I got to say, it was a little weird seeing Cuttino in a Magic uniform ... but it's really odd seeing him on the Kings. In his debut tonight, he started and took about as many shots as Peja ... finished with 13 points and 4 blocks.
Clutch, if Cuttino was willing to sign an MLE deal this summer, would you be for taking him back? Just a hypothetical question, but I am interested in what you think...
Cuttino is worth that money in my opinion, but I just don't think he is what this team needs. I loved how much (I thought) he improved last year, and I feel he did more of what JVG was looking for, but he's still a guy who needs a lot of shots to be effective. On a tangent ... The way free agency works though is really getting interesting due to so many teams placing a premium on cap space. If a good-but-not-outstanding player feels he is worth more than the MLE, who is going to offer him more than that amount other than the team who holds his rights (in Cuttino's case, the Kings)? Only teams with the cap room to do it CAN do it, and would they use the valuable cap room to sign that player? Using Cuttino as an example, I believe he wants to get "paid" on this contract ..... but who is going to offer him more than the MLE? The Kings can beat the MLE to entice him, but I can't see some other team using the cap space. I'm hoping the case applies also to Stromile Swift, though once he's unrestricted, you may see the Grizzlies get more serious in an offer. There are always going to be exceptions that bad (See: desperate) teams will make that will drive the market (See: Okur, Mehmet), but it's hard to see teams using pure cap space on a guy like Cuttino. The hope of course is that this makes the MLE for attractive franchises (like a no-income tax city with two young stars on the roster) more valuable than the MLE elsewhere.
Clutch, Excellant take. In all honesty, this is something that probably should be given its own thread. This summer really the only teams with significant Cap space is Cleveland, Atlanta, Charlotte, Seattle and the Clippers. We know Cleveland is going hard after Redd and still has to resign Z. We know the Seattle will have to resign their own guys including Allen. That leaves Atlanta, Charlotte and the Clippers. The Clippers arent going to be spending a lot of money, so you can almost count them out. That then leaves Atlanta and Charlotte. My guess is Charlotte will still be very cautious on who they spend money on. That then leaves Atlanta. So really there arent many destinations for players wanting ABOVE the MLE other than as Clutch said, their current team. There were a number of teams last summer that had "money to burn" and thus it was great for the players. But this summer there arent a lot of destinations available and thus the MLE should be able to buy a team A LOT more "value" THIS upcoming summer versus last summer. In other words, this summer one might be able to get Stromile Swift or Mobley with the FULL MLE. Last summer that bought you Brian Cardinal and Derek Fisher.
For the life of me I still don't know why the Grizzlies paid that much for Cardinal ... still makes no sense. For a team that had a lot of depth and guys wanting to be paid eventually, it didn't seem smart. Anyhow, very good point ... and hopefully that's the case. The catch of course is those guys likely will be resigned by their respective teams because they can easily go over the MLE amount. There has to be something that drives the free agent away (team playing too much hardball, or offering not enough over the MLE ... or the free agent simply wants a change of scenery). A good example may be Olowokandi ... though he has sort of busted compared to his perceived value at the time.
Well, I think in the case of Stromile Swift, it will be interesting. I mean if he was in their long range plans he would be playing more. He would be starting at center for them. I dont see any reason why he would want to return unless they offer him something like 5 years 50M. But then why would they offer him that much money and then not play him now!?!? I agree on the Cardinal signing. That was ridiculous. Taking nothing away from Cardinal, but his worth is probably around 3+M per. On a team that has guys like Wells, Miller, Battier, Posey at the swing positions. And then Gasol, Swift and Wright at the 4 spot, why add Cardinall? To me it was West spending money just to spend money. He spent it because he could. It was West trying to accumulate as many assets as possible to make 2-1, 3-1 trades for a star player and still have a bench left.
Tyson Chandler's name has been tossed around alot on these boards, you guys think he could be had for the MLE? I know the Bulls can match and exceed any offers, but would they want to keep and pay both he and Curry a big amount of money?
Since the CBA is up, we are not even sure there will be a cap, or a season..... That is why players were signing contracts as quickly as possible this last off season. The NBA wants shorter maximum length of contracts, and the players obviously don't. Could be a long off season. DD
I wouldn't be surprised to see shorter contracts with higher ceilings and a compromise on the luxury tax. I don't see a lockout. Noone wants the garbage that is going on in the NHL.
Interesting that you guys mention Stromile Swift, since he is exactly what the team could spend the MLE on. One or another team MIGHT offer him more; but there's the impending lockout (hope not). I keep mentioning that Stromile's favorite team growing up was the Rockets. If we could have Stro and Yao blocking shots, how sweet it would be.... ....as long as we dump either Mo or Juwan in the process.
West may re-retire at end of season, so some talk has gone. As for SS, IF there is a cunning logic whereby Grizz want to minimize his value to more cheaply sign him then that is an explanation. A poor one, but an explanation. It's just possible that he is Cuttino-like, good but not worth the big money. I expect SS will be a SnT in July.
Good call. I was thinking, I forgot to mention Denver in my post. Yeah, they have some money to spend and you are right, they will be looking for a 2 big time! Mobley might be a good fit there, but Denver still might look for a younger option.
West retiring would be a good thing for other teams in the league. West is very shrewd and just isnt going to give up ANY of his talent in a move that doesnt favor him. Other GMs see that too which is probably why there hasnt been any Grizzlie trades. Everyone is afraid of getting ripped off by West. As for Swift. He could go in a S&T, but keep in mind it is Swift's call. He is UN-restricted. He doesnt have to give the Grizzlies anything. But an example of a S&T the Grizzlies could do is one to the Nets for a 1st rounder and their 10M T.E. The Grizzlies get a 1st rounder for nothing and the Nets get their Kenyon Martin PF replacement in Stromile. And Stromile gets a contract starting at 10M. That's one reason why I was really hoping the Rockets could get the Nets trade exception!
