Sources: Raptors will Push Hard for Nash

(Steve) Nash has made it a point in recent interviews to stress that he’s “open to everything” and say he’ll listen to any team that calls, but industry sources monitoring the free-agent market have identified four teams that pose the greatest danger to the Suns in terms of signing Nash away: Toronto, Dallas, New York and Brooklyn.

Raptors president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo, who headed the Phoenix contingent that swooped into Dallas in July 2004 and convinced Nash to leave the Mavericks to return the team that drafted him in less than 24 hours, is planning a similar approach to courting Canada’s best-ever player in 2012.

Sources say that the Raptors will have at least five members of the organization waiting in New York this weekend to visit Nash as soon as he’s ready Sunday, with Toronto widely expected to make the richest financial offer Nash receives this offseason to come back to Canada. The offer is likely to approach $12 million annually, sources say.

Sources: Grizzlies Going After Ray Allen

One of the best defensive teams in the NBA over the past two seasons is going on a major offensive in free agency.

The Grizzlies have made veteran sharpshooter Ray Allen a prime offseason target and planned to contact him late Saturday night in the first step of what promises to be a strong pursuit of the NBA’s all-time leading three-point shooter.

Memphis, according to sources familiar with the team’s plans, will offer Allen its full mid-level exception ($5 million) in hopes of luring him away from other suitors — such as Miami — with only the mini-mid-level ($3 million) to spend.

via Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal

Jameer Nelson Opts Out of Contract

Jameer Nelson, the Orlando Magic’s point guard of the last eight seasons, opted out of the final year of his contract on Friday.

But Nelson’s entry into the unrestricted free-agent market doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be leaving the Magic. New Orlando General Manager Rob Hennigan has said repeatedly in the past few days that the Magic want Nelson to be a part of the franchise for years to come, and veteran point guard echoed those feelings Friday night.

“I still hope to be with the Magic, but I have to see what direction I want to go with myself and I’ll have a decision to make,’’ Nelson said Friday night from his suburban Philadelphia home. “I want to be a Magic player, and it’s just about getting something done. I’m a free agent for the first time. It’s definitely weird. But it makes me feel good to hear that the Magic want me back. I have to do what’s best for me and my family, but I still want to be with the Magic.’’

via John Denton of NBA.com

Knicks to be Patient with Lin Contract?

What is the market value for point guard Jeremy Lin? Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald can’t wait to find out now that Lin officially has his early Bird rights after the NBA dropped its appeal last night.

According to people familiar with the Knicks’ strategy, Grunwald will be patient in the Lin negotiations and allow the market to set Lin’s price tag. Because Grunwald can match any offer, he can sit back and wait.

Lin becomes a free agent tomorrow at 12:01 a.m. and Grunwald can offer him a maximum four-year deal starting at $5.5 million with 7 percent raises — a package worth $24.5 million.

Don’t expect it. Grunwald will see if Lin gets an offer in that neighborhood as the first full-fledged, free-agent period since the lockout plays itself out.

via Marc Berman of the New York Post

Source: Garnett Returning to Celtics

Kevin Garnett is staying with the Celtics. The Herald has learned this morning that Garnett has informed the club he will be back.

The 36-year-old considered retirement, but ultimately decided to return for an 18th NBA season — and more.

According to an NBA source and a source close to Garnett, the sides are working out the details of a deal that will be for at least two years and could possibly include a third.

“The decision came down to whether KG wanted to keep playing,” said one source. “And once he decided that he did, it was going to be Boston. He wasn’t going to leave Doc (River) and those guys and play anywhere else.”

via Boston Herald

Suns won’t Offer Nash 3-Year Deal?

The Suns’ interest in retaining (Steve) Nash does not come at all costs, setting up a possible parting where both sides can shrug and say they tried to stay together. The Suns do not appear willing to meet his wish for a three-year deal, which Toronto and Brooklyn would do. They also are expected to be millions away from the eight-figure annual salaries he will get elsewhere, including with his former team and best buddy Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas. The Mavericks would likely limit an offer to a one-year deal, reserving next year’s space to pursue center Dwight Howard.

Nash earned $11.7 million last season as an All-Star point guard who finished second in the NBA in assists for a team that missed the playoffs. He will command close to that annually, although the Suns do not seem prepared to approach that. The Suns’ negotiations to retain Grant Hill (twice) and Channing Frye in recent years started with low initial offers before Managing Partner Robert Sarver stepped in late with above-market offers.

via Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic

Williams wants Gordon, Rivers Together

(Austin) Rivers said he would be comfortable playing either point guard or shooting guard.

(Monty) Williams likes the idea of restricted free agent Eric Gordon — whom the Hornets expect to re-sign — and Rivers playing in the back court together at times, giving New Orleans two players in the backcourt who can create their own shots from either the perimeter or on the drive.

Rivers is also eager to see how the presence of (Anthony) Davis helps him and fellow Hornets guards run the pick-and-roll offense.

“I’ve been thinking about it all the time. … I can throw the ball basically anywhere and those long arms can go and catch it and dunk it,” Rivers said. “It’s going to be cool. I know Eric is probably grinning, too, and Jarrett Jack and (Greivis) Vasquez — all these guys.”

Rivers said he hoped he would get to play for Williams in New Orleans, and so did his family. Williams became friends with Doc Rivers when they were teammates with the New York Knicks in the 1994-95 season. They spent part of a second season together in San Antonio. Rivers was later Williams’ coach in Orlando for three seasons.