Aug 062012
 

With 14 players with guaranteed contracts for next season, the Boston Celtics still have an extra roster spot to sign someone else if they choose. With Avery Bradley out to start the year, the Celtics should consider bolstering their back court. A guy who would fit the team well is Michael Redd.

After nagging injuries ended his career with the Milwaukee Bucks, Redd signed with the Phoenix Suns last winter to help out a team that was desperate for scoring. While his shooting was not the same as it was five years ago, Redd still put up good numbers in limited action with the Suns last year. In just 15.1 minutes per game, Redd averaged 8.2 points per game and shot 79.3% from the free-throw line.

If Redd finds his three-point shot again, he could be a very effective player for the Celtics next season. While it would be too much to ask to have him replace Ray Allen, Redd could still help Boston out with consistent shooting and timely threes. Last season, Redd showed he can still be effective in little playing time, so the Celtics will not have to worry about him being cold coming off the bench.

After playing for the veteran’s minimum last year, Boston could offer the same contract to Redd this summer. With a chance of winning a title, it would make sense for Redd to sign with the Celtics, as he is currently “ringless” in his 12 year career. While this signing isn’t necessary for Boston who already have a terrific bench, you can never have too much three-point shooting and at such a cheap price, the Celtics would be foolish to not consider signing Redd. 

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Jul 192012
 

Less than one season after signing veteran Richard Hamilton to a three-year, $15 million contract, the Chicago Bulls are in the market for a shooting guard again.

The team decided that one year of Rip’s services was enough and has put him on the trade market, according to the Chicago Tribune.  

This decision comes as a shock to most considering Hamilton’s numbers improved immensely his first year in Chicago.  Despite his season being mired with injuries, Hamilton shot 45.2 percent from the field, his most efficient clip since 2007-08.

Regardless, the Bulls are ready to move on to greener pastures.  But with the 2012 NBA free agency period reaching the bottom barrel, what guys are left for the Bulls to choose from?

Here’s a look at a few guys the team has been linked to:

 

Courtney Lee

Free Agent Type:  Unrestricted

2011-12 Team:  Houston Rockets

One of the overarching goals of the Bulls trade of Kyle Korver to the Atlanta Hawks is opening up a $5 million trade exception for the possible acquisition of a player like Lee.

As it stands, Chicago is over the salary cap and cannot offer a player more than the veteran’s minimum after using the mini mid-level exception on point guard Kirk Hinrich.

That means the only way the Bulls will nab Lee is by negotiating a sign-and-trade with the Houston Rockets—something the Rockets are reportedly amenable to, per the Chicago Tribune

If the Bulls do somehow land Lee, he could be the answer to all the team’s guard problems.  The four-year veteran is just 26 years old, a brilliant defender and a knockdown shooter from beyond the arc.  

 

Brandon Rush

Free Agent Type:  Restricted

2011-12 Team:  Golden State Warriors

There haven’t been many rumblings about the Bulls and Rush in free agency but the team had him on the radar at the beginning of the period according to the Chicago Tribune.  

If the team loses out on Lee, Rush could be a perfect consolation prize for Chicago.  Like Lee, Rush is a young, lights-out shooter who can guard both the shooting guard and small forward positions.  Rush scored 9.8 points per game and shot a career-high 45.2 percent from three last season in Golden State.

According the San Jose Mercury News, the Warriors reportedly will match up to the mid-level for their shooting guard, so it would take a nice trade piece to complete a sign-and-trade.

But if the Bulls truly have interest in solving their guard woes, they’ll have to give up something to get something.  

 

Michael Redd

2011-12 Team:  Phoenix Suns

Free Agent Type:  Unrestricted

According to Fox Sports columnist Chris Tomasson, the Bulls and Suns are among the teams interested in bringing in Redd.

If the Bulls wind up failing to make a sign-and-trade for Lee or Rush, Redd could be a fantastic secondary option.

The former All-Star stayed healthy for the first time in three years and scored 19.5 points per-36 minutes in Phoenix this past season.  That would suggest that the 32-year-old has something left in his sweet-shooting tank.

Redd would also likely come at the veteran’s minimum, so the Bulls would not have to part with a draft pick or any assets for his services.

 

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Jul 192012
 

Comcast SportsNet Chicago’s David Kaplan is reporting that Chicago has agreed to terms with forward Vladimir Radmanovic on a one-year contract for what will likely be the veteran’s minimum salary.

