knicks for reserves Bobby Jones, Taurean Green and a 2010 second-round draft pick. Denver Post
"I'm a defensive stopper," said Balkman, a 6-foot-8 reserve forward. "Any (position) you put me on, I can guard. That's what I do." The 24-year-old Balkman, traded along with about $575,000 in cash considerations, should help Denver's bench. The Nuggets hope he will crack their rotation and provide some of the defensive intensity Denver lost when forward Eduardo Najera signed with New Jersey this month. Balkman averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds last season for the Knicks. Denver Post
Green and Jones were likely candidates to be waived in August, when their contracts are to become guaranteed. "I'm going to make the best of my opportunity," said Balkman, who is from Staten Island, N.Y. "New York was great, but that's in my past now. Denver is my future." Denver Post
Neither Green nor Jones is expected to remain with the Knicks, as the team already has reached the NBA's maximum of 15 guaranteed contracts. Green and Jones each have non-guaranteed deals, but are little more than a means for team president Donnie Walsh to look further into the future by dumping salary and adding a draft pick. NY Post
Balkman became expendable with the addition of first-round pick Danilo Gallinari. The Knicks also have an increased role in mind for Wilson Chandler at small forward, and the unbridled Balkman wouldn't have been an ideal match in new coach Mike D'Antoni's uptempo style that calls for the small forward to assume a decision-making role. NY Post
Walsh would like to pick up short-term contracts or draft picks, such as the second-rounder he took from the Nuggets. The Knicks will have a choice of either Denver's second-round pick in 2010 or the Clippers' second-rounder that year. Denver acquired the right to swap picks with the Clippers in 2010 as part of the Marcus Camby trade July 16. NY Newsday
Less than a week after losing out on restricted free agent Kelenna Azubuike, the Clippers regrouped by signing unrestricted free agent swingman Ricky Davis on Monday afternoon. Davis, 28, averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while playing in all 82 games for the Miami Heat last season. He shot 43.3 percent from the floor, and - perhaps most importantly - 40.5 percent on 3-pointers. LA Daily News
A source told the Daily News that the deal was for two years, with a player option on the second year. Ricky Davis will make $2.3 million next season and slightly more than that in 2009-10 should he stay with the club. LA Daily News
Kwame Brown and the Detroit Pistons agreed to terms on a deal potentially worth $8 million over two seasons, team president of basketball operations Joe Dumars told The Associated Press on Monday night. Brown, the No. 1 pick overall in 2001, will make $4 million next season. If Brown exercises an option for the 2009-10 season, he will play in Detroit for another $4 million. If Brown doesn't take the option, he become a free agent again next summer and the Pistons won't owe him anything.(Like he won't take another 4 mil....) AP/Boston Globe
Kwame Brown's agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed Monday that the Pistons had OK'd a deal, which had not been signed yet. The two-year deal is for $4 million per season with a player option for a second year, meaning the 6-foot-11 power forward can opt out of the deal after one season.
"He is a tremendous talent, and we think this can be a kind of a rebirth for his career," Bartelstein said. "He's very excited about this." Detroit Free Press
But the move likely signals that the blockbuster trade that fans have been waiting for since Pistons president Joe Dumars said the only untouchable on the team was combo guard Rodney Stuckey will not happen. And Billups -- the subject of a lot of that trade speculation -- indicated Monday that he believes the core group should remain intact for another run at an NBA title to go along with the one earned in 2004. "It's tough ... for me to say that I think we need a change because I've won with these guys," Billups said just before his appearance at the Birmingham Country Club for a charity golf outing for the Children's Center. "I've been to the top of the mountain with these guys, and I know what that feels like." Detroit Free Press
Dumars and Billups appeared animated as they talked, their first meeting since Dumars' volatile postseason address to the media. When the chat was over, Dumars departed and later declined to comment, and Billups sounded like a guy who appreciated what he heard. "We had a real good talk," Billups said. "Joe and I have a great relationship, and we knew at some point we had to sit face-to-face. I knew none of this was ever personal, so it doesn't really hurt. But it does get your attention. A lot of the rumors have been untrue, but in Joe's seat, you always gotta be looking to make your team better." Detroit News
The continued emergence of backup Rodney Stuckey is another way the Pistons could improve without significantly altering the roster. In fact, Stuckey's hot stock is one reason Billups' name has been so prominent in trade speculation. Maybe Stuckey could step in. But Billups isn't ready to step aside, and I'm not sure Dumars is ready to set him aside. Detroit News
"No way are we too old," Billups said. "Having the young guys behind us, I think that keeps the window open. I've been to the top of the mountain with these guys, and if you change things, it takes awhile to get back to that level." There wasn't defiance in Billups' voice, but there was confidence. And in the middle of a steamy summer, there was the slightest hint of relief, perhaps knowing rumors of his departure were decidedly premature. Detroit News
Sasha Vujacic re-signing with the Lakers: Monday afternoon, the fourth-year guard officially signed a three-year, $15 million contract to remain with the team that drafted him out of Slovenia in 2004. For general manager Mitch Kupchak, it was a proud moment. "I can remember four years ago, we sat at this very same table in this room with Sasha after we drafted him," Kupchak said. "He was a young European player. His hair wasn't quite as long as it is today, nor was he as accomplished a basketball player. But we considered him a young developing talent. And he certainly developed." LA Daily News
