Yesterday, we ran down the top 20 unrestricted free agents. Today, we look at the top 10 restricted free agents, which is a little trickier. By and large, restricted free agents are all on their rookie contract, which provides guaranteed money that can establish the starting point for negotiations. And that’s where it gets tricky. JaVale McGee made $2.46 million this season and has a qualifying offer for $3.49 million next season. Both figures are well below what starting centers receive. But how
News, Notes, and Rumors from around the NBA: April 4, 2012.
NEWS Rookie Kyrie Irving will miss 10 more days after aggravating his right shoulder. Kentucky coach John Calipari said Wednesday he isn’t going to coach the New York Knicks or any other NBA franchise for the foreseeable future. “Kentucky is the best job in basketball coaching,” Calipari said. “Why would I leave? We just won the national title. We’re chasing UCLA.” ESPN.com NOTES Portland almost certainly will retain restricted free agent Nicolas Batum, but if not, their cap room would balloon to $25.9 million without his cap
Del Negro at risk as Clips lose to Hornets; Celtics snap Bucks’ streak
The marriage started out so beautifully. Chris Paul was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers from the New Orleans Hornets as Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan jumped for joy and proclaimed themselves as “lob city.” The team got off to a tremendous 19-8 start and looked destined to be an immediate contender. Soon after losing Chauncey Billups to a torn Achilles tendon, however, the team’s lack of cohesion became more apparent by the game. Caron Butler fell off the map, Griffin’s offense proved to be limited
Fantasy Spin: Friday March 23
There’s another Freeroll tonight on DraftStreet. Even if you haven’t been following my daily adventures there (scroll to the bottom of this page) you should give it a try. Just click the link to enter. Bragging rights against Chris Sheridan are valuable enough, but there’s also $350 in cash prizes and it’s completely free to enter. You just have to pick eight players who fit under a $100,000 salary cap. The rules are easy; winning is a challenge. Thursday Recap LAC @
Tonight’s best game: San Antonio at Portland
The San Antonio Spurs try to extend one streak and end another Tuesday, continuing their road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers, who have won the last six meetings between the clubs at the Rose Garden. After defeating the Utah Jazz, 106-102, without two key players Monday in Salt Lake City, San Antonio extended the longest active winning streak in the NBA to 11 games. Manu Ginobili (oblique strain) and Tiago Splitter (calf strain) both suffered injuries in Saturday’s 103-100 win over
Tonight’s best game: Portland at LA Lakers
The Portland Trail Blazers visit Staples Center on Monday to play the Los Angeles Lakers, a matchup of teams whose personnel issues became quite public over the weekend. The Lakers (18-13) are coming off Sunday’s loss at Phoenix in which they were torn to shreds by the brilliance of point guard Steve Nash, while Derek Fisher and Steve Blake combined for two points in 47 minutes. The most recent trade talk involves Pau Gasol, and superstar Kobe Bryant would like to see
Tonight’s best game: Oklahoma City at Portland
The Oklahoma City Thunder may have revenge on their minds. On Jan. 3, the Thunder took their only home loss of the season, a 103-93 setback to the Portland Trail Blazers. On Monday night, the Thunder visit the Trail Blazers in the NBA’s best game. There are just four teams with one home loss: Chicago (9-1), Oklahoma City (9-1), Portland (11-1) and San Antonio (13-1), which handled Oklahoma City in a 107-96 victory Saturday night. That was the opener of a five-game road
Bernucca: Bulls banged up but not beaten down
Injuries may have finally caught up with the Chicago Bulls. But no one has caught up with them in the Eastern Conference. Late in Wednesday’s loss to Indiana – Chicago’s first at home this season – Derrick Rose turned on the afterburners, sped to the basket and whipped a bullet pass to the weakside corner for a potential go-ahead 3-pointer by his small forward. However, standing in the corner was not Luol Deng, who is out with a wrist injury. In his