Two takes on Camby and his future: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595060692,00.html Rumors already link Jazz, Denver's Camby But O'Connor downplays team's interest in center By Tim Buckley Deseret Morning News The agent for Nuggets center Marcus Camby has told a Denver newspaper that if Camby does not return to Denver next season, the Jazz are among a trio of teams that "could emerge as possibilities" for his client in this summer's NBA free-agency market. Camby's top choice is to stay with the Nuggets, but "Marcus wants to nail down a long-term deal," agent Rick Kaplan said in a story that appeared in Monday's Rocky Mountain News. If it's not with Denver, Kaplan cited Utah, Atlanta and Phoenix — all expected to have ample room beneath the league's team-payroll salary cap for next season — as possible alternate destinations. Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor, however, indicated he has had no contact whatsoever with Kaplan regarding Camby. "We're not even allowed to talk to his agent (until July 1)," O'Connor said, "so if it's 'a possibility,' he's thinking about us." It seems unlikely the Jazz would be interested in Camby, anyway. Utah will scour the market for big men this summer, and at 6-foot-11 Camby might seem to fit the bill. But he is 30 years old, at the far reaches in age for a Jazz team that is young and rebuilding. Moreover, this past season was the first in an eight-year career that Camby has played more than 63 games — and injuries limited him to just 29 games in both the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. It's possible Kaplan is simply trying to establish a market and/or drive up the price for Camby, who reportedly plans to opt out of a non-guaranteed contract worth $7.75 million for next season so he can seek a multi-year deal that would pay around $60 million over the next six seasons. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_2858017,00.html Vandeweghe called the re-signing of center Marcus Camby "a top priority" for the off-season. Camby, likely to opt out of his contract and become a free agent, plans to ask for a deal worth about $60 million over six years. Vandeweghe wouldn't comment on Camby's demands. He plans to have regular conversations with Camby's agent, Rick Kaplan, and hopes Camby will sign a deal July 14, the first day free agents are permitted to sign. When Camby opts out, the Nuggets will have five unrestricted free agents and two restricted free agents. They also will have three players with buyouts or team options: Voshon Lenard, Francisco Elson and Ryan Bowen. Vandeweghe reiterated he expects to retain Elson but declined to say which way he might be leaning on Lenard and Bowen. He said a decision about Lenard, whose $3 million deal can be bought out for $250,000 by July 14, might not be made until just before the deadline.
I am not surprised at all that Camby perform well in his contract year. A lot of guys are doing that too. So I won't be surprised either once Camby gets his next big fat contract, he will suck or "hurt" again, just like what he did in New York. Stay away from him.
Camby has averaged 53 games a season. 53. This was the first time he missed less than 19 games. He averaged less than 9 PPG to go with his 10 RPG. He wants 6 years and $60 million. Do you think it's any wonder the only teams he's interested in happen to be the only teams with 10 million in cap space? I would either offer him an incentives-laden contract (like the one he's been in) with a team option after year 3, or 3 years for $20 million max. And that's generous. Don't believe the hype. Evan
He might be fragile but he is not soft. When he is healthy, he is a very good PF. Great defender and rebounder!
10 Million a season. LOL, whatever! I would be leary just giving him the MLE much less 10 million a season. While he is a solid player when healthy, because he is too undependable, I wouldn't sink a lot of money into him.
He'd be an improvement over what we've got definitely but he aint comin here. I loved him at UMASS though.
He's a JVG'er, but I just don't see him coming here unless someone matches salaries going there, and that I do not see. I like him when he's healthy. So, 5/8ths of the time -- at best --(except in a contract year)...
If you are playing Cato and Mo 8 million a year, why is it not that reasonable to pay Camby 10 million a year? Honestly speaking, if Cato and Mo are worth 8 million/year, Camby is worth at least 13 million/year. That just shows you how stupid the Rockets management team is in evaluating talents.
If we were in a position to match, it might be interesting but already having 2 bad pf contracts put an end to that. If I played on that NY team I wouldn't have much heart either. They weren't exactly world beaters.
Camby would be all right for us but not at 10 million for 6 years. I get the feeling that Lenard will stay with the team but if doesn't I would like to see if the Rockets can pick him up. His shooting is a lot better than Eric P.
why is it not that reasonable to pay Camby 10 million a year? $10 miillion is reasonable if he played 82 games a season. Given that he averages 53 games/season (62% of the games), $6.2 million a year is doable.
Even for half a season and perhaps being questionable in the playoffs every year? I agree he is better, but I would rather have more certainty than his past would suggest.
In terms of game, I think Camby would be the perfect PF for the Rox. We don't need a superstar at PF; we do need someone defensive-minded, capable of banging with guys in the low post AND guarding guys away from the basket. I think Camby can do both. Tall enough with enough rebounding and shotblocking to backup Yao at center as well. But Camby does have a history of injury problems. And $10 million per annum is absolutely ridiculous for a role player big man. If he would take the MLE for four years, I would think about it, but no way the guy deserves anything more than he's getting now.
The bottomline is that the Rockets wasted 16 million/year on 4 and still needs to find a starting PF. That just tells how what a sucking job the Rocs management has done in the past few years.
Why do people here get caught up in the numbers? Who cares if they over pay players, as long as the team is better? Adding Marcus Camby makes us better. I don't give a rats patootie what he makes a year. Keep your eye on the ball ladies !! DD
I'd agree with the overpaying-can-be-worth it theory if we were talking about Brian Grant or *maybe* Chris Webber. Evan
That guy is on crack...There is no team dumb enough to over-pay an over-rated player...uh...nevermind...
The fact that his agent named the three teams with the most cap room (and the fact that he's even considering leaving an improving team like Denver) tells me that he's more concerned with money than winning a championship so he's not the type of player we need anyway.
