Posted by EOB Staff

On a shortened schedule with the conclusion of the NBA lockout, free agency is going to be fast and furious. To keep track of all the wheelings, dealings, rumors, and reports, check Eye on Basketball daily for the Free Agency Buzz. 

Friday, Dec. 2, 2011

7:57 p.m.

• ESPNLA.com reports that Los Angeles Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak believes Theo Ratliff, Joe Smith and Shannon Brown are on their way out and that the Lakers are interested in Arron Afflalo, Delonte West and Josh McRoberts. 

• The Dallas Mavericks are the "first option" says free agent guard J.J. Barea, according to ESPNDallas.com. 

7:09 p.m.

• The Sun-Sentinel reports that veteran forward Juwan Howard wants a return run with the Miami Heat and showed up to the team's practice facility on Friday, the first player to arrive in the gym. 

• The Indiana Pacers and free agent guard Jamal Crawford reportedly have "mutual" interest according to the Indianapolis Star. The Pacers are under the cap and would be able to give Crawford a deal that is larger than the Mid-Level Exception. 

• HoopsWorld.com reports that the New York Knicks, Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams that lodged interest in free agent point guard Sebastian Telfair. Hat tip: HoopsHype

• ESPN.com reports that at least eight teams have expressed interest in free agent forward Josh Howard: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New Jersey, New Orleans, San Antonio and Washington.

4:51 p.m.

• Via the Arizona Republic: "Grant Hill, after a lengthy workout at US Airways Center, said there are "good chances" of him re-signing with the Suns."

3:36 p.m.

• Via the OC Register, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak expects Shannon Brown to get a better FA deal away from Lakers. Neither Theo Ratliff nor Joe Smith will return.

• According to HoopsWorld, three teams have expressed interest in Sebastian Telfair: Knicks, Jazz and Lakers. 

• Underdog for Marc Gasol? The Indiana Pacers, at least according to ESPN.com. "One team that really hasn't been mentioned as a potential suitor for the Spaniard -- rates Marc Gasol above Nene Hilario and is strongly weighing whether to slap an offer sheet down for him."

• Why aren't the Nuggets panicking about the roster situation, including Nene? Because they have options, says Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.

1:41 p.m. 

• Check out the Friday 5 with Ken Berger to get the latest from CBSSports.com's NBA Insider.

• The Washington Times reports that NBPA vice president Roger Mason says the union will ratify the new Collective Bargaining Agreement on Thursday, one day prior to the opening of training camp and free agency.

• Atlanta Hawks stars Joe Johnson and Al Horford are campaigning for the team to re-sign free agent guard Jamal Crawford according to Yahoo! Sports.

• The Dallas News reports that the Mavericks are at least talking about trying to retain free agent forward Brian Cardinal and guard DeShawn Stevenson. It seems like everything in the Big D will depend on whether or not free agent center Tyson Chandler is back. 

12:15 p.m.

• Chuck Hayes prefers to stay with the Rockets, with his agent saying they're the priority, via the Houston Chronicle.

• The undisputed prizes of free agency are Marc Gasol and Nene. Everyone agrees. But No. 3 might surprise you. According to ESPN.com, Arron Afflalo is the third most coveted free agent. The two teams that want him most? The Bulls and Lakers. He's a restricted free agent though and Denver loves him so it'll take a hefty offer to move him out of Denver.

8:45 a.m.

• ESPN reports that a "growing number of executives" think the Magic will trade Dwight Howard before the season starts. If so, it represents a complete capitulation on the season and a total rebuilding effort just two years removed from an NBA Finals appearance and two months away from hosting the NBA All-Star Game. For more on what the Magic should do, consider our piece on why they should trade for Chris Paul. 

• Bucks general manager John Hammond said Thursday that the Bucks "have every intention" of bringing restricted free agent Luc Richard Mbah a Moute back. 

• Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace told reporters Thursday that failing to re-sign restricted free agent Marc Gasol is "not in (his) wildest dreams." The Grizzlies are expected to match any offer for Gasol. Expect a team like the Pacers to offer up to a max offer for Gasol in an effort to pry him away. Michael Heisley's promise to spend to win is going to be tested.

Posted by Royce Young

Last season the Grizzlies were a fun, surprise team. This year, they're a legitimate contender with real expectations.

But that hinges on one important thing: that Marc Gasol returns.

Gasol is a restricted free agent and with Memphis being a small market team that's supposedly a bit conscious of where it spends, Gasol could be a tricky piece to re-sign. Memphis just inked Rudy Gay, just inked Zach Randolph and just inked Mike Conley. That's a lot of money tied up already, so keeping the likely pricey Gasol could be an issue.

