NBA Thread

[Gravedigger]

Not a big fan of that Bradley contract. I think the 4/24 the team offered during the season was too much, let alone 4/32...

[GM Franchise]

I think this makes the Spurs Finals win even more impressive...

Manu Ginobili played with fracture

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11169098/san-antonio-spurs-guard-manu-ginobili-played-stress-fracture-finals

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili played with a slight stress fracture in his right leg during the Finals, according to multiple reports.

The fracture was discovered during a routine postseason physical, a league source told the San Antonio Express-News.

The injury could jeopardize Ginobili's plans to play with Argentina's basketball team in the FIBA Basketball World Cup this summer. Ginobili, who is consulting with a foot specialist for a second opinion, could miss up to two months if he is out. He is expected to be ready for training camp in late September.

The injury was earlier reported by Yahoo! Sports.

Ginobili, 36, averaged 14.4 points and 4.4 assists during the Spurs' five-game series win over the Miami Heat in the Finals. He often was limping at the end of games, though he still averaged 28.6 minutes per game in that series.

---

Sources: Patty Mills to miss 6 months

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11166127/patty-mills-faces-lengthy-layoff-shoulder-surgery

Free-agent point guard Patty Mills will have shoulder surgery for a rotator-cuff injury that bothered him during the season and will likely be out until at least January, sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein on Tuesday night.

Mills, the backup to Tony Parker as the San Antonio Spurs won their fifth NBA championship, will receive a firm diagnosis after the surgery, sources told Stein.

Mills scored 17 points in the Spurs' clinching Game 5 of the NBA Finals over the Miami Heat.

The Sydney Morning Herald of Australia earlier reported the news of Mills' surgery, which he was to undergo in coming days after scans revealed the extent of the injury.

The newspaper reported Mills has withdrawn from Australia's campaign for the Aug. 30 to Sept. 14 World Cup in Spain.

The Aussie is a free agent but sources told Stein he's expected to re-sign with the Spurs as the sides have already begun talks on a new deal.

Mills, a second-round draft pick by Portland in 2009, averaged 10.2 points in 18.9 minutes per game for the Spurs in his fourth full season, hitting a career-high 135 3-pointers.

[GM Franchise]

Not a big fan of that Bradley contract. I think the 4/24 the team offered during the season was too much, let alone 4/32...

Maybe they're just really big fans on him. Might be a favorite of the coaching staff.

[Gravedigger]

As a fan of the team I'd love to see him live up to the deal, maybe exceed it, but he misses a lot of time and is offensively inconsistent. Pretty good defender, though.

[GM Franchise]

Magic agree to two-year, $9 million deal with Ben Gordon

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24604531/magic-agree-to-two-year-9-million-deal-with-ben-gordon

In a move that is sure to ruffle some feathers, the Orlando Magic have agreed to terms with guard Ben Gordon on a two-year, $9 million deal, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports.

Gordon, once upon a time, was the second best player on a playoff team in Chicago. Then he signed a massive offer sheet with the Pistons, and fell into the pit of horribleness there. He was eventually traded to Charlotte, and because of his attitude and conditioning, didn't get time there, either. He has clashed with the last three coaches he's played for.

So that's not a great look.

But effectively, the Magic are taking a $4.5 million flyer to try and rehab Gordon, who has the same agent as Victor Oladipo, with no second-year guarantee and for a team that will have to work to hit the salary floor anyway. There's no real downside here. It's not great value for Gordon, who's been a cancer on teams for years, but veterans get $3 million. You're paying $3 million for a veteran, and $1.5 for him to play in Orlando for a rebuilding team.

Is a guy who's clashed with coaches, especially inexperienced ones, a great fit in Orlando? No. Is it great value, especially after moving Arron Afflalo? No. But it's also a non-factor. The Magic are building to the future. This is a gamble by them, and one with almost no cost outside of a roster spot.

[Justin]

Not a big fan of that Bradley contract. I think the 4/24 the team offered during the season was too much, let alone 4/32...

Agreed.

[GM Franchise]

Teams are overpaying players so far. It's turning into the FBL, lol.

[GM Franchise]

Sources: Pacers' offer not enough

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11166650/lance-stephenson-indiana-pacers-impasse-contract

Despite the Indiana Pacers' heartfelt movie tribute and presentation to Lance Stephenson, the two sides are currently at an impasse over a new deal, according to sources close to the situation.

The Pacers offered a five-year, $44 million contract to Stephenson, but sources said the versatile shooting guard believes he's worth much more.

Stephenson averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists last season -- all career highs for the four-year player.

