I had heard for a few days that it was likely for him to go to San Antonio, but we may still be in the running. I really liked him from the WC. He had the ability to bang inside, even against the US, and he could definitely help Ming adapt. You can't ever have enough big bodies, especially when one of them is Kelvin Cato. http://www.detnews.com/2002/sports/0210/02/e01-602426.htm Dumars also hinted Tuesday that another trade could be forthcoming. Bateer, who is in Korea with the Chinese National Team competing in the Asia Games, might never wear a Pistons uniform. "I talked to his agent in Beijing for about a half-hour," Dumars said, referring to Bateer's agent, Xia Song. "We are talking about whether it is worth it for him to come here or worth it to us to move him someplace else. We haven't decided yet." Dumars already has talked to all three Texas teams -- San Antonio, Houston and Dallas -- about a possible trade. "They all like him, but they're in the same position that we are," Dumars said. "They all have 14 players on their roster and when you get to 15, you are stuck." Dumars would like to take a future draft pick in exchange for Bateer and keep the roster at 13 guaranteed contracts. That would give him two roster spots open to make a trade, acquire a veteran player off waivers or pick up a player on a 10-day contract during the season. "It would have to be somebody really worthwhile for us to take on another body (in exchange for Bateer)," Dumars said. "You want that flexibility. But so do those other teams we've talked to." Bateer is expected to be available after Oct. 15. Dumars will continue to work on a trade, but said there is still an outside chance Bateer could wind up in Detroit. "I prefer 13 players on the roster, but we can live with 14," Dumars said.
The problem with this is that our pivot position is controlled by the Chinese government. Can we afford to put ourselves in that situation?
He looked improved during the WBC. I wouldn't mind picking him up if it was a decent deal from our end. We're up to our necks with Chinese officialdom already. Everyone wants a bruiser in the post. Bateer looks like he's moving in that direction and has some skills.
"<i>I prefer 13 players on the roster, but we can live with 14," Dumars said.</i> Man, the coaches don't even try to fake it anymore. Hey, Stern I intend to sign 2 players above my maximum, and I'll invent an injury later. You're OK with that, right?
He's already been traded to Detroit. Here's a couple of links. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/php3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42155 http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0930/1439410.html http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/1001/1439919.html
They should just increase the rosters to 15 while maintaing the IR for legitimate injuries. Why fight it? Hell, there are even some college programs that routinely carry 15+ players if you count their walk-ons.
Cut Collier, trade for Bateer. Not only would he be better than Collier, but he'd be better than Cato.
I believe that the NBA just changed the rule on roster spots. I think the new rule is that there is no longer an Injured List, but rather a 3-man Inactive Reserve. The NBA realizes that teams use sham injuries to juggle roster spots, so they just made a practical decision to allow teams to do this.
What part of "he's already been traded to Detroit" don't you understand? edit: nevermind, I apparently confused the situation with a sign-n-trade deal
Pimp, The whole article is about the Pistons looking to trade him before he even wears a Pistons uniform.
I thought they changed the rule where you can carry 15 w or w/o an injury. It was discussed last year. I like Bateer better than Collier. Waive Him. Yao Cato Bateer Collier Griffin Taylor Rice Nachbar KT Tmo Mobely Tito Mikeal Francis Mooch Collier and Tmo are the least valuable. Maybe someone needs some cap room. I'd trade them both for a lat first round pick.
<h2>EDIT: Stand corrected by mfclark...</h2> see his post rockbox, I don't know what's up with those Dumars quotes, but Bateer cannot be traded for 90 days. You cannot trade for a player then turn around and trade him. It sounds to me that Dumars is saying to Bateer's agent to just stay in China as an IR player, and we will call you if we need you on the Active roster, but that we intend to trade you in the future.
lol @ pimp. If Bateer is so good why not trade Collie for him(he has one year left, they can waive him if they want the roster spot) and throw in the Drew obligation?
Incorrect. He can be traded straight-up for another player or be traded for picks or cash. And, the length is 60 days, not 90 days. He, however, cannot be part of a multiplayer deal. Edit: from the CBA FAQ by Larry Coon...
This has been discussed for days on some other nba boards. Like mfclark said, you can't do a multi-player deal, but basically the Pistons are just looking for a second round or protected first round pick for him, and if that's not legal, there isn't one GM or fan that seems to know about it.
thx mfclark. I was wrong (confusing the sign-n-trade restrictions of 90days and the lack of trades like this happening), and made note in my above post. Pimp, grrrrr. I didn't say it my first post, because I assumed Dumars was right. This is what I get for relying on your insistence.
