Loading ...Charley Rosen of Foxsports: “Coupled with his ever-improving mid-range shooting, Brand is simply one of the most dynamic scorers in the league. If he’s neither a superb passer nor (despite his penchant for blocking shots) a defensive ace, Brand figures to transform the Sixers into a legitimate challenger to Boston’s supremacy.”
J.A. Adande of ESPN.com: “Falk said the Clippers blew it this time when they lowballed Brand with a $70 million contract out of the gate and presented it as a take-it-or-leave it offer. In their comments to ESPN.com on June 30, when Brand announced he was opting out of the final year of his contract with the Clippers, Brand and Falk painted it as magnanimous gesture, saying Brand would take less money if it would help the Clippers sign another free agent. The Clippers, as Flo Rida would say, got low-low low-low-low-low-low. In classic Falk-speak, the agent said Brand “was willing to take less money, but not as less as they offered.”
Mike Kahn of Foxsports: Top 10 Rookie of the Year picks
Ted M. Green of SportsHubLA: “Not only did Brand fail to give Sterling the proverbial hometown discount, he’s apparently leaving the hometown altogether. He ran, alright, without taking the money. And once again, it’s the Clippers who are left at the altar, eyes teary, makeup running, the wedding audience aghast…as the man they were to re-marry and live happily ever after with, runs off at the last minute with the other girl.”
Preetom Bhattacharya OF HoopsWorld: “The San Antonio Spurs have plenty of interest in J.R. Smith, the restricted free agent guard of the Denver Nuggets. Smith’s athleticism and ability to shoot the three-pointer are particularly valuable to a Spurs franchise that is looking to infuse some youth to an aging roster.”
Sam Amick of The Sacramento Bee: “According to a league source, the Lakers already have contacted the Kings regarding Artest and are believed to be offering forward Lamar Odom. As of Tuesday evening, the Kings had not returned the call. They are expected to insist on forward Kenny Thomas and his $18 million of remaining salary (over two seasons) being included in that potential trade. Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie declined comment on whether the Lakers had called.”
