Free Agency Leftovers: Mid-August Edition – UPDATE

Not much happening.

Which leads us to a Sportswriting Etiquette 101 lesson: It is bad form for basketball writers who are covering a tight game to say: “Looks like it’ll go to overtime.” Same thing with baseball writers, who are forbidden in press boxes from mentioning the words “extra innings” prior to the start of the 10th. It s considered a jinx.

OK, not forbidden. But it is frowned upon, heavily. Sportwriters like to go home to their families, especially those families with newly arrived puppies like the one pictured to your right. (His name is A.K. He is up for adoption).

In press rooms, if some young whippersnapper sportswriter breaks one of those unwritten rules, one of the senior scribes will usually deliver an admonition, often quite colorfully and forcefully

Well, with apologies to my colleagues, today we break the rule — but only to put it to the test.

Getting tired of waiting for Ray Allen, Shawn Marion and a few select others to make up their minds? Given that first paragraph above, perhaps we’ll have answers by the close of business Friday. Pardon the breach of etiquette, colleagues. Every once in a while you have to jinx the peace.

As we move toward the midpoint of August, there are very few game-changers left on the NBA free agent market. Two are mentioned above. Two others are listed below in slots 1 and 2. They are also known as Exhibits A and B in the “Restricted Free Agency is a Crapshoot” file. Alongside them in that file are Gordon Hayward and Chandler Parsons, who will be resuming their Team USA careers in Chicago this week as the C-Deem Team gets ready for its first friendly, against Brazil.

I have been told to keep a close eye on Cristiano Felicio, a 22-year-old power forward.

He is learning the ropes of playing with the Brazilian National Team from Nene, Anderson Varejao and Tiago Splitter, who will take on Team USA this Saturday night in the United Center.

Word is that Felicio has enough potential to someday make this list. We consider that a good thing, because there are only so many days you can spend immersed in the question of where Andray Blatche will play next season. If you want to read something more about the actual basketball that is going to be played soon in the lead up to the FIBA, read this.

And now, without further adieu, your free agency update. Given the above-mentioned jinx placed upon the community of NBA writers who somehow thought it would be a good idea to take jobs in a 24/7/365 industry, you should expect lots more boldface type at the end of each many of these entries within the next 48 hours.

1. Greg Monroe, F, Detroit Pistons (R)

I have always said he is going to get a max contract, because there just aren’t that many 24-years-olds standing 6-11 who can be obtained this summer. Also, his agent is David Falk, and if there is one thing that Falk knows how to do (aside from staying on Michael Jordan’s good side), it is getting his clients the most possible money. After one month of free agency, I am starting to doubt Mr. Falk. And I am also doubting whether the Pistons truly want to keep Monroe, who has had a $48 million, four-year offer on the table for more than a month. AUGUST 1 UPDATE: This from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports: “Monroe doesn’t really have a great interest in going back and playing with the Pistons. If they’re going to move him in a sign-and-trade, they’ve got to get value for him. They’ve got to get back some significant talent to compensate for that loss. They haven’t been able to find a deal for him.” AUGUST 6 UPDATE: The Pistons have increased their initial offer and are willing to make Monroe the highest-paid player on the team, but Monroe and Falk are apparently not satisfied, the Detroit Free Press reports. AUGUST 6 UPDATE: Tom Ziller of SBNation suggests that Monroe take the route chosen by David Lee in 2009 — a one-year deal significantly above his $5.5 million qualifying offer. AUGUST 12 UPDATE: Monroe is definitely willing to take the one-year qualifying offer to ensure his unrestricted free agency, the Detroit News reports. AUGUST 13 UPDATE — Will indeed accept qualifying offer, according to Jeff Zilgitt of USA Today. That means Monroe can veto any trade.

