Houston makes moves to try to join the
elite as Artest joins T-Mac and Yao.
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Seattle SuperSonics deserved to be saved by NBA, for
fans
Oregon Daily Emerald
Such is the evidence of the NBA's most recent
screw-up. On July 3, the city of Seattle agreed to a financial
settlement with Sonics principal owner Clay ...
Three years ago, the
Houston Rockets teamed up
superstars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, with nary a single series win to show for
it so far. Apparently brass has decided that they need a third superstar to make
the next step to join the elite teams, enter Ron Artest.
Houston has reached a deal with the Kings for the moody forward, sending Donte
Greene, Bobby Jackson and a first-round draft choice to Sacramento. The trade
can't be official until August 14th due to a league rule the prevents players
from being traded within 30 days of signing a contract (which Greene did
mid-July), but Houston fans are already abuzz at Artest's impending arrival.
The former all-star and Defensive Player of the Year is one of the most
captivating two-way stars in the NBA. He can guard three different positions,
and has developed into a solid offensive threat. Joining a team that already
includes stout defenders in T-Mac, Yao and Shane Battier, the Rockets figure to
be one of the toughest clubs to score on next season. They might just become of
the toughest clubs, period. That's another element Artest brings that Houston
had previously lacked: a physical resoluteness that few players can match. This
and other eccentricities, of course, are also connected to Artest's downside,
making the deal a definite gamble.
If he can keep a low profile, Houston may have assembled one of the league's
truly elite teams. If he can't, all heck could break loose at any moment. Either
way, the Rockets have become a team to watch in 2008-09
Quick Hits:
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta is looking to replace Josh Childress with veteran swingman Maurice
Evans, who they signed on Tuesday (terms were not announced). He plans to suit
up in Childress' old No. 1 jersey, and will come off the bench in a similar
role. Evans should be able to provide defense and experience for the young team.
On Wednesday, the team signed center Randolph Morris, formerly of the Knicks, to
a minimum deal. With the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting that Al Horford
will try and play power forward next year, Morris may be able to compete for the
team's starting center spot with Zaza Pachulia, though all of that depends on
whether or not Josh Smith is coming back.
Charlotte Bobcats
The top free-agent center is finally off the
market, as Charlotte re-signed Emeka Okafor for six years and $72 million. He
should continue to be one of the game's best shot-blockers and defenders in the
paint, but will he be able to live up to the contract by staying healthy and
improving his offensive repertoire? Backup center Ryan Hollins also agreed to a
one-year qualifying offer with the team.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago finally got one of their important restricted free agents to sign on the
dotted line, finalizing a mammoth six-year, $71 million contract with Luol Deng
on Wednesday. The forward gambled when he turned down a five-year extension
offer last off-season, but it paid off in the end. The Bulls still plan to
retain Ben Gordon despite little progress in negotiations, and Andres Nocioni
could be the odd man out of the team's new rotation. The Chicago Tribune reports
the club has been trying to deal him to the Nets, though talks stalled when
Nenad Krstic bolted for Europe. Chicago has also released guard JamesOn Curry,
who will start the year under suspension if he lands elsewhere.
Detroit Pistons
Kwame Brown is heading to the Motor City, signing a two-year $8 million contract
with Detroit, wherein the second year is a player option. Could this really be
Detroit's big summer move? Joe Dumars seems to be getting calmer as the
off-season progresses, and Chauncey Billups told the Boston Herald on Monday
that he'd like to keep the core together and see what they can do with new coach
Michael Curry. In a shot at former boss Flip Saunders, Billups suggested that "I
think Michael will hold guys more accountable to their assignments, playing the
right way."
Golden State Warriors
Golden State has ponied up the cash for Andris Biedrins, rather than risk losing
the center to the Euroleague. He was signed Monday to a six year, $63 million
deal, with a chance to opt-out after five. Between him and Monta Ellis, Golden
State now have two future pieces set. Making this kind of money, Biedrins can
probably expect a hefty increase in playing time after averaging 27 minutes a
game last year.
LA Clippers
The Clippers have made their big moves for the summer and are now concentrating
more on depth. To wit, they've reportedly inked swingman Ricky Davis to a
two-year deal worth $4.7 million, and followed that up by adding veteran
forward/center Brian Skinner on Thursday. To make room for the new additions,
Josh Powell has been waived.
New Jersey Nets
Add Nenad Krstic to the list of former-NBA players headed overseas. The Serbian
native signed a two-year deal with Triumph Moscow, believed to be worth $9
million. Krstic seemed headed for a big payday after a good 2006-07 campaign,
but was derailed by knee problems last season. New Jersey will likely insert Yi
Jianlian into the starting lineup to fill the new void.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia has stacking up on guards all week. Royal Ivey was signed on Monday
to a multi-year deal, and should be the backup point guard after he serves a
three-game suspension to open the season. They then added veteran Kareem Rush on
Tuesday, and retained Louis Williams with a five-year agreement reached
Thursday. Williams is perhaps the most interesting of the lot, and emerges as a
sleeper candidate next year after registering 11.5 points a game last season. Of
course, the guard everyone in Philly is truly watching for, Andre Iguodala,
remains unsigned, with the Philadelphia Inquirer quoting a source as saying the
sides are still "in a dialogue to reach a deal."
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is rebuilding, but that doesn't mean 35-year old guard Bobby Jackson
(acquired in the Artest deal) won't be welcomed back with open arms. Jackson is
older and slower than when he last thrilled Kings' fans, but will still provide
a spark off the bench next season, especially when he plays at home. Plus, team
chemistry wise he's the anti-Ron Artest: one of the best liked "glue guys" in
the NBA. Sacramento also quietly added a young guard late last week who could be
worth watching: unsigned free agent Bobby Brown. He tore up the summer league on
the Hornets' team, and was reportedly pursued by several Euroleague teams and
Don Nelson before settling with Sac-Town.
