Here are some players I consider worthy of the max: Tim Duncan Shaquille O'Neal Kobe Bryant Steve Francis Jason Kidd Tracy McGrady Chris Webber Stephon Marbury How does Corey Maggette fit in with that group?
rf83, I'd say the Jazz have historically done well in the draft because playing in a well-structured offense anchored by Malone and Stockton will make most players look good. Notice how Jazz players who played surprisingly well in Utah, played surprisingly poorly once they left (Anderson, Eisley, etc). They still have Sloan, but don't have Stockton or Malone. I don't think they can be as successful with the plug-and-play as they had been.
Baqui - it all depends on one's definition of a max player. Maggette doesn't fit with mine either - not right now. But there's a fair chance he will make that leap, in my estimation. It's a risk, but championships are won with risks. Not that the Jazz will ever win one...
Magette is NOT a maximum player. Even if he becomes good enough to be a max player in the future (he wont) that is besides the point. The next highest offer Magette had was in the neighborhood of 42 mil....... so the Jazz come back and offer 36 mil more? They should have countered with 45, maybe even 50.... but nearly 80?..... that is almost 2x more than any other team was willing to pay him, that is why it is a HORRIBLE contract if it is indeed true. As for T-Mac, a few teams were willing to give him the Max. Also the skill level is different. As for writing off the Jazz, if they did indeed give him 80 mil, I will write them off. They will not be able to make any large free agent signings, that means they will have to rebuild through the draft. Not every draft pick will pan out. Also, they lack a PG, PF and C. alot of the players they have that are good are swing players like Magette. They may be able to make the playoffs, but not go deep IMO. Not unless they catch lightning in a bottle and get a post player stud in the draft that a # of teams pass on. Also, rebuilding through the draft will be difficult because the Jazz will not have high lotto picks to use...............
Wow, the Jazz aren't that insane after all. Six Years, 45 Million Now the question is- Does Sterling match?
That's too cheap of a deal for Sterling not to match. With 10% raises, the first year's salary is only $6m.
I thought it would have been more for that! Just a bit over 7 million starting? What did Denver offer Maggette that he turned down that was lower?? If I am the Clippers I think REAL HARD about matching that contract. Especially if they have to meet the cap minimum requirement AND they dont resign Brand.
Deuce - it's not even that much. Yr1: $6m Yr2: $6.6m (note: raises are only 10% and not compounded per the CBA) Yr3: $7.2m Yr4: $7.8m Yr5: $8.4m Yr6: $9m Avg: $7.5m...or $45m over the life of the deal. I can't see why Sterling, if he's true to his word, won't match it.
Yeah, If they wanted to price out the Clippers then that deal is not going to get it done. I would be surprised if the Clippers do not match that offer. I am surprised the Nuggets with their cap room did not make a bigger offer. Or perhaps they did not want to put all their cap room eggs into one basket with 2 restricted FAs. At least now they have half of their cap money they can use one someone else while they wait on Andre Miller.
