Where is the Money? Free Agent Updates

He is a restricted free agent, and the Atlanta Hawks have been saying that they will match anything that is thrown his way.  The only team that could take them out would be the 76ers, but they will not throw that much at him.  Smith may not be big enough and is too little of a post player for them to give their whole cap allowance.

Andre Iguadola:  He is in the same boat as Smith, he will not get a ton of money anywhere but Philly, but they will not overspend to sign him.  Andre turned down a 5 year 60 million dollar deal last year with the Sixers and then under performed in the playoffs leading the Sixers to a first round exit.  He did not bulk up his resume. 

Word around Philadelphia is very sour when his name is mentioned, but Andre can play.  He works hard, does everything he can do to keep getting better, so he deserves a long term deal.  The best bet for Andre may be a short deal, around the mid level, so he can promote himself for a larger future contract.

Point Guards; Monta Ellis, Chris Duhon, Raymond Felton, and Shaun Livingston will all be courted by the Knicks, Heat, and Nuggets in that order.  Livingston is an unknown.  He may be NBA ready or may not be, only a physical will tell.  Duhon  is the real target here, even though Ellis is better than them all.  Ellis will be resigned by Golden State with the loss of Baron Davis....  By the way, Baron Davis is a Clipper, right in the middle of my Rant!!!!!

Mikael Pietrus and Matt Barnes:  Both of these guys are available and are right in that mid-level exception area.  They are both restricted, but will probably not be matched by Golden State.  Pietrus may be a poor mans James Posey, teams who miss out on him will get Mikael. 

Kurt Thomas: He is available and should be a solid defensive addition to a team with front court need.  He will get a 3 year around 9-12 million dollars and it will probably be late in the summer.

Corey Maggette:  He is restricted, but with the now signing of Baron Davis, he will be gone.  The Magic are said to be the team that will sign him, but they do not have a dollar.  Sign and trade?  maybe, but they don't have the pieces to do it.  Teams with money could court Maggette, but it just does not match up.  Memphis, yes, if Corey is ready to be terrible.  They have young pieces who play his position.  Philadelphia? 

Yes, if the Sixers choose to let Iguodola go, and have to trade for a big man.  Then they could use the extra cap room on Maggette.  Golden State?  They don't know what to do with their own free agents at this point.  Maybe not your best move Corey, but thanks to you the Clippers are headed to the playoffs.

LA Clippers:

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