The Mavericks have been busy so far in the free agent market. First, they signed Gerald Green to a one year contract and now they have reached a verbal agreement with DeSagana Diop for the full mid-level exception in a five-year deal starting at nearly $6 million. I like Diop, but it seems a bit high to me.
MySA reports that the Spurs are offering Corey Maggette the full MLE in a multi-year contract that begins around 6 million a year. In the meantime, the Herald refutes the reports that came out yesterday saying that Ainge made an offer to Maggette.
A Celtics source, disputing several published reports, insisted today that Danny Ainge has not made a contract offer to free agent Corey Maggette - noting instead that Ainge has talked to several players, including the former Clipper, without making an offer.
This tidbit comes by way of Redz on CelticsBlog:
I just got a phone call from SShorefan who just got off a plane at logan.
He spotted Chris Andersen there and asked him what was up.
Andersen said he was in town to talk to the Celtics and SShorefan told him he hopes he signs here and Andersen said "me too".
And for what its worth he was wearing snake skin boots and a Colorado Rockies hat (Andersen, not SShorefan - though he may have been too).
Chris Andersen is meeting with Danny. I would like to see Danny sign him for the veteran's minimum. Andersen has to know that this would be a great place for him on a contender and playing with KG. The Hornets also want to resign Andersen so it may come down to which team he would rather play on. On Sports tonight, Marc Spears, who knows Andersen, said that he really wants to play here and that the Boston fans would love him. He went to dinner with Danny last night and today they will see if they can work something out. I think he would be a great fit for this team.
The Knicks are busy. They have offered 2 years and 6 million to Chris Duhon but word is the Magic have offered 3 years. The Knicks have also contacted agents for Eddie House, Jannero Pargo, Tyronn Lue, and Sebastian Telfair. D'Antoni loves Lue and would like to get him, but I think Telfair would be the best fit there because of his New York ties. He still has a big following there and should come a lot cheaper than Duhon. I'd like for the Celtics to sign House. He played very well for the Celtics and could back up both guard spots if Pruitt can't handle the back up point. My second choice would be Lue although the Suns are rumored to have him at the top of their to do list. According to the Miami Herald, the Heat are also interested in both Lue and Telfair.
Marc Bartlestein represents James Posey, Eddie House, JR Giddens and half the free agents the Celtics want to sign. The Celtics did another of his clients a big favor when they did the sign and trade to Miami for Antoine Walker to get him that big contract. It's time for Bartlestein to return the favor and help us out with getting the deal done with Posey. Come on Marc... for old times sake.
Detroit is looking to make some moves to try to overtake the Celtics. According to the Detroit News, the Pistons have their eyes on at least three free-agent perimeter
scorers: Mickael Pietrus, James Jones and C.J. Miles. They are also very interested in James Posey.
According to the LA Times, the Lakers are willing to give Posey that long term full MLE contract he is looking for. Can the Celtics come close enough to lure him back? Who knows. I know Danny doesn't want to give him 4 or 5 years. I can imagine that he also wants to keep back a little of the MLE to be able to offer Walker a 3 year contract as he has with Gomes, Pruitt and Powe. Posey says he wants to stay in Boston but will he be willing to take less than he wants to do so? I don't think so.
Poor Richard Jefferson is not happy with the trade that sent him to the Bucks. The Journal Sentinel reports that they haven't even been able to get him to come to Milwaukee to meet with them. You have to feel sorry for the Bucks. Last year they had to beg to get Yi to come there and now it is Richard Jefferson. I remember too many years when the Celtics couldn't get free agents to give them the time of day.
Monte Ellis is asking for a $10 million long term contract extension. If the Warriors balk at it and don't give him what he wants, he can come back on the final season of his rookie contract and become an unrestricted free agent next season and go anywhere he wants. The tricky part of that is you need to have a great season before going out on free agency so if he doesn't get the contract done, look for Monte to have a great season.
The Bulls have made their priority to resign Luol Deng who has already turned down a 5 year 57 milliion dollar offer. It was the Bulls' reluctance to include Deng in with any deal that kept them from making several trades last season including the KG trade. They better be willing to pay to keep him or they missed out on a lot for nothing.
The Sixers are rumored to be making an offer for Elton Brand and are meeting with Josh Smith as well. Along with the moves being made by the other Atlantic division teams, the teams in this division will look a lot different this season. With new management and a real coach, the Knicks could make some noise. New Jersey will look a lot different. The Raptors have made some improvements and now the Sixers appear to be willing to use their cap space to make a move for some of the top free agents. And, of course, the Atlantic Division is now the home of the reigning world champs. Titanic division no more.
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