Any team over the cap gets a mid-level exception to offer free agents, currently somewhere between $6-7 million per year. So any given year any team over that cap that wants to spend money to bring in free agents uses all or part of the MLE on players. For example, when we signed Stromile Swift a few years ago it was for the full MLE.
...hell those are a healthy Tyson Chandler numbers right there - and Gortat doesn't have the injury history of Chandler...oh ya, and Chandler costs TWICE the MLE. FWIW, I think Gortat is probably good enough to get that stat line as a starter. No question on the blocks/rebounds. The only question mark is the scoring but most guys who work the offensive boards well will manage to get at least a few easy buckets that way. I'm actually encouraged most by his high shooting percentage. I don't think he is a "shooter" like Yao, but at least he knows how to take high percentage shots....that's big when your playing along side volume shooters like Tracy and Artest.
If the offers were all the same financially, you gotta think Gortat would choose the Rockets. Gortat will accept the Rocket's offer for all the right reasons and Orlando will not match. Very optimistic about this, I know, but, whad'ya expect?
Yeah, I think they are highly optimistic. Still, as I posted earlier, when he average significant minutes last year in 16 games, he averaged 24 mpg, 8 ppg, 9 rpg and 1.4 bpg.
Forget shooting. At least he doesn't freak out when he gets the ball like Chuckwagon does. Gortat is good for at least 2 or 3 dunks/putbacks a night.
If I understand restricted free agency correctly, it would be a mistake to offer him a skimpy contract. We'd just make it more likely for the Magic to match it. If we really want him, and we want to outbid the Magic, our offer has to be MLE or close to it.
OMG never thought of this LOL I mean Wafer could give up his number to Gortat if he signs but Wafer seems to have a big ego where he wouldnt do that
