It appears things are shaking out in the Rocket's favor to land one of their two prospective free-agents for the MLE. Unless a sign and trade can be had by Boston or Memphis, the Rock's look like they may have a legitimate shot at the going rate. Stromile Swift, Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies knew a year ago that Swift was going to defect. The issue right now is whether they still can get something in return. Swift is an unrestricted free agent, but he probably still needs the Grizzlies if he's going to get a contract for more than the mid-level exception. The teams most interested in Swift, such as the Knicks, Rockets and Nets, don't have the cap room to offer him more than the mid-level. The Grizzlies are hoping to swap Swift for a legitimate center to patrol the middle. Antoine Walker, Boston Celtics: With Danny Ainge looking for Walker to take a huge pay cut to remain in Boston, Walker's agent, Mark Bartelstein, has been burning up the phone lines trying to get a sign-and-trade deal for Walker. He's been talking to the Knicks, Rockets, Kings and Sonics. The problem will be getting Ainge to agree to a sign-and-trade. Walker might find the deal he wants in New York or Sacramento, but it doesn't mean that team has something it is willing to give up that the Celtics want in return. If the Celtics don't like what they're offered, Walker might have no choice but to take a big pay cut to return to Boston or sign for the mid-level exception elsewhere. Not much else going on, and I am bored so any news is something! Thanks.
How much do you have to pay anyways? I don't think its worth it...you can get the info for free on some websites..
I've had that and their magazine for a few years now, but I have no idea how much they're charging me, or if they're charging me at all. Maybe they forgot...
I dont think anyone really pays for ESPN Insider because they specifically want it. It comes FREE with your subscription to ESPN The Magazine. Basically a package deal. I get ESPN the magazine so I get Insider. My guess is that anyone that has Insider got it as a bonus to getting the mag.
I am a fantasy basketball geek, so I got it for the inside info on some of the players. I paid $15 once about a year and a half ago... I have never had it turned off ... and I still get their crappy magazine - I will bet that they keep it going, not for the $15, but so that they can tell advertizers that they have xxx number of readers and boots revenue
One interesting thing to come out of this usless Insider crap (I also am dumb enough to subscribe) was the Grizz's desire for a center. The Knicks just signed Jerome James. It's just speculation, but perhaps they are trying to do a sign and trade with Memphis using James? If so, that's horrible news for Houston (assuming you are a Swift supporter).
I think I got it because I paid for an ESPN fantasy basketball team. But I might be completely wrong about this.
I am not sure, but if they were going to do a sign-and-trade, wouldn't it have to be instantaneous with Memphis signing (and then trading) Swift?
It seems the Grizz were interested in Brown before he got traded to the Lakers. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/13/AR2005071302054.html
I don't think this will work. Once a player is signed he can't be traded for like 90 days unless it is a sign & trade. ONly Memphis can do a S&T with Swift so only Seattle can do a S&T with James, not NY. I could be wrong.
I also saw that the Knicks picked up James, but I believe that to be good news and would take them out the running for another bigman. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) you can not trade a player that quickly you just signed...unless its from the team the player just played for
Where do these GMs get off asking for so much to S&T their unrestricted free agents? I mean, West & Nash (Portland), from all accounts, don't want thier free agent PF anymore and always knew they would be leaving, so what makes them think they deserve either a 1st-round pick or a good center in return?
I believe you are wrong. A player can't be traded for 90 days collectively with another player. He can be traded immediately if he is the only player in his part of the trade.
I think I am paying like $5 a month for it and for the most part there is not a whole lot of benefit. However, I like the fact that they are linked with many of the newspapers from around the nation so when you want to get all the articles about a certain subject, it makes it easy to track. But to be honest with you, it's only $5 a month so I don't eat at McDonald's once a month and its covered. I don't worry to much about expenses like that. If it were $10 or $15 there is no way I would do it because their is simply not enough information that I am interested in. Just some thoughts...
GATER - Newly signed free agents, like James, can not be traded until December 15, just like signed draft picks. Edit: There's a chance this date could be changed in the new CBA, but not likely. Bottom line, the Knicks didn't sign James to turn around and trade him to Memphis, and they can't do it anyway. I'm not sure if they've officially signed Channing Frye yet, but I doubt they'd trade the rights of a lottery pick anyway.
