Dirk to Kidd "Go to New York"

Jason Kidd talked to Dirk Nowitzki on Wednesday to inform him the duo that had teamed for an NBA championship would be together for three more years. Then, something happened. "I went out to play golf and I just didn't feel right," Kidd said Friday. "I talked to my wife and to Jeff [Schwartz, his agent] and they both said, if you don't feel comfortable, don't do it.'" So Kidd didn't. Sometimes, change is the most comfortable thing a person can do. Kidd said his switch on Thursday came with the blessing of Nowitzki and, largely, because the New York Knicks offered him a chance to further his legacy. If anybody can mold that group of talented but disconnected individuals into a team, it might just be Kidd. "I changed my mind, and Dirk understood," Kidd said. "When we talked, he said to go to New York."

Source: Dirk to Kidd "Go to New York"

Sources: Knicks Ahead Of Heat In Camby Chase

Miami Heat president Pat Riley was able to get Ray Allen at a discount, convincing him to take half has much money as he was offered by the Boston Celtics.

If the Heat want to land their next free-agent target, veteran center Marcus Camby, Riley is going have to make the same sale or likely lose out to the New York Knicks.

Camby's starting point for salary, sources said, is $3 million per season on a multiyear deal. The only way for the Heat to make that work is a sign-and-trade with the Houston Rockets, who own Camby's rights. The Rockets, however, are interested in a sign-and-trade with the Knicks but not with the Heat, sources told ESPN.com.

The Knicks, sources said, have had discussions with the Rockets about Camby and the Dallas Mavericks about a sign-and-trade for free agent Jason Kidd, who agreed to join the Knicks earlier this week. The Knicks are hoping to make a sign-and-trade deal for one of them and use their $3.09 mid-level exception to sign the other.

Camby was scheduled to meet with the Heat on Saturday and the Knicks on Sunday. If Riley cannot swing a sign-and-trade with Houston, the best he can offer Camby is the veteran's minimum of about $1.4 million, less than half of what the Knicks could offer via a sign-and-trade or the mid-level.

Camby, who averaged 4.9 points and 9.0 rebounds in 59 games with the Portland Trail Blazers and Rockets last season, has other suitors, including the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks, however, have made him a priority.

The Heat are scheduled to host veteran power forward Rashard Lewis on Sunday, who recently was bought out by the New Orleans Hornets. With Allen set to take the Heat's mid-level exception when he signs after July 11, Lewis is facing the same option in Miami as Camby.

The best the Heat can offer is the $1.4 million veteran's minimum. Lewis is not eligible for a sign-and-trade.

Source: Sources: Knicks Ahead Of Heat In Camby Chase

Three-Way Trade Could Land Andre Iguodala In Portland

Darren Wolfson of ESPN Radio affiliate 1500ESPN Twin Cities reports that the Timberwolves are still hot after restricted free agent Nicolas Batum and that the only way to ensure he ends up in Minneapolis is via sign-and-trade. 

According to the source, the way to get Batum here is still via a sign-and-trade. David Kahn, the Wolves' president of basketball operations, will continue to talk with the Portland Trail Blazers throughout the weekend.

One scenario involves a three-way trade with Philadelphia. Andre Iguodala would go to Portland, Derrick Williams would go as part of a package to the Sixers and Batum would come to Minnesota. So far, Portland is balking.

It may not matter who or what the Timberwolves or any other third party is offering up, because General Manager Neil Olshey told Batum and his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, that he plans on keeping this 23-year-old Frenchman in the red, black, and white, according to The Oregonian's Jason Quick.

"We appreciated the face-to-face meeting to get our message across," Olshey said. "And that message was that we intend to match any offer and we will not facilitate any sign-and-trade scenarios."

For the record, Williams averaged 8.8 points, on .412 shooting from the field, and 4.7 rebounds in 21.5 minutes of action per game during his rookie season. On the other hand, Iguodala, in his eighth NBA season (all with the 76ers), put up 12.4 points, on .454 shooting from the floor, 6.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.7 steals in 35.6 minutes per night. Coincidentally enough, both players came to the NBA via the University of Arizona.

