ESPN NBA Insider - 7/25/05

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요즘들어 돈없어서 라쇼랑 나즈를 동시에 가지지못하는 스퍼스를 보면 가끔씩 "우리도 구단주가 마크큐반이었으면 좋겠다" 라는 생각을 합니다.(그의 재력만 말이죠. 때때로 프런트를 압도하는듯한 그의 영향력을 전혀 탐이 안남-_-;;)

Updated: July 25, 2005, 5:30 PM ET

Celtics, Lakers, Sixers need 'Allan Houston rule'
Insider
Ford
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
Archive
Related Video:
Pistons' President discusses Larry Brown ESPN Motion

The "Allan Houston Rule" allows teams a one-time opportunity to release a player and avoid paying the luxury tax on his salary.

The teams asked for the rule as part of the collective bargaining agreement, and it gives teams a unique opportunity to save money now and in the future that could be better spent on bringing in players.

But now that they have it, most teams, it appears, will shun the opportunity, including several teams in danger of paying the luxury tax this season and in future seasons.

Here is our team-by-team report, based on conversations with a number of team executives, that reveals what each team is expected to do, and what each team should do.

Note: Salaries are estimated numbers, as of the morning of July 25, based on committed payroll and updated to reflect recent agreements on free agents and trades. Salaries in red denote teams that are expected to have to pay the luxury tax (expected to start at between $60-64 million) for next season.

The Allan Houston Rule: Team-By-Team Analysis
Team Salaries Potential cuts

Atlanta Hawks $25M None
The Hawks don't have a lot going for them right now. However, one thing they do have is an absence of bad contracts. GM Billy Knight has done a good job of stripping the books of any long-term deals. They have zero use for the amnesty rule.

Boston Celtics $51M Mark Blount
The Celtics have two pretty bad contracts on the books and are dangerously close to paying the luxury tax. Raef LaFrentz has the worst contract, with four years, $47 million remaining on his deal. However, he still a productive player when he's healthy. Blount signed a six-year deal at the mid-level last summer, and it immediately looked as though the Celtics had made a mistake. He was a major disappointment and the Celtics could use relief from the five years, $33 million remaining on his contract. Dumping Blount would be admitting an expensive mistake, but it could also free up the Celtics to spend more money down the road.

Charlotte Bobcats $25M None
GM Bernie Bickerstaff has kept the Bobcats' payroll thin so they'll have big cap room going into summer 2006. The Bobcats have zero bad contracts on their books and no real use for the amnesty rule.

Chicago Bulls $36M None
GM John Paxson has done a great job of getting the Bulls' books in order. The Bulls should have major cap room in 2006 if they don't go hog wild re-signing Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler this summer. They don't have any bad contracts left on the books and won't need to use the amnesty clause.

Cleveland Cavaliers $46M Eric Snow
This is a tough one. The Cavs' payroll is under control, but they do have a bad contract they could dump. Snow has four years, $25 million left, and his talent doesn't justify that. Then again, he is the Cavs' only point guard, is a solid veteran presence and still can play defense. If the Cavs aspire to make a run at a championship this year, dumping Snow wouldn't be smart. However, if the team wants maximum flexibility in the future, he would be worth cutting.

Dallas Mavericks $88M Michael Finley
Owner Mark Cuban loves Michael Finley, but he might have little choice but to waive him. The Mavs are hopelessly over the luxury tax threshold and could save as much as $51 million in tax penalties by letting him go. Cuban was a carefree spender his first few years in the league, but he has gotten more conservative lately. As good as Finley has been, there's no way he's worth the extra $51 million in taxes. Look for Finley to be the most sought-after amnesty-rule casualty.

Denver Nuggets $44M Eduardo Najera
The Nuggets made a slight misstep in February when they traded the expiring contracts of Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Rodney White for Najera. Not only did his contract prevent them from getting far enough under the cap to make a run at a top free agent, it also could hurt them down the road as they continue to make forays into the free-agent market. Najera's a nice hustle player, but he's not really worth the three years, $13 million he has left on his contract. I'm not sure the Nuggets will waive him, but they probably should.

Detroit Pistons $54M None
President Joe Dumars has done a great job of keeping a winner on the floor without overpaying for players. The only contract on the books that could be considered bad is Rasheed Wallace's. Wallace is due $50 million over the next four years, and with Larry Brown's leaving the Pistons, it's unclear whether Wallace will continue to stay under control. Still, it's highly unlikely that the Pistons would waive Wallace, and given their cap position the next few seasons, they probably don't have to.

