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Monday, July 1, 2013

The 10 most difficult NBA free agency decisions

The Los Angeles Lakers have billboards dedicated to convincing Dwight Howard to stay. The Los Angeles Clippers paid out a draft pick and a huge salary for coach Doc Rivers in order to appease Chris Paul.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers have spent the offseason distancing themselves from Andrew Bynum and the one-year, zero-game fiasco that came with him, even trading All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday for draft pick Nerlens Noel, their center of the future.

DWIGHT: What center wants from free agency

DRAFT GRADES: Eastern Conference teams

DRAFT GRADES: Western Conference teams

Some NBA free agency decisions are easy. USA TODAY Sports' Sean Highkin and Adi Joseph break down 10 complicated situations:

SG Andre Iguodala and SG Corey Brewer, Denver Nuggets

SH: Keep Brewer, not Iguodala. Iguodala is the better player, but letting George Karl and Masai Ujiri go proves the Nuggets are cutting costs, and the eight-figure salary he will command doesn't fit with that plan. Brewer is younger, doesn't cost as much and has yet to reach his prime.

AJ: Keep Iguodala, not Brewer. The reverse seems more likely, but Iguodala is the heart of the Nuggets' defense, which tremendously improved after adding him last year. They have depth, so Brewer isn't needed. Iguodala keeps this team relevant.

PG Brandon Jennings and SG Monta Ellis, Milwaukee Bucks

SH: Let them go. The Bucks' ceiling is the No. 8 seed, single-round fate they met this season. Jennings is the safer bet, but he's sure to command a big contract. Using that money to lock up Larry Sanders long-term is more important.

AJ: Keep Jennings, not Ellis. These two undersized gunners shouldn't have been in the same backcourt. But Jennings still has great upside and is the face of the franchise for now. He's worth more to Milwaukee than anyone else.

C Al Jefferson and PF Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz

SH: Let them go. The Jazz have two promising young bigs in Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors and landed a third, Rudy Gobert, in the draft. Jefferson and Millsap will cost too much and require too many minutes to let them develop properly.

AJ: Keep Millsap, not Jefferson. Gobert is years away from contributing. Millsap would be ideal to play in a three-big rotation with Kanter and Favors. He'll be cheaper than Jefferson and provide great energy as a starter or reserve.

SG J.R. Smith, New York Knicks

SH: Keep him, at a discount. The Bucks and other teams are showing interest, and they have more money to offer than the Knicks do. But if he's willing to stay for cheap, he's worth keeping around.

AJ: Let him go. Smith had the best season of his career, but he's not likely to stay out of trouble and shoot consistently again. Draft pick Tim Hardaway Jr. can fill his role while the Knicks look for interior help.

PF Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

SH: Let him go. Smith has made it clear he wants a max contract, and the Hawks are one year removed from getting rid of Joe Johnson's boondoggle of a deal. Using Smith's money to go after a wing defender like Iguodala or Tony Allen makes more sense.

AJ: Let him go. Smith is an Atlanta native who has spent his entire career with the team. But he's not worth the max contract he wants. If someone else is going to give it to him, let them. The Hawks can rebuild more efficiently without him.

SF Andrei Kirilenko, Minnesota Timberwolves

SH: Keep him. Injuries kept the T'wolves from playoff contention last year. Kirilenko was one of their most solid players at both ends and one of the few veterans on the team. If they're looking to contend this year, it's absolutely worth bringing him back.

AJ: Keep him. Kirilenko was rejuvenated by a year back in Russia, where he played with T'wolves guard Alexey Shved. He fits the team and provides important leadership.

SG O.J. Mayo, Dallas Mavericks

SH: Keep him. If the Mavericks miss out on Howard, they'll have no dependable scoring threats outside of Dirk Nowitzki. Mayo played well enough last season to earn a raise.

AJ: Keep him, at a reasonable price. Mayo's hot start to last season had the look of a player knowing it's a contract season. He cooled off when Nowitzki returned. He's valuable, but a generic scoring guard isn't hard to find.

SG Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies

SH: Keep him. Allen is one of the best wing defenders in the league, and he fits well if the current core stays in tact. If they decide to rebuild in the next few years, his reputation as a defender will make him easy to move.

AJ: Let him go. The Grizzlies have so many great defenders, and Allen's offensive ineptness really hurt them in the Western Conference finals. Finding someone who can score and defend, even if not on Allen's level, should be a priority.

C Nikola Pekovic, Minnesota Timberwolves

SH: Keep him. The T'wolves need to convince Kevin Love that they're committed to building a winner, and part of that is paying up to keep their starting center in the fold.

AJ: Keep him. Pekovic may be the most underrated player in the NBA. He's not worth a maximum contract, but he's worth matching what other teams can offer.

