




Joe Johnson: 6-years and $123.7 million
Travis Outlaw: 5-years and $35 million
Amir Johnson: 5-years and $34 million
Wesley Matthews: 5-years and $34 million (offer sheet that will likely not be matched by Utah)
Elsewhere, the New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Clippers appear to be engaged in a cat-and-mouse game of seeing which moribund franchise can sign the most 2nd-tier players in one free agency period. Although it’s very close, right now I’m giving a slight edge to the Clippers because of the Brian Cook acquisition. Somehow, the soft 6′9″ three-point shooting Cook convinced the Clippers to give him a two-year deal even though his only other serious offer came from a team in the WCPBL.
Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't briefly comment on Minnesota Timberwolves GM David Kahn's latest blunder. Earlier today, Kahn dealt one of the league's best threats inside the paint for a trade exception and two mid to late first round picks. Reportedly, a portion of the trade exception will be used to sign point guard Luke Ridnour to a 4-year $16 million contract.
Yes, another point guard will likely be added to the roster before the end of the day. Ridnour will join Jonny Flynn and a second former Bucks guard, Ramon Sessions, in a very crowded backcourt. At this point, Kahn seems to be going out of his way to become one of the five worst GM's in NBA history. How else can what he has done over the past two years be described?
Props to the Jazz for picking up a younger, less expensive and slightly better defender (at least Jefferson is a threat to block a few shots) than Carlos Boozer. Another example of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.