Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday Wants Extension

Tom Moore of PhillyBlurbs.com took note of 76ers guard Jrue Holiday's preference to remain in Philadelphia and eagerness to secure a contract extension. After today's practice, Holiday elaborated on his desire to stay.

"I definitely want an extension," Holiday said. "I want to play here. I feel comfortable. It’s like family to me. But it’s kind of out of my hands. I’ve just got to go out and play every day…. I do think (the offer) should be fair… But, again, it’s really up to them. If they come out and I like the number they offer, then yeah (I’d sign). If not, then, hey, what can I do?"

Last week, we relayed a report about a meeting between Holiday's agent, Tony Dutt, and team management to touch base upon extension talks. Moore writes that while Holiday is looking for a four or five-year-deal worth close to the maximum of $13.6MM, the 76ers have initially presented an offer worth closer to $9MM. If an extension agreement is not made before next Wednesday, Philadelphia can present a qualifying offer of $3.8MM this summer and enable Holiday to become a restricted free agent.

 

Kyler On Extension Candidates

Last week, both TNT's David Aldridge and ESPN.com's Marc Stein passed along rumors and rumblings they'd heard about this offseason's extension candidates. With just six more days for Ty Lawson, Taj Gibson, and other extension-eligible players to work out new deals with their teams, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld throws his hat into the ring, rounding up a few of the latest updates:

  • James Harden would like to end speculation about his contract situation, and that could mean he accepts an offer worth less than the max from the Thunder, says Kyler. A contract that includes incentives is a possibility.
  • The Kings are unlikely to lock up Tyreke Evans this month, and could even explore trading him prior to this season's deadline. Kyler hears from sources close to Evans that he'd welcome free agency "if only to find a situation that believes in him as a player."
  • The Warriors still like Stephen Curry and figure to retain him beyond this season, but an extension probably won't happen within the next week. Given Curry's ankle issues, it's simply too hard to value him fairly.
  • DeMar DeRozan appears headed for restricted free agency, and the Raptors would like to see a "big leap" from him this season before committing too heavily next summer.
  • Brandon Jennings is "far from secure" in Milwaukee, and the Bucks could consider trading him before the deadline, according to Kyler.
  • Kyler hears that the 76ers have offered Jrue Holiday an extension in the neighborhood of $9MM annually, but that's Holiday's camp turned it down, expecting to see a bigger payday in free agency.
  • Lawson still appears to be one of the players most likely to be extended, and Kyler says the Nuggets could include incentives in their offer.
  • The Bulls are likely to extend Gibson, who wants to stay in Chicago, though that doesn't necessarily mean he'll accept a hometown discount.

Eastern Notes: Holiday, Rasheed, Barron

76ers point guard Jrue Holiday enters his fourth season as the youngest starting floor general in the Atlantic Division, and head coach Doug Collins appears confident in giving him the reigns to Philadelphia's offense: "I want that ball in Jrue's hands…I want our wings getting down the floor, I want Jrue to be the one getting that ball and pushing it. For the most part I want our guys sprinting the floor, getting down the floor and flattening it out and let Jrue come down and make plays." Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com also points out that the team now has more capable perimeter shooters compared to having to rely on multiple playmakers last year, which implicitly benefits the spacing on the floor and allows Holiday more room to operate. Here are a few more notes out of the Eastern Conference:

  • Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago chronicles the shooting struggles of Marco Belinelli during the preseason, but Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau doesn't appear too concerned.  
  • Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun believes that the Raptors could have one of the better combinations of reserve players in the league this season. 
  • Al Iannazzone of Newsday says that Knicks guard/forward Ronnie Brewer will go through contact work during Sunday's practice and could play as soon as Monday night if he doesn't feel any pain. The 6'7 veteran has been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery in early September. 
  • Heat sharpshooter Mike Miller looks forward to playing a full season this year, as Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes that he is the healthiest he's been in two seasons. 
  • Newsday's Al Iannazone provided an update on Rasheed Wallace, who according to Knicks head coach Mike Woodson is still doing conditioning work and will be re-evaluated on Tuesday after the team returns from its current pre-season road trip (Sulia link). Woodson hinted that the team may play Wallace next week in order to get an idea of his progression.  

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Atlantic Notes: Barbosa, Holiday, Wilkins, 76ers

As was long rumored, we learned earlier today that the Celtics added Leandro Barbosa to back up both guard positions.  After losing Ray Allen to the rival Heat, it appears the Celts have more than replaced him by adding Jason Terry, Courtney Lee and now Barbosa.  Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston breaks down the move in his rapid reaction, even pointing out that Barbosa could facilitate the development of rookie and fellow Brazilian Fab Melo.  Forsberg also offers a "roster reset" complete with the team's current obligations and some thoughts on how it will shake out.  Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe tweets that a big reason behind the move was a desire for more scoring punch from reserve guards.

