*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (2 Viewers)

[Abraham]

The knicks are signing Grant Hill. He is still in the league?

Good signing for them. He has been a productive player the last few years. Should be interesting TI see if he can keep it up without Nash around.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

The knicks are signing Grant Hill. He is still in the league?

Good signing for them. He has been a productive player the last few years. Should be interesting TI see if he can keep it up without Nash around.

Dramatic drop-off for Hill IMO. Goes from playing with one of the best, most selfless, passers in the league to a team with two me-first ball-hogs.

 

[JMon348]

Grant Hill is still rumored to be staying with Phoenix.

TMac just announced on twitter he's going to Atlanta.

 

[Todem]

Any shot The Heat make a move for Baron Davis?

I hope Rio undetstands why he is only being offered 1.1M to stay with us. I mean really Mario....you think your that good and consistent? Come on man. Your playing with Wade, Bron and Bosh....wake up.

 

[Sammy3469]

Any shot The Heat make a move for Baron Davis?I hope Rio undetstands why he is only being offered 1.1M to stay with us. I mean really Mario....you think your that good and consistent? Come on man. Your playing with Wade, Bron and Bosh....wake up.

I'm pretty sure the Heat won't have any money to bid for him if he gets amnestied.I have to think with Battier coming in Miller is going out since they need that capspace.

 

[Todem]

Any shot The Heat make a move for Baron Davis?I hope Rio undetstands why he is only being offered 1.1M to stay with us. I mean really Mario....you think your that good and consistent? Come on man. Your playing with Wade, Bron and Bosh....wake up.

I'm pretty sure the Heat won't have any money to bid for him if he gets amnestied.I have to think with Battier coming in Miller is going out since they need that capspace.

Yeah the writing is on the wall Miller is going out the door. What a shame. He has a good all around game. But is like a glass slipper. Real shame.So starting five looks like (if Rio resigns)ChalmersWadeJamesBoshAnthonyHaslemBattierColePittmanWe need more depth at bargain prices.Cole is an X factor. I hope the kid can surprise at PG.

 

[tommyGunZ]

As much as I hate to admit it, the NBA should just put the Larry O'Brien trophy in South Beach now and ship it elsewhere in the unlikely chance the Heat are upset. 2-1 isn't enough of a return to put Chet-money on it, but I think we're in for a run of Heat titles starting this year unless the NBA landscape changes.

 

[Kev4029]

Any shot The Heat make a move for Baron Davis?I hope Rio undetstands why he is only being offered 1.1M to stay with us. I mean really Mario....you think your that good and consistent? Come on man. Your playing with Wade, Bron and Bosh....wake up.

I'm pretty sure the Heat won't have any money to bid for him if he gets amnestied.I have to think with Battier coming in Miller is going out since they need that capspace.

That doesn't make any sense. I really don't understand why there are rumors floating about the Miller will be amnestied. If they get rid of him they are still a ways over the cap with no way to get under it, and they are out a useful player. I would assume that Battier is getting signed with the MLE of $5m/yr or whatever it is. They should also have the ~$2m/yr biannual exception which I still think exists with the new CBA to get another useful piece.

 

[Kev4029]

Does anybody have a reason or explanation as to why the Heat would amnesty Miller?

 

[JMon348]

As much as I hate to admit it, the NBA should just put the Larry O'Brien trophy in South Beach now and ship it elsewhere in the unlikely chance the Heat are upset. 2-1 isn't enough of a return to put Chet-money on it, but I think we're in for a run of Heat titles starting this year unless the NBA landscape changes.

Happy the Lakers got Kobe help and we got 2 more titles before the Lebron-takeover. I have a feeling its coming this year too, and it's going to be awhile until they give it up.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

As much as I hate to admit it, the NBA should just put the Larry O'Brien trophy in South Beach now and ship it elsewhere in the unlikely chance the Heat are upset. 2-1 isn't enough of a return to put Chet-money on it, but I think we're in for a run of Heat titles starting this year unless the NBA landscape changes.

And thus El Heat have been Gunz'd. Sorry Miami fans (both of you).

 

[Gr00vus]

Does anybody have a reason or explanation as to why the Heat would amnesty Miller?

 

[Gr00vus]

Caron Butler spending a 2d day with the Nets....at potential $7M for 4-5 yrs is this as bad a signing as I think it is....amnesty Outlaws crappy contract and add this one....or is there upside in Butler im not seeing.....

