<i>Lewis, Bibby top free-agent pool lacking in marquee names By MICHAEL MURPHY Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Today marks the start of the NBA's free-agent signing period, which usually is a frenetic time for teams trying to bid for the best available talent. But with few big names on the market this year and even fewer teams under the salary cap, what had been a feeding frenzy will be more like a nibble here and a nibble there. Only the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago are under the cap, and possibly Washington, but those teams are saving their cap space for next year's free-agent crop, which includes superstars Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, Alonzo Mourning and Jermaine O'Neal. So names such as Jerome James, Walt Williams and Devean George just aren't enough to get the blood pumping for most NBA general managers. The hottest name in this lukewarm pool of talent is former Elsik star Rashard Lewis, who is expected to re-sign with Seattle. But for how much? That remains to be seen. Lewis and his agent Carl Poston want a maximum deal -- seven years worth $102 million. The Sonics, who have seven free agents to address, are reportedly reluctant to fork over that much, but under the terms of the league's collective bargaining agreement still can pay the sweet-shooting 6-10 small forward more than any other team. <b>The Sonics also have indicated they won't participate in a sign-and-trade that would ship Lewis to another team -- such as the Rockets, as several Internet sites seem intent on reporting. </b> The Rockets are assessing their free-agent crop, which includes Tierre Brown and Oscar Torres, both of whom have a chance to be re-signed, along with Williams, Dan Langhi and Kevin Willis, all of whom are most likely gone. More important to the Rockets is the possibility of signing Steve Francis to a contract extension. The 6-3 guard, who averaged 21.6 points, seven rebounds and 6.4 assists last season, is considered the cornerstone of the Rockets' rebuilding program and is eligible for a maximum extension of six years at a dollar amount that is to be determined because the league's cap figures have yet to be calculated. He will be eligible to earn 25 percent of next year's salary cap figure. It is expected the deal could approach $100 million. Kenny Thomas, who broke through with a career year last season (14.1 points, 7.2 rebounds) also is eligible for an extension. "We're looking forward to getting the process going," said Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson. "What's good about this year is that we're dealing with our guys, not like the last couple of years when we were trying to sign another team's free agents." Thank goodness, considering the names floating around out there. Mike Bibby, who helped the Kings almost dethrone the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, is the prize among a guard group that features Chauncey Billups (who will sign with Detroit) and Michael Redd, who looked like an All-Star every time he played the Rockets. Among the forwards, Lewis heads a crop that includes George (who might jump from the Lakers and sign with New Jersey), Utah's Bryon Russell, Boston's Rodney Rodgers, Utah's Donyell Marshall (who is expected to re-sign with the Jazz), Washington's Popeye Jones and the Hornets' Lee Nailon. The 7-1 James is joined by the Mavericks' Raef LaFrentz (who probably will be re-signed by Dallas), 7-3 Bruno Sundov (formerly with Indiana, but might sign with Boston), and Toronto's Keon Clark. Another free agent is former Portland center Arvydas Sabonis, who retired before last season. The 7-3 Lithuanian was considering a comeback on a European team, but might sign with the Lakers, who are interested in a big body to back up Shaquille O'Neal.</i> I know Clutch didn't write about it so it must be a stab at the BBS and other websites like, hmmmm, I dunno...hoopsworld???
Dawson's comment about only having to deal with our guys this year is indicative of Kenny possibly getting an extension. What I mean by that is, there are virtually no free agents on the Rockets that he will be worrying about resigning. So the only "our guys" he would have to deal with would be those eligible for extensions, i.e. Steve and Kenny.
Why would the Rockets re-sign KT, and why would he want to re-sign with us? Ideally, the Rockets would trade KT to a team where he could start, or be a 6th-man type of a guy this offseason. KT's value is as high as it can be as a Rocket, not to mention that his salary is low. With the luxury tax scaring off 90% of the NBA teams, a player like KT with his low salary could bring the Rockets some decent return. Also, KT might be stuck as a 3rd string PF. It makes no sense for the Rockets to keep him this year, and risk losing him for nothing via FA. It also makes no sense for KT to re-up with the Rockets, when we can't even guarantee him a 2nd string role.
I don't think this was about cc.net at all. Murphy said internet sites were "reporting" a possible sign and trade. To Clutch's credit, he never goes for the sensationalist trade scenarios in his reporting. The front page is only the facts and BBS rumors are only endorsed when they're from trusted insiders. None of these insiders has said we were working on a deal for Rashard. This is about other sites. And that's what's really special about cc.net. Clutch treats this site with a professional journalist's integrity and objectivity, regarding rumors and such, while maintaining a fan site mentality. That's incredibly rare in fan sites and I think it's why insiders are comfortable confiding in him. Which presents for me one more opportunity to kiss Clutch's ass. And anyone who knows me will tell you I'm not an asskisser. But when someone is so deserving, they get a gigantic smooch from me whether they want it or not. This site rules, it can't be said enough and the Chron article just echoes that loud and clear one more time. Go Clutch.
I agree totally. I think this demonstrates two things: 1. There are some sites out there that throw **** against the wall just to see what sticks. 2. That frustrates journalists like Murphy. It really just underscores how cool cc.net is and how tremendous a job Clutch does.
I'm always surprised by how people can say so little in an article, but do it for about 10 paragraphs. I mean, the first part of that article is just a bunch of facts spewed in paragraph form. Then the last part is a free agent list. Well, hot damn, we can all be writers.
might email Michael about the time I went Roo Huntin with Charles and sunk some Fawsters in a Cave with him, he'll love it and will give at least 12 paragraphs to write about!!!!!!