Source: Three-Way Trade Could Land Andre Iguodala In Portland

Kobe Bryant: "Bulls still are contenders"

LAS VEGAS -- There are plenty of skeptics who believe that because of Derrick Rose's knee injury, the Chicago Bulls have suddenly fallen from the ranks of the championship caliber teams in the NBA. Kobe Bryant isn't among them.

"Why wouldn't I?" Bryant said after Team USA's first practice Friday afternoon. "You look at what they did without Rose in the lineup, you plug him into that mix what are they going to look like? No question (they still are.)"

One of the reasons Bryant is so confident the Bulls can continue to win without Rose is because of his old friend Tom Thibodeau. Bryant worked out with Thibodeau in Philadelphia while he was a teenager and Thibodeau was an NBA assistant. He knows the veteran coach will find a way to squeeze the most out of his team.

"He's a great coach," Bryant said. "I felt like the Bulls did a fantastic job this season in terms of kind of holding the fort down while he was out. You're missing such a big part of your team (without Rose), but I felt like Thibs did a great job of putting guys in a position to be successful and they really held it down for as long as they could, man. It's a shame they couldn't get out of that (first) round, but with Derrick back it's really going to improve them, obviously."

In the short term, Bryant knows he and his USA teammates are going to struggle without Rose. He believes that in the long term, the Bulls are going to be fine, though.

"Just the way he plays," Bryant said of Rose. "Everybody here has to bring their individual games to the table and it elevates us a whole by doing that and his penetration, his shooting ability which has improved tremendously, his defensive speed, his ability to get in the passing lanes, create extra possessions for us, those are all things that we'll miss."

Bryant's optimism regarding the Bulls' future was shared by other stars around the league.

"Definitely," Thunder guard Russell Westbrook said. "They've got the pieces. When he's healthy, he can do a lot of great things for his teammates. They still have the same team, I don't think they made any moves to my knowledge, but I think they'll be good."

Westbrook, a good friend of Rose's, said he had spoken to the former MVP recently.

"I talked to him a little bit," Westbrook said. "He's doing well ... Chicago don't got to worry, buddy."

That's the impression Westbrook's teammate, Kevin Durant has as well. While he hasn't spoken to Rose since his injury, he too is convinced the Bulls are still in pretty good shape.

"Yeah, a lot of people are counting them out because of D. Rose's injury," Durant acknowledged. "But Thibodeau is an unbelievable coach, they have an unbelievable system, they're defense is great and they play together."

Source: Bryant: "Bulls are still contenders"

Boston Herald: Ray Allen demanded 27 million from the Boston Celtics

Allen, tired of being offered as trade bait by Danny Ainge in each of the last two years, was also being offered trade security by the Celtics, either in the form of a trade kicker or a no trade clause.

But according to a league source, Allen’s request from the Celtics went beyond the pale - reportedly a demand for a three-year, $27 million contract. The Celtics, according to the source, were in the process of attempting to talk Allen down from $9 million to $6 million per year.

Source: Boston Herald: Ray Allen demanded 27 million from Celtics

Reportedly Orlando Magic are "very close" to Howard trade.

Orlando, FLA. -

Local 6 Sports Director David Pingalore learned Friday night from NBA sources that the Orlando Magic are "very close" to trading center Dwight Howard. 

Pingalore's sources, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the proceedings, were not ready to name the team that the Magic were tradingHoward to at this time. One source told Pingalore they were "very confident that a deal is close tobeing done." The parameters of trades can be discussed now, but they can't become official until Wednesday under NBA rules.

The sources believe that the Brooklyn Nets are out of the mix to land Howard. 

The sources could not stress enough that a deal is close to being finalized and that the Magic will meet Howard'strade request to play elsewhere next season. 

Brooklyn had been Howard's first choice from December, when he first asked to be traded. Howard said he will notsign an extension after this season with any team other than the Nets. The all-star center's preferred destination has been limited to just one team since the traderequest that he reiterated to new Magic GM Rob Hennigan last Friday in Los Angeles. 

Pingalore's sources believe that the Los Angeles Lakers are very much in play for Howard. The Lakers reached an agreement for a sign-and-trade deal for two-time MVP point guard Steve Nash on Wednesday. A deal for Howard could result in the Lakers shipping center Andrew Bynum or power forward Pau Gasol to Orlando.

Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant was asked about Howard on Friday during a Team USA media 

session in Las Vegas. "I want what's best for him,'' Bryant said. "I want him to do what he 

feels is best for him, what's going to make him happy."

Kobe added after being asked about the Lakers recent roster moves, "I don't know 

if we're done yet."

Source: Reportedly Orlando Magic are "very close" to Howard trade.

NBA Olympic Team USA players miss Derrick Rose

LAS VEGAS -- When Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose tore his ACL in the first playoff game of the postseason on April 28 against the Philadelphia 76ers, it didn't just end his hopes at a championship this season -- it ended his dreams of winning an Olympic gold medal for Team USA as well.

Rose, the starting point guard for the USA team that won the 2010 World Championships in Turkey, was expected to play a major role for Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski as the Americans prepared for the London Olympics. Now, Rose will be forced to watch the Olympics on television as he continues to rehab from his knee injury. His would-be Olympic teammates feel terrible about his situation.

"I feel so bad for him, man," Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant said after Team USA's first practice Friday afternoon. "An unfortunate injury; I wish it never happened to him. I wish he could be here with us, but it's given us more motivation to try and win it for him. We know that he belongs here, along with a few other guys as well ... hopefully, we get it done for him."

That was the sentiment shared throughout the gym. While Rose, who arrived in the Los Angeles area on Monday to continue his rehab, tries to work his way back, player after player empathized with the former MVP's plight.

"Yes, I do," Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said. "But now I can just wish him health and hopefully he's taking his time and not rushing his recovery. He's a fantastic player as we all know, so I just hope he's taking his time and I know he wishes he could be here as we all do (for him), but he's really got to take his time. He's got a long career ahead of himself so hopefully, he won't rush his road back."

Krzyzewski, who said he has left several messages for Rose, wishes the Chicago product could be on the floor with his team.

"Derrick was our starting guard in the World Championships and aside from being one of the top players in the NBA, he's one of the really good guys," the Hall of Fame coach said. "Just that big, strong, athletic guard that you need, especially in international competition. So, hopefully, his recovery is going well."

Durant knows that Rose's presence will be missed, both on and off the floor.

"Just another athletic guard that can mix it up from the one and the two, that can guard full court, that can penetrate and dish," Durant said. "But we got to worry about the guys that we have here. It's tough not having D-Rose here, just having him around, (he's) a great teammate. Playing with him (on) the 2010 team, he sacrificed a lot, he's a team player, ultimate team guy, so humble, a joy to be around. It's unfortunate that he's not here, but we got a lot of guys here that's going to fill the void."

“I definitely feel for him. He was working hard to be a part of this squad, so for him to not be here today, especially with the injury that he has, it saddens a lot of guys here because we know that D-Rose would have been a valuable piece to this team.”

-- Kevin Love on Derrick Rose

Durant, along with Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, were just a few of the guys Rose worked out with in the summer over the past few years. They know it's been tough for Rose to sit and watch.

"I definitely feel for him," Love said. "He was working hard to be a part of this squad, so for him to not be here today, especially with the injury that he has, it saddens a lot of guys here because we know that D-Rose would have been a valuable piece to this team."

Love knows that Rose's void will be tough to fill, but like the rest of his teammates, he remained confident that Team USA could still win gold in London.

"Everything he brings to the table," Love said, when asked what they'd miss without Rose on the roster. "He's an MVP-caliber player year in and year out. He's a heady point guard, he's really explosive, defensively he's great, so he's a guy that can really fill it up and he just kind of fits the mold for Team USA."

While Bryant never has torn an ACL in his knee, a fact he noted by knocking a clenched fist on his head for luck, he feels for the type of rehab Rose is going through, having dealt with plenty of injuries of his own.

"Sure," Bryant said. "I think it was the World Games that were coming up that I had to miss because I had my knee scoped and you miss all the energy that the guys are having, the fun that they're having, the competitiveness in practice and in games and you miss that and you wish you could be a part of it. Hopefully the next time the Olympics rolls around, he'll have his opportunity."

