What can we do with this guy? It's obvious that his best days are behind him. So basically, we are stuck with his 30mil/3yr contract? We could use that extra 10mil/yr. We can't release him or find any takers. So we're stuck with him until when? '03?
We can drive him out into the country, then drop him off- much like they tried to do to the Encino Man.
These are the only (legal) options I can think of: 1) Package with pick #5 and/or #15. The downside is that the Rocks will need to take in equally bum contract value (same money but probably for a longer time period). A quick goofy example - #5 + Rice + 15 + KT for Miami's #10 and Edde Jones (player option in 2005!). 2) A contract buyout. 3) Package Rice near the Feb. 15th trade deadline to a contender. This assumes he is moderately productive. Again ,we will have to eat a bum contract in return. That's it.
We need to make like the Godfather. Force him to retire by "making him an offer he can't refuse." That would clear cap room.
or we could put a horse head in his bed, just to show him we mean business around here. That might motivate him, or it might scare him into retirement. I am hopping for the latter.