Here are some other updates from around the Atlantic division:

  • Tim Keown of ESPN the Magazine writes a lengthy piece that centers on the enigma that is Carmelo Anthony.  While Anthony is as gifted as they come scoring-wise, Keown implies that he may not be the "alpha dog" that most NBA teams, Knicks included, need.  Anthony seems to thrive in international play when he is amongst stars, but when he is the best player on the court things seem to stall.
  • We've been hearing all week about a possible long-term contract extension for Sixers guard Jrue Holiday.  John Finger of CSN Philly heard today from a source that the talks have begun to pick up.  The Sixers have until October 31 to either extend Holiday or make him a qualifying offer for one year and $3.77MM.  If Holiday does not take the offer, he will become a restricted free agent next summer. 
  • Tom Moore from Philly Burbs tweets that he believes that the Sixers will soon cut their roster down to 14, with Damien Wilkins nabbing the last spot.  If true, that would make Devin Searcy and Dan Gadzuric free agents in the very near future. 
  • Michael Levin of Sixers blog Liberty Ballers writes a guest column on Sheridan Hoops, listing five reasons to feel positive about the 76ers.  If everything goes according the plan, Philly could be a rare example of a team that emerges from the typically inescapable depths of NBA mediocrity to become a legitimate contender. 

Stein On Extension Candidates, Boozer, Paul

Earlier this week, TNT's David Aldridge shared the latest rumors and rumblings he'd heard about this year's fourth-year extension candidates. ESPN.com's Marc Stein follows suit today, and while much of what he's hearing is along the same lines as Aldridge's updates, there's still enough new info that it's worth rounding up the highlights….

  • Despite chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's apparent aversion to early extensions, it's still likely that the Bulls and Taj Gibson work something out this month, and that the team will eventually release Carlos Boozer using the amensty clause.
  • An extension for Ty Lawson remains more a question of "when" than "if," sources tells Stein.
  • The Raptors seem to "want to be wowed" by DeMar DeRozan in the 2012/13 season before committing to him long-term.
  • The Bobcats aren't expected to lock Gerald Henderson up to an extension unless the terms are very team-friendly.
  • Although the Hawks like Jeff Teague, they'll likely hold off on committing future cap space to a point guard until they're 100% sure they can't lure Chris Paul to Atlanta.
  • Extensions for Darren Collison and Rodrigue Beaubois can safely be ruled out as the Mavericks attempt to preserve next summer's cap room.
  • Stein also believes Stephen Curry and James Harden are likely to be extended, and that a new deal for Jrue Holiday is possible. However, he classifies the rest of this offseason's extension candidates as unlikely to receive long-term contracts by Halloween.

Jrue Holiday’s Agent Meets With Sixers

Tony Dutt, the agent for Jrue Holiday, was in Philadelphia on Monday night to touch base with the 76ers about a possible contract extension for his client, according to John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. TNT's David Aldridge had reported yesterday that Dutt was expected to meet with the Sixers about Holiday this week.

While cautioning that he doesn't have a firm idea of how the negotiations between the two sides will progress, Mitchell says he isn't expecting Holiday and the Sixers to reach an agreement by Halloween. According to Mitchell, most of the people he's talked to around the league believe that the point guard will play out the season and become a restricted free agent next summer.

Holiday, who has said he wants to be a "max contract" kind of player, is eligible for a contract of up to five years with Philadelphia, whereas he could earn no more than four years from another team in free agency. As such, it's likely the Sixers eventually retain Holiday, whether that means working out an extension this month, working out a new deal next July, or matching a rival team's offer sheet.

When I examined Holiday as an extension candidate earlier in the offseason, I suggested that a four-year deal worth in the neighborhood of $10MM annually could interest both sides.

Aldridge On Extension Candidates

The latest Morning Tip piece from TNT's David Aldridge is up at NBA.com, and focuses on the first round of the 2009 draft class, most of whom are eligible for contract extensions this month. However, Aldridge doesn't expect many new deals to be inked, since the new CBA doesn't give players a ton of incentive to sign early.

"Now (that) you can only give the same amount of years that they can get next summer, the player isn't as interested," one team executive told Aldridge. "Now, you have no advantage. I used to be able to say 'I can give you a year more today than you can get next year. So let's talk about a deal and maybe the number is more realistic.' But they've taken that away."

Here's what Aldridge has heard on a number of extension candidates:

  • The Kings will "probably not" be offering Tyreke Evans an extension, Aldridge hears from a source.
  • Things are "pretty quiet" on the Brandon Jennings front, and Aldridge isn't expecting him to work out a long-term extension with the Bucks.
  • DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors aren't close to a deal, but have been talking for weeks. Aldridge cautions not to rule out the possibility of the two sides reaching an agreement.
  • Aldridge does, however, essentially rule out extensions for Austin Daye (Pistons) and James Johnson (Kings).
  • Jrue Holiday's agent will touch base with the 76ers later this week about a possible extension.
  • Ty Lawson of the Nuggets is the one player that everyone around the league believes will sign a long-term deal by Halloween.
  • The Hawks are talking to Jeff Teague about a new deal, but Aldridge thinks it's unlikely the team commits to anything yet when it could have so much cap space available next summer.
  • Agent Mark Bartelstein on Taj Gibson and the Bulls: "They've made it clear they'd like to sign Taj. They're making an effort, and so are we… if we can get something done that everybody feels good about, great. If not, I'm sure he'll have a great year."

