Trade Sam at the deadline to the Heat, LA, etc.... We get real value back because of - need production friendly contract scarcity of big men He's playing for a contract....after that same ole Sam.
If we pick up his option, he'll be playing for a contract again. At the end of next year he'll be 32 and incapable of getting a big contract from anyone.
Its only been 15 games, but he has been a very pleasant surprise. Maybe he has finally found a place where he is comfortable and appreciated. In hindsight we could have Dalembert and Chuck Hayes for less than what we would have paid Marc Gasol.
Sam didn't come here just because of the money. In a market where Tyson Chandler can get 15M a year, Kwame can get 7M, you think the best Dalembert can get is a two year contract for 6M, 1.5 guaranteed? From my point of view he's been playing hard the moment he got here, and I think he like Mchale and the direction of the team.
Sam didn't come here to win titles either ...This is a temporary home for him while we attempt to look respectable(and he can set a market for himself) before shipping him off for a #1 and more capspace ...or as part of a 3 team deal. The 1.5 team option is attractive to teams from the standpoint of keeping Bear, waiving him (clearing up space) or hooking him up with a new deal.(likely) Of course we CAN keep him but I don't see this happening....He's too important as a facilitating piece.
Re: Martin and a Houston first round pick for Gerald Wallace and a Portland first round pick would be great. I like Wallace a lot and I think he'd be great on this team.
Re: pt 2 A trifecta of Lowry, Wallace, and Dalembert would be great. Slide Lee over to the starting position and whoever else into the PF slot.
