Offseason Report: The Remaining Free Agents

The 2009 Offseason has started to heat up with the contract agreements of Ron Artest with the Lakers, Hedo Turkoglu with the Raptors, and Trevor Ariza with the Rockets, and Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva with the Pistons, but there are still many top-level free agents available that could mean the difference between a championship and disappointing June for many teams.  For example, the Lakers are no guarantee to repeat if they aren’t able to re-sign Lamar Odom, and the Celtics will be low on big men and wins if they can’t sign Glen Davis or Rasheed Wallace.

Among the biggest names still available are Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion, Paul Millsap, Jason Kidd, and Mike Bibby, though it is reported that Bibby with reach an agreement to return to the Hawks soon.  Jason Kidd has recieved interest from the New York Knicks and his team last season, the Dallas Mavericks.  Most likely he will reach a deal soon, or go to the Lakers or Cavaliers for the veteran minimum for a chance to win a ring.  After a disastrous 08-09 season, Allen Iverson is looking for a team that will take him.  Last season, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups, the team instantly got worse and barely made the playoffs while the Nuggets instantly got better and become championship contenders.  Iverson has been reported to be interested in the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Bobcats, two lottery teams that aren’t anywhere close to championship contention.

Most likely, Lamar Odom, Mike Bibby, Jason Kidd, Ramon Sessions, Andre Miller, and Glen Davis will re-sign with their teams, but free agents such as Shawn Marion, Anderson Varejao, Leon Powe, Nate Robinson, David Lee, and Rasheed Wallace are looking for a new home.  Wallace has received a ton of interest from the Boston Celtics and their Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, while also getting calls from the Orlando Magic.  The Celtics have already said that they will not be re-signing Leon Powe because he is injured, so expect him to sign with a team part-way through the season once he is healthy.  Glen Davis on the other hand, did excellent for the Celtics in the postseason in place of the injured Garnett and will be demanding the mid-level exception from teams.

Sources: Turkoglu Joining Raptors

I don’t see why he would rather go to the lottery-bound Raptors over the soon-to-be championship contender Blazers, especially when he will be making the same amount of money?

ESPN: Free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu changed his mind Friday, deciding not to join the Portland Trail Blazers, opting instead to accept an offer from the Toronto Raptors, sources told ESPN.com.

The Raptors last-minute bid will give Turkoglu all of the salary-cap space they will get by renouncing their rights to Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino. The Raptors expect to have about $10.1 million in cap space to give to Turkoglu for his first-year salary; he would get an eight percent annual raise over the next four seasons of the deal, a source told ESPN.com.

The Raptors have until July 7 to renounce Marion, Delfino and Parker, so it remains a possibility and that a sign-and-trade deal could take shape. But as of now, it is a straight-up deal between Turkoglu and Toronto.

Turkoglu’s decision to go to the Raptors sent shock waves throughout the NBA as he apparently became the first player to renege on an agreement in principal since Carlos Boozer left Cleveland for Utah in 2004.

Earlier Friday, ESPN.com’s Henry Abbott reported that Turkoglu had agreed in principle to a deal with the Trail Blazers, citing sources. The report, which said the deal couldn’t be formally signed until the NBA salary cap is set next Wednesday, followed a Wednesday night dinner in Orlando between Turkoglu and Blazers head coach Nate McMillan, followed by two days of negotiations.

Friday afternoon, Bucher reported that the Turkish star remained in Portland, where he and the team were working on a deal.

After ESPN.com reported the agreement in principle, several news organizations confirmed it, using sources. Late Friday afternoon, the Oregonian reported that Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard and Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, had not confirmed the deal, but that talks were continuing.

Turkoglu, a 6-foot-10 forward from Turkey who played a prominent role in the Orlando Magic’s recent trip to the NBA Finals, had been looking for a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $50 million. Turkoglu is a nine-year NBA veteran. He played for Sacramento and San Antonio before signing with Orlando as a free agent in 2004.

This season he often ran Orlando’s offense and created matchup problems for the Celtics and Cavaliers in the playoffs. Against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the finals, Turkoglu averaged 18 points.

The Blazers are looking to bolster a team that won 54 games last season and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

Anchored by All-Star guard Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers were the second-youngest team in the NBA.

ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan, Ric Bucher and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Report: Hedo Turkoglu backs out of commitment with Blazers

This is a stupid move by him.  Not only does he make himself look unloyal and like a jerk, but he also is now forced to sign for way less or go to the Raptors, who won’t be contending anytime soon.

Yahoo! Sports: Free agent Hedo Turkoglu has backed out of his commitment to the Portland Trail Blazers and could be signing with the Toronto Raptors, a source close to the talks told Yahoo! Sports on Friday night.

