HAWKS: Childress Signs in Greece

Former Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Childress has officially signed a three-year deal with Greek club Olympiakos on Wednesday, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

BOTTOM LINE: The deal is worth more than $20 million over three seasons, and Childress can leave after any season to return to the NBA if he so desires. Scratch him off of your cheat sheetes.

WARRIORS: Acquire Marcus Williams

Former New Jersey Nets guard Marcus Williams was traded to Golden State on Tuesday for a future first-round pick.

BOTTOM LINE: This is a nice pickup for the Warriors, who do not have many true guards on their roster. Williams is only 22-years-old and is in a contract year, making him a decent sleeper option for 2008.

CAVALIERS: LeBron Sprains Ankle

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James sprained his right ankle while practicing with Team USA for the Summer Olympics, according to the Associated Press.

BOTTOM LINE: Right now, the injury is being viewed as a minor sprain, but James will be reevaluated on Wednesday. Stay tuned.

LeBron Injures Ankle

We all woke up this morning to find out that LeBron James injured his ankle in practice for Team USA yesterday, and he is going to be reevaluated today. It’s believed that it is just a slight sprain, but they are smartly taking the necessary precautions.

Team USA hasn’t won a gold medal for basketball in eight years, and the loss of LeBron would definitely siminish their chances drastically. LeBron may be the best overall player on the team, and the other members of the team are going to need LeBron as a distraction, and then they will be able to get open and contribute offensively.

We will have to keep a close eye on this injury situation. I know they are expecting it to be a minor injury, but we should all be a little worried that it is something else. More as it comes. USA! USA! USA!

 

–MICHAEL GANCI

NETS: Acquire Kenyon Dooling

Former Orlando Magic guard Kenyon Dooling has been dealt to the Nets for the Net’s third round exception.

BOTTOM LINE: Dooling is a nice pickup for the Nets, but his fantasy value will not be much. He will be nothing more than a backup.

JAZZ: Williams Signs Extension

Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams has agreed to a three-year extension, with an option for a fourth, that will be worth the league maximum, according to the Sal Lake Tribune.

BOTTOM LINE: Williams has been one of the best point guards in the league for the last couple of years, so this was a no brainer for the Jazz. He will go high in drafts next season.

CLIPPERS: Trade for Marcus Camby

Former Denver Nuggets center Marcus Camby was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday for a second round pick.

BOTTOM LINE: This will end any speculation that Zach Randolph will be going to Los Angeles, and the Cambyy trade looks very much like a salary dump from the Nuggets point of view.

Clippers: Want Zach Randolph

New York Knicks forward Zach Randolph  is on the Los Angeles Clippers’ wish list, and their initial offer for Randolph was turned down.

BOTTOM LINE: The Knicks would be more than happy to deal him and get his salary off of the books, but the Clippers only offered a second round pick. The Knicks would be wise to deal him for whatever they can get.

KINGS: Miller Suspended 5 Games

Sacramento Kings center Brad Miller will sit out the first five games of the season for violating the league’s drug policy, according to the Sacramento Bee.

BOTTOM LINE: Miller had an injury-riddled season last year, and needs to get back into playing shape as well. Look for ho be a decent option at center once he proves he is healthy.

HEAT: Lock Up James Jones

Free agent guard James Jones has agreed to join the Heat on a 5-year deal, according to the Associated Press.

BOTTOM LINE: Jones is easily the best three point shooter on this team now, and he should get a lot of playing time in Miami. Add him to your sleeper list.

76ers: Make Huge Splash With Brand

Former Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand has agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with Philadelphia, according to a source, reports the Los Angeles Times.

BOTTOM LINE: Brand is a huge pickup for the 76ers, who dealt a couple of players to Minnesota to free up the cap room to make this work. The deal is reportedly worth $80 million over five years.

NBA Off-Season: Five Storylines to Follow

 Stephon Marbury would be better suited playing for another team  next season.
[PHOTO BY ICON SMI] 
 

 BY MICHAEL GANCI
UPDATE! Writer

1. Teams Preparing for 2010

COMMENT: Many teams are already working diligently to get under the salary cap in anticipation of 2010, which is when LeBron James will be an unrestricted free agent, which the Cavaliers will have to work very hard to avoid. Rumor has it that LeBron will not resign with the Cavaliers, and his top two choices may be the Knicks and Nets. He loves the idea of playing in the big apple in the world’s most famous arena, but New Jersey is not too far out. Although it is very early, I would say the Nets are the favorites due to the close relationship between James and Nets shareholder Jay-Z.

 

2. Will Kobe Demand a Trade?

COMMENT: Last summer, Kobe expressed a desire to be traded and nothing came of it. Instead of being a cry baby about it, Kobe showcased himself to the best of his abilities, and he was awarded with the MVP honor for his efforts. He wouldn’t say he was satisfied, because his Lakers fell short in the NBA Finals to the Celtics. Kobe is said to be sick and tired of running the show by himself, and would prefer to be somewhere else, but my money is on him remaining a Laker through next season.

3. Will the Celtics Repeat?

COMMENT: There has been a lot of talk about whether or not the Celtics will be able to repeat next season. They are looking to add more depth to their bench, and have been in talks with Corey Maggette. They had only one pick in the draft and didn’t make much of it. I think the Spurs would be my early favorite to win it all due to their experience and sound fundamentals. They just have to make sure that they do not shut down on offense like they did in against the Lakers. Other teams that will surely be in contention are the Hornets, Suns, Cavaliers, and Magic.

4. How do the Knicks Fix Their Problems?

COMMENT: The Knicks were nothing short of a disaster last season, and they decided to change direction. The first act of duty was to get rid of Isiah Thomas. Then, the Knicks replaced Thomas with former Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni. They drafted Danilo Gallinari with the sixth overall pick, although that was much chagrin to the New York fans. The latest move was the Knicks’ signing of free agent point guard Chris Duhon. That may signify the end of the line for Stephon Marbury, which would be the best course of action for both parties. Other Knicks that need to go are Jerome James, Eddy Curry and/or Zach Randolph. The Knicks need to have a better attitude in the locker room. The process will take a couple of years.

5.  Who Will Win Rookie of the Year?

COMMENT: I think the man who will be pronounced 2008/09 rookie of the year this season will be Michael Beasley of the Miami Heat. Beasley has a huge upside for the Heat, and also may have the opportunity to post big fantasy numbers. He should go as a fourth or fifth round pick in most fantasy drafts. Other guys who have a shot at Rookie of the Year are Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo and Danilo Gallinari. Who knows? Maybe someone no one is thinking of will become the NBA’s new phenom. It could happen.

KNICKS: Duhon Era Begins

Free Agent point guard Chris Duhon has inked a deal to become a member of the New York Knicks, and that could mean the end of Stephon Marbury as a Knicks player, according to Newsday.

BOTTOM LINE: The Knicks are far from contenders, but they needed to rid themselves of the Marbury distraction. Duhon is a good defensive player and has nice passing skills, but his ability to score leaves much to be desired.

WARRIORS: Make Huge Offer to Brand

Free Agent Elton Brand received a huge offer from the Golden State Warriors which is reportedly worth between $85 and $90 million, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

BOTTOM LINE: Things are getting personal between the Clippers and Warriors. Just one day after the Clippers preyed Baron Davis away, the Warriors may get Elton Brand. He is expected to decide soon.

CELTICS: Perkins has Shoulder Scoped

Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder on Wednesday, accoring to the Associated Press.

BOTTOM LINE: Perkins was a valuable commodity this post season, and he really came into his own when he went one on one with Pau Gasol and badly outplayed him. No timetable has been set for his return.

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