SB Nation User Blog: Wes Cox

Happy Fourth of July Weekend

Wes Cox — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:09:32 -0000

Hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend.

Free Agent Rumor Roundup

Wes Cox — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:50:30 -0000

Jason Kidd

AP: Knicks meet with Kidd, but make no contract offer
Kidd and his agent met with Knicks president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, the first day of free agency. Walsh told reporters that no contract offer was made to Kidd, who is exploring his options.

DB.com: Cuban 'Optimistic' As Mavs 'Work On The Details'
Rules preclude the offer from being more than three years; the one-year MLE deals that the Knicks and others might offer will be worth a fourth of what Dallas can guarantee; the declines in salaries and the non-guaranteed final year allow Dallas to avoid losing an asset for nothing while at the same time retaining some financial elbow room as Kidd ages.

Marcin Gortat

DB.com: Polish Media Links The Mavs With 'The Hammer' -
*He is absolutely on the Mavs� wish list. � and very likely on Mark Cuban�s travel itinerary as soon as he�s done courting Jason Kidd. *He almost certainly has an offer or two on the table. Houston is the lead-pipe cinch to be one of those bidders, and the Mavs cannot be far behind. That bid figures to be at the MLE.

Rockets, Mavs making push for Magic's Gortat
Gortat is one of the few true centers among this summer's crop of free agents, and the Rockets aren't the only team interested. The Mavericks jumped into the mix Wednesday, too, sending coach Rick Carlisle to handle some of the recruiting. Dallas is looking for a big man to back up starter Erick Dampier, though Dampier's expiring contract makes him a juicy trade target this offseason. The Mavericks may be dangling a bigger role for Gortat, either right away or by the start of the next season.

Quentin Ross

DMN: Dallas Mavericks making pitch to former SMU, Kimball star
the Mavericks started this year's free-agent season by making a strong pitch to Quinton Ross, the former SMU and Kimball High School standout. While owner Mark Cuban was wining and dining Jason Kidd in New York during the first hours after free agency opened, coach Rick Carlisle and president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson were meeting with Ross in Dallas.

Ron Artest

NBA.com: Agent: Artest mulling options in free agency
he Rockets star forward, an unrestricted free agent, will consider a team's chances of winning an NBA championship when deciding where he'll bring his skills next season, his agent says. David Bauman said Wednesday that his client would like to return to Houston, but Artest would also think about signing with a contending team

DB.com: Ron Artest Says 'Goodbye' To Houston. ...
Are the Mavs players here? That’s entirely up to the whims of the player. If Artest’s tweet expresses his true feelings, it puts any contender with a sales pitch in the picture. Rick Carlisle once dealt with Artest in Indy and would be willing to do so again.

SLAM ONLINE | Ron Artest’s Twitter Gaffe
alarm. A message attributed to Artest — ‘THANKS A LOT HOUSTON I HAD A LOT OF FUN.’ — appeared on Twitter late Wednesday. Artest’s agent, David Bauman, said that the message was sent by an imposter. ‘That is not Ron’s account,’ Bauman said. ‘That’s what happens with the so-called new media.’

Trevor Ariza

Sources: Trevor Ariza leaning toward leaving Los Angeles Lakers - ESPN
The 24-year-old swingman, who played a key role in the Lakers' run to their 15th NBA championship, is on the verge of leaving the club, sources close to the situation said on Wednesday. With at least five teams pursuing Ariza, the Lakers are currently unwilling to pay him more than the $5.6 million mid-level exception.

Charlie Villanueva

ESPN: Pistons agree with both Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva
Former Bulls guard Gordon will receive a five-year, $55 million deal, while former Bucks forward Villanueva gets a five-year deal for $40 million, sources told ESPN.com's Chris Broussard.

James Singleton

He's an unrestricted free agent, but was out doing stuff for the Mavs in the community yesterday.

KIDS CAMP - friends.mavs.com
James Singleton talks to Dallas Mavericks Hoop Campers today at Richland Community College.

Brandon Bass

Hornets in the hunt for former LSU star Brandon Bass
One of those teams interested in Bass is none other than New Orleans, the same team with the same coach who, after drafting the former LSU star in 2005, barely gave him an opportunity to play. "When I was coming out of high school, no matter what the Hornets offered me, I would have been there," Bass said. "I grew out of being a homeboy. I’d go other places. They’ve got a good team down there and if everything falls in line like it’s supposed to, I’d love to be back in New Orleans."

While Turkoglu is set adrift, Magic go fishing for Bass - OrlandoSentinel.com
You couldn't call a $118 million contract a goodwill gesture, but maybe the Orlando Magic's generosity toward Rashard Lewis' agent two summers ago will give them an edge in signing promising power forward Brandon Bass. Like Lewis, he is represented by Tony Dutt, who told the Sentinel on Wednesday that the Magic had contacted Bass, 24, on the opening day of NBA free agency. "Yes, I did speak to [Magic General Manager] Otis Smith and they did show interest in Brandon," Dutt said.

