http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_2128741,00.html Grizzlies pick free agent Posey Added: 23rd July, 2003 8:03 AM ET Memphis Commercial Appeal: After missing deals with Scottie Pippen and Ira Newble, the Grizzlies turned to Houston Rockets free agent James Posey Tuesday and agreed to sign the swingman to an offer sheet. Houston television and radio reports indicate that Posey will accept a four-year contract from the Grizzlies. "We have an understanding and that's all I can say about that," Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein told the Houston Chronicle. Although the offer sheet hadn't been signed Tuesday, the Griz could announce today their intent to employ Posey. Bartelstein and Griz president Jerry West did not return phone messages left by The Commercial Appeal. "I think I made the best decision for myself and for my future," Posey told Houston media Tuesday. "It was more than what the Rockets put on the table." It is believed that the Griz offered Posey more than half ($3-$3.2 million for the first year) of their $4.9 million midlevel exception. The Rockets made Posey a qualifying offer starting at $2.445 million. Because Posey is a restricted free agent, the Rockets have 15 days to match the Grizzlies' offer. However, the Rockets may be hesitant to keep Posey at a higher rate so they can stay below the NBA's luxury tax threshold.
If the contract is for 3.0 - 3.2 then we better offer that as soon as he signs that offer sheet from Memphis. Posey is definately worth that and more. That would be great to get him for that amount of money and then try and go after Pike.
Even if they are going to match it, wait the full 15 days so you screw Memphis from trying to get anyone else while they are waiting.
That would be awesume if Memphis offered like a 4 year 15 million dollar deal. That would be the easiest nobrainer match of this offseason and far less than we could have imagined to keep Posey. Only spending that much for Posey might lead us to offer a 4 year 10 mil offer that could land a shooter (Pike, Peeler, Barry of Leonard--preferably Pike because he can play the 3).