Turkoglu had agreed on a five-year, $50 million deal with the Blazers, but changed his mind and could be headed for a five-year, $56 million deal with the Raptors. Toronto would have to renounce three free agents – Shawn Marion, Carlos Delfino and Anthony Parker – to create the cap space for Turkoglu.

Apparently, the Blazers are already busy exploring other free-agent options for the $9 million in salary-cap space.

Five years ago, Turkoglu was close to signing with the Phoenix Suns that now-Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo was running, but changed his mind and went to the Orlando Magic.

Free Agency News Round-Up

Allen Iverson interested in joining the Memphis Grizzlies

The Oracle’s Take: Allen Iverson isn’t wanted by any of the contending teams, so going to the Grizzlies would be the best move for him and, surprisingly, the Grizzlies.  Allen Iverson wants to get paid more than the minimum, and the Grizzlies would likely give in the mid-level exception and the Memphis Grizzlies desperately need to sell more tickets, and Iverson is one of the most exciting players in the league.

 Allen Iverson is interested in playing for the Grizzlies, according to a league source.

Iverson, a free agent for the first time in his career, had minor discussions with the Heat after free agency opened on Wednesday.

Memphis had no comment on Iverson’s interest in playing for the team.

The Grizzlies are believed to be weighing the pros and cons of signing Iverson, who would likely be asked to come off the bench.

Iverson wrote about his free-agent status on his Twitter page Thursday.

“I’m a Free Agent, healthy again, and capable of signing with any team,” he wrote. “My only preference will be to play for a coach that knows what I bring to the table and that I am going to bring it every night! Someone that knows how to best utilize my skills to make our team the very best that we can be.”

Toronto Raptors offer Shawn Marion 4-year deal

The Oracle’s Take: The Raptors aren’t anywhere near contending for a championship, in fact, it would be a surprise if they were able to make the playoffs.  The shouldn’t be spending their money on 31 year-old players who’s games are based solely on athleticism.  They should save the money and start rebuilding, starting with the trade of Chris Bosh before he leaves as a free agent next season anyway.

The Raptors have offered free-agent forward Shawn Marion a four-year deal worth more than $32 million, according to the Globe and Mail.

The deal could be worth as much as $34 million, according to the report, and is longer and more lucrative than the three-year, $21 million offer Toronto was reported to have made to Marion.

Jason Kidd intends to stay in Dallas

The Oracle’s Take: I believe that the Mavericks are overpaying for Jason Kidd.  If he was younger he would be worth that money for the stats and impact that he has, but he is getting older and won’t be an elite point guard for much longer.

Jason Kidd intends to return to the Mavericks for a three-year, $24 million deal, according to HoopsWorld.

HoopsWorld cited an “informed source.”

Kidd said that he would take the holiday weekend to mull over offers from both New York and Dallas.

Barring an unforeseen development, Kidd is expected to tell the Mavericks on Monday that he will accept the offer.

New Orleans Hornets are shopping Tyson Chandler Again

The Oracle’s Take: Even with the talented nucleus of Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, David West, and James Posey, the Hornets aren’t anywhere near competing for the championship.  The Hornets should start rebuilding around Chris Paul with better players before it is too late.  If they can get Phoenix to take Chandler for Ben Wallace like it has been rumored, or trade Chandler for an expiring contract, then they should do it.

A number of sources said last week that the Hornets are again shopping center Tyson Chandler.

New Orleans general manager Jeff Bower could work on making a trade before he offers a contract to any free agent.

In addition, the Hornets could look to move one of their veteran guards, such as Morris Peterson, Antonio Daniels or Devin Brown.

The Hornets are also interested in bringing guard Jannero Pargo, who played overseas this past season, back.

Stephon Marbury doesn’t think he will be coming back to the Celtics

The Oracle’s Take: Stephon Marbury doesn’t deserve more than the Celtics offered him, especially considering his attitude problems and lack of productivity last season.  No team with offer him more than the Celtics did.

Free agent Stephon Marbury, the former New York Knicks guard who joined the Celtics midseason, says he doesn’t foresee a return to Boston after the team offered a veteran’s-minimum deal that would’ve paid $1.3 million, according to The Boston Globe.

“Thank you Boston for allowing the world to see me play again after all that went on in N.Y.,” Marbury said in an e-mail to The Globe. “The fans treated me with open arms and that’s all anyone can ask for.”

Marbury, 32, joined the Celtics on Feb. 27 after a buyout of his $22 million Knicks contract. Marbury told the Boston newspaper that three other teams, which he wouldn’t name, were interested in signing him for next season.

Marbury averaged 3.8 points, 3.3 assists and 18 minutes in 23 games last season with the Celtics.

