In this edition of the NBA At 2: What's next for new free agent Ben Wallace?...Josh Childress chooses to go back to Greece…Tim Thomas a free agent…Eddy Curry was heavy…Upcoming HOOPSWORLD chats...Top Performers from Las Vegas.
Ben Wallace on the Market: There is a new unrestricted free agent on the market and he could be very tempting to a number of championship contending teams – power forward Big Ben Wallace.
The Phoenix Suns made him a free agent today after Wallace and the Suns agreed to a buyout for the final year of his contract. Wallace was scheduled to earn $14 million in 2009-10, but will be given $10 million with the buyout. Since the Suns are over the luxury tax level, this move will actually save them $8 million because of the dollar-for-dollar tax.
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The question now becomes what will Wallace do next? After the Cavaliers fell to the Orlando Magic in the playoffs earlier this spring Wallace, frustrated, made comments about possibly retiring. This was do as much to various ailments not allowing him to play like the player he wants to be as it was about losing, and after being traded to the Suns that talk ramped up even further.
However, now there is no pressure on Wallace. He doesn't have to feel he needs to bring $14 million worth of value to a team, but instead could sign on with any contender for the minimum or part of the MLE. There is little doubt Wallace would have plenty of suitors, not limited to the Portland Trail Blazers (who need a backup power forward), the L.A. Lakers (perhaps, if they don't sign Lamar Odom), the Houston Rockets (who could use a center), the Dallas Mavericks (who just lost out on Marcin Gortat), the Atlanta Hawks (who need another big man), or really just about any other team.
It's now a question of desire. Does Wallace want to play? Does he want to play all season? Or will he keep himself in shape and possibly hook up with a team halfway through for a playoff run?
He will have plenty of suitors, plenty of options – and he has no pressure to sign anytime soon because he doesn't need money and probably won't command much anyway. He'll be able to get the same deal later he can now, which means Wallace and pick and choose whatever situation he would like.
If he wants any situation at all.
Childress Back to Greece: Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent swingman Josh Childress is bypassing the NBA for another year. Childress signed a three-year, $20 million contract with Olympiakos in Greece last summer, but as part of the deal he has until July 15th after each season to opt out of the deal and return to the NBA. Today Childress announced that after his agents had talked with other teams and the Hawks about a possible sign-and-trade deal – he seems to have little interest in the Hawks – he will return to Greece.
"I still have some unfinished business to tend to," Childress told Sekou Smith of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution by phone early Tuesday morning. "I definitely have unfinished business in Greece."
According to Smith, Charlotte and Milwaukee were the teams most interested in working out a deal with Childress. Unfortunately the Hawks indicated they would match any contract offer either team could make since both only have the MLE available. Given that Childress' choices were then Greece or Atlanta, he decided to go back to Greece.
The Hawks will retain their rights to Childress next year as long as they make him a qualifying offer before June 30th – and there is no reason to think they won't make that offer.
Curry Weighed How Much?! New York Knicks center Eddy Curry is listed at 285 pounds and while he admittedly battled conditioning issues this past season after his injury, his trainer is warning everyone not to expect him back at 285.
"Honestly, when coaches are saying he has to get back to 285, they're delusional," Curry's trainer, Thomas Weatherspoon told Alan Hahn of Newsday. "They don't have a clue; that's not where he can go. If he goes back to 285, that would make him a scrawny kid. One of the things we're doing is adding more muscle now."
Apparently, as Hahn goes on to detail, Curry really has lost 30 pounds from the end of the season, and is currently at 328 pounds. Yep, I can do the math too…ouch. Check out the rest of the article for more details on what Curry has done to lose that weight.
Add Thomas: Forward Tim Thomas is now in the same situation as Wallace after the Chicago Bulls bought out his contract Tuesday. Terms of the buyout haven't been detailed yet, but he was due $6.5 million for 2009-10, the final year of his contract.
Upcoming Chats: HOOPSWORLD publisher Steve Kyler will take you questions from Las Vegas today at 2pm Eastern Time. Steve is watching all the action at the Vegas Summer League and can give you a take on every NBA hopeful. Senior writer Eric Pincus will follow up with his takes at 4pm Eastern Time. For both chats get your questions in as early as possible!
Top Performers – Las Vegas, Monday
Oleksiy Pecherov, Minnesota Timberwolves: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block, 3-4 three-pointers
Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves: 12 points, 14 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Robin Lopez, Phoenix Suns: 24 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 1 assist
Roddy Beaubois, Dallas Mavericks: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Dante Cunningham, Portland Trail Blazers: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Jerryd Bayless, Portland Trail Blazers: 22 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal
Quincy Douby, Toronto Raptors: 20 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
David Monds, L.A. Lakers: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 8-13 shooting
Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers: 27 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 11-15 shooting
DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 8-9 shooting
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: 23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists, 1 block
Anthony Randolph, Golden State Warriors: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks
Joe Alexander, Milwaukee Bucks: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks: 13 points, 14 assists, 7 steals, 1 rebound
Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings: 33 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 17-19 free throws
Fouls! Remember, you can't foul out of a summer league game, but that's no reason why we can't track the players who should have fouled out. Here is the list for Monday!
DaJuan Summers, Detroit Pistons (10)
Jason Thompson, Sacramento Kings (9)
Chinemelu Elonu, L.A. Lakers (9 – in 17:29)
Austin Daye, Detroit Pistons (8)
Connor Atchley, Golden State Warriors (7)
Jiri Hubalek, Phoenix Suns (6)
Kaspars Berzins, Phoenix Suns (6)
Nathan Jawai, Dallas Mavericks (6)
Bobby Ray Jones, Portland Trail Blazers (6)
Joe Alexander, Milwaukee Bucks (6)
Amir Johnson, Milwaukee Bucks (6)
Chris Richard, Milwaukee Bucks (6 – in 7:32)
Check out all of HOOPSWORLD's extensive summer league coverage from the leagues in Orlando and Las Vegas right here!
Twenty-one NBA teams will compete in this year's Las Vegas Summer League, including the defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers, as well as top overall pick Blake Griffin. Sign up here to catch all the action live - or on demand - from Las Vegas!
