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| According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Antoine Walker's agent is trying to get him out of Minnesota via trade or buyout. |
Our View: Walker is due $9.3 million next season and has a team option worth over $10 million next summer. Don't expect to see him on the rebuilding Timberwolves roster next season.
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| Jose Calderon received a qualifying offer from the Toronto Raptors on Friday, according to the Associated Press. Carlos Delfino also received a qualifying offer which means that the Raptors can match any contract offers they receive from other clubs. |
Our View: Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that either, especially Calderon, will be wearing a Raptors jersey next season. Calderon, who led the NBA with a 5.38 assist-to-turnover ratio, has stated that his main goal is to start, and if the Raptors aren't going to give him that option then he wants out.
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| Andrew Bynum is on the road to recovery from knee surgery, and when he is able to drag his body back out on the court next season the Lakers could have a very different starting lineup, according to the Los Angeles Times. |
Our View: With Bynum at center, Pau Gasol will be able to operate as the power forward with Lamar Odom sliding over to the small forward spot leaving Kobe Bryant to take over at shooting guard full time. Big, and athletic, that could be one hell of a lineup.
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| Allen Iverson decided not to opt out of his contract as he was able to, and instead he will remain with the Nuggets in the upcoming season, according to the Rocky Mountain News. |
Our View: Iverson will make almost $21 million in the final year of his four year contract, so it's no shock to anyone that he opted to stay in Denver. Plus, he has often said he wants to end his career in the Rocky Mountains anyway.
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| The Arizona Republic reports the Suns and Portland Trail Blazers remain in talks that would send Leandro Barbosa to Portland in exchange for Martell Webster, the No. 13 pick and another piece. |
Our View: This would be a very good deal for the Suns. Webster is just 21, shoots very well from three-point range, and can play either wing position. Also, the Suns are eager to land an extra first-round pick.
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| There have been apparent trade talks between the Suns and Toronto Raptors regarding a Boris Diaw-for-T.J. Ford exchange according to azcentral.com. The Raptors would also include the no. 17 pick. |
Our View: Why the Phoenix Suns would be interested in Ford is perplexing, especially while they still have Steve Nash and Leandro Barbosa on their roster. Regardless, the Suns are eager to move Diaw's four years and $36 million contract. Numerous reports have them aggressively shopping both him and Barbosa.
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| Marc Gasol has reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year deal worth $9 million to play for the Grizzlies, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. |
Our View: The team cannot legally sign him until July 1, under NBA rules. If he is coming to Memphis, the Grizzlies will no longer have a need at center, and will use their fifth overall pick in the draft on a different position.
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| Trevor Ariza said he will exercise a one-year $3.1 million clause in his contract that will keep him in Los Angeles next season, according to the LA Times. |
Our View: Ariza missed four months of the season due to a broken bone in his right foot, and will undergo another MRI exam on Monday. He doesn't expect any problems, and said he feels good.
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| The Nuggets have reportedly discussed sending Linas Kleiza and the 20th overall pick in the draft to Memphis in exchange for Kyle Lowry and the 28th pick, according to the Rocky Mountain News. |
Our View: Denver had interest in Lowry prior to the trade deadline in February. Memphis would get a solid player in return, as Kleiza averaged 11.1 points and 4.2 boards over 23.9 minutes per contest in 2007-08. He is also expected to represent Team Lithuania in the Olympics.
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| Sasha Vujacic is going to be a restricted free agent, and wants to ink with a team that can win a championship, according to the LA Times. He said, "It's going to be the team that wants me and needs me the most. Who that's going to be, I don't know. I just want to win a championship."
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Our View: He made $1.8 million in 2007-08, and will garner interest from several teams if he hits the free agent market. Vujacic only averaged 8.8 points per game, but drained 43% of his shots from long range, and scored a playoff career-high 20 points in Game 3 of the Finals against the stingy Celtics.
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| Amare Stoudemire has turned down the chance to represent Team USA in the upcoming Olympics, according to the Arizona Republic. Managing director Jerry Colangelo said, "Amare has pulled himself out of consideration for the roster and that's predicated on, despite the fact that he's had an injury-free year coming back from knee surgeries in 2005 and 2006, he's a little hesitant on pushing the envelope too hard." |
Our View: He had a spot reserved for him if he wanted to compete, but wants to take care of his knees and rest in the off-season. He would have accepted the honor to play for Team USA if he felt he was 100% healthy.
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| Tayshaun Prince will reportedly be a member of Team USA in the Olympics, according to the Detroit Free Press. The selection will be made official on Monday. |
Our View: More than 30 players are in the national team program, but officials have said the candidates have been trimmed down to about 14, and Prince is believed to have made the cut.
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| Michael Redd has made the US olympic basketball team, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. |
Our View: He deserves the spot as he averaged 22.7 points per contest with Milwaukee in 2007-08, and hit 36% of his spots from long range.
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