Official 2006 NBA Free Agency Thread (Discuss Signings Here)

[Its_asdf]

He actually had a decent summer league last year and looked like he was finally getting his career back on track but I think he got injured and got waived by the Wolves shortly after.

Oh well, summer league games aren't a good indicator of anything anyway.

[iKe7in]

Its amazing, 4th overall and he's really THAT bad. Even Olawakandi can find a team and play for them.

I thought he was the 5th overall? Anyway, just goes to show you that Euro players aren't as good maybe in the NBA as projected. Who knows, maybe Bragani will be a huge dissapointment.

The difference between Skita and Bargnani is that Bargnani actually played for his team. Skita, like Darko, was never given many minutes on their teams, and were just young depth players. Bargnani was the second scoring option on his euro team, and played big minutes for a couple seasons, leading them in rebounding and steals. The comparison to Gasol is a better one, considering he also played big minutes for his team, although he scored a little more, but had similar rebound, assist and steal totals, but was a year older when he did it. His totals at 19 were half those of Bargnani.

Skita played a total of 24 minutes in his final year with Benneton Treviso, the same team Bargnani averaged 20 minutes a game for. He was also 220 pounds when he came into the league, while Bargnani is a solid 250. Personally I don't see why Skita was considered such a good prospect, because its not like scouts ever saw him compete. Did they see a good showing at practice or a workout?

[_marsal]

Emm..Correction: Darko was his team's best player He was given quite a lot of minutes. The problem is it was a lousy team comparing to Euroleauge and NBA

[Gedas]

Macijauskas will be traded in the next couple of days...

[_marsal]

I tought he already signed in Europe with Panathinaikos

[iKe7in]

Emm..Correction: Darko was his team's best player He was given quite a lot of minutes. The problem is it was a lousy team comparing to Euroleauge and NBA

I couldn't find his entire teams stats from his final year in Hemofarm, but he only averaged about 9 points a game, four rebounds and pretty much nothing else. With his numbers being that low and that he only played 20 games his final year there (when I believe they play bout 30?) I figured he wouldn't have been the go to guy.

Personally I like Darko and I think he's going to prove a lot of people wrong in Orlando, and will eventually be a 15 and 10 guy. Certainly still not worth passing on Carmelo, Bosh, Wade, Hinrich, Kaman or Ford for, and certainly not what he could have been if he had been in a better situation, but still a very good player. I think the problem was that he was just way too overhyped for such a young unproven player.

But I still can't see why anyone would have expected more out of Skita.

[Its_asdf]

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincitie ... 982905.htm

"Minnesota is definitely one of my top (choices)," James said. "They have one of the best players in the NBA in Kevin Garnett. I've been a fan of Kevin since I've been in the game. It would be an honor for me to play with somebody like that, because I think he thinks like me as far as how I approach the game, and he would bring out the best in me."

At one point, while Cuban and James chatted in the stands, McHale visited with Duffy at the other end of the arena.

James has decisions to make. The Wolves, Mavericks and Rockets all are interested in landing him. James said he wasn't leaning toward signing with any of the teams, but that was before he was set to get together and talk contract figures with the Wolves later in the evening.

Mike James has gotten interest from Minnesota, Dallas and Houston.

[shadowgrin]

I'm confused, Dallas wants Mike James? I don't see MJames as the type of player that Avery Johnson wants.
Minnesota might as well brace themselves being a cellar-dwellar if they get MJames. They don't need a better version of Damon Jones.

[maes]

I don't see why Skita was considered such a good prospect, because its not like scouts ever saw him compete. Did they see a good showing at practice or a workout?

Basically...i found an old article about that draft year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/story?id=1385486

""The kid can play," D'Antoni told ESPN.com. "I think he'll be a devastating four (power forward) in the league in a few years. He just needs a bigger body and a bigger rear end to handle the constant grind in the paint. Right now, he'll be fine out on the perimeter though. He can already nail threes -- NBA threes. He's 7-feet tall, how is anyone going to stop him?

One league executive told ESPN.com that after seeing him play in Treviso, Tskitishvili should be a top-five pick in the draft. On potential alone, I like him better than Kwame Brown," said the NBA executive. "He's already more advanced fundamentally, and I think he has the athleticism to compete with the elite players in the NBA.

Milwaukee general manager Ernie Grunfeld spent three days in Treviso before the Euroleague Final Four and a source told ESPN.com that he was sold.

The word is that the Nuggets and Grizzlies both came away impressed after watching him in Treviso. The Rockets (before they got the No. 1 pick), Cavs, Suns and Heat have all scouted him extensively.