To that point, Team USA chairman Jerry Colangelo said that Rose will have a chance to continue to be a part of the national team as long he wants to.

"Derrick has been a terrific USA basketball guy," Colangelo said. "And depending on his interest, we certainly want to keep him involved as long as he wants to be."

Like the rest of his staff, Colangelo couldn't believe that Rose went down.

"I felt terrible at the time," Colangelo recalled. "Derrick is such a great kid and such a competitor. When you're in world competition and you're representing your country, you want a lot of guys around you in a foxhole that you really can count on. Derrick Rose is one of those guys.

"It was such an unusual injury, it wasn't a collision, it wasn't anything other than, it gave way. Hopefully he can come back and come back better than ever."

Source: Team USA players miss Bulls G Derrick Rose

G Ray Allen chooses Heat over Celtics, ending Boston's big three era

MIAMI (AP)

Ray Allen will take less money for a chance at another NBA championship.

FREE FOR ALL

The NBA's top 10 free agents include some all-time greats.

Allen told the Miami Heat on Friday night that he intends to accept their contract offer and leave Boston after five seasons, even though the Celtics could pay him about twice as much as the reigning NBA champions will be able to next season. Miami could only offer Allen the mini mid-level, worth about $3 million a year.

Heat owner Micky Arison tweeted the news just after 9:30 p.m., or about 2:30 a.m. Saturday in Europe, where Arison has been for several days.

''I was just woken up with great news,'' Arison wrote. ''Welcome to the family.'' Arison ended the tweet by making mention of Allen's jersey No. 20, and didn't mention the NBA's leading 3-point shooter by name.

A person briefed on details of the decision told The Associated Press that Arison got the word from Heat President Pat Riley, who made Allen the team's top free-agent priority - especially in recent days. Allen, who will be 37 this month, arrived in Miami on Thursday for a visit, went to dinner with Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra, team executive Alonzo Mourning and others Thursday night, then left Friday to presumably decide his future.

Source: G Ray Allen chooses Heat over Celtics, ending Boston's big three era

Videos of Players on Team USA speaking

NBA Olympic Team USA photos

Anderson Silva to make 7 million for fight tomorrow (Not including PPV shares)

Anderson Silva reportedly will earn 7million dollars for his fight against Chael Sonnen. Could be even more if PPV sells massive.

Source: Anderson Silva to make 7 million for fight tomorrow

Heat & Knicks leaders in competition to land C Marcus Camby

From Twitter account @SpearsNBAYahoo

@SpearsNBAYahoo NYK and MIA leaders in comp to land HOU C Marcus Camby with either $3m mini mid or Sign-N-Trade, source tells Y! SA,DAL, HOU also interested

MIAMI — Has center Marcus Camby emerged as the free agent the Heat are going after the hardest?

Sources close to the situation said Friday the free agent will visit Miami on Saturday. One source said the Heat had reached out to Camby’s camp at 12:01 a.m. EDT last Sunday, the very first time teams could contact free agents.

It initially appeared Camby’s priority was to re-sign with Houston. But sources said Camby has changed his tune this week due to a belief the Rockets are rebuilding, and he would be very receptive to signing with Miami.

The Heat on Thursday entertained free-agent guard Ray Allen. On Sunday, they will play host to free-agent forward Rashard Lewis.

Using Miami’s $3.09 million exception, the Heat are willing to give Allen a three-year, $9.53 million contract. However, Allen could end up returning to Boston, which has offered him a two-year, $12 million deal. And one source wondered if, due to how thin Miami is at center and the difficulty it is to acquire big men without big bucks, Camby could emerge as a more preferred Heat free agent than Allen.

Is there a possibility the Heat could get both Allen and Camby? A source reiterated there’s no chance Camby would sign for the veteran’s minimum of $1.35 million but it’s possible a sign-and-trade deal could be arranged with Houston (it’s unclear if Lewis would accept the veteran’s minimum).

Camby, 38, split last season with Portland and Houston, averaging 4.9 points and 9.9 rebounds. In 19 late-season games with the Rockets, Camby averaged 7.1 and 9.3 rebounds.

