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Allen, Lewis sign deals with champion Heat

LeBronDurant — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 04:50:51 GMT

MIAMI (AP) -- Ray Allen's role in Miami is yet to be totally determined. And that clearly doesn't bother the NBA's leading 3-point shooter.

Allen and Rashard Lewis signed their free-agent contracts with the Heat on Wednesday, giving the NBA champions a pair of veterans who bring tons of experience and versatility to a lineup already featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

And both wasted no time saying they want to adapt to the Heat way.

"Whatever's going to be best for me in this situation is going to figure itself out," Allen said, flanked by Heat President Pat Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra for his introductory news conference. "This team won a championship without me. I'm not going to come in and expect for coach to cater to who I am and what I do. I've got to make that work on the floor with my new teammates."

Allen agreed to join the Heat on Friday, deciding to leave Boston after five wildly successful seasons and the 2008 NBA championship. Lewis agreed to terms with Miami on Tuesday.

Allen will make just over $3 million this season. Lewis will earn about $1.35 million from the Heat, plus another $13.7 million after getting a buyout from the New Orleans Hornets earlier this offseason.

"I'm at a point in my career where I've been on the All-Star team, played for 13, 14 years and I've made a pretty good amount of money over my career," Lewis said. "Everybody sets goals over their career and my next goal is obviously to try to win a championship. The ball can't bounce forever. I'm sure you all see the gray hair on my head."

For Lewis, coming to Miami is a new beginning. For Allen, coming to Miami wraps up a month of unexpected twists and turns.

The Celtics' season ended in Miami a little over a month ago, with a loss in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. Allen was unusually emotional after that defeat, then insisted that even after an injury-marred season - he's recovering from surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle - he has basketball left in his legs.

Boston tried to keep him, offering him twice as much as he'll make per year in Miami. Nonetheless, Allen found himself drawn to the Heat.

"You come into the summer, and you don't know what potentially can happen," Allen said. "And you take the process a step at a time, try to figure out what's best for you and your family. And here I sit."

Allen said that Celtics coach Doc Rivers and general manager Danny Ainge were disappointed by his decision. Allen said he reached out to Kevin Garnett - he was particularly close with Garnett and Paul Pierce in Boston - when he began leaning toward Miami, telling Garnett in a text message that the move was likely.

Garnett responded by saying that he was sure Ainge would do whatever it took to keep Allen in Boston.

Days later, Allen was signing in Miami. And on Wednesday, Allen downplayed the notion that the move came in part because of a perceived rift with Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo.

"I can't say that it factored in my decision," Allen said. "As teammates, we were brothers. ... There's differences. We all have differences. Paul eats corn flakes. I might not like corn flakes. That's just part of kind of who we are as individuals."

Lewis has already thought plenty about what it could mean to share the court with James, Wade, Bosh and Allen. In short, he knows defenses could be a bit confounded.

"You've got to double-team LeBron. You have to double-team Dwyane Wade. You've got to double-team Chris Bosh. And then you think they're going to leave Ray Allen open?" Lewis said. "They've got to leave somebody open. So I have to go shoot a million jumpers tonight and be ready to knock them down."

A few moments later, Lewis posed with Riley and Spoelstra, holding his new No. 9 jersey in Miami colors.

"He's played in a great program already. He's been to the finals. He's a winner," Spoelstra said. "We've had some great battles against him."

Spoelstra simply raved about Allen as well.

"There's only a handful of players, really, in this league that absolutely strike fear into their opponent. And Ray is one of those players," Spoelstra said.

Allen and Lewis were Seattle teammates for five seasons, from 2003 through 2007 - and both figure to fit perfectly into Miami's plan to surround James, Wade and Bosh with even more shooters who can stretch defenses.

Allen's 2,718 made 3-pointers are the most in NBA history, and Lewis ranks fifth among active players with 1,690 makes from beyond the arc.

Slowed by a bone bruise in his left knee this past season, Lewis averaged 7.8 points in 28 games for Washington. For his career, he's averaged 16.1 points per game with Seattle, Orlando and Washington.

"I think it's important, year in and year out, that you continue to try to add quality talent, experience and players who want to make a commitment to winning," Riley said. "And I think we found out the last couple of days how hungry Rashard is."

Steve Nash Officially LA Lakers Player

LeBronDurant — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 04:48:03 GMT

Nash holding up his gold #10 jersey for the first time.

Nash on why jersey #10. "I'm a huge soccer fan. My 1st word was goal. #10 is the number of play makers in soccer. It's as simple as that."

Rashard Lewis Officially Miami Heat Player

LeBronDurant — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 04:44:05 GMT

Today Miami HEAT officially signed veteran free agent Rashard Lewis.

Rashard Lewis: "I'm hungry just to win. My goal is to win a championship."

Ray Allen Officially Miami Heat Player

LeBronDurant — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 04:39:19 GMT

Today Miami HEAT officially signed veteran free agent Ray Allen.

Ray Allen: "I'm looking forward to what we can do here within this organization."

Allen's New jersey number is 34!