Golden State Warriors $56M Adonal Foyle or
Derek Fisher
The Warriors look as though they're on the cusp of being a playoff team, but a couple of rookie mistakes by GM Chris Mullin might come back to haunt them. Mullin gave huge deals to Foyle and Fisher last summer. Foyle has four years, $35 million left on his contract. Fisher has five years, $32 million left on his. Although both players provide a veteran presence on a young roster, they can't produce at the rate they're getting paid. If the Warriors are going to avoid future luxury tax problems and retain some flexibility to use their mid-level exception down the road, they'll need to swallow their pride and let one of these players go this summer. Look for it to be Fisher. Although he was more productive than Foyle last season, his contract is longer and the Warriors need him less.

Houston Rockets $59M Clarence Weatherspoon or Juwan Howard
The Rockets have done a good job of ridding their team of bad long-term contracts. Only two, Weatherspoon's (1 year, $6.4 million) and Howard's (four years, $26.5 million), remain on the books. Given their current tax situation, the Rockets could just dump Weatherspoon and be done with it. As it stands the Rockets will be under the cap next season. But long term, they need to seriously consider Howard. With Yao Ming entering extension talks soon and the recent signing of Stromile Swift, they might want to get Howard's contract out of the way to facilitate a large payroll bump in the coming years.

Indiana Pacers $78M Austin Croshere or
Reggie Miller
The Pacers are a small-market team with a large-market payroll. They certainly have an excuse to take advantage of the amnesty rule. Croshere is the most obvious candidate. He has two years, $15.2 million on his contract and hasn't lived up to expectations. However, team president Larry Bird loves Croshere and the Pacers have made it clear that they're going for a title this summer. Dumping a player, even a role player, doesn't necessarily fit with that goal. The team also could choose to dump Reggie Miller's contract -- since he's retiring anyway. But the savings would be much more modest with that move.

Los Angeles Clippers $40M None
Give Donald Sterling some credit for being a cheapskate. When you hardly ever sign free agents (including your own), and seldom trade for a big contract, you don't have too many bad deals on the books, and you don't pay the luxury tax.

Los Angeles Lakers $69M Brian Grant
The Lakers are another year away from getting big-time cap/tax relief, but you can expect owner Jerry Buss to start the party early. Grant didn't play a big role in L.A. last season and isn't worth the two years, $30 million left on his contract. Given that the Lakers are already in luxury tax land, and they've brought in Kwame Brown and rookie Andrew Bynum to patrol the paint, this one seems to be a slam dunk.

Memphis Grizzlies $65M Brian Cardinal
Owner Michael Heisley wants the team to start trimming the payroll. The Grizzlies can get under the luxury tax threshold by doing nothing this summer. Unfortunately for Grizz fans, that means letting three important role players -- Stromile Swift, Earl Watson and Bonzi Wells -- walk out the door. Still, the Grizzlies might need to swallow their pride and let Cardinal walk, as well. The five-year span (totaling $29 million) left on his contract is too much to bear and takes away any cap flexibility the Grizzlies might have for future signings. Cardinal is a great asset at 1 or 2 million a year, but not at 6 million apiece.

Miami Heat $63M None
You'd think the Heat would dump Eddie Jones and the two years, $30 million left on his contract. Although Jones is still productive, cutting him would provide great savings and flexibility to keep spending. However, the Heat are determined to make a run at an NBA title this coming season. With Shaq not getting any younger, the window is closing. Jones might not be earning his paycheck these days, but he's an integral part of the team. Pat Riley insists that the Heat won't waive him, luxury tax be damned.

Milwaukee Bucks $57M Calvin Booth
GM Larry Harris went on a spending spree this summer. Once you factor in the new contracts for Michael Redd, Bobby Simmons, Dan Gadzuric, Andrew Bogut and possibly Zaza Pachulia, the Bucks will be looking at a payroll that comes very near the luxury tax threshold. If the team wants to retain any flexibility, it'll dump the two years, $13 million of Booth's contract. He is unnecessary, given the pieces the Bucks have acquired, and could save them a tax payment next season should the team decide to add another player with the mid-level exception.

Minnesota Timberwolves $58M Troy Hudson
Minnesota is trying its best to trade away Sam Cassell and Hudson. Cassell shouldn't be too hard to move, being in the last year of his deal and still productive (though temperamental). No team, however, wants to pay the $29 million (for five years) left on Hudson's deal. That puts the Timberwovles in a quandary. Given their problems at the point, they probably need Hudson. But he's so overpaid as a backup that the team is likely to invoke the luxury tax if it spends any more money. This one is really a toss-up.