Like the signing of Kirk Hinrich, this not a sexy pickup. However, similar to Hinrich’s signing, it’s nice to see Gar Forman make a move.

Don’t get me wrong, Radmanovic is a backup, nothing more. That being said, he does fill a current need to add more frontcourt depth for a Chicago roster that only really featured four frontcourt players last year in Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Omer Asik and Taj Gibson.

However, Radmanovic’s signing does not cure the Bulls‘ frontcourt depth issues as it is looking more likely that Chicago will not match the restricted free agent tender given to Omer Asik by the Houston Rockets (Chicago’s only real option in my opinion). Therefore, Chicago still needs to sign another veteran center to serve as Noah’s primary backup.

The departures of C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver and probably John Lucas III have left  Chicago thin in backcourt as well. While the additions of Hinich (via free agency) and Marquis Teague (via the draft) will serve as replacements for Watson and Lucas, Chicago still needs additional depth at the wing spots, especially shooting guard.

Don’t forget that Richard Hamilton is the only shooting guard currently under contract and that the Bulls will be without Rose for at least the first half of the season, which means Hinrich will have less time to spend at the 2-guard spot. Translation. Chicago still needs to acquire at least two shooting guards (or combo guards) before the season begins.

With limited options remaining, the Chicago front office should make the following moves to salvage an otherwise underwhelming 2012-13 offseason:

1. Sign Darko Milicic.

I know Milicic does not have a strong track record and never lived up to the promise of the second pick in the draft, however, he is a more than serviceable center. Darko showed some improvement during his stay in Minnesota, particularly the 2010-11 season. He is big player who can bang down low and do the dirty work.

Most importantly, he should come cheap. Milicic was amnestied by Minnesota and was not claimed off waivers. That means he will get paid by the Timberwolves no matter where he plays next season.

Chicago has reportedly spoken with Milicic’s agent about signing the veteran free agent. If the front office actually manages to land his services for a veteran minimum deal, his signing would represent a strong move by the Bulls this late in free agency.

If Forman can’t sign Milicic to a veteran minimum contract, then the team should look to sign recently waived centers, Chris “Birdman” Anderson or Jerome Jordan to a minimum contract.

Best Move: Signing Darko Milicic.

Backup Plan: Signing Birdman or Jerome Jordan.

Coup by Chicago Front Office: Signing Jordan Hill.

 

2. Sign-and-Trade for Courtney Lee.

The Bulls need help at shooting guard for the upcoming season and for the team’s long-term success. There is only one free agent still available who could fill both of those roles for Chicago and that player is Courtney Lee.

Lee is an unrestricted free agent with the Houston Rockets. The Bulls would love to acquire his services, but Chicago does not possess the cap space to sign him outright as a free agent. Therefore, the Bulls need help. They need Lee to agree to a sign-and-trade arrangement with Houston to make it happen.

Earlier this offseason, Chicago received a five million dollar trade exception from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kyle Korver. The Bulls should call Houston and negotiate a deal to send the Korver trade exception to the Rockets in exchange for Lee.

For Houston’s participation in the transaction, it would be rewarded with a future second round draft pick. Since it is very unlikely that Houston re-signs Lee, a sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls would result in the Rockets acquiring a future second round draft pick for practically nothing.

Lee is the best shooting guard available this late in free agency and is probably the only player Chicago would consider using the Korver trade exception on this offseason to acquire. Other possible candidates would be Golden State’s Brandon Rush or Phoenix‘s Shannon Brown.

Best Move: Sign-and-trade for Courtney Lee.

Backup Plan: Sign-and-trade for either Brandon Rush or Shannon Brown.

Coup by Chicago Front Office: Trade for Tyreke Evans.

 

3. Sign Randy Foye, Marco Belinelli or Michael Redd. 

Even if Chicago manages to acquire Lee through a sign-and-trade deal (or another shooting guard for that matter), the team still needs additional depth at the wings.

Including Lee, the Bulls would have four players under contract at the shooting guard and small forward spots for next season (Hamilton, Jimmy Butler and Luol Deng being the others). However, four players is not enough. Chicago must add another veteran for overall depth and in the event of injury to Hamilton or Deng.

Of the players still available and that Chicago could possibly convince to join the team on a veteran minimum contract, Marco Belinelli and Michael Redd would be the best candidates. Neither are a can’t-miss signing, however, both are veterans who management would not have any concerns about meshing with the roster or accepting his role on the team.

