2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog
WalterFootball.com's Archive
Walter of WalterFootball has been WalterFootball'ing since 1999'. Older Content is being kept around here. Thanks for reading.
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - July 4
Nets re-sign PG Deron Williams to 5-year, $98.8 million deal
As the gravelly-voiced manager in Major League once stated, "It's starting to come together, Pepper." The Nets' gambles of acquiring Gerald Wallace, Joe Johnson, and Williams in the past 17 months have certainly paid off since Brooklyn now has it's own semi-Big Three.
It was pretty obvious that Williams was going to get the max deal from whichever team he signed with, and he ultimately chose to stay out East rather than head south to join the Mavericks. I don't think Williams is worth a max contract, but GM Billy King had to throw that type of money Williams' way to ensure he'd stay. Now, the Nets have two players earning max contracts in Williams and Johnson, which ultimately kills the cap flexibility for the next four years. It also puts Brooklyn in the mix of being one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, as long as everyone can coexist.
Celtics sign SG-Jason Terry to 3-year, $15.7 miilion deal
The Celtics' starting five played exceptionally well this season, but Boston lacked any real scoring pop off its bench. Enter Jason Terry. One of the top bench scorers in the NBA the past few seasons, he will provide that punch, especially if Ray Allen ends up signing elsewhere. The Celtics still want to bring Allen back, but if they are unable to, Terry serves as a solid replacement.
Pacers re-sign PG-George Hill to 5-year deal; terms undisclosed
Hill came off the bench most of last season for Indiana, but he ended up taking over the starting point guard spot and played really well. Hill was a restricted free agent, but the Pacers obviously thought enough of his inaugural season in Indiana to ink him to a long-term extension.
Finanical terms haven't been released, but you can bet Hill will be making around $7-8 million a year. He is also a valuable commodity for the Pacers because he can play off the ball while allowing Darren Collison to run the point. Another option for the Pacers would be trading Darren Collison for another asset.
The Nets acquire PF-Reggie Evans from the Clippers for a future second-round pick
In order for this deal to go down, Evans first had to agree to a three-year, $5 million contract before being shipped east in a sign and trade. Since Brooklyn is loading up on talented wing players (Williams, Johnson, and Wallace), the team needed to add some muscle and rebounding inside. Evans certainly provides toughness on the glass and will be a valuable role player off the bench unless Kris Humphries doesn't re-sign with the team; then Evans could see a spot in the starting lineup.
Nets sign PF-Mirza Teletovic to 3-year, $15.7 miilion deal
Brooklyn uses its midlevel exception to sign Teletovic, who adds even more depth inside. He is not the most skilled post player but should be able to contribute on the glass. Teletovic provides head coach Avery Johnson with another option in case Humphries is not back with the team.
Raptors sign G/F Landry Fields to 3-year, approximately $20 million offer sheet
One of the main reasons the Raptors reportedly extended this offer to Fields was to force the Knicks' hand. If New York matches the deal, then it lessens the chance of Steve Nash signing with the Knicks and increases the possibility of him coming north of the border.
I'm not sure Fields is worth this sort of money, especially since Toronto already has young, long, athletic wings in DeMar DeRozan and first-round pick Terrence Ross. Nevertheless, it is an interesting strategic move, and why I love the NBA offseason.
Hornets re-sign SG Eric Gordon to 4-year, $58 million deal
Damn... Max money for Eric Gorson is some serious coin. New Orleans is obviously in re-building mode, having just drafted Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers. However, Gordon does at least give the team a "veteran" presence and proven scorer who can help be the face of the franchise along with the Hornets' first-round picks.
"Basketball Judas," as my Illinois colleague calls Gordon, was the key piece in the Chris Paul trade, so keeping him in town rationalizes the Paul deal. Again, I'm not sure Gordon is worth max money, but New Orleans needed to keep Gordon around, and with other teams expressing interest in the young shooting guard, the Hornets were forced to pay him the big bucks.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - July 4
Nets re-sign PG Deron Williams to 5-year, $98.8 million deal As the gravelly-voiced manager in Major League once stated, "It's starting to come together, Pepper." The Nets' gambles of acquiring Gerald Wallace, Joe Johnson, and Williams in the past 17 months have certainly paid off since Brooklyn now has it's own semi-Big Three.
It was pretty obvious that Williams was going to get the max deal from whichever team he signed with, and he ultimately chose to stay out East rather than head south to join the Mavericks. I don't think Williams is worth a max contract, but GM Billy King had to throw that type of money Williams' way to ensure he'd stay. Now, the Nets have two players earning max contracts in Williams and Johnson, which ultimately kills the cap flexibility for the next four years. It also puts Brooklyn in the mix of being one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, as long as everyone can coexist.
Celtics sign SG-Jason Terry to 3-year, $15.7 miilion deal The Celtics' starting five played exceptionally well this season, but Boston lacked any real scoring pop off its bench. Enter Jason Terry. One of the top bench scorers in the NBA the past few seasons, he will provide that punch, especially if Ray Allen ends up signing elsewhere. The Celtics still want to bring Allen back, but if they are unable to, Terry serves as a solid replacement.
Pacers re-sign PG-George Hill to 5-year deal; terms undisclosed Hill came off the bench most of last season for Indiana, but he ended up taking over the starting point guard spot and played really well. Hill was a restricted free agent, but the Pacers obviously thought enough of his inaugural season in Indiana to ink him to a long-term extension.
Finanical terms haven't been released, but you can bet Hill will be making around $7-8 million a year. He is also a valuable commodity for the Pacers because he can play off the ball while allowing Darren Collison to run the point. Another option for the Pacers would be trading Darren Collison for another asset.
The Nets acquire PF-Reggie Evans from the Clippers for a future second-round pick
In order for this deal to go down, Evans first had to agree to a three-year, $5 million contract before being shipped east in a sign and trade. Since Brooklyn is loading up on talented wing players (Williams, Johnson, and Wallace), the team needed to add some muscle and rebounding inside. Evans certainly provides toughness on the glass and will be a valuable role player off the bench unless Kris Humphries doesn't re-sign with the team; then Evans could see a spot in the starting lineup.
Nets sign PF-Mirza Teletovic to 3-year, $15.7 miilion deal Brooklyn uses its midlevel exception to sign Teletovic, who adds even more depth inside. He is not the most skilled post player but should be able to contribute on the glass. Teletovic provides head coach Avery Johnson with another option in case Humphries is not back with the team.
Raptors sign G/F Landry Fields to 3-year, approximately $20 million offer sheet One of the main reasons the Raptors reportedly extended this offer to Fields was to force the Knicks' hand. If New York matches the deal, then it lessens the chance of Steve Nash signing with the Knicks and increases the possibility of him coming north of the border.
I'm not sure Fields is worth this sort of money, especially since Toronto already has young, long, athletic wings in DeMar DeRozan and first-round pick Terrence Ross. Nevertheless, it is an interesting strategic move, and why I love the NBA offseason.
Hornets re-sign SG Eric Gordon to 4-year, $58 million deal Damn... Max money for Eric Gorson is some serious coin. New Orleans is obviously in re-building mode, having just drafted Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers. However, Gordon does at least give the team a "veteran" presence and proven scorer who can help be the face of the franchise along with the Hornets' first-round picks.
"Basketball Judas," as my Illinois colleague calls Gordon, was the key piece in the Chris Paul trade, so keeping him in town rationalizes the Paul deal. Again, I'm not sure Gordon is worth max money, but New Orleans needed to keep Gordon around, and with other teams expressing interest in the young shooting guard, the Hornets were forced to pay him the big bucks.
|
|