Camby wants a multi-year deal and hopes to play about three more seasons. Due to his rebounding and shot-blocking ability and not caring about how many points he scores, he would fit in well with the Heat.

Sources had said early in the week Camby’s preference was to re-sign with Houston. But that has changed.

“He sees the moves they are making and it looks like they’re rebuilding,’’ one source said. “He wants to win a championship.’’

The Rockets last week traded center Samuel Dalembert to Milwaukee. This week, they’ve agreed to trade point guard Kyle Lowry to Toronto, and free-agent point guard Gorin Dragic has agreed to bolt Houston for Phoenix.

Houston this week agreed to sign Chicago restricted free-agent center Omer Asik and New York restricted free-agent point guard Jeremy Lin to offer sheets. But both could be matched.

Sources said Camby also plans to visit New York, and that Dallas and San Antonio remain in the mix as possibilities. For now, though, he will take a long look at Miami.

Miami won the championship with Chris Bosh having been moved from power forward to start in the Finals at center against Oklahoma City. But it remains to be seen if that could work over the long haul. Miami’s only true centers under contract for next season are Joel Anthony and Dexter Pittman.

The Heat entered free agency before last season hoping to get a big man but found the $3 million taxpayer exception didn’t go very far. They’ll now see if the Mini Mid-Level Exception can be used to land Camby or whether the Rockets might cooperate for a sign-and-trade.

The Heat don’t have a lot to offer for a possible sign-and-trade. There is young point guard Norris Cole and forward Udonis Haslem, but the Heat are very loyal to the Miami native. And there is the future first-round pick the Heat got last week from Philadelphia, which could be packaged in some manner.

Source: Miami Heat going strong after free agent C Marcus Camby

Clippers G Chris Paul Suffers Minor Injury At Team USA Practice

LAS VEGAS -- The U.S. men's basketball team held its first practice Friday, and there was a quick reminder of the rocky run-up to the London Games.

Chris Paul was forced to leave the opening day of training camp to get an X-ray after hurting his thumb. The Americans don't believe the injury is serious, with USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo calling it a tweak of a previous injury, and they hope Paul can practice Saturday.

That would be some rare good news for a team has been severely weakened by injuries. Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all were forced to pull out, leaving the Americans with 15 players vying for 12 spots. The roster will be announced Saturday night.

Colangelo said he would discuss the roster with the coaching staff on Friday night but would put off any judgments until after Saturday's practice.

"Tonight we'll have some deliberations about what took place today, but we're still not making the final decision until we practice tomorrow," he said. "We told the players we were going to do that and we're not going to change."

LeBron James, about two weeks removed from winning NBA Finals MVP honors after Miami's championship, didn't scrimmage Friday so he could get some extra rest. Deron Williams sat out as planned because he still can't sign his $98 million extension with the Nets, and top draft pick Anthony Davis remained sidelined because of a sprained ankle.

That allowed the Americans time for extra looks at some of the players on the bubble, such as Rudy Gay, Eric Gordon, James Harden and Andre Iguodala.

"You could build a case for each of the contenders if you will, depending on what you want," Colangelo said. "It's like a menu: Another shooter, it's Eric Gordon. You want a scoring guard, it's Harden. You want a defensive specialist, it's Iguodala. You want another guy with length who can shoot the ball and run the court, it's Rudy Gay."

What the Americans really want is another big body, having lost their 2008 center rotation with the absences of Howard and Bosh. James and Carmelo Anthony even could see time at center, which would create offensive mismatches for the Americans but would leave them undersized on defense.

The need for size has Colangelo intrigued by Davis, the shot-blocking college player of the year who led Kentucky to the national title. But he's not ready to go full speed yet after hurting himself less than a week ago while working out with the Hornets, leaving him frustrated but eager.

"Anxious to get on the court, be healthy again, show the coaches my full abilities," Davis said.

Colangelo said it would be a "reach" to pick Davis without really seeing him, but acknowledges the 6-foot-10 forward has qualities no other U.S. player has. So he could pick him Saturday and hope he's ready in a couple of weeks, with the Olympic opener not for another three weeks.

This being Vegas, is Colangelo a gambler?

