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» Sunday, May 19 2013

After the Bucks bowed out of of the playoffs to Miami, I asked current Heat and former Bucks guard Ray Allen which Bucks impressed him. He immediately cited Mike Dunleavy. Apparently, Dunleavy’s fine playoff showing after a quality regular-season performance has impressed some other NBA folks as well. I’m hearing several teams are keenly interested in signing the soon-to-be unrestricted free-agent. Racine Journal-Times

I also hear the Cavs are still considering 7-foot Greg Oden, the former Ohio State center who has not played in an NBA game since December 2009. He was the top pick in the 2007 draft, but he's played just 82 NBA games -- averaging 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds for Portland. The real problem is Oden having three microfracture knee surgeries. (Two such surgeries may have ended the career of Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore.) So Oden's a gamble, and a signal the Cavs are looking for a defensive center. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Whether Smith, 27, gets a chance to redeem himself in New York is uncertain. He is expected to opt out of the final year of his below-market value contract ($2.8 million per year) and test free agency this summer. The most the Knicks can offer the Jersey product is an “early Bird” exception starting at $4.9 million per year over four years, but there might be a team with more salary-cap room willing to pay Smith substantially more. “I want to retire a Knick. I don’t want to go anywhere else,” Smith said. “I love my teammates, I love my coaches. I was standing in the locker room looking at my jersey after the game and just knowing that I don’t want to be anywhere else except in the orange and blue. We’ll see.” New York Daily News

Kenyon Martin says he’d like to return to the Knicks but understands “that’s not up to me.” Martin was a good addition after being signed in February and eventually moved ahead of Stoudemire in the rotation. New York Daily News

Wilcox will be a free agent on July 1 and it's questionable whether I will return to the Celtics. "Now is definitely a good time for me because I've had a chance to play, get contact during the whole season," I said. "I did not play a lot of minutes and I'm feeling good right now. So I've got a lot of extra-time to just to prepare and work on my game. This time that I have off right now is a time for me to grind and get my game right." Wilcox said he wants to return to the Celtics. "I definitely think I can help this team," I said. "This year I really was not able to show a lot of stuff that I can do, injuries and different things like that. But I do think I can help this team or get to a situation where I can help. " Boston Globe

 

» Saturday, May 18 2013

The organization's biggest needs are a post player and a backup point guard. However, one could argue that McCollum could be a solid addition to a team planning to make offseason moves via trades and free agency. "I'm a fan of the Philadelphia 76ers," McCollum said. "So it will be interesting to see what happens." Philadelphia Inquirer

 

» Friday, May 17 2013

Chris Copeland's agent, John Spencer, told ESPNNewYork.com on Friday that the Knicks are planning to give the rookie forward a qualifying offer for next season. Spencer also said his client "really wants to return" to the team. "He loves the city, he's from Jersey and he wants to play as well," Spencer said. "There's no better bright lights where guys want to play other than New York, and he wants to try to find a way to stay in town." ESPN.com

Spencer confirmed that not only does Copeland want to "play and contribute" next season, but he also "wants to get paid." Spencer said Copeland believes he has earned his stripes playing overseas in five different countries and now proving with the Knicks that he belongs in the NBA. Per 36 minutes this season, Copeland averaged 20.3 points per game and shot 42.1 percent from 3-point range. ESPN.com

Spencer envisions Copeland's value to be in the $3.5 to $5 million range. Spencer compared his client to Steve Novak, who's in about the $4 million range, and said that because Copeland is more versatile offensively as a stretch 4, he'll be an attractive free agent. In fact, a source familiar with Copeland's situation said three teams at this point are interested in negotiating with him come July 1. ESPN.com

 

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