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Blazers News and Rumors
Tuesday, 10:40 pm: USA Today's Sam Amick has reported that Wesley Matthews and the Dallas Mavericks have come to an impasse regarding terms of a potential contract.
There's gap to bridge between Wes Matthews and Mavs, I'm told - he wants $15 mil a year, Mavs thinking of deal starting at approx $12 mil
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 9:35 pm: Free agent guard Wesley Matthews is currently meeting with the Dallas Mavericks, per ESPN's Marc Stein.
Also hearing Mavs have split up their recruiting posse and are conducting two meetings at present: One with DeAndre; one with Wes Matthews
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 9:29 pm: The Trail Blazers have come to an agreement with free agent forward Al-Farouq Aminu for a four-year deal worth $30 million.
Free agent Aminu Al-Farouq has agreed to a four year, $30 million deal with Portland, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 8:08 pm: Broussard is at it again, this time reporting that the Los Angeles Lakers will meet with free agent Greg Monroe on Wednesday, and that they are also intrigued by Blazers center Robin Lopez. The Lakers are the fourth team rumored to have expressed interest in Lopez, joining the New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Knicks.
Sources: Lakers meeting w/Greg Monroe Wednesday. Also interested in Tyson Chandler & Robin Lopez
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 7:45 pm: Chris Broussard of ESPN reports that James Harden will headline the list of Houston Rockets personnel on hand at the team's meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge. Also in the building will be head coach Kevin McHale, general manager Daryl Morey, and executive vice president Gersson Rosas. The Rockets will be the second team to meet with Aldridge, following the Los Angeles Lakers.
Tuesday, 5:36 pm: As reported by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Los Angeles Lakers have conjured up "something special" for their upcoming meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge. If the Lakers hope to vault to the top of the Aldridge's list, it better be truly special indeed. Any ideas about what the surprise could be?
Lakers have "something special" planned for their mtg with Aldridge tonight. Last year, they had Joel Silver make a movie for Melo. So LA
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 4:54 pm: RealGM's Shams Charania has reported that the New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Knicks are all interested in Blazers center Robin Lopez. Lopez has already had one stint in New Orleans, and was coached by Alvin Gentry, the current Pelicans head coach, during his four seasons in Phoenix, so there are clear motivations for the Pelicans in this situation.
Tuesday, 4:18 pm: USA Today Sports' Sam Amick reports that Kobe Bryant will be attending LaMarcus Aldridge's meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers tonight. He will be joined by Lakers president Jeanie Buss, head coach Byron Scott, general manager Mitch Kupchak, and James Worthy (UPDATE: Add Lakers executive Jim Buss to the long list of Lakers management that will be there). We'll see what persuasive recruiting strategies Bryant and company have prepared.
Tuesday, 3:59 pm: Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports that the Los Angeles Lakers are attempting to clear cap space as part of their effort to sign both LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan.
Around the league, executives believe the Lakers are pursuing space to offer free agent deals to LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 30, 2015
Tuesday, 12:30 pm: Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News has reported that the San Antonio Spurs are reportedly interested in trading for and waiving Brendan Haywood, which would allow them to sign Portland free agent LaMarcus Aldridge to a max contract. However, Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal says that conversation never took place.
Rumors Around the NBA
Tuesday, 10:30 pm: Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has reported that free agent guard Monta Ellis has gained traction in contract talks with the Indiana Pacers.
Free agent guard Monta Ellis is gathering traction in talks with the Indiana Pacers, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 10:27 pm: ESPN's Ramona Shelburne has reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks have all called restricted free agent Patrick Beverley. The Rockets hold the right to match any contract offer he receives if they choose to.
Teams calling on Patrick Beverly tonight: Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, and Knicks
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 10:19 pm: ESPN's Ramona Shelburne has reported that the San Antonio Spurs have reached out to free agent forward Tayshaun Prince.
Spurs are among the teams to call Tayshaun Prince tonight.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 10:00 pm: Marc Stein of ESPN has reported that the Brooklyn Nets are nearing agreements to re-sign free agents Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young.
Says at least one source close to talks on expected 3/60M deal for Brook Lopez and 4/50M deal for Thad Young: "Consider them done deals"
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 9:55 pm: The Washington Wizards consider free agent Paul Pierce their top priority, per Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
While other calls were made, the Wizards called their free agent forward Paul Pierce tonight & consider him their top priority, source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 9:25 pm: Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports has reported that free agent forward Greg Monroe is meeting with the New York Knicks tonight in the nation's capital.
The Knicks’ meeting with Pistons free agent forward-center Greg Monroe tonight is in Washington, D.C.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 9:09 pm: Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has reported that the San Antonio Spurs have agreed to a contract extension with Kawhi Leonard worth upwards of $90 million.
Yahoo Sources: Kawhi Leonard, Spurs agree to framework of a maximum contract extension. http://t.co/f1738GRRli
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 9:00 pm: Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Anthony Davis will sign a $145 million extension with the New Orleans Pelicans.