"I've been known to be that, but I'm saying that, I'm one voice in the wilderness maybe," Colangelo said. "We'll find out tonight."

Gay played with the Americans on their gold medal-winning team in the 2010 world basketball championship and is versatile enough to play each frontcourt position. His chances of making the roster may have improved with all the other losses at the forward spots.

"Just basically going out there, showcasing what I can do," the Memphis forward said. "If they like it, they don't, I'll find other ways to get better and then compete next time."

Gordon was considered on the cut line in 2010 and ended up becoming a key contributor for the Americans, and believes he can do it again, even at a crowded guard spot.

It's easier for the guys with size, which is why Knicks center Tyson Chandler knows he'll be on the team. The Americans insist they are deep enough to overcome their losses, and he said just looking at the practice floor shows why.

"You look to your left and your right, and the names and level of athletic ability and skill is off the chart," he said.

The Americans will train on the campus of UNLV through next Wednesday before closing this portion of their camp with an exhibition game against the Dominican Republic on Thursday.

Source: Chris Paul Suffers Minor Injury at Team USA Pratice

SI Reports Jeff Green's contract could be 4 years, $40 Million

On the Celtics front, agent David Falk continues to say he thinks a deal gets done with Boston for free agent forward Jeff Green. One source with knowledge of the talks says it may be in the four years, $40 million neighborhood, but it is not done. 

"I’m confident it’ll get done," Falk told SI.com. "I guess they got (Brandon) Bass' (contract) done, which is great. Jeff is trying to get a sense of what the team looks like first before he makes a commitment, but I expect he’ll be there and I expect it’ll be done by the 11th (when the free agency moratorium ends). We’ve gotten a lot of interest from other teams. But as far as Boston, we’re very confident we’ll get it done. 

Source: Report - Jeff Green's contract could be 4 years, $40 Million 

Jeremy Lin agrees to terms with the Rockets

Jeremy Lin has verbally agreed to sign a four-year offer sheet with the Houston Rockets on July 11, according to a source close to the talks.

The four-year deal would be worth an estimated $30-plus million.

A report in The New York Post on Wednesday, citing a league source, said the Rockets were planning to offer Lin a backloaded deal worth roughly $30 million. According to the same source, the deal would pay Lin $5 million in the first season, $5.2 million in the second, and then would increase to as much as $10 million per year in the third and fourth seasons.

"Jeremy Lin's an excellent player," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told The Post. "We got to know him firsthand when he was with the Rockets early this season. We think he'd make a fantastic addition to our team."

The Knicks can offer Lin a four-year deal worth $24.5 million. In 35 games with the Knicks last season, Lin averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists per game.

Source: Lin agrees to sign offer sheet with Rockets

Adrian Wojnarowski - twitter account ‏@WojYahooNBA

Houston has agreed to terms with Jeremy Lin on an offer sheet, source tells Y!

4 years worth more than 30 mil

Celtics reportedly will offer a deal with a no-trade clause to G Ray Allen

A source close to Allen indicates the Celtics are making a heavy push to get this done, attempting to answer his issues along the way.


Allen told the Herald months ago that he didn’t want to have to sweat out another trade deadline after nearly being moved in the past, and word is the Celts are ready to comply with either a no-trade clause or a trade kicker that would get him a good sized raise in salary if he does get moved.


It’s also interesting to note that, according to the source, Allen would already have a deal with the Celtics if they’d met his asking price.

 Source: Celtics reportedly will offer a deal with a no-trade clause to G Ray Allen

Veteran F Rashard Lewis to visit Heat this weekend - Hawks & Knicks also interested

From David Aldridge twitter - @daldridgetnt

@daldridgetnt Veteran F Rashard Lewis, bought out by the Hornets after coming in Okafor/Ariza trade from D.C., will visit Miami this weekend, per source.

@daldridgetnt Hawks and Knicks are also interested in Lewis, 32, who played in 28 games for the Wizards last season.