Jesus. Poor Nets fans, you thought you were getting a great owner but instead hes like a worse version of Daniel Snyder forcing his team to make horrible deal after horrible deal. Its certainly a better contract than Outlaw, but still a horrible contract.

funny thing is reports are Nets are begging him to take the deal and he is hedging for elsewhere! Lol - save the Nets from themselves!!!!

Yeah, giving him a deal like that is not a good move for the Nets.

 

[Gr00vus]

Wait, you guys were serious about $5M a year for Hayes?

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Does anybody have a reason or explanation as to why the Heat would amnesty Miller?

Only reason would be if he's dead again; but I've heard nothing about that.

 

[Kiddnets]

updated word from NJ - Warriors have offer in hand to Chandler but shocking development as Knicks jump in using an amnesty of Billups for the cap room...reported Knicks seriously in the hunt for Chandler now....

If true they must not like their chances of getting Paul who would be a much better addition IMO

 

[Sammy3469]

Does anybody have a reason or explanation as to why the Heat would amnesty Miller?

Only reason would be if he's dead again; but I've heard nothing about that.

The reason is that it allows you to use the full MLE since it would get them within 4 million of the 58 million cap number (they would be arond 61-62 million) which they could then use on someone else. Right now they can only use the bi-annual and the mini-MLE. Basically if they think they need that extra room they'll amnesty him, if not they'll keep him...however from the outside Battier seems like a much cheaper option.

 

[rodg12]

The Knicks become a LOT more interesting with Chandler. Do they try to then turn Amare into CP3?

 

[Kev4029]

Does anybody have a reason or explanation as to why the Heat would amnesty Miller?

Only reason would be if he's dead again; but I've heard nothing about that.

The reason is that it allows you to use the full MLE since it would get them within 4 million of the 58 million cap number (they would be arond 61-62 million) which they could then use on someone else. Right now they can only use the bi-annual and the mini-MLE. Basically if they think they need that extra room they'll amnesty him, if not they'll keep him...however from the outside Battier seems like a much cheaper option.

Why can't they use the full MLE? They're well under the luxury tax line, I think.

 

[Gr00vus]

The Knicks become a LOT more interesting with Chandler. Do they try to then turn Amare into CP3?

Would Amare be more enticing than Bynum for the Hornets?I was presented with that same dillema in our little franchise draft here and I went with Amare, but that was knowing we could only have 3 year max deals.

 

[Kev4029]

updated word from NJ - Warriors have offer in hand to Chandler but shocking development as Knicks jump in using an amnesty of Billups for the cap room...reported Knicks seriously in the hunt for Chandler now....If true they must not like their chances of getting Paul who would be a much better addition IMO

Looks like they are also trying to give away Turiaf to clear enough room. He wouldn't be a bad one year rental for a team looking for some depth in the front court for a team with cap space (Denver, Houston, Pacers).

 

[Kev4029]

The Knicks become a LOT more interesting with Chandler. Do they try to then turn Amare into CP3?

Would Amare be more enticing than Bynum for the Hornets?I was presented with that same dillema in our little franchise draft here and I went with Amare, but that was knowing we could only have 3 year max deals.

Some issues, different guy. The biggest difference between the two is that I could see Amare putting some butts in the seats this year because of his reputation as a "superstar."

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Bill Ingram: Sounds like the Rockets will help the Lakers get Chris Paul, landing Pau Gasol in the process. They'll be the next team to try Pau @ center. 3 minutes ago

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html#ixzz1fyPLNYEk

 

[Juxtatarot]

Bill Ingram: Sounds like the Rockets will help the Lakers get Chris Paul, landing Pau Gasol in the process. They'll be the next team to try Pau @ center. 3 minutes ago

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html#ixzz1fyPLNYEk

Seems to be a key piece missing here.

 

[the moops]

I wonder what percent of these tweets are just completely made up. 90%?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I wonder what percent of these tweets are just completely made up. 90%?

I'll take the over.

 

[shadyridr]

In a whopping change of direction, an NBA source said the Knicks have considered going all-in on free agent center Tyson Chandler and losing their cap space next season in their bid for Chris Paul.

The Knicks could potentially pull this off in a multi-team sign-and-trade with Dallas and include the contracts of Chauncey Billups and Rony Turiaf. Or they could use the new amnesty clause on Billups and trade Turiaf’s contract to create enough cap space to offer Chandler a multi-year deal for four years starting at $14M.

Golden State reportedly was offering Chandler a multi-year deal starting at $15M.

