While the Mavericks are expected to show interest in free agent point guard Mike Conley, veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein says Dallas’ focus in free agency will be on pursuing Kyle Lowry and attempting to re-sign Tim Hardaway Jr. Reports to date have suggested that Conley is more likely than Lowry to return to his current team, so it makes sense that the Mavs would prioritize Lowry.
According to Stein, the Mavericks were initially expected to wait to see if Kawhi Leonard gave any indication that he was thinking about leaving the Clippers. However, the team has moved off of those plans, says Stein. That’s probably a signal that Leonard is unlikely to depart Los Angeles.
Here are a few more updates related to free agency:
- At least one key decision-maker in the Knicks‘ front office has “embraced” the idea of signing Spencer Dinwiddie this offseason, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, who hears that at least one other club plans to make the point guard a strong offer. Begley also confirms that DeMar DeRozan is among the other free agent guards on New York’s radar, though he says teams monitoring the situation view the Knicks as more likely to go after DeRozan if they’re able to acquire Damian Lillard in a trade.
- The Suns are among the teams eyeing sharpshooter Reggie Bullock as a possible free agent target, Begley writes in a separate SNY.tv story. The Knicks have “significant” interest in re-signing Bullock, Begley adds.
- Despite playing a modest role with the Nuggets down the stretch of the season, JaVale McGee is interested in re-signing with the team, two league sources tell Mike Singer of The Denver Post. Singer cautions that the veteran center figures to have multiple suitors on the open market.
- Rockets guard Avery Bradley is expected to draw interest from multiple playoff contenders if he becomes a free agent, sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic (Twitter link). Houston will have to make a decision soon on Bradley’s $5.9MM team option for 2021/22.
Bullock was NYK’s best shooter & best perimeter defender. If they lose him they got work to do as far as replacing him.
I don’t understand why Suns are able to beat Knicks on Bullock bidding war
I also don’t get why Mavs are able to sign both Lowry and Hardaway
I put them on fake rumors category
Because the Suns were a 1 seed?
Bullock is easy to replace… with more effective players. Burks, Quickly, Gibson and Rose are the only Knicks to have definitive positives on-off. Bullock goes negative. Bullock’s stats are less effective as Burk’s, PER 12 vs 15 for instance, while these are two of five Knicks between 40-41% on 3s (and 3 more subs over 39%!).
Defensive numbers about equal, though Bullock would have the tougher assignment. Both have had injuries but Burks has played more in the last 2 years.
Thibs likely likes Bullock. But watch who gets blamed for a sub-playoff year… unless they upgrade big time in the offseason, quite likely.
Agreed. Bullock had a career year last season at age 29, and I’m not sure I’d want to bet long-term that he repeats that performance into his 30’s. He’s basically a middle of the road 3 & D player, not elite on D and not elite from 3, just above average at both. With almost no ability to create a shot for himself or others.
If someone bids high I think NY will be able to weather storm, assuming other aspects of the offseason fall into place.
I like Bullock, but he’s severely limited offensively, to the point of negating much of the value he provides on defense. He’s a true 3 and D. Can’t create a shot off the dribble, facilitate shots for others, or drive and finish. He’s a really good bench piece to have, but the Knicks would not have trouble replacing him.
I honestly can’t fathom nba teams obsessions with having 2 guards who need the ball and are considered stars on the same team, klay and steph worked together because klay dribbles twice a game at most, the clippers never looked great this year and it’s because their 2 best players played the same position and then the team around them was built like trash, any team needs a guard who is ball dominant and a guard who is dominant off the ball, roles count on teams and if you don’t believe ask the embarrassment team USA is right now
Bullock is a baller, mas dont know if Knicks should resign him. They may have to overpay (more than mid level is too much imo) and that would compromise 2022 cap space
Bullock deserves a payday. We don’t need to pay him. Noel and Reggie are probably gone next yr. We can replace them with our picks or FA. Burkes is probably someone we keep along with Rose. I think Quickley and Toppin will be traded. Knicks are bringing in two starters next yr. Reggie I’m sure would rather chase a ring. And Noel has been looking for a payday. Since he turned down big offer from Mavs (70 mill). He deserves it too. Knicks are still building we don’t need to pay them.
Unless something changes, Bullock will resign with the Knicks. Both sides want this, because he’s a perfect fit and both sides know it.
Of course, contenders are interested in him, he’s a rugged 3&D wing, consistent, low maintenance, great locker room guy, in his prime and plays starter minutes. But, he’s not high ceiling or in his 20’s, so nobody is going to overpay him (in $$ or years), which is part of his appeal as well. Non-Txp MLE level is about right. Most of the other suitors mentioned, including PHX, likely won’t be able to exceed that amount in any event. Knicks have some tough decisions to make this off season. Bullock isn’t one of them.
One must wonder why DAL would want K-Low or Conley… I for sure don’t wanna take the ball out of Luka’s hands, so they would have to play from the bench or the SG… which they ain’t the greatest shooters & too short to play… just can’t see the fit, like at all!
Have to ask all of you about Bullock seems everyone is ok with replacing him. But who is the replacement going to be? At near the same salary or less. Not a replacement if the team is going to be paying a lot more.
Their big FA acquisition… there has to be one, that gives the team a more varied offense. Like Al says, Dinwiddie or Fournier at least.