After the Phoenix Suns signed Michael Redd today, and the New York Knicks snagged Jeremy Lin off the waiver wire from the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, a number of NBA free agents probably woke up and asked themselves, “what about me?”
Here’s the latest players-for-hire around league and some teams they’ve been associated with lately on the open market in the NBA:
Andrei Kirilenko – There’s been no deal with the New Jersey Nets to this point, although the two sides have been in discussions. Until then, Kirilenko remains in Russia going through non-contact workouts with CSKA Moscow. Will the Sacramento Kings look to get involved again?
(Update: Sorry New Jersey. AK announced on Dec. 31 he will remain with CSKA for the remainder of the season.)
Gilbert Arenas – Will Arenas ever regain his form that made him an All-Star in Washington? It’s still a mystery if front offices around the league are cautious of his shady past or bloated asking price for someone who averaged 8 points per game last season in Orlando.
Michael Finley – Don’t count the 6-foot-7 veteran guard out just yet. Finley told HoopsHype that he still has some game left, despite last playing in the NBA with Boston during the 2009-10 season. He’s averaged 15.7 points and 4.4 rebounds during his 14-year career and says his ankle — which caused him trouble in Boston — feels fine. Finley also considering D-League and overseas options.
James Posey – Being a two-time NBA champion doesn’t exactly guarantee you work around the league. But his veteran leadership sure could do wonders in plenty of young locker rooms. Posey had been linked to the New York Knicks until the signings of Steve Novak and Baron Davis.
Earl Barron – The last roster cut for the Portland Trail Blazers, the NBA journeyman still can boast he won a title with the Miami Heat (’06) while he looks for work.
Ike Diogu – A 6-foot-9 power forward/center who has played for six teams in six years, is a big body who isn’t afraid to do the dirty work in the post. After playing for Golden State, Indiana, Portland, Sacramento, and New Orleans, Diogu played last season for the Los Angeles Clippers where he appeared in 36 games. He averaged 5.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
(Update: Diogu has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs, a source tells Sam Amick of SI.com.)
Acie Law – Add one more point guard to the free agency mix. Law parted ways with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia and is believed to be seeking an NBA deal. A first round draft pick by the Atlanta Hawks in 2007, Law also spent time with Chicago, Golden State, Charlotte, and Memphis in a four year stretch. After splitting time between the Warriors and Grizzlies last season, he signed to play in Serbia in July. He averaged 12.7 points, 3.4 assists per game in the Euroleague, and 9.8 points in the Adriatic League.
Solomon Jones – Jones is a 6-foot-10 power forward/center who spent last season with the Indiana Pacers and played in 39 games averaging 3.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.5 minutes.
(Update: The Los Angeles Clippers signed Jones to a non-guaranteed contract Monday reports the Los Angeles Times, after he went through a workout with D.J. Mbenga, Hilton Armstrong, and Dan Gadzuric)
Garrett Siler – The Phoenix Suns waived the 6-foot-11 center who appeared in 21 games and averaged 2.1 points per game for the Suns last season.
Earl Boykins – The diminutive point guard spent last season with Milwaukee and averaged 7.2 points and 2.5 assists per game. Multiple reports out of Greece indicate Olympiakos is interested in Boykins and center DJ Mbenga. No deal has been reached as of yet.
Dan Gadzuric – After splitting last season between Golden State and New Jersey, the 6-foot-11 center spent the lockout playing for the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association. Recently worked out with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kyrylo Fesenko – Fesenko and the Golden State Warriors agreed to a one-year contract on Tuesday only to have the team un-wind the deal by saying they were going in a different direction on Friday. Watch for the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings to get back in the mix for the 7-footer.
Jamario Moon – Moon along with fellow free agent Bostjan Nachbar worked out for the Charlotte Bobcats on Christmas Eve. While word is he had a solid workout with the Bobcats, Moon still hasn’t landed a gig.
Eddie House – House became expendable as the Miami Heat decided to offer roster spots to Eddy Curry, Mickell Gladness and Terrel Harris instead. A “volume shooter”, House isn’t afraid to take a big shot – and keep taking them.