Especially since Gasol, along with Nene, might be the top free agent target out there. But he's a restricted free agent, meaning Memphis can match anything offered to him. And that looks to be an important part of this.

According to the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, Memphis plans to match anything offered to Gasol.

"People with knowledge of (owner Michael) Heisley's thinking are convinced that the Grizzlies will match any offer sheet Gasol signs with another suitor."

Heisley had previously said back in May that it would be up to Gasol whether or not he stayed in Memphis.

"Marc will decide whether he wants to be here. We will aggressively go after him," Heisley said. "He's a restricted free agent, so we can match whatever's out there. But obviously if Marc wants to leave, I'm going to have a different attitude than if he wants to stay. I hope he wants to stay. And after what we've done in the playoffs, I think he will."

With Memphis's deep playoff run and Gasol in the center of it (literally), you can be sure that only strengthened Heisley's conviction to re-sign Gasol.

The Grizzlies would likely have to adjust in order to keep Gasol as part of the core. O.J. Mayo will likely be packing his bafs (he's a restricted free agent in 2012) and Shane Battier likely won't be re-signed (he's unrestricted). So Mayo, who the Grizzlies tried to trade at the deadline last year, will likely be something the Memphis tries to move at some point this season as well.

Re-signing Gasol means Memphis basically would be putting all its long-term eggs into the basket of Gay, Gasol, Randolph and Conley, which isn't a bad core. But is it a championship one? Eh...

Memphis also could sign Gasol to an extension, and is able to pay him more and for longer than any other team. As for being restricted, remember, under this new collective bargaining agreement, the Grizzlies have three days instead of seven to match. And seeing as how the Grizzlies struggle with deadlines (hello O.J. Mayo trade), someone better be on the ball in Memphis.

Posted by Ben Golliver. 

Back in October, Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo threw a one-handed alley-oop pass over his head, the most magical and inspired assist on the ongoing NBA lockout. Until now?

Rondo was back at it during this weekend's Boston Charity Classic, a charity exhibition game played at Harvard University, when he threw an alley-oop backwards off of his own forehead. Seriously. It almost defies explanation.

Leading a break in transition, Rondo put the ball above his head with both hands as he jumped, craning his neck backwards so that his forehead would serve as a launching pad. He then brought the ball down on his forehead as he descended, causing the ball to vault into the air. The ball's arc lined up perfectly for Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay, who caught the pass with his left hand and slammed it through in one motion, southpaw-style. As you can imagine, the crowd immediately went nuts.

Here's the video via YouTube user brohrbach.



Hat tip: DimeMag.com

By Matt Moore

Real Madrid is a major player in Spanish basketball. They added Rudy Fernandez (in all his blind-three-pointer greatness) and Serge Ibaka (who we're pretty sure could block shots blind) just yesterday. A report Wednesday however indicates that they want to pull off the biggest move yet by signing former FC Barcelona and Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol. Marca reportsthat the team wants to put in a huge offer for Gasol to try and lure him overseas, as transcribed by Sportando:

Real Madrid is studying the possibility to make a rich proposal to Marc Gasol. The Spanish team wants Marc Gasol to be the franchise player for the future.

Florentino Perez, president of the club, gave his approval to the entire operation. The biggest hurdle is the NBA lockout. Marc Gasol said that he will start considering proposals from Europe and Spain just if the NBA season will be completely cancelled.

via Real Madrid is willing to sign Marc Gasol to a 4-5-year contract | Spain | Europe | Sportando.

First of all, FC Barcelona is the most likely candidate to bring in Gasol, since it could conceivably bring back Ricky Rubio and pull in Pau Gasol should the season go down the tubes. Thats' where their roots are, and they have to be considered the leadres, but Madrid is clearly putting its money where its mouth is. 

But this talk that Gasol could sign for the "future" is insane. Gasol is going to pull in a higher contract than what Kendrick Perkins agreed to with the Thunder. If the Grizzlies are dumb enough to let Gasol walk, which they have shown no intention of doing (Gasol is the one player, even more so than Mike Conley or Zach Randolph, that Grizzlies' owner Michael Heisley has insisted will be with the club long-term), then he's going to get any number of offers from every team with cap space in the league.

Gasol's not a premium scorer, but he's a supremely efficient one. He's not a monster shot blocker, but he's a better defender than most of the shot blockers you'll find. He's able to manage the pick and roll at both ends of the floor, is an excellent pinch post passer, has good footwork and touch out of the post, and no character issues. He's the ultimate non-star.