Lin wants MORE than Rockets Offer - Waiting for Dallas to Jump In

From Ian OConnor's twitter - 

@Ian_oConnor Lin now also waiting to see if PG-desperate Dallas jumps in. Would b interesting. Mavs gave him 1st summer invite #knicks

@Ian_OConnor: Jeremy Lin wants more $ than reported $31M offer from Houston, according to league source. #Knicks facing a hefty match

Los Angeles Lakers are afraid of Dwight Howard's back

While sources indicate the Brooklyn Nets remain the prohibitive favorite (still searching for a third team to take the contract of Kris Humphries), the Lakers have been in negotiation with the Magic for a number of weeks.

Orlando has great interest in center Andrew Bynum. Andrew is open to signing a long-term extension with the Magic.

While the Magic would like to dump pieces like Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Chris Duhon, the Lakers aren’t exactly looking to add on unwanted pieces. LA has shopped Metta World Peace, Josh McRoberts, Steve Blake this offseason. There may be some combination that appeases both teams.

It wouldn’t be difficult to make a cap-worthy deal that included Howard, Richardson and Duhon if the Magic took Bynum, McRoberts and Blake.

Of course agreeing to an actual deal is almost always difficult.

Sources close to the Lakers say they are not bothered by Howard’s reluctance to commit long-term to the team. They understand that Howard stands to make significantly more money as a free agent after this season, signing a five-year deal vs. adding on just three years to his current contract.

LA is confident that once in Los Angeles, and in possession of his Bird Rights, Howard would ultimately re-sign with the team.

So what’s the hurdle?

The Lakers biggest concern is the status of Howard’s back which the source indicates they believe has been healing “very slowly.”

The Magic haven’t given a clear timeline as of yet but the team said they don’t believe it will be “an issue going forward.”

All things being equal, the Lakers would make a strong push to get Howard. The fear is giving up an All-Star center in Bynum for a player who isn’t entirely guaranteed to start the season on time (something Magic General Manger Rob Hennigan declined to comment on recently).

Howard’s surgeon Dr. Robert Watkins, out of Los Angeles, is affiliated with the Lakers. Under normal privacy laws, a doctor cannot reveal the status of his patient to an outside party but if the Lakers were doing their due diligence at the permission of the Magic and Howard, perhaps there’s something they saw to scare them off.

For the Nets, who would be giving up pieces like Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries and picks, they can afford to be patient with Howard’s back.

Bynum finished the season as the best center in the league with Howard sidelined with injury.

Dwight may be ready to go without hindrance with another All-Star season in the making, but today that’s an unknown.

The Lakers may still take a leap of faith but presently it seems they’re holding back, which is why the Nets remain the favorite.

 Source: LA Lakers are afraid of Magic C Howard's back

Orlando Magic has reached deal to bring back G Jameer Nelson

With the soap opera that is the Dwight Howard saga drawing headlines, it was not a huge story when free agent Jameer Nelson opted for free agency this summer. But with that the Magic could have lost arguably their second best player to a new home.

Instead, Nelson has agreed to a three-year deal to return to the Magic, the point guard told the Orlando Sentinel.

“I was prepared to go where I needed to go to continue my career, and I think I kind of expressed that to the organization,” Nelson said. “But I also told them that I would love to come back.

“Genuinely, I love the city. I love the organization. I’ve learned a lot from the people in the organization. The (Magic owners the) DeVos family means a lot to myself and my family and it means a lot to me that they always put out a winning product.”

Terms of the deal are not yet known, and he cannot sign it until July 11.

Nelson opted out of $8 million for this season and may be getting a little less this season but likely not much. Is that overpaying for him? Maybe, and now you have him until he is age 33 and he could slip a little. But the fact is he was not the problem last season in Orlando — 11.9 points, 5.7 assists, solid game — and when you do go into rebuilding mode after the inevitable Howard trade he is another asset you can move.

Source: Magic reach deal to bring Jameer Nelson back to Orlando

Knicks to match Jeremy Lin contract offer from Rockets

Houston’s multiyear offer to Jeremy Lin includes back-loaded money designed to hit the Knicks hard on the luxury tax, sources close to Lin said. The Rockets’ offer comes as the Phoenix Suns reached agreement with Goran Dragic on a four-year, $34 million contract….

The Knicks have publicly and privately indicated they plan to match any offer for Lin.

