Darko Milicic is cut loose by Orlando (UPDATE: Signs with Memphis)

Since Orlando did a S&T for Seattle, do they still have the ability to match?

 

Maybe we can pull another Bonzi-type signing (ala last year) if Darko finds that no one is offering his $8-10 mil asking price.

 

When they withdrew the qualifying offer, they lost the ability to match.

 

People forget that he's a REALLY good shotblocker. Nearly 2 blocks per game in his 2 years in Orlando, and thats in about 22 minutes a game. He can come in right away and be a defensive presence as a shotblocker, and he can split time with Chuck when we need a hustler to chase after rebounds.

He has the tools and the upside, and yes, he is a little unmotivated. If he ever does have a fire within him to get better, we really have something.

Even if he plays unmotivated like he has for his whole career, at least we have a shotblocker next to Yao.

We dont have to sign him with the MLE. We can sign and trade with Orlando using Sura, VSpan, and Snyder, which would total about $8 million. Orlando doesnt really need the capspace from those expiring deals, but they can deal them at the deadline for a player if they are in contention.

 

I am not sold Darko is a 4. He can play 4, but him and Yao together? Too slow?

But again, he is better than any PF FA out there available this year.

 

i wouldnt call darko slow. he's no amare, but he can get up and down the court just fine. he's a good athlete for being 7 feet 260lbs or so.

 

Out of curiosity, isn't mobility one of Darko's strengths? I haven't watched Darko play much, so I don't know.

 

Good as being a C. But as PF? I dont know. Seems to me, he is going to have hard time guarding Duncan, Boozer, if they catch the ball far. A little heavy for PF too. But Cato played well along with Yao. So ...

Him being a back-up C isnt too shabby either. He is our best bet out there. SnT get it done.

 

he'll have trouble guarding the perimeter against the likes of KG, Amare, Bosh etc., but he'll be fine guarding the post. i think the only guys that will give him problems are the ones who are more athletic than him. he should be fine against boozer and duncan IMO. he does need to be more physical though, but thats normal for european bigmen. whoever's been teaching yao to be tougher needs to work with darko.

 

We need someone over 6'6 at the power forward position

What is up with TSIVEFVEELMls whatever?

Rocket River
Mr Novak . .you need to learn how to BANG DOWN LOW TOO!

 

At 8 mil, the Grizzlies quest for mediocrity continues.

He'd be smart to sign in the east.

 

I would prefer Amir too. He isn't known to be a lazy player. Darko doesn't work hard consistently despite having a better skill set at the present time.

 

Why the love fest for Amir? What has he done in the NBA to make us consider giving him big bucks. Even Chuck Hayes is more proven than him. He might be a good player but I doubt the missing chamionship piece.

 

Is he close to going back to the Pistons ?

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070711/SPORTS03/707110386/1051

 

I really think Darko is going to get more than the MLE, but I think we would suck him up at the MLE in a heartbeat. Morey said they would pay the full MLE if one of the guys projected to go for more dropped back. After Lewis' ridiculous contract, Orlanda will start to need cap flexibility down the line, so a sign and trade is not out of the question. Maybe Sura, Spanman (they can buy him out) and other scrubs plus next year's No. 1. might do the trick.
I'd do it, we'll be picking late round, but I'm not sure Orlanda would.

 

A look back...

Here's his nbadraft.net page from 2003http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/darkomilicic.htm

The most interesting part to me:

NBA Position: SF/PF

Granted, this was 4 years ago. Still, for a player who still is all about potential, it suggests that his physical traits may not actually lock him into being a center.

 

He is fairly mobile but not particularly fast or quick.We need a PF with good lateral quickness to cover for Yao's weaknesses and Darko doesn't have that.

 

Tell that to Jermaine O'neil. I'm not saying Darko is going to be good. I have no idea. But I know there have been examples of players taking years to really come on strong - especially when they've been buried behind All-Stars. Actually, weren't both Jermaine O'neil and Darko buried behind Rasheed Wallace?

The kid came to the league when he was 17 years old and had to adjust to a whole new culture. Remember the difficulties Yao had at age 22? He may still develop and improve. He may not. It appears to be up to him.

 

Doesn't appear to be a good fit considering where all his points are coming from.

 

We are not likely to get anyone who will be the missing piece. I'm aware that Amir is raw but he might be obtainable even though the Pistons are likely to match up to the entire MLE.
Think of him as a lottery pick this year. The Rockets don't have the means for a sign and trade or the money to get a proven PF who can take us to the championship level. The rest of them are old vets,soft players,malcontents,and injured with large contracts.
Darko would have been my 1st choice if he had put in more effort with the Magic.