All Free Agent Transactions (NBA + Pistons here)

Sources: Drew Gooden agrees to sign with the Dallas Mavericks - ESPN
The Dallas Mavericks have struck a deal with unrestricted free agent Drew Gooden to make use of some of the money they got back when Orlando matched their offer sheet earlier this month to restricted free agent Marcin Gortat.
Gooden announced via his Twitter feed shortly past midnight Saturday that he is signing with the Mavericks. "Dallas here I come," he wrote. In response, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted: "Welcome Drew."
Sources with knowledge of the deal told ESPN.com that Gooden is receiving a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $4.5 million with incentives that will likely take it beyond $5 million by season's end. A formal announcement of the signing is expected Monday or Tuesday.
Gooden had previously announced via Twitter on Friday that he would be "making my decision tomorrow on which team I will be playing for." Sources said that Gooden had narrowed his final choices to Dallas, Cleveland and Charlotte.
Despite leg and abdominal injuries that cost him 31 games last season, Gooden was highly coveted in February after negotiating a buyout with the Sacramento Kings and wound up signing with the San Antonio Spurs. It's believed that he'll get a shot at starting at center for the Mavericks ahead of Erick Dampier, after that spot had been earmarked for Gortat with a five-year, $34 million offer sheet early in free agency.

Heisley says Hakim Warrick set free for cap, not A.I. : Grizzlies : Memphis Commercial Appeal

Capp Spayce is going to Memphis this year:

Pacers Add Shot Blocking Depth With Solomon Jones, Raising More Questions - Indy Cornrows

Jeff Rabjohns reports that the Pacers have agreed to a 2-year deal with former Atlanta big, Solomon Jones. Jones just turned 25 and will be heading into his fourth NBA season spending the previous three scrounging minutes off the bench. At 6'10" with a 7'4" wingspan, Jones definitely has the goods to turn shots away around the rim, but don't expect much impact at the other end of the floor. With the Pacers due for a rags to riches miracle, it would be nice if Jones developed into a stronger presence than anticipated, but planning on divine intervention in July is useless.

I like Hakim Warrick, always did, but he is too thin to be a starter, and the draft is full of guys who may not have his offensive skills, but they match him in athleticism and size.

I hope he catches on somewhere else. On a running team, he could be a poor man's Shawn Marion.

New Orleans Hornets exercising patience in looking to make moves - Hornets Beat
Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower continues to say discussions are ongoing between the team and several targeted free agents.
Meanwhile, 15 of the 16 teams that made the playoffs last season have extended an offer sheet to a restricted free agent, made a trade, kept a key player they could have lost in free agency, or signed an unrestricted free agent.
The Hornets, who were eliminated in the first round by the Denver Nuggets after advancing to the second round in 2008, are the only playoff team that has not pushed in with the same urgency since the free-agent signing period began July 8, and the only team with no signings.
The Hornets' lack of activity could be a result of the the prospect of having to pay the luxury-tax penalty next summer for the first time in franchise history. The Hornets have the NBA's fourth-highest payroll at $78.6 million. Agents for free agents Brandon Bass and Jannero Pargo, who both expressed interest in returning to the team before signing with other teams, said Bower told them the Hornets had things to work out on their roster before an offer could be extended.

WARRICK, DAVIS ON NETS' RADAR - New York Post
Two power forward free agent names have resurfaced on the Nets' landscape, Hakim Warrick and Glen "Big Baby" Davis. The Nets have made strong inquiries about both players.
Now, if only they could free up a roster spot . . .
Warrick, 6-foot-9, surprisingly became an unrestricted free agent Friday when Memphis rescinded its $3 million qualifying offer. Warrick, who averaged 11.6 points and 5.0 rebounds last season, became expendable when the Grizzlies acquired Zach Randolph. Warrick's camp said multiple teams quickly inquired, and it was learned the Nets were one of those teams. The Nets, though, are working with the burden of 15 guaranteed contracts.
Team president Rod Thorn said that Warrick "is someone we might have some interest in, but in the end we'd have to do something [with the roster]."
But the Nets also are looking into Davis, who is restricted in Boston. Davis could be a bit pricey because Boston can match any offer.
"There is a sincere interest," Davis' agent, John Hamilton, said of the Nets.

