Hoopshype

[Sources]

While I can confirm this as true, I can also confirm that Ron Artest is almost 100% going nowhere. Word on the street is that the Mavericks offered Penny Hardaway for Artest, and that offer was met with doubt over Hardaway's age and contract, and gushings over Artests' limitless potential. Artest could very well be the next "Hornet for life."

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Addendum to this that got cut off for some reason, it should be noted that "for life" in Charlotte generally means he's out in 2-3 seasons

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Bucks already said to be putting together a package to send for Artest. GM Iam Quailman: "We have every intention of getting Artest and making him the centerpiece of our future." Literally Avery's other gm, league official, reporter: "Give him 60 days till he feels bad and trades back."

[Sources]

I caught up with Grant Hill while he was househunting outside Atlanta. When I asked him about the Donyell Marshall trade rumors, he said "I hope he stays, we can make this team great." He also said the situation in Minnesota is "depressing" and he hopes Chris Webber gets out as soon as possible. When I asked him what went wrong, he simply said, "We lost Robot. That was the final straw."

[Sources]

Rumblings from Spurs management is that the team is prepared to match only 1 of their RFAs this season. With an owner who does not like to live in the red and spend league points to pay tax dollars, one of either Ray Allen or Shareef Abdur-Rahim could be wearing another jersey next season.

[Sources]

#FreeKobe

[Sources]

Jeff McInnis phone has been quiet all day.... until now. He was just seen putting a for sale sign up in front of his house.

[Sources]

#FreeKobe

#GiveKobe

[Sources]

With all the hype and hoopla surrounding RFA and teams with tons of cap room, max offers abound. Several teams are already regretting their zealous bids. Multiple sources have reported seeing Kings management walking the Tower Bridge looking depressed and intoxicated. We're taking this to confirm the validity of the notorious picture of a Kings offer sheet that has been circulating.

[Sources]

Even though the team has been reported as handing out max offers, the Van Memphis Grizzlies have yet to actually contact any RFAs so far, less then 3 hours before the deadline. We tried to call their GM, but only reached an unnamed assistant who when pressed about fans beginning to worry that they could miss the deadline, said, "Relax. Have you seen the way this guy spends money that isnt his? If you give him max cap space he's probably gonna throw it at somebody, no matter how undeserving they are"

[Sources]

Even though the team has been reported as handing out max offers, the Van Memphis Grizzlies have yet to actually contact any RFAs so far, less then 3 hours before the deadline. We tried to call their GM, but only reached an unnamed assistant who when pressed about fans beginning to worry that they could miss the deadline, said, "Relax. Have you seen the way this guy spends money that isnt his? If you give him max cap space he's probably gonna throw it at somebody, no matter how undeserving they are"

#Truth

[Sources]

Kobe was quoted as saying " If you can't support us when we lose. Don't support us when we win. " this morning at a movie premiere when asked by a local blogger if he was still dedicated to the Bulls after finishing with one of the leagues worst records last year.

[Sources]

After quickly matching Iverson's contract with the Nuggets (because they don't have shit to S&T), the Suns have already submitted bids to the league for round 1 of UFA. Suns also seem to be exploring the idea of trading a future pick for a front court partner for O'Neal.

Other GMs in the league are just waiting for Iverson to "Glen Rice" the Suns again... It's hilarious to watch GM Inner_GI lose his cool.

[Sources]

Sources close to the Timberwolves front office confirmed that GM JNR was indeed interested in RFA prospect Shareef Abdur-Rahim and reached out to Spurs front office about a potential RFA sign and trwde centered around Shareef and Webber. Unfortunately for both organizations, Shareef was intereted in signing with neither organization, claiming his heart was in Milwuakee.

"GM Quailmen has expressed his undying love for my game since the draft. On draft night he called me and said that he was going to try to trade back into the draft to get me but couldn't get it done. I really thought this was my best bet to do what was best for me and my family," Shareef stated during an interview Thursday afternoon.

