well, one less on the radar ... lol thanks for the heads up. I found <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1840056">the article on Gary Payton deciding to stay</a> ... But, that means that Fisher will probably head to either Seattle, Miami or Houston.
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap.php#1089906787 Gary Payton has decided to stay a Laker despite the mass exodus going on in Los Angeles, the guard told ESPN Radio yesterday. Head coach Phil Jackson's contract was not renewed and center Shaquille O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat yesterday. Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant remain unrestricted free agents. Payton had recently considered pushing for a trade or buyout of his contract, despite picking up his own player option for the 2004-05 season in the days following the Lakers' defeat in the NBA Finals.
GS has wanted Oakland-product GP 'forever', hoped to get him last year when he signed with lakes. Why would Lakes want him? GS apparently does not want JRich. Dampier is 'available' for a SnT. Dallas has lots of riff-raff to throw at GS for the return of NVE. It will all play out somehow. GP to GS. NVE to Dallas. Damper & JRich somewhere. None of them to Houston.
How confusing/enticing? I prefer Fisher as a Champion. I prefer Daniels as a Player. I prefer Jones as a Prospect. I can be made happy going in any direction...
AD and DJ had fairly consistent and efficient seasons last year. Much more so than Derek Fisher, with Keyon Dooling being among the most inconsistent players in the league (the last thing the Rockets will do is take talent over consistency in a role playing PG). It is quite possible both players have better learned to play to their strengths and not try to be big time playmaking guards. Honestly I'd be OK with a Lue and either DJ or AD platoon. All those guys have respectable 3 balls and some other complimentary qualities. If we secure one of these guys plus a legit defensive back up 5 or 4/5, I'd say that polished of a very fine offseason. Oh, I would prefer AD over DJ because of a little bit longer league pedigre and ability to also play the 2 (there is only 1.5 years different in age anyway), but not by a mile. It all boils down to cost so it is a fine move for Houston to approach Jones if Seattle is not being reasonable.
I can see that happening, though I don't think it would be a big deal to the Rocks since, apparently, they're not going after any of them.
What I like about Daniels is not only is he a good player, but he is also a champion and he has played well, when given time, in the playoffs. That's the thing about Daniels, he may not have as much championship experience as Fisher, but he does have championship experience, and he is a more talented all-around player then Fisher and some of the other guys. And a big, athletic backcourt of Daniels and McGrady. Wow!
This description from espn.com might have already been posted (too many posts to read through). [bold]Antonio Daniels, Sonics.[/bold] Flip Murray received all the pub for his early-season scoring in place of Ray Allen, but Daniels has been far more effective and efficient at both ends of the floor. Logging less than 20 minutes a night, he's averaging 7.9 points on 51 percent field-goal shooting, 40 percent from the 3-point arc and flashing a gaudy 4.67 assist/turnover ratio. He's shooting better from the arc than Flip is overall.
With the Nets deciding not to re-sign Martin, they've tipped their hand regarding future plans with the cost conscious owner.It seems like New Jersey is headed toward rebuilding. They'll have Kidd's monstrous contract with just Richard Jefferson and a bunch of rookies. I would think they'd want to have a bad losing season, and get a top 3 pick next year. I doubt that Kidd would be happy there, and there's already talk of trading Kidd. Kidd, has 5 years and 88 million left on his contract, and is just coming out of knee surgery, which appears worse than originally anticipated, which previously was expected to hold him out 2-4 months. Would you trade for Kidd? Who knows if New Jersey would accept our offer, but we could do some things to help them pare down their payroll. If we traded them Taylor, Spoon and Pike for Kidd, and then took back Mourning and Williams contracts for our TE, it would save them over 8 million in payroll, and fill a few spots, and the contracts we send them would end in 2 to 3 years, not 5. But, with Kidd coming off knee surgery, and 31, would you make that deal, with his huge contract for the next 5 years, and knowing he couldn't start for another 2-6 months?
I got that from some of their internet chatter - but they are saying the same things we are about trading to get him so that the Sonic can sign Fisher - that would also explain why they would be letting Jones sign with the Rox when they will need another PG (with TJ's status unknown)
NO WAY would I take Kidd and his contract. 1. A team cannot support 3 max contracts. 2. Kidd will not be worth his contract towards the end of it and might not be now. 3. We do not need a superstar PG (though it is nice) This team will win this season and there will be free-agents to sign next season so we need to be patient. If we get to the point that we are one player away from a championship and we have to sell the farm to get him then I am all for it. We are not there yet.
The question is compelling, but the extent of his injury is unknown, at least to me. If the question is assuming he were healthy...then the answer is YES. If the ultimate outcome of the knee is in doubt, then NO. If healthy, I could foresee Kidd to SAS for Parker and Rose.
For me I would really like to see the rockets get Daniels because of the playoff experience. I think his shot has gotten alot better over the years. He is a demon on defense as I can attest by playing against him several years ago over the summer and infact we got into a altercation with one another. He has a nasty side to him that the rockets could really use. He is quick enough to cover Tony Parker or Steve Nash and strong enough and I really mean strong to stop Sam Cassell from posting him up. Also he has more experience than Jones dumping the ball into the post when he used to play with Duncan and Robinson. The rocket backcourt would look like a bunch of athletic Doberman Pinchers with Daniels and McGrady creating havoc on defense.
