http://www.northjersey.com/page.php...lRUV5eTY3MjY5MDgmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2 Shareef on the clock Monday, July 18, 2005 By AL IANNAZZONE STAFF WRITER The Nets aren't going to wait for Shareef Abdur-Rahim too much longer. Team officials would like a decision on whether Abdur-Rahim is committed to playing for them, perhaps as early as today. If they don't get it, they are expected to focus their attention on athletic free agent forward Stromile Swift. The Nets may bring Swift to New Jersey for a visit. Team brass met with him last week in Las Vegas. "I'm trying to keep the people we're interested in in the game here," Nets president Rod Thorn said Sunday afternoon. "You have to try to make sure they don't sign with somebody before you get whatever you're doing done." The Nets haven't gotten any closer to a sign-and-trade with Portland for Abdur-Rahim. The Blazers haven't accepted the Nets' offer of their $4.9 million trade exception and a second-round pick. The Nets could add another No. 2 pick to sweeten the deal. Either way, Thorn wants Abdur-Rahim to agree to come to New Jersey. If the Nets can't do a deal with Portland, Abdur-Rahim would have to take the midlevel exception, which provides a maximum of about $28 million over five years. With the trade exception, which expires July 29, Abdur-Rahim could get six years and about $38 million. Thorn said "definitely" when asked if he needed a commitment soon from Abdur-Rahim. One league source said the Nets will make their deadline today. But Aaron Goodwin, Abur-Rahim's agent, said the Nets are the ones on a deadline. "New Jersey should want something done before he signs with another team," Goodwin said. "In my case, I'm going to keep moving and get him the best deal." Abdur-Rahim walked away from a five-year, $47 million offer from the Bucks, and has been offered above midlevel money by the Clippers. Goodwin doesn't plan on accepting the midlevel. The Nets want something to happen this week with Abdur-Rahim or Swift, who is being courted heavily by Houston. Pending the completion of the new collective bargaining agreement, teams can start signing players Friday. The Nets want a top-flight big man before they turn their attention to other free agents such as Keyon Dooling, Darius Songaila and Clifford Robinson. A source with knowledge of the Nets' thinking believes once they get one agreement, they could secure one or two more players shortly thereafter. "There's a possibility that you may be able to start signing people on [Friday], so I'd say this is an important week for us," Thorn said. While the Blazers haven't been a willing sign-and-trade partner, the Grizzlies have been more receptive. They may accept a second-rounder and the trade exception for Swift. If so, the Nets could use their midlevel on more than one free agent. But the clock is ticking. "You try to keep everybody in the game," Thorn said. "As time passes it becomes harder to do, so we've got to try to get things expedited." E-mail: iannazzone@northjersey.com 6726908
I REALLY dont like the sound of that! The fact that the Grizz would be more willing to do a S&T with NJ's 2nd rounder (instead of the 1st Portland is demanding) really irritates me! I am sure the Grizz would love nothing more than to screw the Rockets out of getting Swift. I HATE THORN! I cant believe that we could possibly lose Swift to NJ because their FIRST choice in SAR is unavailale to them because the Nets are too stupid to give up a 1st round pick when they have 2 in the pocket!
I was really irritated with Thorn last week, but I'm over it now. It really is sad; if they think SAR is a good fit for them, this shouldn't be an issue. With regard to a Memphis S&T, NJ has one thing that we don't - a sizable trade exception. No matter what, Memphis takes on a year's worth of salary in the form of expiring contracts in any deal we do with them. With NJ, they don't have to. I'd like Swift, but no free agent out there is a perfect fit for us. If we can get any PF for reasonable money, I'm satisfied. I wonder who SAR would consider signing with for the MLE?
That TE is not worth that much more than our MLE. Plus with taxes calculated, they kind of even out. So even in the end, its still up to Stromile to decide.
The big difference is that the TE allows the contract to have an additional year, and higher year-to-year raises. Taxes would even things out a good deal, like you said. Also troubling is that the Nets *could* potentially still get SAR if they did pull of a trade for Swift, as they still have their MLE. We would be hosed, Tommy. We would be hosed. Evan
It is true they could do this, but I doubt either SAR or Swift would agree to go to the team that landed the other (I assume they want to start) and I would think NJ would address other areas of the roster. Yes NJ's TE deal is not significantly different than our MLE deal. Swift would only have to make like 5 mil the year after his deal with us expired to break even, if he thinks he is worth 7-8-9 mil year now that mark should be easy. If Swift is real confident he will sign a 3 or 4 year full MLE type deal with a player option, than he can opt out starting at over 9 mil (after 2 years) or max deal (after 3 years) if he earns it. Unless Swift choose NJ all things being pretty equal with money, NJ would have to trade players to get a salary package with Memphis at substantially more than the MLE. And that deal makes it much more costly for NJ and Memphis (other players and their salary have to be exchanged).
I agree. None of the PFs are ideal. I admit that Swift is an interesting prospect, but potential can be a scary thing. I remember the season we got Cato. He was an absolute beast in the preseason, and never really did much else duirng his time here. He showed a TON of potential during that preseason, and we know how that turned out. I am not trying to say I think Swift will end up being another Cato, as I think he has more overall skills. I would not mind it at all if we end up with SAR. If NJ say F'it and signs Swift, I think we would be as attractive a destination for SAR than any place else. Plus, I think the team looked terrific when JH played well last year, and I view SAR as a younger more talented JH.
