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Brand Opts Out Of Contract

Elton Brand is officially an unrestricted free agent.

"We're opting out," Brand said. "It definitely doesn't mean I'm leaving the Clippers. We're trying to work it out. My intention is to stay."

According to a report on ESPN.com, Brand, who gave up the $16.4 million on the last year of his contract, hopes to remain with the Clippers.

He joins teammate Corey Maggette, who filed his paperwork earlier in the day, in free agency.

Brand's agent, David Falk, said the forward wants to see the Clippers sign a quality free agent and try to assemble a winning team in Los Angeles.

"It preserves options to make the team better," Falk said. "Clearly, if Elton decided he wanted to simply max out the dollars, he would have stayed in the deal, had a monster year and a lot more teams will have cap room next year."

Via ESPN


Clippers Extend Qualifying Offers To Fazekas, Williams

The Los Angeles Clippers today extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Nick Fazekas and Marcus Williams, announced by Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor.

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its right of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent, the team must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team but is subject to a right of first refusal with the team for which the player last played.

In 26 games played for the Clippers and Mavericks last season, Fazekas averaged 4.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 10.3 minutes per game. Fazekas, the 34th overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Mavericks, was originally signed to two consecutive 10-day contracts by Los Angeles beginning on February 27th. He was signed by the Clippers for the remainder of the season on March 18th.

Williams, a 6’7” forward out of Arizona, averaged 0.9 points in 11 games and played for Los Angeles and San Antonio during the 2007-08 campaign. Williams was signed by the Clippers for the remainder of the season on March 28th.

Via Press Release


Wizards Sign Jamison To Extension

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed forward Antawn Jamison to a contract extension. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

“Signing Antawn to a contract extension was a top priority for us this summer,” said Grunfeld. “He has been a leader for us both on and off the court over the last four seasons, and we’re proud to reward his efforts by bringing him back.”

Jamison led the Wizards in scoring (21.4 ppg) and rebounding (a career-high 10.2 rpg) last season to earn his second career All-Star appearance. He was one of only five players in the NBA to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds and posted a career-high 44 double-doubles.

Via RealGM Staff Report


Jun 2008 Archive