- According to Kevin Ding of The OC Register, Metta World Peace will be amnestied by the Lakers:
Sweet a guy as he is, @MettaWorldPeace will be waived via amnesty by Lakers to save about $30 million, barring some late change.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) July 8, 2013
- First reported by Marc Stein of ESPN, Chris Kaman will sign with the Lakers for one year:
Lakers and Chris Kaman, I’ve told, have agreed to terms on one-year deal
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 8, 2013
Andrew Bynum is due to have a meeting with the Cavaliers, from Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio: “Andrew Bynum has been on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ radar since last summer, when the Cavs were involved in trade talks potentially involving the then-Los Angeles Lakers center. The deal never worked out and Bynum ended up with the Philadelphia 76ers. Then he missed all of this past season with knee issues. Doubts about Bynum’s passion for the game have followed, with some implying he’s just a big bodied 7-footer who’s a bigger headache. No matter, it appears the Cavs are willing to find out. As FOX Sports Ohio reported just before the NBA Draft in late June, the Cavs are seeking another center and have Bynum in their sights. They appear to be taking that interest to another level, as FSO sources confirmed an ESPN report that Bynum and the Cavs are meeting Monday in Cleveland.”
- An updated story about Bynum, by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports: “The Cleveland Cavaliers are pushing for free-agent center Andrew Bynum to accept a two-year, $24 million-plus, incentive-based contract offer, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Monday night. The Cavaliers met with Bynum in Cleveland on Monday, but could fast lose patience with waiting on the two-time NBA champion center to make a decision on accepting the offer, which includes a team option in the second year of the deal, sources said.
Rasheed Wallace is excited to become an assistant for the Pistons, from Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News: “When Rasheed Wallace was approached by new Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks and the man who acquired him in 2004, Joe Dumars, about being a coach, his answer was very Sheed-like. “What took you so long!” said Wallace in some very colorful language, a little more than a week after Cheeks officially became head coach. It became official Tuesday as Wallace sat on the bench during the Pistons’ 93-63 Summer League loss to the Celtics, having a two-year deal to become an assistant coach, returning to the franchise he helped win a title in 2004. Having dabbled in semi-retirement, Wallace had to ask himself an important question in the time before officially trading in his signature Nike Air Force 1’s for tailored suits and wing-tipped dress shoes: “Do I want to do it or can I do it? I know I can,” Wallace said. “I know I have the skill set to help a lot of younger players out. Do I want that retirement freedom to do things for my kids? It’s a blessing in disguise. My kids are still in Detroit.”
Wallace wants to pass on all that he knows about the game to the next generation: “Having always been noted as one of the most knowledgeable players during his time in the league, and having played for legendary coaches in high school, college and the pros, he feels a responsibility at this stage of his life, with his 38-year old body betraying him last season in a comeback attempt with the Knicks. “Having Bill Ellerbee to teach the passion and know-how for the game, it would be a shame if I passed away and wasn’t able to pass that on, to my sons or to any other ballplayer who wants the knowledge,” said Wallace, referring to his high school coach in Philadelphia, at Simon Gratz High School, where Wallace became an All-American before going to North Carolina. Passing his wealth of knowledge, he knows there will be some give-and-take because although he’s relatively young, there’s a slight gap in generations. He’s 19 years older than Drummond.”
Monta Ellis is talking with the Sacramento Kings, according to Ken Berger of CBSSports: “After opting out of an $11 million contract for next season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Monta Ellis is discussing a free-agent deal with the Sacramento Kings, league sources told CBSSports.com. With several avenues closed off as teams fill their needs for guards in free agency, Ellis could wind up with the Kings, who began doing their homework on him weeks ago. According to a person familiar with the situation, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive began inquiring about Ellis around the time his purchase of the Sacramento franchise was completed in late May. Ranadive, a former minority partner in the Golden State Warriors, identified Ellis as a possible free-agent target as he was finalizing his group’s purchase of the Kings.”