So, no, I don't imagine that he'll be heading back to Spain long-term considering what he can make in the NBA. Plus, he's spoken repeatedly about Memphis being his home since he went to high school there while his brother was not winning playoff games with the Grizzlies.

But short-term? The bidding war could get very interesting if we don't have a season in the NBA.

(HT: PBT)

Posted by Ben Golliver. 

There are billions of dollars at stake in the ongoing NBA labor crisis, and the politicians and lawyers are circling in the water like sharks.

MyFoxMemphis.com reports that the city of Memphis, home to the NBA's Grizzlies, is investigating its options with regard to the ongoing lockout, including litigation against the league to recoup up to $18 million that would have been used to pay off arena bonds for the publicly-owned FedEx Forum. 

At the suggestion of Chairman Myron Lowry, the council is considering a resolution that would ask City Council Attorney Allan Wade to explore all options, including a lawsuit against the NBA.

Wade says this is the first city he's heard of considering this type of action. "If it gets to be half a season that's a big problem. If that thing sits idle for a whole season that's a big problem," he said. "I think that goes against the spirit of our agreement because our arena is built with revenue, not guaranteed money." 

The site reports that the resolution passed by a vote of 8-3.

To boil this down: a portion of the money generated during home Grizzlies games at FedEx Forum goes back to the city to help pay off the original financing of the arena. If there are no home games there is no revenue with which to pay back the city. The city wants its money and could decide to sue the league to get the money at some point in the future. Good times. 

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that NBA spokesman Mike Bass says the league has "no comment" on the matter.

It's worth noting that this type of legal action could theoretically happen in any other city that has a publicly funded NBA arena.

Here's MyFoxMemphis.com's video report.

Hat Tip: SBNation.com NBA

Posted by Ben Golliver. 

The prosecution thought things through and apparently concluded that bringing a loaded firearm to an airport is, in fact, against the law.

KMOX.com reports that former NBA player Darius Miles will face a felony charge for allegedly bringing a loaded firearm to a St. Louis airport back in August.

Former  NBA player and East St. Louis High School product Darius Miles is facing a weapons charge stemming from a recent incident at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

The St. Louis County Prosecutor has charged Miles with one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon. Miles was arrested at Lambert in early August after a Transportation Security Administration screener allegedly found a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag.

According to reports, Miles, 29, was taken into custody following the X-ray screening process revealed the weapon. Handguns may only be transported in checked baggage.

Miles, a lottery pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, played seven seasons in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies. Once a high-fllying athlete at forward, chronic knee problems prematurely ended his career.

For the incident, Miles ranked No. 4 on this summer's NBA Lockout Indiscretion Power Rankings.

Posted by Royce Young



So the lockout could be ending soon, depending on who you're listening to. Maybe it extends into the season, but if it doesn't and a deal gets settled in the next few weeks, we're going to have one heck of a free agency period. Really, no matter when it's settled, we're going to have one wild free agency period.

(Unless we were to miss all of 2011-12 and you combined this class with next year's group. Now that would be something.)

If you thought the summer of 2010 was a frenzy, try cramming it all into a two-week period. Maybe I'm just thinking of how horrible it'll be for me. Regardless, you can be sure that all 30 teams have a pre-written itinerary on what they want to accomplish once the lockout is lifted. They have been planning, plotting and preparing to target the players they want or finish up a few final transactions on the roster.

But what's the first order of business for everybody? What's the priority, the thing that each team wants to get done right away? Here's a stab at each team's top job.

Atlanta Hawks: It really appears that the Hawks are ready and willing to let Jamal Crawford walk, but there's still a decision to made whether or not they want to compete for him in the free agent market. He was a key part of the team that made a somewhat surprising run to the Eastern Semifinals and re-signing him could be a priority. Problem is, they don't really have the funds for it.

Boston Celtics: What happens with Jeff Green? The Celtics have already tendered him a qualifying offer, but someone surely will extend him an offer sheet. The Celtics have issues at center still and Glen Davis is unrestricted, but figuring out Jeff Green's situation is probably weighing heaviest on Danny Ainge's mind.

Charlotte Bobcats: The Bobcats made a big splash in the draft, but if that's going to matter, they've got to get Bismack Biyombo on the team. His buyout could still be a major issue and though he says he'll be on the team when training camp starts, that's definitely up in the air.

Chicago Bulls: Wing scorer. Say it with me, wing scorer. Derrick Rose needs help (and an extension) in a big time way and it's up to Gar Foreman and company to find that help. Jamal Crawford maybe? Caron Butler? J.R. Smith if he wasn't in China? Someone has to give Rose a little offensive help and that's the top priority for the Bulls.

