Player Movement Thread (Was Free Agency Thread)

[Skates]

Sims sounds like a training camp/practice body that hapens to be 6'11".  We have to do better than that or we might as well not sign anyone at all.

[Sub]

"Courtney is affectionately known as C. Sims or C. Smooth, as he likes to call himself."

Eesh. I wonder where they found this guy.

[tk76-]

From Fagan in the Inquirer:

76ers' Signings On the Dotted Line

76ers general manager Ed Stefanski has had a busy off-season, signing or agreeing to contracts with six players.

Restricted Free Agents
Andre Iguodala, six years, $80 million (not signed yet).

Lou Williams, five years, $25 million.

Unrestricted Free Agents
Elton Brand, five years, $82 million.

Kareem Rush, minimum-level contract (six years), $998,398 this season.

Royal Ivey, minimum-level contract (four years), $854,957 this season.

What's this about 6 and 4 year deals for Rush and Ivey?  Doesn't make any sense- particularly for the players.

She also dropped this surprising note:

With the terms agreed upon, the only remaining speculation is the possibility of a sign-and-trade deal, where Iguodala is dealt once he's under contract. One source close to Iguodala said he believes the Sixers intend to retain Iguodala and not ship him, and his hefty new contract, to another NBA city.

Discuss...

[Skates]

The S&T issue is her being an idiot.  The four and six year items are actually astute.  Ivey and Rush are receiving the minimum salary for a four and six year NBA player respectively, not four and six year contracts.

[Derek Bodner]

What's this about 6 and 4 year deals for Rush and Ivey?  Doesn't make any sense- particularly for the players.

The amount of a minimum contract is based on how many years in the league players have.  The six year/four year is their experience in the league, not that they've signed a minimum contract for 6 years.

[tk76-]

Thanks- brain cramp on my part.

[anklebreaker]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/53993/20080814/ratliff_interested_in_joining_the_sixers/

Anyone see this?  Ratliff wants to join the party?

[tk76-]

Theo! (LB style)

Sounds like a solid addition.

[Sub]

Sims was on the Hornets Summer League team, averaging 4.5 & 2 in four games. Looks like he also had some big games in the D-League.
http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/gamelogs.jsp?player=courtney_sims

[Skates]

Shaquile O'Neal's wife is off the free agent market as she and the big guy have reconciled.  Slow news day.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/26204495/

[Derek Bodner]

Shaq probably realized how much he was set to lose in child support and wised up

[carolina blue]

Theo!

[jemagee]

Shaq probably realized how much he was set to lose in child support and wised up

Or, you know, that if he got a divorce it was more likely he'd get outted.

[Skates]

Lou A signs with Phoenix, talks about his game changing athleticism:

The Suns never were mistaken as the toughest team but this summer's moves aim to at least create a bench with an edge.

The Suns continued a toughening theme Thursday, signing 25-year-old power forward Louis Amundson to bring energy and defense to the bench.

Amundson, who is 6 feet 9 and 225 pounds, is fully guaranteed for 2008-09 on a minimum deal worth $711,517. The Suns hold a team option to bring him back for 2009-10.
"I'm a high-energy, athletic player who can run the floor," Amundson said after working out Thursday with new teammates Boris Diaw and D.J. Strawberry. "I take pride in my defense. I like to get in there and change the game with my athleticism."

Ahhh, remember the good old days when the team would be down by 25 and Lou would enter the game to make sure we didn't lose by more than 23.  A definite game changer.  The article also highlights their signing of Matt Barnes and Lou A as further examples of how the Suns are getting tougher (and suckier, although they skip that part) and tougher.

[Sub]

Barnes will fit there. Lou will sit on the end of the bench.