It's been a busy free agent season with plenty of moves and shifts in balances of
powers. There will surely be more to come but a lot of the big names have either re-signed or are actively shopping the foreclosure listings for mansions in a new city.
We will now explore some of the key transactions through the myopic orange-colored lenses of a Suns blog.
Tue,
July 1Charlotte extends qualifying offers to Emeka Okafor and Ryan Hollins and picks up the 2008-09 option on Jermareo Davidson.
Houston picks up contract option for Steve Novak.
Memphis extends qualifying offer to Juan Carlos Navarro.
Portland signs Rudy Fernandez.
Miami signs Michael Beasley.
As seen from the Sun: When will Portland stop getting better? ....and its a real shame to lose RCN back to Spain. I don't recall a player of this caliber turning down the NBA in favor of playing in Europe. Times, they are a changin'
Wed,
July 2L.A. Clippers sign Eric Gordon.
Miami signs David Padgett and Jason Richards.
As seen from the Sun: This might be the high point of the Clipper's summer
Thu,
July 3Dallas signs Gerald Green.
Chicago names Del Harris, Bernie Bickerstaff and Bob Ociepka assistant coaches.
Orlando signs Courtney Lee.
As seen from the Sun: I guess with the Little General gone the Mav's are going all out high flying crazy. We had better watch out!
Fri,
July 4Oklahoma City signs Russell Westbrook and D.J. White.
As seen from the Sun: Oklahoma City? Where is that? And couldn't the commie bastards take the damn holiday off?
Mon,
July 7Charlotte names Herb Brown assistant coach.
Portland names Joe Prunty assistant coach.
As seen from the Sun: Assistant coaches don't get enough respect. Let's here it for these boys! Go Herb! Way to go Joe!
Tue,
July 8Charlotte signs D.J. Augustin and Alexis Ajinca.
New York signs Danilo Gallinari.
Milwaukee signs Joe Alexander.
Memphis signs O.J. Mayo and Darrell Arthur.
Sacramento signs Jason Thompson.
Toronto signs Hassan Adams to two-year contract.
As seen from the Sun: Toronto is looking like a real threat to the 5 seed in the east. The Wizards better get on the ball and fast...Hibachi!
Wed,
July 9 Miami signs Mario Chalmers.Portland signs Jerryd Bayless.
Milwaukee signs Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
Washington signs JaVale McGee.
New Orleans signs Chris Paul to a contract extension.
New York signs Chris Duhon.
Minnesota obtains Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth, a first-round pick and cash considerations from Philadelphia in exchange for a future conditional second-round draft pick.
Miami signs James Jones.
New Jersey signs Chris Douglas-Roberts.
Portland obtains Ike Diogu and the rights to Jerryd Bayless from Indiana in exchange for Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts, the rights to Brandon Rush and cash considerations.
Indiana obtains T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston and the rights to Roy Hibbert from Toronto in exchange for Jermaine O'Neal and the rights to Nathan Jawai.
Toronto re-signs Jose Calderon.
Dallas re-signs Jose Juan Barea and signs DeSagana Diop.
Sacramento re-signs Beno Udrih.
Memphis signs Marc Gasol.
Sacramento signs Sean Singletary and Patrick Ewing, Jr.
As seen from the Sun: Phew. Busy day! Where to start...
CP3 in NO 4evr. That's kind of cool.
Diop is back with his buddies in Dallas patrolling the middle and defending Dampier
Beno is off of tho marketo. To bado.
Gasol is back from LA in Memphis! Oh, its the other over-hyped Spaniard. Oh well.
5 yrs, $24m for James Jones? I think the Heat got burned
Thu,
July 10Houston signs Brent Barry.
NBA announces Sacramento's Brad Miller has been suspended for five games and JamesOn Curry has been suspended for one game.
Cleveland signs J.J. Hickson.
Golden State signs Corey Maggette and signs Ronny Turiaf to an offer sheet.
Los Angeles Clippers sign Baron Davis.
Orlando signs Mickael Pietrus.
Phoenix signs Robin Lopez.
Los Angeles Clippers renounce their rights to free agents Dan Dickau, Shaun Livingston, Boniface Ndong, Smush Parker and James Singleton.
Utah signs Kosta Koufos.
Washington signs Dee Brown to offer sheet.
As seen from the Sun:
Note to Bill Bidwell and the AZ Cardinals:
Draft 1st round pick. Sign first round pick. Get first round pick into camp on time. Play season. Go to playoffs. Rinse. Repeat.
The Beard goes to LA and Brand walks. I guess facial hair really isn't making a come back. Time to shave.
Fri,
July 11Dallas re-signs Antoine Wright and signs Keith McLeod and James Singleton.
New Jersey reaches agreements in principle with Eduardo Najera and Jarvis Hayes.
Milwaukee signs Andrew Bogut to multi-year contract extension.
Minnesota signs Kevin Love.
Toronto signs Nathan Jawai.
As seen from the Sun: At first I thought the Nets were hosed when they trade RJ for YI but now that they have Najera and Hayes they are a lock for the 8th seed.
Summary of the Western Conference Off Season Moves?
I was kind of scared when the Clippers got Davis and it looked like they were keeping Brand and were going to improve by dumping Maggette. But no. They Clipped up and instead its the 76'ers that are looking sharp and the Clips and Warriors are giving up their seats on the spring time bus to the Blazers and the Kings.
That's right, I am calling it now. The Kings will make the playoffs! Book it.
For a full recap see this handy page on nba.com.