Rumor Mill: August 9th
Net’s Getting Cold Feet over Shareef Abdur-Rahim?
Marc Jackson, DeSagana Diop or Brian Grant the Net’s Back-up Plan?
Michael Finley: Trade or Buy Out?
Derek Anderson: Not Impressing The Lakers
And More There are conflicting reports about whether Dallas will buy out Michael Finley’s contract by next Monday’s amnesty deadline, and the Heat would face heavy competition from Denver and others if he is released.
– Miami Herald
If the Nets kill a deal today over concerns about Shareef Abdur-Rahim’s right knee, Plan B won’t exactly send shivers up the spines of the Wallaces in Detroit or Shaquille O’Neal in Miami. Plan B, according to Jason Kidd, would involve Richard Jefferson or Vince Carter hitting the weights.
– New York Daily News
Instead of Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the Nets could turn their sights on Sacramento’s Darius Songalia, Cleveland’s DeSagana Diop, Miami’s Malik Allen, Phoenix’s Steven Hunter, or Brian Grant if the Lakers use their amnesty buyout.
– New York Post
Hawks general manager Billy Knight said Monday that part owner Steve Belkin’s opposition to a pending trade for Phoenix Suns guard Joe Johnson is “a ploy” to hold the team’s payroll to “a bare minimum.” Knight added: “If he is saying anything different from that, he is not telling the truth.”
– Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Lakers met with free-agent guard Derek Anderson on Sunday night and worked him out Monday morning, but took no immediate action.
– Los Angeles Times
GM John Paxson had encouraged all his restricted free agents to establish their market value by seeking offers from other teams, but Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Jannero Pargo have not attracted significant interest.
– Chicago Tribune
Chris Duhon has signed an offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors, but in all likelihood the Bulls restricted free agent will suit up at the United Center this fall, Bulls general manager John Paxson said Monday.
– Chicago Tribune
The Timberwolves are continuing discussions with Seattle SuperSonics restricted free agent Damien Wilkins, but no contract agreement appears imminent. Wilkins fits the Wolves’ free-agent philosophy of pursuing younger, emerging players who can play defense.
-Z