New Jersey Nets $59M None
President Rod Thorn and GM Ed Stefanski have done a great job assembling the Nets and doing it in a cost-conscious way. They wisely resisted the temptation to pay Kenyon Martin the max and now have landed a better player (Shareef Abdur-Rahim) for half the cash. The truth is that the Nets have no bad deals on the books and therefore no use for the amnesty rule.

New Orleans Hornets $37M None
The Hornets are well under the cap and don't need to take advantage of the rule. The closest thing they have to a bad contract is the two years, $16 million left on P.J. Brown's contract. However, Brown is veteran role model and a local celeb who is providing solid production, so look for them to keep him around.

New York Knicks $120M Allan Houston
Well, it's called the Allan Houston rule. However, we could call it the New York Knicks rule -- because most of the roster Isiah Thomas has assembled needs to be discarded under the amnesty provision. Though, to be fair, Thomas didn't sign Houston to his monstrous contract. By waiving Houston, the Knicks will save $40 million in luxury tax fees over the next two years. We'll see whether they use it wisely.

Orlando Magic $73M Doug Christie
Christie was one of former GM John Weisbrod's biggest missteps. The Magic needed Cuttino Mobley more than they realized, and Christie didn't want to play in Orlando. He has asked for a trade. The problem is that no one is beating down the door to pay him $8.2 million next season. The Magic will be taxpayers next year, and the $8.2 million in savings will be worth losing Christie. There's talk that Grant Hill would be a more financially prudent way to go, given that the Magic could save $32.5 million in tax penalties by waiving him. The problem is that fans and the media would stage a revolt. And after years of rehabbing a bad ankle, Hill is finally earning his salary.

Philadelphia 76ers $80M Aaron McKie
Their payroll is already out of control and they added another $14 million by agreeing to terms with Samuel Dalembert, Kyle Korver and Willie Green in free agency. That gives them a payroll of nearly $80 million (though that number will likely be reduced to $70 million in March once Jamal Mashburn retires). Chris Webber has a terrible contract. He has 3 years, $62 million left and no one believes he's going to be able to earn it. However, the Sixers just traded for him in February and with new head coach Mo Cheeks running the show, they believe they'll be able to get some value out of Webber for the next couple of years. McKie was once a solid role player, but he's way past his prime. He turns 33 in October, and there's no way the Sixers can justify keeping the three years, $20 million left on his contract on the books. The team would save $20 million in luxury tax penalties by letting him go.

Phoenix Suns $52M Howard Eisley
The Suns bought out Eisley's contract at the start of last season and still owe him $5.6 million in 2005-06 and 162,660 in 2006-07. Under the amnesty rules, the Suns would be allowed to apply for amnesty for Eisley's contract, even though he's no longer with the team. While the team isn't currently in danger of paying the tax, if they're forced to match a Hawks' max offer for Joe Johnson, they're looking at a potential $64 million payroll next season, which means Eisley's contract could provide some serious tax relief.

Portland Trail Blazers $55M Derek Anderson or Theo Ratliff
GM John Nash says the team has no intention of dumping Ratliff. Maybe that's because Nash signed Ratliff to a ridiculous three-year, $35 million extension last summer. With owner Paul Allen preaching fiscal responsibility and a host of young players starving for playing time, Ratliff looks like a luxury the Blazers no longer can afford. Instead, look for the Blazers to dump Anderson who, mostly because of injuries, has been a big disappointment in Portland. Dropping Anderson would save the Blazers $18 million in luxury tax penalties over the next two seasons.

Sacramento Kings $58M None
Some will argue that Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner are overpaid, but the truth is that neither is in serious danger of being waived. Look for the Kings to sit this one out.

San Antonio Spurs $59M Rasho Nesterovic
The Spurs tried to pawn off Nesterovic to the Blazers for Abdur-Rahim but look as though they're now out of luck. Given where their payroll seems to be heading, they might want to get out of the four years, $30 million left on Nesterovic's deal before it's too late.

Seattle SuperSonics $39M Danny Fortson
The Sonics are not in danger of paying the luxury tax unless they start spending like crazy for their remaining free agents. Fortson is the only guy in danger of being waived. He's an excellent rebounder who nonetheless seems to fall out of favor with every team he plays for. He has two years, $13 million left on his contract.

Toronto Raptors $56M Jalen Rose
The Raptors are very close to the tax threshold, and Rose is one of the most overpaid players in the league. He's still fairly productive, but if the team continues to spend this summer, it will be tough to justify the two years, $32 million left on his contract. That said, a source in Toronto says the team is leaning strongly toward keeping him. Go figure. Instead, look for them to use Alonzo Mourning's buyout as the contract they try to get amnesty for.

