2013 Offseason RecapRetiring PlayersName, Position, Years Pro, AgeMarcus Camby C, 17 years, 37
Bobby Jackson PG, 16 years, 40
Grant Hill SF, 19 years, 40
Matt Harpring SF, 15 years, 37
Shaquille O’Neal C, 21 years, 41
Cuttino Mobley SG, 15 years, 38
Steve Nash PG, 17 years, 39
Michael Doleac C, 15 years, 36
Retiring CoachesMaurice Cheeks, Sixers, 12 years
Nate McMillan, Blazers, 13 years
Mike Brown, Cavs, 8 years
2013 NBA Draft1.
Toronto selects C
Coby Clark (Kentucky)
2.
Detroit selects G
Sam Slater (George Washington)
3.
San Antonio selects SG
Christian Bullard (Pepperdine)
4.
Charlotte selects SG
Julian Martin (UCLA)
5.
Boston selects PG
Flo Ruf (Germany)
For Draft Analysis, click here.Seattle Stealth TransactionsSeattle signs and trades SF
Trevor Ariza for SF
Adam Morrison…
Read More…Seattle signs PG
Jason Kidd…
Read More…Seattle signs SG
Allen Iverson…
Read More…Seattle drafts PF
Jamaal Garrett, SF
Peter Carpenter, SG
Rich Tyler…
Read More…Seattle signs SG
Reshawn Tyson…
Read More…Free AgencyMavs Upgrades Raises Title Hopes
July 15 2013, DALLAS – Andrew Watson was swayed by Steve Nash and the Dallas Mavericks at the last minute. ‘The X’ could not say no to a shot at winning an NBA championship and signed a 4 year deal worth 45 million dollars to lend his services to the Mavs. Dallas also signed Aaron Brooks for 3 years on a 30 million dollar deal.
“After my run with Denver (Nuggets) when I first got to the league, I have to say that winning an NBA championship has always been an aim for me,” Watson explained, “I did want to commit to the (Houston) Rockets but I have to apologize to them. I don’t have much time left in my career and this was too hard to say no to.” The 32 year old 10th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft will slide into the starting 2-guard spot alongside Jerryd Bayless in the Mavs backcourt. Watson holds career averages of 18.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.7 apg, .460 FG% and .400 3PT%.
Watson will be joined by former Rockets PG Brooks. The 28 year old is coming off a season with the New York Knicks and is relishing a chance to play back up to Bayless. “The Mavs have got a good squad,” Brooks said, “I’m looking forward to being a part of what may be ahead.”
Although losing Nash to retirement, the Mavs have a shot at contending for a championship. Bayless has always been a stellar sixth man in his Blazers and Mavs days and should fill in Nash’s shoes competently. Watson is the shooting guard that the Mavs have needed for so long. Dirk Nowitzki may still be a shadow of his old self but he is still a capable scorer. Hedo Turkoglu can still shoot from range and spread the floor while Samuel Dalambert is a solid presence on the boards and in the paint. The old age is balanced out with fresh legs in defensive player of the year candidate Kenneth Dela Cruz and promising prospect Leo Lai.
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Defending Champs Sign Chara, Lewis
July 15 2013, SACRAMENTO – Moses Chara, unsurprisingly, resigned with the Sacramento Kings for the max 6-year 120 million dollar deal allowed. The surprising pickup of the Summer was Rashard Lewis and a move that is sure to make the Kings favorites to repeat as NBA champions. The title team remains intact but for the addition of veteran sharpshooter Lewis.
The 34 year old will enter his 17th NBA season and is likely to come off the bench for the Kings. The Kings anticipate for Lewis to play the role that starting SG Michael Redd used to play: come off the bench and knock down shots. Lewis has averaged 18.6 ppg over his 16 year career; his first 9 seasons with the Seattle Sonics and the last 6 with the Orlando Magic.
Lewis was excited with the switch, “I weighed it all up and decided that the Kings give me the best shot to win a title. I’m happy to join the defending champions.” Lewis signed a 2 year deal with the Kings.
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Cleveland Finally Adds Another Big
July 15 2013, CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Cavaliers come off their demoralizing defeat in the 2013 NBA Finals with a consolation prize in the form of 7’2” C Byron Brock. The signing of Brock has reignited the passion and fanfare in the city; talk of a championship has just begun again.
“The people of Cleveland never stop dreaming of winning a title,” Lebron James said, “Adding Brock and (Terrell) Hicks are definitely the right moves. It’s a shame to see Boobie (Daniel Gibson) go but we are getting two great guys into the ball club. This is without a doubt an important move to keep up with the rest of the league.”
Brock joins the Cavs on a 5 year, 81 million dollar deal. Brock was drafted by the Knicks in 2009 with the number 4 pick but off-court issues forced him to be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers before his second season began. The 25 year old has slowly improved and averaged 9.5 ppg and 7.7 rpg last season. He is expected to form a helluva 1-2 punch in the paint for the Cavs with Joakim Noah.
Cleveland also added the 11th pick of the 2009 Draft, SG Terrell Hicks, whom was not wanted back by the Toronto Raptors. Hicks felt betrayed by the team that drafted and developed him, “It’s their loss if they don’t want me back. I’ve moved onto better things with this ball team here.” The 6’6” Hicks will come off the bench for the Cavs who were intrigued with his shooting ability (.410 3PT%) as he seemingly replaces Daniel Gibson.
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Moore Stays Loyal To Hornets
JULY 15 2013, NEW ORLEANS – Mark Moore, 26, was tempted to sign with the Memphis Grizzlies but instead chose to be loyal and stick with the New Orleans Hornets after they had saved him from the Charlotte Bobcats in the middle of the last season. Moore has averaged 17.8 ppg and 4.6 apg over his 4 year NBA career after being drafted by the Bobcats in 2009 with the 9th overall draft pick.
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Suns Settle For Martti Must
JULY 15 2013, PHOENIX – Estonian PF Martti Must brushed off suggestions that he was not content with being the Phoenix Suns’ consolation prize, “Reshawn (Tyson) is a great player. I used to play with him at North Carolina. He’s a good friend and I don’t mind being second to him.”
Must was able to sign a 5 year, 86 million dollar deal with the Suns after Tyson had said no to the same team. Must left the Memphis Grizzlies after 4 seasons and being picked by the franchise in 2009. The 25 year old had a career year last season: 20 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 6.6 apg, 2.4 bpg. He is hoping to continue with that form with the Suns as he lines up alongside former All-Star Baron Davis.
“I told my agent that I wanted to play with at least one other All-Star,” Must said, “Baron has all the experience and the tools to help me. I think I can also help him and the Suns get back to the playoffs.”
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Other Notable Signings
Elton Brand signs with the Washington Wizards for 2 years/13m…
Chris Wilcox replaces Brand in Philadelphia on a 4 year/40m contract…
Daniel Gibson is looking to play in Europe after the Cavs refused to offer him the money he wanted…
Andray Blatche signs a 5 year deal for the Memphis Grizzlies…
Gerald Wallace heads to Orlando…
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