Im sure the Knicks would love to trade Marbury but what does buying him out accomplish? You have to pay him anyway, might as well make him play. Its hard to believe how much money some of the worst players in the league make.
Buying him out = Not having to listen to him bellyaching about not starting. My guess though is that they just let his contract expire unless they can get solely picks back for him...
SA offered him the veterans minimum and he refused it. I believe the veterans minimum is around $1.7 million.
I like McGrady as a player but he has nowhere to go but down. Anthony is young and still improving as a player, Mcgrady is older, had tons of injuries (62 games in 3 years) and he is losing his shooting touch. I totally understand Dumars wanting to shake it up and I agree with it, but are the Rockets ready to take back R. Wallace, McDyess and Maxiell for T-Mac. Basically at that point your throwing in the towel on next season and having a boatload of caproom in 2010. If your Dumars and keep Billups and have Hamilton and T-Mac, Prince, Stuckey and no inside presence are you better off. I pretty sure including Billups in any deal will be a setback next year also unless Stuckey is a total stud which I will have to wait to make a call on he has only played in 74 games and 1400 minutes.
It accomplishes absolutely nothing. Just send him home. Say "look, we're going to pay you $21M this year to sit back home in your Manhattan penthouse, drink bubbly and watch reruns of the Beverly Hillbillies. Don't come to MSG unless you buy a ticket." Let him bellyache all he wants from there; the press is going to lose interest after a couple weeks. A $21M contract is something that's got some real trade value with teams looking to clear cap space. The Knicks might be able to spin it into something useful. Buying out Marbury ensures they can't even do that.
Make no mistake, I would prefer Anthony to McGrady. I'm just saying that it's not a desperate move. Yes, you have to take McGrady on the assumption that he's probably missing 10-15 games. But he's still only 29 (as of next season). The "cap room 2010" strategy is a loser for Detroit, and I would not pursue it. There's no point to pursuing that strategy unless you're a "destination" team, i.e. Lakers, Heat, Magic, Knicks. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, etc. are not going to have Detroit real high on their list of places to go, even if it's a good, well-run organization. The weather sucks, the city is abysmal and the suburbs are boring. No, Detroit has to build through smart trades, shrewd drafting and bargain free agent signings. Finally, another Piston rumor: they're in active talks with Golden State to send Billups there. The Pistons want Andris Biedrins in return, and the Warriors are balking at that.
NBA News: The LA Clippers tried to fill the vacant void left by Elton Brand by proposing a trade to the Knicks. The Clippers were attempting to take Zach Randolph off of the Knicks hands but the Knicks refused the trade. The Knicks believe that Randolph will have a big season under Mike D'Antoni. (Link) There's an 80% chance that Emeka Okafor will be back with the Charlotte Bobcats. The talk is that they would be willing to offer ten to twelve million a year to Okafor. Okafor has stated that his preference is to remain in Charlotte. The former UCONN Center has had other suitors such as the Clippers. (Link) The Bulls have shut down their top pick Derrick Rose for the remainder of summer league play. Rose has had knee tendinitis and is expected to undergo an MRI. The team doesn't believe its serious but will have Rose do a leg-strengthening program. Rose was quoted as saying " They say it keeps happening because I'm young and my legs aren't strong enough". (Link) Previously reported was that Spurs coach would like to see Manu Ginobili sit out the Olympics due to an ankle injury. Ginobili however states that he is optimistic about playing next month in Beijing and is leaning toward playing. (Link) Eduardo Najera has signed an offer sheet from the Nets. He now waits to see if the Nuggets will match. Also, the Nets have signed Pistons Jarvis Hayes.(Link)
Zach Randolph? In a run-n-gun system? The guy makes Shaq look like a marathon runner. 0 Defense or passing ability either. I know the Clips can match and/or beat that Okafor contract. And they should. Dang, I wanted to see the Lakers pick up Najera and Hayes, especially Najera.
