Cat is pretty much it. Now I expect him to sign a deal with the Clippers, or Washington. The Wiz have a bit of cap room now that Hughes is gone, and the Clippers need to sign somebody. If they come away without signing any replacements for Simmons, then it'll the same old Clippers.
We weren't ever mentioned as one of Simmons' suitors. Too bad. If I had a choice of Simmons at 5yrs/$47MM and Swift at 5yrs/40MM+ (the MLE according to someone else), I would take Simmons. If we are interested in Mobley, it's the best kept secret in the NBA. As was said in another couple of threads, we may be more active in trades than the free agent market. And big action in the trade market may be more towards the trade deadline than this summer. Man oh man, I can't imagine beginning the season with the same starting backcourt. Well, maybe my imagination needs some work. What a bummer.
Crazy. I swear I don't know what some of these GMs are smoking. More power to Simmons, but at that price, I'm not sorry to see him go. I hope we get Swift, but good luck getting him to take the MLE given what free agents this offseason and last offseason have been getting.
Next year will be our year when we can clear some cap space with expiring contracts THEN we can be players in the FA market. SAR doesn't seem interested, Swift signs with the Hornets, Walker stays in Boston. Scalabrine signing with Boston does not mean Boston does not want Walker. Scalabrine and Jefferson can't shine AWs shoes. It will shock me if CD can swing any deal for any of the the PFs on our radar screen. Whew, Milwaukee will be force in the east next year.
Milwaukee should make the playoffs next year with TJ, Redd, Simmons, Mason, Smith, & Bogut. but a force.....that's a stretch.
The MLE last year was 6 years 37 million. With the new CBA there are smaller raises and 1 less year, so the new MLE is closer to 5 years 30 million.
We contacted him, he didn't contact us back, underestandable now isn't it. I have been trying to say he was the most implausible of the FAs discussed, particularly with Redd and Allen staying put and the early run on SGs. Actually so far so good from my view. All the PFs are still pretty much on the table and most of the teams with cap space have their targets. I had no idea Milw was going to play this free agency after Redd, and even more suprised they took a swingman. Thankfully they didn't take a PF, Swift would have been a nice player for them between Bogut and their smalls. Yet still no Swift, Walker, SAR or DM signed? Plus Dalembert, Chandler, Curry, Z, Radmonovich and Kwame not signed either. It looks like a great year to not have to sell the farm for a PF, and we have a great chance at Swift or Walker--Atl for sure will target younger than a 28 year old and more upside than Swift (Dalem, Chand, Curry, Kwame, Radm). NO could be crink our plans, but PF is not their greatest need and they have to be thinking upside too if they are throwing around a new max contract. If I were them I'd aim higher than Swift even if I save cap room for a year. Radmonovich could play the 3 and give them much needed scoring/shooting. Plus, we drafted an SG/PG. We can go bargain shopping late in FA looking for another SF/SG type. Outside of knowing out 1st major signing, I like how this FA season is shaking down.
I'm at a lost for words. Well, except for those. And those. And those, and those, and those, and those......
We can question whether or not Simmons is worth that kind of money, but you have to respect what the Bucks are doing. I've often wondered how frustrating it would be to be a fan of a team that doesn't seem to make enough moves and doesn't seem to be willing to sacrifice to put a solid team together (like the Clippers, or the Hawks). I say good for Milwaukee, and good for their fans. They're still not the best team in the East, but these moves make them QUITE solid and definitely a strong playoff team.
Force is a stretch, but I have to give credit to the Bucks they have made the most noise this off-season. From firing their coach, getting the #1, resigning their best player and being active in FA. I think Bogut is the real deal and I think he makes an immediate impact and if TJ Ford can play at 100% then the Bucks should have a good year.
DAMN! Kudos to Simmons though, 9M per year is alot more than I thought he would get. Considering his last contract, he was right to take the money. Does that mean that Desmond Mason is on the block now in Milwaukee?
Agreed. I'm a big fan of the Bucks next season, especially if T.J. plays a lot and contributes. This is one reason I'm not a Spurs hater. Team like the Bucks, Spurs, Kings (NOT!), and to a lesser extent Hornets & Pacers who are in cities that aren't attractive destinations for players and are small media markets have a special place with me because it is harder for them to be successful in the NBA.
How is this a good signing? He's going to be making more than Raef LaFrentz, and injuries aside I'd rather have the sweet-shooting, shot-blocking center. And no-one would touch his contract with a ten-foot pole!
You know, unlike most of you guys, I'm not convinced that this contract is really all that ridiculous. What is ridiculous about it is this crap about "The Bucks are looking to compete for a championship this year." If a team missing one solid roleplay to be a legit championship contender pulled this move, I'd say it makes sense. But are you kidding me? Unless Bogut becomes a much better player than expected and T.J. Ford's injury concerns are a thing of the past, this team is still going to be mediocre.
Wiz made a qualifying offer to Kwame Brown so he counts against the cap. That means they only have the MLE just like everyone else. I see the Clippers as an obvious landing spot for Cat or Denver if they are willing to give up Nene. Unless he takes the MLE then he can go virtually anywhere.
