Tuesday Insider -- Central Division Look

[Admin]

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Day One of the free-agent recruiting extravaganza came and went with not much more than a whisper. Players like Keon Clark, Devean George, Chauncey Billups and Jerome James seemed to be attracting the most interest.

As expected it was the Knicks, Sixers and Wizards leading the free-agent charge Monday. Still, don't expect anything major to happen anytime soon.

Unlike the last two free-agent periods, which saw prominent free agents and teams coming to terms in a matter of days, both sides are happy taking their time this summer.

"No one wants to overpay," one GM told Insider. "I don't think teams are in a rush to commit their mid-level exceptions. My guess is, in a few weeks, we'll find a lot of bargains. Teams just aren't spending the way they used to."

One prominent agent reluctantly concurred. "I have a number of free agents and my phone rang yesterday, but most of the conversations ended with, 'Call us if you get a better offer.' I keep trying to explain to my guys that money just isn't there this year. They don't get it. They will pretty soon."

Today, we'll take a look at the team needs of the Central Divison. Can the Bulls steal away Rashard Lewis from the Sonics? Do the Raptors really want to throw the bank at Keon Clark? Will the Cavs get a good deal for Andre Miller? Can Baron Davis force a trade in New Orleans? Who plays backup point guard in Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee and Toronto? We've got the answers . . .

Also see: Atlantic Division | Depth Charts

Free Agent Watch | Complete list of free-agents

CENTRAL DIVISION

Atlanta Hawks

Team Needs: Point guard, shooting

Cap Situation: Ugly. They have $52.1 million in committed payroll, meaning they are right on the verge of paying the luxury tax.

Top 3 prospects: Travis Best, Jeff McInnis, Chauncey Billups

The Skinny: Don't expect the Hawks to do much. They're dangerously close to paying the luxury tax and got their point guard of the future in the draft -- Dan Dickau. The only pressing question is whether Dickau is ready to lead this team to the playoffs his rookie season. That's a tough task for any rookie point guard and the Hawks have a lot riding on the playoffs -- they've told season ticket holders that they'll receive a rebate if the Hawks don't make the playoffs. The team would probably be content to re-sign Jacque Vaughn to help out Dickau. Or, it could decide to make a bigger splash by signing a veteran like Best, McInnis and Billups. The Hawks may wait to see what Dickau does in the summer league before deciding. As for the rest of the Hawks' free agents, Cal Bowdler and Mark Strickland should start packing their bags. Ira Newble and Hanno Mottola will probably be back.

Chicago Bulls

Team Needs: Shooting, backup power forward, center

Cap Situation: Great. They have $36.2 million in committed payroll, meaning they're around $6 million under the salary cap.

Top 3 prospects: Rashard Lewis, Matt Harpring, Devean George

The Skinny: The Bulls have just enough money to offer a player such as Rashard Lewis a nice raise above the mid-level exception. Lewis would be a dream, but he's probably unwilling to take a pay cut. If Lewis decides he really wants to bolt Seattle, would the Sonics be willing to work out a sign-and-trade for Jamal Crawford and Marcus Fizer? If the Bulls could pull off that deal, they'd make a strong run at the playoffs next season. The other semi-prominent free agent they're looking at is Harpring. Harpring has the toughness and outside shooting Jerry Krause is looking for. But is he worth the money that Chicago would have to spend to pry him away from the Sixers? George is also an attractive option here. He already understands the triangle offense and knows what it takes to win. It's more likely that Krause, who is obsessed with adding a few veterans as mentors to his baby Bulls, will make a run at a veteran role player or two, such as Popeye Jones, Scott Williams or Chris Gatling. The future of the Bulls' other free agents is up in the air. If they move Crawford, then there would be a strong interest in re-signing Travis Best. There's no chance that Charles Oakley will be back. The Bulls surprised A.J. Guyton by tendering him a contract offer, almost assuring that he'll return.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Team Needs: Hope, athleticism, depth in that order

Cap Situation: OK. They have $43.6 million in committed payroll, meaning they're barely over the salary cap.