Utah Jazz $49M None
The Jazz never have been big spenders, which keeps them off the taxpayer list this fall. They paid too much money to Mehmet Okur and Carlos Boozer, no question. But both players are productive and neither will be waived by the Jazz.

Washington Wizards $52M None
The Wizards have stayed out of trouble. Etan Thomas' contract is a bit excessive, but only if he can't get healthy.

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NBA Rumor Central: Brown near decision?

Other Rumors: MLB | NFL
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Monday, July 25
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Larry Brown
Larry Brown

Knicks

Brown near decision?
Jul 25 - According to the New York Daily News, the Knicks likely will offer Larry Brown the head coaching job tomorrow and there's a chance he could be named coach by the end of the week.

Brown met with Garden chairman James Dolan and Knicks president Isiah Thomas for two hours yesterday and is expected to meet today with interim head coach Herb Williams.

"I'm not going to comment on how it went," Brown told the Associated Press. "We're going to go to dinner tomorrow somewhere in New York with Herb Williams," he added. "It's important for me to talk to him."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Marko Jaric
Marko Jaric
Clippers

Cavaliers?
Timberwolves?
Clippers?
Nuggets?

Marko on the market
Jul 25 - The Cavaliers are set to meet with Marko Jaric on Tuesday, reports the Akron Beacon Journal. Jaric is a top priority for the Cavs now that Sarunas Jasikevicius has agreed to a deal with the Pacers. "There are five or six teams still interested in Marko," agent Bill Duffy said. "He's still very interested in the Cavs."

The L.A. Times also reported that the Clippers are open to a sign-and-trade deal involving their restricted free agent. "The Clippers made it clear that they're very interested in re-signing Marko," said Duffy, "but on the other hand they would not stand in his way if there was a great situation that was mutually beneficial to the Clippers and to Marko."

The Nuggets and Timberwolves are also reported to be interested.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Zaza Pachulia
Zaza Pachulia
Bucks

Pachulia wants playing time
Jul 25 - With Andrew Bogut, Bobby Simmons, Joe Smith and Dan Gadzuric on board in Milwaukee, the Bucks' restricted free agent forward, Zaza Pachulia, is concerned about where he fits in with the team's plans, said agent Marc Fleisher in the Journal Times. "There's no question playing time is a big concern for Zaza," said Fleisher.

General manager Larry Harris has said he wants to keep Pachulia, but he may have competition. According to Fleisher, the Bucks and an unknown team have extended offers to Pachulia.
Sunday, July 24
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Michael Finley
Michael Finley
Mavericks

Suns
Nuggets?

Prodigal Sun?
Jul 24 - Assuming Michael Finley is cut by the Mavs, the Nuggets figure to be in the running to land the shooting guard, says the Denver Post, thanks to his relationship with general manager Kiki Vandeweghe.

The Dallas Morning News also reported that Steve Nash would love to see his former teammate back in a Suns uniform. "I think it would be a great fit for us," Nash said. "It would make us such a deep team."

Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, said more than 10 teams have shown an interest in acquiring the shooting guard, were the Mavs to waive him to save over $50 million in luxury taxes over the next three seasons under the amnesty clause in the new collective bargaining agreement.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Samuel Dalembert
Samuel Dalembert
76ers

76ers

Staying a Sixer
Jul 24 - Samuel Dalembert agreed to a six-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, his agent Marc Cornstein, told ESPN.com.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Keyon Dooling
Keyon Dooling
Heat

Magic?

Dooling the Magic's man
Jul 24 - Keyon Dooling is set to agree to a three-year deal worth about $10 million with the Orlando Magic, reports the Miami Herald. The Nets were also reportedly interested.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Mark Madsen
Mark Madsen
Timberwolves

Timberwolves

Mad about Madsen
Jul 24 - Mark Madsen agreed to terms with the Timberwolves on a five-year contract, the Star Tribune reports. The Jazz and Wizards were also reportedly interested.
Saturday, July 23
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Steven Hunter
Steven Hunter
Suns

76ers?

Man Hunt
Jul 23 - According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers are interested in Steven Hunter, who has a number of suitors, agent Mark Bartelstein said.

"We have had a couple of good conversations with the 76ers," Bartelstein said. "The 76ers have done a lot of nice things. I'm sure Billy (King) and I will continue to talk."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Juan Dixon
Juan Dixon
Wizards

Pacers?
Kings?
SuperSonics?
Trail Blazers?
Heat?

Teams interested in Dixon
Jul 23 - The Indiana Pacers are the latest team to express interest in free agent guard Juan Dixon, reports the Indianopolis Star. "We've had a conversation with (Pacers CEO) Donnie Walsh about Juan," agent Calvin Andrews said. "The next phase is seeing about bringing Juan in for a visit with them."

