Someone has brought up this topic before. Is it about time we start thinking more seriously about it? http://www.warriorsbasketball.com/news.asp?id=33 Can we afford to give Wang a contract?
Wang is a restricted free agent and we don't have cap room to sign him for more than the mid level. I doubt Dallas would just let us sign him. Thus we probably would need to make a deal with Dallas. I'm not sure what Dallas would want in trade. Cato might be a better fit in Dallas. And Wang might be a better fit for us.
I would also love for the Rockets to get him. It was just a pipe dream before, but hey we can reconstruct the 'Great Wall'!!! But honestly, he's good enough to start for many teams, and he ain't gonna start in Houston...
My question is this: If Wang is Dallas's free agent, why is he playing on the Warrior's summer league team? Has he already signed with the Warriors? Can anyone clear this up for me?
Wang does not want to play for Dallas because he gets no playing time and will probably never get any playing time. He is a restricted free agent, but until someone signs him, then he can do whatever he wants. If GS make him an offer then Dallas may match it up to the MCE. However, even though Dallas has said the would use up to the full MCE on Wang, I don't think it will happen considering they are going after Bryon Russell with it.
I don't think the Rocks need 2 foreign young centers. I think our combo of Ming & Cato is good, we have a center who can, hate to say it, bang down low incase Ming is having trouble (which he will probably have, courtesy of Shaq & Duncan).
Wang has no bearing with how they use the MCE. He has been with Dallas two years, and thus has Early Bird Rights, in short it means he can be resigned for a little over the average player salary, which is a very similar dollar value.
That's not entirely true according to Wang. It is true that he wants more PT. It is also true that he's ignoring requests by the Chinese Gov. to return so that he can train in the US against NBA level competition in the summer leagues. He states that this is the only way he will get better. It is not true however that he doesn't want to play with the Mavs anymore. In fact he has already said that he would love to return to Dallas, and plans to do so. According to Wang, and Nellie he did request to be on the Mavs summer league squad but Nellie advised him that he could not participate on Dallas' summer league squad because when Wang was signed the Mavs made a promise to the Chinese Gov. that he would return at the end of the season. To avoid from looking as if they broke the agreement they had with the Chinese Gov. they did not allow Wang to participate on the summer league squad. They still hope to resign Wang, and unless he defects the Mavs will still have to deal with the Chinese Gov. to sign him. Wang did say however that he has really enjoyed his time with Golden State and thinks he would fit in with their team perfectly. Since the NBA salary cap has already been determined (and is lower than expected) it is not likely that any team will pay Wang near the exception. Golden State is the only team that would be willing to pay him anywhere near the exception. Also Wang is a Restricted Free Agent not unrestricted.
I think Golden State will sign Wang. Wang's price is very low. mavs have no reason to keep him . Houston has no reason to trade either. I like Wang to play in California.
Since he signed as a "rookie" with Dallas under a two year deal (the first year ended up being the late part of 00-01 only), he becomes a restricted free agent. It's the same situation as Todd MacCulloch last year - rookie (drafted or not) getting a two year deal and then becoming a restricted FA. The difference is that Philly didn't match the Nets' offer, while Dallas will likely match any offer made to Wang.
Mengke Bateer would be cheaper and is more of a true center than Wang. Trade Collier to Denver for MB.
Is Wang really that good that people think we should sign him? I'm not dissing him but I've never seen him do a whole lot to deserve this much attention.
I've seen Wang play 3 games in the summer league so far, and I've been pretty impressed. He's mighty quick and agile for someone as tall as he is (what is he, 7'0"?). He's also sturdy enough to not get pushed around much. What's the catch? Well, he's not a post-up kind of center. You catch him hanging out on the perimeter an awful lot. He'd be great for spreading the defense -- you've got to put a body on him or he WILL hit the 3 over you. As much as he'd help Ming with the transition, that could backfire. The Chinese government is down on Wang for staying here in the U.S. when he'd promised to return during the summer. The last thing we need is for them to start thinking that this bad seed (in their eyes) will have a negative influence on the REAL prize. They might start having second thoughts. Anyway, I'd much rather we get a bruiser if we pick up somebody. We need at least one guy who's the equivalent of a hockey goon -- someone who'll throw his weight around a bit.
Wang: I watched him play all last year here in Dallas. He's a 7'1" three point shooter, but that's about it. We sorely need more muscle inside and improved defensive presence, not another tall/soft perimeter shooter. Let's pass on him. D R
Eh? We need KT more than Wang. Wang is completely redundant with Ming... and he probably wouldn't push past Cato to be #2 on teh depth carts. And Griffin can play the 5 anyway, if necessary, against most centers. KT will not be a starter... but especially without Mo's status being known, should get more PT than Ming would. And then there is the little matter of Kt having proven he's a legit NBA player... and that nobody believes Wang has all-star potential. You'd be trading one of the better back-up PFs in basketball for a guy who MIGHT be a decent back-up at the 5, given enough time to develop. That's insane.