Tuesday Morning Roundup

Wes Cox — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:02:51 -0000

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

Mr. Popular

Browse more photos »

Who Knew Nick Calathes Was This Good | Dime Magazine

"With former point guards such as Jason Williams, Teddy Dupay and Taurean Green, Calathes ranks third in Gator history in career assists after just two years, breaking the records for assists and assists per game in each of his first two years - 221 as a freshman (6.1 apg) and 231 (6.4 apg) as a sophomore.

That’s why in a PG heavy Draft, I understood Calathes heading overseas to play in the Greek A1 League with the elite Euroleague champion club Panathinaikos Athens. Making around €2.1 million euros net income over three years, in addition to providing him with a home, car, tax credits, and endorsements, Calathes was getting hooked up

But what I didn’t understand was why Calathes dropped all the way down to the Timberwolves with the 45th pick in the second round before being traded to the Mavericks for a 2010 second round draft pick and cash. In a couple years, that could be one of the best trades Mark Cuban ever made."

Nuggets' Martin says 'everything's fine' between him, Cuban
"He reached out to me," Martin said. "I didn't reach out to him. "But he reached out, and I'll leave it behind. It wasn't negative. Everything's fine. It's over.

DMN: Kidd the big fish, but Dallas Mavericks view Bass as a keeper, too
"Brandon likes Dallas and appreciates the Mavericks," agent Tony Dutt said. "He will certainly look at that, but he will look at other options, too. I'm pretty comfortable in saying he's going to get a ton of interest." Bass will be seeking the mid-level exception. Because he has been with the Mavericks for two seasons, they can offer him any annual salary up to the exception without actually using their exception.

DMN Blog: Kidd Being Recruited in New York
Word has it that Mark Cuban will be in New York at midnight tonight to start the process of conveying the Mavericks' interest in retaining the free agent. This should be viewed as a sign of just how important retaining Kidd is. The Mavericks are making him their No. 1 priority - before Rasheed Wallace or Charlie Villanueva or Ben Gordon or anybody else.

Monday Morning Links

Wes Cox — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:12:37 -0000

DB.com's Morning Donuts
*Through 6/30 ...trades are allowed, can't talk to free agents about a contract because free-agents-to-be are still considered under contract with their old team through June 30

*7/1 - 7/7 ....free agent negotiations can begin, trade talks can occur, but teams can't announce any business because nothing can be signed or locked in because of the moratorium, so there will be lots of talks and rumors and "a source said a deal is agreed" that get leaked

*7/8 on ... new cap is now defined and free agents can be signed, trades can be made

Dallas Mavericks' Kidd expected to have plenty of suitors
Wednesday is when teams officially can begin talking to free agents, and Kidd is expected to get overtures from several teams: Cleveland, Portland, Boston, New York and perhaps the Lakers. All of those teams except for Portland are stymied by the salary cap.

DMN.com: Cuban explains the double PG selection
"It used to be you tried to accumulate as many big [men] as you could," Cuban said. "It's kind of flipped around now. You can't have enough quick guards who can get into the paint and defend. "This isn't a reflection on Jason Kidd. We're still going to do everything we can to sign him. It's not a reflection on J.J. [Barea].

Interview with Josh Howard who is in NC for his annual camp.

DB.com with the mother of all rumor articles.
Veteran PGs like Raymond Felton or Ramon Sessions to Dallas? The Mavs like them both. But if you are trying to retain Kidd, are trying to show faith in JJB and are trying to develop Roddy Beaubois, I’m not sure how you convince Ramon Sessions (who might be getting squeezed out in Milwaukee) that you have enough love to go around.

French point guard says Dallas is where he wanted to play
"But when they told me I was supposed to go to Dallas, I was happier because I really like this team and this city. I really appreciate this." So are we to assume Oklahoma City, which drafted Beaubois for the Mavericks, wasn't high on his wish list. "No," he quickly said.

Pro Basketball News | Shopping for a bargain
If Dahntay Jones' asking price is too high, Denver may be a good spot for [Gerald] Green, who won't command much more than the $826,000 he made last season.

Let the NBA free-agent madness begin - ESPN Chicago
Jason Kidd to NY?: That's the buzz around the NBA, but I don't see the Knicks offering more than just a one-year deal unless Kidd goes to them on the cheap and why would he?

Rodrigue Beaubois & Ahmad Nivins Press Conference

Wes Cox — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:30:24 -0000

Mike Wells reports today that the Indiana Pacers won't pick up the $7.5 million team option to keep...