Source: Knicks to Match Jeremy Lin contract offer from Rockets

Reportedly Steve Nash pressing for Grant Hill to join him in Los Angeles

Sources told ESPN.com that Nash will try to convince longtime teammate Grant Hill, one of his closest friends in the game, to join him with the Lakers. ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported over the weekend the Lakers were one of four teams (along with Toronto, New York and Phoenix) in the running for Hill after the 39-year-old's recent trip to Germany to undergo the same platelet-enrichment treatment on his knee that Bryant credited for his rejuvenated knee last season.

Source: Steve Nash To Lakers: Nash Reportedly Pressing For Grant Hill To Join Him In Los Angeles 

Lakers G Bryant welcomes Howard trade but will NOT recruit

Kobe Bryant will not call Dwight Howard to invite him to the Lakers, but sources say that he would welcome him as a teammate.

When Bryant and Howard spoke several months ago, the two disagreed on the newcomer's offensive role and sources say the call ended uneasily and they haven't been in meaningful conversation since.

Howard has long coveted playing with a point guard of Steve Nash's abilities.

"I think with Nash in the house now, they wouldn’t need an assurance up front," one league executive tied closely to the Howard trade talks told Yahoo! Sports. "They know that Dwight can be impressionable and craves Hollywood. I think they would take that chance."

Source: via Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Brandon Bass re-signs with Boston Celtics for three more years

Report: Brandon Bass Agrees To Three-Year Deal With Celtics

July 5, 2012 4:00 PM

BOSTON (CBS) — While Ray Allen contemplated his future, Brandon Bass was busy securing his own.

The free-agent forward agreed to a three-year deal to remain with the Boston Celtics, according to the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett.

Bass, 27, opted out of his contract in June, which would have paid him just $4.2 million in the 2012-13 season. After scoring 12.5 points with 6.2 rebounds per game (both career highs) with Boston last season, he was in line for a bit of a pay raise.

Bass’ numbers dropped a bit in the playoffs, when heaved 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.

He was acquired last December from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Glen Davis and Von Wafer.

He contributed as a starter for the majority of the season, but he was actually more efficient off the bench, when he averaged 11.8 points and 6.1 rebounds in 27.8 minutes per game, compared to 12.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in 33.6 minutes per game.

Source: Celtics F Brandon Bass re-signs for three years

Jason Kidd Changes Mind, Chooses To Join Knicks Multiyear Deal

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine

Mavs were confident they'd close three-year, $9M deal with Kidd but after all-day deliberations w/both teams Kidd has committed to Knicks

In an unforeseen reversal, Jason Kidd has decided to leave the Dallas Mavericks to join the New York Knicks, according to sources familiar with the decision.

With the Mavericks confident that they were closing in Thursday on a verbal agreement on a three-year deal with Kidd worth $9 million, sources told ESPN.com that Kidd -- after all-day deliberations with both teams -- has decided instead to leave Dallas to join the Knicks for a similar deal.

The contract can't actually be signed until July 11, which is the first day new NBA contracts can be signed. It's also possible, one source said, that Kidd could ultimately move to the Knicks in a sign-and-trade deal.

Sources briefed on the matter told ESPN.com that Kidd was ultimately swayed to take the Knicks' offer to come to New York and take on the challenge of trying to help the Knicks move into the Eastern Conference and also mentor fans darling' Jeremy Lin. 

Source: Jason Kidd Changes Mind, Chooses To Join Knicks

Toronto Raptors Acquire Point Guard Kyle Lowry from Houston Rockets

Fewer than 24 hours after missing out on Steve Nash, Toronto Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo has found his Plan B. You can make the argument that the plan is a lot more prudent and forward thinking than repatriating Nash would have been.

The Raptors have acquired point guard Kyle Lowry from the Houston Rockets, sources with the team confirm. The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Marc Stein.

In exchange, the Raptors will send the Rockets a future first-round pick and guard Gary Forbes. The pick will be in the lottery, with protections for both the Rockets and Raptors. The specifics were not immediately clear, but the Raptors will not lose the pick immediately if it is too high, and the Rockets will not get it if it is too low.

Source: Toronto Raptors Acquire Point Guard Kyle Lowry from Houston Rockets