The Knicks have offered Amare Stoudemire $100 million to play basketball for them...and to serve as a magnet for LeBron James. Dwyane Wade and his agent are meeting with the Bulls. The Timberwolves are entertaining David Lee, even though they are down to $7.4 million in cap space, about $5 million less than what he wants.
And the Nets? They're waiting on LeBron and THE decision. They're prepared to move on a deal to get them to $33.6 million if need be...and Mikhail Prokhorov's Gulfstream V is at the ready over at Teterboro. They seem content about it as well, yes optimistic still.
Avery Johnson was the only one of the traveling party available Friday and here's his take: "Hopefully they hadn’t decided before we got there, and were open to our process. And we feel from a collective standpoint that we got the best situation for any free agent."
Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Nets did blow out the Knicks Thursday: "Sources say one team that all but eliminated itself with James in the presentation process was the New York Knicks. James’ inner-circle has described New York’s presentation as lacking preparedness and organization. James’ camp also found it to be redundant to much of the New Jersey Nets' far sharper, edgier presentation on James’ earning power."
Meanwhile, back at the gym, they're getting excited about the player Johnson calls "the manchild". Dave D'Alessandro quotes one insider: "He competes like hell, and he’s even shooting it well right now. He’s got a chance to be really, really good." Trade bait, a chip? "Not the way this kid has played the first three days."
- Nets and Free Agency, Day 2: Avery Johnson's take - Dave D'Alessandro - Nets Blast
- Nets not expecting any fireworks this weekend - Julian Garcia - The InterNets
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Nets feel LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh were impressed - Tom Canavan - AP
- Chicago pressing for Wade, LeBron partnership - Adrian Wojnarowski - Yahoo! Sports
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Nets unfazed by Knicks' progress with Amare Stoudemire - Ian O'Connor - ESPN New York