Cleveland Cavaliers: First thing? Putting Baron Davis on the scales to make sure he doesn't weigh 300 pounds. After that, there isn't a whole lot to be done in Cleveland. The club's rebuilding around their two lottery picks and you don't want to crowd the roster in a way that stunts their development.

Dallas Mavericks: The defending champs have a whole lot on their plate once the lockout ends. Caron Butler's contract is up. So is J.J. Barea's. So is DeShawn Stevenson's. So is Brian Cardinal's (just kidding -- well it is up, but you know what I mean). But the first order of business for Mark Cuban is to get Tyson Chandler re-signed. Not just that though, but to get him re-signed to a number that makes sense for the make-up of the roster.

Denver Nuggets: Despite the lockout, the Nuggets have kind of been gutted. J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin and Wilson Chandler are in China until at least March. Danilo Gallinari signed in Italy but has an NBA out. But all of that doesn't matter near as much as getting Nene re-signed. Without Nene, it doesn't matter. With Nene, there's still something worth building around.

Detroit Pistons: The Pistons are kind of trying to quietly usher out the old and bring in some new. Tayshaun Prince is a free agent, but I don't think they care. What'll be most interesting is how they handle Rodney Stuckey. The Pistons drafted Brandon Knight in June with Stuckey already their point guard. Do they want Knight to take over? Do they want to play them together? Share the role? Sorting out Stuckey's future is definitely what Joe Dumars has to do first.

Golden State Warriors: The Warriors could be players in free agency, but really, it's about deciding once and for all if Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry really are the backcourt tandem of the future for the team. If there's a time to move on, it's now when both of their values are still high. The Warriors flirted with dealing Ellis last season but it didn't happen. They're probably planning on revisiting that.

Houston Rockets: First order of business: Properly sending off Yao with a jersey retirement ceremony. After that, the Rockets are fairly settled, though you know Daryl Morey is just itching to pick up a phone and start transacting once the lockout's over.

Indiana Pacers: The Pacers have a number of expiring deals and aren't likely looking to re-sign them (maybe Josh McRoberts, maybe Jeff Foster). Larry Bird has been hunting more pieces to add to his mediocre roster for a while and you can be sure the Pacers are going to target some of the bigger free agent names in this class.

Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon is ready for an extension, but the Clippers better be ready to match any offer DeAndre Jordan gets. You might not think that's a big deal, but forget Chris Kaman. The future of the Clips frontcourt is Blake Griffin and Jordan. You seven-footer from Texas A&M finally started figuring himself out a little last season and he's not far off from becoming a major defensive impact player.

Los Angeles Lakers: Shannon Brown's unrestricted, but he's really not that much of an impact player to be that concerned with. The Lakers might have to focus on how to re-structure the roster to suit a new CBA that could greatly cut into their total salary. Will they have to move Lamar Odom? Metta World Peace? But first things first: Giving Kobe and Mike Brown a proper introduction and letting them figure out the direction of the offense.

Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol. That's it for Memphis. It'd be nice to get Shane Battier back, but it's all about Gasol.

Miami Heat: It's kind of been overlooked, but Pat Riley and the Heat have a busy couple weeks waiting on them. Mike Bibby, Jamaal Magloire, Juwan Howard, Erick Dampier and James Jones are all unrestricted and Mario Chalmers is restricted. It's decision time for the Heat. Do they start restocking with veteran talent or look to get younger and develop?

Milwaukee Bucks: That first practice in Milwaukee is something Scott Skiles has probably been thinking about for a while. "Brandon, this is Stephen. Stephen, this is Brandon." The Bucks have some new talent as Stephen Jackson joins Brandon Jennings, but how will they get along?

Minnesota Timberwolves: Here's what David Kahn's to-do list looks like: 1) Hug Ricky. 2) Hug Darko. 3) Overpay a questionable free agent at a position you already have three guys. What it should look like: 1) Convince Kevin Love somehow to sign an extension. 2) Get rid of Michael Beasley and let Derrick Williams have the starting small forward spot all to himself. 3) Tell Rick Adelman to do his thing.

New Jersey Nets: Kris Humphies is an important piece of business but his re-signing goes hand in hand with the larger thing: Proving to Deron Williams that this is a place he wants to re-sign. The Nets have to take advantage right away of showing Williams they're serious about winning. And you do that by getting him some immediate help.

New Orleans Hornets: It's all about David West for the Hornets. Yes, he suffered a major knee injury last season. But he chose to become an unrestricted free agent and a team like the Nets is likely to come calling quickly. Can the Hornets hang on to Chris Paul's buddy?

