March 2014 Basketball Wiretap

Reggie Jackson Determined To Find Starting Job In Restricted Free Agency

Oct 31, 2014 11:06 PM

Reggie Jackson is determined to pursue restricted free agency in search of a starting job next offseason.

Jackson and the Oklahoma City Thunder were unable to agree upon a contract extension.

Jackson is eager to prove his value out of the shadow of Russell Westbrook.

Jackson could be a target in restricted free agency that rival teams can pry from the Thunder.

“Bottom line,” one NBA general manager told Yahoo Sports, “how much are they willing to pay for Westbrook’s backup?”

Some teams believe Jackson could command a deal in the $13 million-$14 million-plus annual range.

Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook are on the books to make nearly $50 million next season.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Ricky Rubio, Wolves Agree Upon Four-Year, $55M Extension

Oct 31, 2014 9:18 PM

Ricky Rubio and the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed upon a four-year, $55 million extension.

Rubio has been one of the NBA's most creative passers since coming over from Spain in the 11-12 season, but his perimeter shot has remained a work in progress.

Rubio was the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jimmy Butler Rejects 'Hometown Discount' Offer From Bulls

Oct 31, 2014 5:41 PM

Jimmy Butler rejected the Chicago Bulls' final contract extension offer on Friday and will become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2015.

“It came down to me deciding that I want to bet on myself,” Butler told Yahoo Sports in a text message on Friday. “It was about me believing that I put the work in this summer to become a better player with the hope that my improvement will give the Bulls a better chance to win a championship.”

The Bulls would have the option to match any offer sheet Butler were to sign on the open market, but it could threaten their payroll structure or allow him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2017. 

“All the [rookie extension] deals done so far have shown that teams are building around their stars of the future, and they’re compensating those players as such,” agent Happy Walters told Yahoo Sports on Friday. “I was under the impression Jimmy was also viewed as one of those future building blocks with the Bulls.

“We tried like heck to get something done, but ultimately, the Bulls wanted a ‘hometown’ discount. While understandable, I doubt their GM or coaches give Mr. Reinsdorf a discount when negotiating their own deals.”

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Klay Thompson, Warriors Agree Upon $70M Max Extension

Oct 31, 2014 5:30 PM

Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors have agreed upon a four-year, $70 millon maximum contract extension.

The deal contains no options.

The Sacramento Kings reportedly made a late push to trade for Thompson by offering anyone other than DeMarcus Cousins or Rudy Gay.

Marc J. Spears/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Brandon Knight, Bucks End Extension Talks

Oct 31, 2014 3:30 PM

Brandon Knight and the Milwaukee Bucks have broken off extension talks.

Knight plans to enter restricted free agency in 2015.

Knight was acquired by the Bucks from the Detroit Pistons in 2013.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Brandon Knight, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Klay Thompson, Warriors Hold No New Extension Talks

Oct 31, 2014 4:29 PM

Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors have not held new extension talks ahead of Friday's deadline.

Thompson would become a restricted free agent in 2015 without a new deal.

The Warriors had an opportunity to acquire Kevin Love this offseason, but decided parting ways with Thompson wasn't worth it.

Steve Kerr said he remains "quietly confident" that a deal could get done.

Rusty Simmons/San Francisco Chronicle

Tags: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kawhi Leonard, Spurs End Extension Talks

Oct 31, 2014 2:33 PM

Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs have broken off talks on a contract extension.

Agent Brian Elfus and Leonard have held firm on their desire for a maximum contract extension, something Spurs management won’t consider until July.

“We feel Kawhi is deserving of a max contract, and we are disappointed that something couldn’t get done,” Elfus told Yahoo Sports. “There’s no debating Kawhi’s value. The market has been set. He’s done everything the Spurs have asked of him, exceeded all of their expectations. Coach [Gregg] Popovich has gone out of his way to call Kawhi the future face of the franchise. We have great respect for the Spurs organization, but here, we simply agree to disagree.

“There will be no shortage of teams interested in Kawhi’s services next year. There will be a lot of contract scenarios available to us, and we will explore them all.”

