2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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2012 NBA Free Agent Recap – July 2


Nets re-sign Gerald Wallace to 4-year, $40 million deal

The Nets paid a hefty price to acquire Gerald Wallace from the Blazers this past season, ultimately giving up the sixth-overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. It was a roll of the dice since Wallace had a player option on his contract for next season. As expected, he opted out of his deal, only to re-sign with the Nets.

The signing ensures that Brooklyn will at least keep one of its top players with Deron Williams and Kris Humphries both free agents as well. It does increase the chance of Williams staying with the Nets since the franchise was able to keep another marquee name.





Philadelphia 76ers re-sign PF Lavoy Allen to 2-year, $6 million deal

A second-round pick a year ago, Allen became a solid role player for the Sixers last season, even making 15 starts. The Pennsylvania native brought energy, toughness, and a knack for rebounding to the floor. $3 million a year is a rather fair deal for both parties, especially Philadelphia, which could be losing free agent center Spencer Hawes.



Is Asik Staying in Chicago?

With restricted free agent Omer Asik signing a 3-year, $25.1 million offer sheet with the Houston Rockets, the Chicago Bulls have a major decision to make in the up-coming days: pay their back-up center more than eight million dollars per year, or let him walk. The solution is rather simple; wave good-bye to Asik.

In his two years in Chicago, Asik has been solid, playing behind Joakim Noah and allowing the Bulls to have quality depth in their frontcourt. However, it seems insane that the Rockets are willing to spend $8 million-plus per year on a guy who has averaged 2.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in his career.

Houston does have a huge hole to fill at center since Marcus Camby is a free agent and the team dealt Samuel Dalembert to the Bucks. With capable big men in such demand in the NBA, teams are always willing to pay more for size. Just look at the fact that the Blazers offered a max contract to Pacers center Roy Hibbert.

The Bulls should laugh at the thought of matching Asik’s deal with the Rockets. Simply put, Chicago cannot afford to pay him that much. Noah and Carlos Boozer are on the books for more than $97 million, and Taj Gibson will become a restricted free agent next summer meaning, he will be due for a massive pay raise. Gibson is more versatile and skilled than Asik, so Taj should be the priority of the two.

The Bulls also have more pressing needs in trying to upgrade their talent on the wing. Re-signing Asik as well as finding better talent on the perimeter would likely vault the team past the luxury tax, which be even more costly.

Chicago will have until Wednesday to formally make a decision. Let me spare you the expense though: Omer Asik’s brief tenure with the Bulls is OVA!



Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:

James Harden Trade Analysis - 10/29
What Will the USA Basketball Team Look Like at 2016 Summer Olympics? - 8/15
Dwight Howard Trade Analysis - 8/10
Restricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/29
Unrestricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/28
2012 NBA Offseason Winners - 7/23
2012 NBA Offseason Losers - 7/21
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/13
Outstanding 2013 NBA Draft Trades - 7/12
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/10
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/6
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/4
Atlanta Hawks' Trades Recap - 7/3
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/2
2012 NBA Draft Winners - 6/30
2012 NBA Draft Losers - 6/30
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/28
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/27
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Perry Jones - More Risk or Reward? - 6/26
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Henson One of NBA Draft's Most Overrated Players - 6/25
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Vanderbilt to See Three Commodores Taken in NBA Draft - 6/22
Wizards-Hornets Trade Analysis - 6/21
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Doron Lamb: Stepping out of Kentucky Shadows into NBA Draft - 6/20
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Memphis' Will Barton Sneak into 1st round of 2012 NBA Draft? - 6/19
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Baylor's Quincy Miller Made a Mistake by Entering NBA Draft - 6/16
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Duke's Austin Rivers live up to the hype in the NBA? - 6/15
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Be a True NBA Point Guard? - 6/14
2012 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/30
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Winners - 3/19
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Losers - 3/18
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Five Players Likely to Be Traded - 3/8
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home









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