Author: Inside Hoops

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Rumors Talk: Maggette should join a contender

July 7: If Corey Maggette has to forget about getting more than the mid-level exception and is going to take a long contract that lasts for years, he might as well do it on a team that can compete for a championship. He’d make a nice scoring option off the bench for the Celtics, though defensively he has a lot to learn. He’d also help the Pistons or Spurs… Chris Duhon is a real point guard who is limited by his athletic ability. Keyon Dooling is super-athletic but not a real point guard… The Heat cut some dude named Jonny Reibel. I’d have cut him just because of the spelling of his first name. Remember Ralph Sampson? If his name was spelled “Ralfie” or something, I’d have sent him packing… I understand teams like the Knicks and Nets focusing on 2010 free agency, but it’s kind of a bad message to send to fans: ‘We plan on being lousy in the hope that two years from now, of two or three really great players out there, one of them agrees to sign with us.’ … The Nuggets may keep Anthony Carter? That’s like the Celtics getting Kevin Garnett. Similar impact. Give or take… So will Elton Brand stick with his Clippers team or bail on them and head to the Warriors for a lot more money? Must be an extremely tough decision… The Celtics should really give James Posey a mid-level exception deal if that’s what he wants… I still don’t know what Al Harrington’s ideal NBA position is. Do you? … NBA summer league games are good for seeing your favorite rookies. Other than that, they don’t bring much to the table. Fortunately, every team has at least two or three guys worth watching.

This commentary is in response to today’s NBA rumors… Go Inside Hoops every day… Talk with other fans on the InsideHoops basketball message board.

Earl Watson has right thumb surgery

General Manager Sam Presti announced today that guard Earl Watson underwent successful surgery yesterday in Los Angeles for a fracture of the right thumb. Watson suffered the injury on Monday while preparing for the upcoming season in a basketball game in Los Angeles. Watson is expected to make a full recovery and be available for the start of the 2008-09 season.

Last season, Watson averaged career highs in points (10.7), assists (6.8), rebounds (2.9) and minutes (29.1). Over his seven-year NBA career, Watson has averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.5 apg and 2.2 rpg in 529 games.

InsideHoops.com says: Either Watson or Luke Ridnour (probably Ridnour) may be traded by the time next season starts.

Gilbert Arenas agrees to new Wizards deal

The Washington Times (Mike Jones) reports: Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas has informed Wizards team president Ernie Grunfeld he will agree to a six-year deal worth $111 million, in his words, giving back roughly $16 million of the max, $127 million deal the team offered him Tuesday morning. “This is in line with what I’ve been saying the whole time,” Arenas said Thursday evening in a telephone conversation from China. “You see players take max deals and they financially bind their teams. I don’t wanna be one of those players and three years down the road your team is strapped and can’t do anything about it.”

Sonics move to OKC. New name soon

The Sonics are officially moving to Oklahoma City (see the news), but the team name will remain with the city of Seattle. I just spoke with an Oklahoma City-based representative of the team, and was told that they will reveal the new name “soon.” I was told they haven’t actually decided on a final new name yet, and that OKC ownership is working with the league and accepting their suggestions while making the final selection.

– Jeff

Kendrick Perkins and Bill Walker have surgery

The Boston Celtics announced today that center Kendrick Perkins and second round draft pick Bill Walker both had successful surgical procedures today at New England Baptist Hospital.  Perkins underwent arthroscopic left shoulder surgery while Walker underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery.  Both surgeries were preformed by Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon and was assisted by Dr. Alan Curtis and Dr. John Richmond.  No timetable has been set for their return.

Danny Granger wants extension

The Indianapolis Star reports: Danny Granger’s long-range future with the Indiana Pacers could be settled later this summer. The 6-9 swingman, who was the Pacers’ leading scorer last season in his third year in the NBA, is eligible for a long-term extension. His agent, Mark Bartelstein, said he’ll likely begin talks with the Pacers in a few weeks… Granger is scheduled to make $2.3 million next season, after which he becomes a restricted free agent. The Pacers must at least make a qualifying offer of $3.3 million for 2009-10 to retain the right to match any free agent offer he receives.

Knicks want Chris Duhon

The New York Post (Marc Berman) reports:  Bulls backup point guard Chris Duhon, during a visit to the Knicks’ Westchester campus on Day 1 of free agency yesterday, met with coach Mike D’Antoni and was offered a two-year contract believed to be more than $7 million, according to league sources. Duhon was mulling the offer last night and could accept as soon as today.  The Knicks have proclaimed they do not want to go beyond two years on any signing so as not to compromise their chances of getting under the salary cap in 2010. That amount is a good chunk of the annual $5.5 million mid-level exception.

Sixers want Josh Smith

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Joe Juliano) reports: With more than $11 million in salary-cap space available, the 76ers dove into free agency shortly after the bell rang at 12:01 a.m. yesterday and targeted Josh Smith, the young and talented forward of the Atlanta Hawks, as their primary prospect, but not their only one. The 6-foot-9 Smith, a restricted free agent, was contacted by the Sixers almost immediately. A team spokesman said Smith and his representatives planned to meet today with president and general manager Ed Stefanski. The spokesman also said the Sixers contacted Smith’s teammate, 6-8 forward Josh Childress, yesterday and expect to bring him to Philadelphia, but did not say when.

Bobcats let Othella Harrington go

The Charlotte Observer reports: The Bobcats’ decision not to exercise an option on forward Othella Harrington for next season will save the team about $2.55million in player payroll. A chronic knee injury limited Harrington to 22 game appearances last season. Harrington was signed as a free agent in the summer of 2006 to add experience and defense at power forward. R.B.