"I'm glad it's over," Vujacic said. "It was a tough month. But I wanted to play here. At the exit interviews, when you guys were all asking me what I was going to to, I said I was going to be with the team that needs and wants me the most, and now we know that team is the Lakers. "They are my team. They brought me over from Europe and I feel at home in this organization and in LA. Everywhere I'd go, Lakers fans would say to me, `Please re-sign, you have to come back Machine.' And that really gave me a warm feeling about it." LA Daily News
In the final days of the negotiation, Vujacic weighed a more lucrative three-year offer from a Russian team, according to his agent Rob Pelinka. And while he considered it, Pelinka said that Vujacic's priority was always to remain in Los Angeles on what he called "fair terms." LA Daily News
Don't be fooled by Andris Biedrins' humorous prima donna aside. The 6-foot-11, 230-pound center couldn't be a jerk if he tried. Not even being the third-highest paid player on the Warriors next season could derail his humility. Not even the supreme gesture of faith the Warriors expressed in him by giving him more than $60 million (including incentives) could inflate his ego. Biedrins has come this far - from a no-name Latvian teenager to a cornerstone player for an NBA franchise - by being a pleaser and willing worker. He has improved every year in the league by appreciating his opportunities and taking advantage of them. Contra Costa Times
"Now that I have this contract," Biedrins said, "I won't stop playing as hard or practicing as hard. I will work twice as hard. "... I was not thinking more or less about the numbers. I am just really glad the Warriors think I'm worth it. I won't let them down." Contra Costa Times
According to league sources, his new contract guarantees him $9 million per over the next six seasons. Biedrins would have to play 65 games per year and set milestones in points, rebounds and blocks to push the contract's total up to nearly $63 million. The statistical milestones, the sources confirmed, are close to what Biedrins' past production has been. He hasn't played fewer than 68 games since his rookie season. Last season, Biedrins averaged 10.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 27.3 minutes - all of which could go up next season as his time on the court is expected to increase. Contra Costa Times
Brevin Knight on being traded to the Jazz: "I'm happy to be coming to a winning team with very good players and a Hall of Fame coach," Knight wrote in an e-mail. "How can I be upset with that? I'm also looking forward to hearing the cheers and not the boos from Jazz fans. "I see my role as being a veteran guy there to do whatever is necessary to help the team win. I'll know more about that when I get to town." Salt Lake Tribune
Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who pleaded guilty last August to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and transmitting betting information, is due to be sentenced for his crimes today in Brooklyn. A federal judge could sentence the Drexel Hill native to up to 33 months in prison after Donaghy admitted to betting on games that he had officiated. Last week, two other Delaware County men were sentenced for their roles in the betting schemes. James Battista was sentenced to 15 months in prison and three years of probation, while Thomas Martino was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and three years of probation. Philadelphia Inquirer
Donaghy admitted he traded inside information on NBA games during the 2006-07 season for cash payments from Battista and Martino, his friends from Cardinal O'Hara High School. Fired by the NBA last year after 13 seasons, the 41-year-old Donaghy gave his evidence to investigators voluntarily last year and is hoping to receive credit for cooperation. However, District Judge Carol Amon suggested at the sentencing for Battista and Martino that she considered Donaghy's crimes to go beyond simply betting on games. Philadelphia Inquirer
In a court filing in May, Donaghy's attorney said former St. Joseph's University player Jack Concannon "pressured" Donaghy into providing information that would help win bets on NBA games. Lauro said Donaghy and Concannon had been gambling together and "when Concannon lost money at casinos, he pressured Tim to use his knowledge to help select likely basketball teams that they could bet on." Philadelphia Inquirer
Donaghy, 41, is expected to receive between 27 and 33 months in prison for his role in a betting scandal that rocked the NBA last summer and continues to reverberate. In an effort to gain leniency for his client, Donaghy's attorney, John Lauro, submitted to the court yesterday an evaluation form that said Donaghy was a compulsive gambler who "couldn't stop himself." Washington Post
Stephen Block, a New York-based gambling treatment counselor who has worked with compulsive gamblers for 32 years, interviewed Donaghy in January and concluded that Donaghy was a gambling addict whose addiction ruined his life. In the aftermath of the criminal case, Donaghy lost his 13-year career with the NBA and his 12-year marriage with his wife, Kim. "In my professional opinion, Mr. Donaghy would never have committed these offenses if he was not a pathological gambler," Block said in the document. Washington Post
Battista, 42, received 15 months in prison for making bets while Martino, also 42, received one year and one day for paying Donaghy an estimated $30,000 for the tips. Donaghy, Battista and Martino must jointly pay the NBA $217,266 in restitution based on another ruling last week. The NBA sought nearly $1.4 million -- including legal fees and a portion of Donaghy's salary dating back to 2003, when the betting scheme began. Washington Post
[h2]
Done Deal - Krstic Leaves NBA For MoscowTeam[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 1:27 AM EST
Agent Marc Cornstein has confirmed toChad Ford of ESPN.com that former Net Nenad Krstic has officially signed a two year contract with Triumph Moscow early Tuesday morning.
