NBA Free Agency & The Return of Mannywood

The Detroit Pistons made the biggest news in NBA Free Agency thus far, as they signed Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva yesterday. Gordon, who averaged 21 points last season, will receive a 5-year deal worth between $55 and $60 million, while Villanueva, who averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds last season, will receive a 5-year deal worth $40 million. 

The Los Angeles Clippers continued with their busy off-season by trading power forward Zach Randolph to the Memphis Grizzlies for swingman Quentin Richardson. Randolph averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds last season, but he only played in 39 games due to injuries. Richardson, who averaged 10 points with the New York Knicks last season, will return to the team who drafted him in 2000. The move also assures that the Clippers overall #1 draft pick Blake Griffin will get a spot in the starting lineup.

There are many rumors surfacing with the Lakers and Trevor Ariza. ESPN.com is reporting that Ariza is leaning towards leaving the Lakers, since they are not offering him the kind of money he is seeking. Now if Ariza were to leave the Lakers, there is a possibility LA could pursue Ron Artest. While the possibility of Artest coming to LA is strictly talk, the possibility of Ariza leaving LA seems very likely. Ariza wants $8-9 million a year, which is about $3 million more than the Lakers are willing to offer. I would be more than happy having Artest if Ariza indeed leaves the Lakers. Artest is a great defender and creates his own shows. As much as I love Trevor, he's had one good year and in my opinion is not worth more than the mid-level exception of $5.6 million.

Onto baseball now. Dodger fans the wait is finally over: Manny Ramirez will return to action tomorrow against the San Diego Padres! The 12-time All-Star has served his 50-game suspension and will now look to bring energy to a Dodger offense that has struggled as of late. The Dodgers went 29-21 in Ramirez's absence, and increased their lead in the National League West from six and a half games to seven games. While I won't be giving a heroes welcome to Manny, I'm certainly excited that he is back simply because the Dodger offense has been in a funk recently and is in need of some power! Manny's return should ignite the team and the city of Los Angeles. The Dodgers currently have the best record in baseball at 50-29. They play their final nine games before the All-Star break on the road, starting tomorrow in San Diego, followed by three games in New York and Milwaukee.