San Antonio could sign Leonard to a five-year, $90 million-plus extension now or next summer, if the Spurs are willing to make him their designated player. But Leonard could also sign an offer sheet with a rival team that includes a player option in the third season that would allow him to potentially leave the Spurs in 2017. 

Sources say the Spurs want to keep Leonard's contract off the books until they can explore free agent targets, especially since Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili could retire.

Leonard would have a significantly smaller cap hold than what would be the first season of a max or near-max extension.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Exec: Meeting With Rich Paul On LeBron Was For Them To Publicize Their Business

Oct 31, 2014 1:23 PM

LeBron James empowered his agent Rich Paul to meet with several teams to Klutch’s offices in Cleveland for free-agent presentations without him present.

Those meetings were leaked to the public and the perception was that they were conducted to garner attention to their agency.

The Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks met with Paul, in addition to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“Just used as props to get attention and publicize their business,” one league executive told Yahoo Sports. “Maybe that’s smart to some people, but you have to deal with the same people again and again in this league. Those things can come back on you eventually.”

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Ricky Rubio, Wolves Approximately $6M Apart On Extension Talks

Oct 31, 2014 6:44 PM

Ricky Rubio is prepared to accept a four-year, $58 million deal from the Minnesota Timberwolves if he receives the offer.

The Wolves have offered a four-year, $52 million deal and could possibly go as high as $54 million.

Rubio would become a restricted free agent in the 2015 offseason if an extension cannot be reached.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski on early Friday evening, Rubio and the Wolves were making progress on a deal. "There's optimism, but no deal," wrote Wojnarowski.

Darren Wolfson/ESPN

Tags: Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Alec Burks, Jazz Agree Upon Four-Year, $42M Extension

Oct 31, 2014 9:23 PM

The Utah Jazz and Alec Burks have reached agreement on a four-year, $42 million contract extension.

Burks' deal could climb to $45 million with reachable incentive clauses.

Burks, 23, is the third young Jazz player, along with Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors, to reach a four-year new contract with the franchise.

Burks has developed into one of the NBA's better young shooting guards.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Alec Burks, Utah Jazz, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Mavericks Open To Late Season Signing Of Ray Allen Or Rashard Lewis

Eddie Sefko/Dallas Morning News

Hawks Decline John Jenkins' Fourth-Year Rookie Option

Shams Charania/RealGM

Jermaine O'Neal Hasn't Ruled Out Continuing Career

Diamond Leung/Mercury News

Gilbert: Signing Kyrie Irving To Extension Was Pivotal To Getting LeBron

Chris Fedor/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cavs, Anderson Varejao Close To Three-Year, $30M Extension

Marc Stein/ESPN

DeAndre Jordan Not Focused On Contract, Considered 'Key To Championship'

Dan Woike/Orange County Register

Celtics Exercise 15-16 Options On Olynyk, Sullinger, Zeller

RealGM Staff Report

Robert Covington, 76ers Nearly Finalize Agreement; Forward Likely Signing In D-League

Shams Charania/RealGM

Gasol: Picking Bulls Over Spurs, Thunder Was Most Difficult Decision Of My Life

Howard Beck/Bleacher Report

Thunder Unlikely To Sign Reggie Jackson To Extension

Darnell Mayberry/Oklahoman

Knicks, Nets, Mavs, Hornets Could Conceivably Be Interested In Kobe

Chad Ford/ESPN

Mavs Release Gal Mekel To Create Roster Spot For Barea

RealGM Staff Report

Jimmy Butler, Bulls Unlikely To Agree Upon Extension

Chris Broussard/ESPN

Enes Kanter, Jazz Break Off Extension Talks

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Kemba Walker Agrees To Four-Year, $48M Extension With Hornets

Marc Stein/ESPN

Dwight Left Lakers 'For Myself', Not For Fear Of Kobe

Baxter Holmes/ESPN

Bucks Guarantee Contract Of Kendall Marshall For 14-15 Season

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Knicks Exercise Third-Year Option On Tim Hardaway Jr.

RealGM Staff Report

Bucks Waive Micheal Eric

RealGM Staff Report

Kings Receive Trade Interest In Jason Thompson

Zach Lowe/Grantland