41. Lamar Odom (Power Forward, Los Angeles Clippers)
The days of being an offensive jackknife appear to be over, but Odom is still a valuable player off the bench and a great investment for less than a non-taxpayer mid-level exception type deal. If he finds a role in an offensive system that can take advantage of his talents, he can be quite valuable. Still one of the best ball handling and passing bigs in the league. Can he play anywhere besides LA? JULY 1 UPDATE — Wants to stay in LA, but will probably have to take $1.4 million vet’s minimum to do so. Is that OK with Khloe? JULY 7 UPDATE — The Lakers, apparently, are interested in a reunion. Would Odom and Chris Kaman help the Lakers improve in the tougher Western Conference next season? Mitch Kupchak probably thinks so.
42. Samuel Dalembert (Center, Milwaukee Bucks)
Not done just yet, as evidenced by his eight double-doubles and an eye-popping 35-point, 12-rebound effort in February. The Haitian sensation is far from the shot-blocking juggernaut he was in his days with the 76ers but could be a valuable addition somewhere. Put him on any of the East’s top four teams from last season, and they are all better. JULY 1 UPDATE — Scrap Heap, but 7 feet tall. Candidate to remain unsigned into the season and wait for a team to lose a center to free agency. JULY 3 UPDATE — Portland has spoken to him, but Blazers have spoken to a lot of centers and now have the Lesser Lopez. JULY 6 UPDATE — Like Chris Kaman, Dalembert is being chased by the Trailblazers, who have been in the market for a center for a while now.
43. Rodrigue Beaubois (Point Guard, Dallas Mavericks)
Speed kills, but his questionable health may scare teams. Playing only 182 games over four years is not a good thing. With the Mavericks in a full-on rebuild, Cuban may let Beaubois walk if a team gives him an offer sheet for more than $4 million. That does not seem likely. Beaubois still has a lot to prove and is hitting the free agent market at a bad time for him. JULY 1 UPDATE — Was not given a qualifying offer, and thus is unrestricted — as is Darren Collison.
44. Will Bynum (Point Guard, Detroit Pistons)
A player who has taken quite a while to come into his own and may have done so a bit too late. The “other Bynum” has had some big moments for the Pistons this past season, but clearly was not a difference-maker so will fly under the radar. Has shown an ability to take over games late, but not much of a floor general. JULY 2 UPDATE — Bulls are interested, just as they are in Mo Williams. JULY 3 UPDATE — A return to the Pistons has not been ruled out for Bynum.
45. C.J. Watson (Point Guard, Brooklyn Nets)
Perceived value took a major hit after an eventless tenure in Brooklyn in which he earned the minimum. We like Watson and think he is one of the league’s better reserve point men, but often once a player takes one minimum deal, his market value does not recover. So we do not expect Watson to get significant money. He will probably leave Brooklyn for more playing time, but not more money. JULY 2 UPDATE — Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld was first to report his two-year deal with Indiana, where he will replace D.J. Augustin.
46. Nenad Krstic (Center, CSKA Moscow)
Once known as “Curly” when he plied his trade in East Rutherford, he remains an NBA talent – but also a guy who stands to make more money in Europe than in the United States, where he would be a better-than-decent 15-20 minute backup center. Could see him signing in Brooklyn, where his talents are appreciated by Jason Kidd and Lawrence Frank.
47. Marco Belinelli (Shooting Guard, Chicago Bulls)
A few timely playoff performances for the undermanned Bulls opened at least a few eyes around the league. Belinelli has also shown a better than advertised ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. He is still viewed mostly as a ninth or 10th man and probably will not command much on the market unless his playoff performances resonate more than we think. JULY 4 UPDATE — Signed with San Antonio for two years, $6 million — a possible sign that Gary Neal will not be returning. Had better offer from Cavs but wanted to play with Spurs.
48. Nick Young (Shooting Guard, Philadelphia 76ers)
Barely got burn for the 76ers, but most GMs know he can score the ball. Showed some flashes with Washington and the LA Clippers but will be looking for a fourth team in as many years. That is usually a red flag for GMs around the league. Young still has some upside but will not be cashing a huge check this year. JULY 2 UPDATE — “Swaggy P” has spoken with Lakers, which means he, too, is waiting on Dwight. T-Wolves are interested.