DESPITE HIGH COST, BLAZERS LIKELY TO MATCH BATUM’S OFFER FROM WOLVES

LeBronDurant — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 10:45:50 GMT

HANG TIME WEST – The plan from the beginning was the right plan: The Trail Blazers would match any offer sheet Nicolas Batum signed and keep an important part of the lineup in place while they made significant additions through the draft and free agency.

Grow the team with Batum at 23 years old and set at small forward. Protect an asset. It made perfect sense.

But then came Thursday and news that restricted free agent Batum and the Timberwolves had agreed to a four-year, $45-million deal that can top $50 million with incentive bonuses. It came with the kicker that Batum and his agent urged Portland officials not to match.

And suddenly the end result was not so simple. Not the part about the request to let Batum go Minnesota. That is common in these situations, is usually rightly ignored by the original team, and in time becomes a forgotten part of a tangled negotiating process. Same thing with Eric Gordon and the Hornets – he has an agreement with the Suns, he said his heart is in Phoenix, and every indication is that New Orleans will match anyway.

It’s the other part. The one about Nicolas Batum averaging $11.25 million annually.

Even among those of us firmly in the belief that matching on key restricted free agents should be routine unless the team has a successor in place or the offer is so over the top rope and there is a better way to use the money, eight figures a year for Batum may be the breaking point. He defends. He hits threes. But don’t mangle a salary cap over him.

Neil Olshey, the new Trail Blazers point man in basketball operations, knows how this goes. He was general manager with the Clippers last season when they matched on DeAndre Jordan, an outcome obvious to everyone except the Warriors who made roster moves to create the cap room and did the offer sheet. It was an automatic for Los Angeles even at four years and $43 million for a player with lesser credentials than Batum.

There were obviously differences. Jordan is a center, along with point guard the toughest position to get settled. (One of the reasons it would be tough for the Pacers to let Roy Hibbert walk after he signs a Portland offer sheet on July 11). Jordan had shown the potential to be a major defensive presence. He was close friends with Blake Griffin, and if you’re the Clippers in December 2011, you do whatever it takes to keep Blake Superior happy.

Nothing changes the bottom line that losing talented free agents for nothing, or close to nothing with a weak sign-and-trade return, is a severe blow. So the Trail Blazers will match on Batum if he moves forward with the Timberwolves and signs next week. Relationships hurt far worse than they heal. And if it does not heal, the Blazers can eventually trade him, and then for the best deal around the league and not just the best deal available within a few days from only Minnesota.

It’s just that it is four years and $45 million for Nicolas Batum. There is something to be said for the Trail Blazers seeing that breaking point. There is something to be said from seeing the competitive advantage in letting that number sit on the Timberwolves cap for someone who probably never makes an All-Star team. Portland then goes out and signs a replacement small forward for a lot less money.

In the end, though, what Portland realizes is the only thing that matters in these cases, away from the emotion of the moment.

Protect the asset.

ALLEN DECIDES TO LEAVE CELTICS, JOINS HEAT

LeBronDurant — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 10:11:25 GMT

The Big Four are no more. At least not in Boston.

Free agent guard Ray Allen agreed to sign Friday evening with the Miami Heat, ending his five-year run in Boston that was highlighted by two Finals trips for the Celtics, including the 2008 championship. Allen chose Miami over Boston, Memphis and Minnesota, giving the Heat a potentially lethal perimeter option to go along with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Boshnext season.

The 37-year-old Allen visited Miami Thursday and left town Friday morning after being courted by the Heat organization. He was supposed to visit the Clippers on Friday, but that visit was cancelled after Los Angeles agreed to terms with free agent guard Jamal Crawford on Wednesday. Allen never met with the Grizzlies or Timberwolves.

The Celtics had been optimistic that they’d be able to re-sign Allen after agreeing to terms last week with Kevin Garnett on a three-year deal and reaching terms on Thursday with forward Brandon Bass.

Allen took less money to go to Miami. All the Heat had to offer was the taxpayer’s exception that starts at $3.09 million next season and can go out a maximum of three years and $9.5 million. Boston had offered a two-year, $12 million deal, and the Grizzlies were willing to give Allen their full non-taxpayer mid-level exception that starts at $5 million next season and can go out as long as four years.

Heat owner Micky Arison broke the news on his Twitter account Friday, writing, "Its 2:30am in London and I was just woken up with great news. Welcome to the family #20!!”

Allen came to Boston in 2007 in a Draft day deal that sent him and Glen Davis to Boston to the then-Seattle SuperSonics for the number five overall pick, guard Delonte West and forward Wally Szczerbiak. (That pick became forward Jeff Green, now a free agent expected to re-sign with Boston after missing all of last season with a heart ailment–though a source had indicated earlier Friday, before Allen’s decision was public, that Green was waiting before deciding to re-up in Boston, in part to see if Allen would stay with Boston.)

Garnett had initially balked at signing an extension with Boston when the Timberwolves and Celtics were discussing a trade, but after Allen’s arrival in Boston, Garnett quickly accepted the deal, and a new Celtics Era was born.