2. Eric Bledsoe, G, Phoenix Suns (R)

Restricted free agency works for some (Gordon Hayward, Chandler Parsons, Jeremy Lin) and not so much for others. This guy falls into the not-so-much category. He also has a four-year, $48 million offer that had been gathering dust for a month while the Suns have gone out and added a guy who could very well be his replacement, Isaiah Thomas. It seems to me that agent Rich Paul would agree to a deal that included just a couple million dollars more — if the Suns truly want to keep Bledsoe. But do they? Bledsoe is folling himself if he thinks he is getting an $84 million, five-year max deal from Phoenix. AUGUST 1 UPDATE: In a well-written open letter to Bledsoe, John Gambadoro of 670Sports questions Bledsoe’s sanity. “You want to roll the dice and play for the qualifying offer of $3.7 million? Good luck. It’s a huge risk.” AUGUST 3 UPDATE: Suns owner Robert Sarver spoke on local sports radio about the deadlock: “What’s fair is important to us, and also important to him — him and his agent. It’s not necessarily us to determine what he thinks is fair; it’s him to determine that. We think we gave him a fair offer, and (we would) be more than happy to sit down with him and continue to negotiate it. We’re happy to do that. I think Eric’s a great guy. And he’ll be happy here when he gets here, whether that’s for one year or for four years or five years.” AUGUST 12 UPDATE: Suns are keeping the door open to further negotiations, but Bledsoe and Paul are keeping that door closed, Arizona Republic reports. “We haven’t heard from the guy in four months,” Sarver told the newspaper.

3. Shawn Marion, F, Dallas Mavericks

Somewhere out there is a team that will get him at a bargain price if agent Dan Fegan tells Matrix that something (like a one-year deal at decent money) is better than nothing. Of all the probably playoff teams who still have ample cap space, the Atlanta Hawks seem like the best fit. Clearly, Dallas does not have the financial means to bring him back. AUGUST 1 UPDATE: Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News wrote a terrific farewell piece. Quote from Marion: ““It was memorable, baby,” Marion said. “It’s hard to say it wasn’t fun. We had a great run and made the playoffs four of five years and won a championship. We set goals every year, and most years we reached them. And to win a championship, it was unbelievable. I wish we could have made a couple more runs at it, but it is what it is.” AUGUST 4 UPDATE: Would seem to be a fit with the Pacers now that they have lost George, but Indiana reportedly approached MarShon Brooks instead. AUGUST 5 UPDATE: LeBron James is trying to recruit Marion to the Cavs, despite their ability to offer only a veteran’s minimum salary. Pacers making a strong push, RealGM reports. AUGUST 7 UPDATE: Marion said to be leaning toward the Cavs, according to multiple news outlets. AUGUST 12 UPDATE: Marion had a face-to-face meeting with the Pacers on Monday, ESPN reports. AUGUST 13 UPDATE: The Pacers have received a $5.3 million disabled player exception, but if they spend more than $1.7 million they will go into the luxury tax.

4. Ray Allen, G, Miami Heat

Did some interesting things in China during July, like appearing on a TV show dressed in a medieval archer’s outfit. The smart money says he will eschew retirement for at least another year and team up with LeBron James in Cleveland, as ex-Heat players Mike Miller and James Jones have done. But one thing about being old, as Allen is — you get to take your own, sweet time in making up your mind. Fact of the matter is, Allen might just decide to wait until February or March to decide his next move. He has earned the right. AUGUST 2 UPDATE: “I don’t want to go into a situation where I don’t understand the coaching, don’t understand the direction of the team,” Allen told the Hartford Courant, disclosing that LeBron James has been recruiting him. “My family is very important in making the decision. Right now, there is nothing that I need to do. If I ultimately decide this will be it for me, I’m content with that.” AUGUST 4 UPDATE: “I have not leaned toward Cleveland,” Allen said, adding that he has not spoken to anyone from the Miami Heat. AUGUST 11 UPDATE: Allen has told people close to him tat he will return this season, ESPN’s Chris Broussard reports.

5. Andrew Bynum, C, Indiana Pacers

You remember him, right? Started for the Western Conference All-Stars a couple of years back, made more news at the bowling alley than on the basketball court after he was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers, then had a cameo with the Indiana Pacers before they dumped him, perhaps to keep Roy Hibbert from looking over his shoulder. Yes, his knees are a problem. But haven’t they always been a problem? If it is a question of pain management, he is worth a looksee at the veteran’s minimum. The Knicks should jump on this opportunity. AUGUST 1 UPDATE: Berman of the Post says Bynum is seriously contemplating sitting out 2014-15 to undergo the Germany-based knee therapy called “The Regenokine Program’’ that would require an extra long rehab, according to his agent David Lee. “If healthy, Phil (Jackson) will be interested,” Lee said. August 5 UPDATE: Will work out for Clippers, this week, according to ESPN’s Jorge Sedano.

