I really wanted Etan Thomas what a shame. He's younger, taller and bigger than Kurt and plays harder but I'm afraid with him and Dampier gone Kurt may be our best option.

he's a restricted FA but milwaukee doesnt own his bird rights. im not completely sure about this but since they used part of their mLE on James, i think they could only match up to 2mm i could be wrong---there is no doubt that we would have to over pay a bit and at this point what is a couple of million? I would be aggresive 3 years starting at 4mm so something like 3 years 14mm its overpaying him a tad but we have to be slightly aggresive here while staying within reason--no matter what the contrac is fluid [meaning its short and moveable]

Here's what John Hollinger, SI.com writer who basically studies basketball, had to say about Gadzuric:

"• Dan Gadzuric, Bucks
(14.8 pts/40 min, 12.8 reb/40 min, 4.0 blk/40 min)

One of the keys to Milwaukee's surprising season has been the ability to find decent big men on the cheap. Brian Skinner and Daniel Santiago have both had their moments, but Gadzuric takes the cake. He's an outstanding rebounder, finishes around the basket and can beat almost every center in the league down the floor. He doesn't get talked about much as a shot-blocker because his per-game average doesn't jump out at you, but he averages four blocks per 40 minutes -- about 25 percent more than Ben Wallace. Yet Gadzuric has yet to start a game this year, an oversight that Terry Porter ought to correct by the end of the year.

In addition to the four players above, two other players fall into the "grain of salt" category. Their numbers this year are impressive, but because each has played only about 300 minutes, it's still within the realm of possibility that they're nothing more than glorious flukes."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/02/01/beat.0203/

i dont think the bucks will let gadzuric go for nothing, he is more of PF than center with a lot of athletic ability that likes to play big. He doesnt have the size to really play center but can be a rebounding and machine with pretty good shot blocking. I think Keon Clark is the best we can do right now. We are the most expensive payroll on the team and if we cant legitimatly compete for a title in the east i think its totally unacceptable for the extra cash we decided to use. What is the midlevel exception for a player the KINGS coveted to use as their shaq stopper. Hes coming off injury and will be a big question mark. But if hes healthy he can bring plenty to our club. I would be willing to only give him a max 3 year deal though.

Another route to go would be to try to find a big man through the draft but with the fire power we have, im not sure would we be able to get a good pick, so isiah is gonna have to find another gem.

There just isnt enough talent big men in league and i dont see how we cant trade for one.

brandan haywoode is a player that has size and potential to be a similar player to maglaiore i think. He isnt a great shot blocking but a young big body that has a decent skills. Maybe aquire can do something with him. Im not sure when he was even drafted and when he becomes a free agent but with brown going down to injury it would be harder to aquire him too, even with the etan thomas resigning.

we are all lying to ourselves if we think our high potent offense power team can make us an elite team. We have no big men period.

the

Gadzu is signed, but I agree w/ your thinking.

My guess is its going to be Baker for 2 years which is an ok stop gap plug for this team. A 6'11 guy with his skills and experience for 2-3mm a year is very economical.

The only other guy available as a FA at this point is Tsakalidis. He's looked good on offense at times but I would rather have someone looking to play D.

There will be a lot of young bigs available next year... some guys really worth taking a shot on

let's just get baker inked and call it a day. gadzuric would be awesome but not sure of his contract situation. isiah is gonna try to do something at the deadline, most likely unsuccessful this season. the only thing we can hope for is that kurt and nazr come in and produce right off the bat. that could get us something back, otherwise, if this is our roster:

guards - marbury, h20, crawford, penny, moochie, shandon
forwards - tim, kurt, penny, sweets, jyd, ariza, shandon
center - nazr, vin, kurt

then i still think we're still a 45 win type team. dampier would've gotten us alot farther come playoff time but it looks like 45 wins with advancement into the 2nd round which is great for year 1 1/2 of the rebuild on the fly. the focus on this season is to run the 3 guard, develop sweetney, and try to stay healthy. ariza's time will be next year most likely (with penny gone).

next offseason and trade deadline is when isiah is going to do some damage plus i still think we have a #1 next year to work with as well. let's get everyone's stock up and use them along with expiring deals to get the next BIG piece to hopefully put us over the hump.

[Edited by - djsunyc on 08/18/2004 09:53:52]

Baker and clark would be a niec versatile combo, and a great step in the good direction.

I really wonder why clark is still under the radar.

Keon Clark would be awesome-- he'd provide a good deal of athleticism for any team--- I wonder if he's such a headcase that teams are afraid of signing him.

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by fishmike:

Gadzu is signed, but I agree w/ your thinking.

My guess is its going to be Baker for 2 years which is an ok stop gap plug for this team. A 6'11 guy with his skills and experience for 2-3mm a year is very economical.

I agree but I also think an athletic shot blocker like Keon Clark for 2 or 3 yrs at around 1.5 mil per year is very economical as well and I see no harm in adding both Baker and Clark.