Free Agent Article - A Nod (Dig) at CC.net?

<i>Lewis, Bibby top free-agent pool lacking in marquee names
By MICHAEL MURPHY
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

Today marks the start of the NBA's free-agent signing period, which usually is a frenetic time for teams trying to bid for the best available talent.

But with few big names on the market this year and even fewer teams under the salary cap, what had been a feeding frenzy will be more like a nibble here and a nibble there.

Only the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago are under the cap, and possibly Washington, but those teams are saving their cap space for next year's free-agent crop, which includes superstars Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, Alonzo Mourning and Jermaine O'Neal.

So names such as Jerome James, Walt Williams and Devean George just aren't enough to get the blood pumping for most NBA general managers.

The hottest name in this lukewarm pool of talent is former Elsik star Rashard Lewis, who is expected to re-sign with Seattle. But for how much? That remains to be seen.

Lewis and his agent Carl Poston want a maximum deal -- seven years worth $102 million. The Sonics, who have seven free agents to address, are reportedly reluctant to fork over that much, but under the terms of the league's collective bargaining agreement still can pay the sweet-shooting 6-10 small forward more than any other team.

<b>The Sonics also have indicated they won't participate in a sign-and-trade that would ship Lewis to another team -- such as the Rockets, as several Internet sites seem intent on reporting. </b>

The Rockets are assessing their free-agent crop, which includes Tierre Brown and Oscar Torres, both of whom have a chance to be re-signed, along with Williams, Dan Langhi and Kevin Willis, all of whom are most likely gone.

More important to the Rockets is the possibility of signing Steve Francis to a contract extension.

The 6-3 guard, who averaged 21.6 points, seven rebounds and 6.4 assists last season, is considered the cornerstone of the Rockets' rebuilding program and is eligible for a maximum extension of six years at a dollar amount that is to be determined because the league's cap figures have yet to be calculated. He will be eligible to earn 25 percent of next year's salary cap figure. It is expected the deal could approach $100 million.

Kenny Thomas, who broke through with a career year last season (14.1 points, 7.2 rebounds) also is eligible for an extension.

"We're looking forward to getting the process going," said Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson. "What's good about this year is that we're dealing with our guys, not like the last couple of years when we were trying to sign another team's free agents."

Thank goodness, considering the names floating around out there.

Mike Bibby, who helped the Kings almost dethrone the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, is the prize among a guard group that features Chauncey Billups (who will sign with Detroit) and Michael Redd, who looked like an All-Star every time he played the Rockets.

Among the forwards, Lewis heads a crop that includes George (who might jump from the Lakers and sign with New Jersey), Utah's Bryon Russell, Boston's Rodney Rodgers, Utah's Donyell Marshall (who is expected to re-sign with the Jazz), Washington's Popeye Jones and the Hornets' Lee Nailon.

The 7-1 James is joined by the Mavericks' Raef LaFrentz (who probably will be re-signed by Dallas), 7-3 Bruno Sundov (formerly with Indiana, but might sign with Boston), and Toronto's Keon Clark.

Another free agent is former Portland center Arvydas Sabonis, who retired before last season. The 7-3 Lithuanian was considering a comeback on a European team, but might sign with the Lakers, who are interested in a big body to back up Shaquille O'Neal.</i>

I know Clutch didn't write about it so it must be a stab at the BBS and other websites like, hmmmm, I dunno...hoopsworld???

 

I agree totally. I think this demonstrates two things:

1. There are some sites out there that throw **** against the wall just to see what sticks.
2. That frustrates journalists like Murphy.

It really just underscores how cool cc.net is and how tremendous a job Clutch does.