Some Early Free Agent Buzz Around The NBA

by Jeff Clark on Dec 4, 2011 8:48 PM EST

Players can officially talk to teams tomorrow (Monday) and there's some buzz coming out already. To nobody's surprise, the Heat are in the market for any quasi-stars that want a chance to chase a ring. Prime target number 1 is Shane Battier.

Free-agent buzz: Heat lead chase for Battier - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Once NBA teams can speak with free agents beginning Monday, Miami Heat president Pat Riley has his franchise in strong position to sell Shane Battier on signing to play with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

In the less likely category is the Heat's interest in Greg Oden.

Portland Trail Blazers' Greg Oden drawing interest from Miami Heat, sources say - ESPN

The Heat are considering making a run at restricted free agent Greg Oden, league sources said. Oden, who hasn't played in nearly two years after suffering two different knee injuries, has a key doctor's examination this week when he could be cleared to resume contact practices.

Oden leaning toward re-signing with Blazers - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Restricted free-agent center Greg Oden is leaning strongly toward re-signing with the Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Heat (and Celtics) will not be able to afford to (over)pay Tyson Chandler, so some other team will have to take that honor.

Sources -- Dallas Mavericks' Tyson Chandler to talk with Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets - ESPN Dallas

Dallas Mavericks free agent Tyson Chandler will meet face-to-face this week with officials from the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and New Jersey Nets, according to sources close to the situation. Negotiations with the Mavericks have stalled, prompting Chandler to tell ESPN.com on Wednesday night: "I really think I'm going to be on a new team come training camp."

Also, he was once the human highlight film. This has to be a lowlight. VC is going to be cut.

Sources: Phoenix Suns to cut Vince Carter when lockout ends - ESPN

Vince Carter isn't a free agent yet, but sources close to the situation say the eight-time All-Star will be thrust onto the open market shortly after the end of the lockout.

Also from Yahoo: DeAndre Jordan will get long looks from many teams hoping that the Clippers won't match. Also, the Kings are likely to be the leaders for Chuck Hayes.

In other news, I'm kinda glad we don't have much cap room this year. The temptation would be to throw it at some injury risk guy or someone riding the wave of some success that he'll never be able to duplicate again.

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Comments

I hope the

Heat do not land Battier or Oden as they could be solid contributors for them.

Plus both Battier and Oden ( if he can stay healthy) would look alot better wearing Celtic uniforms anyway….lol

by fordescort on Dec 4, 2011 8:56 PM EST reply actions

for some reason not really worried about Battier with the heat.

I know he’s better than what they had last year, but their problems are with the 1 and 5 positions. I have no idea of what Oden would give them. Neither do they. Have a feeling that someone will throw 8-9 million at Oden hoping for lightning in a 7 foot bottle.

by roz80 on Dec 4, 2011 8:58 PM EST up reply actions

Am I crazy for wanting Vansanity?

Hate him as a starter, but off the bench. Feel like he could provide some scoring punch off the bench and after all the other signings that Danny has brought in over the last 4 years that were supposed to help the “core four” I feel like he fits that role. Maybe crazy though.

by roz80 on Dec 4, 2011 8:56 PM EST reply actions

I thought about it

and honestly that’s the kind of guy that Ainge has looked at in the past (undervalued)

but he just plays no D and doesn’t really care about the system anymore – I just don’t see him meshing well with KG and company

Faith and Sports - an essay by Jeff Clark

by Jeff Clark on Dec 4, 2011 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

If Vince Carter is Half Man Half Season then Greg Oden is Old Man No Season

Oden must be 45 or so now….

of course he wouldn’t have to work much in Miami on the offensive side…cause he never get the ball.

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Dec 4, 2011 10:37 PM EST up reply actions

come on

I’d sign him just to have a Bill Russell doppelganger on the team.

Faith and Sports - an essay by Jeff Clark

by Jeff Clark on Dec 4, 2011 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

I'd rather have Bill Russell...

…. even at age 77, I’d trust him more to play forty games.

by theBird on Dec 5, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

If the C's get him it's because he was a last option type of FA

but feel like with Doc and the guys, they at least have a chance of getting something out of him. Pierce would love practice.

by roz80 on Dec 4, 2011 9:04 PM EST reply actions

absolutely NO need for vince carter

big man, big man, big man -

title 18

Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk

by mcpu40 on Dec 4, 2011 9:45 PM EST reply actions

How can the Heat afford Battier or Oden? Mark Cuban is right, the NBA needs to look into the Heat’s finances.

by KWW on Dec 4, 2011 10:32 PM EST reply actions

do the heat still have the cholesterol lowering drug Spolestra at the helm?

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Dec 4, 2011 10:39 PM EST up reply actions

lol

by KWW on Dec 4, 2011 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

I thought it was for erectile dysfunction....

by JPV on Dec 5, 2011 9:05 AM EST up reply actions

The most they can offer Battier is the $3 mil a year mid level. As for Oden, they’d have to pull off a S & T or a three team deal to get him. Oden’s qualifying offer is $8.8 mil if I remember correctly.

by IsItTheShoes on Dec 4, 2011 10:42 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

I don’t know if ESPN is assuming, but every time I hear about free agency, it’s the Miami Heat trying to make a run at Nene, Chandler, Dalembert, Oden and Battier. How can they afford these guys if 3 players (Wade, Bosh, James) have contracts for 103Mill?

by KWW on Dec 4, 2011 10:47 PM EST up reply actions

Again, they could only offer them the mid level. Failing that, they would have to pull off a sign-and-trade to accommodate them.

by IsItTheShoes on Dec 4, 2011 10:57 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

They can offer the full midlevel since they're not over the tax.

Which is about $20 million/4 years. They just can’t go over the tax line by $4 million after they use it. It’s not enough for Oden or Dalembert — unless Portland doesn’t feel like matching a three or four year offer — but it is sufficient to have a shot at Battier.

@brosales12

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu

by Ben R on Dec 5, 2011 5:12 AM EST up reply actions