New Orleans star Anthony Davis has agreed to a five-year, $145 million maximum contract extension, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 8:15 pm: ESPN's Chris Broussard has reported that the Los Angeles Lakers will meet with free agent forward Kevin Love later this week.
Sources: Lakers have spoken with reps for Kevin Love & a meeting this week is planned.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 7:55 pm: With free agency just over an hour away, Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reports that Boston has its eyes on both Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson and Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green.
Boston expected to show interest in free agent forward Amir Johnson, per source. Another possible target: Ex-Celtic Gerald Green.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 6:57 pm: Here's some more news on the Rondo-Kings relationship. Sean Cunningham of News10 Sacramento confirms that both parties are interested and that there may be a meeting held tonight.
Sources: Both Kings & Rajon Rondo have strong, mutual interest. Expected that they will talk tonight. Rudy Gay pushing hard for Rondo
— Sean Cunningham (@News10Sean) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 6:43 pm: Unrestricted free agent Jeremy Lin is being linked with the Sacramento Kings, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix. This comes after ESPN's Marc Stein reported earlier today that Kings small forward Rudy Gay is intent on convincing Rajon Rondo to make Sacramento his new home.
Another name on Sacramento's radar, per source: Jeremy Lin.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) July 1, 2015
Free-agent scuttle: Kings forward Rudy Gay is among loudest voices urging on-the-market point guard Rajon Rondo to come to Sacramento
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 30, 2015
Tuesday, 6:21 pm: Paul Millsap is on the Knicks' radar, but they might not be able to afford him, per Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops.
Source: Knicks have some interest in Paul Millsap, but his possible price range of $17-19 million per season would be too high for New York.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 5:43 pm: More news on the Tyson Chandler front: CBSSports.com's Ken Berger has heard from sources that Milwaukee could be a possible landing spot for Chandler.
Free-agent matchmaking to keep an eye on, sources say: Tyson Chandler and the Bucks. Agent Jeff Schwartz also reps coach Jason Kidd.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 5:01 pm: ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reports that if DeAndre Jordan were to sign with the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Clippers would try to pull off a sign-and-trade for Mavs center Tyson Chandler.
Clippers still "hopeful" that they'll keep DeAndre Jordan, but I'm told if he were to leave for Mavs, they'll try to S&T for Tyson Chandler
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2015
Tuesday, 4:11 pm: It appears that three-point specialist Jared Dudley is going to re-sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, per TNT's David Aldridge.
Hearing Jared Dudley will be staying in Milwaukee. Sides working on long term deal, but at the least he opts in for 2015-16.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) June 30, 2015
Tuesday, 1:31 pm: Multiple teams are hoping to woo Marco Belinelli once free agency begins tonight. Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears reports that Belinelli has caught the attention of the defending champion Golden State Warriors, and Adrian Wojnarowski, also of Yahoo Sports, reports that the Charlotte Hornets plan to make a pitch to the Italian shooting guard.
Warriors have interest in Spurs free agent sharpshooter Marco Belinelli, a source told Yahoo Sports. Ex-Warriors guard career 39% 3P shooter
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) June 30, 2015
Charlotte's expected to be aggressive with Spurs shooter Marco Belinelli on Day 1 of free agency. Hornets can offer mid-level exception.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 30, 2015
The rumors are already flying around like crazy today across the NBA!
So, let's get this started. This is the first of many rumor/chat posts for the NBA's 2015 Free Agency. Here are the important dates when it comes to the Blazers:
-- June 30th (today!): Last day of 2014-15 NBA year. Chris Kaman's contract must be picked up by the Blazers or he'll be an unrestricted free agent (UPDATE: The Blazers did not waive Kaman by the 2:00pm deadline, according to CSNNW.com's Jabari Young. This means that Kaman will make the entire $5 million in the second year of his two-year deal, and that, barring a trade, he will remain a Blazer for the upcoming season).
-- July 1st EDT (9pm tonight, PDT): NBA Free Agency begins with the Moratorium. Teams can talk to any player they wish, but cannot formally reach agreement and sign contracts. Informal agreements are very common during this period.
-- July 8th EDT (9pm, Jul 7, PDT): Moratorium ends. Teams are able to immediately sign players to contracts.
Over the next week, Hayden Gehr, Sagar Trika and I will be constantly updating about not only the Blazers, but any major NBA news and rumors as well. Everyone is invited to hang out in the comments and chat about hopes, fears, expectations, rumors, and news. When Blazer news arrives, talk about it here until Blazer's Edge has a fresh article live.
While we'll update this post regularly, sometimes late-breaking rumors haven't been added yet. If you do not see any recent updates, scroll down to the comments and join the discussion! The latest rumors will be at the bottom.
For better or worse, try to have fun! -- Tim