http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13657316p-14500113c.html
By Joe Davidson
NBA free agency always hovers about like smog from an idling 1974 Chevy Vega because it's not just an offseason issue.
And it's always the same sort of language for those nearing the end of their deals. Contract year. Restricted. Unrestricted. Sign-and-trade. What's best for my family.
There are 13 name players who could be on the free-agent buffet table next summer, all with intrigue value.
1. Peja Stojakovic, Kings
He's not even 30, and you can't find a better shooter . Though playoff disappointments continue to define him in Sacramento, there isn't a team in the league that wouldn't want him hoisting threes. Does he have to be an All-Star and then some for the Kings to go max on the man?
2. Ben Wallace, Pistons
Detroit fans would riot if Big Ben wasn't secured long term. Rebounders, defenders, muscles and 'fros like this don't come around often enough, and all in one package. He'll be a Pistons lifer.
3. Nene, Nuggets
Wildly tempting because he's 6-foot-11 and 260 pounds of agility, and the one-named Brazilian is a pup at 23. Will draw major interest, including from his own team, or could fetch a lot in a sign-and-trade. 4. Tayshaun Prince, Pistons
Superb defender, long, runs well, capable shooter. For the love of Bill Laimbeer, Detroit can't lose a talent like this.
5. Eddy Curry, Bulls
Would be higher on any list if not for his heart concerns, which might scare off the market. There's talk of extensive DNA testing to explore his heart history, yet for now, some teams seem interested.
6. Vladimir Radmanovic, Sonics
Second-best shooter on the market after pal Peja, he'll want starting max money, even though he has been a reserve. Still, always a need for bombers, and he'll wind up being quite wealthy.
7. Al Harrington, Hawks
Lost amid the rubble that is Atlanta hoops. At 25, is young, active, impressive and seems to have some help with Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.
8. Bonzi Wells, Kings
Biggest year of his career is the one that looms, with the league keeping tabs on his fuse. Never been a full-time starter until now, either, but all the potential to be an All-Star.
9. James Posey, Heat
Can be a nice defender as a starter or reserve - and will have to prove his worth in what should be a grueling playoff run.
10. Joel Przybilla, Blazers
Don't laugh. Big center has gone from long-shot obscurity to effective commodity. He continues to improve (and devoured the Kings last season). The league always starves for centers, period.
11. Jason Terry, Mavericks
With Devin Harris pushing him on the same roster and given the green light to be the No. 2 scorer, Terry is on league-wide display at the point. Coming off career year, and he's only 28.
12. Caron Butler, Wizards
Can be explosive and effective defender but has been inconsistent with Heat and Lakers. Needs to replace Larry Hughes for a Washington team that reached the postseason last season.
13. Bobby Jackson, Grizzlies
Not long ago, Jackson would have been much higher on a list like this, but he has been slowed by a rash of injuries, and durability remains a concern. Could play himself into a long deal with Memphis - if healthy, of course.
West no longer best?
It seems blasphemous, but Jerry West hasn't had a great run in Memphis, his golden reputation tarnished a tad.
The front-office executive molded the great Lakers teams of the 1980s and launched the 2000-02 three-peat by trading for the draft rights for Kobe Bryant, signing Shaquille O'Neal as a free agent, then securing coach Phil Jackson. West has made some good moves in Memphis, including hiring Hubie Brown (and later Mike Fratello) as coach, to improve the franchise from moribund to mediocre to a little better than that.
But signing free agent Brian Cardinal before last season to a six-year, $39 million contract was a terrible reach, totally un-West like. And at the end of last season, Wells, Jason Williams, Stromile Swift and James Posey were grouchy. All were moved, however, and if the replacements don't reap some rewards, West might retire.
B-Jax to the rescue?
West scores another coup if Bobby Jackson plays for the Memphis Grizzlies like the healthy Jackson of old. Already, Jackson was honest in his assessment of new teammate Pau Gasol, saying, "What I've heard is he doesn't have a lot of heart."
BASELINE JUMPERS
* Chucky Atkins said it was "a zoo at times" during his Lakers stay? At times? All the time, Chucky.
* Allen Iverson on how cool it would be to have a center: "I think if Yao Ming was on my team, we'd probably have a 100 percent chance of winning an NBA championship."
* Red flags already in South Beach? Antoine Walker has talked about rejecting a reserve role with the Miami Heat.
* Tony Parker looked tired in some of those European summer games, meaning Nick Van Exel might be more lively early for the Spurs, never mind his battered old knees.
* Ron Harper, a defensive cog for title teams with the Bulls and Lakers, has been hired as an assistant for the defensive-minded Detroit Pistons.
* Former No. 1 pick Glenn Robinson is a free agent not at all interested in playing for a loser this late in his career, and he said of his weary body: "I think about retiring when I'm out there hurtin' and strugglin' and can't play." * An Eastern Conference scout said of Gary Payton, now of Miami: "Name a better backup point guard in the league."
