For the third straight year, the Dallas Mavericks went into the summer trying to snag a superstar to line up alongside Dirk Nowitzki. Two years ago, the Mavericks went after All-Star point guard Deron Williams, who took a pass on playing in his home state with no local income taxes and re-signed with the Brooklyn Nets. The consolation prizes were Elton Brand, Chris Kaman and O.J. Mayo. Last year, the target was All-Star center Dwight Howard, who stung the Mavericks by signing
Hours before the moratorium period ended and free agency began Wednesday, the NBA released its financial figures for the 2014-15 season. We have taken those figures and – with the help of folks like Larry Coon and Mark Deeks – have laid out the amounts for all of the exceptions and maximum salaries available to players this season. TEAM SALARY The salary cap will be $63.065 million. That is slightly lower than published projections but still represents a 7.5 percent increase over last season’s $58.679
BROOKLYN — One season after the Jason Kidd experiment failed in bizarre fashion, the Brooklyn Nets introduced the man the franchise should have hired in the first place. Lionel Hollins isn’t here for power struggles, whether they be with staff members, GM Billy King or ownership. He’s here to coach. “I’m a basketball coach,” Hollins said. “I don’t want to do Billy’s job. I don’t want to do anybody else’s job in the organization but the one that I’m hired to do
Could LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki join forces in 2014-15? As Carmelo Anthony’s tour concludes Thursday with a meeting in Los Angeles with the Lakers completed and a meeting with the New York Knicks underway. Wednesday night, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban met with Anthony to make a pitch for his services. A day later, he and Dirk Nowitzki made a statement for the younger star free agents to take notice. They want a championship contending team. In addition
Free agency is a very dangerous time in the world of sports. Players put their future on the line for promises that have yet to be fulfilled and potential glory that is not certain to be achieved. On occasion, a player is willing to risk their pending financial reward for brilliance to join a championship contender with cap space. Two-time NBA champion and four-time All-Star Pau Gasol could be the next player to make the sacrificial decision. Despite being in line for upwards of $10 million
With many around the league waiting for free agency to kick off at midnight, whether curious to see what happens with LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony—all of whom opted out of their contracts in hopes of competing for NBA championships—or waiting to see what teams establish themselves as 2014-15 contenders, some teams are already making moves. Enter the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. As you’ve likely heard by now, the Bucks have agreed to trade two second-round draft
Friday night, while sports fans got a break from the FIFA World Cup and a brief respite from an abundance of basketball news — NBA draft picks, subsequent draft trades and looming free agency chatter, NBA players had an opportunity to entertain on social media, simply being themselves. Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris had a fun and engaging conversation with his fans and followers, asking them a series of “would you rather” questions. [Read more…]
The San Antonio Spurs and the organization’s two stalwarts, Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich, are coming off a fifth championship and are poised for another title run next season – provided Duncan doesn’t retire. With five championships in a 15-year period, the Spurs have made a claim to be considered a dynasty. However, some people – most notably Phil Jackson – would disagree because the Spurs haven’t won consecutive titles. Jackson won three consecutive championships on three separate occasions (1991-93, 96-98, 2000-2002).