New York Has Interest In Jeffries

[KG-MVP21]

New York Daily News - Knicks GM Isiah Thomas says he is not actively pursing deals for free agents, but, according to sources, the Knicks have had conversations with Jeffries' agent, Andy Miller, in recent days as negotiations between Jeffries and the Wizards have stalled.

Jeffries is considering accepting Washington's one-year qualifying offer for approximately $3 million, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The Knicks can offer Jeffries their mid-level exception, starting at approximately $5.2 million. The Knicks are reluctant to add salary, but the 6-11 Jeffries, who can play four positions, would give the team a versatile player who is regarded as a strong defender. The 24-year-old Jeffries averaged 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 77 games last season.

The Knicks' interest in Jeffries suggests that Thomas will not match the three-year, $7 million offer Jackie Butler received from the San Antonio Spurs . The Knicks have until tomorrow to decide on Butler's fate. By allowing Butler to leave, the Knicks would have one roster spot available.

[DTP]

I think Philly is maybe the best option for Jared.

[ABDENOUR POWER]

As the article mentioned, this could be good news for the Spurs. Their chances of stealing Butler away from NY have increased.

[KG-MVP21]

Knicks Sign Jeffries to Offer Sheet

By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 28, 2006; 6:06 PM

The New York Knicks signed restricted free agent guard/forward Jared Jeffries to an offer sheet this afternoon, according to NBA sources.

The Washington Wizards will have seven days to decide whether to match the offer. Team owner Abe Pollin, president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld and coach Eddie Jordan have all indicated a desire to retain Jeffries.

Terms of the offer sheet were not available. Jeffries has long been coveted by Isiah Thomas, New York president of basketball operations and head coach. Like Jeffries, Thomas starred at Indiana University.

The Wizards have 13 players under contract after the recent signing of free agent forward Darius Songaila to a five-year, $21 million contract, and have room under the NBA's luxury tax threshold to match the offer to Jeffries, according to sources.

Pollin has indicated that he is willing to spend up to, but not over, the luxury tax threshold $65.4 million. Teams with payrolls over the threshold pay a dollar-for-dollar penalty to the league on the amount of payroll that exceeds $65.4 million.

The most likely scenario, according to sources, is that the Wizards will use the full seven days before matching the offer sheet to retain Jeffries.

Jeffries was drafted by the Wizards with the 11th overall pick in 2002 and has posted averages of 6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in four seasons while carving out a role as perhaps the team's best all-around defender.

[KG-MVP21]

Isiah Attempts To Make Jeffries Contract Difficult To Match

New York Daily News - Isiah Thomas and Jared Jeffries' camp have reportedly done as much as they could to convince the Wizards not to match the offer sheet the forward signed with the Knicks.

It is believed that Jeffries' deal calls for him to receive 80% of his annual salary prior to the start of the season. Also, it is likely that Jeffries' contract includes a trade kicker or bonus in the event that he is dealt within five years.

The contract that Jeffries signed with New York is worth $30 million over five years instead of the $33 million over six years offered by Washington.

[Combs]

That's a lot of money for a player who hasn't proven much of anything.

[KG-MVP21]

True Combs

[Mobruler]

This is so wrong on so many level and pretty much stands or everythying that is wrong in the NBA.

- Isiah Thomas, your team is eleventy hundred million dollars over the cap and in last place and your offering defensive specialists 6 year max MLE contracts with incentives? What the fuck? Hello?! Yeah that's exactly what Stephon Marbury and Eddie Curry need, Isiah. Jared Jeffries.

- Abe Pollin, while being a little close-minded with the Jeffries situation, is being honest and set on not runing his team like a fucking NYK circus. he sad part is they can't match this offer without going over the luxury cap. Jared Jeffries is a favorite in DC. He was one of the most glorified an beloved players on last years Wizards team because of his hard work. He's a hustler and defensive stopper and the city embraced him. Now some scrub in New York with a blank checkbook and zero responibilty wants to sign him, and poof, gone from DC. I don't even blame Jeffries either because money is money.

Who I do blame is the current NBA luxary tax and salary cap system. Certain owners will spend an infinate amount of dollars to not make the playoffs while others stay responsible and under the cap and lose all their players to ridiculous over-paid contracts.

David Stern, if you want a more competitive NBA, the secret isn't giving Lebron Jams more uncalled travels. The secret is creating a balanced system for owners. Look at the NFL. You go over the cap, YOU DONT PLAY. Simple.