Does Rafer Alston's 6yr 29M contract set the benchmark for FA PGs?

As middle of the road pg's like Alston get taken off the table, the GM's will be pressured to spend more money to make sure that they are not locked out of the market.

But it is a game of chicken. As Barry, Arroyo and Fisher get snatched up, their value could continue to rise, or they could get left out in the cold, ala Stephen Jackson last year. The question remains, how many GM's will overspend (relative to value in a vacuum) on these PG's because of the relative scarcity.

 

Why don't we sign HOT SAUCE and the PROFESSOR?

 

I wonder if other people thought the same thing when we signed Shandon Anderson and MoT to their contracts?

 

You know Alston's contract shows a couple things:

*We have a great deal for Lue at 1.6 mil next year. (though I think we worked out some future arrangements so he would not opt out)

*We can all but forget signing Arroyo unless we work through the Jazz (S&T). The Jazz would match at least up to a 5 year 31 million contract (full MLE for 5 years) if for no other reason than to get trade value.

*Fisher's price is going to be quite inflated and whoever signs him takes a big gamble that last year was not the start of his downward spiral.

Exactly. 4 years 24 mil looks like a bargain.

If we don't get Barry or work a S&T for another PG, I'd rather go cheaper with Damon Jones or Ward to share the load with Lue than cough up big dough for 3+ years with Fisher.

 

I'd rather have Jones for 5/15 than Fisher for 4/20+, that is for sure.

If all else fails Ward for the 1.6 exemption looks pretty good as a back-up to Lue. Than we look to supplement that with Wilks, Gaines or whomever else might rise from the pile.

 

Hello, Europe? Carrol Dawson here!! So, how's the wife?

Say, this Tony Parker guy has really worked out. Love the player, love the contract. So...who's the next guy out there?

 

Jones will be lucky to get more than a two year deal.

 

They gave Alston the SMC -- Sh*tty Moochie Contract

 

Jeez, I hope not. Some of the contracts that are being extended make MoT look like a bargain...

 

How much is Eric Snow's contract??? If we can pick him up for less money than Fisher or Barry why not sign him????

 

6.4 million per with 5 years remaining. Pass.

 

The Raptors have to pay extra in order to convince players to live in Canada.

 

Sad but true

Rocket River

 

well with this signing, toronto is screw for the next few years or more

 

One can only hope it's Vassilis Spanoulis.

The answer to what we do if the free agent market is overbearing: trade exception.

Toronto just gave Alston a 6-year deal - they have Vince asking out, if you want a big defensive PG that takes care of the ball, Alvin Williams is your man. Except he has 4 years, 25.8 mill left according to hoopshype (year 3 is a player opt).

The key is to wait. Last year, we saw Stephen Jackson, Jim Jackson, and to an extent Tyronn Lue (2 yrs, 3 mill) get left cold and signing for very reasonable amounts. It will in all likelihood happen again.

 

GM's have gone nuts this offseason. It is particularly surprising considering the fact that no one knows what the collective bargaining agreement will be after this season and the TV contract with the league is up in 3 seasons. What they hell are they thinking?




I'll tell you what they're thinking Jeff.. I believe six or seven teams are under the salary cap this year. Considering that the free agent pool is relatively thin with the exception of Kobe and a couple others, quality free agents are at a minimum. With all this money to spend, and the way free agency has played out in recent years, this extra money is too hard for any GM to pass on spending; especially considering the GM's are in contention with other GM's at closing the deal. Thats why we see the bloated contracts, Mehmet Okur, Rafer Alston, Moochie Norris, Eddie Jones, Mo Taylor, Kelvin Cato, Allan Houston, we can go on for days.

 

Obviously as an article said, too many teams with money chasing too few free agents.

Last year GM McHale said it was a buyer's market and he managed to "buy" Cassell, Olowokandi and Sprewell. Good move on his part, that enabled them to get over the debacle of losing all those draft choices.

Let's try to get Damon Jones or someone cheap if the bidding for Barry or Fisher gets too wild.

 

But I want to see Skip to My Lou at the AND1 tour !

Maybe we can trade Juwan for THE MAIN EVENT and ESCALADE.