By Joe Davidson
NBA free agency always hovers about like smog from an idling 1974 Chevy Vega because it's not just an offseason issue.
And it's always the same sort of language for those nearing the end of their deals. Contract year. Restricted. Unrestricted. Sign-and-trade. What's best for my family.
There are 13 name players who could be on the free-agent buffet table next summer, all with intrigue value.
1. Peja Stojakovic, Kings
He's not even 30, and you can't find a better shooter . Though playoff disappointments continue to define him in Sacramento, there isn't a team in the league that wouldn't want him hoisting threes. Does he have to be an All-Star and then some for the Kings to go max on the man?
2. Ben Wallace, Pistons
Detroit fans would riot if Big Ben wasn't secured long term. Rebounders, defenders, muscles and 'fros like this don't come around often enough, and all in one package. He'll be a Pistons lifer.
3. Nene, Nuggets
Wildly tempting because he's 6-foot-11 and 260 pounds of agility, and the one-named Brazilian is a pup at 23. Will draw major interest, including from his own team, or could fetch a lot in a sign-and-trade. 4. Tayshaun Prince, Pistons
Superb defender, long, runs well, capable shooter. For the love of Bill Laimbeer, Detroit can't lose a talent like this.
5. Eddy Curry, Bulls
Would be higher on any list if not for his heart concerns, which might scare off the market. There's talk of extensive DNA testing to explore his heart history, yet for now, some teams seem interested.
6. Vladimir Radmanovic, Sonics
Second-best shooter on the market after pal Peja, he'll want starting max money, even though he has been a reserve. Still, always a need for bombers, and he'll wind up being quite wealthy.
7. Al Harrington, Hawks
Lost amid the rubble that is Atlanta hoops. At 25, is young, active, impressive and seems to have some help with Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.
8. Bonzi Wells, Kings
Biggest year of his career is the one that looms, with the league keeping tabs on his fuse. Never been a full-time starter until now, either, but all the potential to be an All-Star.
9. James Posey, Heat
Can be a nice defender as a starter or reserve - and will have to prove his worth in what should be a grueling playoff run.
10. Joel Przybilla, Blazers
Don't laugh. Big center has gone from long-shot obscurity to effective commodity. He continues to improve (and devoured the Kings last season). The league always starves for centers, period.
11. Jason Terry, Mavericks
With Devin Harris pushing him on the same roster and given the green light to be the No. 2 scorer, Terry is on league-wide display at the point. Coming off career year, and he's only 28.
12. Caron Butler, Wizards
Can be explosive and effective defender but has been inconsistent with Heat and Lakers. Needs to replace Larry Hughes for a Washington team that reached the postseason last season.
13. Bobby Jackson, Grizzlies
Not long ago, Jackson would have been much higher on a list like this, but he has been slowed by a rash of injuries, and durability remains a concern. Could play himself into a long deal with Memphis - if healthy, of course.
West no longer best?
It seems blasphemous, but Jerry West hasn't had a great run in Memphis, his golden reputation tarnished a tad.
The front-office executive molded the great Lakers teams of the 1980s and launched the 2000-02 three-peat by trading for the draft rights for Kobe Bryant, signing Shaquille O'Neal as a free agent, then securing coach Phil Jackson. West has made some good moves in Memphis, including hiring Hubie Brown (and later Mike Fratello) as coach, to improve the franchise from moribund to mediocre to a little better than that.
But signing free agent Brian Cardinal before last season to a six-year, $39 million contract was a terrible reach, totally un-West like. And at the end of last season, Wells, Jason Williams, Stromile Swift and James Posey were grouchy. All were moved, however, and if the replacements don't reap some rewards, West might retire.
B-Jax to the rescue?
West scores another coup if Bobby Jackson plays for the Memphis Grizzlies like the healthy Jackson of old. Already, Jackson was honest in his assessment of new teammate Pau Gasol, saying, "What I've heard is he doesn't have a lot of heart."
BASELINE JUMPERS
* Chucky Atkins said it was "a zoo at times" during his Lakers stay? At times? All the time, Chucky.
* Allen Iverson on how cool it would be to have a center: "I think if Yao Ming was on my team, we'd probably have a 100 percent chance of winning an NBA championship."
* Red flags already in South Beach? Antoine Walker has talked about rejecting a reserve role with the Miami Heat.
* Tony Parker looked tired in some of those European summer games, meaning Nick Van Exel might be more lively early for the Spurs, never mind his battered old knees.
* Ron Harper, a defensive cog for title teams with the Bulls and Lakers, has been hired as an assistant for the defensive-minded Detroit Pistons.
* Former No. 1 pick Glenn Robinson is a free agent not at all interested in playing for a loser this late in his career, and he said of his weary body: "I think about retiring when I'm out there hurtin' and strugglin' and can't play." * An Eastern Conference scout said of Gary Payton, now of Miami: "Name a better backup point guard in the league."
