Anyone on the list that can be of interest to the Rockets? The Rockets' signing of Eric Piatkowski means that James Posey is likely heading to Memphis. With the Hawks newfound saving, will they get into the Lamar Odom hunt? Here's Insider's latest look at who's going where . . . Also see: Updated Depth Charts Complete 2003 free agent list Key: (R) = restricted free agent 1. Lamar Odom, SF, Clippers (R) In the mix? Heat, Nuggets, Hawks, Clippers Outlook: That Atlanta Journal Constitution reported on Friday that the Hawks would be interested in a sign-and-trade for Odom, but the chances of that happening appear to be very slim. Odom left Miami on Wednesday without an offer sheet from the Heat. From all accounts Odom wants to play in Miami and coach Pat Riley is in love. So what's the hold up? A couple of things. First, Odom is looking for a deal that averages at least $10 million a year. That's six years, for $60 million, if you do that math. Second, because the Clippers are also interested and are giving signals that they'll match, he's also leaning toward a shorter contract. A three-year, $30 million deal would work for Odom (and likely scare off the Clippers, who were offering three years for $24 million), but at a starting salary of $9 million a year, would the Heat balk? Finally, the Heat want to wait and see what the Clippers do with Corey Maggette before making a move. Insider Prediction: The Heat may give Odom an offer, but it looks like the Clips will match. 2. Jason Terry, SG, Hawks (R) In the mix? Hawks, Nuggets, Sonics Outlook: 6-foot-2 shooting guard anyone? Anyone? The market for Terry could still be open if the Clippers were to match the Jazz's and Nuggets' offers for Corey Maggette and Andre Miller, respectively. Insider Prediction: The Hawks drafted a big point guard in Boris Diaw so they can afford to keep Terry around as a bargain. 3. Elden Campbell, C, Sonics In the mix? Pistons, Knicks, Mavs Outlook: Sources in Detroit told Insider Wednesday night that the Pistons were on the verge of signing center Elden Campbell to a two-year deal starting at $4 million a season. Campbell's agent, Richard Howell, declined comment on the deal. The signing is expected to happen on Friday. Insider Prediction: The Pistons add yet another 7-footer. 4. Reggie Miller, SG, Pacers In the mix? Pacers, Spurs, Nets, Lakers Outlook: It's hard to fathom a situation where the Pacers don't re-sign Miller. Then again, Karl Malone and Gary Payton bolted for less money and a chance to win a ring; would Miller do the same? Insider Prediction: The Pacers should be able to keep him around. 5. Stephen Jackson, SF, Spurs (R) In the mix? Nuggets, Hawks Outlook: The Spurs will have to renounce free agent Stephen Jackson to get far enough under the cap to add Turkoglu and Mercer to the fold. That means that Jackson is now in play. Agent Dan Fegan told the Denver Post that he's had conversations with the Nuggets about Jackson. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported on Friday that the Hawks have interest in Jackson. Insider Prediction: It looks like Jackson won't return to the Alamo. 6. Ognjen Askrabic, PF, Yugoslavia In the mix? Mavs, Jazz, Nuggets, Sonics Outlook: He's the top young free agent in Europe right now. Askrabic is the top player in the Yugoslavian league. His inside-outside game is very impressive -- he's got great range on his jumper and is tough as nails in the paint. However, he's a bit undersized to play the four and lacks the quickness to guard threes. Insider Prediction: The Mavs have shown interest for years, but it could be the Jazz who actually land him. He could have a Gordan Giricek-type impact his rookie season. 7. Derrick Coleman, PF, Sixers In the mix? Sixers, Pistons Outlook: The Sixers have begun to negotiate with Coleman over a new contract, but they're not going to break the bank for him. Larry Brown would love to add him to the mix in Detroit, but the addition of Campbell probably ends that. Insider Prediction: The Sixers give Coleman a pay cut. 8. Darrell Armstrong, PG, Magic In the mix? Pacers, Spurs, Heat, Outlook: Armstrong's options are drying up. Washington and Golden State were interested, but they went in different directions. With the Magic signing Tyronn Lue, his days in Orlando appear to be numbered. The Pacers, Spurs and Heat all need help at the point. Insider Prediction: He'd be a solid fit in Indiana. 