Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson has been the subject of trade rumors in the summer before he becomes a restricted free agent. The Warriors brass has refused to include the lesser acclaimed Splash Brother in a trade with Minnesota for Kevin Love, opting to keep one of the league’s most dynamic backcourts intact for at least one more calendar year. Just a year ago, the Los Angeles Clippers had another star player in the making in the backourt, Eric Bledsoe.
As the fury of NBA free agency slowly dies down as we approach the dog days of August — the dreadfully slow period of the NBA offseason — we’re left with a few big names standing. One of which is Eric Beldsoe, the standout guard for the Phoenix Suns who has had a difficult time navigating restricted free agency. He and his agent, Rich Paul (LeBron’s agent and close friend), have been miles apart on negotiations with the Suns front office. The
Is the white American player making a comeback this summer? All of the recent offseason buzz is centered around Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Love and which team can put together the most appealing trade package to acquire him. Meanwhile, two of the top three salary bumps also went to white American players – Chandler Parsons and Gordon Hayward. As restricted free agents, both got max salary offer sheets and cashed in. So while white men can’t jump, they certainly can jump in
On Thursday, we brought back our Three-Man Weave, taking a look at some of the big picture questions for Eastern Conference teams that the offseason may or may not have answered. Today, we shift our focus to the Western Conference, where the player movement has been less dramatic and more subtle but entirely interesting and thought-provoking. Let’s take a look at some of the bigger issues. 1. Which team has taken the biggest step forward in the Western Conference? [Read more…]
As reported earlier in the week by Chris Sheridan, LeBron James is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Standing by his source, all signs indicate that it is not a matter of it, but when James is ready to share his decision with the public. While the rest of us were eagerly anticipating a formal announcement all day, the four time MVP tended to his own affairs. As the host of the LeBron James Skills Academy, James was in attendance at the basketball
Paging Jim Gray, paging Jim Gray. Another decision is near, and we will bring out the capital ‘D’ if you agree to make the announcement on TV along with LeBron, who can recycle his purple checked shirt just for old time’s sake. The chances of James returning to the Miami Heat have diminished since free agency began, in large part because James wants to be paid a max salary — which leaves little wiggle room for Pat Riley to make the necessary
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
PHOENIX SUNS 2015-16 Offseason Additions: F Jon Leuer, C Tyson Chandler, G Ronnie Price, F Mirza Teletovic 2015 Draft Picks: G Devin Booker Draft Picks Coming: 2016 first round (from Cleveland, protected 1-10); 2016 first round (Washington, 1-9); 2017 first round (Miami, 1-7); 2020 second round (Detroit); 2021 first round (Miami) Draft Picks Going: None Cap Exceptions: Partial mid-level ($2,810,000) Trade Exceptions: None Over/Under: Over the cap Amnesty Provision: Used on Josh Childress (2012) PLAYER 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 Eric Bledsoe $13,500,000 $14,000,000 $14,500,000 $15,000,000 Brandon Knight $13,500,000 $12,610,000 $13,620,000 $14,630,000 $15,640,000 Tyson Chandler $13,000,000 $12,420,000 $13,000,000 $13,580,000 P.J. Tucker $5,500,000 $5,300,000 Mirza Teletovic $5,500,000 Alex Len $3,810,000 $4,820,000 $6,400,000 Kris Humphries $4,440,000 Devin Booker $2,130,000 $2,220,000 $2,320,000 $3,310,000 $4,580,000 T.J. Warren $2,040,000 $2,130,000 $3,150,000 $4,390,000 DeJuan Blair $2,000,000 Ronnie Price $1,500,000 Archie Goodwin $1,160,000 $2,090,000 $3,140,000 Jon Leuer $1,040,000 John Jenkins $980,000 $1,050,000 $1,180,000 Michael Beasley $780,000 $780,000 Cory Jefferson $420,000 Chase Budinger $250,000 Bryce Cotton $230,000 Phil Pressey $120,000 Alan Williams $110,000 $870,000 Lorenzo Brown $60,000 Orlando Johnson $60,000 Jordan