Dixon has reportedly met with Portland and Seattle. Miami, Cleveland and Sacramento also have shown interest in the unrestricted free agent.

------------------------

Updated: July 25, 2005, 1:30 PM ET

Big men now dominate free agency
Insider
Ford
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
Archive

Three weeks into the free agent negotiation period and the field (especially at the shooting guard position) has narrowed greatly.

As of Monday, 35 free agents had agreed to terms with teams.

Ray Allen, Sonics (5 years, $80-85 million)
Michael Redd, Bucks (6 years, $85-90 million)
Larry Hughes, Cavs (5 years, $60-65 million)
Samuel Dalembert, Sixers (6 years, $60-70 million)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cavs (5 years, $55-60 million)
Bobby Simmons, Bucks (5 years, $47 million)
Cuttino Mobley, Clippers (5 years, $42 million)
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Nets (6 years, $37-38 million)
Udonis Haslem, Heat (5 years, $30-32 million)
Dan Gadzuric, Bucks (6 years, $36 million)
Stromile Swift, Rockets (5 years, $28-29 million)
Antonio Daniels, Wizards (5 years, $28-29 million)
Jerome James, Knicks (5 years, $28-29 million)
Kyle Korver, Sixers (6 years, $25-27 million)
Kwame Brown, Lakers (3 years, $22-24 million)
Donyell Marshall, Cavs (4 years, $20-21 million)
Raja Bell, Suns (5 years, $20-25 million)
Willie Green, Sixers (6 years, $19-20 million)
Brian Scalabrine, Celtics (5 years, $15 million)
Sarunas Jasikevicius, Pacers (3 years, $12 million)
Keyon Dooling, Magic (3 years, $10 million)
Fabricio Oberto, Spurs (3 years, $7.5-9 million)
Mark Madsen, Timberwolves (5 years, salary undisclosed)
Arvydas Macijauskas, Hornets (3 years, salary undisclosed)
Robert Horry, Spurs (3 years, salary undisclosed)
Clifford Robinson, Nets (terms undisclosed)

Luke Walton, Lakers (terms undisclosed
Chris Andersen, Hornets (terms undisclosed)
Bostjan Nachbar, Hornets (terms undisclosed)
Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Timberwolves (terms undisclosed)
LaRon Profit, Traded to Lakers (3 years, $2.7-2.8 million  only the first year is guaranteed)
Eddie Basden, Bulls (partially guaranteed multi-year contract)
Lucas Tischer, Suns (1 year + team option, $1.1 million - first year is partially guaranteed)
Matt Walsh, Heat (2 years, $1.1 million - first year is partially guaranteed)
Dwayne Jones, Timberwolves (2 years, $1.1 million)

Several teams still have significant cap room to spend this summer. With a projected $49.5 million cap, the Hawks ($23.5 million), Bobcats ($18 million), Hornets ($11 million), Clippers ($10 million), and the Sonics ($10 million) are all under the cap. With at least another week until the player movement moratorium is lifted (most NBA people think it will be lifted either July 29 or August 1st), here's Insider's updated look at the free-agent class of 2005.

Top 25 2005 Free Agents

Key: R = Restricted free agent | PO = Player Option | TO = Team Option

1. Joe Johnson, G, Suns (R)
Joe Johnson
Johnson
The skinny: The talk for two weeks has been that Johnson is set to sign a max, five-year offer with the Hawks once the moratorium ends. There is equally loud talk that the Suns, who own his restricted free agency rights, will step up to the plate and match the offer, meaning Johnson will be back in a Suns uniform next season, albeit at a cost that far exceeds what the Suns wanted to pay for him. It doesn't hurt the Hawks to try anyway. Signing Johnson would put yet a fourth max player on the Suns' payroll, something the cost-conscious Robert Sarver doesn't want to do.

2. Samuel Dalembert, PF/C, 76ers (R)
Samuel Dalembert
Dalembert
The skinny: Samuel Dalembert agreed to a six year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, his agent Marc Cornstein, told ESPN.com. Cornstein refused to disclose the amount of the contract, but it's believed to be worth between $60 million to $70 million, based on previous negotiations.