Belinelli would be the better option of the two as he is coming off the best season of his career last year with the Hornets, averaging 11.8 points on 41 percent shooting in 29 minutes.

Randy Foye would be the absolute best option and would likely be in Chicago’s long-term plans if he agreed to a deal with the Bulls, however, he he is the least likely to accept a veteran minimum contract. I do not see a player like Foye or Shannon Brown agreeing on a minimum deal, but would love to see Chicago’s front office get creative and make something happen anyway.

Best Move: Signing either Marco Belinelli or Michael Redd to veteran minimum deal.

Backup Plan: Signing either Mickael Pietrus, Ryan Gomes or Delonte West.

Coup by Chicago Front Office: Signing Randy Foye or Shannon Brown to veteran minimum deal.

 

Potential 2012-13 Bulls Lineup:

PG: Hinrich, Teague and Rose

SG: Lee, Hamilton and Belinelli/Redd

SF: Deng and Butler

PF: Boozer, Gibson and Radmanovic

C:   Noah and Milicic

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Jul 192012
 

Comcast SportsNet Chicago’s David Kaplan is reporting that Chicago has agreed to terms with Vladimir Radmanovic on a one-year contract for what will likely be the veteran’s minimum salary.

Like the signing of Kirk Hinrich, this not a sexy pick-up. However, similar to Hinrich’s signing, it’s nice to see Gar-Pax make a move.

Don’t get me wrong, Radmanovic is a backup, nothing more. That being said, he does fill a current need to add more frontcourt depth for a Chicago roster that only really featured four frontcourt players last year in Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Omer Asik and Taj Gibson.

However, Radmanovic’s signing does not cure the Bulls‘ frontcourt depth issues. It’s looking more likely that Chicago will not match the restricted free agent tender given to Omer Asik by the Houston Rockets (Chicago’s only real option in my opinion). Therefore, Chicago still needs to sign another veteran center to serve as Noah’s primary backup.

The departures of C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver and probably John Lucas, will leave Chicago thin in the backcourt as well. While the additions of Hinich (via free agency) and Marquis Teague (via the draft) will serve as replacements for Watson and Lucas, Chicago still needs additional depth at the wing spots, especially shooting guard.

Don’t forget that Richard Hamilton is the only shooting guard currently under contract. The Bulls will be without Rose for at least the first half of the season, meaning Hinrich will have less time to spend at the two-guard spot. Translation: Chicago still needs to acquire at least two shooting guards (or combo guards) before the season begins.

With limited options remaining, the Chicago front office should make the following moves to salvage an otherwise underwhelming 2012-13 offseason:

 

Sign Darko Milicic

I know Milicic does not have a strong track record and never lived up to the promise of the second pick in the draft. However, he is a more than serviceable center.

Darko showed some improvement during his stay in Minnesota, particularly the 2010-11 season. He is big player who can bang down low and do the dirty work.

Most importantly, he should come cheap. Milicic was amnestied by Minnesota and was not claimed off waivers. That means he will get paid by the Timberwolves no matter where he plays next season.

Chicago has reportedly spoken with Darko’s agent about signing the veteran free agent. If the front office actually manages to land his services for a veteran minimum deal, his signing would represent a strong move by the Bulls this late in free agency.

If Gar-Pax can’t sign Milicic to a veteran minimum contract, then the team should look to sign recently waived centers, Chris “Birdman” Anderson or Jerome Jordan to a minimum contract.

Best Move: Signing Darko Milicic

Backup Plan: Signing Birdman or Jerome Jordan

Coup by Chicago Front Office: Signing Jordan Hill

 

Sign-and-Trade for Courtney Lee

The Bulls need help at shooting guard for the upcoming season and for the team’s long-term success. There is only one free agent still available who could fill both of those roles for Chicago. That player is Courtney Lee.

Lee is an unrestricted free agent with the Houston Rockets. The Bulls would love to acquire his services, but Chicago does not possess the cap space to sign him outright as a free agent. Therefore, the Bulls need help. They need Lee to agree to a sign-and-trade arrangement with Houston to make it happen.

Earlier this offseason, Chicago received a $5 million trade exception from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kyle Korver. The Bulls should call Houston and negotiate a deal to send the Korver trade exception to the Rockets in exchange for Lee.

For Houston’s participation in the transaction, it would be rewarded with a future second round draft pick. Since it is very unlikely that Houston re-signs Lee, a sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls would result in the Rockets acquiring a future second-round draft pick for practically nothing.