Eastern Notes: Sixers, Heat, Mullens, Ewing

As we await an evening preseason schedule that includes a pair of contests between Eastern teams (Pistons/Raptors and Bulls/Cavaliers), let's round up the latest links out of the Eastern Conference….

  • Jrue Holiday, who is eligible for a contract extension this month, tells Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld that he thinks the 76ers are on the "right path" to title contention.
  • The Heat haven't been involved in trade deadline deals in recent years, and Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel isn't expecting that to change this season. Winderman also addresses the Heat's two open roster spots in his latest mailbag.
  • Byron Mullens is entering the final season of his rookie contract, and Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer believes he's exceeded expectations more than anyone else in Bobcats camp so far (Twitter link).
  • At a Madison Square Garden promotion, Patrick Ewing told Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post that he's still hoping to coach an NBA team, whether it's the Knicks or another club, despite not being hired this offseason. "I’m just home, hanging out," Ewing said. "I do have coaching [aspirations], but all the jobs are taken up right now. So I’m just hanging out, relaxing and taking some time off and will try to come back next year."
  • Sam Smith fields a number of Bulls-related questions in his newest mailbag at Bulls.com.

Sixers, Jrue Holiday Negotiating Extension

John Finger of CSNPhilly.com hears the Sixers and representatives for Jrue Holiday have had contact about an extension for the point guard. Yesterday, we passed along a report from Marc Stein of ESPN.com that Holiday was likely to land an extension before the October 30th deadline. A couple weeks ago, Holiday clarified an earlier report that indicated he was seeking a maximum extension, saying instead that he simply has a goal of someday becoming a player worthy of a max deal.

The 22-year-old Holiday would become a restricted free agent next summer if he and the Sixers can't reach an agreement by the end of the month. The market for restricted free agent point guards in 2013 could also include Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson, Jeff Teague, Darren Collison and others, and the competition could drive down Holiday's price. When Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors took a look at Holiday's extension candidacy in August, he estimated that a four-year, $40MM deal would be a fit for Holiday and the Sixers. He also said he wouldn't be surprised if the UCLA product passed on an extension and banked on continued improvement during the season to help him get a better deal next summer. A maximum contract would give him 25% of the salary cap, or about $15MM a year depending on how high next year's cap is set. 

GM Tony DiLeo wouldn't confirm the talks, according to Finger's report. DiLeo was promoted to the GM job on September 21st, taking over day-to-day negotiations from team president Rod Thorn. It's unclear what effect, if any, the front office move has had on negotiations with Holiday.

Jennings, DeRozan Unlikely To Land Extensions

With 25 days until the extension deadline, Marc Stein of ESPN.com (via Twitter) hears that Denver's Ty Lawson and Philadelphia's Jrue Holiday are likely to get new deals.  Meanwhile, Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings and Toronto's DeMar DeRozan are not likely to get extensions done with their respective teams.

Jennings is set to earn $3.18MM in the final year of his rookie scale contract but the dynamic point guard is said to be seeking a maximum deal.  While the one-guard has shown a great deal of promise, it seems unlikely that Milwaukee would spend that much to keep him in the fold, especially with Monta Ellis holding an option at the end of the year.  Jennings has expressed dissatisfaction with the Bucks in the past but over the summer he publicly said that he hopes to reach a new deal with the club.

Earlier this week, we heard that the Raptors still view DeRozan as a key part of their future and have had extension talks with the guard.  However, Bryan Colangelo said that he wasn't sure if he'd get a deal done with DeRozan prior to the deadline.  For his part, the 23-year-old has said that he is happy with the Raptors.

It was reported that Holiday was seeking a max extension earlier this summer, an expectation that seemed overly ambitious at best.  However, the 22-year-old recently clarified those remarks, explaining that it is simply a goal of his to be on that level as a player.

Lawson recently followed LeBron James' lead and opted to leave the powerful Creative Arts Agency as he enters his final year under contract.  Luke Adams recently looked at what it'll take for the Nuggets to lock the point guard up and sees a deal with a ~$10MM average annual value.

Other 2009 draftees in the mix for extensions include Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Bulls forward Taj Gibson, and, of course, Thunder guard James Harden, Stein tweets.  We've already seen fellow '09ers Blake Griffin and Serge Ibaka sign lucrative contract extensions with the Clippers and Thunder, respectively.