Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis …

Their News: "Free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu changed his mind Friday and decided not to join the Portland Trail Blazers, opting instead to accept a five-year $53 million offer from the Toronto Raptors, sources told ESPN.com.

A source close to the discussions said Turkoglu had given a verbal commitment to the Blazers on Thursday, then alerted the team on Friday morning that he was having second thoughts. By mid-afternoon Pacific time, the Blazers were told the deal was dead and Turkoglu would be signing with the Raptors."  ESPN.com Ric Bucher

Our Very Quick Analysis: Thanks, but no thanks.

After verbally agreeing to a contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, free agent Hedo Turkoglu has turned his back on ‘Rip City’ and will reportedly sign a five-year, $53 million pact with the Toronto Raptors.

Currently, there’s little information on why Turkoglu went ‘Carlos Boozer’ on Portland and changed his mind. However, the Turkish swing boosts a struggling Toronto franchise.

Since joining the NBA, the Raptors have had issues signing free agents. Outside talent mostly overlooks the ‘Dinos’, while stars drafted and groomed by the organization typically head south at the first chance possible. In picking Toronto, Turkoglu, a prize free agent, has validated the city, at least to doubting outsiders, as a basketball market.

For the first time since Vince Carter, the Raptors have a perimeter wing who creates mismatches on the offensive end. For instance, Turkoglu has the size to shot over smaller guards, while also possessing the speed and handles to drive past slower forwards. Best of all, he wants the ball with the game on the line.

Of course, there’s the looming Chris Bosh sweepstakes. Suddenly, the soon-to-be free agent has a supporting cast: Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, young DeMar DeRozan and now Turkoglu. This move should influence Bosh’s decision to sign an extension and provides some insurance if he leaves next summer.

Simply put, Portland’s loss is Toronto’s gain.

What do you think of Turkoglu reneging on his verbal agreement with Portland? And what impact will he have in Toronto? Let us know in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe the Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison.

Breaking news mixed with analysis … 

Their News: "CBSSports.com has learned that the Bulls and Pistons may revisit Detroit’s agreement with Ben Gordon and instead investigate a sign-and-trade that would send Allen Iverson to Chicago." (CBSSports.com) 

"From a check of league sources Thursday, there is certainly mutual interest between the Heat and both Iverson." (Miami Herald) 

Our Quick Analysis: Sorry, he’s not ‘The Answer’. Not in Chicago or Miami.

After weeks of silence on the Allen Iverson front, the free agent combo guard has recently been linked to the Bulls and Heat. Both organizations have expressed interest in the future Hall of Famer as a reserve scorer.

While ‘The Windy City’ and ‘South Beach’ have good intentions, Iverson, at this stage in his career, is a bad fit for teams with developing players –like the Derrick Rose led Chicago squad or Miami with Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers.

Let’s be clear: nobody is saying Iverson, as a person, would have a negative influence on such young, impressionable players. But if he refused to split minutes and shots with a veteran Detroit Piston squad, then why would he agree to a secondary role on an up-and-coming squad?

Remember, Iverson isn’t used to following. With the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets, he was either the superstar or co-superstar. And when sharing the spotlight at All-Star games or international tournaments, it wasn’t with John Salmons, Chalmers, or any other unproven player. Also those teams had top coaches, not second year guys Vinny Del Negro and Erik Spoelstra.

Realistically, Iverson has two options: sign for top dollar with a struggling team in need of a marketing shtick and be the undisputed guy or take less money from an elite team and accept a lesser role.

Neither is ideal for ‘The Answer’. But both are better than playing second-fiddle for a middle-of-the-pack squad.

Where is the best team for Iverson? Get at us with ‘The Answer’ in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of thedanger23.

Breaking news mixed with analysis … 

Their News: “ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard reports that Artest and the Lakers have reached a verbal agreement on what is believed to be a three-year contract worth an estimated $18 million. Wednesday is the first day free agents are permitted to sign new deals.” ESPN.com 

Our Very Quick Analysis: Ron Artest is in. Trevor Ariza, it appears, is out. And the strong gets even stronger.

The world champion Los Angeles Lakers have made a significant splash in the free agent waters, inking Artest to a short-term deal for slightly above the mid-level exception. The move likely means Ariza, an unrestricted free agent, signs elsewhere.

So, are the Lakers better with Artest instead of Ariza? Simply put, yes. The purple-and-gold is getting an All-Star calibre player at a cap friendly number and term.

When focused, Artest has the versatility to dominate both ends of the court. On defense, his strength frustrates opposing swings. Offensively, he can average 15-20 points on three-pointers, drives, put-backs, and post-ups. And collectively, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, and Phil Jackson will keep ‘Ron-Ron’ on track.

