Sounds like he is holding out hope that Portland and Houston can work out a SnT, but it seems unlikely. www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/112297676470690.xml&coll=7 Houston, Memphis, Miami and the L.A. Lakers are rumored to be interested in the free agent point guard Tuesday, August 02, 2005 GEOFFREY C. ARNOLD Houston? Memphis? Miami? Damon Stoudamire claims he still doesn't know what jersey he'll wear next season. Stoudamire is a free agent in search of a team. Free agents had been waiting to sign contracts while the league and the players union finalized details of the new collective bargaining agreement. The two parties signed off on the agreement Saturday, and the moratorium on free agent signings formally ends at 9 a.m. PDT today. Stoudamire doesn't think he'll be one of the first players signing. "Right now, ain't nothing going to happen," Stoudamire said Monday night by telephone from Houston, where he has a home. "I don't expect to sign with anybody right now." However, he added, "My situation could change at any minute. I could get a phone call at any time. You never know." Stoudamire, 31, denied a published report that he had agreed to a four-year, $17 million deal with Memphis. Grizzlies President Jerry West also denied the report, but did say that Stoudamire is on his list of players to replace Jason Williams, who is expected to be traded, and backup Earl Watson, who is expected to sign a free agent deal elsewhere. "We have interest," West told the Commercial Appeal of Memphis on Sunday. Stoudamire, who spent 71/2 seasons in Portland, doesn't sound too concerned about where he'll begin his 11th NBA season. If Stoudamire were to sign with Memphis, he would be competing with recently acquired Bobby Jackson (sent to Memphis for Bonzi Wells as part of three-team trade) for playing time. "I haven't heard that rumor," said Stoudamire, who scored a franchise-record 54 points against New Orleans on Jan. 14. "As far as I know, there's no truth to that." The Grizzlies aren't the only team interested in Stoudamire, who averaged 15.8 points and 5.7 assists last season. Miami, Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers also have indicated an interest in the 5-foot-10, 174-pound point guard. Stoudamire indicated a preference for playing in Houston, but the Rockets have only a $1.8 million exception contract available after signing Stromile Swift, and it seems the only way for Stoudamire to join the Rockets is through a sign-and-trade deal. The Rockets reportedly have offered forwards Clarence Weatherspoon and Juwan Howard as trade bait. However, Howard has four years and $26 million remaining on his contract and the Blazers, who are slashing the payroll, repeatedly have said they don't want to take on long-term deals. "I'd love to play in Houston. They have the second-best center (Yao Ming) in the league and one of the top-five players (Tracy McGrady)," Stoudamire said. "And both of those guys are under 27 (years old). "There are a lot of places I would be interested in. But I have to find a team that's going to be good for me." Stoudamire may be uncertain about what team he'll be playing for next season, but he's pretty sure he won't be playing for the Blazers and said he wouldn't be playing overseas. "If I can't get any cooperation (in Portland), then I have to find the right situation," he said. Does Stoudamire expect any "cooperation" from the Blazers? "I doubt it," he said.
Whats over paying to you? I think he'd be a good pick up if we can get him for 3-4 Mill. But Portland doesnt sound willing to work with him/us on a SnT, so its unlikely (not impossible) that he'll be a Rocket.
Not overpay? If they're offering Juwan Howard or Clarence Weatherspoon, he'll be getting ~$5 million to start off. I'm surprised they have not offered David Wesley (insofar as it's been reported). He's expiring like Weatherspoon, and can play like Juwan can (if not like him). And, he makes about the same. Interesting the Rockets are willing to pay so much in cash and so little in talent.
The stories I've seen have reported that the Rockets have offered Weatherspoon or Howard, but no one is reporting whether the Blazers have made a counteroffer. Do they want Wesley or James or draft picks? Or are they really not cooperating like Damon claims?
I don't think Portland wants our guards. I think they want a backup 4. Why else would the Rockets offer Howard and risk having no depth at the power forward position? It would make a whole lot more sense from the Rockets perceptive to offer a guard since adding Stoudamire would really create a glut problem in the backcourt. I think our only chance to get Stoudamire is to find a 3rd team that is willing to trade a backup power forward (with a more friendly contract than Howard) in exchange for one of our point guards.
If it is 2 years (10 mil with no raises) or 3 years (15mil with no raises), that is not too far off. The rumored Memphis deal, 4 years 17 mil (a little over 4 per year), is about what I expected for Stoudamire based on other PG signings. These figures are about all in the same ballpark. I think Wesley plus a pick makes sense too, but less so for Portland now they signed Dixon. The contract can start from 4.2 to over 5 mil. If Portland won't consider Wesley or JH plus maybe a pick--there is no way the Rockets (within reason) can sweeten the offer, and this may be where it stands. It really is up to Portland, I'd certainly give them Spoon and 1st to do it.
I agree with the 3 - 4 mill. ,but I don't think we should give up Howard. The guard situation is starting to get ridiculous with DS ,Barry coming back, signing Head and a few that don't even plan on seeing playing time. I think one of them should go and a pick. Howard = too much. I think he will be a great contribution off the bench.
I am sick and tired of hearing him saying how he wants to play here. He is a free agent. If he really wants to come here there is nothing stopping him from taking the LLE. He's made enough money in his career, if he wants to win now, the choice is clear. Stromile turned down alot more money to come here. Damon could do the same. But he won't, cause it looks like him wanting to come to Houston is a bunch of BS.
totally agree as far as i know damon is unrestricted so he really needs no "help" from portland. he can come to houston easily for the LLE is he really wants to. I think that despite all the love fest he says he still wants to cash out while he still has 5-6 productive years in him
Damon has been consistent all along. He wants to play for a contender, but not for the measly LLE. He's worth a lot more. I don't have a problem with his stance. It's just that Portland is asking for too much from CD and the Rockets
Well Damon's stance is a problem because that means he won't be able to play for contender since a contender can't afford him.
If he goes to Memphis, then you know he is about the $$$ (and there is nothing wrong with that). If he comes here then he really wants to try to be a part of a winner. I wouldn't mind seeing him in Rocket red at all, but I could also see the Rocks making a move that kind of comes out of the blue - maybe towards the trade deadline.
That pretty much sums it up. The "right situation" seems to indicate that: 1. Playing for Houston is not my top priority. It'd be nice, but only if... 2. Playing for a contender is not my only condition. It'd be nice, but only if... 3. Money is still the biggest factor. The big paydays are over, but I'll consider playing for a lesser team if... This doesn't make him a bad guy at all, but the idea that Damon is the savvy vet who's happy with past earnings, who only wants the ring now, and who places high importance on winning it for the home team...is dead wrong. I don't think we can be pissed at him, though, if we're the ones trying to paint him as such a player. Now if Damon HAS presented himself as such, then I am !