Plenty of summer activities - The Boston Globe


The Celtics took an aggressive approach this offseason, signing Rasheed Wallace within a week after the start of free agent season, then obtaining a commitment from Indiana guard Marquis Daniels.
Several pieces are falling into place in Indiana, which could clarify how Daniels becomes a Celtic, one of them being if Jamaal Tinsley clears waivers Wednesday. The Pacers are in the midst of restructuring, and the departure of Tinsley means none of the Indiana players involved in a 2004 brawl involving the Pistons and fans will be on the Pacer roster.

Indiana also decided not to match Toronto’s offer for guard Jarrett Jack (four years, $20 million). The Pacers added guard Dahntay Jones from Denver (four years, $11 million) and their next target appears to be Dallas center Ryan Hollins. The Pacers have been proactive in the market and, once their roster is settled, they should be able to conclude the Daniels deal.

More Lee to the Bulls rumors - Chicago Bulls Confidential

The Knicks were hoping to get Robinson and David Lee signed at the same time and that is still a possibility if Lee is willing to agree to a one-year deal worth between $7 and $8 million. If Lee isn't signed, the Knicks will try to work out and sign and trade. The Bulls have always been high on Lee and may try to work out a deal. The Knicks like Kirk Hinrich but Chicago would likely push Tyrus Thomas.

I assume there is no way to get his guy now that Wilcox has been signed, but he's a load.

We're stocked on the position anyway. However, depending on how the free agency progresses, I wonder if he could be had for the vet's minimum...

Sports Central | Sports Articles and Columns | NBA | NBA Free Agency: The Best of the Rest

Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers

Possible destinations: Lakers, Heat


David Lee, New York Knicks (restricted)

Possible destinations: Knicks, Bulls


Marvin Williams, Atlanta Hawks (restricted)

Possible destinations: Hawks


Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats (restricted)

Possible Destinations: Bobcats, Sixers, Clippers


Ramon Sessions, Milwaukee Bucks (restricted)

Possible destinations: Bucks, Warriors, Heat, Clippers

If Miami Heat Obtain Boozer & Odom Do They Become Contenders? REVISITED - Fantasy NBA Zone

An inside source at orlandomagiczone.com has clarified that the Miami Heat will be signing Los Angeles Lakers sixth man Lamar Odom tomorrow, Wednesday the 29th of July.
If this signing does indeed go through as speculated, the Heat will add a premier versatile 6'10" forward with endless abilities on the NBA court onto their roster.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, GM Pat Riley is expected to make a "harder push" for Utah Jazz's all-star forward Carlos Boozer IF the Heat sign Odom (which looks to be the case, especially since the cPanel® have now reduced their original contract proposal to Odom).
Could the Heat really pull off a deal in which Boozer would also be added to their roster as well?

It is quite obvious that Miami is in serious desperation to retain Dwyane Wade from departing with the Heat franchise next season when he becomes a free-agent.
If they could bring Odom and Boozer onto their team, the Heat organization can confidently say that their mission to extend Wade's contract will be a guaranteed success.
It has been reported that D-Wade and Pat Riley are both in Los Angeles to attempt to sway Odom to Miami. Wade even tweeted on twitter saying, "the beginning..look who's jersey is waitn for them in mia(no 7)."
With all signs pointing to Odom making a return to the city of Miami, do the Heat automatically become a contending team with simply the addition of Odom or would they need the transaction of obtaining Carlos Boozer to solidify their overall ranking in the Eastern Conference?
In my previous article regarding to this situation, I brought about how the addition of Odom and Boozer would enable the Heat to compete with top tier teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers.
I still stand by that statement and definitely believe that the Miami Heat will be apart of the "Top 4" in the East if they sign Lamar Odom and trade for Carlos Boozer.
What do you think?

Miami interested in Tinsley?

Miami Heat Pursuing Jamaal Tinsley | Bleacher Report

All aboard the FAILBOAT!