"Lance and his representatives aren't sure they're going to be able to reach an agreement with the Pacers," a source said. "It's clear they want him back and he wanted to go back, but they may not be able to come to terms."

Several clubs have reached out to Stephenson's agent, Alberto Ebanks, to register their interest, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls, according to sources.

Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets also have interest in Stephenson.

The Pacers pulled out all the stops Tuesday by hosting Stephenson and his family at a local theater and surprising him with a movie about his life.

With lucrative contracts already committed to Paul George ($15.8 million), Roy Hibbert ($14.9 million) and David West ($12 million), the Pacers feel they are offering Stephenson as much as they can while remaining financially prudent.

[Justin]

Teams are overpaying players so far. It's turning into the FBL, lol.

Yep.  Gortat is a good center, but not worth $12 million.  I would say $9 max.  Jodie Meeks doesn't deserve almost $7 million and now Gordon Hayward is rumored to get in the $15 range...definitely not worth that.

[GM Franchise]

Yeah the Cavs and Suns are planning on offering Hayward a max deal. Celtics are in on the bidding as well.

[Justin]

Sources: Pacers' offer not enough

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11166650/lance-stephenson-indiana-pacers-impasse-contract

I don't like his attitude, but I would like to see him in Charlotte.  That would give us a boost we desperately need to take us to the next level.

[GM Franchise]

Stephenson has had some behavior issues too so that might turn off some teams even with his level of play.

[GM Franchise]

Chris Bosh Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation Surrounding Free Agent Star

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2116302-chris-bosh-rumors-latest-buzz-and-speculation-surrounding-free-agent-star?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national2

Updates from Wednesday, July 2

Chris Broussard of ESPN reported on Chris Bosh's talks with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade last week:

When the Miami Heat's "Big 3" went their separate ways after a lunch meeting last Wednesday, they went not knowing whether they had played their last game together, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

While Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were committed to returning to the Heat, LeBron James was unsure of what he would do, the sources said.

The only certainty coming out of the meeting concerning James was that he wanted a maximum-level salary.

James did not ask or suggest that Wade and Bosh opt out of their deals or take lesser salaries to allow the Heat to add other top players, according to the sources.

Earlier, Sam Amico of Fox Sports provided details on the deal Bosh is seeking with the Heat:

Miami Heat big man Chris Bosh is seeking a contract that will pay him $90 million over five years, a source dialed in with Bosh's thinking told FOX Sports Ohio on Wednesday.  Bosh is negotiating with the Heat, but no deal is done yet, the source said.

Original Text:

Let the fun begin. With Chris Bosh having opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat, along with both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, the retool process might officially be underway in Miami.   

Heat president Pat Riley spoke about Bosh following the announcement that he plans to opt out of his contract in a statement, per Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald:

Today we were notified of Chris' intentions to opt out of his contract. Chris is one of the most versatile and dynamic big men in this league, and he has been an instrumental key to our championship success over the last four seasons.

We look forward to meeting with Chris and his agent in the coming days to discuss keeping him in Miami for many years to come.

Apparently the feelings are mutual.

Though his intentions aren't set in stone and there is plenty of speculation on where he might land next season, Bosh has said all along that he intends to stay in Miami. The 6'11" center posted 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds for Miami last year and has helped bring two championships to the city.

Bosh might have to take a huge pay cut to remain in Heat uniform, though, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN:


Ethan J. Skolnick of Bleacher Report provided his thoughts on Bosh and Wade:


Following the report, agent Henry Thomas denied the reports (via David Aldridge of NBA.com):


Though it was expected that both Bosh and Wade might have to sacrifice loads of money to remain with LeBron James and the Heat, the numbers are somewhat staggering. But it also frees up money to bring in another big-name free agent to bolster the already elite roster.

With both Bosh and Wade expected to take dramatically lower numbers than they might receive elsewhere, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated shared his thoughts:


Zach Lowe of Grantland also chimed in on the situation for Bosh:

While it may seem a bit absurd for Bosh to take a huge cut in salary after the job he's done with the Heat, it still comes out looking like a smart business decision. He might earn more money playing for another team, but Bosh is proving he's more focused on rings than a huge contract.

After making it to four straight NBA Finals with James and Wade, he's allowing the Heat to open up their pockets and add yet another talented player for the long run. His unselfish decision might lead to a young player who can help secure a bright future in Miami.

[GM Franchise]

Report: Spurs, Patty Mills reach terms on new three-year contract

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/02/report-spurs-patty-mills-reach-terms-on-new-three-year-contract/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

When word came down this week that Patty Mills was going to be out seven months following shoulder surgery — not returning to the court next season until the calendar flips to 2015 — his free agency value took a hit.