Lee is the best shooting guard available this late in free agency. He is probably the only player Chicago would consider using the Korver trade exception on this offseason to acquire. Other possible candidates would be Golden State’s Brandon Rush or Phoenix‘s Shannon Brown.

Best Move: Sign-and-trade for Courtney Lee

Backup Plan: Sign-and-trade for either Brandon Rush or Shannon Brown

Coup by Chicago Front Office: Trade for Tyreke Evans

 

Sign Randy Foye, Marco Belinelli or Michael Redd. 

Even if Chicago manages to acquire Lee through a sign-and-trade deal (or another shooting guard for that matter), the team still needs additional depth at the wings.

Including Lee, the Bulls would have four players under contract at the shooting guard and small forward spots for next season (Hamilton, Jimmy Butler and Luol Deng being the others). However, four players is not enough. Chicago must add another veteran for overall depth and in the event of injury to Hamilton or Deng.

Of the players still available and that Chicago could possibly convince to join the team on a veteran minimum contract, Marco Belinelli and Michael Redd would be the best candidates.

Neither one is a can’t-miss signing. However, both are veterans who management would not have any concerns about meshing with the roster or accepting his role on the team.

Belinelli would be the better option of the two as he is coming off the best season of his career last year with the Hornets, averaging 11.8 points on 41 percent shooting in 29 minutes.

Randy Foye would be the absolute best option and would likely be in Chicago’s longterm plans if he agreed to a deal with the Bulls, but he he is the least likely to accept a veteran minimum contract.

I do not see a player like Foye or Shannon Brown agreeing on a minimum deal, but would love to see Chicago’s front office get creative and make something happen anyway.

Best Move: Signing either Marco Belinelli or Michael Redd to veteran minimum deal

Backup Plan: Signing either Mickael Pietrus, Ryan Gomes or Delonte West

Coup by Chicago Front Office: Signing Randy Foye or Shannon Brown to veteran minimum deal

 

Potential 2012-13 Bulls Lineup:

PG: Hinrich, Teague and Rose

SG: Lee, Hamilton and Belinelli/Redd

SF: Deng and Butler

PF: Boozer, Gibson and Radmanovic

C: Noah and Milicic

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Jul 102012
 

The New York Knicks took a risk this offseason by adding a combined 78 years of age between the additions of Jason Kidd and Marcus Camby (ESPNNewYork.com).

As long as they don’t break down, both veterans make the Knicks better, though.

Kidd fills the need for a veteran floor general, and Camby helps add the interior defense and rebounding behind Tyson Chandler that the Knicks badly needed.

However, even with the re-signing of J.R. Smith (per ESPN New York’s Ian Begley via Twitter), the Knicks need another 2-guard and another big body to really round out the roster. Those additions are likely going to have to be guys that can be had for the veteran’s minimum, according to Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.

With the Knicks all but capped out, here’s a look at five guys that can make an impact probably on a minimum contract.

 

Jared Jeffries

Jeffries likes playing in New York, and as much as Knicks fans liked to boo the veteran big man, Jeffries fills a need.

He’s a player that can be brought back at a minimum contract and can play defense and do the little things the Knicks need off the bench backing up Amar’e Stoudemire.

 

Mike Bibby

The same thing goes for Bibby, who wasn’t very good last year for the Knicks. But after last year, you realize the need for a third point guard, and Bibby is a veteran who head coach Mike Woodson trusts.

For the veteran’s minimum, the Knicks could do much worse.

 

Derek Fisher

Speaking of a veteran point guard who could be had cheap, adding a veteran leader such as Fisher wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.

The Knicks could use a locker room presence, and I’m sure Fisher has one more big shot left in him.

 

Shawne Williams

Williams was popular among fans two years ago when he was in a Knicks uniform.

He can defend either forward spot and can help improve the Knicks’ perimeter shooting, which—other than Steve Novak—wasn’t very good a season ago.

 

Kenyon Martin

Martin may be the wild card here, as he may still be able to get more than the veteran’s minimum, but based on declining production over the years, that’s not a given.

He’s still a guy that can give the Knicks exactly what they need off the bench: defense and rebounding.

 

Michael Redd

Redd was once a player headed for greatness, but injuries derailed his career. While there won’t be anymore All-Star games in his future, Redd can still shoot the ball, and that’s a need right now for the Knicks.

