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[Star-Telegram] If Finley leaves, Mavs hope it's by trade

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by Yaowaming, Jul 27, 2005.

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  1. Yaowaming

    Yaowaming Contributing Member

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    http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/12234144.htm

    Posted on Wed, Jul. 27, 2005



    R E L A T E D C O N T E N T

    STAR-TELEGRAM/RON JENKINS
    Michael Finley will be looking for a new team, but the Mavericks would rather trade him than let him go for nothing.
    More photos

    If Finley leaves, Mavs hope it's by trade

    By ART GARCIA

    STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER


    If the Mavericks so choose, they can release Michael Finley as early as next week.

    They won't. While Finley's departure remains academic, don't bet on it coming by way of the "amnesty" clause in the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement, which is expected to be approved early next week. Trading the longest-tenured Maverick has become the preferred vehicle of exit.

    And it may prove to be the only one.

    The Mavs have at least one deal on the table for Finley, possibly with Orlando, that satisfies Mark Cuban's requirement of receiving expiring contracts in return. The Mavs will continue to pursue a trade and could easily wait until the eve of training camp before deciding Finley's fate.

    Even if the Mavs don't receive a better offer, the team is leaning strongly against making Finley a free agent through the amnesty clause. No one in the Mavs front office wants to see Finley sign with a Western Conference rival, such as Phoenix with Steve Nash, Denver, San Antonio or Houston.

    Don't count on Finley's situation being settled for at least two months.

    As for next week, teams can also begin signing free agents, and the Mavs are in the running for center Steven Hunter. The 7-footer spent last season with Phoenix after three years in Orlando.

    Adding an athletic body to the frontcourt is an area the Mavs want to address. Hunter's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said several teams, including the Mavs, are pursuing the 24-year-old, who averaged 4.6 points and 3.0 rebounds with the Suns.

    "We're having a number of conversations, and we'll see what happens," Bartelstein said. "There's a lot of interest in him."

    The Mavs will decide whether to spend the $5 million exception on one player, divide it among two or more, or stand relatively pat. Hunter isn't expected to command the full exception.

    The Mavs also are searching for a perimeter shooter in the backcourt. Free agent point guard Darrell Armstrong could return as Jason Terry's backup.

    "We want to find guys that bring a certain level of dominance to their position," president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "We're still sorting through a lot of scenarios."

    Many have to do with Finley. A potential holdup in the trade now being offered is the lack of quality players the Mavs would receive. If the deal is executed, the Mavs would probably cut most, if not all, of the players coming back.

    Orlando, Houston, Indiana and Chicago have the necessary contracts to make such a deal work, although the Magic appear to be in the best financial shape to acquire the former two-time All-Star. Finley is also a native of Chicago.

    Orlando could be well under the cap for the last two years of Finley's contract, making it easier to absorb his salary. Players the Magic could package include Doug Christie, Tony Battie, Stacey Augmon and Mario Kasun.

    The Mavs prefer any deal involving Finley salvage at least one usable player. The team hopes to get a better offer before the Oct. 1 cutoff date to release players under the amnesty clause.

    Though his production has fallen off in recent seasons, Finley's impending exit has more to do with money than basketball, because the new labor agreement will allow teams to waive one player to avoid paying the luxury tax. Once the CBA goes into effect, the luxury tax threshold should be about $60 million. Teams pay a dollar-for-dollar penalty on payrolls over that amount.

    The Mavs would save up to $51.8 million in luxury tax payments over the next three years by waiving Finley. The team, however, would be responsible for paying the same amount on his contract, with his salary counting against the salary cap (but not the luxury tax threshold) through 2007-08.

    Obtaining expiring contracts within 25 percent (plus $100,000) of Finley's $15.9 contract for this season provides substantial bottom-line savings and increased payroll flexibility in the future.

    The most the Mavs can take back for Finley is about $20 million in contracts for this season. Paying luxury tax on those deals would mean a one-year outlay of up to $40 million.