Artest’s inexpensive and short contract gives GM Mitch Kupchak the cap room to work his magic. For instance, the Lakers now have a chance at re-signing super-sub Lamar Odom and back-up table-setter Shannon Brown, while retaining flexibility for future years. Ariza’s reported demands of a bigger-ticket and longer-term would make such moves impossible.

Getting Artest on the cheap positions the Lakers to keep other parts and provides the best chance at defending their NBA Title.

Were the Lakers right to sign Artest and let Ariza walk? Why? Why not? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe the Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of sith120.

Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis … 

Their News: "The Detroit Pistons made the biggest early splash in free agency on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.

Former Bulls guard Gordon will receive a five-year deal for between $55 million and $60 million, while former Bucks forward Villanueva gets a five-year deal for $40 million, sources told ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard". ESPN.com news services

Our Very Quick Analysis: Nothing against Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, but I hope this isn’t it. I hope GM Joe Dumars has another move up his sleeve and this isn’t the end of Detroit’s rebuilding efforts.

My reaction is based on November 3^rd, 2008. That’s the day Dumars ended the Pistons’ run as Eastern Conference contenders and traded MVP candidate Chauncey Billups to the Nuggets for Allen Iverson’s expiring contract.

The Hall of Fame two-guard justified donating Billups to Denver by stating the organization would gain the cap space to sign or trade for top talent and rebuild on the fly. And based on Dumars’ record as an executive, I couldn’t disagree.

For me, top talent means chasing Chris Bosh or doing everything short of tampering to indicate to Dwyane Wade and/or LeBron James that they’d receive a max offer if they opted-out next summer. In short, it means getting great, not good players.

Like you, I thought that was Dumars’ plan. Well, we were wrong.

Let’s be clear: I like Gordon and Villanueva. In fact, I like them a lot. Gordon can start or come off the bench and handled some controversial contract negotiations with remarkable professionalism. Villanueva, when not twittering at half time, is a versatile and talented scorer, who once hit for fifty points as a rookie in Toronto.

But Gordon and Villanueva are good, not great. Neither has been to an All-Star game (as a participant). Neither is talented enough for franchises to build around. And both are blending players that don’t have true positions.

To be fair, Dumars succeeded with players like Gordon and Villanueva. He built his reputation as a suit on acquiring under-appreciated assets like Billups, Rip Hamilton, and Ben Wallace. These players then repaid the franchise’s loyalty with an NBA Title. And the Pistons have always preferred an ensemble cast to a superstar model.

However, Dumars sold fans on the Billups trade because it would supposedly provide the cap space to chase elite talent, the NBA’s creme de la creme. Signing good not great Gordon and Villanueva on the first day of free agency shows otherwise.  

Did Dumars make a mistake with Gordon and Villanueva? Why? Why not? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of saidalsalah1. 

They’ll want the right assets. Not just cap space. Not a point guard. And not a South American tough guy set to hit free agency. 

If the Toronto Raptors are forced to trade Chris Bosh this off-season, the ‘Dinos’ will want young talent they can build around instead of expiring contracts. The reason: most big-ticket free agents won’t consider playing in Canada, so accumulating cap space is useless.

Of course, this brings us to today’s rumour in the Houston Chronicle that the Rockets will try to swing a summer trade for the lanky four-man.

“Once the Toronto Raptors figure out that Chris Bosh will be departing via free agency a year from now, they may be inclined to trade him this summer. Their choice is to trade him to the Rockets now and get something in return, or wait until he signs with the Rockets a year from now and get nothing. If they decide to deal him, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey almost certainly would like to be at the front of the line.”  (Houston Chronicle via Fan Nation on CNNSI) 

In today’s economic climate, Tracy McGrady’s expiring contract would be significant for most clubs. Not Toronto. At first glance, Houston lacks the assets to complete a deal.

The Raptors aren’t hurting for cash. The NBA franchise is part of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment’s diverse and valuable holdings, which includes model franchises like MLS’ Toronto FC and the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs.

This company prints cash. They have no need to cut costs and taking back the last year of McGrady’s 23 million dollar deal holds little appeal because they’ll struggle to re-invest those funds in free agents on the open market.

Also, trading for T-Mac, even if it’s only for his contract, would bring more bad publicity than that John guy, who got busted cheating on his wife and eight kids. Remember, the injury-prone swing was drafted by the Raptors and bolted as a free agent. Vince Carter, McGrady’s cousin, also left on poor terms.

The Rockets do have two appealing pieces, but there are complications. First, point guard Aaron Brooks showed great promise in the Lakers series. However, the club already has Jose Calderon at the one-spot, who has 40 million dollars left on his multi-year contract.

