http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/20050630/sp_usatoday/openseasononfreeagents Open season on free agents By David DuPree, USA TODAY NBA free agency begins Friday, and in an era when teams are looking to run and score more, thanks in large part to the success the Phoenix Suns had with that approach, it's a shooters' market. ADVERTISEMENT Heading the list are three of the league's premier jump shooters: Ray Allen of the Seattle SuperSonics, Michael Redd of the Milwaukee Bucks and Joe Johnson of the Suns. (Related item: DuPree ranks the top 15 free agents) Allen and Redd are unrestricted free agents, and Johnson is restricted, meaning the Suns can match any offer he receives. Teams can open negotiations with free agents Friday, but because of the time needed to put the league's new collective bargaining agreement in writing, no players can be signed until July 22. The new salary cap will be set by then, as well. Last year's cap was $43.87 million, and it is expected to be at least $45 million next season. Allen, who led the Sonics to the sixth-best record in the league (52-30, a 15-game improvement), was 10th in the league in scoring with a 23.9 average. Redd averaged 23 points, and Johnson, in addition to averaging 17.1 points, was second in the NBA in three-point percentage (47.8) and eighth in three-pointers made (177). "I expect the phone will be ringing and teams will be interested," said Lon Babby, Allen's agent. He added that Allen hasn't ruled out returning to the Sonics, although the two sides couldn't come to an agreement on a contract extension during the season. "He's so close to July 1 now, he wants to see what teams have an interest and what the market will bear," Babby said. Allen earned $14.6 million last season. The Sonics will be forced to be big players in the free agent market as nine of their 14 players who were under contract last season are free agents, including starters Jerome James and Reggie Evans and reserves Antonio Daniels, Vladimir Radmanovic and Ronald Murray. Teams with the most salary cap room (based on a $45 million cap) are led by the Atlanta Hawks with about $24 million of cap space. The Sonics and Cleveland Cavaliers have about $21 million available and the Charlotte Bobcats $20 million. The Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Hornets could have approximately $11 million and Milwaukee about $9 million. All 30 teams also will have the benefit of a midlevel exception worth about $5 million to spend on free agents, regardless of their salary-cap situation. No shortage of talent Shooters, shot blockers, players out to prove something and players just trying to find a home are on a list of what could be as many as 150 players who will become free agents. The actual number depends on how many players exercise their options and how many have team options exercised - all of which must be done by Friday. DuPree ranks the top 15 free agents: Ray Allen Seattle SuperSonics •What he does: Is as smooth as they come; can stroke three-pointers or take it to the hole. •Who's interested: Sonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, L.A. Lakers. •What it'll take to sign him: $12 million-$14 million a year. Joe Johnson Phoenix Suns •What he does: Great shooter and a tough defender; can play all three perimeter positions. •Who's interested: Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, Cavaliers, Clippers, Lakers. •What it'll take to sign him: $7 million-$10 million; because he's a restricted free agent, the Suns can match any offer. Michael Redd Milwaukee Bucks •What he does: Big-time shooter; knows how to get open without the ball or off the dribble. •Who's interested: Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Bobcats, Cavaliers, New Orleans Hornets. •What it'll take to sign him: $7 million-$10 million. Tyson Chandler Chicago Bulls •What he does: Defensive specialist who loves to rebound and who will run the floor. •Who's interested: Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Lakers, San Antonio Spurs. •What it'll take to sign him: $5 million-$7 million; a restricted free agent, and the Bulls can match any offer. Larry Hughes Washington Wizards •What he does: All-defensive first-teamer and a solid offensive player. •Who's interested: Wizards, Bucks, Cavaliers, Clippers, Hawks. •What it'll take to sign him: $6 million-$9 million. Samuel Dalembert Philadelphia 76ers •What he does: Athletic shot blocker, could be the next Ben Wallace. •Who's interested: 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Suns. •What it'll take to sign him: $4 million-$6 million; another restricted free agent, so 76ers may match any offer. Zydrunas Ilgauskas Cleveland Cavaliers •What he does: Has nice moves inside and can step out and hit a jumper, but isn't a dominator. •Who's interested: Clippers, Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves. •What it'll take to sign him: $7 million-$11 million. Eddy Curry Chicago Bulls •What he does: Solid low-post scorer, but not much of a rebounder for his size. •Who's interested: Bulls, Hawks, Clippers, Sonics. •What it'll take to