The deal is worth around $9 million per year in the United States once you factor in the exchange rate and the fact that European clubs pay all theplayers' taxes, according to Ford.
Krstic joins Josh Childress, Bostjan Nachbar, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jorge Garbajosa, Carlos Delfino and Primoz Brezec as NBA players who opted to play formore money overseas this year. Three of the six are Cornstein clients.
According to the report, Cornstein worked until midnight Eastern time trying to find an NBA team willing to pay Krstic at least a mid-level contract to keephim in the NBA, but after the deadline passed Kstic signed the European deal.
"I think you almost have NBA teams being overly cautious at this point," one Eastern Conference GM told Insider. "With so many teams so closeto the luxury tax, teams are unwilling to take risks. Krstic was a risk. A small one, but a risk. We are certainly seeing the effects of the collectivebargaining agreement this year. But these things are cyclical. If lots of team had cap room, Childress, Krstic and others would be playing in theNBA."
ViaESPN
New Jersey Nets
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[h2]
Okafor Close To New 6-Year Deal WithBobcats[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 5:36 AM EST
The Charlotte Bobcats and forwardEmeka Okafor are on the verge of six-year deal believed to be worth at least $72 million, according to a report by Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
Okafor was widely believed to be a sign and trade candidate, with most believing that the Bobcats were unwilling to pay the type of money that the formersecond overall pick was looking for.
ViaESPN
Charlotte Bobcats
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[h2]
Sixers Agree With Kareem Rush[/h2]
Jul 28, 2008 10:54 PM EST
Philadelphia has agreed to terms withfree agent guard Kareem Rush, the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting.
A source close to Rush has confirmed that the shooting guard is in Philadelphia and will sign with the Sixers tomorrow.
Rush played last season with the Indiana Pacers, averaging 8.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
ViaPhiladelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia 76ers,
IndianaPacers
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[h2]
Kwame Joins Detroit[/h2]
Jul 28, 2008 7:00 PM EST
Kwame Brown's agent MarkBartlestein told ESPN.com on Monday night that the former No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft has reached a verbal agreement on a new contract with the DetroitPistons.
The contract is believed to be a two-year deal worth $8 million, and Brown will have a player option.
ViaESPN
Detroit Pistons
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[h2]
Clippers Sign Ricky Davis[/h2]
Jul 28, 2008 6:51 PM EST
The Los Angeles Clippers today signedveteran free agent swingman Ricky Davis to a multi-year contract, it was announced by Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor. Per team policy,terms of the deal were not announced. Carrying career averages of 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 31.1 minutes, Davis tallied 13.8 points, 4.3rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 82 games played for the Miami Heat during the 2007-08 season. The 6-foot-7-inch Iowa product also connected on 420-971 FG (.433),135-333 3FG (.405), and 155-197 FT (.787) on the year. "We believe he will be a good addition," Clippers Vice President of Basketball OperationsElgin Baylor said. "His versatility and ability to shoot from the outside will spread the floor and help our low post players."
Via PressRelease
Los Angeles Clippers
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[h2]
Warriors Re-Sign Biedrins[/h2]
Jul 28, 2008 5:44 PM EST
The Golden State Warriors havere-signed center Andris Biedrins to a multi-year contract, announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin. Per team policy,terms of the agreement were not announced. "We're extremely happy to have Andris under contract for many years to come," said Mullin. "He isclearly one of the top young centers in the NBA and, much like the young player we signed a few days ago (Monta Ellis), he has continued to improve everyseason. It's not easy to find quality young big men in this league, but we certainly think we have one of them, and he's only 22 years old."
Via PressRelease
Golden State Warriors
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[h2]
Raptors Sign Free Agent Will Solomon[/h2]
Jul 28, 2008 5:03 PM EST
The Raptors on Monday signed freeagent guard Will Solomon who played the past two years in Istanbul, Turkey, for Fenerbahce Ulker.
Solomon, 30, averaged 17.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals in 13 games last season, according to an Associated Press report.
ViaAP
Toronto Raptors
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