NBA free agency is still over two months away, but rumblings are already starting that the top realistic name available is very ready to explore the market come July. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported last week that LaMarcus Aldridge was more likely to leave the Blazers than most folks around the league realize, while The Oregonian‘s Jason Quick quoted an anonymous Portland teammate as estimating the chances of Aldridge returning to Portland are 50-50, at best. The rumor mill picked up even more steam
Scotto: Forget New York and LA – Rondo and Mavs a Perfect Long-Term Fit
While Knicks president Phil Jackson spent Monday night finalizing a three-team deal that he hopes will make Madison Square Garden relevant again, across the East River, Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo was helping Dallas beat Brooklyn with one of his patented double-doubles. You know, the one that doesn’t require points. Jackson has the woeful Knicks going all in on free agency, creating enough cap space to possibly lure two stars to the World’s Most Famous Arena. The main targets are obvious – Marc Gasol,
Scotto: Greg Monroe to Knicks in ’15? Rival Executive Thinks So
Now that Josh Smith is gone, what does the long-term future hold for Greg Monroe? A rival executive believes he will end up with the New York Knicks. “I could see $48 million for four years. I don’t think he’s a max (contract) guy, but he is pretty good. He might get more based on who is left on the board. I could see New York overpaying him,” the executive told SheridanHoops. Monroe has a trade veto after signing his qualifying offer
Source: Only a 25 percent chance Kevin Love stays in Minnesota
There is a 75 percent chance that Kevin Love leaves the Minnesota Timberwolves, sooner OR later. That is what NBA teams are hearing as they try to determine whether Love is now obtainable, a league source tells SheridanHoops.com. And chances are it will happen either through a trade before next February, or through Love’s unrestricted free agency in July 2015. Wolves president Flip Saunders is operating under the assumption that he has a good chance to keep Love by offering a four-year