Top 3 prospects: Ricky Davis, Devean George, Michael Redd

The Skinny: They're desperately slashing payroll, which means they may keep their wallets closed this summer. They would like to re-sign Ricky Davis, but only if the price is right. If John Lucas would've just kept his mouth shut, the Cavs could have gotten Davis on the cheap. The fact that the Cavs are also shopping Andre Miller complicates things. If they get a couple of young prospects in return, their summer shopping will be over. If Davis gets greedy, throwing the mid-level exception at an athletic swingman like George or Redd makes some sense. Other than Davis, all of the other Cavs' free agents (Trajan Langdon, Brian Skinner, Michael Doleac, Jeff Trepagnier) are looking for new homes.

Detroit Pistons

Team Needs: Point guard, three-point shooting, rebounding

Cap Situation: OK. They have $43.6 million in committed payroll, meaning they're barely over the salary cap.

Top 3 prospects: Jeff McInnis, Travis Best, Chauncey Billups

The Skinny: They need a backup point guard for Chucky Atkins in the worst way. There aren't a lot of options out there, but the Clippers' McInnis, the Bulls' Best or the T-Wolves' Billups would make sense here. All of those players will be looking for the full mid-level from a team and the Pistons have to decide whether any of them are worth the risk. Coach Rick Carlisle has a long history with Best in Indiana. Billups would give them some much needed three-point shooting and McInnis would give them some size for the backcourt. Troy Hudson and Larry Hughes are also possibilities. If worst comes to worst, the Pistons were impressed with free-agent Damon Jones and may bring him back.

Indiana Pacers

Team Needs: Backup point guard

Cap Situation: Dangerous. They have $52.5 million in committed payroll, meaning they're on the verge of paying the luxury tax

Top 3 prospects: Jeff McInnis, Chris Childs, Jacque Vaughn

The Skinny: They still need a veteran point guard to back up Jamaal Tinsley, but it won't be a big signing given the Pacers' luxury tax situation. The team has actually had some conversations with the Cavs about Andre Miller, but nothing has come of it. Could this summer be a referendum on Tinsley? If the Pacers go after a guy like McInnis or Billups, that's a strong signal that they're not convinced he's their point guard of the future. If they are convinced, someone such as Childs, Vaughn,or Kevin Ollie should do the job.

Milwaukee Bucks

Team Needs: Backup point guard, depth up front

Cap Situation: Not good. They have $54.2 million in committed payroll, meaning they're barely over the luxury-tax threshold.

Top 3 prospects: Michael Redd, Scott Williams, Jacque Vaughn

The Skinny: The Bucks are in an interesting situation. They are staring the dreaded luxury tax directly in the face but have three big holes to fill if they're going to make a serious run in the East next season. The first order of business is to re-sign Redd; he was huge for them last season when Ray Allen was injured. They will also talk with Williams about coming back for a year or two. The team desperately missed his toughness, rebounding and willingness to do the dirty work without complaint down low. The Bucks also need a backup point guard for Sam Cassell. Ron Murray might be a find, but he's a few years away. Someone like Vaughn would be a solid addition. The team is also interested in bringing back Darvin Ham, but it may not be able to afford him. Free agents Rafer Alston, Greg Anthony, Greg Foster and Mark Pope are likely to be on the move with the additions of Dan Gadzuric, Marcus Haislip and Jamal Sampson via the draft.

New Orleans Hornets

Team Needs: Depth everywhere

Cap Situation: OK. They have $43.8 million in committed payroll, meaning they're barely over the salary cap.

Top 3 prospects: Jacque Vaughn, Greg Anthony, Chris Childs

The Skinny: They're on the verge of the luxury tax and in for a big fight with Baron Davis about a contract extension. To make matters worse, they already have 13 players with guaranteed contracts this season. That doesn't bode well for free agents Lee Nailon and Robert Traylor. The team learned that Bryce Drew was not the answer as a backup point guard. With the addition of Courtney Alexander, the Hornets will be able to play David Wesley more at the point, but adding a solid veteran like Vaughn, Anthony or Childs might be a good move.

Toronto Raptors

Team Needs: Point guard, outside shooter, center

Cap Situation: Dangerous They have $52.5 million in committed payroll, meaning they're on the verge of paying the luxury tax.