Second, blue-collar post Luis Scola could be a fit next to finesse five Andrea Bargnani and, as an Argentine, might enjoy an international city like Toronto. However, his much-needed toughness is only under contract for one season.

The Raptors may move Bosh this off-season. But the Rockets lack the pieces to complete a deal.

Could Bosh end up in Houston? Why? Why not? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe the Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Nero88.

Breaking news mixed with analysis …

Their News: “The annual free-agent scramble began for the Lakers when their most important player decided not to be part of it.

Kobe Bryant elected not to terminate the final two years of his contract and was expected to sign a three-year extension sometime this month.” (Los Angeles Times) 

Our Very Quick Analysis: With rumours flying like an episode of TMZ, there is one known fact in free agency: Kobe Bryant is not opting-out and will ink a new, long-term extension later this summer with the Los Angeles Lakers.

By deferring negotiations, ‘Black Mamba’ is hoping the purple-and-gold will focus on re-signing free agents Trevor Ariza and/or Lamar Odom. So, will Bryant’s I-can-get-mine-later approach help keep the forwards in Staples Center?

Well, the club wants both players back. And both players want to be back. However, wanting and affording are separate issues, especially when the Lakers are paying the luxury tax and rivals are clearing cap space and preparing lucrative offers. Ariza and Odom only return to Los Angeles if they take less than market value.

Of course, there’s no guarantee the Lakers’ blending stars will give a discount. Stardom is new to Ariza, so the 24 year old could leverage his fine playoff into the most money possible, while Odom, who calls Los Angeles home, may get considerably more in the open market then ownership’s offer of the Mid Level Exception.  

Fear not, a plan b exists –and a good one, too. Recently, Ron Artest, an unrestricted free agent and excellent forward, has been linked to the Lakers via ESPN The Insider and Hoopshype’s rumours page.

Sure, Artest has more baggage than a socialite’s Louis Vutton collection. Yet, nobody, least of all the Lakers, can deny his skill and influence on a game or entire playoff series. And Bryant, Derek Fisher, and Zen-Master Phil Jackson have the ‘Juice’ to keep Ron-Ron, the ultimate lockdown forward, on track.

Yesterday, Bryant delayed his extension to give the club flexibility to re-sign Ariza and Odom. However, the circumstances surrounding free agency means his ‘sacrifice’ could go towards landing other talent.

Will Bryant’s decision not to opt-out help the Lakers re-sign Ariza, Odom, or land Artest? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Aaron Frutman.

You can’t teach height, so, fair or not, a market will always exist for free agent power forwards and centres.

Whether they can play is sometimes irrelevant. For instance, the Seattle Sonics rewarded 2 point per game scorer Jim Mcllvane with a seven-year, 33 million dollar contract and forever alienated superstar Shawn Kemp. More recently, former Knick GM Isiah Thomas gave Jerome James a five-year, 30 million dollar gift for performing in one playoff series.

Fortunately, there are several impressive free agent posts in 2009. Here are HoopsVibe’s The Blogs top choices: 

1. Carlos Boozer, Paul Milsap, and Mehmet Okur 

Utah’s bigs will set the market. After much humming and hawing, Boozer apparently won’t exercise his player’s option and will instead play the final year of his contract at 12 million dollars, while Okur is also having second thoughts about opting-out and seeking greener pastures elsewhere.

Millsap, however, is the wildcard. The undersized four-man has some serious upside and, even as a restricted free agent, will receive considerable offers. Look for Oklahoma City to back up the brinks truck and attempt to add another talented piece to their young nucleus.

2. Lamar Odom 

Simply put, the lanky forward can do everything: rebound, pass, defend, score, and, for good measure, run the offense as a power forward.

In fact, I had issues listing Odom as a four-man because he can play all five positions. Odom seems willing to give the world champion Los Angeles Lakers a hometown discount, but the purple-and-gold have luxury tax issues and may be forced to part with their star sixth man.

3. Anderson Varejao 

‘Sideshow’ Bob will opt-out and seek a multi-year pact at a million or two above the Mid Level Exception. And Varejao’s rebounding, defense, shot blocking, and general peskiness will draw offers from contenders.

4. Antonio McDyess 

Mark ‘Dyess’ down for a double-double each night. After re-joining Detroit mid-season, the polite veteran posted a workmanlike 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. McDyess could replace Yao in Houston, where he, coincidentally, has his off-season home.

5. Rasheed Wallace 

Wallace, once of the game’s most talented players, will likely take the MLE if offered by a contender. The North Carolina grad could take his three-point range and fade-away jumper to Cleveland, Orlando, or San Antonio.