Curiously, Billups was supposed to be at the Knicks training facility Thursday but did not show up.

The Knicks’ master plan going into free agency was to offer one-year deals to protect their cap space but were willing to go multi-year for the right center. Chandler is by far the No. 1 center on the market and Knicks brass has long craved placing a big, shot-blocking big man next to Amar’e Stoudemire.

“Whatever’s clever and what makes sense for us to win a championship is what we’re going after,’’ Stoudemire said Thursday. “That’s what we want as players. That’s what the coaches want.’’

Stoudemire said he is through playing center, a position he was forced into parts of last season. The frontline could look like Carmelo Anthony, Stoudemire and Chandler, who helped lead Dallas to the NBA championship last June.

The Knicks would need a starting point guard and have interest in Jamaal Tinsley, whose made a successful comeback in the D-League and whom Knicks consultant Donnie Walsh drafted in Indiana. The Knicks were not linked to Chandler since free agency began last week because of their desire to keep to one-year deals.

Stoudemire said adding to the center position is something "we've long talked about.''

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knicksblog/knicks_making_move_on_chandler_5CizjgqvRnQpTIxmToIH7M#ixzz1fyUplQpU

 

[Gr00vus]

The Knicks become a LOT more interesting with Chandler. Do they try to then turn Amare into CP3?

Would Amare be more enticing than Bynum for the Hornets?I was presented with that same dillema in our little franchise draft here and I went with Amare, but that was knowing we could only have 3 year max deals.

Some issues, different guy. The biggest difference between the two is that I could see Amare putting some butts in the seats this year because of his reputation as a "superstar."

They seem like very different players to me. Plus Bynum is 4 years younger, is currently "cheaper" and is a true 5. If you're really rebuilding, who would you rather go with?

 

[shadyridr]

In the latest twist of his expected departure from the Dallas Mavericks, Tyson Chandler is closing in on a deal with the New York Knicks, according to sources close to the process.

"New York is Tyson's first choice," one source told ESPN.com, confirming a Thursday report from CBSSports.com that the Knicks have jumped ahead of the Golden State Warriors in the race to sign Chandler.

"It's 98 percent sure that Tyson is going to wind up with the Knicks."

More on the Mavericks

News, notes and analysis of the Mavericks from ESPNDallas.com's Jeff Caplan, Tim MacMahon and our team. Blog

To create sufficient salary-cap space to sign Chandler, New York is expected to shed the contracts of Chauncey Billups and Ronny Turiaf, through either trades or the forthcoming amnesty clause.

Signing Chandler, sources said, could free up the Knicks to offer star forward Amare Stoudemire to the New Orleans Hornets in a trade scenario for Chris Paul, who badly wants to reunite with Chandler after their time together with the Hornets. Sources say that's one option New York is considering.

CSNBayArea.com reported that the Warriors are trying to sweeten a four-year offer to Chandler valued at $60 million to outbid the Knicks.

The Warriors, sources said, have made Chandler their No. 1 roster target, no matter what happens with their recent trade talks with the Hornets about Paul.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, are fully operating under the premise that Chandler is gone.

Another telling sign that Chandler's time in Dallas has come to an end emerged Thursday, when sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that the Mavericks offered Chandler to the Orlando Magic as part of a proposed sign-and-trade deal for All-Star center Dwight Howard.

No one connected to the Mavericks has said outright that Chandler's time in Dallas is over. But it's now the working assumption in Dallas that Chandler will definitely be leaving the Mavericks -- despite being credited with changing the defensive culture of a team that lost in the first round of the playoffs three times in the previous four years before its 2010-11 championship breakthrough.

Negotiations between the Mavericks and Chandler are essentially frozen, sources said. And any hope of a U-turn has all but evaporated because Dallas is determined to take as much salary-cap space as possible into the summer of 2012, even if that means parting with such an important piece of the first championship in franchise history.

Two sources briefed on the matter used the same words to describe the situation when asked about Chandler by ESPN.com: "He's not coming back."

The Mavericks have taken such a firm negotiating stance with Chandler because they fear that matching the offers for the 29-year-old will not only take them out of the race for 2012 free-agent stars Howard, Deron Williams and Chris Paul, but also prevent them from having the down-the-road financial flexibility to find a younger cornerstone player to team with Dirk Nowitzki as the 33-year-old face of the franchise gets older.

Two sources briefed on the matter used the same words to describe the situation when asked about Chandler by ESPN.com: "He's not coming back."

