Nows not the time for Flight white. We're battling for SW supremacy. We have Battier, Artest, Wafer and Barry at the swing spots already. I'd rather he just learn the system now, then show us what he got in summer league next year.
As far as roster spots go, remember Mutombo will probably retire and there is no way we resign Cook. As for the luxury tax, late first rounders make less than a million dollars, so I don't think we should be worried about a second rounder.
I wouldn't worry about it. This year's draft is one of the weakest drafts we've had in awhile. I'll settle with Wafer, White, and Dorsey.
the worry about the first round contract is that it's guaranteed for 3 years. early second rounders are much better in this economy because they are not guaranteed at all. still, les isn't going to risk spending money on buying a pick that they may not be able to sign after spending money on ron, von, and white. a guy who lost about a billion dollars of worth this year would not like that idea. definitely not with a guaranteed first round contract. probably not with a second rounder either. we might have to get used to the idea that white is our rookie for next year, like von/lowry (both 23) this year. also, i think cook has a player option. there are some sources that say his contract is up, but after he was acquired the word around the garm was that he was in fact NOT an ending contract.
very possible, but less likely than over the summer IMO. i think tracy wore out his welcome with the players, coaches, managers, and fans. i don't think anyone would be happy to have him back for any part of next season.
We do maintain the rights to Maarty Leunen. He's averaging like 12 ppg and 6rpg over in Turkey. I always thought he was solid when he was a Duck (got to see him play all 4 years) and he impressed in the summer leagues last year. I think we are relatively deep at every position and don't have any glaring weaknesses so it'd be hard for a younger player to make the team let alone crack the rotation.
i think they will consider white our draft pick for 2009. lets see if he can make the type of impact chuck hayes and von wafer have been able to make the last couple of years...
Resigning Artest isn't a sure thing either, so we might be in need of a starting 2 gaurd or perhaps backup to Battier and Wafer. I don't think wafer's defense is good enough yet, so it's gonna be very difficult to let Artest go. I think he has the leverage this summer unless we get a legitimate shooting guard.
Well, i'd hope resigning those guys would be priority #1, but if we can budget to both sign those guys and buy a pick or two -- why not?
The memphis second round pick was sent to Memphis with Francis We dont have any pick this year, but we can get the LAC's second round pick if we send ours of 2010.
I am still on the fence about this. The doctors came back and basically said "Whoops, we missed it." The question is do you believe it. I am still not sure I do, but if he comes back and plays consistently next year I would love to have him back. As soon as he says he can't go next year though, I am done with him. I can definitely understand not wanting him back at all though.
It wouldn't surprise me if T-Mac was moved during the draft and I'll be shocked if Morey doesn't pick up a cheap 1st round pick to take advantage of some seasoned senior slipping through the cracks that they are high on. Morey loves to stock pile assests and I expect there are going to be alot of give aways during this draft (rockets may be able to get something for nothing type of deal). If Moreys targeted player is attainable, I see him jumping all over it.
I could see them acquiring a pick (late 1st, early 2nd round) only to add in a trade of McGrady's contract, so that the other team gets something besides a $23 million non-playing player. But any trade of McGrady would have to bring BACK a sizeable expiring contract (Kenny Thomas-ish). This summer, Ron and lesser players are looking to get paid, and next year, Scola and others will want the same. As far as Tmac, I think a lot of Les' man-crush had to do with the turnstiles. Tmac hasn't been spectacular for awhile but I know more than a few people who still love the guy (especially among the younger set). But Les also knows that an employee making $23 million and putting in no work ain't selling tickets.