Who is the top free agent power forward and centre? Get at us with your thoughts in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Kris247.

Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis … 

Their News: "The Detroit Pistons have fired Michael Curry as coach, the team announced Tuesday.

“This was a difficult decision to make,” Pistons president Joe Dumars said in a statement.” I want to thank Michael for his hard work and dedication to the organization. However, at this time, I have decided to make a change.”

Curry was named coach on June 10, 2008 and was 39-43 this past season." (ESPN news services) 

Our Very Quick Analysis: A day before Detroit is expected to make news in free agency, the club gave coach Michael Curry his walking papers. 

This is no surprise. After all, Dumars has never had an issue changing coaches, letting go of top sideline bosses like Rick Carlisle and Flip Saunders even after they led the club to the Eastern Conference Finals.

And Curry, for whatever reason, lacked respect in the locker room. He failed to mesh with Allen Iverson and alienated ‘Rip’ Hamilton by moving the veteran out of the staring line-up to accommodate ‘The Answer’. And yesterday, he made the mistake of publicly addressing his difficulties with Hamilton.

Like Terry Porter in Phoenix, Curry just wasn’t ready to slide down the bench from lead assistant to head coach.

Should Detroit have fired Curry? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Raps Fan.

Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis ...

Their News: "The Blazers, one of the few playoff teams with significant cap space, remain interested in an upgrade at point guard and appear to have focused on Sixers free agent Andre Miller" Ken Berger, CBSsports.com 

Our Very Quick Analysis: It would be a mutually beneficial relationship for the team and player.

Those are my thoughts on reports Portland is looking at inking free agent point guard Andre Miller to a multi-year pact. After all, the veteran mentored a young 76ers squad and could again play Mr. Miyagi for an improving Blazers squad that is close to contending.

Signing Miller would provide ‘Rip City’ with an upgrade at the one-spot. Unlike Steve Blake, the Utah grad attacks the basket and, because of his considerable size, commands double-teams down low. Also, he’s a classic pass-first point guard, with career averages of 7.5 assists per game. These positives would more than compensate for Miller’s mediocre range.

He’s a West Coaster. Miller was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and enjoyed playing for the Clippers and close to home with the Nuggets. However, he prefers smaller markets and once told Denver media ’The Mile High City’ was a perfect location because there were few distractions (I’m paraphrasing, but you get the idea). So Portland would be the best of both worlds.

There is also a sense Blazer-mania will return. LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy are an emerging inside-outside duo, while the rest of the roster is stacked with young, blue-chip talent. All they need is a wily table-setter, like Miller, to take the next step.

Free agency opens tonight at midnight. Don’t be shocked if Portland’s executive brass knocks on Miller’s door at 12:00 with an offer he can’t refuse.

Would Miller be an ideal fit for the Blazers? Why? Why not? Get at us in the comment box with thoughts and return to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of wmirek.

Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis …

 Their News: The Houston Rockets already said that Yao Ming’s recovery from a broken foot was behind schedule, but that setback might now cost him all of next season or worse.

"At this point, the injury has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career threatening," team physician Tom Clanton said, according to the Houston Chronicle. "One of the things we are trying to get is a consensus opinion on that, to make certain there is no option we are overlooking that would provide an earlier return or would be an option for treatment that he would prefer rather than doing additional surgery." ESPN.com news services

Our Quick Analysis: Houston, we have a problem, not a catastrophe.

Sure, five-men who average 20 points and 10 rebounds are rare, but so are blue-collar teams with heart and chemistry. And that’s exactly what the Houston Rockets showed pushing the world champion Los Angeles Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference Semi-Finals without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

The Rockets can stay competitive without Yao by following these steps:

First, re-sign Ron Artest’s even though his price went up. No Ming means Houston must pull out almost all the stops to ink their unrestricted free agent. ‘Ron-Ron’ can be given top dollar, but, to keep him focused, avoid a term beyond three years.  

Second, GM Daryl Morey must work his money-ball magic and bring-in a big and a wing besides Artest. Ideally, the post will be able to defend, rebound and score, while the new perimeter player has to be able to create his own shot –something that was missing in game seven versus the Lakers.

Third, stay nasty. The playoffs showed that the Rockets were a load to play against. So the organization should stick with their blue-collar approach and become the Western’s Conference bad boys. After all, Portland and L.A. hated playing best of seven match-ups against this crew of tough guys  

Yao’s injury is a set back. But Houston can, and will, stay in the thick of the Western Conference next year.

What impact will Yao’s injury have on Houston? Get at us in the comment box below with thoughts and return to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Smith post.