Dallas strongly believes that it will be a finalist for all three of those top stars next summer, since none of them -- no matter where they are this season -- are expected to sign contract extensions, sources close to the situation said. That's because the new labor deal expected to be ratified Thursday by NBA players and owners makes it more advantageous for Howard, Williams and Paul to opt out of their current contracts in July and then proceed to free agency.

The Warriors and Rockets have already met face-to-face with Chandler this week, with sources telling ESPN.com that the 7-footer is likely to sign a four-year deal worth more than $50 million with one of his top three suitors. The Nets, trying to upgrade their roster to seal a long-term commitment from Williams, remain in that group, despite the fact they haven't directly met yet with Chandler.

Warriors general manager Larry Riley said Wednesday on KNBR-AM that the team was "working every possible angle" and felt positive that its pursuit of Chandler was moving in the right direction.

"I'll tell you that Tyson Chandler is a guy we'd really love to have here in the Bay Area," Warriors general manager Larry Riley said Wednesday on KNBR-AM when asked if Chandler is Golden State's first, second and third priority. "You got it. You stated it, so I'm not going to. You've got the picture of where we are.

"When (new owners) Joe (Lacob) and Peter (Guber) bought this team, they bought it to be aggressive and build a team. You can't say, 'Oh gee, we can't get into a free-agent race.' You have to get into the race and take your best shot. We'll win those eventually, and I'm thinking we've got a great chance right now."

NBA front-office sources say the Mavericks have already begun courting bargain-priced big men, most notably former lottery pick Brandan Wright. Incumbents Brendan Haywood and Ian Mahinmi will obviously get the first crack at Chandler's minutes.

The challenge for the Mavericks in adding depth to their center rotation is getting quality players to take short-term deals to preserve maximum cap space for their summer of 2012 recruiting plans. The Mavericks did try to convince Chandler to accept a one-year deal worth a whopping $20 million, but there was never real hope of that happening, sources said.

As far back as last week, as negotiations with the Mavericks quickly stalled, Chandler told ESPN.com in a phone interview: "I really think I'm going to be on a new team come training camp."

In addition to pursuing Chandler as part of its efforts to lock in Williams before the team's long-awaited move to Brooklyn next season, New Jersey remains at the forefront of the chase for Denver Nuggets free agent Nene, along with the Nuggets, Rockets and Indiana Pacers.

ESPN.com reported last week that the Nets are prepared to offer Brook Lopez and two future first-round picks to Orlando, while also absorbing Hedo Turkoglu's contract, in hopes of convincing the Magic to send them Howard. But the Nets also forged ahead with the pursuit of Nene and Chandler to ensure that they land a top-flight big man, figuring that signing either one would also only enhance their collection of trade assets to offer the Magic for Howard.

The Warriors might have to use the forthcoming amnesty clause on guard Charlie Bell or even center Andris Biedrins to create enough cap space to win the bidding for Chandler. But Golden State is arguably the strongest current threat to sign Chandler away. Awash in scorers, Golden State is looking for a defensive-minded anchor to complement Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and David Lee.

Houston, meanwhile, simply needs a top-flight center after the retirement of Yao Ming and continues to press hard for Nene or Chandler.

Chandler maintains that staying in Dallas has always been his first choice, but he expressed disappointment last week that communication between the sides was minimal from the end of the NBA Finals in mid-June and the June 30 deadline for a contract extension.

The Mavericks maintain that they were reluctant to talk about an extension before July 1 because no one knew how drastic changes to the NBA's collective bargaining agreement would be at that time.

The best estimates in circulation suggest that the Mavericks would only have roughly $5 million in cap space for the summer of 2012 if they match an offer for Chandler, even if Dallas' other free agents, such as Caron Butler and J.J. Barea, are let go as expected.

To have the needed cap space to bid for a player of Paul's or Williams' caliber if Chandler is retained, Dallas would likely need to set free either backup center Brendan Haywood or forward Shawn Marion through the amnesty clause, bid farewell to 2012 free agent-to-be Jason Terry and perhaps even be forced to send away younger prospects like Corey Brewer or Rodrigue Beaubois in trades that bring back no salary.

Chandler, 29, was acquired by the Mavericks in July 2010 in a deal sending Erick Dampier to the Charlotte Bobcats. But Chandler was widely billed at the time as a consolation prize, after Dampier's cap-friendly contract failed to get Dallas in the bidding for the league's marquee free agents -- LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh among them -- through various sign-and-trade offers.

