Morning Report: No Shot At Brand?
By:
Steve Kyler
Last Updated: 7/3/08 8:47 AM ET
| 611 times read
No Shot Whatsoever: The Golden State Warriors made a bold move yesterday, counting on the fact that in order for the LA Clippers to make the $65 million offer that Baron Davis has agreed to means the Clippers have verbally agreed to renouncing the rights to Elton Brand to get the deal done. That makes the Warriors $90 million offer roughly $15 million more that the Clippers have to offer. Informed Clippers sources say Elton has already agreed to the framework of a returning deal, that it was discussed and agreed upon. The sticking point for the Clippers are not terms of a new deal, rather putting together all the pieces in the right order to maximize the opportunity. The Miami HEAT are rumored to have made an aggressive sign-and-trade push for Brand, and the 76ers made contact as well. Informed league sources say they were turned away as Brand wants to return to the Clippers. The Warriors are hoping that $15 million more will be enough to get a discussion, but things may already be wrapped up. A league source confided that a sign-and-trade with Baron Davis is still not out of the question, and that the reason Corey Maggette has not accepted a deal is he too may find the Clippers willing to broker a deal for him, if it can return them a piece. Source say that part of this game is getting everyone comfortable with the loss of the asset, and then reaching a deal that gets everyone what they wanted, pointing to Seattle and Orlando's deal last year in which the Sonics got some draft picks for getting Rashard Lewis an extra year. The drama with the Clippers is not over, it just remains to be seen if Golden State can get anything out of the loss of Baron Davis, and it does not look like that will be Elton Brand.
Posey And The C's : The Celtics are denying that they made an offer to Corey Maggette, but they are not denying contact with Maggette, who has already confirmed discussions with the Celtics. Why are the C's distancing themselves from Maggette? It did not sit well with James Posey, who was labeled the Celtics top off-season priority. The Celtics did make an offer to Posey that was far less than the full boat median exception he has been offered from other teams, leaving Posey feeling unwanted. Add the Maggette commentary and Posey wants to talk with other teams. Sources close to the situation contend James Posey would love to be a Laker and that the Lakers are willing to go the full exception to land him. The Hornets are also expressing interest, as are the Cavaliers and Rockets, giving Posey a number of suitors who are offering longer-term deals. The Celtics still hold the best trump card of them all - the chance at another NBA championship - but Posey's camp has been pretty adamant James wants and deserves a full exception deal. Unless Boston comes off the stance of not offering that, Posey could be gone.
Fair Deal In Seattle: The Sonics and the City of Seattle have reached a settlement, one that will allow for the Sonics to play games in Oklahoma City as soon as this upcoming season. The deal calls for $45 million to be paid immediately, and an additional $30 million paid in five years if Seattle does not get a new NBA team via relocation or expansion. The deal also conveys all logos, jerseys and trophies to the incoming team, pending league approval. The interesting caveats of the deal are the provisions for dealing with Howard Schultz's lawsuit, in which $22 million would be returned to the Sonics for each season Schultz's lawsuit prohibits them from playing in Oklahoma City. The deal also specifically blocks the city from helping in the Schultz lawsuit, unless compelled to do so by the courts. Howard Schultz says he will not drop his lawsuit alleging that Clay Bennett and his ownership group did not attempt in good faith to keep the Sonics in Seattle as agreed in the sale agreement. There is belief that Schultz could tie things up with injunctions, regardless of this settlement. Clay Bennett's announcement last night that relocation of the team would begin immediately is a means to force Howard's hand whether he'll really see this lawsuit through. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said there have been no promises made to the City regarding a new team, but that the NBA did say a massive refit of KeyArena might be acceptable as a venue for a new or relocated franchise at some point in the future.
Duhon To Give An Answer : Chris Duhon met with the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic and was offered a similar deal by both parties. Duhon was very impressed with the Magic and their situation and seems to be leaning towards taking the Magic's offer. Printed reports say people close to Duhon say the chance to start in New York is very appealing to Chris regardless of their rebuilding situation. Chris' agent Kevin Bradbury said they hoped to reach a decision today, and would let teams know quickly. It is believed Chris never left Orlando, so that might tell you where he is leaning. If the Magic do obtain Duhon's services, you can scratch Corey Maggette off the list. The Magic did make contact with Keyon Dooling on the opening day of free agency but in a surprise move did not offer him a contract. They said all of the things Keyon wanted to hear, but did not offer a deal which was surprising to say the least… Magic draft pick Courtney Lee was welcomed with open arms to the Magic in a nice press conference, but the real welcome came later in the evening when Magic all-star Dwight Howard reached out to Courtney via cellphone. Dwight professed his excitement about Courtney coming to Orlando, and explained what a big fan he was. The two spent the next four hours texting each other, a session that lasted until 4am.
What Happened In Sactown? : Ron Artest's regrets are justified, and here is why. Artest was the subject of rampant trade rumors at the trade deadline, and ultimately was not traded. After the deadline the Kings professed how valuable Ron was, and how much they wanted to keep him. Artest's camp believed that the Kings would sign him to a longer term extension at some point. The Kings said nothing either way on the subject and waited out Ron's opt-out decision. On July 1st, the Kings let Ron know that he was not in their long term plans, and that they would look into trades involving him. Ron was blown away, and insulted in how the Kings handled him. Part of that was his own fault, as people close to him were telling anyone who'd listen during the NBA Finals that Ron would love to be a Laker, looking for a "wink-nod" from them before his opt-out deadline. Ron's stance is had he known or been told that the Kings did not want him, he would have opted out and picked his own destination for 2008-2009. The Kings played this smart and will get something for Ron in trade. Ron will hit free agency next year, but may find himself in a less than desirable spot before then, as he's now an ending contract that won't be with the Kings very much longer.
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Wondering who the Top of Draft Class will be in 2010's NBA Draft? Check out the latest HOOPSWORLD 2010 NBA Mock Draft.
About the Author: STEVE KYLER
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Steve Kyler is the Editor and Publisher of HOOPSWORLD. Steve is a life-long basketball fan that started covering the NBA from Orlando in 1998, but has been a huge follower of the game since the mid-80’s.
Steve is also an on-air radio personality in Tampa for ESPN radio and appears on dozens of radio shows across the country each week.
Steve is an active member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association and is passionately involved in the development of new writers and sports personalities.
Steve does not have a favorite team per se, but does root for the underdog in almost every situation. You can reach Steve directly at skyler@hoopsworld.com
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posted By Ken, 3 July 2008 5:42:51 PM
Its great to see Dwight reach out to the rookie and Chris Duhon as well. That is a great sign of leadership from you're franchise player.
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