The likelihood that he would return to the Spurs skyrocketed.

That's exactly what has happened. Buck Harvey of the San Antonio Express News broke the story.


The deal is for around $12 million over three years

Mills told PBT during the Finals it really took about two years of being on this team until he understood how to play within it — this season he had fully blossomed in that system and become a key contributor as the backup to Tony Parker.

"Everyone knows it's a different place here than everywhere else and it definitely takes some getting used to," Mills said of the San Antonio offensive system. "The first two years (in San Antonio) where I didn't play a whole lot I still really believe I got better as a player, mentally more than anything. I'm really able to let it all go in that system now.

Mills is lightning quick and it was getting him to rein in his shoot-first instincts that was hard part (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Mills conditioning was vastly improved this past season, also). Now he's a part of the Spurs system that works well, and he'll be with the team at least three more years.

[GM Franchise]

Report: LeBron James has left Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh in the dark about his future with Heat

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/02/report-lebron-james-has-left-dwyane-wade-chris-bosh-in-the-dark-about-his-future-with-heat/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

LeBron James sacrificed nothing by opting out.

That's not necessarily the case for Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

If he wants, LeBron could re-sign for two years with a player option at the exact same salary he was set to earn in his previous contract. Or he could give himself a slight raise. Or he could sign a five-year max contract. Or he could sign a shorter max contract. Or he could accept less to give the Heat more flexibility.

Whatever LeBron wants to do, the Heat will bend over backward. If they don't, other teams will line up to do so.

That might even be the case for Bosh, too, though I'm not absolutely, totally, 100 percent certain Bosh can get a full max deal. With his health, Wade almost certainly can't. Maybe they'll get long-term security in exchange for taking lower salaries, but that's still sacrificing something.

There are a lot of moving parts to accommodating all three, but they went through this in 2010. I figured they could get on the same page again this summer. After all, they met last week to discuss their contract status.

But that meeting didn't resolve much.

Chris Broussard of ESPN:

The only certainty coming out of the meeting concerning James was that he wanted a maximum-level salary.

James did not ask or suggest that Wade and Bosh opt out of their deals or take lesser salaries to allow the Heat to add other top players, according to the sources.

Bosh and Wade are intent on returning to Miami, but neither of them knows what James will do.

Bosh and Wade were so uncertain about James's future after last week's meeting that one of them spoke about what the Heat might look like without James, according to one source.

The decisions of Bosh and Wade to opt out of the final two years and $42 million of their contracts were sparked by their desire to add better players in an effort to entice James to stay in Miami, one source said.

Bosh is looking to sign a five-year deal worth between $80 million and $90 million while Wade is thinking along the lines of $55 million-60 million over four years, sources said.

If Wade and Bosh accepted salaries on the lowest end of those ranges and fully backload their deals and LeBron gets the max, the Heat would fall $9,646,014 below the projected salary cap.

That's lower than a previous report indicated, but it's much more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($5,305,00) Miami could have offered had Bosh and Wade opted in or demanded larger salaries.

On a four-year contract, a free agent could make $41,188,480 with that projected cap room – $19,968,480 more than he could with the full MLE. That's a significant difference, one large enough to keep the Heat in play for players like Kyle Lowry, Pau Gasol and Luol Deng.

But it would require convincing Wade and Bosh to accept the low end of their desired salary ranges and fully backload their deals. That's not an automatic sell, though those two seem committed to the cause.

I'm pretty surprised LeBron is leaving this burden on them. LeBron reportedly wants the max, and without question, he deserves it.

Bosh and Wade – especially the former – were in line for higher salaries, though. If LeBron wants the max, he must realize that cuts into the Heat's flexibility to assemble a quality supporting cast around him. He can't have his cake and eat it too.

Maybe Wade comes out ahead in this deal. He was due $41,819,000 over the next two years, and there's no guarantee he would have earned $13,181,000 in 2016-17 and 2017-18 had he played out his recently terminated contract and then sought a new deal. I'd been estimating Wade could draw $8 million per year in those seasons for $16 million total, but it's obviously difficult to prognosticate three and four years ahead. If Wade is sacrificing salary – and I think he is a little – it's not a huge amount.

But Bosh – whose max contract would pay $118,792,889 over five years – almost certainly comes out behind. Even if he couldn't draw the full max – which would be $88,216,633 over four years if he left Miami – he could do better than this.

However, Wade and Bosh are adults. If they want to accept less money to placate LeBron, they can. LeBron isn't forcing them to do anything.

He's just putting them in a surprisingly tough spot.