"He's got the body and athleticism of Garnett, but he's got the perimeter game of Bryant," said one NBA general manager. "He's a big question mark only because you're never sure, when you draft them so young, how well the kid will adapt to the NBA type of game. But someone took a risk on Kwame and Tyson (Chandler) and someone will take a chance on this kid. No one wants to miss out on the next Gasol."

[Silas]

oh that makes them look so stupid all these years later.... lol

[shadowgrin]

Now that Ben Wallace is out of Detroit, I wonder how Joe D feels about trading Darko. Hindsight is a bitch.

[BlueHornet]

dont know if anyone said this yet


DALLAS (July 13, 2006) — The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed free agent guard Greg Buckner. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/mavs_ ... 71306.html

ATLANTA, GA (July 12, 2006) -- Atlanta Hawks Executive Vice President and General Manager Billy Knight today announced the team has addressed one of its biggest needs with the signing of free agent guard Craig “Speedy” Claxton to a contract. As is club policy, terms of the contract were not released.

http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Sig ... 71206.html

Report: Cavs Close To Signing Wesley
Bob Finnan of the MORNING JOURNAL writes, "Obviously, the Cavaliers must think David Wesley has some gas left in his tank. They are reportedly close to signing him to a deal, possibly close to what Flip Murray got with the Pistons (two years, $3.6 million). Wesley, who will be 36 in November, would probably be an effective player if he played around 20 minutes a game."

http://www.nba.com/news/308726.html

Pistons to sign Dupree today to a two-year minimum contract, with the second year a player option.
Ron played with the Pistons previously in the 2004-2005 season.

http://www.nba.com/pistons/

[J@3]

I wonder how many all-star votes Wesley will get now that he's on a team with no Asians.

[Matt]

just read on RealGM that Pistons have interest in a sign & trade for Harrington. Interested to see who would be involved in a potential deal. Probably won't materialize though.

[Blasphemy]

Detroit signs unrestricted free agent Nazr Mohammed.

[BlueHornet]

Detroit signs unrestricted free agent Nazr Mohammed.

*Cough Cough * about 2 weeks late. Harrington would be beastin, and he could play good with SHeed. It would be over if we got him. Mine as well get joe johnson while we are at it.

[j.23]

i'd rather have him late than be a tool and post signings/trade in the NBA talk section..

[Its_asdf]

Detroit signs unrestricted free agent Nazr Mohammed.

*Cough Cough * about 2 weeks late. Harrington would be beastin, and he could play good with SHeed. It would be over if we got him. Mine as well get joe johnson while we are at it.

Harrington is a tweener and doesn't fit well with the Pistons. Detriot also does not have the money that Harrington is after. He also can't play centre and Rasheed Wallace/Prince already has the foward positions locked up, and Harrington essentially pouted to the Pacers when he was coming off the bench for them.

I seriously doubt that Joe Johnson will be traded just after one season since the Hawks had to put up with so much crap from the owners to get him because you just can't expect the Pistons to get whoever they please... Think logically about it first.

[-Young Buck-]

Milwaukee Bucks sign Lynn Greer, which i think is another great find. This GM has done alot of good things for this team so far. I wonder what he will do with Magloire now.

[BlueHornet]

never heard of sarcasm

[Jugs]

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... h_phoenix/

Phoenix signs Marcus Banks

[Its_asdf]

never heard of sarcasm

Sarcasm is hardly detectable in text, and judging by your previous posts I wouldn't have ruled out your ridiculous claims.

[Mayerhendrix]

never heard of sarcasm

Sarcasm is hardly detectable in text, and judging by your previous posts I wouldn't have ruled out your ridiculous claims.

That's why using the yellow-faced guys is so great to convey emotions with.

[Dan's Brain]

I wonder how many all-star votes Wesley will get now that he's on a team with no Asians.

Yeah, true. Probably about time to take him off the ballot. Unless all his votes were write-ins, then i'm completely stumped.

[Abctest123]

Marcus Banks signs with the Phoenix Suns

LINK

Banks Agrees To Terms With Phoenix
19th July, 2006 - 3:23 am
Arizona Republic - Marcus Banks arrived in Phoenix on Tuesday night and came to terms with the Suns on a five-year contract worth about $21 million. The deal could be official as soon as Thursday.

I think this is a great signing by Phoenix, they now finally have a good backup pointguard to Steve Nash, a person who can step in to give Nash some rest and still run the offense fairly effectively. They didnt overpay either, plus Banks will probably thrive in the Phoenix offense (who cant actually ) with his great quickness and speed. Eddie House has already tried looking for a contract elsewhere, but was still in close contact with Phoenix; with this signing, I think they will probably not offer anything to House.[/quote]