Top 3 prospects: Keon Clark, Rodney Rogers, Jeff McInnis

The Skinny: At this point, the team is trying to figure out just how much it's willing to pay Clark. The Raptors obviously love his upside but team officials are privately concerned that Clark's production will tail off if he gets a big extension. According to sources, Clark isn't the hardest worker and has off-the-court issues that are scaring the team off. If the Raptors can get him for cheap, they don't have a problem But, if he holds out for a big deal, the Raptors have to decide whether Clark is worth the huge luxury-tax hit they'll take. Right now, team brass is split. If they get it done, there won't be money for anyone else. If they decide to let Clark get away, they also covet Rodney Rogers and his long-distance shooting. The Raptors' two other free agents, Chris Childs and Dell Curry, probably won't be back.

Betting Hawks a huge surprise

Mark Bradley / Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Harpring could fit opening up front

K.C. Johnson / Chicago Tribune

Davis out for dream of a deal

Branson Wright / Cleveland Plain Dealer

Pistons have built foundation, look to add on

Perry Farrell / Detroit Free Press

No pressing needs for Pacers, Walsh

Mark Montieth / Indianapolis Star

Redd a big part of Bucks plans

Michael Hunt / Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

A matter of money, Clark's agent says

Doug Smith / Toronto Star

Raptors, Clark poles apart

Bill Harris / Toronto Sun

George, Clark, Hughes hot free agents

Phones started ringing Monday and by early accounts, it looks like the Lakers' Devean George, the Warriors' Larry Hughes, the Raptors' Keon Clark and the T-Wovles' Chauncey Billups are among the most coveted free agents in the early going.

According to George's agent, Mark Bartelstein, he received calls from "12 to 15" teams interested in signing George this summer. The Lakers are among those teams, but they could've avoided this whole mess by tendering him a one-year offer last summer. At the time, the Lakers wanted to save money and weren't sure he was part of their future. However, after he showed definite improvement this past season, the team now faces major competition for George.

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak called Monday, but it's clear George wants to play the field and see if he can find a better situation elsewhere.

"I had a really good talk with Mitch," Bartelstein told the L.A. Times. "Devean's got nothing but great feelings toward the Lakers. Still, he owes it to himself to hear what everybody else has to say. We have to play this out and see what happens."

Expect the Wizards, Heat, Bulls, Grizzlies, T-Wolves, 76ers and Nuggets all to make a serious bid for George.

The other hot free agent Monday was restricted free agent Keon Clark. The Raptors and Clark had preliminary discussions Monday, but neither side seems in a hurry to resolve his status.

"Toronto is going to be his first choice," agent Jim Mourer told the Toronto Star. "He's happy there and the Raptors can make him a better offer than anyone else because they have his Bird rights."

Mourer made it clear that there would be no rush to get Clark a deal the minute NBA teams can sign free agents on July 16. "I don't think we're scared to let this drag out after that; there will be enough interest in Keon."

Among the teams showing the most interest in Clark are the 76ers, Knicks and Heat.

Did anyone fall faster from grace than Larry Hughes in Golden State? Two years ago, Hughes was the savior of the franchise. Monday, he got a four-sentence press release from GM Garry St. Jean basically saying thanks, but no thanks.

Hughes' shot selection and selfishness with the ball caused the Warriors to sour on him, but plenty of other teams will be happy to scoop him up on the cheap. While his ability to play the point is still in doubt, he's still an explosive scorer at the two.

The Wizards, 76ers, Heat and five more unidentified teams made inquiries about Hughes Monday.

Of course, this invariably leads to the question: If the Warriors knew they didn't want him around anymore, why didn't they showcase him late last season, ala Ricky Davis, and then work out a sign-and-trade this summer? As it stands now, the Warriors get nothing for him.

It looks like the T-Wolves may have a lot of competition for Billups this summer. The Magic, Wizards and 76ers.

Billups, unlike several other top free agents, wants to decide quickly where he'll land. He wouldn't mind returning to the Wolves, but only if he's assured the starting point guard job. With the Wolves receiving good news about Terrell Brandon's recovery from knee surgery Monday, his return is in doubt.

Billups is interested in the Wizards, but the glut of point guards on the roster, which include Chris Whitney, Juan Dixon, and his best friend, Tyronn Lue, could factor into his decision, the Washington Post reported.

The Magic are looking at several point guards, including Billups, Jeff McInnis, Travis Best and Troy Hudson.