I am absolutely, completely stunned. I can only assume that the Clippers offered an equally odious contract in return, and this stuff about "we think he's going to have a big season" is just window dressing. If Donnie Walsh has any sense at all, he would take anything he can get for Randolph, so long as it clears space for 2010.
I'm not sure why the Clippers wouldnt use Randolph as a last resort once they've struck out with Josh Smith or Okafur. I guess at that point maybe the Knicks would try to get more from the Clippers, but you'd think the Knicks would just be happy to unload his contract.
Why isnt GS giving some of this money they're using to overpay for Maggette and Turiaf to their restricted FA's like Biedrins and Ellis?
Better yet, why didn't they use that money to try and steal one of the other restricted free agents; Emeka Okafor, Josh Smith, Andre Iguadola. Again, the Corey Maggette signing was the dumbest move of the offseason by far. Made zero sense for both parties, and I'm still shocked that it went down. Ronny Turiaf isn't worth that price tag either. If you give him the minutes that SHOULD come with that contract, he probably fouls out in 20 and goes back to the bench spinning his towel as he continues to be the best cheerleader in basketball. Chris Mullins is garbage as ****
If they lose Biedrins or Ellis over a couple million dollars, I'm going to laugh my *** off. They could have saved about $15 million over the next four years and still signed both Maggette and Turiaf.
Except that violates the CBA. Looks like the Knicks may be close to moving Z-bo....Does it even matter who they get back? Ill assume its not Kaman, Baron Davis or Eric Gordon, after that do the Clippers even have a talented player on their roster? Just take expirings and picks Donnie! The Clippers are reportedly trying to acquire forward Zach Randolph from the Knicks. The Clippers are desperate for interior scoring now that Elton Brand is a Sixer, and might need to take on a few big contracts to appease new PG Baron Davis. So far, there is no word on who the Clippers might give up. The Knicks must feel like it's Christmas morning now that a team is actively trying to get Z-Bo, with his oversized contract and his utter lack of defense or passing skills. Jul. 12 - 10:30 am et Source: AZ Central
I assume you can add Al Thornton to the list of players the Clippers wont give up. I imagine they'll say take your pick of everyone else.
I don't know which is more pathetic, trading for Randolph and being rebuffed or telling everyone he will have a 'big season'. If the clippers offered a hot dog with extra mustard and some expiring contracts I'd take that deal in a heartbeat.
I disagree. I think because you get so many transition baskets in D'Antoni's system that it does to a degree artificially boost some numbers. From that perspective I could easily see Randolph having a year where he goes for 48%FG/75%FT 22/11. Talent has never been Randolph's issue so i think hot dog with extra mustard may not be enough. I wouldnt be at all surprised if we kept him and he turned it around and then he was dealt. Curry is the talentless bum I want gone. Randolph can pass out of double team he just chooses not to. Curry cant see the floor and I dont believe has any hope at becoming a defensive presence or a complete offensive player. Randolph when he choses to play hard is a very good player. He just needs someone to get it out of him every night that why all my trade idea having him going to teams with established coaches and veteran players where he cant do what he wants when he wants. Expirings and picks may do it only because walsh wants the cap space.
Which is rarely... Even if he does score and happen to come into contact with rebounds, he's a horrible defender and can make pre-2007/08 Kobe look like Stockton in terms of inclination to pass.
Talents never been the issue with Randolph. Yea if he feels like having a good year he probably will. But the reality is that hes a loser that makes a ton of cash and the Knicks want salary cap space for the 2010 class. Yea it would be better to dump Curry for dead contracts but no one wants Curry, his own Mom wouldn't give up a loaf of bread for him on the basketball court at that salary. The Knicks priority should be 2010 not trying to squeeze a decent year out of Randolph. Finding a way to rid themselves of Marbury, Randolph and maybe Curry and James is top priority.
I agree with what youre saying but if they tried to squeeze a good year from Randolph with the hopes of upping his trade value how could it hurt? Im sure someone will offer the same crap deal next summer...
Randolph has the potential, I just think he needs to be coddled too much, but maybe the new coach will get a little more out of him than Ike could.
