James’ current contract expires after the 2009-10 season, and while several NBA teams are working to create salary cap space for his impending free agency, none could offer a contract beginning at even $20 million a year.

The Russian team CSKA Moscow and the Greek team Olympiacos, which recently gave Josh Childress a contract approaching $30 million over three years, have already contacted James, according to the person close to him. The person added, however, that no monetary or contractual discussions have taken place.”

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3520860

Denver were already very likely to cut both players so Donnie could have picked up either player in free agency on the minimum if he wanted. Green had reportedly struggled in summer league while Bobby Jones was heavily outplayed by Dahntay Jones.

Looks like a straight forward salary dump

Personally I’d rather the Knicks try to pick up a 2nd rounder or two for Balkman (I don’t think they’d get more than that) that a salary. It’s not like the club can’t afford to pay this small contract for 12 months. Look for the draft picks.

Either way Balkman is getting pushed out of the rotation by Gallinari and Chandler. It isn’t totally surprising that the Knicks are looking to move him.

For writers who complained that they had nothing to write about, they sure didn’t put much effort into getting to the bottom of that story

I have to remind myself: Balkman is much more interesting to KB bloggers — me, particularly – than the basketball-fan public at large. So I can’t read too much into it. At least I hope not.

It really doesn’t make sense, especially knowing that they could have saved $43 million by taking the Clipper offer. Frugal teams sell 1st round picks for $3 million. That would have been a $40 million pick!

Caleb– you raise a good point about the writing on the wall re: Balkman. There was definitely conflict last year between he and Isiah, but at the same time, everybody was having conflict with Isiah. I think you are right to finger the beats as culpable at the most and hugely unhelpful at the least. They asked Isiah “why doesn’t Balkman play” and he said “ask Balkman”. They asked Balkman and he said “ask Isiah.” For writers who complained that they had nothing to write about, they sure didn’t put much effort into getting to the bottom of that story…

Of course I’m Balkman’s biggest fan, so maybe I’m overly sensitive.

Another thing — this post makes a lot of hay out of Balkman supposedly not having a “high basketball IQ.” That just seems weird. I don’t get to see the Knicks as much as I’d like, and even less of Balkman, but whenever I see him he looks perfectly savvy. It’s not in the numbers, either — he’s not a high turnover guy, and he’s a good enough ballhandler that he was playing point forward all last summer league. What seems to be the problem, again?

Anyway, if they swapped him for a first round pick, it wouldn’t be the end of the world — but we’d probably regret it. He’d be absolutely perfect for George Karl.

If the Nuggets were sending back a draft pick, I might buy this rumor. And that may very well be the case. Look at the Randolph trade rumor – the initial reports failed to mention that the Clippers wanted a first rounder. It’s possible there’s more (or less) to this rumor than is currently reported.

I’m also suffering a few withdrawal symptoms but I think this is just how thenon-Isiah NBA does business – at least a few weeks between major roster moves. It’s been so long I can barely remember.

In other NBA news, Jon can rest easy – Biedrins just signed, $63 million over 6 years.

Josh Smith has got to be steaming – Hawks have only offered $57 mil. Yes Owen, I know that Biedrins is good and a virtual superstar in Berri-land :)