    Finley would cost the Mavs about $32 million for this season alone if he stayed and nearly $104 million over the next three years.

    Besides the $40 million being considerably less than what Finley would cost, the Mavs would have his contract off the books for the next two years. Throw in the expiring contracts of Terry and Keith Van Horn, and the Mavs' payroll drops near the luxury tax threshold for 2006-07. The current payroll is $95 million.

    Being in the vicinity of the threshold allows Cuban more breathing room to retain Terry and/or Van Horn, sign other free agents and make trades. Trading Finley would also allow the Mavs to use the amnesty clause on another player, such as Tariq Abdul-Wahad or Shawn Bradley.
     
    #1 Yaowaming, Jul 27, 2005
  2. Relativist

    Relativist Member

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    As being discussed in the GARM, no one is going to take Finley off Cuban's hands. This article is blowing smoke.
     
    #2 Relativist, Jul 27, 2005
  3. KellyDwyer

    KellyDwyer Member

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    Totally, but GMs can delude themselves into anything. That's why I hope they move that amnesty date up from October 1st so Nellie and Isiah can cut out this particular brand of wishful thinking.
     
    #3 KellyDwyer, Jul 27, 2005
  4. Jebus

    Jebus Member

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    They can't seriously expect to get valuable expiring contracts for a guy they're going to cut anyway.. what a load.

    Also of note, hopefully they'll blow their MLE on Steven Hunter.
     
    #4 Jebus, Jul 27, 2005
  5. A-Train

    A-Train Member

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    Finley for Francis! :D
     
    #5 A-Train, Jul 27, 2005
  6. xiki

    xiki Member

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    Glad to know Rox are on someone's radar.
     
    #6 xiki, Jul 27, 2005
  7. apostolic3

    apostolic3 Member

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    According to the article, there are 3 choices:

    1 Keep Finley and he costs them $102MM.
    2 Waive him and he costs $51MM.
    3 Trade him for expiring contracts and the cost is only $40MM.

    Cuban thinks he can take option 3 and also demand back a usable player or two? Gimme a break. If some team is dumb enought to give him expiring contracts for Finley, he should celebrate for a year!

    I can't believe anyone would take Finley for 3yrs/$51MM even if they would be under the luxury tax. Clearly option 2 is what will happen or Weisbrod may as well still be the Magic GM.
     
    #7 apostolic3, Jul 27, 2005
  8. gucci888

    gucci888 Member

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    I don't see who would be dumb enough to trade for Finley. Let the Mavs either waive him or keep him, I don't know why anyone would help the Mavs dig themselves out of this hole.

    But then again...it is Cuban...crazier deals have happened before.
     
    #8 gucci888, Jul 27, 2005
  9. steddinotayto

    steddinotayto Member

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    i agree. it's just wishful/mar1juana thinking that someone wants to trade for Finley when he can be had once he's waived and then could be signed on the cheap. Goes to show you how dumb Dallas is.
     
    #9 steddinotayto, Jul 27, 2005
  10. HOOP-T

    HOOP-T Member

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    As dumb as they may be, there may be a dumber team out there that will make this trade. Watch and see.....

    Sure he could be had when he is waived, but he's fair game for several teams in the league in that circumstance. If they trade to get him, they get him. Simple as that.

    Hard to say what will happen....but I wouldn't bet the house that someone won't work a trade with Cuban.
     
    #10 HOOP-T, Jul 27, 2005
  11. steddinotayto

    steddinotayto Member

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    But the thing is that he's not even a VERY GOOD SG. He's GOOD at best. But

    1. He's old
    2. His contract is ridiculous
    3. His best days are behind him

    If they trade for him, they'll get him AND the 51 mil he's due. Why not wait and see if he's going to get waived. That way, you make a run at him then. I am pretty sure if a team wants him bad enough, they'll offer him a good enough contract (7-8 mil per perhaps?) that would benefit both sides. Finley gets paid not only by the Mavericks but by his new team and the new team gets him for cheaper than his current contract right now. See, that's why I think no one would want to trade for him. Waiting for him to be waived and then sign him to a good but cheap contract (3 years 18-21 mil or something of the like) is better than the 51 mil he has on him right now.
     
