[AP] Latrell Sprewell to decide between Houston and Detroit...

[Yahoo] Latrell Sprewell deciding between Houston and Detroit

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-freeagents-finley&prov=ap&type=lgns

With Finley on market, Sprewell must wait to decide between Detroit, Houston

By CHRIS SHERIDAN, AP Basketball Writer
August 16, 2005

Michael Finley's arrival on the free agent market Tuesday had an impact on Latrell Sprewell, who might not decide until the end of next week whether to sign with Detroit, Houston or elsewhere, Sprewell's agent said.

The Mavericks' decision to waive Finley late Monday night changed the complexion of the free agent market, throwing a two-time All-Star into the mix at a time when the majority of NBA teams have already made most of their major offseason moves.

The Pistons, however, have been holding onto their mid-level salary cap exception and are all but certain to go after Finley before deciding whether to settle for Sprewell.

Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, said eight or nine teams contacted him Tuesday to discuss his client's availability.

"He's in the process of narrowing it down and focusing on what teams he'd like to go to," Thomas said. "He's most interested in going to a situation where he has a chance to win a championship."

A few of Finley's suitors, including Detroit, Miami and Denver, still have their full mid-level salary cap exception and can offer a five-year deal with a starting salary of $5 million. Phoenix could offer Finley only the veteran's minimum, and San Antonio has only a portion of its mid-level exception remaining.

"(Money) will be looked at along with other factors, and ultimately Michael will have to prioritize,'' Thomas said.

The Mavericks tried to trade Finley before Monday night's midnight deadline for waiving players under the amnesty provision of the collective bargaining agreement, but were unable to reach a deal.

Finley will not clear waivers for seven days, a delay that will keep Sprewell waiting, too.

"If you look at teams like Miami, Detroit and Houston, they're all one player away from reaching the NBA Finals,'' agent Robert Gist said. ``We'll see what happens. The night is still young.''

"I think it speaks well of Latrell that two of his former coaches (Flip Saunders and Jeff Van Gundy) want him on their teams. Latrell is the one bargain that's out there right now.''

Sprewell turned down a three-year, $21 million extension from the Timberwolves before last season. Minnesota has shown no interest in trying to re-sign him, Gist said, nor have the Timberwolves seemed open to the idea of a sign-and-trade deal.

Sprewell, a 13-year veteran who will be 36 when the season begins, averaged a career-low 12.8 points last season for Minnesota.

Still considered an above-average defender, Sprewell would likely compete with David Wesley for playing time at the shooting guard spot in Houston. If he were to join the Pistons, it would likely be as a bench player backing up small forward Tayshaun Prince and shooting guard Richard Hamilton.

Detroit is one of nine teams, along with the Nuggets, Lakers, Heat, Bulls, Mavericks, SuperSonics, Timberwolves and Jazz, that still have their entire mid-level exception available.

"The mid-level is not an insult to Latrell, but his value is higher than the mid-level,'' Gist said.

Among the other remaining unrestricted free agents are Indiana's Dale Davis, Miami's Damon Jones, Memphis' Earl Watson, Atlanta's Tyronn Lue, Boston's Gary Payton, Seattle's Damien Wilkins and Minnesota's Eddie Griffin.

 

Read between the lines...his agent didn't just pull Detroit and Houston out of the air. It's obvious we are one of his top two choices. IMO, this explains why we haven't heard much about Van Exel signing for the LLE since being waived by Portland. Looks like Houston has been holding out for Sprewell.

Not a bad signing if he comes here for the LLE...