Yet, Chandler wound up meshing with Nowitzki better than anyone anticipated, supplying a blend of length, athleticism, rim protection and vocal leadership that no big man who previously lined up alongside the eventual NBA Finals MVP had ever provided in Dallas.

After missing nearly 70 games over the previous two seasons through injury, Chandler wound up playing in 74 regular season games and finished third in the league's Defensive Player of the Year voting.

In the Western Conference finals, Chandler helped Dallas to a 4-1 series win over the same Oklahoma City Thunder team that traded for him in February 2009 and then rescinded the trade one day later because of concerns about a toe injury.

 

[Gr00vus]

Bill Ingram: Sounds like the Rockets will help the Lakers get Chris Paul, landing Pau Gasol in the process. They'll be the next team to try Pau @ center. 3 minutes ago

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html#ixzz1fyPLNYEk

Seems to be a key piece missing here.

Playing with the trade machine I can't come up with anything that makes much sense (without taking draft picks into consideration, which the Lakers don't have anyway). Here's a shot. I'm sure someone else could do better.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Broussard: Hou has what New Orl wants in trade 4 CP: established players (Scola, KMart), youth (Budinger, Patterson), 1st-rnd picks (Own, NYK'12)

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Bill Ingram: Sounds like the Rockets will help the Lakers get Chris Paul, landing Pau Gasol in the process. They'll be the next team to try Pau @ center. 3 minutes ago

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html#ixzz1fyPLNYEk

Seems to be a key piece missing here.

Playing with the trade machine I can't come up with anything that makes much sense (without taking draft picks into consideration, which the Lakers don't have anyway). Here's a shot. I'm sure someone else could do better.

If they want to move both Bynum and Gasol.

 

[rodg12]

Could do something like this...

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7yy3rho

 

[Kiddnets]

Broussard: Hou has what New Orl wants in trade 4 CP: established players (Scola, KMart), youth (Budinger, Patterson), 1st-rnd picks (Own, NYK'12)

why the heck would Houston facilitate this for LA? For Gasol? No sense to me

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Could do something like this...http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7yy3rho

Bad for Houston.Gasol for Martin, Scola, Patterson, Budinger and Thabeet?

 

[Kiddnets]

Whats the use of cap space if no one wants to come? Hope Billy King has an ace up his sleeve or we will be looking at another disasterous FA left out in the cold...jumoed by the freaking Knicks!

 

[Gr00vus]

Bill Ingram: Sounds like the Rockets will help the Lakers get Chris Paul, landing Pau Gasol in the process. They'll be the next team to try Pau @ center. 3 minutes ago

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html#ixzz1fyPLNYEk

Seems to be a key piece missing here.

Playing with the trade machine I can't come up with anything that makes much sense (without taking draft picks into consideration, which the Lakers don't have anyway). Here's a shot. I'm sure someone else could do better.

If they want to move both Bynum and Gasol.

I figure the end game for the Lakers would be to either sit tight after dealing Gasol for Paul or sending Bynum & Odom out for Howard. Seems a risky option sending Gasol out and gambling on the knees of both Bynum and Paul.

 

[rodg12]

Could do something like this...http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7yy3rho

Bad for Houston.Gasol for Martin, Scola, Patterson, Budinger and Thabeet?

Obviously Houston values Gasol a ton or they wouldn't even be having these discussions. They should. Most skilled big man in the game. I mean what's the tipping point for this? Including Patterson or Budinger? Doubt that would stop them from acquiring Gasol. Plus, clearing Thabeet's contract helps them make a run for Nene.

 

[Kev4029]

The Knicks become a LOT more interesting with Chandler. Do they try to then turn Amare into CP3?

Would Amare be more enticing than Bynum for the Hornets?I was presented with that same dillema in our little franchise draft here and I went with Amare, but that was knowing we could only have 3 year max deals.

Some issues, different guy. The biggest difference between the two is that I could see Amare putting some butts in the seats this year because of his reputation as a "superstar."

They seem like very different players to me. Plus Bynum is 4 years younger, is currently "cheaper" and is a true 5. If you're really rebuilding, who would you rather go with?

I would take Bynum, but I see a good argument for Amare. Amare is an established player with a history of scoring tons of points, and he is the much bigger name so the average NBA fan (goes to a a game or two a year, pays a little attention to the scores each night his team plays and watches 15 to 20 games a year) with see it as a better trade and would be more likely to keep rooting on the team this year. I think it would take a year or two of Bynum being healthy and effective before people would buy into him.