Hornets sign F Ike Diogu

New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - The New Orleans Hornets have signed free agent forward Ike Diogu. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We're excited to have Ike join our team and expect him to help the frontline off the bench this season," said Hornets general manager Jeff Bower. "He has shown a lot of potential as an inside scorer and as an effective rebounder."
Diogu was taken ninth overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors and has also played for Indiana, Portland and Sacramento since breaking into the league out of Arizona State.
The 25-year-old split time with the Trail Blazers and Kings last season, appearing in 29 games and averaging 4.1 points and 1.9 rebounds. Over 187 career games, including 18 starts, Diogu is averaging 6.1 points and 3.1 boards.



Seattle Post-Intelligencer: NBA

HOOPSWORLD


Marvin Williams and the Hawks: It would seem that the Atlanta Hawks and restricted free agent forward Marvin Williams have worked out the terms of a new contract, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
Terms have not been disclosed, but at last discussion Williams' side was looking for $40 million over five years while the Hawks were offering $37.5 million.
Last season Williams averaged 13.9 points, 6.3 rebounds (career-high), and 1.3 assists. He also posted career-highs in blocks (0.9) and three-point shooting (35.5%). He also took 155 three-pointers in 61 games, a dramatic increase considering he had only taken 98 his first three years in the league (making only 25).
Unfortunately, a wrist injury kept Williams out of the 2009 NBA Playoffs and he was not able to contribute to the Atlanta Hawks getting to the second round.


Marcus Williams Will Join Grizzlies: According to Chris Tomasson of Pro Basketball News the Memphis Grizzlies will sign point guard Marcus Williams to a contract in the coming days. It will be a one-year deal at the NBA minimum for his experience, $855,189.
"They have a need for another point guard,'' Williams' agent Calvin Andrews said. "And, after playing with (the Grizzlies during the summer league in Las Vegas), he's very comfortable with them and the coaching staff."
Given Williams' performance in Vegas - 13.4 points and 8.2 assists – with the Memphis team, this isn't a surprise. He also set a VSL record with 17 assists in a single game. Williams will be given the shot to back up third-year pro Mike Conley at the point guard position.
Williams was originally drafted by the New Jersey Nets, but was traded to the Golden State Warriors last summer. The Warriors eventually waived him.


Pile of Dead Money Growing: Quite a few teams, after a recent rash of waivers, now have dollars on their caps of players who no longer play for their teams. Here is a quick list:
Tim Thomas, Chicago Bulls – Original amount was $6,466,600 – buyout amount not available.
Antonio McDyess, Denver Nuggets - $3,259,965 from last year's buyout after the trade that also landed Denver Chauncey Billups.
Fabricio Oberto, Detroit Pistons - $1,900,000 from waiving Oberto (whose contract was 50% guaranteed) following his acquisition from Milwaukee for Amir Johnson.
Adonal Foyle, Golden State Warriors - $660,000 from a buyout in 2007; $1 million of his final season was originally guaranteed, and the buyout was 66% of the total contract amount.
Richard Hendrix, Golden State Warriors - $100,000 of the second season of his contract from last summer was guaranteed, but the Warriors waived him during his rookie season.
Jamaal Tinsley, Indiana Pacers - $5.1 million this season and $5.7 million next season as the terms of his buyout from last week (as reported by the Indianapolis Star).
Cuttino Mobley, New York Knicks - $9.5 million on the books for this season, though he will never play again due to medical reasons (heart).
Earl Watson, Oklahoma City Thunder – The original amount was $6.6 million, but the buyout amount is not currently available. It's somewhat less, much like Thomas.
Ben Wallace, Phoenix Suns - $10 million is on the Suns' books, the buyout amount from the original $14 million.
Darius Miles, Portland Trail Blazers – The $9 million still on the cap attributable to Miles would still make him the highest paid player on the team, but he hasn't put on red and black in over two years.
Mikki Moore, Sacramento Kings – $2 million remains on the books for 2009-10 as part of the buyout agreement from last spring.
The total? It's over $60 million, depending on the buyout amounts for Watson and Thomas. Bruce Bowen of the Milwaukee Bucks could join that list soon too, since his $4 million contract is only guaranteed for $2 million if waived by August 10th.
That's a heck of a lot of money attributed to zero production.