9. Jumaine Jones, SF, Cavs (R) In the mix? Sonics, T-Wolves Outlook: Jones is proably a little underrated. He's a poor man's Robert Horry and should find some sort of club to stick with. Insider Prediction: The Sonics could use more size and he'd probably come cheap. 10. Tyrone Hill, PF, Sixers In the mix? Mavs, T-Wolves, Sonics Outlook: Hill is a scrappy rebounder who should be able to contribute on a team that needs help cleaning the glass. Insider Prediction: Look for the Mavs to bring him in if they can't get the forward they are looking for via trade. 11. Predrag Drobnjak, PF, Sonics (R) In the mix? Sonics, Knicks, Grizzlies, Suns Outlook: Drobnjak is another tough big man who will crash the boards and play with his back to the basket. He's also an excellent face-up shooter. The Sonics have his rights and will likely match if Drobnjak doesn't get a big offer. Insider Prediction: Drobnjak would give the Grizzlies another big body, but it appears Jerry West has his sights set a little higher. 12. Jon Barry, SG, Pistons; In the mix? Lakers, Pacers, Nets Outlook: He's the best shooter left on the board. Barry's the consummate sixth man who can light it up when the game is on the line. He visted Indiana last Friday. Insider Prediction: It depends on whether Carlos Delfino will stay in Europe another season. There are conflicting reports but the latest is that he may be coming to Detroit. 13. Kenny Anderson, PG, Hornets In the mix? ??? Outlook: He may still have personality issues, but Anderson is still a top talent. He'll land somewhere, the question is where? Insider Prediction: Someone looking for a veteran point, think Miami, might give him a shot. 14. Jim Jackson, SF, Kings In the mix? Kings, T-Wolves, Lakers Outlook: Jackson had a great year in Sacramento last season, but it's unclear whether the Kings really want to keep him. They should be careful, both the T-Wolves and Lakers need bodies and he's a steal at the minimum. Insider Prediction: Look for the Wolves to keep adding away to their roster. If the Spree trade goes down, they'll have a $1.5 million trade exception to use. 15. Earl Boykins, PG, Warriors In the mix? Nuggets, Jazz, Pistson, Heat Outlook: The diminutive point guard is probably out of a job now that the Warriors have decided to sign Speedy Claxton. Not to worry. Several other teams need a point guard in the worst way and Boykins has proven he can be a major spark off the bench. Insider Prediction: He'd be a nice change of pace with Andre Miller in Denver. Best of the Rest: (in order by team) Dion Glover, SG, Hawks; DerMarr Johnson, SG, Hawks; Donnell Harvey, PF, Nuggets; Travis Best, PG, Heat; LaPhonso Ellis, SF, Heat; Rafer Alston, PG, Raptors; Voshon Lenard, SG, Raptors; Samakai Walker, PF, Lakers; Vladimir Stephania, C, Heat. Off the market (* = deal reportedly agreed to, but unsigned) Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers: 7 years, $126 million Tim Duncan, Spurs: 7 years, $122 million Jason Kidd, Nets: 6 years, $103 million Elton Brand, Clippers: 6 years, $82.2 million Brad Miller, Kings: 7 years, $68 million Gilbert Arenas, offer sheet with Wizards: 6 years, $65 million Richard Hamilton, Pistons: 7 years, $62 million Andre Miller, offer sheet with Nuggets: 6 years, $51 million Corey Maggette, offer sheet with Jazz: 6 years, $45 million Rasho Nesterovic, Spurs: 6 years, $42 million Kenny Thomas, Sixers: 7 years, $40 million P. J. Brown, Hornets: 4 years, $34 million Juwan Howard, Magic: 5 years, $28 million James Posey, offer sheet with Grizzlies: 4 years, $23 million Michael Olowokandi, T-Wolves: 3 years, $16.2 million Kevin Ollie, Cavs: 5 years, $14 million Ira Newble, Cavs: 4 years, $12.3 million Gary Payton, Lakers: 2 years, $10.4 million Scottie Pippen, Bulls: 2 years, $10.4 million Speedy Claxton, Warriors: 3 years, $10 million Robert Horry, Spurs: 2 years, $9 million Eric Piatkowski, Rockets: 3 years, $8 million Antonio Daniels, Sonics: 3 years, $6.6 million Brian Skinner, Bucks: 3 years, $5 million Andrew DeClerq, Magic: 2 years, $5 million Jake Voskuhl, Suns: 3 years, $5 million Walter McCarty, Celtics: 3 years, $4.1 million Karl Malone, Lakers: 2 years, $3.1 million Erick Strickland, Bucks: 2 years, $3.1 million Tyronn Lue, Magic, 2 years, $3.1 million Mark Blount, Celtics: 2 years, $3 million Scott Williams, Suns: 1 year, $1.1 million Sean Rooks, Hornets: 1 year Anthony Johnson, Pacers: 1 year Damon Jones, Bucks: ? Jerome Moiso, Raptors: ? Milt Palacio, Raptors: ? Amal McCaskil, Sixers: ?