News Around The League The Pistons have denied the McGrady trade talks. The team is not close to a trade for the superstar. The Pistons downplayed the initial report that they have made a big push for McGrady. They have stated that they are just one of many teams they have spoken to. (Link) The Clippers and Warriors have expressed interest in acquiring Shawn Marion of the Heat. The problem is that the Heat want to see if the compensation would be more appealing opposed to keeping Marion long-term or letting him go next off-season and go after Utah's Carlos Boozer. The Heat have stated that they want to keep Marion but would look at trade offers. The first offer wasn't close to Marion's wish. (Link) The Nets are interested in acquiring Magic guard Keyon Dooling. They are looking to acquire him via free agency or a trade. Dooling is looking for more than what the Nets have to offer. (Link) The Spurs average age last season was 32 years old. This upcoming season, the Spurs hope to be younger. They have several young players that will be displaying their skills in the summer league games. The Spurs could have a lineup that has an average age of under thirty years old this season. (Link) The Nuggets have officially resigned point guard Anthony Carter. The deal is worth $1.26 million over one year.(Link) Maggette has stood up for former teammate Elton Brand by stating that he is a good guy and that Brand felt he was disrespected by the Clippers. He says that "he's a stand up guy" and he doesn't want people to think he is a "bad guy".(Link) There is a God in Minnesota! The T-wolves have signed first round pick Kevin Love. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. (Link) Bobcats Gerald Wallace says that he's not surprised at the trade talks. He has been told that every player is being shopped. There was talk between Charlotte and Toronto prior to the draft that would have sent Wallace to Toronto in exchange for T.J. Ford. T.J. Ford was later sent to Indiana in exchange for superstar Jermaine O'Neal. (Link) Clippers first round pick Eric Gordon will be out for the remainder of summer league after suffering a strained hamstring. Gordon has been very impressive this summer, averaging 19 ppg, 5 rebounds, two assists and one steal a game. Although he has shot poorly this summer (only 9-28, 32%), he has gotten to the free throw line a lot (21 free throws in 58 minutes of play). (Link)
Sure, he doesn't want people to think he's a bad guy. But he certainly looks like one now. If he wanted to make a statement, he should've fired Falk. Too bad I don't get any of that money.
He said Falk was the best agent ever at his introduction PC. I don't like Brand anymore to be honest lol. He pissed me off.
I know. Essentially he was saying he's more than complacent with the shady moves Falk did and the destruction of his reputation (not like Dukies have any ).
While I agree with your post somewhat, I have to say it isnt really fair to say ALL Duke players have been shady. Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley, heck even Laettner werent shady.
Take it for what its worth, he could have just been saying it to get rid of them, but TMZ was asking Nash if he was eager to face LA next year and he said he was retiring.
NBA News: Are the Clippers getting their revenge on the Sixers? Maybe. The Clippers have had contact with Philadelphia's Andre Igoudala. Clippers coach, Mike Dunleavy, stated that he is one of many good players that the team is interested in. (Link) Celtics FA James Posey is close to a decision on where he will be playing in the upcoming season. The Hornets seem to be Boston's toughest competitor for James Posey, they are offering the full mid level exception. The Celtics only want to offer a two year deal to the 31 year old forward but Posey is looking for a four year deal. Others interested are Detroit, Cleveland and Washington. (Link) The Warriors are looking around the league for Point Guards but may be settling with Monta Ellis as their Point Guard. They plan on giving Ellis "room to grow". Although there have been rumors of a sign-and-trade deal involving Ellis (and Biedrins), it isn't likely to happen because of the Warriors being in contract talks with the two and are reluctant to give up either. (Link) The Cavaliers are making progress in contract talks with Point Guard Daniel Gibson. (Link) Tyronn Lue had an physical today with the Miami Heat. He is expecting to receive an offer from them. He has stated that he will decide between the Heat, Celtics and Suns. A Heat spokesman stated that no offer to the PG is imminent. (Link)