 

[Yo Mama]

Some interesting comments from Billups' agent per Wojnarowski:

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski More agent Andy Miller on Knicks exposing Billups to amnesty waiver wire: "....unless it's a team he chooses himself. Buyer beware."12 minutes ago WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Agent Miller on Billups: "He has no intention of being open-minded about any possible situation where a team would claim him off waivers.."14 minutes ago WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Just spoke to Andy Miller, agent for Chauncey Billups, who describes his client as "irate" over possibility of Knicks using amnesty on him.15 minutes ago

 

[Yo Mama]

Billups to the Heat?

 

[rodg12]

Caron Butler to the Clips. 3 yrs/ $24 mill.

daldridgetnt David AldridgeSource: Caron Butler agrees to terms with Clippers. Three years, 24M.

 

[Gr00vus]

Billups to the Heat?

They'd basically have to wait until everyone else passes on him, right?

 

[Gr00vus]

Caron Butler to the Clips. 3 yrs/ $24 mill.

daldridgetnt David AldridgeSource: Caron Butler agrees to terms with Clippers. Three years, 24M.

Silly Clippers.

 

[Kev4029]

Could do something like this...http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7yy3rho

Bad for Houston.Gasol for Martin, Scola, Patterson, Budinger and Thabeet?

Obviously Houston values Gasol a ton or they wouldn't even be having these discussions. They should. Most skilled big man in the game. I mean what's the tipping point for this? Including Patterson or Budinger? Doubt that would stop them from acquiring Gasol. Plus, clearing Thabeet's contract helps them make a run for Nene.

They could keep Scola, trade for Gasol, pick up Calderon when he is amnestied, trade for Najera (I'm sure he would come for free), and sign JJ Barea. An all Spanish speaking lineup would be the greatest shtick the NBA has ever seen.

 

[Kev4029]

Billups to the Heat?

If he's amnestied he would have to slide through about 15 teams under that cap, most of whom could use a PG. Very unlikely.

 

[rodg12]

Could do something like this...http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7yy3rho

Bad for Houston.Gasol for Martin, Scola, Patterson, Budinger and Thabeet?

Obviously Houston values Gasol a ton or they wouldn't even be having these discussions. They should. Most skilled big man in the game. I mean what's the tipping point for this? Including Patterson or Budinger? Doubt that would stop them from acquiring Gasol. Plus, clearing Thabeet's contract helps them make a run for Nene.

They could keep Scola, trade for Gasol, pick up Calderon when he is amnestied, trade for Najera (I'm sure he would come for free), and sign JJ Barea. An all Spanish speaking lineup would be the greatest shtick the NBA has ever seen.

In Texas no less...

 

[Yo Mama]

Billups to the Heat?

If he's amnestied he would have to slide through about 15 teams under that cap, most of whom could use a PG. Very unlikely.

Was only speculating that due to the quotes from his agent of "buyer beware" for any team trying to pick him up through the waiver process. I'm not sure this is what the owners were envisioning when setting up the amnesty/waiver process.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Some interesting comments from Billups' agent per Wojnarowski:

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski More agent Andy Miller on Knicks exposing Billups to amnesty waiver wire: "....unless it's a team he chooses himself. Buyer beware."12 minutes ago WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Agent Miller on Billups: "He has no intention of being open-minded about any possible situation where a team would claim him off waivers.."14 minutes ago WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Just spoke to Andy Miller, agent for Chauncey Billups, who describes his client as "irate" over possibility of Knicks using amnesty on him.15 minutes ago

A team below the cap team can still bid real cheap then trade him to a contender, right? I assume that would be the angle.

 

[Kev4029]

Some interesting comments from Billups' agent per Wojnarowski:

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski More agent Andy Miller on Knicks exposing Billups to amnesty waiver wire: "....unless it's a team he chooses himself. Buyer beware."12 minutes ago WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Agent Miller on Billups: "He has no intention of being open-minded about any possible situation where a team would claim him off waivers.."14 minutes ago WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Just spoke to Andy Miller, agent for Chauncey Billups, who describes his client as "irate" over possibility of Knicks using amnesty on him.15 minutes ago

A team below the cap team can still bid real cheap then trade him to a contender, right? I assume that would be the angle.

There is going to be a rule against this, I think they'll have to hold on to them for a year.