3. Tyson Chandler, PF/C, Bulls (R)
Tyson Chandler
Chandler
The skinny: Chandler is younger than Dalembert and has produced at about the same rate or better, especially when he's been healthy. He's a better rebounder than Dalembert and a superior overall defender. The fact that he's a legit 7-foot-2 and has a tremendous work ethic also helps his cause. But questions about his back and his lack of an offensive game have raised questions about his value in free agency. It's also widely believed that the Bulls will match any offer for him. He's a favorite of Chicago GM John Paxson and the Bulls know they can't afford to lose both Chandler and Eddy Curry this summer. If Paxson has to choose, Chandler is the guy. The problem for Chandler is getting a team such as Atlanta or Seattle to make a move for him. While those teams have shown polite interest, neither has been willing to offer the big deal it would take for Chicago to think twice. Meanwhile, Chandler continues to wait for the Bulls to make a big offer. He is hoping Dalembert will cut a lucrative deal, setting the market. As it stands right now, both remain in limbo. If the Bulls' offer does not rise significantly this summer, look for Chandler to sign his one-year tender offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

4. Eddy Curry, C, Bulls (R)
Eddy Curry
Curry
The skinny: Curry visited the Hawks over a week ago and got a red carpet welcome. However, the Hawks didn't make an offer and are bringing Dalembert into town on Monday. Curry's still waiting for an offer from the Bulls as well. The fact that the NBA's insurance company has decided that Curry's heart in uninsurable hasn't helped matters. While Bulls GM John Paxson maintains that the team wants to re-sign Curry, the GMs Insider spoke with all believe the Bulls are posturing. The Bulls don't want him back if he's going to command a big salary and are hoping they can work out a sign-and-trade that gets them something back in return. The most likely scenario has the Hawks offering to so a sign-and-trade for Curry that would net the Bulls Al Harrington.

5. Antoine Walker, F, Celtics
Antoine Walker
Walker
The skinny: A number of teams have shown interest in Walker this summer, including the Kings, Rockets and Knicks. However, only the Kings the mid-level to offer to Walker and he's obviously looking for more. The Sonics have also shown some interest in Walker and they have enough money under the cap to offer him a bigger deal. However, it's unclear how serious they are. The Celtics haven't made a big offer, so Walker's stuck. There has been some talk of a sign-and-trade that would swap Walker for Vladimir Radmanovic. However, it's unclear whether Celtics GM Danny Ainge would agree to that. Walker may have to get a third team involved to get a sign-and-trade that's amenable to Ainge.

6. Marko Jaric, PG, Clippers (R)
Marko Jaric
Jaric
The skinny: When Jaric has been healthy, he has looked solid. The pickings are slim at the point guard position, which should bode well for Jaric. A number of teams -- including the Wolves, Cavs, Nuggets, Lakers, Blazers and Celtics -- are interested, but none of them has more than the mid-level to make something happen. The Cavs brought in Jaric on Thursday, but would probably have to do a sign-and-trade with the Clippers to afford Jaric at this point. With the Clippers agreeing to terms with Cuttino Mobley, they might be willing to deal. Mike Dunleavy told Jaric in his exit interview that he'd have to accept Shaun Livingston would be the Clippers' full-time point guard and Jaric would spend most of his time at the two. That's something Jaric has bristled at in the past, but he has warmed to the idea, partly because he loves L.A. and partly because the Clippers appear to be on the verge of the playoffs. Still, agent Bill Duffy says that while the two sides continue to talk about a Jaric return, the Clippers are open to sign-and-trade possibilities as well.

7. Vladimir Radmanovic, F, Sonics (R)
Vladimir Radmanovic
Radmanovic
The skinny: With Ray Allen re-signed, the Soncis have made a push to bring back Radmanovic. He was the leading contender to win the Sixth Man Award before breaking his leg and missing the last six weeks of the season, was a critical component in the Sonics' unexpected run this year and has a lot of fans around the league. However, Radmanovic wants starter money (a starting salary at $8-9 million per year) and a starting role in Seattle. That's too much for them to swallow. At this point, the Hornets look like his best options. Then again, it's unclear whether either team is serious about spending money this summer. One other option is that the Sonics decide to sign a big man with the rest of the money under the cap. They've been pursuing Dalembert, Chandler and Walker. To do it, they'd have to renounce their free agents. If that happens, Radmanovic would become an unrestricted free agent and would be free to sign anywhere he chooses.

8. Earl Watson, PG, Grizzlies
Earl Watson
Watson
The skinny: Watson remains one of the most underrated point guards in the league and has generated significant interest this summer. He has played backup to Jason Williams most of his career, but his player efficiency ratings make him, at the very least, Williams' equal. He's one of the best defensive point guards in the league, and he keeps turnovers to a minimum. He won't score a lot of points with that faulty jumper, but he definitely can run a team. The Magic were the front runners for Watson, though it appears the interest there has cooled. The Hawks, Blazers, Nuggets, Jazz, Sonics and Rockets all have shown interest. Given Watson's desire to be a starter, it's unlikely he would choose to re-up with Memphis unless Williams is traded. However, that may be just what West has in mind. In the course of the past few weeks West has been trying hard to package Williams and Bonzi Wells. One possibility might be Miami.