6. Mike Scott, F, Atlanta Hawks

He was profiled on this site by Jacob Eisenberg, who should be Scott’s publicist. This could be a case of Scott waiting until the Hawks use up their cap space (they have $12 million, and they haven’t re-signed Gustave Ayon or Elton Brand, either) and then re-up their own free agents. Knocked down five 3-pointers in a playoff victory over the Indiana Pacers, but few teams would give him as much of a green light as the Hawks did to shoot 3-pointers (he attempted 200 last season). Once again, a case of buried treasure (unless he is merely waiting on Danny Ferry). AUGUST 1 UPDATE: Scott is mulling a lucrative three-year offer from CSKA Moscow, according to Woj. What defines “lucrative” was not specified. AUGUST 2 UPDATE: Reached agreement on a three-year, $10 million deal to remain in Atlanta, Woj reports.

7. Francisco Garcia, F, Houston Rockets

This wasn’t what ‘Cisco was expecting when he opted out of his contract. You’d think the Rockets would be scrambling to keep this energy guy after their offseason turned into such a disaster (traded Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin and did not match offer sheet to Chandler Parsons), but he is still out there, unsigned and waiting for the right offer. The Latin Assassin was linked to the Utah Jazz early in free agency, but nothing has come of it. Has also been linked to the Knicks and Bulls. The 32-year-old Dominican has spent nine years in the Association but has never come close to matching the numbers (12.7 ppg) he put up in the 2006-07 season for Sacramento. AUGUST 1 UPDATE: Crickets. AUGUST 11 UPDATE: Garcia did not play with the Dominican Republic in the Centrobasket tournament in Mexico, but FIBA.com says he is certain to be on the roster for the World Cup. AUGUST 15 UPDATE: Has agreed to a two-year, $3.5 million deal to remain in Houston, according to elCaribe. UPDATE II: Agent Aaron Goodwin says the elCaribe report is inaccurate.

8. Andray Blatche, F, Brooklyn Nets

Will be suiting up for the Phillipines National Team at the FIBA World Cup, because there are ways to get a Filipino passport if you know the right people. But he may not be allowed to play in the Asian Games leading up to the World Cup because he was not born in the Philippines. This is a rule that applies only to Asian Games competitions, not larger FIBA competitions. Meanwhile, nobody in the NBA is giving him much thought. But somebody probably should. Although he was not a consistent performer as the backup to Kevin Garnett last season, he had more good nights than bad. AUGUST 5 UPDATE: Will work out for Clippers this week, according to ESPN’s Jorge Sedano. AUGUST 11 UPDATE: There are character concerns, according to Andrew Melchik of HoopsRumors.com.

9. Michael Beasley, F, Miami Heat

True story: When he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010 to allow the Heat the cap space to go after LeBron James and Chris Bosh, a member of the Wolves organization sat down with him and told him: “Play your ass off for the next four years, and eventually you can retire and smoke all the weed you want.” Neither Beasley nor the person who dispensed that advice remain with the Wolves. And Beasley? Well, at least we can remember that Erik Spoelstra turned to him in desperation in Game 5 of the NBA Finals when nothing else was working. I would not be surprised to see him playing overseas next season. AUGUST 1 UPDATE: The Lakers just worked him out, and Pat Riley says Beasley remains under consideration for the Miami roster. AUGUST 10 UPDATE: Good for the Lakers or bad for the Lakers … if the Lakers want him?

10. Toney Douglas, G. Miami Heat

Once upon a time there was a need on every roster for a terrific on-the-ball defender. Just ask Lindsey Hunter, who made a career out of it. If I was an NBA general manager and I needed someone to hound Kyrie Irving or Russell Westbrook or John Wall or Tony Parker in a playoff series, I know where I would look. But alas, I am not a general manager, and all I can do is include this former ACC Defensive Player of the Year on this Top 10 list and do my best to tout him as a potential game-changer for next year’s playoffs.

Chris Sheridan is publisher and editor-in-chief of SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.