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Jun 272012
 

Every year, there are guys that slip past the first-round yet end up having solid NBA careers. Some of these guys include Manu Ginobili, Gilbert Arenas, Stephen Jackson, Michael Redd and others.

Ginobili has gone on to win multiple championships with the Spurs and is likely the best Argentinian basketball player in NBA history. Gilbert Arenas was once one of the premier scorers in the NBA before a few off-the-court incidents tremendously hurt his career.

Stephen Jackson has been one of the most underrated players in the last decade or so. Although he has played for a number of teams, Jackson has always been able to come in and play exceedingly well. Michael Redd was the face of the Bucks franchise for a number of years before injuries derailed his career. Over his tenure with Milwaukee, Redd recorded five straight seasons of averaging more than 20 points per game.

Then, to make up for those guys, there are the first-round prospects that wound up becoming busts. That list includes players like Adam Morrison, Patrick O’Bryant, Darko Milicic, Michael Olowakandi, Troy Bell and many, many others.

When the draft starts June 28th, there will likely be some future busts chosen in the first-round. There will also be some second-round prospects that eventually turn into solid players at the professional level. It’s just the way it works.

In the following slides, I will feature some of the potential second-round prospects that I believe will have decent NBA careers.

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Jun 262012
 

Up until the night before training camp last season, the Blazers thought their All-Star guard Brandon Roy would play for them. And then he made the difficult decision to retire from basketball.

“This has just been a tough year, my most difficult as a Blazer,” he said. “I tried to make the most of things. I can definitely say I honestly tried. I’ve given this team my best.”

Roy sounded defeated and resigned to the fact that his body just broke down on him. He would have to retire from basketball at the age of 27, when most players were hitting their prime. LeBron James won his first title this season at the same age.

But maybe watching the 34-year-old Kobe Bryant this past season rejuvenated Roy, who according to Yahoo Sports Adrian Wojnarowsk,is currently planning his return to the game of basketball. Bryant had a blood spinning procedure performed on his arthritic right knee in Germany during the lockout, and it seems as though he’s found the Fountain of Youth. Or the basketball version of baseball’s Tommy John surgery.

While still one of the game’s elite scorers, Bryant’s numbers had been slowly declining since the 2005-06 season. During the 2010-11 season, Bryant’s scoring average dropped nearly two points to 25.3, his lowest total in 10 years. He also played his fewest minutes since his second season in the NBA.

But last season was an offensive renaissance for Bryant. He had his highest scoring average in five years, competing with Kevin Durant for the scoring title until the final game of the season, and finished second to James in postseason scoring average. Bryant also played five more minutes per game than the previous season.

Roy just had that same knee procedure done, and it appears the NBA is filled with believers. Roy already has suitors from the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers—all playoff teams last year —as well as a reported two-year offer from the rising Minnesota Timberwolves. The Golden State Warriors are also interested.

It’s unclear how much money Roy will demand, but that amount of interest alone should tell you that a legitimate comeback is a very real possibility. Roy isn’t having to settle for the Phoenix Suns like Michael Redd did this past season. Roy, who averaged 19.0 points per game in his five seasons, is positioning himself to be an important piece on a title contender.

It seems as though teams are choosing to remember how he single-handedly beat the eventual champion Mavs during the 2011 playoffs, and not how he couldn’t even play basketball last year.

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Jun 052012
 

It happens in almost every draft. A team takes a player in the second round and people yawn. For the most part, these second rounders will fade into NBA obscurity and will likely be relegated to playing in the NBDL. Best case, they dominate a team based in a small Croatian town but never make it back to the NBA.

But every once in a while, we see a player who begins to remind us of the excitement that comes with watching an underdog develop into an All-Star like Michael Redd, who was drafted with the 43rd pick in 2000, or Manu Ginobili who was taken by the brilliant Spurs scouts in the second round.

Here are a few players who will probably get drafted in the second round but could have an impact in the league for years to come.

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May 252012
 

Everybody loves a bargain.

While many NBA teams would love to sign high-priced free agents like Deron Williams and O.J. Mayo, some teams will be looking for those guys who could come cheap, but still contribute quite a bit. 

This year’s free agent class includes a ton of those players who you won’t have to throw $10 million dollars at like Andre Miller, Gilbert Arenas, Michael Redd and Reggie Evans.

This slideshow will spotlight five affordable, high impact free agents.

Let’s begin.

