[Sun-Sentinel Article] We've got competition for PG w/ Heat

The key with the Heat is they only have 2.5M of their MLE left after signing Doleac. So in 'theory' we could outbid them for any PG targets if money was the key sticking point. On the other hand, the way things are shaking up it seems CD doesnt want to give out a contract much more than half the MLE for our PG anyway. They sure werent going to give a contract like Fisher got in GS which was the FULL MLE for 6 years.

My gut tells me that CD is looking for trades right now but also keeping the FA PG thing open. He is seeing which he can do first. Can he sign a good FA PG at a good VALUE price? Or can he make the trade he wants. Either way, it appears VALUE is driving the decision. It is quite clear that the Rockets have reversed themselves and are not overpaying for role players and I applaud them for it. In a few years this will pay them big dividends. Building for the long haul.

 

I really hope that you are right and that we can still say that after the summer!

 

Here are other news and notes on players frequenting this BBS for Rox:

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1090056867180620.xml

CAVALIERS
Battie straightforward with confidence, vacant starting job
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
One of the most disappointing fiascos in Cavaliers history has fans upset, people pointing fingers and questions about Carlos Boozer and team management still unanswered.
But forward Tony Battie is ready to move on.
"You have to remain confident," Battie said. "You can't let this this dampen your spirits and say if we have a bad season, it's because someone left. We don't want any excuses. We'll deal with the situaion and keep moving forward."
On Wednesday, Boozer left the Cavs after two seasons when he signed a six-year, $68 million contract with the Utah Jazz. He signed the deal despite claims from the Cavs that they expected Boozer to remain in Cleveland and Boozer claimed he never made any promises.
But no matter what led Boozer to sign with the Jazz, the Cavs are now scrambling to find someone to replace Boozer as the starting power forward spot. The talent at that position in the free-agent market is paper thin with names like Art Long, Mikki Moore and former Cavs forward Robert Traylor. There are rumors about the Cavs possibly acquiring Vin Baker, a four-time All-Star, or seeking a trade but no matter who they bring in, Battie is ready to fill the void.
"That's how I'm looking at it," said Battie, a 6-11 forward/center. "Losing a player of [Boozer's] caliber will hurt our team but we have to pick up the pace. We can't allow Boozer's move to affect us. Either I'll have to step up and try to play as close to Boozer as I can or someone else will have to."
Battie hopes that someone else could be 7-footer DeSagana Diop.
"I hope guys like Diop will come in with the same attitude as I have," Battie said. "We'll have to. It's hard to match what Boozer did but as a team we can do it."
As an individual last season, Battie was valuable coming off the bench. He backed up Boozer and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The Cavs acquired Battie in a trade with the Boston Celtics in December. Battie averaged 5.6 points and 4.9 rebounds last season. Battie's best season was in 2002-03. He averaged 7.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.21 blocks per game.
Compared to Boozer, Battie has more experience, playoff experience and he's a better shot blocker. He's also a better defender.
"He brings a certain defensive presence that we can always use and he can hit an open jumper," said coach Paul Silas about Battie. "Battie brings energy to our ballclub and that's really important."
Battie's health will really be important. He dealt with some nagging injuries during the season. Battie said that he's fully recovered and ready for action.
"There's no health problems and I'm feeling great right now," Battie said. "The chance to start could resurrect my career. I'm just trying to fill a void and keep the team going in the right direction and the playoffs is still our goal."
Tractor pull:
Traylor is interested in returning to the Cavs. Traylor, who spent the past three seasons in New Orleans, last played in Cleveland during the 2000-01 season. Traylor often had trouble controlling his weight.
"I'm a different player now," Traylor said. "I've had time to mature. Last year, even with the weight that I have (6-9, 284 pounds), I still played 25 minutes per game and was very effective. I'm going to be in great shape [this coming season] no matter where I'm playing."
Silas coached Traylor for two seasons with the Hornets.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
bwright@plaind.com, 216-999-6136

http://celtics.bostonherald.com/celtics/view.bg?articleid=35991
Cavs, Celts chat: Discuss Atkins, Williams
By Steve Bulpett
Saturday, July 17, 2004
LAS VEGAS - The Celtics have had discussions with Cleveland regarding a sign-and-trade deal involving free agent Eric Williams and Chucky Atkins, according to league sources.

Word is the Celts are hesitant to get rid of Atkins. They think he's the best point guard they have, but rookie Delonte West has looked very good at the point thus far and second-year man Marcus Banks [news] remains a physically gifted, if unpolished, player. Those two should be seeing a good deal of playing time on a young and building team this season.

Bottom line: If the Celtics were closer to contending, Atkins would be going nowhere. And it's still likely he won't.

The Cavaliers reportedly expressed interest in Atkins when the C's left him unprotected in the expansion draft. But the same reason the Celts were confident he wouldn't be picked up by Charlotte - two years left on his contract at $8.7 million - may be making Cleveland pause.

Director of basketball operations Danny Ainge has already had talks with Williams' agent about bringing the forward back for a third tour of duty with the Celtics. The C's can clearly use Williams' leadership ability, professionalism and willingness to speak out to teammates. But he may be hesitant to take a one-year deal - it's doubtful the Celts would offer more - with all the dough that is being passed out to free agents in this rather odd offseason.

Williams has also been rumored in a sign-and-trade deal with New Jersey.

