|
raven
Posts: 22454
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 9/2/2002
Member: #316
Canada
|
Thursday Insider
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
Will the Clippers match the Suns' offer sheet for Quentin Richardson? That's the
question on everyone's mind this morning as the 15-day window for the Clippers
to respond to the Suns' offer sheet expires Thursday at midnight eastern.
With most of the free-agent dollars dried up, several teams and player agents
are waiting with bated breath for the decision.
The Clippers, as of late Wednesday night, still weren't willing to divulge their
decision. Sources have been maintaining for more than a week that the Clippers
were leaning heavily toward matching the offer. However, a number of trade
scenarios have popped up over the past few days that could convince the Clippers
not to match in an effort to preserve their cap space for a deal down the road.
A league source told Insider on Wednesday that Richardson had not had any
contact with the Clippers since he signed the offer sheet.
"You'd think, if they wanted him back, they would've at least tried to give him
a little love after the Kobe thing fell through," the source told Insider.
"Everyone knew they were after Kobe, but after he chose the Lakers, I think he
expected the Clippers to reach out."
Quentin Richardson
Shooting Guard
Los Angeles Clippers
Profile
2003-2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GMPPGRPGAPGFG%FT%
6517.26.42.1.398.740
Richardson's six-year, $42.6 million offer sheet is pretty reasonable --
especially given the out-of-control market this summer. His starting salary of
$5.8 million is barely more than the mid-level exception and $1.2 million less
than Corey Maggette's starting salary last season. However, Insider has learned
that his contract does have a few clauses in it that have given the Clippers
pause.
Richardson's contract stipulates that 70 percent of his first-year salary has to
be paid to him on Aug. 15th. The contract also has a 15 percent trade kicker in
it. The Clippers matched similar-type offers for Elton Brand and Maggette last
season. Will it scare them away from Q?
The Suns don't know either.
"I'm not sure what their going to do," Suns GM Bryan Colengelo told Insider
Wednesday afternoon. "We're waiting like everyone else. I think he'd be a great
fit on our basketball team. But we have contingency plans in place in the event
that they match."
If the Clippers match, suddenly the Suns become players in the free-agent market
again. Warriors free-agent center Erick Dampier has been waiting for over a week
to see what happens with Phoenix. The Suns still need a big man and Dampier
would be a good fit, especially if he's willing to sign outright for the $5.8
million in cap space the team has.
If he's not, the Suns may still be able to work out a sign-and-trade. If the
Warriors were willing to take back center Jake Voskuhl (2 years, $3.57
remaining), he could do a sign-and-trade for a starting salary of $7.4 million.
Given that the Warriors can give him 12.5 percent raises, he could end up with a
contract of five years, $44 million or six years, $55 million depending on how
high the Suns were willing to go. The Suns aren't willing to break the bank for
him.
Dampier isn't the only option for the Suns. Stromile Swift is still looking for
an offer sheet, though it appears likely the Grizzlies would match a six-year,
$42.6 million offer sheet. Other top-tier free agents like Darius Miles are also
looking for a home.
If the Clippers choose not to match, the Suns are capped out, but the Clippers
would have roughly $13.2 million in cap space to use. That number goes down to
$7.4 million if the team matches.
A number of free agents have targeted the Clippers as have several teams trying
to cut cap and work out a trade. Most notably, the Nets have been trying to work
out a deal that would send Kerry Kittles (and the one year, $10.3 million left
on his contract) to the Clippers in an effort to get even further under the
salary cap. Why would the Clippers pay Kittles $10.3 million but refuse to pay
Richardson (arguably the better player) $5.8 million next year? With Kittles and
Marko Jaric coming off the books next summer, the Clippers would have max cap
room to play with again next year.
Around the League
More restricted news: Only five other restricted free agents have signed offer
sheets with teams. Mehmet Okur signed one with the Jazz. The Pistons withdrew
their qualifying offer from Okur when they signed Rasheed Wallace and Okur
signed with the Jazz on Monday. The Wizards matched the Bucks' offer to Etan
Thomas. The Cavs will be unable to match the Jazz's offer to Carlos Boozer and
he's expected to formally sign today.
The Raptors have decided to match the Hornets' three-year, $15 million offer to
Mo Peterson, according to several reports. They are expected to announce their
decision today. The other outstanding offer is the Blazers' four-year, $27
million offer sheet to Trenton Hassell. The Timberwolves have until Aug. 10 to
match the offer.
More options for Damp? If the Suns end up landing Richardson or, if they can't
work out a quick deal with Dampier, look for Dampier to land in either New York
or Atlanta by early next week.
The Knicks have reportedly upped their offer to Golden State, offering Kurt
Thomas and Othella Harrington (who is in the last year of his contract) to the
Warriors for Dampier in a sign-and-trade. Thomas could provide the Warriors with
a much-needed veteran presence at the four, though Chris Mullin might balk at
the five years, $36.8 million left on his contract.
If things don't go that way, Dampier will likely sign the Hawks' offer. The
Hawks have, according to sources, upped their offer to Dampier now that they've
received considerable trade interest from several teams, including the
Grizzlies. The Warriors may not be interested in doing a sign-and-trade, but the
Hawks wouldn't be averse to signing Dampier and then trading him. If they sign
Dampier, they won't be able to trade him until Dec. 15.
