The Houston Rockets have reached terms on a new contract with free-agent center Samuel Dalembert, according to sources close to the situation.
Samuel Dalembert
Sources told ESPN.com that Dalembert has agreed to a two-year deal worth $13.7 million — $7 million this season and $6.7 million in 2012-13. But the Rockets have a team option for the second season that would allow them to buy out of the contract for a fee of $1.5 million.
Dalembert told Fox Sports Florida on Tuesday night that he was on the verge of re-signing with the Sacramento Kings, but the Kings issued a news release Wednesday afternoon saying they had withdrawn their offer to Dalembert.
ESPN.com
none
According to an NBA source, the Knicks are planning on only offering one-year deals this summer to free agents.
Tyson Chandler
That will take them out of the pool of prominent free-agent centers, including Samuel Dalembert. Certainly the more marquee players, such as Mavericks champion pivot Tyson Chandler, the Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol and Clippers young center DeAndre Jordan are out of the question.
HoopsWorld
none
Samuel Dalembert
One of the Heat’s top offseason priorities will be adding a veteran center, and Miami has strong interest in Sacramento free agent Samuel Dalembert.
But even if the midlevel exception remains part of the new labor deal (which is undetermined), the Heat knows other teams can offer Dalembert more and would not be surprised if he signs elsewhere.
If the midlevel survives, and if it is close to this year’s $5.8 million, that would give the Heat a better chance to find a decent center who could lessen the reliance on Joel Anthony and represent an upgrade over Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Erick Dampier and Jamaal Magloire.
HoopsWorld
none
Samuel Dalembert
Sources close to Knicks president Donnie Walsh say he has targeted Kings 6-foot-11 shotblocker Samuel Dalembert as the likeliest free-agent catch this summer.
Walsh’s old-school principles have made adding a big, bruising starting defensive center to play alongside power forward Amare Stoudemire as his No. 1 priority.
The Knicks realize some top free agents likely will stay put or be out of their financial range. Memphis’ Marc Gasol and Dallas’ Tyson Chandler are expected to re-sign, and the Clippers probably will match an offer to the young DeAndre Jordan.
Real GM
none
Samuel Dalembert
It looks like the Sacramento Kings will not become the Anaheim Royals after all — at least not next season.
Despite speculation that the Kings had all but packed their bags for Southern California, the NBA now thinks the team will remain in Sacramento next season, according to a Los Angeles Times report Friday.
However, the Kings’ long-term future in Sacramento remains uncertain beyond 2011-12, the Times reported, citing league executives. Meanwhile, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof says his family is still deciding whether to move the franchise to Anaheim or stay in California’s capital city.
ESPN.com
none
Samuel Dalembert
Finding himself playing limited minutes — sometimes in the single digits — Samuel Dalembert is looking for answers.
The Kings center has been injured, frustrated about the style of play and, of late, more than mildly upset about his diminishing role. If he is not exactly demanding a trade, his agent, Marc Cornstein, is in town seeking clarification of his client’s role.
“They have to let me know which direction they want to go,” Dalembert said.
FanNation
none
Samuel Dalembert
Sacramento Kings center Samuel Dalembert could be out for six weeks with a strained left groin muscle, likely forcing him to miss his first regular-season game in five years.
Dalembert underwent an MRI on Tuesday, and the Kings said their offseason acquisition will be out four to six weeks.
Dalembert has played in 354 consecutive games, the NBA’s third-longest active streak. He spent his first eight NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers.
ESPN.com
none
Samuel Dalembert
The Philadelphia 76ers traded Samuel Dalembert to the Sacramento Kings for Andres Nocioni and Spencer Hawes on Thursday.
The deal was agreed to on Tuesday night, and the two teams worked out details Thursday morning.
The deal gives the Kings a player they’ve long coveted in Dalembert. The Kings tried to make several deals with the Sixers last year for Dalembert but couldn’t make it happen.
The trade gives the Sixers a physical combo forward in Nocioni and an up-and-coming big man in Hawes.
ESPN.com
none
Jermaine O'Neal
Jermaine O’Neal was ejected from the Miami Heat’s game against Philadelphia after grabbing Samuel Dalembert’s face.
O’Neal departed after receiving two technical fouls in the third quarter Sunday. Dalembert received one technical and remained in the game.
Moments before the confrontation, Dalembert accidentally poked O’Neal in the eye under the basket. Following a timeout, the two were running upcourt when their arms tangled. A foul was called on another player, and O’Neal briefly grabbed Dalembert’s face with one hand before being pulled away.
ESPN.com
none
Andre Iguodala
The Suns are looking to deal Amare Stoudemire and they also have serious interest in 76ers forward Andre Iguodala.
Philadelphia will listen to offers for Iguodala, but they are not believed to be actively shopping him.
An NBA source told CSN Philly that “Phoenix desperately wants Andre. They are pushing this. That I know for a fact.”
One possible deal would send Stoudemire to Philadelphia for Iguodala and center Samuel Dalembert.
Real GM
none