9. Sarunas Jasikevicius, PG, Maccabi Tel Aviv
The skinny: Sarunas Jasikevicius, widely considered the top point guard in Europe, signed a three-year, 12 million deal with the Pacers, his agent Doug Neustadt told ESPN.com. Jasikevicius also had offers from the Jazz and Cavs, but decided to take less money and fewer minutes to have a shot at an NBA title. "It really came down to who he could win a championship with next year," Neustadt told ESPN.com. "He saw a chance to contribute and win and couldn't pass it up."

10. Bonzi Wells, SG, Grizzlies (TO)
Bonzi Wells
Wells
The skinny: Wells was traded to the Kings over the weekend. The Kings picked up the team option on Wells contract, meaning he's no longer a free agent.

11. Damon Stoudamire, PG, Blazers
The skinny: The Cavs have been showing a lot of interest in Blazers free agent Damon Stoudamire should their pursuit of Jasikevicius and Jaric fall through. The team is looking for another point guard to platoon with Eric Snow. Snow is a bigger, defense-minded guard so the Cavs are trying to go the opposite direction with his backup. Stoudamire might be a good choice. He's a good perimeter shooter, can push the ball up the floor and is coming off one his better seasons in recent memory. Then again, he's 31 years old and has had more than his fair share of legal problems the past few years. The Rockets and have also shown a lot of interest. However, he'd have to play for their $1.8 exception.

12. Gary Payton, PG, Celtics
The skinny: It has become evident that the Celtics are unlikely to bring back Payton next season. He still has some juice in the tank and would be a solid addition to a team that needs some veteran help at the point. Don't be surprised if the Sonics make a run at him should they decide to spend some money this summer and re-sign their free agents. The Lakers, Wolves and the Heat also are options for Payton.

13. Keyon Dooling, G, Heat
The skinny: Dooling agreed to a three year, $10 million dollar contract with the Magic on Friday his agent, Rob Pelinka, told ESPN.com. The Nets had also been in the running for Dooling, but the chance to start in Orlando (the Magic claim they're moving Steve Francis to the two) were enough to lure him to Orlando.

14. Damon Jones, PG, Heat
The skinny: Jones ranked third in three pointers made last season and fifth in three point field goal percentage. He's a perfect fit in the Heat's offense and would be crazy to go elsewhere. There's no where in the league where he'll get more open looks than Miami. The word is that the Heat are getting closer to getting a deal done with Jones.

15. Zaza Pachulia, C, Bucks (R)
The skinny: The Bucks have been very busy this summer, drafting Andrew Bogut, trading for Jiri Welsch, and coming to terms with free agents Michael Redd, Bobby Simmons and Dan Gadzuric. The team has also been trying to re-sign center Zaza Pachulia. However, sources say that it looks like the Hawks are prepared to throw more cash his way should they be unable to land a big-time center like Dalembert, Chandler or Curry via free agency. The Nuggets, Pacers, Raptors and Magic have also shown interest.

16. Darius Songaila, F, Kings
The skinny: The Kings are trying to figure out a way to bring him back, but given their cap issues, that won't be easy. A number of teams are showing strong interest in Songaila including the Nets, Mavs and Sixers. Teams like his toughness and his ability to play both inside and outside.

17. Reggie Evans, PF, Sonics (R)
The skinny: For a team looking for rebounding help, Evans is the man. His rebounds per minute were the best in the league last season. A number of teams have taken a hard look at Evans, but their all concered that the Sonics might match.

18. Dan Dickau, PG, Hornets
The skinny: With Chris Paul headed to New Orleans, Dickau has to search for a new home. Dickau was unexpectedly solid for the Hornets this season, averaging 13.3 ppg and 5.2 apg. He's an excellent shooter and showed a real knack for running a team. Given his production last season, it's a little surprising he doesn't already have a deal.

19. Ronald Murray, G, Sonics (R)
The skinny: Have NBA teams forgotten about Murray's magical run in November of 2003, when he averaged 20.8 ppg and 4.3 apg on 45 percent shooting with Ray Allen out of the lineup? Murray's numbers have been up and down since then, but he was so good, and so consistent, during that month that surely teams have to take a look. Even this season, when given more than 25 minutes on the floor, Murray averaged an impressive 16.1 ppg. His shooting percentage was terrible this year and he never seemed to get into the flow, but on a team desperate for a combo guard who can put the ball in the basket, Murray seems like he's worth the risk.

