2008-09 general league thread (non-Pistons)

[mikhail1973]

After threatening to join the exodus to Europe, Andris Biedrins signed a lucrative 6 year contract with the Warriors worth a reported $63 million. This is the second player in the last few days who is being overpaid by his team after threatening to go to Europe if they didn't offer enough. First, Sasha Vujacic signed a three-year, $15 million contract after threatening to leave for Europe and now this ridiculous contract for Biedrins. This may be a disturbing trend as teams pay too much for players because they threaten to go overseas. I actually believe that the Hornets overpaid for Posey and may regret it somewhere down the line. Although, he may be the piece that puts them over the top as a contender so we won't know until it all plays out.

Rumors and Free Agent Updates - Teams are Overpaying Edition

[mikhail1973]

F Evans Signs Three-Year, $7.5 Million Deal With Hawks | AHN | July 28, 2008

With Josh Childress heading to Europe, the Hawks have picked up forward/guard Maurice Evans to replace him.
The six-year veteran has signed a three year deal, worth approximately $7.5 million.
Evans has been bouncing around for the last year, having played for both the Magic and Lakers as well.
He is now expected to get a great deal of playing time, as the sixth man for the Hawks.
The Lakers traded Evans, along with Brian Cook in order to pick up Trevor Ariza.
He's got some pretty big shoes to fill, asChildress, from the sixth man position, averaged 11.8 points a game, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
While Evans started 47 out of 68 games last year, he averaged only 24 minutes a game. That total could 30 mpg for his Hawk career.
Evans' primary strengths include an ability to control the perimeter and he is a three point threat.
He shoots a career 37% beyond the arc.

[mikhail1973]

NEW JERSEY NETS NENAD KRISTIC SIGNS WITH RUSSIAN TEAM - New York Post

Look as if the NetsNew Jersey Nets possibly are stashing Nenad KrsticNenad Krstic overseas. Again.
Krstic has accepted a two-year deal with Triumph of Moscow to play in Russia, the second Net to opt for Russia in as many weeks. Bostjan NachbarBostjan Nachbar accpted a three-year deal with Dynamo of Moscow last week, accpeting what he called a "once in a lifetime" deal.
As long as the Nets make Krstic a qualifying offer each year -- as they did before the free agency period started ($2.7 million was the NBA qualifier), the Nets will retain his NBA rights. And he has an opt-out clause after the first year in Russia should he decide he wants to play in the NBA again.

[mikhail1973]

ESPN - Paxson: Bulls reach deal to keep restricted free agent Deng - NBA

Deng and the Bulls, after more than a year of slow-moving negotiations, completed a new contract that will keep the restricted free agent in Chicago.




With Deng committed to leaving for England by week's end to join Great Britain's national team -- and insisting to the Bulls that he would not negotiate with them further without a deal by Friday -- sources said that the sides have verbally agreed on a new six-year pact worth a guaranteed $71 million.

Various media outlets are reporting that the deal could be worth as much as $80 million.

[mikhail1973]

ESPN - Former Heat guard Davis signs 2-year deal with Clippers - NBA

The Clippers continued their offseason makeover Monday, signing veteran swingman Ricky Davis to a multiyear contract.
Sources told ESPN.com's Chad Ford that the deal was for two years, $4.7 million with an opt out clause for Davis after his first year.



Davis



Davis, an unrestricted free agent who turns 29 in September, averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while playing in all 82 games for the Miami Heat last season. He shot 43.3 percent from the floor, 40.5 percent on 3-pointers and 78.7 percent from the foul line.

[mikhail1973]

ESPN - Five NBA teams to partake in exhibitions against Euro powers - NBA

After a summer so far noteworthy for the departures of several players from North America to Europe, three famous European teams will make the journey in the opposite direction in October for an exhibition tour against five NBA franchises.
Reigning Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow, Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona and Lithuania's Lietuvos Rytas will face the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors and, possibly, the Los Angeles Clippers at undetermined NBA venues.

[mikhail1973]

Dallas Mavericks' forward Josh Howard arrested for street racing | Dallas Mavericks News | Sports News | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas

Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was arrested Thursday night in his hometown of Winston-Salem, N.C., after police said he was street racing.
Howard was charged with reckless driving and speed competition, the legal term for drag racing. Police said he was going 94 mph in a 55-mph zone. He was released from Forsyth County jail on a written promise to appear in court Sept. 23.
The Mavericks had no comment on the incident. A message left with Howard's agent was not returned.
A police officer saw a black Lexus and a silver Volkswagen speeding along U.S. 421 in Winston-Salem late Thursday night. Howard was identified as the driver of the Lexus, but authorities did not identify the other driver.

[mikhail1973]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9658

It's been a month since the free agency period started in the NBA and as the calendar turns to August, most of the biggest names are off the board. Patience has certainly been a virtue for those that remain, as cap space is now non-existent and options have dwindled down significantly. Some chose Europe while many of those that remain are just now becoming entering serious negotiations.
So who's left and where are there likely destinations? HOOPSWORLD ranks and breaks them down, and you'll certainly notice a developing pattern:

[mikhail1973]

Lou Williams, Sixers Agree on Deal: Three Down, One to Go | Bleacher Report

The Sixers went into this offseason with four main objectives:

1. Get a low-post power forward, preferably Elton Brand. Check.

2. Re-sign restricted free agent Andre Iguodala. Any day now.

3. Re-sign restricted free agent Lou Williams. Check

4. Sign one or more outside shooters at a low price (Ivey and Rush). Check.

The latest objective is the announcement that the Sixers and Lou Williams have agreed on a five-year contract. Terms have not been released.

[mikhail1973]

Magic to re-sign Foyle -- OrlandoSentinel.com

Center Adonal Foyle is expected to re-sign with the Orlando Magic for the 2008-09 season, according to league sources. The official announcement should come early next week.

A 10-year-veteran, Foyle opted out of his two-year contract after last season to become a free agent.