2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - July 4


Nets re-sign PG Deron Williams to 5-year, $98.8 million deal

As the gravelly-voiced manager in Major League once stated, "It's starting to come together, Pepper." The Nets' gambles of acquiring Gerald Wallace, Joe Johnson, and Williams in the past 17 months have certainly paid off since Brooklyn now has it's own semi-Big Three.

It was pretty obvious that Williams was going to get the max deal from whichever team he signed with, and he ultimately chose to stay out East rather than head south to join the Mavericks. I don't think Williams is worth a max contract, but GM Billy King had to throw that type of money Williams' way to ensure he'd stay. Now, the Nets have two players earning max contracts in Williams and Johnson, which ultimately kills the cap flexibility for the next four years. It also puts Brooklyn in the mix of being one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, as long as everyone can coexist.

Celtics sign SG-Jason Terry to 3-year, $15.7 miilion deal

The Celtics' starting five played exceptionally well this season, but Boston lacked any real scoring pop off its bench. Enter Jason Terry. One of the top bench scorers in the NBA the past few seasons, he will provide that punch, especially if Ray Allen ends up signing elsewhere. The Celtics still want to bring Allen back, but if they are unable to, Terry serves as a solid replacement.



Pacers re-sign PG-George Hill to 5-year deal; terms undisclosed

Hill came off the bench most of last season for Indiana, but he ended up taking over the starting point guard spot and played really well. Hill was a restricted free agent, but the Pacers obviously thought enough of his inaugural season in Indiana to ink him to a long-term extension.

Finanical terms haven't been released, but you can bet Hill will be making around $7-8 million a year. He is also a valuable commodity for the Pacers because he can play off the ball while allowing Darren Collison to run the point. Another option for the Pacers would be trading Darren Collison for another asset.


The Nets acquire PF-Reggie Evans from the Clippers for a future second-round pick

In order for this deal to go down, Evans first had to agree to a three-year, $5 million contract before being shipped east in a sign and trade. Since Brooklyn is loading up on talented wing players (Williams, Johnson, and Wallace), the team needed to add some muscle and rebounding inside. Evans certainly provides toughness on the glass and will be a valuable role player off the bench unless Kris Humphries doesn't re-sign with the team; then Evans could see a spot in the starting lineup.



Nets sign PF-Mirza Teletovic to 3-year, $15.7 miilion deal

Brooklyn uses its midlevel exception to sign Teletovic, who adds even more depth inside. He is not the most skilled post player but should be able to contribute on the glass. Teletovic provides head coach Avery Johnson with another option in case Humphries is not back with the team.

Raptors sign G/F Landry Fields to 3-year, approximately $20 million offer sheet

One of the main reasons the Raptors reportedly extended this offer to Fields was to force the Knicks' hand. If New York matches the deal, then it lessens the chance of Steve Nash signing with the Knicks and increases the possibility of him coming north of the border.

I'm not sure Fields is worth this sort of money, especially since Toronto already has young, long, athletic wings in DeMar DeRozan and first-round pick Terrence Ross. Nevertheless, it is an interesting strategic move, and why I love the NBA offseason.

Hornets re-sign SG Eric Gordon to 4-year, $58 million deal

Damn... Max money for Eric Gorson is some serious coin. New Orleans is obviously in re-building mode, having just drafted Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers. However, Gordon does at least give the team a "veteran" presence and proven scorer who can help be the face of the franchise along with the Hornets' first-round picks.

"Basketball Judas," as my Illinois colleague calls Gordon, was the key piece in the Chris Paul trade, so keeping him in town rationalizes the Paul deal. Again, I'm not sure Gordon is worth max money, but New Orleans needed to keep Gordon around, and with other teams expressing interest in the young shooting guard, the Hornets were forced to pay him the big bucks.



