| Team by Team |
| Negotiations between the Bobcats and restricted free agent center Emeka Okafor are at an impasse, The Charlotte Observer reports. The story cited a source close to the negotiations as saying Okafor is ready to move on, and the best scenario right now appears to be a sign-and-trade. |
| The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the future of 6-foot-9 forward Luol Deng should be decided, one way or another, within the next two weeks. Deng will leave for Europse on Aug. 4 to play for the British team in the European Championship qualifiers, and wants a deal in place before he leaves the U.S. The report states that if Deng cannot reach a long-term agreement, he would sign a one-year qualifying offer for $4.5 million and become an unrestricted free agent after next season. |
| A potential deal to bring Ron Artest to the Mavs from Sacramento is all but dead now, according to the Dallas Morning News. The Kings wanted Josh Howard for Artest, but the Mavericks won't budge on Howard, which reportedly killed talks. The Mavs had previously dangled Jerry Stackhouse and Brandon Bass as potential trades for Artest. |
| The Rocky Mountain News reports that the Nuggets would consider trading Allen Iverson in order to further cut costs as they try to get under the luxury tax threshold. The story said the Nuggets would trade Iverson, Kenyon Martin or Nene for the right deal, in order to slash their budget. |
| The Contra Costa Times reports that Andris Biedrins could be the next NBA player to leave the league for a lucrative contract in Europe. The story cited sources that claim Biedrins has drawn interest from clubs in Russia that are willing to give him three to five-year contracts that would work out to more than $10 million per year. |
| The Houston Chronicle reports that restricted free agent forward Carl Landry may consider following others to Europe if the right deal is offered. ""Carl would entertain all serious offers," Landry's agent Buddy Baker said. "There is serious interest in Carl by both other NBA teams and internationally." Rockets GM Daryl Morey said the Rockets would like Landry to return to the team, but no deal has been reached. "We continue to want Carl as a Rocket. We have a difference of opinion on the next steps to get him re-signed, but we have not changed our desire to see him return." |
| The Los Angeles Times reports that Sasha Vujacic is ready to accept a deal with a European team in the next few days if the restricted free agent doesn't get what he wants from the Lakers, which is reportedly a multi-year deal worth about $5 million per year. |
| The Miami Herald reports that the Heat are looking into free agent power forward/centerBrian Skinner as a possible pickup. The story also adds that the Heat have not expressed any interest in free agent center Kwame Brown. |
| The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that after signing free agent James Posey away from the Celtics, the Hornets are interested in re-signing Jannero Pargo. The story reported that Pargo has received interest from at least four other teams besides the Hornets. Center Chris Andersen may also get a new deal with the Hornets after a recent visit with Boston did not result in a contract offer. |
| The New York Post reports that the Knicks declined to trade Zach Randolph to the L.A. Clippers because the Clippers wanted a first-round draft pick in exchange for doing the Knicks a favor and helping them unload Randolph, whose exit from New York is said to be a top priority for Donnie Walsh. The story said Walsh will likely make a trade before training camp begins Sept. 29, and Randolph is the guy they're most interested in shipping off. |
| The Rocky Mountain News reported that Sonics unrestricted free agent center Francisco Elson would love to play for the Nuggets next season. "I would be very excited to have the opportunity to play in Denver," Elson told the paper via e-mail. "It's the team that drafted me and a place I call my second home. The fans have been fantastic, and I respect the staff, coach (George) Karl, and the guys on the team are all still friends." |
| The Raptors lost center Primoz Brezec to Europe's Virtuosa Roma, according to Euroleague.net. The story said Virtuosa Roma announced the signing on Sunday, bringing Brezec back to Europe after several years in the NBA. |