PG Nate Robinson, Chicago Bulls

SH: Keep him, depending on the deal. Robinson's play in the postseason should earn him a raise in dollars, but giving him a multiyear guaranteed deal is a huge risk.

AJ: Let him go. The Bulls needed Robinson last year with Derrick Rose out, but they would be wise to find more sustainable bench help than a 29-year-old, 5-9 gunner whose value has never been higher.

PHOTOS: Top 20 free agents available this offseason

Neither Brandon Jennings nor J.J. Redick knows which direction to head right now. The 2013 NBA free agent period features plenty of questions, including several around the Bucks. USA TODAY Sports' Sean Highkin ranks the top 20 players available. Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports

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Wimbledon: It will be different; it still can be super

WIMBLEDON, England — The best ticket in tennis has a different look.

Wimbledon, the only Grand Slam tournament to schedule the entire men's and women's fourth round on a single day — so-called Super Monday — will feature plenty of unknowns for the first time in years.

WIMBLEDON: What we learned in Week 1

With Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova sent packing in a wacky, upset-filled first week, fans will get a closer look at some exotic names.

Dotting the lawns are participants such as Kenny de Schepper, Adrian Mannarino, Ivan Dodig, Karin Knapp and Monica Puig.

WHO ARE THEY? Get to know these lesser names

But a familiar cast of characters such as Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Serena Williams remain in contention, meaning there is no dearth of star quality. None of that threesome has dropped a set, suggesting longer stays in London.

A scalper's paradise? Perhaps not. But fresh faces have their perks.

"It is a surprise, there's no question about it," said top-seeded Djokovic, who faces 35-year-old Tommy Haas of Germany. "It's a bit strange feeling not to have Federer or Nadal at the second week of a major. In the last 10 years, it was always one of them. But it's the way it is. There's some players who have been playing great tennis. I think it's interesting also to see new faces for the crowd, for tennis world in general."

The upset-laden first week equaled the fewest men's and women's top-10 seeds to reach the third round. Only 10 (six men and four women) survived, tying the 1996 Wimbledon and 1998 French Open.

In the bottom half of the men's draw — dubbed the Group of Death before the carnage of the first week — you will find these eight names: Lukasz Kubot, Adrian Mannarino, Jerzy Janowicz, Jurgen Melzer, Fernando Verdasco, Kenny De Schepper, Mikhail Youzhny, Andy Murray. Some of those names have a ring of familiarity, but if you told us beforehand that these would be the eight into the Round of 16 from this half, we would have suggested therapy. One of these four — Kubot, Mannarino, Janowicz, Melzer — will be in the semifinals

Five of the remaining 16 men are making their fourth-round Wimbledon debuts; only one in that group has ever been that far elsewhere. Six never have reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal: de Schepper, Dodig, Janowicz, Lukasz Kubot, Mannarino and Andreas Seppi. Perhaps not coincidentally, each of those relatively unknown half-dozen players benefited from at least one of the record-tying 13 walkovers or mid-match retirements from injury or illness so far.

Four of the 16 women left are hoping to reach a major quarterfinal for the first time: Laura Robson, Knapp, Puig, and 20th-seeded Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium.

Singles isn't the only game in town, either.

Bob and Mike Bryan, the top-seeded Americans going for their fourth consecutive Grand Slam title, pointed out that the entire third round of doubles is on Monday's slate.

"There is a smorgasbord of action," said lefty Bob.

The top-seeded Bryans face the No. 16 seeds, Treat Huey of the Philippines and Dominic Inglot of Britain.

Plus, noted Mike, some of the names casual fans don't know are an opportunity.

"These names might be big five years from now," Mike, a righty, said. "They can look back and say, 'Oh, I saw Jerzy Janowicz when he wasn't that big a deal.'"

The unknowns, with career showings on the line, also promise potentially more theater.

"It's do or die," said Bob. You'll see the choky moments, the tears and the drama that sometimes you don't see with the big guys."

Williams, too, sees the positives in having some new names to watch.

"I feel like this is an opportunity to come learn the new players," she said. "I'm not going to be here forever."

GALLERY: WIMBLEDON DAY 6

Feliciano Lopez hits from his knees and returns a backhand shot to Tommy Haas. Susan Mullane USA TODAY Sports

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Kevin Martin puts Thunder in free agency pickle

The Oklahoma City Thunder are facing a fork in the road — again.

For all the well-deserved adulation heaped upon the San Antonio Spurs during their unexpected run to the NBA Finals, the Thunder's fall from Western Conference grace helped pave their way. Russell Westbrook went down with a devastating meniscus tear in his right knee in the second game of the playoffs, and the team that had already retooled by trading James Harden to the Houston Rockets in October had diminished firepower again en route to a second-round end against the Memphis Grizzlies.

