The summer is winding down, and things are about to get interesting for Team USA as they depart for Spain and push forward toward a much-anticipated matchup with the host nation in the gold medal game.
Unless, of course, the United States and Spain do not make it all the way to the final.
Hey, a Spain-USA gold medal game is NOT a certainty. Strange things can happen along the way. Ask Paul George, who is out for a year with a broken leg suffered in an intrasquad scrimmage.
Or ask Kevin Durant, who let down his coaches and teammates by quitting the team after the initial phase of training camp had concluded. Haven’t seen anyone except myself criticize him, or even make a big deal out of the decision.
It’s not like the guy is the reigning MVP with a celebrity agent negotiating questionable endorsement deals, right? Oh yeah, that is the case. Seems like a legitimate news story to me: Best player in the NBA last season unexpectedly pulls off his national team, forcing his abandoned teammates and coaches to scrap the system they had put into place and start from scratch.
Yeah, that’s a story. So is the fact that Durant cannot endorse any products with sugar or preservatives.
Why are the most boisterous national commentators ignoring that story? Well, that’s a story, too. Maybe they think it will hinder their chances of being friends with Jay Z. Or KD.
The media landscape is littered with self-important, self-righteous talking heads who think athletes and celebrities want to be their friends. So they pull their punches when they feel like it. The hold back on criticizing the likes of Durant when they’d never do the same with LeBron James if he had pulled a similar stunt.
Yes, it is a double standard. And it is being practiced by purveyors of a craft that is supposed to have one overriding principle – tell the story fairly. But in this day and age, sadly, we have moved to Yell the Story – unless it hinders your chances of deluding yourself into thinking you can be best buddies with the best players. Or rub elbows with Beyonce.
It is a sad state of affairs, the NBA journalism world.
But it is the world that we live in, and all we can do at this site is keep things real and tell it like it is, come what may.
Which brings us to this Top 10 list, which is now a Top 13 list because we are keeping two crossed-out names on this list to remind folks exactly how long it took three very good players – Mike Scott, Shawn Marion and Toney Douglas – to find employment in this summer of the Decision II, the Kevin Love trade, the Paul George injury and L’affaire Durant.
One of these days, there will be closure for Eric Bledsoe and Greg Monroe and the others on this list, some of whom may end up in China (like Metta World Peace and Toney Douglas) or Europe (like MarShon Brooks). The guys who go to China can return to the NBA in March when the Chinese season ends, so keep them in mind as the summer turns to fall, and the fall turns to winter.
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-year-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 1 1/2 months 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 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. AUGUST 19 UPDATE: Falk approached the Thunder, Blazers and three other teams about sign-and-trade deals, according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post. QO still not signed.
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. AUG. 19 UPDATE: Patrick Harrell of SBNation makes a convincing case that the Houston Rockets could end up with Bledsoe through a sign-and-trade. AUG. 20 UPDATE: Suns now entertaining trade possibilities, according to local broadcaster Jude LaCava. “You can take this to the bank, so to speak, the Suns are now discussing trade possibilities for Eric Bledsoe.”
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. Aug. 18 UPDATE: Signing with Cavs for the veteran’s minimum of $1.45 million.
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 that he will return this season, ESPN’s Chris Broussard reports. AUG. 19 UPDATE: If he leaves Miami, he probably won’t have to deal with people breaking into his home in the middle of the night.
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 look-see 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, 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 Gustavo 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 that landed him a five-year deal for the mid-level exception. 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. AUGUST 20 UPDATE: Maybe it’s just me, but it seems the Rockets are holding off on signing Garcia in case he might be used in a sign-and-trade deal. Perhaps for Bledsoe? AUG. 21 UPDATE: Will re-sign with Houston for one year, $1.32 million.
8. Andray Blatche, F, Brooklyn Nets
Will be suiting up for the Philippines 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? AUG 20 UPDATE: With Shawn Marion out of the picture, could the Indiana Pacers be his best option?
10. Toney Douglas, G. Miami Heat
Once upon a time there was a need on every roster for a terrific on-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 list and do my best to tout him as a potential game-changer for next year’s playoffs. AUGUST 19 UPDATE: Has signed a one-year deal in China with the Jiangsu Dragons in Nanjing.
11. Ramon Sessions, G, Milwaukee Bucks
Every summer, someone gets squeezed. When you are a guy like Sessions, who has been making $3.5 million but are suspect defensively and can’t shoot all that well from outside, teams are not exactly knocking down your door. There has been reported interest this summer from the Hornets, Bulls, Rockets and Heat, but apparently not at the salary level Sessions has grown accustomed to. Also, when your career resume includes stops with five different teams in the past five years, you have officially become a journeyman. AUGUST 20 UPDATE: The Bucks renounced his rights as they signed second-round pick Damien Inglis.
12. Leandro Barbosa, G, Phoenix Suns
He is playing for the Brazilian national team this summer at the World Cup, and his NBA fate may very well be determined by whether he shows in Spain if there is any gas left in the tank. He was once a speedster and an up-and-coming difference maker. Now, he is on the wrong side of 30. Probably stands to make the most money by signing in Europe or China, but word earlier this month was that the Heat was interested. And what can be better than playing in Latin America? As we all know, Miami is the de facto capital of Latin America. AUGUST 19 UPDATE: Still on the Heat’s radar, says the Sun-Sentinel, but so are other veterans.
13. Greg Oden, C, Miami Heat
He had a nice run in Miami; nobody asked him to do much except try to get his broken body back into shape, which he did the best he could. Like Bynum – and like Emeka Okafor and Elton Brand and other once-revered big men – he is on the outside looking in as the summer winds down … and there is no telling whether he will appear on someone’s training camp roster, retire, or wind up playing in the Iranian League. One thing for certain: There is no shortage of European domestic leagues where American washouts can continue their careers. Let’s hope Oden gets another shot with an NBA team. AUGUST 14 UPDATE: Facing a trial in October for the alleged assault of his ex-girlfriend in Indiana, he can leave the state – which means he can meet with teams – but must wear a GPS.
Chris Sheridan is publisher and editor-in-chief of SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.
You claim to not hold back any punches as a reporter, but then go and call Greg Oden a nice guy? He just got arrested for beating his girlfriend…. Stop drinking your own kool aid and claiming to be the first for everything and insinuating that you are the only real nba journalist out there…. while you may have been able to call the Lebron thing (in reality its a 50-50 guess and you were on the right end of it, DESPITE the fact that you still gave yourself an out with the whole 90% chance Lebron signs in CLE) and so far have been one of the only reporters to call out KD your self clamoring for attention and “I told you so” acknowledgment makes you seem like a crazy cat lady and only delegitimizes readers opinions of you…
Kevin Durant is a QUITTER. That is a fact. If you dont like sheridan or any of his write up, do not read it. Simple. Instead go make yourself usefull by fucking yourself with a dog. Bitch!
/\ /\ Lol damn /\ /\ must be sheridan posting on his own columns