No Lee Extension: Reports out of New York today indicate that neither starting power forward David Lee nor reserve guard Nate Robinson will receive contract extensions before the October 31st deadline. With Robinson it's probably no surprise at all, but with Lee it sounded a short time ago he might get an extension.
Obviously extending either player would have a serious impact on New York's goal to have salary cap space available in the summer of 2010 for the LeBron James/Dwyane Wade/whomever spending frenzy.
"I don't want to make a flat statement, but I don't think we're at a point I can say we're going to extend him," Knicks General Manager Donnie Walsh told the New York Post.
"I don't anticipate getting something done," Lee's agent, Mark Bartlestein, said. "As it stands, I don't think it will happen. Donnie is still in the evaluation process with this team. I think he understands David has great value in the league, but is cautious to make a long-term commitment before he gets a feeling what direction his team is going."
The Knicks will still be in a position to offer Lee more than anyone else as a restricted free agent next summer. The Knicks already have almost $71 million in contracts for the 2009-10 season, plus they will have cap holds for Lee, Robinson, Stephon Marbury, and Malik Rose totaling around $35 million. The team has about $51 million already committed for the 2010-11 season.
"I definitely want to keep Dave and Nate, but you don't have to do it now, you could do it in the summer," Walsh said.
In other news, the Bulls supposedly are still interested in forward Zach Randolph, but reportedly don't have the right package to offer the Knicks. In such a deal the Knicks want contracts ending by 2009-10. Randolph makes $14.7 million this season. The only players Chicago has that meet the criteria are Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden; Tyrus Thomas, Thabo Sefolosha and Cedric Simmons would all be restricted free agents following 2009-10.
Hughes for Randolph works under the cap; Hughes' deal ends in 2009-10. He makes $12.9 million this season. Of course, the Knicks are hoping for a bit more value in a trade, preferably someone who can help them until the contract expires.
Maggette in Power Position: The Golden State Warriors will reportedly be putting free agent acquisition Corey Maggette at the power forward position at various points during the season. That's an intriguing role for Mags, who played shooting guard and small forward for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Not that it should be a surprise for the Warriors, since Coach Don Nelson loves to run, loves to go small, and loves to be unconventional. This is a similar role to what Shawn Marion has done for most of his career; however, Maggette is no Marion.
Mags is a gifted offensive player who can get to the free throw line at will, but he isn't one-third the defender Marion has proven himself to be. Maggette routinely lets offensive players get around him, but perhaps Nelson is hoping the physical game his new acquisition plays on offense can be used in the post on defense. It could work. Maybe.
Power Struggle in Charlotte? One day after Charlotte Bobcats owner Robert Johnson steadfastly stated he has no desire to sell the franchise, NBA insiders laughed it off. According to Yahoo! Sports Johnson has been feeling out potential buyers in recent months.
In the latest NBA team valuations by Forbes magazine, published last December, the Cats had a franchise value of only $287 million – less than the fee Johnson paid to get the franchise in the first place. They also had revenue of only $93 million. Only five teams were worse. Of those five teams – Portland, Orlando, New Orleans, Milwaukee, and Seattle/Oklahoma City – the first three likely saw significant jumps due to team success in the past year.
The Cats, on the other hand, did not.
In addition, what's the shortest amount of time for a new coach and the person who hired him to get on different pages? Apparently Coach Larry Brown loves Gerald Wallace and wants to keep him, while Michael Jordan is supposedly shopping him. Brown wants him to shop Adam Morrison, which is understandable but until someone has an interest in what Morrison brings to a team it won't happen.
Why shop Wallace? He's a very good defender, a decent scorer, and an improving team leader. On top of that the contract he signed last summer actually gives his talent to the Cats somewhat cheap.
Sure, he won't play 82 games, but when he's there he could be the best player on the team.
Never Give Up on Your Dreams: So, think your chance to play college hoops has passed you by? That maybe you didn't have the talent to make a team? Well now cubicle hoopsters, you officially have zero excuses.
Ken Mink walked on to Roane State (Tennessee junior college) this season and made the team. He's played college ball before…but that was in 1956. Yep, that's not a typo – 1956. Mink is 73 years old and after shooting hoops in his driveway became convinced he could still shoot enough to make a team.
Playing the game isn't an issue, but conditioning is. Mink worked out all summer trying to improve that piece of his game at a local community center.
"On the average, I was in there seven or eight hours a week, running, playing and getting myself in shape,'' Mink told the Knoxville News Sentinel."I knew I'd be going to school and playing, so I have to have my stamina built up pretty good.''
"Our weakness last year was experience; I think I've taken care of that," said Coach Randy Nesbit.
For more on Mink check out the full story – and yes, there is video. Good for him. Apparently I need to work out more…