And now, there's this: Their third-leading scorer and the unofficial replacement for Harden, shooting guard Kevin Martin, is a free agent who is seriously considering leaving town. Martin told USA TODAY Sports that he has an interest in returning to the Thunder, but it's clear he's looking around and well aware of how unlikely it is that they'll offer the sort of contract he's looking for. The list of teams who are known to have an interest in him is long and intriguing, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies.

FREE AGENCY: 10 toughest calls of offseason

DWIGHT: What center wants from free agency

TRADE: Knicks land former No. 1 pick in deal

The Thunder have a payroll that currently stands at about $67 million and will increase quickly if they delve too deep into the league's luxury tax, expected to be near the $72 million mark. Because Oklahoma City has Martin's Bird rights, the league rules stipulate that they can offer him a contract up to maximum salary. Yet as the situation with Harden showed, the Thunder have no plans to go the way of the Brooklyn Nets and wind up with one of the league's most expensive teams. The combination of those two factors means Martin likely will move on.

"I know they have tough decisions based on their salary cap and I have tough decisions because I'm 30 years old and I still feel like I'm ... the top shooting guard, actually starting shooting guard, in this free agency," Martin said by phone. "Both sides have positions, and I think we'll face them in the upcoming week and just see how the whole process plays out. As (Thunder general manager) Sam (Presti) told me, I deserve to be in this process."

Martin is among the top perimeter talents available as unrestricted free agents. Andre Iguodala (who plays shooting guard and small forward) went looking for long-term certainty by opting out of the final year of his contract with the Denver Nuggets that was worth $16 million, and the Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Mavericks and Pelicans, are among the most serious suitors for him. Former Bucks shooting guard Monta Ellis walked away from the final season on his contract (worth $11 million) with the hopes of joining a contender. And O.J. Mayo is drawing plenty of interest after his productive season in Dallas, with the Utah Jazz, Bucks, Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, Blazers, Charlotte Bobcats and Chicago Bulls interested. The Grizzlies are expected to make re-signing shooting guard Tony Allen a priority, and other shooting guard free agents include J.R. Smith of the New York Knicks and Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs.

For many accomplished veterans, true free agency doesn't arrive until deep into a career. A player's rookie contract, including two seasons of team options, lasts four years. But players typically become restricted free agents thereafter, meaning the incumbent team has significant advantages in terms of signing said player to another deal. For Martin, that means he's enjoying this rare chance to survey the league's landscape and find the right fit for his services.

"The first nine years of my career, and I'm just now being able to really feel out the league and how teams work and things like that," said Martin, who signed a five-year deal worth $55 million with the Sacramento Kings and later played parts of three seasons in Houston after he was traded. "Also, (the Thunder) deserve to be in this situation as a championship-caliber team, to see all their options and what can work outside of Kevin and Russ as another scorer. But myself, I feel like there was nobody else better in the league who could have been more efficient playing that role with Kevin and Russ. I actually enjoyed it, and I'm always open to an opportunity to return there."

PHOTOS: Top 20 free agents available

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While Martin and Harden are very different players, Martin was a good fit with Kevin Durant, Westbrook and the Thunder. Their offense was even more potent with Martin than with his predecessor, and the team-wide defense improved by a small margin. The Thunder finished the regular season at 60-22 and with a higher winning percentage than the prior campaign (.732 compared to .712).

Yet the longer Martin talked in the interview, the more it became apparent that he wants to be a starter again. He was a starter from midway through his second season in Sacramento until he came to Oklahoma City, and averaged 23.6 points per game while with the Rockets in the 2010-11 campaign.

"You're definitely reading me right in the sense that, if things don't work out with OKC, then I think there's no other option than me being back in a starting shooting (guard) role," he said. "I feel like as a two-guard, I didn't even show it this year (because of) playing with Kevin and Russ — which I enjoyed — but I can still wake up and score 20, 21 (points per game) in my sleep.

"I'm working this summer like I've always worked in the past, being that No. 1 guy. So if it doesn't work out with OKC, I feel like there's no other (team where he wouldn't start), unless I went to a Miami with D-Wade or the Lakers behind Kobe…I'm only 30, still in the middle of my prime."

Martin met with Presti recently to discuss his situation, and said both sides remain open to the possibility of his unlikely return.

"He told me that he would definitely love to have me back, and I think he realizes that I accepted that role after being a starter the last seven years in the league and being able to swallow that pride and play with Kevin and Russ as the third guy," he said. "He definitely appreciated what I gave up, and how I adapted to their culture.

"It was definitely a positive experience and a positive meeting with Sam. But this is the NBA, and especially with the new CBA, everybody has tough decisions to make, and there will be no hard feelings at the end of the day. But I think we all (understand) what will make each other happy."