There's always the risk, given his history, that Dampier will get injured and
become untradeable before the deadline. But if he goes to Atlanta and plays well
for a few months, it may convince a team like the Grizzlies or Pacers to make a
trade that could help fill a number of holes that the Hawks have.
Miles, Abdur-Rahim blazing in Portland: Lost in the Shareef Abdur-Rahim trade
demand on Tuesday was a subtle hint as to why restricted free agent Darius Miles
and the Blazers aren't even close to an agreement.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Power Forward
Portland Trail Blazers
Profile
2003-2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GMPPGRPGAPGFG%FT%
8516.37.52.0.475.869
According to Abdur-Rahim and coach Maurice Cheeks, the Blazers are offering
Shareef Miles' job at the three. Miles started 42 games at small forward for the
Blazers last season, averaging 12.6 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 28 mpg. By the end of the
season, he'd upped his averages to 14.1 ppg and 5.1 rpg. Not too shabby.
Last season, Cheeks clearly preferred Miles to Abdur-Rahim and it was tough to
argue with the results. The team went 24-16 with Miles in the starting lineup, a
dramatic improvement from where it began the season.
Abdur-Rahim averaged 10 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 23 mpg coming off the bench. However,
his production steadily fell off as the season wore on. By April, he was
averaging just 7.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg in 17.8 mpg.
Why the sudden change of heart from Cheeks? Even Abdur-Rahim doesn't get it.
Darius Miles
Guard-Forward
Portland Trail Blazers
Profile
2003-2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GMPPGRPGAPGFG%FT%
7910.94.52.1.485.642
"My problem with that is if you started Darius at small forward all of last year
-- and Darius is supposed to be a big part of the Blazers' future - and now I'm
going to start there?" Abdur-Rahim told the Oregonian. "That's creating a crazy
situation. What is Darius supposed to think about that? And for the team? That's
not good. I don't want to be in a situation where it's uncomfortable.
"And last season, I didn't even split time at the four, and now all of a sudden
you want to start me at the three and have me back up at the four? I just want
to know what is really going on. Are they trying to keep me to save luxury tax
dollars the next season, or what? I just want to sit down and get some straight
talk."
Abdur-Rahim is so upset about the situation that he's threatening to sit out the
season if he isn't traded. Can you imagine how Miles feels? During his exit
interview, Miles was told he was going to be a big part of the Blazers' future.
Abdur-Rahim was told they'd try to trade him. Now, it looks like both promises
have been turned on their head.
After the latest fiasco, there's no question that Miles, too, now wants out of
Portland. He was stunned when the team offered him a contract that started lower
than its one-year tender offer ($5.4 million). The few teams left with cap room
have been reluctant to make offers because the Blazers are claiming they'll
match. Several teams are willing to do sign-and-trades, but the Blazers are
refusing to talk.
That leaves Miles with just two options. One, he can still try to convince a
team like the Clippers, Hawks, Suns (if Q isn't matched) or the Bobcats to make
him an offer. The Clippers make the most sense. He flourished in L.A. and has a
rock-solid relationship with Corey Maggette, Elton Brand and rookie Shaun
Livingston. He works out with all three at Hoops the Gym in Chicago all summer.
He's also best friends with Quentin Richardson. The two would love to be
reunited.
If that doesn't work, Miles can accept Portland's one-year tender offer and
become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Doing so guarantees that he'll
bolt the Blazers next summer. Like most free agents, he'd prefer to get a deal
done now before the collective bargaining agreement expires . . . but given the
current climate in Portland, sources say he's on the verge of taking the tender
offer.
All of this leads to the inevitable, what the heck are the Blazers thinking,
conclusion. While clearly they hold most of the negotiating cards right now, if
Miles calls their bluff and takes the tender offer, they've just lost a valuable
asset. Owner Paul Allen and GM John Nash may prefer Abdur-Rahim to Miles, but
the reality is that Shareef is bolting Portland.
If the Blazers don't trade him this year, he'll leave via unrestricted free
agency next summer. If Miles does the same ... where does that leave the Blazers?
With Zach Randolph (who's looking for a big extension next summer) and roughly
$20 million in cap room. Maybe the Blazers think they can do better on the open
market next year, but if Miles blows up this year (he showed signs of it toward
the end of the season) the Blazers will end up kicking themselves.
Free agent updates
League sources told Insider that the Lakers have reached a multi-year agreement
with big man Slava Medvedenko. Look for him to sign the contract on Monday. The
Lakers are also close to signing second round draft pick Marcus Douthit to a
deal.
Lithuanian sharp shooter and top international free agent Arvydas Macijauskas
signed a three year extension on Monday with Tau Ceramic. However, he can still
head to the NBA this season as long as he does a deal by July 31st. After that
window, he's unavailable until next summer. Several teams, including the Bulls,
have shown interest.
Look for Hawks free agent point guard Jacque Vaughn to land in New Jersey along
with another free agent guard Rodney Buford. Both have been in serious talks
with the Nets all week. Vaughn is the most critical signing. It looks like Jason
Kidd may miss that start of the season after offseason knee surgery and the Nets
need someone with starting experience to replace him.
Hawks guard Travis Hansen is trying to talk the Hawks out of picking up their team option for his second year. The Hawks drafted a four swingmen in this year's draft and played Hansen sparingly in the summer league. A number of teams are in hot pursuit of Hansen, but can't do anything until the Hawks decide what to do with him. The Hawks have until Aug. 15th to waive him or his salary protection becomes full.
Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.
|
7/29/2004 7:24 PM