49. Kyle Korver (Shooting Guard, Atlanta Hawks)
Teams simply can never have enough 3-point shooting. If you can shoot, you will wind up on some roster, somewhere. That is the primary reason why Korver has never had a problem finding a job. Under the new CBA, though, we will likely see one-dimensional players get pinched. Still the same player he was three years ago and has not improved much. His value diminishes. JULY 1 UPDATE — Early reports had him going to Nets, but they can’t get both Korver and Belinelli unless one takes the vet’s minimum. Nets can only offer $3.2M. ESPN says bucks considering $20M over 3 years. JULY 4 UPDATE — After being courted by multiple teams, Korver re-signed with the Hawks on a four-year deal worth $24 million.
50. Elton Brand (Power Forward, Dallas Mavericks)
Best days are far, far behind but can easily find a job if he wants it. Timing is still there, even if athletic ability is not. Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen have shown that a veteran big who can protect the rim still has value, and Brand fits the bill, except with a better jump shot. At his age, winning is more important than dollars. July 2 UPDATE: Will likely sign for vet’s minimum in a place where he feels he can contend for a championship. That could mean staying in Dallas or joining Knicks. JULY 3 UPDATE — Brand is being courted most heavily by the New York Knicks, but is keeping his options and has not ruled out a return to the Mavericks. JULY 4 UPDATE — By re-signing Pablo Prigioni with a part of their taxpayer mid-level exception, the Knicks pretty much allowed Chris Copeland to walk, so their pursuit of Brand may ramp up. Brand is in no rush to make a decision, we hear.
OTHERS:
Mike Dunleavy, Jr.: JULY 1 — Agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Chicago Bulls worth $6 million.
Eric Maynor: JULY 1 — Agreed to terms with the Washington Wizards on a two-year deal worth $4 million.
Tiago Splitter: JULY 2 — Elected to remain with the San Antonio Spurs on a four-year deal worth $36 million.
Chase Budinger: JULY 2 — Will return to Minnesota Timberwolves on a three-year deal worth $16 million.
Nazr Mohammed: JULY 2 — Agreed to re-sign a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal with the Chicago Bulls.
Martell Webster: JULY 3 — Agreed to re-sign with the Washington Wizards on a four-year deal worth $22 million.
Julyan Stone: JULY 4 — Agreed to terms with the Toronto Raptors on a two-year deal worth $2 million.
Matt Barnes: JULY 5 — Agreed to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers on a three-year deal worth $12 million.
Josh McRoberts: JULY 5 — Opted to re-sign with the Charlotte Bobcats. Two-years, $6 million
DeMare Carrol: JULY 5 — Agreed to terms with the Atlanta Hawks on a two-year deal worth $5 million.
Jeff Pendergraph: JULY 6 — Agreed to terms with the San Antonio Spurs, two years, $2.5 million.
Francisco Garcia: JULY 6 — Heads to Houston Rockets for $2.6 million over two years
Omri Casspi: JULY 6 — Agreed with Houston Rockets on a two-year deal worth $2 million.
Dorrell Wright: JULY 6 — Agreed to sign with the Portland Trailblazers on a two-year, $6 million deal.
Carlos Delfino: JULY 7 — After being waived by the Rockets, he will return to the Milwaukee Bucks for three years and $9.75 million, with the third year a team option.
Ryan Hollins: JULY 7 — Rejoining the Clippers on a one-year deal.
Will Bynum: JULY 8 — Will stay in The D for $5.75 over 2 years.
Jermaine O’Neal: JULY 9 — Signing with Golden State for one year at $2 million.
Donald Sloan: JULY 9 — Signed a two-year contract with Indiana after spending the end of last season in China.
Gigi Datome: JULY 9: The Italian shooter landed a two-year, $3.5 million deal with the Detroit Pistons.
He decided to tell me around 60 days that he used to be
a drug dealer; his father moved in with him because he was
an alcoholic; his mother was in a mental institution because of abuse from his father;
his sister was dying of a deadly disease; and he wanted me
to buy him a cell phone and give him $20 because he used his
money to pay for his sister’s grocery bill. Similarly, if he’s telling the world that cigars and scotch are his
favourite nightcap, and you’re as anti-smoking, wine-loving as it comes, just let him know.
s important to be aware of the perils of online dating before you get burned.