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

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   A Chris Paul Fan 12-16-2011 12:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 1) 19     20 Chris Paul is a great player, I think he's the best PG in the NBA and capable of making any team into an instant playoff team. That said the Clippers gave up way to much for a player with bad knees who may leave in a two years. If they'd been able to keep Gordon or the draft pick then i'd like the deal a lot more. If Paul stays healthy and long term it'll make it a lot less lopsided. As of now i'd say it's a big win for the Hornets considering that Paul was leaving anyways and this was the best deal they could have gotten. Of course if Eric Gordon realizes that New Orleans is a crappy basketball market and leaves as soon as possible it'll make it much worse for the Hornets. David 12-10-2011 09:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2) 42     17 Glen Davis was traded to the Magic... Bass was on the Magic and got traded to Boston Yung Rapist Killa 07-09-2011 10:59 am xxx.xxx.xxx.189 (total posts: 1) 23     20 Lebron James trade? John L. 07-07-2011 01:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2) 21     22 "I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it?" So that they don't have to pay the luxury tax for that player. Which is eight figures for the likes of Walton/Haywood/Arenas. John L. 07-07-2011 11:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2) 24     21 You forgot the most likely - Pau Gasol. The Lakers know they need to make a move, and Gasol wants out. Don't be shocked when he's sent to an Eastern Conference team like Atlanta or Orlando. Dave 07-07-2011 09:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2) 21     21 I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it? nycsportzfan 07-07-2011 05:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx.134 (total posts: 1) 25     22 I think it would be wise for the knicks to look into trying to obtain Chris Kaman, and going way of hte Mavericks and builidng like that.. Give em Landry Fields and toney douglas, and then u got Melo, Amare, Kaman, Billups, Shumpert, re-sign Shawne Williams, Turiaf, harrelson, re-sign ant carter, sign Deshawn Stevenson, rautins, and re-sign bill walker..THen u have more money after the season as well.. Kaman Amare Melo Shumpert Billups Shawne Williams(re-signed Turiaf Deshawn Stevenson(sign) Harrelson Ant Carter(re-sign) Rautins Bill Walker(re-sign) jgardner12 07-02-2011 01:21 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2) 21     21 Ahh did not know that part of the rule, thanks for clearing that up for me. David Kay 07-01-2011 04:51 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.17 (total posts: 1) 20     21 @jgardner12 The rule in 2005 stated a team cannot re-sign the player they cut... which is why I would be hesitant to cut Johnson especially with Crawford a free agent, suddenly you have no shooting guard. @waltair I believe the fifth year has an option on it, so I should have stated three-years, $21 million guaranteed waltair 06-30-2011 02:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3) 21     21 LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT waltair 06-30-2011 02:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3) 25     20 outlaw has 4 year 28 mil on his contract jgardner12 06-30-2011 01:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2) 30     21 While I understand staying loyal to your star, the hawks should defiantly use it on Johnson. JJ is a wonderful player and they want him in ATL but seriously the dude isn't worth it. I mean the money he has left is close to the amount that Wade took to stay in Miami.. Again while I understand the predicament a JJ led team isn't going to win anything so might as well admit your mistake of signing him and sign him if possible to a more in line contract.. Walter 06-30-2011 01:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 22     22 @Dave - Now I do. The only Allen error was in the header, hence it was an editing mistake on my part. David spelled Allan correctly everywhere else. Dave 06-29-2011 04:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.25 (total posts: 1) 21     20 You do know it's spelled A-L-L-A-N, right? Mile High 06-25-2011 11:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.153 (total posts: 1) 21     21 the reason the Nuggets dealt Felton was because he wants to be a starter, which he will never be in Denver. Ty Lawson is the Franchise guard, and keeping Felton impedes his progress. Therefore, they traded Felton, a rising star with high value, for Miller, who will accept coming off the bench, plus they picked up Hamilton who they were targeting. Pages: 1 2 3 4 56 7

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3

2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25

2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG

2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23

2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports

2010-11 NBA Season Previews

2009 NBA Draft Grades





2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 21


2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21


Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20


2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3


NFL Picks - Feb. 3