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NBA free-agency news roundup: Marcus Camby narrows choices to 3, Mavericks making minor moves
Camby has become a free agent after clearing waivers, and will reportedly decide between the Heat, Rockets and Bulls. Meanwhile, the Mavs waived Josh Akognon and intend to bring back Bernard James, who they recently waived in order to make room for Monta Ellis.
Veteran big man Marcus Camby is officially a free agent after clearing waivers on Sunday, and he has reportedly narrowed his choices down to the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls, according to Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Camby, 39, was, to his preference, just bought out by the Toronto Raptors after being traded from the New York Knicks in the Andrea Bargnani deal. He played in just 24 games last season due to foot problems, averaging only 1.8 points and 3.3 rebounds.
Camby is expected to make his decision in the next few days. The Heat tried to sign Camby last season, but the Knicks were able to offer more money. Miami could use some more help in the frontcourt despite already re-signing Chris Andersen.
The Bulls are looking for some center depth behind Joakim Noah, as Nazr Mohammed is currently the team’s only other player at the position. The Rockets have Dwight Howard and Omer Asik in place at center, but Asik could still possibly be dealt and the Rockets could be sensible with Camby making his home in the Houston area.
Mavs waive Akognon, intend to re-sign James
The Dallas Mavericks were forced to waive Bernard James over the weekend to help fit Monta Ellis‘ new contract under the salary cap, and they had to do the same thing with Josh Akognon on Sunday.
Akognon led the Mavs’ Summer League team in scoring, and Dallas would like to bring him back if he clears waivers.
Speaking of James, he has officially cleared waivers, which leaves him free to go back to the Mavs at the minimum. ESPN’s Marc Stein says that Dallas fully intends to bring back the 28-year-old, who would probably see a bigger role than last season.
Kirk Henderson at Mavs Moneyball is pleasantly surprised that James will likely be back:
This was a risky gamble for Dallas because James is a functional big man capable of playing 10-15 minutes a game. He blocks shots, he rebounds, and generally plays hard. There’s really not more you can ask out of a minimum salary player. I’m very surprised an under the cap team didn’t pick him up.
Oden scheduling more meetings?
Free-agent center Greg Oden may meet with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings this week, according to NBA.com’s David Aldridge. The Heat, Mavs and San Antonio Spurs have already met with Oden.
The Pelicans reportedly have been mulling an offer for Oden worth about $6 million over two years. The Heat could make a similar offer, but it’s unclear whether they are willing to make that type of financial commitment to the oft-injured Oden, who hasn’t played a game in the NBA since 2009.
Splitter considered signing elsewhere, but happy in San Antonio
Tiago Splitter admitted that he strongly considered signing an offer sheet elsewhere before re-signing with the San Antonio Spurs for four years and $36 million, according to Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News:
“You feel good that some teams want you, and sometimes you even feel like you’d like to try something new,” Splitter said. “You have that doubt behind your ears.”
The Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers discussed offer sheets with Splitter, but ultimately, the big man was drawn back to the Spurs because of the level of prosperity the team has had in recent years:
“When you have such a successful team, you’ve got to keep what’s working,” Splitter said. “We didn’t win a ring last year, but we were very close, and we went the year before to the West finals. You don’t want to change it.”
Splitter averaged 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in an increased role during 81 games last season.
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