Sources: Blazers, Turkoglu Reach Contract Agreement

This is a good move for the Blazers, but it might cause some problems in the future.  Hedo Turkoglu is getting old, and they gave him a 5-year deal.  Also, Rudy Fernandez was angry about the deal and Travis Outlaw with almost certainly leave now that he will never get a starting spot.  It also hurts them financially since they won’t have as much money to sign Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden once they are off of their rookie contracts.

ESPN: Hedo Turkoglu has reached an agreement in principle to join the Portland Trail Blazers, according to sources.

Although a verbal commitment may be announced sooner, the terms of the contract cannot be finalized until Wednesday when the NBA informs teams what the 2009-10 salary cap will be.

The Orlando Magic‘s recent trade for Vince Carter, who has a large salary and plays small forward — which is Turkoglu’s position — made it highly unlikely Turkoglu would be back in Orlando.

The Toronto Raptors expressed interest in Turkoglu, but were constrained by their other efforts to keep Shawn Marion and Carlos Delfino.

Turkoglu, a 6-10 forward from Turkey who played a prominent role in the Magic’s recent trip to the NBA Finals, had been looking for a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $50 million.

Experts believe the cap likely will be somewhere between $57 million and $59 million. If the cap number comes in at the high end, the Blazers can offer close to what Turkoglu is hoping for.

After having dinner with Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan in Florida on Wednesday, Turkoglu flew to Portland on Thursday to visit the the team and see the city.

ESPN’s Ric Bucher reported that the Turkish star remained in Portland on Friday, where he and the team were working on a deal.

The Blazers, one of the youngest teams in the NBA, had been intent on adding experienced players this offseason. They targeted the 30-year-old Turkoglu as a player who could take pressure off team leader Brandon Roy, who has carried the burden of creating most of the team’s scoring opportunities.

Henry Abbott writes the TrueHoop blog for ESPN.com.

Sources: Ariza Reaches Agreement with Rockets

This deal doesn’t really help the Rockets considering that they already have Shane Battier and neither of them are shooting guards.  The Rockets just downgraded this offseason by basically trading Artest for Ariza with the Lakers.  Ariza took the same amount of money that he was offered by the Lakers, but instead is playing on the Rockets, who won’t be winning a championship anytime soon.

NBA.com:  HOUSTON (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because NBA rules prohibit announcing free-agent deals until next week, said the Rockets offered Ariza the full mid-level exception for the first year, about $5.6 million.

Ariza is coming to Houston just as Ron Artest decided to leave and play for the Lakers. Ariza is likely to take Artest’s spot in the Rockets’ starting lineup.

The 6-foot-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season, which ended with the NBA championship.

Report: Celtics Offer Rasheed Wallace 2-Year Deal

This would really help the Celtics, though there will be problems if they re-sign Glen Davis.  Rasheed Wallace is just what the Celtics need.

ESPN: Rasheed Wallace, the free-agent forward who spent the last five-plus seasons in Detroit, got the full-court press from the Boston Celtics on Thursday, according to a report in The Boston Globe.

The Globe, citing a single NBA source, said that Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck, team president Danny Ainge, coach Doc Rivers and All-Stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, all met with Wallace for three hours in Detroit.

The Celtics are reportedly offering a contract using the mid-level exception, the Globe reported. The newspaper said that Wallace didn’t make a decision during the meeting. The Boston Herald reported that Wallace has informed teams courting him that he won’t make a decision quickly.

Wallace averaged 12 points and 7.4 rebounds last season for the Pistons. For his 14-year career, he’s averaged 15 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

Report: Ron Artest To Sign With Lakers

This is a great move for the Lakers.  Ron Artest is better than Trevor Ariza and will be a perfect compliment for Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.

ESPN: Free-agent forward Ron Artest says he’s leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: “I am happy to say I am goin’ to L.A.”

ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard reports that Artest and the Lakers have reached a verbal agreement on what is believed to be a three-year contract worth an estimated $18 million. Wednesday is the first day free agents are permitted to sign new deals.

Artest’s decision was first reported by CBSSports.com. The mercurial swingman was initially courted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In his text message, Artest said that he met Thursday with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and had spoken to coach Phil Jackson about the move to Los Angeles, where Artest has been spending his offseasons.

Artest’s forthcoming arrival strongly suggests that unrestricted free agent Trevor Ariza — who played such a pivotal run in the Lakers’ championship run — is bound to leave the team. Broussard reported Wednesday that, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, Ariza was likely to leave the Lakers for a new team because L.A. was reluctant to sign him to a contract starting above the league’s $5.6 million mid-level exception, even after Ariza’s postseason success.

Ariza has been courted by numerous teams, including Cleveland, and met Thursday in Las Vegas with Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to possibly swap spots with Artest.

Marc Stein is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com.