With Garnett and Paul Pierce (and, in recent years, guard Rajon Rondo), Allen made the Celtics a formidable veteran team that could grind playoff games out. He had several clutch postseason performances in Boston, including seven three-pointers in the Celtics’ series-clinching Game 6 rout of the Lakers in the 2008 Finals. He had played that series while his son, Walker, was hospitalized and nearly died after being diagnosed with diabetes.

This past season, however, Allen was slowed by ankle injuries. He lost his starting job to second-year guard Avery Bradley down the stretch in the regular season, and was never comfortable coming off the bench. Allen got the starting job back during the playoffs after Bradley suffered separations in both shoulders.

The likelihood of diminished playing time in Boston in future years–the Celtics agreed to terms this week with veteran Jason Terry on a three-year deal–along with occasional friction with Rondo always made a return to Boston an iffy proposition. Still, through most of this week, the Celtics were hopeful. Now, they’ll go on another path, while Walter Ray Allen, the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers made, takes his talents to South Beach.

Jordi Alba In Barcelona

LeBronDurant — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 17:01:23 GMT

Rockets to meet with Lin on Wednesday

LeBronDurant — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:17:46 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jeremy Lin will visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, two people with knowledge of the plans said, and the New York Knicks restricted free agent is expected to get a contract offer.

The Rockets waived Lin last December and he was claimed by the Knicks, turning into a breakout star when he landed the starting point guard job. Now with Goran Dragic not expected to return, Houston may want Lin back.

One of the people told The Associated Press on Tuesday the Rockets are planning to make Lin a multiyear offer, though the Knicks can match it and have said they intend to keep him. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations were to remain private.

The Rockets liked Lin, but had Kyle Lowry and Dragic ahead of him and needed to open a spot so they could add Samuel Dalembert to the roster. So they waived Lin, a decision general manager Daryl Morey would later write on Twitter that he regretted during Lin's sensational February stretch that made him the biggest story in the NBA.

The undrafted guard from Harvard, the NBA's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese decent, would fit nicely with the Rockets, who remain popular in Asia even after former center Yao Ming's retirement.

But both coach Mike Woodson and general manager Glen Grunwald have said the Knicks planned to keep Lin, who averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists in 35 games, 25 starts, before his season ended because of surgery to repair torn knee cartilage.

The Knicks may have to match two offers to keep their starting backcourt intact. Landry Fields plans to sign an offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors that his agency said is worth about $20 million over three years.

The Knicks are looking for veteran point guard help, hoping to land Steve Nash, but they don't want to lose Lin, whose popularity made them fans around the world and had merchandise flying off the shelves at Madison Square Garden. They scored their highest TV ratings in years during the height of "Linsanity."

Deals can't be signed until July 11. The Knicks would then have three days to match.

Suns agree to four-year deal with Dragic

LeBronDurant — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:16:59 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) -- A person with knowledge of the situation says the Phoenix Suns have reached agreement with free agent point guard Goran Dragic on a four-year, $30 million contract with the final year a player option.

The person asked for anonymity because the deals can't be signed until next week. The agreement can rise to $34 million with incentives.

The move capped an extremely busy night for Phoenix. Earlier, they agreed to a sign-and-trade deal to send Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers and, according to a source close to the talks, reached agreement on a three-year, $18 million contract with free agent forward Michael Beasley.

Dragic was Nash's backup in Phoenix before being traded to Houston.

Suns agree to three-year deal with Beasley

LeBronDurant — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:15:36 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) -- Free agent forward Michael Beasley has agreed to a three-year, $18 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

he person spoke on condition of anonymity because deals can't be announced until July 11. Beasley, the second overall pick in the 2008 draft out of Kansas State, averaged 15.1 points per game in his four NBA seasons, two with Miami and the past two with Minnesota.

His best season was 2010-2011, when he averaged 19.2 points with the Timberwolves.

It has been a busy 24 hours for the Suns, who agreed to an offer sheet with restricted free agent guard Eric Gordon on Tuesday, then agreed to a sign-and-trade deal that sends Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. The New Orleans Hornets have said they will match any offer for Gordon, though.

The agreement with Beasley came Wednesday night, hours after he visited the Suns' headquarters.

The Timberwolves declined the $8 million option to keep Beasley on the team.

Despite his obvious talents, his problems off the court have followed him. Around 3 a.m. one night last June, he was ticketed for possessing marijuana and speeding in the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka. While playing for the Heat, Beasley has acknowledged, he twice violated the NBA's drug policy and entered a treatment facility for a time in 2009.

Beasley had vowed to work hard in the offseason to improve his overall game, with former NBA player Norm Nixon as something of a mentor.

At 6-foot-9, Beasley fits the Suns' need for more athleticism and might have been the most purely talented player on the Timberwolves' roster.

Beasley was bothered by injuries both his seasons with Minnesota.

"Both years, and I told Michael this a couple times recently, it is a shame that he got hurt," Minnesota general manager David Kahn said. "His offensive game wasn't there at the start, but I at least thought he was trying defensively and just applying himself with more rigor than he had the year before with the previous staff, and I was at least hopeful that maybe there is something here. And he got hurt again, and again."

Kahn also praised the way Beasley went along with going from a starter to reserve.