Marc Gasol, Nene and Tyson Chandler looking to make bank

a) I'd seriously disagree that Gasol is better than Chandler. Chandler is such a difference maker on the defensive end that Gasol's ability in . . . um . . . being tall and playing next to a Zach Randolph who gives a damn . . . doesn't match up.

b) none of these guys are worth the contracts they're going to get.

c) Seriously, there was just an acrimonious lockout over financial difficulties that some owners might have been facing due to stupid contracts given out and immediately coming out of that lockout we're back to seeing guys get stupid contracts. What the hell did we lose two months of basketball for then?

 

Tyson Chandler: 10 Seasons, 0 All Star appearances, 1 All Defensive 2nd Team
Nene: 9 Seasons, 0 All Star appearances, 0 All NBA teams
Marc Gasol: 3 Seasons, 0 All Star appearances, 0 All NBA teams

I know height adds value, but are any of these guys worth the max?

 

No matter how you rate a healthy Chandler vs Gasol, you need to keep in mind that Chandler's injured half the time.

 

The max might be agent spin to set higher bids because teams like Denver need to spend $18 million and the Pacers $15 million to meet this seasons minimum payroll.

 

Age, injury issues, potential. These things factor into a long term contract. Very few teams are like the Lakers who are willing to pay Artest 5 years worth of money for 1 year worth of work.

Because there's this one little nugget that people forget about the new CBA... that teams are forced to use 85%(?) of the cap. So you can't have the Grizzlies/Clippers type who just sit there and rake in revenue-shared money by never spending.

The new system discourages overspending, but also discourages underspending.

 

To be fair, I'm not making a case for which center would be the best value for a long-term contract - I'm more responding to the "I'd overpay Gasol because he's the best of the three" - which I disagree with. If we were discussing the best value for a long term contract then the answer would obviously be none of them. Chandler has played half seasons two of the past three years, Nene is amazingly unremarkable and Marc Gasol had mediocre numbers on a team that snuck into the playoffs.

I think this aspect of the new CBA is going to be really overrated. Teams didn't need a CBA regulation on minimum spending to spend stupid money in the past (Joe Johnson just checked out of a playoff series and there are no other real bidders for him - I think we should open our negotiations by offering him the most possible money we can), I think they don't know any other way to operate. I'm just surprised that it's happening right out of the gate.

 

Yes and no at the same time.

For teams with twelve power forwards and no centers----the Rockets----one of these guys would be gold. And their agents sure know it.

 

I sure hope Morey doesn't overpay for a center. Those guys are all very good but not near max money kinda of good. Not unless we are planning to flip them for DHoward.

 

I really like Gasol, but he has serious fat boy potential after getting paid. That's scary.

 

Whats funny is that both of those teams LOST money the past few years. Didn't they sign a brilliant CBA?

I do think players should make money, but when things like this is thrown out there, I almost wish all the GM's would stand firm and not offer the extra-ridiculous contract.

Of course, what would happen would be the NBAPA would sue saying there is a collusion to "bring down the players salaries" or something.

 

You guys need to realize that these players haven't been offered a single contract yet. Everything is pure speculation right now.

 

ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
Word is GSW (re)shopping Biedrins in hopes they find trade taker to free up more cash for pursuit of T-Chandler. In long-shot hopes, that is

 

I would give Nene or Gasol 12 mil a year.... Chandler 10. IMO a center will shake loose via amnesty or trade that will be cheaper.

 

This is why we had a lockout.

 

Bring back Deke