PHOTOS: Reviewing the Harden-Martin trade

James Harden was a key piece of the Thunder's NBA Finals run last season, but he was traded Saturday to the Rockets. Harden, 22, is a versatile shooting guard who averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game as the NBA's sixth man of the year last season. See who joins him in Houston and who is headed to Oklahoma City in this gallery. Brendan Maloney, US Presswire

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Houston Rockets cut Carlos Delfino, Aaron Brooks

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Rockets waived shooting guard Carlos Delfino and point guard Aaron Brooks, who both had team options for next season, to free up salary cap space.

Delfino averaged 10.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 67 games last season. It was his first year with the Rockets after spending three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks.

NBA DRAFT GRADES: How'd the Rockets do?

KIRILENKO: Russian star opts for free agency

Brooks played in just seven games for Houston last season when the Rockets signed him after he was released by the Sacramento Kings. It was his second stint with the team after playing for Houston from 2007-2011.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted Sunday to address the move, thanking both players for their time in Houston.

Kobe Bryant on recovery: 'I can walk without a limp'

Kobe Bryant can stand on his toes, which isn't quite the same as dunking a basketball but does mean the surgically repaired Achilles tendon in his left foot is improving.

The Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard has been working one-on-one with team physical therapist Judy Seto and told Lakers.com that the progress has been good.

"It's feeling really strong; I can walk without a limp," Bryant said. "I can go up the stairs and just stand on my toe, which shows a lot of strength in the tendon."

FREE AGENTS: The top 20 available players

DWIGHT: What center wants in free agency

The Lakers' roster is still taking form, with Dwight Howard's free agency overshadowing Bryant's recovery lately as the top story out of Los Angeles. But Bryant was the team's best player last season, when he averaged 27.3 points, 6.0 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals a game as a 34-year-old.

He's battled through a littany of injuries in his NBA career and says he'll continue to rely on his skills to overcome diminished athleticism as he heals and ages.

"You just adjust," Bryant said. "I don't think it's reinventing the wheel or anything like that. If you have to play a slower game, you play a slower game. If you have to post up more, you post up more. If the explosiveness and speed is there, then it's there and you use it in moderation."

LAKERS: Getting creepy in Dwight pursuit

DRAFT GRADES: How did the Lakers fare?

He still expects to be back in the lineup by early December, at the latest. And when he's back, there won't be any hesitation or coddling requried.

"That's one thing that you can really count on as long as I'm here," Bryant said. "I'll be out there ready to go, playing at a high level."

PHOTOS: Everything to go wrong for the 2012-13 Lakers

It's over. The 2012-13 Lakers scrapped to make the playoffs, but were swept when they got there by the Spurs. Here's a look at everything that went wrong for them throughout the season. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

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The 10 most difficult NBA free agency decisions

DWIGHT: What center wants from free agency

DRAFT GRADES: Eastern Conference teams

DRAFT GRADES: Western Conference teams

Some NBA free agency decisions are easy. USA TODAY Sports' Sean Highkin and Adi Joseph break down 10 complicated situations:

SG Andre Iguodala and SG Corey Brewer, Denver Nuggets

PG Brandon Jennings and SG Monta Ellis, Milwaukee Bucks

C Al Jefferson and PF Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz

SG J.R. Smith, New York Knicks

SH: Keep him, at a discount. The Bucks and other teams are showing interest, and they have more money to offer than the Knicks do. But if he's willing to stay for cheap, he's worth keeping around.

PF Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

SF Andrei Kirilenko, Minnesota Timberwolves

AJ: Keep him. Kirilenko was rejuvenated by a year back in Russia, where he played with T'wolves guard Alexey Shved. He fits the team and provides important leadership.

SG O.J. Mayo, Dallas Mavericks

SH: Keep him. If the Mavericks miss out on Howard, they'll have no dependable scoring threats outside of Dirk Nowitzki. Mayo played well enough last season to earn a raise.

SG Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies

C Nikola Pekovic, Minnesota Timberwolves

SH: Keep him. The T'wolves need to convince Kevin Love that they're committed to building a winner, and part of that is paying up to keep their starting center in the fold.

AJ: Keep him. Pekovic may be the most underrated player in the NBA. He's not worth a maximum contract, but he's worth matching what other teams can offer.

PG Nate Robinson, Chicago Bulls

SH: Keep him, depending on the deal. Robinson's play in the postseason should earn him a raise in dollars, but giving him a multiyear guaranteed deal is a huge risk.

AJ: Let him go. The Bulls needed Robinson last year with Derrick Rose out, but they would be wise to find more sustainable bench help than a 29-year-old, 5-9 gunner whose value has never been higher.

PHOTOS: Top 20 free agents available this offseason

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