Free-agent center Dewayne Dedmon is a hot commodity in the market as he is being targeted by the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks. Dedmon declined the $3 million option on his two-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs to test the free agent market where he is expected to gain a huge payday.
According to Adam Kaufman of CBS Sports Radio, the Celtics might use their $4.328 million exception per year to sign Dedmon as a backup to Al Horford. Meanwhile, Michael Scotto of the Associated Press reported that Dedmon is on the Hawks' radar. Atlanta gives Dedmon a better chance to start with the departure of Paul Millsap, who joined the Denver Nuggets on a three-year, $90 million deal.
Last season, the 7-footer Dedmon became a solid starter and a reliable reliever for the Spurs, providing coach Gregg Popovich with an outstanding defender who can also score at times. Dedmon started 37 of 76 games for the Spurs, averaging 5.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per outing.
Dedmon saw action for just 12 games in the playoffs, averaging 3.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 8.1 minutes of action as Popovich relied on his veteran front-liners Pau Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge and David Lee against the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Before joining the Spurs, Dedmon suited up for the Orlando Magic during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
Spurs might part ways with Dedmon
The Spurs might not be able to bring Dedmon on a higher pay because of their small salary cap room.
San Antonio recently signed Patty Mills and free-agent center Joffrey Lauvergne to deals. The Spurs did not immediately release details of their deal with Lauvergne, who split time last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls recently pulled their $2.1 million qualifying offer to Lauvergne, allowing him to become a free agent.
The Bulls acquired Lauvergne via trade with the Bulls before last season's trade deadline.
Spurs still expected to sign Pau Gasol, David Lee
The Spurs are also expected to sign center Gasol and power forward Lee, who is still recovering knee injury. Gasol and Lee both declined the $16.2 million and $1.6 million option in their contracts, respectively.
Gasol said he still has some gas left in his tank and willing to return to the Spurs for his 17th season. Lee, for his part, doesn't have to undergo surgery on his injured knee and will be ready for training camp.
