2013 NBA Player Options

Opted-In:

Jerryd Bayless, Memphis Grizzlies: $3.1 million

Boris Diaw, San Antonio Spurs: $4.7 million

Ray Allen, Miami Heat: $3.2 million


Opted-Out:

J.R Smith, New York Knicks: $2.8 million

Monta Ellis, Milwaukee Bucks: $11 million

Andrei Kirilenko, Minnesota Timberwolves: $10 million

2013 Knicks Offseason Player Moves

**Updated June 30, 2:35pm EST**

RETURNING: 

-Raymond Felton (2015, 2016 player option)

-Iman Shumpert (2014, 2015 team option)

-Carmelo Anthony (2015)

-Tyson Chandler (2015)

-Amare Stoudemire (2015)

-Steve Novak (2016)

-Marcus Camby (2015)


Additions:

-Tim Hardaway Jr. --> 24th pick in 2013 NBA Draft

Subtractions:

-Jason Kidd (retirement) --> Head Coach of Brooklyn Nets

-Rasheed Wallace (retired)

-Kurt Thomas (retired)

-James White (declined Team Option)

PENDING:

-J.R Smith (declined Player Option) --> Restricted Free Agent

-Chris Copeland (qualifying offer) --> Restricted Free Agent

-Pablo Prigioni (qualifying offer) --> Restricted Free Agent

-Kenyon Martin (signed mid-season) --> Unrestricted Free Agent

-Quentin Richardson (signed mid-season) --> Unrestricted Free Agent

-Earl Barron (signed mid-season) --> Unrestricted Free Agent

RUMORS:

-Shawne Williams

-Jerome Jordan

-C.J Leslie (undrafted Free Agent)

Bulls Explore Trade Of Luol Deng To Wizards For No. 3 Pick

"The most likely trade construction, if talks were to progress to the serious stage, would send Deng to the Wizards for the No. 3 pick and center Emeka Okafor, who would have to formally opt into his contract for next season ($14.5 million) this week for the trade to go through."

The Bulls have been flirting with the idea of trading Luol Deng and could be using this, along with speculation of talks with the Cavaliers, to gauge the trade value of this All-Star swingman. 

Via Marc Stein/ESPN

Welker or Amendola?

It was clear the Patriots were mentally ready to part ways with Wes Welker. They had 2 years to work out a new, long-term deal if they so desired. Additionally, they difference between New England's final offer and what Welker got from Denver is nothing more than a mere $2 million.

People say why would New England take Amendola for $6 million a year over Brady's friend and safety blanket, Mr. Wes Welker. The answer is a number. No, not receptions, yards, or touchdowns. A more important number: age. Danny Amendola is 5 years younger than Welker and is now under contract through the 2017 season. Let's break down the specifics of this complex contract New England agreed to with Amendola.

It's actually a 5 year deal for $28.5 million, with incentives worth $2.5 million based on his health. Which is how the $31 million figure surfaced. Amdendola will receive a $6 million signing bonus, earn a guaranteed base salary of $2 million in 2013 and $3 million in 2014 ($2 mill of which is guranteed). He then earns salaries of $4 million, $5 million, and $6 million per year in 2015, 2016, and 2017 respectively. So really, this deal is the same (in terms of guaranteed dollars) as the 2 year, $10 million deal they threw at Welker. Again, Amendola is 5 years younger than Welker and is now locked up to reasonable money for 3 more years than Welker would've been under contract. The similarities between these two guys are irrey, down to the university they played college ball at. Welker was relatively unknown until he landed in New England. Amendola is much more well-tauted and New England even protected themselves with a per game incentive to cover his injury risk.

NFL Free Agency 2013

Wes Welker (WR)- Denver Broncos (2 years, $12 million)

Danny Amendola (WR)- New England Patriots (5 year, $31 million)

Reggie Bush (RB)- Detroit Lions (4 years, $16 million)

Mike Wallace (WR)- Miami Dolphins (5 years, $60 million)

Shonn Greene (RB)- Tennessee Titans (3 years, $10 million)

Josh Cribbs (KR/WR)- Arizona Cardinals

Rashard Mendenhall (RB)- Arizona Cardinals

Glenn Dorsey (DT)- San Francisco 49ers

Dashon Goldon (S)- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5 years, $41.25 million)

Jared Cook (TE)- St. Louis Rams

Martellus Bennett (TE)- Chicago Bears (

Knicks vs. Magic Post-Game

What stands out most from this win is how Amar’e Stoudemire seems to have put any worry Knick fans had about him hurting team chemistry to rest. Stat was a perfect 7 of 7 from the field, continuing to show the 50k he paid Hakeem was well worth it. Amar’e also seems to be very accepting of his bench role and played agressive defense (2 blocks in 21 minutes). 

Stoudemire wasn’t the only Knick doing some scoring tonight. Of course there was Carmelo, who actually didn’t score his first points until well into the 1st quarter, set the record for most consecutive 20+ point games by a Knick (scoring exactly 20 tonight). Melo also contributed 7 boards and 5 assits, as he was consistently being doubled team. Felton added 15 points (3-6 from long range), most of which came in the first period when he had to step up for Carmelo. What impressed me how Felt remained a facilitator the rest of the game, racking up 9 assists. This was especially crucial with Kidd missing this game due to his lingering back injury. JR ended a poor shooting month with a surprisingly efficient night. He shot  50% from the field (although he only took 8 shots), hit both his 3’s, and showed his versatility by grabbing 5 boards and getting 4 dimes. 

The Knicks had six players score in double figures, and these last 2 may come as a shock: Pablo Prigioni and Tyson Chandler. For Tyson, I don’t know what’s more impressive: that he scored 21 points or that he did it while shooting over 90% from the field. If Chandler can do that even only a little bit more frequently (especially in the playoffs) then I have no idea how any team can stop this offense. Like Felton, Chandler stepped up in the 1st as Melo had yet to get hot. It was just lops and put backs for Tyson this game—we saw him aggressively post-up, as well as take a jump shot (although it was a miss).  

The final score may give off the impression that the Knicks coasted to a 16 point victory; but this game was dead even at halftime. In fact, for a while it looked like Jameer Nelson and J.J Redick were Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Orlando’s starting back court combined for 36 points on 14-for-20 shooting in the first half. Woodson, who was clearly furious at this, will be sure to sit Iman Shumpert down and let “rook” know how that kind of perimeter defense is simply unacceptable. 

The guy in our rotation who really has been struggling was Steve Novak. And those struggles continued for most of tonight’s game. Novak missed the first 4 threes he attempted and continued looking afraid on the court. Finally, as the Knicks were pulling away, the Knicks started looking to get Novak some open looks so he could regain some of that shooter’s confidence—and boy did it work. The funk (hopefully) is over as his last 3 attempts from long range were good. Novak had made just 1 three-pointer in the previous 4 games. 

Hopefully the strong second half performance is a sign of things to come. With no game tomorrow I’m sure the team will look to focus on perimeter defense and rest up some of their lingering injuries. After the day off, the Knicks have back-to-back home games Friday and Saturday, against Milwaukee and Sacramento respectively. 

Aside from hosting the Clippers on February 10th, the schedule looks relatively easy heading into the All-Star break. The Knicks better take care of business the next 14 days before some much needed time off.