New York Knicks: The Knicks have a little bit coming off the books but really they need to try and resist the urge to do something drastic in this free agency period. Which they will because of the big names coming up in 2012. Still, they want to field a solid team for this season -- and Mike D'Antoni needs them too -- so adding a quality veteran to help on the inside would be good.

Oklahoma City Thunder: The young Thunder roster is pretty much entirely set up. But Sam Presti has something to do right away once the lockout ends -- get Russell Westbrook his extension. Presti brought Kevin Durant his at midnight last July to make sure there was no doubt about locking up his superstar. Presti better be stalking Westbrook's house on the whim he lockout ends so he can extend the same treatment to his other star.

Orlando Magic: First order of business for Otis Smith and the Magic? Resume begging Dwight Howard to stay. One way to show it would be to get him some help, but Smith sort of laid those cards on the table last year in the Gilbert Arenas/Hedo Turkoglu trade. So it's back to convincing Howard there's a plan for the future and that it'll get better.

Philadelphia 76ers: Someone is ready and willing to give Thaddeus Young a serious offer, so the Sixers better be ready to match anything and everything.

Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash's trade value will be highest at the beginning of the season, so it's up to Lance Blanks and Robert Sarver to figure out if they're ready to move on. Aaron Brooks is a restricted free agent so if the Suns lock him up by matching an offer sheet, that'll be an indication that the Suns are preparing for life without Nash.

Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers are in love with Nicolas Batum, so extending him could be the first order of business, but really, the Blazers need to find a new general manager first. And whoever that guy is needs to decide that if for the off chance someone gives Greg Oden an offer, if he's willing to match. Oden already has an $8.8 qualifying offer, which is huge, so once Oden signs that, he'll likely be signing with the Blazers for another year.

Sacramento Kings: The Jimmer-Tyreke backcourt is going to be an interesting experiment, but Marcus Thornton is quietly one of the more intriguing free agents out there. The Bulls are likely looking at him long and hard right now. He's restricted, so the Kings could keep him, but the question is, with Tyreke moving off the ball for good and Jimmer handling the point, is it worth paying Thornton to just have him come off the bench?

San Antonio Spurs: Um, I guess just resume the typical day-to-day of the Spurs. Gregg Popovich is the longest tenured coach with a team and R.C. Buford probably isn't looking to go do anything drastic in this market. The Spurs are definitely aging, but there's not a lot to be done about that right now.

Toronto Raptors: Assuming the Raptors actually have Jonas Valanciunas for next season, Dwane Casey and company have to figure out if he's ready to cover for Andrea Bargnani on the inside. Can those two really play together and handle enough rebounding and defensive duties? The Raptors are in a place where they have to wait and see with some young players and aren't likely targeting any big names in the open market.

Utah Jazz: Most likely, Andrei Kirilenko won't be re-signing with the Jazz. So Kevin O'Connor will have to make a choice when the lockout's over: Does he try and restock a roster that can maybe squeak out the eight-seed, or does he commit to rebuilding around Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors and others and just let them play it out? The Jazz would love to get some wing scoring help, so O'Connor will probably at least look that direction, but we'll have to see how serious he is.

Washington Wizards: It's not an earth-shattering decision, but Nick Young is a restricted free agent. And with his scoring ability, someone is ready to pay him. Do the Wizards want to keep him? Do they want to look elsewhere and maybe target say, Marcus Thornton? Or do they just let Young walk and see what Jordan Crawford's got?

Posted by Royce Young

The lockout has caused a number of casualties and I'm not just talking about our wits. The latest is seven employees for the Memphis Grizzlies. Via the Commercial-Appeal:

Seven people were laid off by the franchise although some workers will have an opportunity to return to work whenever the league’s labor dispute is resolved.

Video coordinator Trish McGhee, assistant equipment manager Vince Ford and scouting coordinator Wendy Smith were among the workers relieved of their duties. The Griz also released a receptionist, mail clerk and members of the claim services staff.

Gut reaction says that we should all be up in arms over this, but it's just the reality of the situation. There's nothing for these people to do so the teams are laying them off. It happened with the Bobcats announcer and it's happened a couple other places. And the longer the lockout goes, the more this is going to happen. How deep will it go? Will teams start laying off TV announcers? PR directors? Trainers?

What happens invariably every time is a pretty good PR hit to the team that lays off the employees because it looks bad on them to pull their job just because their owner is trying to wrangle a better collective bargaining agreement. But that's life and it's not fair.

And neither is this lockout.