GM Eazy P matched the offer sheet signed by Shareef from the Bucks Thursday afternoon. "We had no intention of breaking up our core," Eazy claimed, denying reports of entertaining offers from both the Wolves and the Bucks.

[Sources]

The Miami Heat have just shockingly accepted the high dollar deal for Tony Delk. We can only wonder how this signing will impact the strategy going forward for the rest of Free Agency, as earlier reports have the Heat offering to max Jim Jackson and sign-and-trade him.

[Sources]

Chicago remains mum on their decision for Erick Strickland. It was originally reported that they were trying to get some compensation for Strickland, but Portland was playing hard ball. Will these tactics work?

Bulls accept Kobe Bryant
Bulls decline Erick Strickland

Nevermind.....

[Sources]

NBA league office has not officially announced whether or not the allegations of tampering will be further investigated after the Suns filed a formal complaint against the Nuggets Wednesday afternoon. The Nuggets extended an offer sheet to Allen Iverson Wednesday, and A.I. returned it signed within minutes of the RFA period opening. Without hesitation, the Suns matched. Sources close to the league office informed us tha tGM Inner GI has continuously called the commissioner complaining about tampering every hour on the hour in 1-hour intervals.

A fly on the Commissioner's Office wall claims that the official statement from the commish is as follows: "Jesus Christ, Inner. Shut the **** up!" We are awaiting the official press release shortly.

[Sources]

As Chris Broussard previously reported, Marcus Camby DID indeed sign that mega-max deal from the Kings. But, as we previously reported, Chris Broussard is still a bag of lightly salted dicks.

[Sources]

Rumor has it that upon the RFA trading moratorium being lifted a flurry of trades will be made public. Some have already been leaked, while others look to surprise, including one trade between division rivals.

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With the Hawks matching the max contract of Ben Wallace, one has to wonder what this spells for Latrell Sprewell. Will the Hawks sign him still? If they do, they will be $20 million over the cap. Something has to give in Atlanta, and it may be the owner's bank account if some clever salary cap magic isn't done soon.

[Sources]

The Nets break silence on Antoine Walker finally, matching his deal from the Pistons. Many feel this deal is a huge discount for what Antoine brings to the table. Asking the Pistons what their intentions were when signing Walker, they were quoted: "We feel he may be better suited for the power forward spot, moving Kenyon to the 5. But I guess we'll never know how that works out." The Nets took note of this, and hinted towards more "Gugs at the 5, Walker at the 4" rotations.

[Sources]

After the Grizz lost out on Delk in RFA, their focus immediately shifted to spending their new found money in free agency. Ironically, one name that's been given serious consideration as their main target... Jim Jackson

[Sources]

Bucks bid for Shandon Anderson:

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Rockets ownership and front office are overall pleased with how the offseason has gone up to this point despite their outrage Big Z turning down the 5 year supermax and signing a 4 year offer sheet with divisional rival Utah. The signings of Elden Campbell and Hubert Davis solidifies a short-term starting lineup and mostly fills the depth chart in addition to the drafting of Quentin Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu as well as the draft day trade bringing in Joe Smith and Travis Best.

[Sources]

Rockets sources state the Elden Campbell signing was not part of a plan to replace Big Z, but instead help instill physicality and leadership to the frontcourt since questions have arisen about Big Z's ability to lead a franchise long-term. Campbell should help bring the best out of Big Z to potentially present one of the most imposing frontcourts in the league. "Block Party" posters are already being printed out as well as billboards.

[Sources]

Another team who is very pleased with their offseason are the Washington Wizards. After successfully shipping off long-term deals and clearing the way for 21-year-old forwards Lamar Odom & Rashard Lewis to start, the team plans to give its young talent every opportunity to impress as they continue to play through their rookie contracts. Team officials have also discussed the possibility of bringing in more respected veterans to mentor the new Wiz Kids, and were highly interested in Michael Jordan, who eventually decided to sign with the Warriors and continue his pursuit of a title.

[Sources]

Rockets sources believe they are happier than the Wizards