http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2001/1031/1271435.html Denver Nuggets center Raef LaFrentz, frustrated that an extension was worked out before the season started, said he plans to test the free-agent market next summer. LaFrentz said set a Tuesday deadline for reaching an agreement with the Nuggets, but that passed without a deal. "It's their problem. I'm going to be fine," LaFrentz told The Denver Post. "But it's not like I needed this deal or bust. Like I am on my way out the league. It bugs me because I made every effort I could make from my side. I walked away from it saying, "I tried.' So it is in the books." LaFrentz, who will be a restricted free agent after the season, averaged 12.9 points and 7.8 rebounds last season. Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said he's disappointed that a deal hasn't been worked out, but said the Nuggets want to keep LaFrentz. "I was disappointed, too, but it's understandable in today's environment," Vandeweghe told the newspaper. "Everybody is a bit cautious. We really want Raef with us. I made sure his agent understood that and I made sure Raef understood that. We were a little ways away (on terms of a contract)." As a restricted free agent, LaFrentz is free to sign an offer sheet from another team. The Nuggets would then have 15 days to match any offer. -------
The way Raef played last night, no one's going to want him. He'd better stop reading his own clippings, or he's going to become Cato part 2.
After last night you wish LaFrentz was Cato part 2! I agree though, LaFrentz has been stinking the joint up. Granted he had 9 points and 7 rebounds, but for the money he probably wants that isn't all that impressive. I still feel the Nuggets should have traded him while his value was high. There are a ton of teams that needed big men, and Denver may have got a nice package for him, and then traded for another big man later down the road. Of course if they can patch things it keeping LaFrentz would be a nice deal to. Denver better hope he doesn't mope though.
one of the more pathetic threads on this bbs. usually the conversations are of much higher quality... anyways, yeah so we didnt extend the kid...so? he was probably asking for the max...hell be a RFA. no big deal. he aint going nowhere anytime soon.
The only teams with necessary cap space to give LaFrentz a decent contract would be Chi (roughly 10-15 mill available under the cap next year) and the Clippers (20-25 mill available under the cap). But the Clippers will probably re-up with Odom, and some other young players. While Chi has Curry as their C of the future, unless Raef doesn't mind being a PF. I think this will end up being a scenario where Den offers Raef about 8-10 mill per year. Raef will accept it because the next best offer will be the exception, which will probably be around 5 mill next year. Maybe a Euro team is willing to go after Raef...
You're breaking my heart NugzFan. I only posted this because I know how some people on the bbs are obsessed with acquiring Nuggets players. If I thought the Rockets would go after Raef, I would have probably put this in the Rockets forum for discussion...
nah, its not the topic. im so used to this here. i was referring to the discussion as a whole. i expect much better from you guys
You deemed the thread discussion pathetic after 3 replies, one of which was merely a statement saying that Raef's free agency would likely go the same path as Marc Jackson, and one of which was by YOUR teams fan? Does this not seem a little premature?