George Is Reviewing Offers

Tim Brown / Los Angeles Times

Heat weighs Lakers' George, cap tax

Stephen F. Holder / Miami Herald

Krause isn't making all the calls

Roman Modrowski / Chicago Sun-Times

Sixers talking, hoping free agents will listen

Ashley McGeachy Fox / Philadelphia Inquirer

Warriors quietly let Hughes go

Brad Weinstein / San Francisco Chronicle

Wizards Start Talks With Free Agents

Steve Wyche / Washington Post

Free-agency period opens with a yawn

Jerry Brewer / Orlando Sentinel

Will Baron rob the Hornets?

The Hornets, notorious for running the other way when their players become free agents, stepped up to the plate Monday and offered Baron Davis a six-ear, maximum-contract extension.

"The money speaks for itself," Bob Bass, Hornets executive vice president of basketball operations, told the New Orleans Times Picayune. "It shows the kind of commitment this team is making to New Orleans, trying to keep the players together and this team together.

"We offered the maximum contract, a six-year extension, at the maximum numbers that's available under the collective bargaining agreement."

But Davis' agent, Jerome Staley, says that Davis no longer wants to play for the Hornets. He's pushing for a trade to the Clippers or Knicks.

Right now the Hornets are taking a hard-line stance, saying they won't trade Davis, but evidence suggets otherwise. Clippers sources told Insider that they had a deal for Davis on the night of the draft, but Clipps owner Donald Sterling, not the Hornets, nixed the deal.

There has also been talk, over the last few days, of the Hornets, Clippers and Cavs doing a three-way deal that would send Andre Miller to New Orleans, Baron Davis to the Clippers and Darius Miles and Chris Wilcox to the Cavs.

If the Hornets and Davis don't come to an agreement, he'll become a restricted free agent next summer. That could pave the way for Davis to join the team of his choice. The Magic, Spurs, Wizards, Sonics, Nuggets, Heat, and Cavs will all have significant cap room next summer.

Hornets offer Davis NBA maximum for 6 years

Jimmy Smith / New Orleans Times-Picayune

Davis Likely to Refuse Hornets' Offer

Liz Robbins / New York Times

Peep Show

Nuggets: The team lost out on one of its top coaching candidates Monday when the Mavs promoted Donnie Nelson to president of basketball operations. That leaves Nets assistant Eddie Jordan as the leading candidate for the Nuggets' head coaching job. "I really liked Eddie," GM Kiki Vandeweghe told the Rocky Mountain News. "He was very well prepared. It was a very, very positive meeting. We got a lot out of it."

Celtics: Celtics GM Chris Wallace met with Rodney Rogers' agent, Butch Williams, for 3 1/2 hours on Monday. They didn't however, come to an agreement on re-signing Rogers. "I not going to say whether I'm ecstatic or pleased," Williams told the Boston Globe. "We had a conversation. We covered what I thought we were going to cover. It's a process. I don't want to downplay what [the Celtics] have done, but we are going to listen to other offers. Then, I'm going to weigh everything out, sit down with Rodney, and make a decision close to the 15th. I still say Boston is where we want to be and I'm guardedly optimistic."

Magic: GM John Gabriel worked the phones Monday, calling representatives of several potential signees, including point guards Travis Best, Chauncey Billups, Jeff McInnis and Chris Childs, and big men Malik Rose, Charles Oakley and Jerome James, among others the Orlando Sentinel reported . . . The Magic retained their rights to Pat Garrity by meeting the Sunday-night deadline to make him a qualifying offer of $2.2 million for next season.

Knicks, Sonics: The team has Sonics center Jerome James high on its wish list, the New York Post reported. The Magic also have shown interest. The Knicks will begin bringing in free agents next week. Centers Rasho Nesterovic, Michael Doleac and Jarron Collins and power forwards Popeye Jones and Rodney Rogers also are targets. . . As part of the Antonio McDyess trade, the Knicks have also picked up the Nuggets' second-round pick next season.

Sixers: Larry Brown and GM Billy King flew to Malibu, Calif. in an attempt to woo Mavs free agent Greg Buckner Monday. "I'd say it was a very positive meeting," Steve Kauffman, Buckner's agent, told the Philadelphia Daily News. "Greg is the kind of player Larry likes, someone who can play a few positions, someone who brings a defensive presence like [current Sixers] Aaron McKie and Eric Snow."