20. Brevin Knight, PG, Bobcats
The skinny: Maybe it's his size (5-10) or his age (30 in November) or his relatively lackluster career, but it's hard to figure out how the guy who ranked second in the league in assists last season playing just 29.5 mpg can't get a job. The Bobcats are interested in bringing him back to tutor rookie Raymond Felton, but we haven't heard much buzz anywhere else.

21. Gerald Wallace, G/F, Bobcats (R)
The skinny: With most of the top swingmen off the board, it's pretty surprising that Wallace hasn't garnered more interest this summer. He had an excellent year for the Bobcats last season, and has great size and athleticism for his position. Defensively, he ranked in the top 10 in steals last year. His jump shot will never be a thing of beauty, but Wallace is versatile and would be a great fit on a team still trying to fill a void at the two or three. However, most teams assume that the Bobcats would match any offer for Wallace. They are way under the cap and have to sign somebody. But the truth is that Bernie Bickerstaff isn't inclined to overpay. They want lots of cap room going into next summer and might be willing to let Wallace leave if the alternative is eating up an inordinate amount of their cap flexibility next season.

22. Travis Hansen, G/F, Tau Ceramica
The skinny: Hansen spent one lackluster year on the Hawks before heading overseas last year. After a rocky start at TAU, Hansen turned it on in the last two months of the season and was great. He helped his team get all the way to the Euroleague Finals and did it in front of a host of NBA GMs and scouts. Hansen is a great athlete, plays tenacious defense, can play multiple positions and has turned himself into a very good 3-point shooter. The Nuggets and Rockets have shown the most interest, but you have to wonder why teams such as the Cavs (assistant GM Chris Grant drafted him in 2003), Heat, Bobcats, Magic and Jazz aren't in the mix.

23. Jeff McInnis, PG, Cavs
The skinny: McInnis is still a good player, but his run ins with two head coaches in the same year have cemented his reputation as a trouble maker. That's tough to swallow for any player, but when it's your point guard, teams tend to shy away.

24. Latrell Sprewell, SG, Timberwolves
The skinny: Maybe Latrell's going to have a problem feeding his family after all. After turning down a 3 year, $21 million dollar extension offer with the Wolves last fall, Spree is finding out that the market isn't as hot as he thought for a soon to be 35 year old shooting guard with pigtails. At this point, it sounds like he'll be lucky to get the million dollar veterans minimum.

25. Eddie Griffin, F, Timberwolves
The skinny: The talent is obviously there. The head? We're still not sure. Griffin finally seemed to have gotten his life back together after stints in rehab for alcoholism, however, his recent arrest and jail time for violating probation haven't helped his free agent cause. The Wolves are expected to make an offer that would pay Griffin roughly $5-6 million over the next three years.

Best of the rest

Player/Team Option: Nick Van Exel, PG, Blazers (TO)

Unrestricted: Dale Davis, C, Pacers; Steven Hunter, C, Suns; Kerry Kittles, SG, Clippers; Casey Jacobsen, Hornets; Kareem Rush, SG, Bobcats; Othella Harrington, F, Bulls; Juan Dixon, G, Wizards; Robert Traylor, PF/C, Cavs; Glenn Robinson, SF, Spurs; Jahidi White, C, Bobcats; Bo Outlaw, F, Grizzlies; Ervin Johnson, C, Timberwolves; Tyronn Lue, PG, Rockets; Darrell Armstrong, PG, Mavericks; Greg Buckner, G, Nuggets; Jon Barry, G, Rockets; Tom Gugliotta, F, Hawks; DeSagana Diop, C, Cavs; Dajuan Wagner, G, Cavs; Rick Brunson, PG, Clippers

Restricted: Jason Kapono, F, Bobcats; Matt Bonner, F, Raptors; Steve Blake, PG, Wizards; Chris Duhon, PG, Bulls; Maurice Evans, G/F, Kings; Damien Wilkens, G, Sonics

European Free Agents: Maceo Baston, PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv; Anthony Parker, SG/SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv; Nikola Vujcic, C, Maccabi Tel Aviv; Jose Manuel Calderon, PG, Tau Vitoria; Dimitris Diamantidis, PG, Panathinaikos; Dimos Dikoudis, SF, CSKA Moscow

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

[BGRANT44]

With a projected $49.5 million cap, the Hawks ($23.5 million), Bobcats ($18 million), Hornets ($11 million), Clippers ($10 million). 이게 핵심이네요. 홐스 아직도 못썼니?? --;;

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New York Knicks rule..-_-;;;;;;;;