Stephen Jackson will probably cost too much, but if what they said about Jim Jackson is true, we should try at all costs to sign him for 1.5 - 2mil.
I could see Jim Jackson short-term. He still has some postup game left and that's something the Rox could use more of. Unfortunately, I don't think the Kings would let us have him for $1.5m. Off-topic - Why are the Lakers listed in the running for Jackson? Didn't they use both of their exceptions on Malone and Payton?
Will you people get off of Stephen Jacksons balls please. He sucks. Go to realgm and ask the spurs board what they think of him. He is there moochie. He was AWFUL in the finals. Id rather have Piakowski. Plus,he looks like William Defoe and man hes ugly.The rockets will stand pat. They intended on a run and gun team with spreewell and Posey but the wolves and griz screwed up that plan. I dont understand why the clippers are willing to let Odom walk for nothing. They also need to reach the minimum salary for the year and a expiring contract(rice) would be perfect. Oh well.
ESPN Insider has our 1st String, 2nd String and backups setup... HOUSTON ROCKETS 1. Steve Francis Cuttino Mobley Yao Ming Glen Rice Eddie Griffin 2. Moochie Norris Eric Piatkowski Kelvin Cato Terence Morris (U) Mo Taylor 3. Tito Maddox (U) James Posey (R) Jason Collier (U) Bostjan Nachbar Malik Badiane* 4. Juaquin Hawkins (U) Is this any good or does it need improvement?
We probably dont have a chance at any of the bigger names up their so why dont we get Rafear Alston hes great to watch and could bring a spark of the bench.
I like Ty Hill on that list. He is what our team has been needing since Thorpe and Willis left: tough rebounder.
Most Spurs fans say they wanted to keep him. I would love to get Jumaine Jones though, he would be a nice fit, and does pretty much the same things that Posey does.
<i>Off-topic - Why are the Lakers listed in the running for Jackson? Didn't they use both of their exceptions on Malone and Payton?</i> Veteran's minimum. Maybe the Lakers are offering Jackson the starting SF spot and a chance at a championship.
Where's Byron Russel? If he could be had for the vet min. then I say go for it! He's plays D (was Utah's stopper) and his offense has turned non-exisitent the last couple of years but I'm thinking being in Washington with the whole Jordan sideshow that could be a reason for that. I'm not saying as a starter but simply as a role playing 2/3 who I think might do fairly well under JVG.
I like Demarr Johnson and Jumaine Jones on that list as possible swingmen for a good price. Even though Johnson has come off a serious injury, he did show a promising comeback in the SL games. Jones is a pretty nice player as well and may not be as good defensively as JPo, but just as or more athletic.
Now that we used our money on Piatkowski, are we still in the hunt for anyone? What happened to the vet pg plan? I guess anything that happens now will come via trade. With moochies ridiculous contract, and the rest of the horrible contracts on our team, it seems like a trade is out of the question. I hope I am wrong.
The thing is, Johnson's injury was not really one that will hurt his career. The only thing that has realy hurt him is the time off, so he will need to overcome rust, but not the injury. The main thing for Dermarr is that he needs to get a heart/aggressive.
Thanks for the correction. I thought I heard the injury of Johnson's to be pretty bad. If he could be had cheap however, I say we try to play him at the SF position if we plan to do it by numbers this year. I know he needs to have more heart/aggressiveness, along with Eddie, so maybe they could both thrive under JVG (since some, including myself, think Eddie will). Also, even with rust and passion problems, why pass up on a 6'9 talent (was playing pretty well before the car wreck) IF he could be had at a minimum. I'm not sure on his price and he is a restricted FA. However, Cleveland has a glut of swingmen who will be playing a good amount of minutes and he could be the odd man out. The downside is even if he wanted to leave, the Cavs could easily match a cheap offer as to keep "insurance" for injury purposes.