Bucks: The team has added former Ohio State point guard Sconnie Penn to its summer league roster. "He had a great college career," GM Ernie Grunfeld told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "But he is young and he is paying his dues right now. Hopefully this is the right place for him and he can have an impact for us. That is what summer leagues are for, to find guys who can contribute."

Nets: The team has added Temple center Kevin Lyde to its summer league roster.

Bulls: The team invited Grizzlies free agent Antonis Fotsis to participate on its summer league team.

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[DJ_Money]

Best? McInnis? Billups? Is that the best ESPN can do? I guess they didn't attend Dickau's first Atlanta press conference. As always, they've got better things to do. Oh well...

I don't see how they can look right over the SF position. Unless they think DJ or Ira are the answer there. Of course, they probably still think we'll line up Dickau/JT/SAR/Hendu/Theo...but, that's ESPN for ya.

We need to make Redd an offer, throw the exception out there at him. If for no other reason than to handcuff the Bucks into signing him. If they don't want him, we'll be glad to take him off your hands.

[Traceman]

Why would we draft Dickau and then sign Travis Best, Jeff McInnis or Chauncey Billups? That's ridiculous! They don't have a freaking clue! I love this quote:

"The only pressing question is whether Dickau is ready to lead this team to the playoffs his rookie season."

That is preposterous! The Hawks made the guarantee BEFORE they drafted Dickau so obviously they were not counting on him to lead them anywhere.

In addition, I wouldn't consider Travis Best an upgrade over JV, particularly if I was looking for a "true PG" to pair with JT in the backcourt. Best plays PG similar to the way JT does, just not nearly as well. Billups is not a true PG either but at least he's a little bigger than Best. McInnis would be the best fit of that bunch but I'd take JT over McInnis at PG all day and twice on Sunday so I can see no reason to go after McInnis either.

Who the hell write's this stuff anyway?

[Admin]

ATLANTA HAWKS

1.

Dan Dickau

Jason Terry

Theo Ratliff

Toni Kukoc

Shareef Abdur Rahim

2.

Emanual Davis

DerMarr Johnson

Nazr Mohammed

Dion Glover

Cal Bowdler (U)

3.

Jacque Vaughn (U)

Mark Strickland (U)

Hanno Mottola ®

Alan Henderson

Ira Newble ®

Chris Crawford

[jaywalker72]

These are the same clowns who swear that Leon Smith is a free agent!!!

I know I am just a scrub and bore the masses with my writings, but Wow!, How can people continue to believe EVERYTHING that ESPN writes (this board excluded, of course)...

Travis Best.....This is ridiculous.

Jeff McInnis....Please...He wants to be paid, and the Hawks just got their co-Point guard in Dickau on the cheap, cheap.

They haven't mentioned ONCE that what Babcock reeeeeally wants is another swingman.

But, ESPN is going by their "book" and won't deviate from it until proven wrong on the national stage, at which point they'll take full credit for "discovering" it.

I can't wait until MONTHS from now they "discover" the Theo contract situation.....They'll "break" the story and wink at their own cleverness.

No comment.

[hds428]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA......

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....

And furthermore, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

That's really about all that's worth saying about ESPN. thanks for the laugh, Dolfan, I needed that.

[TheDude]

Let me also reply with a hearty HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...

speaking of which, HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA..

that's the dumbest article i've seen in at least 2 hours...how can they think we need another point guard? i need to apply for a job there. the next thing they'll say is that they have breaking news that dominique wilkins retired.

[Guest]

These idiots would make Forrest Gump look like a Rocket

Scientist.

[capstone21]

ESPN gets this certain aura about themselves and everything they say is right. I have no idea why.

David ALdridge usually is wrong. They just like to get people talking. The important thing is that we know and Pete knows that we do not need a pg. JT is a pg inthe mold of Baron Davis, Steve Francis and Payton. In other words he can score. Soon the whole league is going to find out about him to. Then watch them all jump on the JT as a point guard band wagon.

[BlackHawkDown]

I will join in. HA HA

AS sceptical as I am about DD I still don't see any need to chase after another point if we did it would be JV.