2009 NBA Off-Season Thread (ESPN, Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Pistons)

[JL]

Any thoughts on who will get McDyess, Odom, and Zaza? Looks as if Sheed will sign with Celts.

[JackTheRipper]

NBA.com Notebook: Gortat reportedly headed to Dallas

Restricted free agent center Marcin Gortat has been offered a contract by the Mavericks and had a trip scheduled for Dallas this week, according to sources. Orlando has the right to match the offer, but Gortat's visit is a good sign for the Mavs, who are banking on Magic ownership not dipping into luxury tax territory to sign Dwight Howard's backup.

Terms weren't immediately known, but it was believed Gortat was entertaining offers for the full mid-level exception (starting at around $5.6 million) for up to five years. The deal could be worth more than $30 million.

NBA.com: NBA.com Notebook: Gortat reportedly headed to Dallas


------------------------------


Report: Turkoglu agrees to terms with Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Hedo Turkoglu has reportedly agreed to join the Portland Trail Blazers after helping Orlando reach the NBA finals this season.

ESPN.com on Friday cited unidentified and did not disclose terms. Turkoglu's agent, Lon Babby, did not immediately return calls or e-mails. Portland cannot comment on the agreement until Wednesday, when teams may sign free agents.

NBA.com: Report: Turkoglu agrees to terms with Blazers

[Canes2006Champs]

Not real familar with Gortat. Also my team drafted this cat here http://www.nbadraft.net/players/bj-mullens, so I'll have to wait and see if he helps out.

Originally Posted by Scott Summers

I'm not that happy with Teague. I really wanted us to do a deal with the T-Wolves (they can't keep both Rubio and Flynn). I hope the Hawks can get one of them from MN.

Teague was pretty good at Wake, I think he will be a good role player for Atlanta. Time will tell.

[JackTheRipper]

Hedo Turkoglu pulls out of talks with Portland Trail Blazers

Free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu has broken off negotiations with the Portland Trail Blazers, a source told ESPN's Ric Bucher on Friday night.

The Portland Oregonian also reported that Turkoglu broke off talks.

Yahoo! Sports reported that Turkoglu backed out of his earlier commitment and has his sights set on Toronto. Yahoo! Sports reported that Toronto can offer Turkoglu about $6 million more than Portland, but would have to trim its roster to do it.

Friday night, reports from the National Post newspaper in Canada said that Turkoglu was close to signing with the Raptors, who could have to consider renouncing the rights to free agents Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker, and Carlos Delfino.

Hedo Turkoglu pulls out of talks with Portland Trail Blazers, source says - ESPN


---------------


Phil Jackson says he'll return to Lakers

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Phil Jackson will return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season, getting a clean bill of health following a record championship season.

The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September and said on the team's Web site Friday he got the go-ahead for another season after consulting the team doctor.

NBA.com: Phil Jackson says he'll return to Lakers

[JackTheRipper]

NBA.com Notebook: Rubio reportedly staying in Spain

Is it the weather, the playing time or the buyout?

That's the follow-up question we all want to know the answer to after hearing a report from El Periodico, a Barcelona newspaper, that Ricky Rubio will complete his contract with DKV Joventut and play the next two seasons in Spain, rather than come to the NBA.

The Timberwolves gave up two starters to get the fifth pick in this year's Draft. Now, they've got nothing to show for it, unless you think Oleksiy Pecherov, Darius Songaila or Etan Thomas are going to make an impact this season. Rubio may eventually play in Minnesota, but at this point, this is looking like a Fran Vazquez situation and David Kahn isn't looking like much of an improvement over Kevin McHale.

NBA.com: NBA.com Notebook: Rubio reportedly staying in Spain

Wow...

[SAAN]

If Hedo Turkoglu signs with the Raptors, he should be voted stupidest player in the NBA by far.
A Magic starting lineup of Nelson, Cater, Howard, Turkoglu, Lewis would by far be the best starting lineup in the NBA since its nothing but all stars and Orlando could easily get back to the finals. But for someone to choose to play for a loosing team like Toronto just for a few more bucks is beyond me. I hope his extra cash consoles him well when in april he is watching the playoffs from his living room.

[Puddy4LyF]

Originally Posted by SAAN

If Hedo Turkoglu signs with the Raptors, he should be voted stupidest player in the NBA by far.
A Magic starting lineup of Nelson, Cater, Howard, Turkoglu, Lewis would by far be the best starting lineup in the NBA since its nothing but all stars and Orlando could easily get back to the finals. But for someone to choose to play for a loosing team like Toronto just for a few more bucks is beyond me. I hope his extra cash consoles him well when in april he is watching the playoffs from his living room.

You're a bit off in your post. The real question is: Was there a more dumb move an organization could have made than to trade Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston to New Jersey for Vince Carter if it meant that you could no longer afford to resign Hedo Turkoglu and Marcin Gortat? The answer, by the way, is no.

Orlando if filtering alot of propaghanda out there because there are jobs on the line in the front office now - but don't believe it for a second. While nearing the luxury tax threshold, you DON'T trade a good young player and a very suitable border-line starting PG for an aging, now elderly one-dimensional player making 16.3 million! Especially considering that if you do so, you can kiss Turkoglu and Gortat goodbye!

Now THAT'S stupid.

You do bring up a point though - why in the world would he go to Toronto? I would have went to Portland, instead.

[SAAN]

Come to think of it your right, Courtney Lee has a very good future ahead, so I guess he is being punished for missing a layup. Vince Carter can still be very good when hes not hurt, but it will be interesting to see how Orlando manages to split the offense between all the talent they have starting now.

[JackTheRipper]

Reports: Wallace agrees to deal with Celtics

ASSOCIATED PRESS -- Two newspapers are reporting the Celtics have reached an agreement with free agent Rasheed Wallace.

Bill Strickland, Wallace's agent, told the Boston Herald and the Boston Globe on Sunday night that the 34-year-old forward told him to call off meetings the agent was in the process of scheduling with the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks.

Wallace played the last six seasons with the Detroit Pistons, where he won an NBA championship in 2004. He heads to a Celtics team loaded with veterans such as Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, and hoping to make at least one more title run.

Wallace has averaged 15 points and 6.9 rebounds in 14 NBA seasons. He averaged 12 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.

NBA.com: Reports: Wallace agrees to deal with Celtics

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by Puddy4LyF

You're a bit off in your post. The real question is: Was there a more dumb move an organization could have made than to trade Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston to New Jersey for Vince Carter if it meant that you could no longer afford to resign Hedo Turkoglu and Marcin Gortat? The answer, by the way, is no.

Orlando if filtering alot of propaghanda out there because there are jobs on the line in the front office now - but don't believe it for a second. While nearing the luxury tax threshold, you DON'T trade a good young player and a very suitable border-line starting PG for an aging, now elderly one-dimensional player making 16.3 million! Especially considering that if you do so, you can kiss Turkoglu and Gortat goodbye!

Now THAT'S stupid.

You do bring up a point though - why in the world would he go to Toronto? I would have went to Portland, instead.

I totally agree...Stan Van Balki and Mark Jackson were saying how the trade for Vince Carter on draft night was the best trade made up to that point and improved the Magic even more. I totally disagree w/that, essentially being that they gave up Courtney Lee - who I think will be a fine NBAer before it's all said and done - and Turkgolu who IMO fits in w/their offense better than Vince will for as you said an aging all-star. Not to mention Gortat is now gone and they are relying on Nelson to stay healthy/return to form the entire season next year in giving up Alston. I don't really think they are a better team heading into this season as they were this past one.