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Apr 262012
 

The big prize of the 2012 NBA free agent class will be Deron Williams. The New Jersey Nets guard decided back in March that he would not be exercising his one-year contract option, according to the New York Daily News.

After Williams, there’s something of a drop-off in this year’s free agent class. There are some intriguing players, to be sure, but there are also a lot of unspectacular players and a few veterans who don’t have much left to give.

There are, however, some veterans who still have a lot to give. They should keep playing, and they should look to land with teams that will be in the championship hunt next season. After years and years of faithful service, these veterans owe it to themselves to go ring chasing.

There are five players in particular who come to mind.

Note: ESPN.com has a full list of free agents for both this year and next year.

 

Tim Duncan

I’m just playing. Tim Duncan has done enough, and he certainly has enough jewelry.

 

Andre Miller

Andre Miller has been around for a long time, but this season was a new experience for him. He’s used to being a starter, but he entered Wednesday with just seven starts in 64 games.

That’s going to be Miller’s lot in life if he chooses to continue playing after his contract is up with the Denver Nuggets. He still has a lot to give, but not as a starter. 

And that’s fine. Any team looking for a guy who can come off the bench and dish the rock around is going to be interested in the 36-year-old Miller. He won’t offer much in terms of scoring, but that’s always been the case with Miller. He’s a pass-first, shoot-second guard.

Miller would be a good veteran presence on a young team. I for one wonder if the Oklahoma City Thunder could give him a look, as they stand to lose veteran point guard Derek Fisher this offseason. Miller would be a nice change of pace from Russell Westbrook.


Michael Redd

This season was a success for Michael Redd, and I say that simply because he was able to stay healthy for the first time in a long time.

Redd wasn’t able to log too many minutes with the Phoenix Suns, but he was able to play in 51 games. The last time he played in that many games was in 2007-2008.

Obviously, Redd is no longer the impact scorer that he once was. However, he can still shoot, and shooters will always have a home in the NBA. A team looking for a knock-down shooter to bring off the bench should take a look at Redd, though any team that signs him will definitely have to be careful not to test his knees too much.

Maybe it’s a little too obvious, but Redd strikes me as a good fit for the Dallas Mavericks. They stand to lose a lot of players to free agency this offseason. Since they have a bit of a soft spot for veteran guards who can shoot, maybe they’ll give Redd a look.


Tracy McGrady

Tracy McGrady is yet another guy who has had to overcome injury problems in his career. But just like Redd, McGrady settled into a nice bench role with the Atlanta Hawks this season.

To date, McGrady has gotten into 51 games, usually only playing 15-20 minutes a pop. He’s definitely not the explosive athlete he used to be, but he can still handle the rock and he can still put it in the basket.

McGrady could choose to retire, but he should be encouraged enough by the season he’s had to keep playing. And while I won’t rule out him re-upping with Atlanta, the best option for McGrady is to go around and shop his services to clear championship contenders.

The Los Angeles Clippers stand to lose a couple guards to free agency, including aged veteran Chauncey Billups. Perhaps they’ll be interested in bringing in McGrady.


Antawn Jamison

Antawn Jamison said (via NBA Fanhouse) last January that this season could be his last. He’s had a long career, and goodness knows he’s been through a lot. 

This is what Jamison had to say after the Cleveland Cavaliers’ loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, via Tom Withers of the Associated Press:

Antawn Jamison said he won’t be coming back to Cleveland next season. “It’s time for me to move on as well.”

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) April 26, 2012

I won’t blame Jamison if he decides to call it a career, but after all he’s been through, I think he owes it to himself to take one last shot at winning a championship. 

Besides, Jamison showed this season that he still has plenty of gas left in his tank. He’s started every night and he’s averaging better than 17 points per game. Not many 35-year-olds can claim to have done the same.

If Jamison chooses to shop his talents around, there will be interested parties. I for one wouldn’t rule out a reunion with LeBron James in Miami.


Steve Nash

Steve Nash probably played his last game ever in Phoenix on Wednesday night. At least as a member of the Suns, anyway.

Nash could re-up with the Suns this offseason, but he shouldn’t. The Suns had their chances to win a championship, and they couldn’t get it done. If Nash wants to win a ring, he needs to head elsewhere.

Nash is pretty old at 38, but my guess is that he still has a few good years left in him. He should take advantage of those years by heading to a star-studded team that he knows is going to contend.

I think you know which team I’m talking about. You know, the one in South Beach.

 

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