Good morning, friends. There's more than one free agent rumor to be shared and discussed at the moment, but this Steve Nash stuff (and the intertwined Jeremy Lin stuff) has taken on a life of its own. Thus, it gets its own thread. Here are a few quick links. I'll add any small updates that need adding throughout the day.
A few things from Alan Hahn:
- Nash is repportedly expected to make his decision within two days, which would be very gracious of him. Also, on top of whatever correspondence he usually has with Amar'e Stoudemire, Nash got a call from Carmelo Anthony recently. The way Hahn tells it, the call was something to the effect of "I swear I'll let you have the ball sometimes!".
- Hahn also discusses how nice it'd be to acquire Nash in a sign-and-trade, thus leaving the mid-level money for someone else (Hahn names Marcus Camby). A question that was brought up in the comments last night: If a sign-and-trade for Nash falls through, what about a sign-and-trade with another team for another point guard worth more than the mini-MLE? I guess any comparable deal would hinge on another organization's interest in Landry Fields, which might not be abundant.
- Both Hahn and Marc Berman maintain that the Knicks would be inclined to match any offer for Lin, even if it's a future luxury tax-inducing "poison pill" contract (Berman does acknowledge that this would give James Dolan "indigestion", which sounds like a pretty weak effect for a poison pill. Maybe Dolan is like Rasputin? I feel like Isiah Thomas is more of the Rasputin of the Knicks. By the way, Berman kinda tries to take credit for the term "poison pill"). First, someone would have to make the Knicks match such a contract, because Glen Grunwald won't even extend an offer until somebody else does. Dallas and Toronto remain the only two teams mentioned as being interested in Lin (I think I've heard Brooklyn, too, but they've got other shit going on).
- Nash posted this on Twitter with the message "check out my new team". I just want to announce to the world that I assumed in advance that it was advertising of some sort. Steve Nash may be a crafty little dick, but I'm a pretty good counter-dick.
That's pretty much what's up with the Lin and Nash game right now. I'll have a separate thread up shortly for other free agents bits and pieces, but keep an eye on this one for updates. Please. Please keep an eye on this one. I'm sorry I'm so demanding. It's your choice, really.