Davis eager to pick team Jerry Brewer Sentinel Staff Writer July 6, 2001 Antonio Davis, the coveted Toronto Raptors free-agent forward/center, wants to commit to his future team by the end of next week, agent Bill Duffy said Thursday. Davis, the Magic's No. 1 target in this summer's NBA free agency, visited the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday and returned home to Orlando Thursday night. He will tell Duffy today whether he wants to visit any of the other 15 or so teams that have contacted him since free agency began Sunday. The Magic now face a time crunch. The team continued to work Thursday to figure out a way to get enough salary-cap space to meet Davis' demands. They must shed $7 million-$10 million by trading players for little in return or negotiate a sign-and-trade deal with the Raptors to land Davis. "He doesn't want this to go on forever," Duffy said. "He will have gathered enough information. He's really contemplating right now." With no news to report on Davis, the Magic contacted the agent for San Antonio's David Robinson. The Spurs' center said this week that he does not want to accept a pay cut of up to half of the $14.7 million he earned last season, as the Spurs suggested. The Seattle SuperSonics and the Houston Rockets also talked Robinson's agent. Orlando is a long shot destination for Robinson because it's unlikely the Magic could clear enough salary-cap space for him either. If Orlando is to clear salary-cap space for Davis, the Magic would have to trade a combination of players -- including Bo Outlaw, who will make $6 million next season. Mike Miller also is rumored in trade talks, but any deal likely must involve Outlaw because of his high salary. Count Outlaw's agent, Lapoe Smith, as one who doesn't understand the Magic's strategy. "You couldn't do anything with Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter and Antonio Davis," said Smith, referring to the Raptors team that lost in the first round of the playoffs two years ago. "What makes you think you can do anything with Tracy, Grant Hill and Davis? What does Antonio Davis do to make them think he's that good of a player? Why is he that good of a player? Why? He had an all-star year, but they [Eastern Conference teams] had no centers." Davis averaged 13.7 points and 10.1 rebounds. Outlaw averaged 7.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Smith said chemistry and continuity should be factors, too. He said Outlaw wants to remain in Orlando and is a player who can blend easily with stars Hill and McGrady. If a trade must happen, Smith said, Outlaw would treat it like a business. "We wouldn't get frustrated," Smith said. "John Gabriel is a great guy. The guy has never lied to us. We won't get frustrated, but until John tells us that Bo has been traded, it's all a rumor." ------------------ EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE!!! Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! The Mo Taylor Fan Site [This message has been edited by The Cat (edited July 06, 2001).]
Also, a contrasting perspective from the San Antonio paper: The wait on Robinson continues Barring a sign-and-trade deal, Chicago, Detroit and the Los Angeles Clippers are the only teams with enough cap room to offer Robinson more than the $7.5 million the Spurs want to give him. One Western Conference executive said Robinson has piqued the interest of Seattle, Orlando and Houston. The Rockets can clear almost enough cap room to match the Spurs, but denied pursuing Robinson and steadfastly maintained they intend to re-sign their own free agents, one of whom is Hakeem Olajuwon. ------------------ EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE!!! Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! The Mo Taylor Fan Site
Admiral and Dream: Twin Towers II.... bwahahaha!!! CD may have spoken to Robinson's agent, but I doubt they're serious about bringing him over here, especially for $7.5 million/season. And we though Hakeem was being unreasonable. I wish management wouldn't waste time with guys like Admiral, and just resign Hakeem and Mo, so that they can start working out together. ------------------ "Oh No..." -Bill Walton in 97 just before Stockton's buzzer beater
Hakeem was being unreasonable. Right now David Robinson brings more to the court than Hakeem. He was asking for 7.5 million dollors per season. Hakeem wanted ten million dollars per season. Wanting more money when you bring less to the team is unreasonable. As someone who has not been a Rocket fan for as long as many (only since Barkley arrived), I feel I am a little less biased toward Hakeem than most on the board. IMO, he has been acting like a jackass for the last seaon or so. First, when he publically criticized Rudy's style of basketball. Later, when he asked to be traded or waived. Finally, when he asked for 10 million dollars next seson. I realize that there is a sentimental attachment to the man that brought the team two championships, but I am more concerned with the future than the past. Hakeem is not the future. I say anything beyond the 4.5 million dollar exception is too much, and I would prefer he sign for the veteran's minimum. ------------------ What's a Nubian?
As I mentioned in the other Robinson post, his agent contacted the Rockets in order to get some leverage in San Antonio. Old School ------------------ I voted YES!