    #11 steddinotayto, Jul 27, 2005
  12. HOOP-T

    HOOP-T Member

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    While I AGREE with your points, and they make perfect sense.....I still think some team is going to pull the trigger and trade for Finley. Dallas may not get much in return, but some GM out there is still enamored with Finley, and will think he can make a fresh start (since he's on a loaded offensive team, blah blah blah).

    Just don't bet your house on it....that's all I am saying.
     
    #12 HOOP-T, Jul 27, 2005
  13. steddinotayto

    steddinotayto Member

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    Yea I mean I wouldn't put it past Cuban to get something in return. Like maybe Dampier + Finley for Ratliff, Anderson and Miles perhaps?
     
    #13 steddinotayto, Jul 27, 2005
  14. T_in_Charlotte

    T_in_Charlotte Member

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    As long as Zeke is the Gm of the Knicks, never rule him out....and, yes, he would be dumb enough to do it.
     
    #14 T_in_Charlotte, Jul 27, 2005
  15. redgoose

    redgoose Member

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    So true! Cuban would probably pay most of his salary if neccessary to keep him out of the West. Cuban is a smart guy, he doesn't want Finley anywhere in the West. Finley wants a a title by all those Dallas playoff dissapointments and now is his chance to pick a winner and get it. I could see him trading Finley to anyone in the East for a 2010 2nd round draft pick. Anthonying to keep him from a Texas team or Phoenix.
     
    #15 redgoose, Jul 27, 2005
  16. xiki

    xiki Member

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    JJ might keep Fin out of Phx.
     
    #16 xiki, Jul 27, 2005
  17. baller4life315

    baller4life315 Member

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    Cuban knows better than to outright cut him. The last thing he wants to do is see Finley pull a Steve Nash, sign with a team then come back & bite him in the ass.

    Whoever mentioned a trade with NY, I can definitely see Isiah drooling all over it. Perhaps something like Finley for Allan Houston then waiving H20---no, he doesn't stand to gain anything out of this but barring NY waiving Finley it at least keeps him away from any Western Conference rivals.
     
    #17 baller4life315, Jul 27, 2005
  18. droxford

    droxford Member

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    Cuban will have to waive Finley. He can't afford to keep him - it would cost him more than $51 mil in luxury tax expenses. With that in mind, teams won't trade to get Finley and take on a fat contract (~ $15 mil) if they know that he'll be waived and may sign for less money.

    So Cuban will waive Finley, and Finley will sign for very little money with a team that will give him playing time and will have a good shot at a chamionship. Rockets!
     
    #18 droxford, Jul 28, 2005
  19. Uprising

    Uprising Member

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    Couldn't have said it better myself. Stab DFW in the back Finley! YOU CAN DO IT!
     
    #19 Uprising, Jul 28, 2005
  20. micah1j

    micah1j Member

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    Orlando rejects deal for Finley

    http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050728/SPORTS/507280323/1002

    (Orlando Assistant General Manager Otis Smith) Smith shot down a rumor out of Dallas that the Magic might trade several players with expiring contracts for veteran shooting guard Michael Finley.

    Smith confirmed Mavericks' president Donn Nelson approached him about the trade, but the Magic quickly turned it down because Finley is still owed $51.8 million over the next three years.

    "I had a conversation with Donnie (Nelson), but I have no interest in the length of Finley's contract and the $52 million he's still owed," Smith said. "Would we have an interest if he's an amnesty release? I can't say now.

    "But I have no interest in getting rid of our expiring contracts and taking on another big contract like that. It's kind of funny to me that (Mavericks owner Mark) Cuban is looking to cut payroll rather than add it."
     
    #20 micah1j, Jul 28, 2005
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