Eduardo Najera makes 04/05 - 3,809,525 05/06 - 4,190,477 06/07 - 4,571,430 07/08 - 4,952,382 Total = 17,523,814 Not too bad of a contract.
Wow. How did Najera land that contract? Nelson must've been smoking the same thing CD did when he inked Moochie to that 6 year contrat. I thought he makes around a mil or so. Anyway, I think Najera can certainly help the development of Yao. Yao's inability to handle thugs like Najera is what's preventing him from being totally unguardable, ala Shaq. Practicing against someone with dirty tricks will certainly help Yao in his development.
Najera has been horribly underutilized in the NBA. As someone who saw him plenty at OU, I can tell you that in addition to defense, he gives you a reliable jumper out to 20 feet and can bang and score in the low post. He's also very good at getting out and running on the break. I know he still has these skills in spades, because I saw flashes of them while he was in Dallas. Don Nelson just wouldn't let him do nothin' but play D and rebound though. Just like he underutilized Raef Lafrentz by parking him out at the 3pt line.
Warriors have two Fegans after Damp signs with Mavs. One is Murphy. Where do they go with Murph, JRich and Najera? I cannot believe they would want to deal with Fegan on his two young studs. Najera's contract is OK in their rebuilding or do they want more cap room? There's a deal or two in here somewhere for some team -- maybe baby Bulls?
I like Najera....he's a player than can give Webber and Duncan trouble. He completely frustrated Webber if i remember correctly. So i am sure he will help Rocs at the PF position when JVG feel Taylor and Howard can't play D.
Najera is the guy who who can Defense weber, duncan, garnet, malone, SAR, plus if you see Mavs plays with more stamina, cause he always make big plays on D
I would give spoon, reese gains or tyronne lue for Najera. At 6'8 he doesn't really appeal to me since we are more in need of and are looking for a back up Center.