Wes Cox — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:28:50 -0000

Mike Wells reports today that the Indiana Pacers won't pick up the $7.5 million team option to keep Marquis Daniels on the roster. Quisy will now become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.

Marquis Daniels Won't Be Back With Pacers - Indy Cornrows

Friday Draft Links

Wes Cox — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:18:13 -0000

More photos » by David Vincent - AP

FILE - In this photograph taken on Oct. 21, 2007, basketball player Rodrigue Beaubois passes the ball during a French basketball league match against Dijon in Cholet, western France. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

Browse more photos »

DMN Blog on Beaubois
Just got off the phone with ESPN's Fran Fraschilla who had this to say about Rodrigue Beaubois: "If he was drafted out of Kansas or Texas, Mavericks fans would be holding a block party today."

2009 NBA Draft: Best and worst dressed - Ball Don't Lie
Best Accessories: Rodrigue Beaubois(notes), Oklahoma City Thunder (traded to Dallas), No. 25 Like the watch and pocket square; love the tiny French flag accent on the cuffs. Très excellent!

Dallas Basketball - Breaks down the trades

Step 1 -- Trade No. 22 down to Portland for No. 24, and No. 56, plus Portland's second-rounder in 2010.

Step 2 'Trade No. 24 down to OKC for No. 25 and OKC's second-rounder in 2010.

Step 3 Trade Portland's No. 2 in 2010 plus cash for Minnesota's No. 45. Then. Turn No. 25 into Rodrigue Beaubois, turn No. 45 into Nick Calathes and turn No. 56 into Ahmad Nivins while still retaining OKC's second-rounder in 2010.

DMN Dallas Mavericks - Nelson on Beaubois
"He was milliseconds behind Devin Harris," Nelson said of Beaubois' performance in some of the pre-draft visit tests to measure quickness. "He's just starting to scratch the surface."

Chad Ford Gives Mavs B-
Analysis: I like the Mavericks' second-round picks more than their first-rounder. I'd be willing to bet Calathes becomes a much better player than Beaubois, both in Europe and in the NBA, and Nivins is an up-and-comer. I am not sold on Beaubois and think Toney Douglas would have been a better pick here.

Bill Simmons' 13th annual NBA Draft Diary
B.J. Mullens (this year's token white center who will bounce around for eight years without ever making a dent) to Dallas; Rodrigue Beaubois (the French Leandro Barbosa) to the Zombies

Chad Ford says the Hornets really wanted Mullens
The Mavs are trading this pick to the Thunder for No. 25 and a future second-round pick. The Thunder have been looking to get Mullens for weeks and tried to get up as high as No. 14 to get him. Clearly, Sam Presti sees something he likes. Mullens reminds me a lot of a young Darko Milicic, for both good and bad -- he's skilled and athletic, but he doesn't really know how to play.

Mavericks' Carlisle compares point guard to Celtics' Rondo
"You'll probably hear rumors that he'll stay in Europe, but that's not the plan at all," Carlisle said. "The whole thing went absolutely as we had prepared for. We targeted a guy that we wanted and we felt we could get him a little lower than our pick. "He's a dynamic athlete. He just looks like a basketball player with his length." Carlisle compared Beaubois to Boston point guard Rajon Rondo. And Beaubois said he has heard that comparison, too. He does not consider himself comparable to fellow Frenchman Tony Parker

Dallas Mavericks gamble they'll make noise in free agency
"Wait," said president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson. "One shouldn't confuse silence with inactivity. We're prepared for a very active summer." That's tough to do when you see the rest of the league upgrading in the arms race at a rapid pace.

YouTube Scouting Mavs Pick Rodrigue Beaubois

Wes Cox — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:16:53 -0000

He's definitely fast and appears (highlight film warning) to have NBA range.

NBA Draft Open Thread

Wes Cox — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:23:37 -0000

Discuss the draft here.

Let's get lucky.

Nick Calathes the Target at 24?

Wes Cox — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:15:54 -0000

Draft Express is hearing that the Mavs target with the 24th pick is Florida PG Nick Calathes.

We're receiving some indications that the Dallas Mavericks are still in hot pursuit of Greek-bound Nick Calathes with the #24 pick. Owner Mark Cuban and head coach Rick Carlisle are both fans of the big point guard, and appear to be willing to wait a year until signing him. There is a school of thought that Calathes may be able to get out of his contract with Panathinaikos and play for the Mavs this year already, possibly with a buyout, but we're not sure of how accurate that is...

...Sacramento likes Calathes at 23, but appears to be leaning in other directions, although that could change.

Mike Fisher has also heard that the Mavs' really like him'. This goes along with the quotes yesterday that Dallas thinks they can get their guy at 24, because I don't think I've seen a mock that has Calathes going higher than 22. Chad Ford currently has him at 26 to Chicago.