Radmanovic, agent seek more minutes
FRANK HUGHES; The News Tribune
Published: November 10th, 2005 03:00 AM
CLEVELAND – The agent for Vladimir Radmanovic said the disgruntled forward will give the Seattle Sonics “10 or 12 games” to figure out how to use him before they ask for a trade.
David Bauman, who is based in Washington, D.C., will meet with Radmanovic over the next two days while the Sonics are in town to play the Wizards. The two will discuss Radmanovic’s lack of playing time.
They will formulate a plan, Bauman said, but in no way will they accept the status quo.
“We are not prepared to go that (trade) route yet,” Bauman said. “But 10 or 12 games in, I think that is where decisions have to be made by both sides.
“At the end of the day, (a trade) may be an option. We are not going to play 15 minutes a game and stay in Seattle. That was never discussed this summer. That was not what we contemplated. And if that is what Bob Weiss thinks Vlade’s worth is, then he needs to tell (general manager) Rick Sund that Vlade is the odd man out.”
Bauman’s comments came after Radmanovic expressed his displeasure following Tuesday night’s loss at Memphis, a game in which Radmanovic played 20 minutes.
Radmanovic was critical of Weiss’ substitution patterns and questioned why he wasn’t being used more a year after he averaged 11.8 points in 29.5 minutes.
The comments seemed to shock the Sonics on Wednesday, particularly since the team experienced the success it did last season, in part, because of individual sacrifices.
Weiss read about the comments five minutes before he held his pregame meeting with the media, saying he would address the team about the situation before the game against Cleveland.
Before that, though, he met with the media again, saying he would not fine or punish Radmanovic but not cave to his demands, either.
“I don’t appreciate being put in a box and having it judged,” Weiss said. “If I play him now, it looks like I am wilting to him. Like I told the players, once you sign your contract and once you become involved here, the most important thing is the team. I’m not going to worry about what it looks like with his minutes. I’m going to play him as I was planning on.”
Weiss told the team that if they have issues, they should talk to him and not discuss it with reporters.
Radmanovic played 33 minutes and scored 12 points in the Sonics’ 112-85 loss to the Cavaliers because Rashard Lewis injured his shoulder two minutes into the game and did not return. It appears Lewis’ injury is not serious, which leaves Radmanovic’s playing time in question.
Weiss said he has not played Radmanovic extensively because he injured his foot in the exhibition season and then did not play well in the first few games.
Bauman said Radmanovic is not playing well because he is not being given the chance to do so.
“The kid has to play. That is apparent,” Bauman said. “He played (29.5) minutes last season. That is the right number for him. The key is just to give Vlade the role and give him the space to do what he can do. He can’t do that in 15 minutes.”
Under the rules of the new collective bargaining agreement, if Radmanovic is traded, he loses his Larry Bird rights with the team that trades for him.
That means that if the team that trades for him is over the salary cap next summer, they can offer Radmanovic only the midlevel exception, which is expected to be a starting salary of around $5 million.
It also eliminates the possibility of a sign-and-trade deal next summer, thus restricting the options for Radmanovic to make more money than the $42 million he turned down from the Sonics.
Jackie Butler
6-10 PF from Coastal Christian Academy (HS)
3.3 ppg, 0.0 rpg, 0.0 apg in 1.7 minutes
Maurice Taylor
6-9 PF from Michigan
7.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.4 apg in 23.8 minutes
Incoming
Vitaly Potapenko
6-10 C from Wright State
3.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.3 apg in 10.2 minutes
Danny Fortson
6-8 PF from Cincinnati
7.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.1 apg in 16.9 minutes
Change in team outlook: -0.1 ppg, +3.7 rpg, and -1.0 apg.
Seattle Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Vitaly Potapenko
6-10 C from Wright State
3.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.3 apg in 10.2 minutes
Danny Fortson
6-8 PF from Cincinnati
7.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.1 apg in 16.9 minutes
Incoming
Jackie Butler
6-10 PF from Coastal Christian Academy (HS)
3.3 ppg, 0.0 rpg, 0.0 apg in 1.7 minutes
Maurice Taylor
6-9 PF from Michigan
7.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.4 apg in 23.8 minutes
Change in team outlook: +0.1 ppg, -3.7 rpg, and +1.0 apg.
Successful Scenario
Due to New York and Seattle being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. New York and Seattle had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
I think Seattle would prefer Crawford, but the numbers just dont work. Besides, Mo T has less years left, and JB gives them a young C to work on.
Vlad Rad spreads our offense, kills the zones and opens up space for Q and Steph to drive and/or dish.
Thoughts?
[Edited by - firefly on 11-10-2005 3:57 PM]Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream things that never were and ask why not?