Joel Przybilla – Veteran center split time between Portland and Charlotte last season and is home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin contemplating retirement — until the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers or even hometown Bucks come calling. All four teams are reportedly interested in Przybilla.
Ime Udoka – Another former Blazer, Udoka was in training camp with the New Jersey Nets before the start of the season and worked out with the Phoenix Suns just this week (along with Michael Redd and undrafted rookie Gilbert Brown). Known for his strong defense, Udoka also holds championship experience from his time with the San Antonio Spurs.
(Update – Udoka has signed to play the rest of the season with UCAM Murcia in the ACB Spanish League)
Yi Jianlian – A 6-foot-10 power forward and center who isn’t afraid to step out of the post to look for his shot, Jianlian returned to the Chinese Basketball Association during the NBA lockout and averaged 16.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in three games for Guangdong.
(Update: Yi and the Dallas Mavericks agreed to a one-year deal, and will start the season in the D-League with the Texas Legends)
Leon Powe – Can Powe catch a break? After tearing his ACL and meniscus during the 2008-09 season with Boston, the 6-foot-8 power forward bounced from Cleveland to Memphis last season and continues to look for a place to call home.
D.J. Mbenga – The 7-foot center who won 2 NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers played for the New Orleans Hornets last season and spent the summer competing with the Belgium National team at EuroBasket 2011. Went through a workout with the Los Angeles Clippers but remains unsigned. Reports from Greece suggest Olympiakos is interested in signing both Mbenga and veteran point guard Earl Boykins. A deal has not be agreed upon however.
Nate Robinson – Last cut by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Robinson said he’s matured since his days with the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, but are GM’s around the league buying what he is selling? Apparently the Golden State Warriors are. Contra Costa Times Warriors beat writer Marcus Thompson reports Robinson could sign as soon as Wednesday and join the team Friday in Los Angeles.
(Update – The Warriors finally made the signing of Robinson official on Jan. 4th)
Patrick Ewing Jr. – No sooner does Ewing get to the league with New Orleans after spending time in the D-League the past two seasons and the NBA lockout prelongs his offseason. No sooner does the lockout lift and Ewing start training camp, only to be waived by the Hornets. Now instead of returning to the team on a smaller contract, the 6-foot-8 forward has decided to wait for a better offer. Will it come this season?
Keith Bogans – After Bogans was waived by Chicago, speculation swirled that he’d land with the Los Angeles Clippers but the seven-year pro is still on the open market.
Erick Dampier – A 14-year NBA veteran, Dampier last played for the Miami Heat before gong un-signed this season. He tweeted on Christmas that he’d love another run at an NBA championship, but he may be growing closer to retirement.
Francisco Elson – Elson has been around the block a time or two in the NBA, and the veteran center who played spot minutes for Utah last season – and won an NBA championship with San Antonio in 2007 – is waiting for another go around.
Al Thornton – Dealt from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Washington Wizards, and then having his contract bought-out and signing with the Golden State Warriors last season, the 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 11.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game over his five-year career.
Charlie Bell – Bell is making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately. Along with being waived by the Golden State Warriors, Bell failed a sobriety test in early December in Flint, Michigan at a court appearance. He had been in court for a druken driving arrest back in October. Clearly Bell’s overall health and off-court issues should come first. Maybe then he’ll be ready to get back in the game and contribute to a team.
(Update: According to Italy-based website SportandoBasket, Bell and Otto Caserta came to terms to play in Italy. Before heading to the NBA, Bell previously played thee years in Italy with Treviso, Virtus Bologna and Mabo Livorno.)
Brian Skinner – Recently waived by the Memphis Grizzlies, the 6-foot-9 Skinner appeared in one regular season game with the Grizzlies, playing four minutes on Dec. 26 at San Antonio. He’s averaged 4.7 points and 4.7 rebounds over his 14-year career between the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies.
Hamed Haddadi – With the release of Brian Skinner, the Memphis Grizzlies are expected to bring back Haddadi in a reserved role. The big man has been in Dubai trying to obtain a visa and is scheduled to arrive in Memphis in the coming days.
(Update: Grizzlies announced they’ve re-signed Haddadi on Dec. 31.)
