Don't you think DM contacted Marion first? The Rockets were trying to sign Kostas with the BAE, which didn't work out. I feel that they signed him after Marion told them, he didn't want to come to Houston.
Really? Marion is only getting vet min offers. Maybe, just maybe Morey doesn't want him. He's old and slow.
Makes sense. Can't flip a 39 year old Ray Allen (on a one year deal) Probably can't flip Shawn Marion So you go all in on Kostas. Can't sign you if you can't be traded!
Perhaps, yes. Marion may also be looking for another championship, and he isn't going to get it in Houston.
Anyone interested, Greece is playing against France in a friendly match. http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/3886/12/39/88/11D7hiAp5RNJM/ It should be easy to find a stream.
Great post, HI Mana. However, I don't think the Rockets will have much leverage on Papanikolaou in restricted free agency due to the sheer size of his qualifying offer. In order to make Papanikolaou a restricted free agent next summer, the Rockets must extend him a qualifying offer of nearly $6 million (being 125% of his prior year's salary). If the Rockets' goal is to use restricted free agency as a ploy to get Kostas to agree to a longer-term deal at a substantially lower salary (i.e., $2-3 million per year for four years), Papanikolaou can just call their bluff and accept his $6 million qualifying offer. He'd get a fat one-year contract (and in the process become a One-Year Bird player, able to veto any trade involving him), then take his chances all over again in 2016. While I like the flexibility of this contract, I have serious reservations about the Rockets being able to leverage restricted free agency in their favor against Papanikolaou.
Shawn likely is looking for a long term guaranteed contract. This will make him less attractive on the trade table.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kostas Papanikolaou on Greek TV for <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets">@HoustonRockets</a> "A dream comes true, but I have to keep that on the side, because of the NT" (1/2)</p>— Eurohoops.net (@Eurohoopsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eurohoopsnet/statuses/498187552973922304">August 9, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"I will speak about it when it's time. I just have to say that I feel blessed and I want to thank my family for their support" (2/2)</p>— Eurohoops.net (@Eurohoopsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eurohoopsnet/statuses/498187746947923968">August 9, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
After watching Paps' highlight video, I thoroughly enjoy his 3 point stroke over "he who shall not be named" frozen rope of a shot. I cringed every single time (that other guy) shot, even the ones he made.