http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/sean_deveney/20010910.html Anthony Mason. Still homeless, and it's becoming more and more possible that the Heat will not use him in a sign-and-trade. If that's the case, Mason would have to sign a very cheap one-year deal. If this is correct, this would work perfectly in our chances of signing Mase. If Mo Taylor can come back at full strength next year, Mase would be perfect for a one year rental. If we're able to sign Mason, do you guys think we should use our mid level exception or should we use the disabled player exception, that is if the NBA grants it to us?
Don't count the chicken before it hatches. I think Milwaukee will give him a multi-year deal using their $4.5 mill exception. Also, we don't have a mid-level exception. The only exception we would have is the one the NBA would give us. Which is estimated to be roughly around 3.25 mill. Because of this, if it comes down to Milwaukee vs. Houston, Milwaukee will win this battle hands down. Mason probably would rather play in the East than the West, he would earn more money, and Mil could offer him a muti-year contract promising him as a starter for a few years. We can only promise him that he would be a starter for us this year.
Don't be so quick to think Milwaukee will get him hands down. If they could get him by now they would have gotten him. The fact that he is waiting means he is getting other offers. I thought I heard somewhere the Rockets were after him, they may be waiting see if they can get a medical exemption. Either way, Mason isn't a lock to go to Milwaukee anymore.
RM-Getting Mason to Mil seemed contingent on Miami doing a sign and trade with Mil, which would then enable Mason to make more than Mil's exception. If Mil realizes that a sign and trade might not happen, due to Miami's reluctance to do a S&T, then they will come calling with their exception. Once Mason realizes that a sign and trade isn't possible, the only place he could make more than the exception is with the Clippers, who are 10 mill under the cap. With that in mind, it pretty much will come down to Mason taking a mid-level exception from: GS, Ind, Mem, Mil, Phi, Pho, Sac, and Tor. Those are all the teams who have the exception available to use, and Mil would seem the most logical for Mason. Mason might do a 1-year deal for the 4.5 mill and press his luck for next year's FA class. Phi would seem somewhat logical, as he fits their defensive-minded/rebounding mold. Ind could be another possibility as he would be the PF with O'Neal at C. But I hear that the Pacers want O'Neal at PF. Mason seems to be a Eastern Conference-type player.
If Mil realizes that a sign and trade might not happen, due to Miami's reluctance to do a S&T, then they will come calling with their exception. If Miami won't do a sign and trade, Mason won't be with the Bucks, unless he signs for the minimum. The Bucks, along with most other teams you listed, are very close to the luxury tax and will not pay it. Signing Mason or anyone at 4.5 million would put them over the limit.
Cat-I sure hope the teams I listed do in fact, have a self-imposed cap to avoid the tax. If that is true, then the Rockets probably could be considered frontrunners for landing Mason.
I don't follow cap numbers closely at all, but if the Clip Joint is that far under the cap, and they can keep all of their young players, AND pick up an effective big man...these guys will be good for a long time to come. No more Clipper jokes. Could you imagine the Lakers taking a backseat to the Clippers? (post Shaq, of course)
Hey everybody! It's good to be back...from New York. Everything that's happened is so awful and I am deeply sorrowed. If my aunt would have gone to work at the WTC 10 minutes earlier, should would've have been dead. But anyway...on to the topic. I'm all for signing Anthony Mason. He would provide many things that the Rockets are lacking, including rebounding, size, defense, vocal leadership, and desire.(Cato ) I loved his game, when he played in Charlotte, and he seems to be improving his attiitude since then. Hopefully Mase would take a considerably small contract from the Rox. As others have said....it is VERY important that Anthony,Jackson,or McCoy are signed. The Rockets have an exceptional backcourt, but are lacking way too many elements in the frontcourt. My Condolences to everyone affected in this tragedy, Cod
Here's Milwaukee's problem: They can give him the exception, multi-year, but then can't give Sam Cassell the contract he's asking for and they don't want Sammy to be unhappy. If we get the exception, we have a lot of options. We're the only team in the league that has the luxury tax to its advantage. There are lots of unsigned, very capable players, and we may be the only team with money to sign them.
Great point about Cassell's contract. I bet Mil regrets giving Thomas the max. If Mil does have a self-imposed cap of around 54 mill, they will be very hard pressed to re-up with Cassell, as well as sign Mason with the exception. Cassell, I would assume, is looking to bank with the max. It's great to think that we are roughly 15-16 million away from the luxury tax. Have the Rockets offered Mason yet? Or are they really that interested in him? I'd love to have him as a hired gun for 1 year.