sign him: $6 million-$9 million, but Bulls can match any offer because he is a restricted free agent. Stromile Swift Memphis Grizzlies •What he does: Runs the floor; big-time shot blocker who can score. •Who's interested: Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, Bobcats, Lakers, Sonics. •What it'll take to sign him: $5 million-$7 million. Donyell Marshall Toronto Raptors •What he does: Big-time scorer and rebounder; can play either forward spot or shooting guard. •Who's interested: Raptors, Bulls, Heat, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers. •What it'll take to sign him: $5 million-$9 million. Bobby Simmons Los Angeles Clippers •What he does: Outstanding shooter from anywhere; versatile; works hard at both ends. •Who's interested: Clippers, Bobcats, Cavaliers, Hawks, Hornets. •What it'll take to sign him: $5 million-$8 million. Vladimir Radmanovic Seattle SuperSonics •What he does: Great three-point shooter but goes to hole strong, too. •Who's interested: Sonics, Bucks, Hawks, Lakers, Suns. •What it'll take to sign him: $5 million-$8 million; also a restricted free agent, so Sonics can match any offer. Antonio Daniels Seattle SuperSonics •What he does: Great defender from either guard spot; has three-point range. •Who's interested: Sonics, Lakers, Spurs, 76ers. •What it'll take to sign him: $4 million-$7 million. Shareef Abdur Rahim Portland Trail Blazers •What he does: Reliable rebounder and scorer who can defend the post. •Who's interested: Heat, Timberwolves, Knicks, Nets. •What it'll take to sign him: $6 million-$10 million. Kwame Brown Washington Wizards •What he does: Has the body and has shown brief flashes but lacks consistency. •Who's interested: Wizards, Magic, Hawks, Heat, Bobcats, Hornets. •What it'll take to sign him: $4 million-$7 million; a restricted free agent, and the Wizards can match any offer.
They only show us interested in Donyell Marshall. No Stromile Swift and no Antonio Daniels-- not to mention all the others.
for all the crazy talk CD and lyndsay were talking about this sure isnt promising when marshall was the only one on that list we are intrested in getting. ill be pissed if we get him. that means the rox were lying the whole time... this isnt a big move and on top of that... he isnt young and atheletic. wtf. terrible news
I wouldn't get to upset. I doubt this guy has the pulse of the Rockets, and he is probably only looking at teams with enough cap room to sign guys outright. We are certainly players when it comes to sign and trades because of all of our expiring contracts. I know for a fact the Rockets want Swift, so it is a tad ridiculous not to mention us at all under his name.
This is news? This is nada. The whole world has Stro linked by 'interest' to Rox (and I hope he is not a Rocket). Etc. This is nothing.
come one guys...DUPree is just guessing who is interested based on who is rumored to be interested....He doesnt KNOW for a fact who the Rockets want.. One big clue is the fact that we know they have been after AD for ages now...and we arent listed to be interested in him...same goes with Swift..we are fairly certain that the ROckets are at least mildly interested in seeing if they could get him....yet, we arent listed. IT MEANS NOTHING. This is a guesswork article written by a guy just like any one of us here...hell...Kelley Dwyer could have written a better article than this and he is a member here... Calm Down.
$5-9 mil a year is way too much for a 32 year old that just averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds on a bad team. I can't believe he has Marshall expecting more money than Chandler, Swift, and Dalembert.
I don't know why anyone is putting any stock in this guy's opinions when he can't even nail down simple facts. His take on on what the free agents will recieve and the teams interested in them is worthless garbage.
Yeah. That article is absurd. He also has Eddy Curry penciled in to make more money than Tyson Chandler. I have a very difficult time believing teams value Curry more than Chandler.
marshall also averaged about 24 minutes a game. if you play this guy 36 minutes per game you get 17-9. on top of that he gives you 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals. he also shoots the 3 at a 40% clip. his game is the perfect fit next to yao. of course we go after stro first, but if he isn't willing to sign for the MLE and memphis won't do a S&T, then move on before we lose marshall and AD.
The USA Today is a turd. Airport time killer to get a snippet of what's going on with your local team while you're on the road. Nothing more. I would certainly think more than a few teams have an interest in Tyson Chandler. I also agree that his payday should be greater than Curry's.
Yeah, I saw that too. Did he really say under the cap teams get an MLE? He doesn't even understand how free agency works.
The day USA Today has more accurate, up-to-date info on the Rockets than ClutchFans.net is the day I ask Clutch for my money back.
I guess the writer is catering to all those Lakers fans/haters. Love'em or hate'em: ladies and gentlemen, your Los Angeles Lakers.
