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As for the Nets deal -- Pierce for Mehmet Okur and a lottery pick -- Marshall said it was a proposal pushed by the Celtics but rejected by New Jersey. "On the other side, the GM for the New Jersey Nets, from what I was told, said, 'I can't take Paul Pierce in this deal,' " said Marshall. "That deal -- at least from the people I talked to with the Nets organization -- [was] a move from our side, from the Celtics side, that kind of was pushing that movement along to get Paul Pierce there . . . " But Marshall said the notion of acquiring a Celtics legend made the Nets uneasy, and they backed off. CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Paul Pierce, Trade, Mehmet Okur, Donny Marshall 

Okur occasionally called me by name, which was a rarity among recent Jazz players. I wasn't there with the team on the road, except during playoffs, and wasn't even there for every home game, either. As a columnist, I was just a random face. He could have treated me like one of the potted plants. Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Mehmet Okur 

But that wasn't his style. Former Deseret News writer Tim Buckley ran into Okur on the street one year when the Jazz were playing in New York. Okur was going to lunch with his wife. He greeted Buckley like a friend and invited him to join them. A player dining with a sports writer is like a cheer captain hanging out with the kid that has cooties. Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Mehmet Okur 

Bill Oram: Enes Kanter heard this morning about Mehmet Okur's retirement from basketball. "I was a Utah Jazz fan, just because of him," Kanter said. Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Mehmet Okur, Enes Kanter 

Mehmet Okur has announced his retirement from basketball at age 33. NTV Spor

Mehmet Okur 

"I want to thank my family, my coaches, my teammates, the officials who have contributed to my career. And then I want to say Thanks to the fans who always supported me" said Okur to NTVSpor. Sportando

Mehmet Okur 

He remains optimistic and views Leandro Barbosa‘s late signing with the Boston Celtics and Eddy Curry signing with Dallas just days before the start of the season as hope that he’ll, too, soon find a new home. “Ultimately, I have to stay ready, which I am, as far as in the gym, and stay positive,” Howard said. “I don’t think my career’s over.” Other notable players still looking for a team: Guards: Derek Fisher, Gilbert Arenas (in talks with Chinese team), Baron Davis, Earl Boykins, Mickael Pietrus, Michael Redd, Maurice Evans, Jason Kapono. Forwards/Centers: Kenyon Martin, Shawne Williams, Quentin Richardson, Bobby Simmons, Bill Walker, Jamario Moon, Renaldo Balkman, Ryan Gomes, Troy Murphy, Josh Powell, Derrick Caracter, Ben Wallace, Greg Oden, Sean Williams, Tony Battie, Mehmet Okur. NBA.com

Free Agency, Michael Redd, Derek Fisher, Gilbert Arenas, Troy Murphy, Kenyon Martin, Mickael Pietrus, Derrick Caracter, Bill Walker, Ryan Gomes, Josh Powell, Shawne Williams, Josh Howard, Ben Wallace, Sean Williams, Leandro Barbosa, Jamario Moon, Mehmet Okur, Quentin Richardson, Jason Kapono, Tony Battie, Baron Davis, Greg Oden, Earl Boykins, Renaldo Balkman, Bobby Simmons, Maurice Evans 

Darren Wolfson: Hearing for now, yes. Maybe that changes late next week. RT @turkishbball Mehmet Okur still wants more than vet. minimum? @DarrenWolfson Twitter

Free Agency, Mehmet Okur 

The Heat concluded a several-day audition of former Kings center Hassan Whiteside and will decide whether to sign him, Josh Harrellson or neither. So far, Miami passed on auditioning former Nuggets center Chris “Birdman” Andersen, who would love to play here, or older veterans such as Mehmet Okur. Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Free Agency, Hassan Whiteside, Mehmet Okur, Chris Andersen, Josh Harrellson 

Real Madrid lost interest in Mehmer Okur when he asked for 3 million euros (around $3.8 million) per year. TuBasket.com

Free Agency, Real Madrid, Mehmet Okur, Spain 

Paco Rabadan: Real Madrid has inquired about Okur. They hung up the phone when told about the money (he was asking for). Twitter

Free Agency, Real Madrid, Mehmet Okur 

According to Turkish newspaper AMK, TBL side Galatasaray Medical Park is interested in signing Mehmet Okur. Veteran big man has not been able to find a club in NBA yet and Galatasaray Medical Park, who were quite active in the transfer market this year is getting ready to make a move for Okur. Minnesota Timberwolves was rumoured to be negotiating with Mehmet Okur but they were not able to reach an agreement as he is not willing to play for veteran’s minimum. TrendBasket

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Mehmet Okur, Turkey, Galatasaray 

Darren Wolfson: Okur is still on the #Twolves radar. But unless he changes his mind & will take the vet minimum, or Kahn makes a trade, not likely he comes. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Mehmet Okur 

Mehmet Okur, perhaps the best available center, is seeking more than the minimum. A source close to him said the Wolves are a "long shot" to secure his services. ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Anthony Tolliver, Mehmet Okur 

The Wolves are still maintaining dialogue with free agent Anthony Tolliver. Like Okur, the strong belief is he won't settle for the minimum. The Wolves have told him to be patient as they possibly attempt to make a trade to create more space under the salary cap. ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Anthony Tolliver, Mehmet Okur 

Darren Wolfson: Against the cap, the #Twolves big man options are limited. But they're kicking around the Okur idea. Tough w/ just the vet minimum to offer. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Mehmet Okur 

Brian T. Smith: Ex-#UtahJazz center Mehmet Okur at 95-percent health and wants to continue #NBA career. No signing imminent, but could ink deal with a team after the season starts. Understands he's a big who can drill 3s, and there's always a need for that in playoffs. Twitter

Free Agency, Mehmet Okur 

The Jazz could take on the Williams’ $8.5 million salary and not have to send a player to the Mavericks, which was their preference, because the Jazz instead will send the trade exception it got from trading Mehmet Okur to the New Jersey Nets last season. The trade exception is worth at least $8.5 million. Los Angeles Times

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, Trade, Maurice Williams, Lamar Odom, Mehmet Okur 

Emiliano Carchia: According to Turkish media, Mehmet Okur might return to Turkey and sign with Fenerbahce Ulker Twitter

Free Agency, Mehmet Okur, Turkey, Fenerbahce Ulker 

The bad back, though, hasn't stopped various playoff teams from calling Okur during the past month. Word reached us this week that both Chicago and Boston, according to sources close to the process, are among the teams that have been holding out hope that the 2007 All-Star could be signed in time to play in the playoffs, only to finally concede that Okur needs more time to heal. The 32-year-old from Turkey will be a free agent in July and intends to come back next season. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Mehmet Okur