NBA Truth & Rumors: March 8, 2005

MORE TRUTH & RUMORS: MLB | NFL | NHL/Soccer

Eddy Curry has become a soft, whiny, one-dimensional enigma who is wasting his gifts and might be talking his way out of Chicago. For about two months, Curry teased his bosses with a stronger work ethic to accompany his 40-pound weight loss, prompting GM John Paxson to assure Curry and Tyson Chandler that any summer offers in restricted free agency would be matched. In Curry's case, the commitment looks like a mistake. When Jerry Reinsdorf emerges from his basketball cobwebs and criticizes him, you know a notoriously frugal owner isn't about to throw megabucks at an ongoing project. -- Chicago Sun-Times

Curry was asked if he was concerned that his lack of playing time could hurt his contract negotiations this summer and possibly hold down his price. "I'm thinking more in terms of this team," he said. "When I'm on the bench, I feel like I can honestly help us win the game. When I'm over there and we're not winning, it's always like I feel I could have done something to help us win. That overshadows the fact that I'm playing for a contract this summer. My biggest goal right now is to help this team." -- Chicago Sun-Times

Mike Dunleavy apparently has warmed to the idea of coaching his son, forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. of the Warriors, who will be a restricted free agent after next season and might already be on the Clippers' radar. -- Los Angeles Times

Tonight, the Knicks face Wizards center Kwame Brown, who has had an injury-plagued season, playing just 20 games. But the former first overall pick still could be a hot commodity as a restricted free agent this summer, with the Knicks seeking a pivot man with their $5 million mid-level exception or in a sign-and-trade. -- New York Post

The breakout season that Clippers forward Bobby Simmons has enjoyed not only has made him a strong candidate for the NBA's most improved player award but casts him as one of the most attractive unrestricted free agents this summer. -- Orange County Register

Udonis Haslem is playing so consistently and passionately and efficiently for his hometown Miami Heat that no sane observer would propose Alonzo Mourning slicing into his playing time. This offseason, if any team offers more than the league average -- around $5 million -- the Heat can't match. But it doesn't sound like he cares to leave. "At the end of the day, I want to take care of my family," Haslem said. "But the $600,000 I make now is more than I've ever made in my life." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Former Heat guard Tim Hardaway is happy for Mourning's chance to finish his career in Miami. Hardaway, who last played in 2003 (10 games with Indiana), had hoped for the same opportunity. Hardaway spent 5 1/2 seasons in Miami and has settled in South Florida, where he owns various businesses. "I'm happy Pat Riley is giving him a chance, that he didn't give me, to live his legacy out and play one more year," Hardaway said. "I'm waiting for that phone call just to do that." -- Palm Beach Post

Memphis point guard Earl Watson was the subject of trade rumors at the beginning of the year. But he has been such an integral player for the Grizzlies that a deal never materialized. But Memphis could lose Watson, anyway, and for nothing since he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. -- Orange County Register

If Nuggets coach George Karl decides to hire new assistants after the season, keep an eye on Portland assistant Tim Grgurich. -- Denver Post