Beyond flirting with Williams, there was nothing much moving on the Celtic front yesterday. The club is still waiting to see whether restricted free agent Chris Mihm gets an offer sheet elsewhere. The Lakers and Atlanta have been on Mihm's trail, and the Celts appear interested in seeing what those two or another club would propose as a sign-and-trade for him.

Mihm, meanwhile, has been going through perhaps his hardest and most thorough offseason workout program. Mihm said he is waiting for his situation to shake out, hoping wherever he lands is a better fit than he appeared to be with Jim O'Brien [news] or John Carroll. ``I know I can play better,'' Mihm said. ``I just concentrated on coming out and giving my all out there, no matter how much I was playing. Not knowing how much you're going to play or what I was going to be doing was tough. It's a tough way to go, trying to prepare for each game like that. But in the long run, it's going to make me mentally tougher and make me a better player.''

Ainge has said the Celts are prepared to match any offer the 7-footer may get.

``Before the season ended, I thought he had a chance to get mid-level exception money from some team,'' Ainge said. ``There's 30 teams and not many big people. I think the question will be how many years he gets.''

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/18061.htm


July 17, 2004 -- The Erick Dampier sweepstakes heated up in the Knicks' favor yesterday as team president Isiah Thomas made Golden State what one league official termed "a strong offer" — Nazr Mohammed and Othella Harrington — for the 7-foot Shaq stopper.
The offer seems to be a better one than the proposal the Pacers recently had rejected — Austin Croshere and Scott Pollard. Warrior GM Chris Mullin likes Croshere but has asked for Jonathan Bender, whom Pacer president Donnie Walsh won't include, a source said.
The Hawks, who are under the salary cap and can sign Dampier outright without needing a sign-and-trade, are waiting to see if the Knicks or Pacers can work out a trade before they strike. Hawks GM Billy Knight — along with Walsh — drafted Dampier in Indiana. Golden State also has talked to Dallas.
However, the Warriors are said to be mulling Thomas' offer, and league officials view the Knicks as front-runners. Dampier will likely to visit New York as soon as Tuesday.
If the Warriors accept the Knicks' offer, it likely will blow up Thomas chances of landing the Bulls' combo guard, Jamal Crawford. But Thomas considers Dampier as big a priority as Crawford and will have to get very lucky to get both.
Harrington, because of his expiring contract, was an integral piece to the Bulls' trade.
With Shaquille O'Neal now in the East, Thomas is desperate for a banger in the middle. Mohammed would get eaten up by O'Neal.
Mullin is wary of taking on bad contracts, as the Warriors can let Dampier flee and save on payroll. However, Golden State needs a backup center who can score, since the re-signed Adonal Foyle is a defensive specialist.
The wages of Harrington ($3.1M) and Mohammed ($5.25M) next season total $8.35M, meaning Dampier can sign for a wage beginning at $9 million per for seven years. Dampier opted out of the last two years of his contract that would've paid him $8.1M next season.
Harrington makes sense for Golden State because of his meager contract. Mohammed only has two years left on his deal.
With the Harrington/Mohammed offer on the table, Thomas now has added Dikembe Mutombo back into the Bulls' offer, replacing Harrington. Mutombo had been kept out of the deal to save for other trades. But since Moochie Norris is still included, the Bulls aren't biting, even with the Knicks willing to add $3 million.
Meanwhile, Crawford's agent, Aaron Goodwin, hoped to have client Vin Baker to re-sign with the Knicks after the Crawford deal was done. But if the Bulls' deal falls through, Baker's return to the Knicks could be iffy. The Cavaliers, after losing Carlos Boozer, are interested in Baker.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports...ons/saturday/sports_048ff8f6417d32940086.html
James interested in returning to Heat
By Chris Perkins, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Saturday, July 17, 2004
MIAMI -- Former Heat point guard Mike James is the latest NBA player to say he'd love to play for Miami and alongside Shaquille O'Neal.
"We're talking," said James, who recently won a title with the Detroit Pistons. "My agent is talking to (Heat General Manager) Randy Pfund and also coach Riles (Heat President Pat Riley).
"It's a lot of interest. I would love to be back in Miami."
The problem is, the interest might not be there from the Heat.
James, who played for the Heat for two seasons (2001-03), is a restricted free agent.
The Heat likely doesn't want to bid restricted free agents (Miami would be frozen from bidding on other free agents for up to 15 days while Detroit decides if it will match the offer sheet), and Riley said the team already has zeroed in on the point guard it wants. James said he doesn't think that's him right now.
Detroit has said it probably wouldn't match a multiyear offer for James, which might have been what launched James into a claim of not getting respect around the league.
"I see all these guys getting money," James said. "You could put my stats up against anybody. Forget about the name 'Mike James,' and just look at the stats."
James averaged 9.3 points, 4.2 assists and 1.19 steals last season with Boston and Detroit. He played in 81 games and started 55, all in Boston before being dealt to the Pistons in the three-team trade that landed Detroit forward Rasheed Wallace.
James said what he wants is "the multiyear (contract) and the money."
But after being told Miami only has half of the $5.1 million mid-level exception, the $1.6 million exception and minimum-salary deals James said: "I was broke before I came into the NBA. Even if I sign for the $1.6 (million), that's more money than I've ever made in my life. I'll sign a one-year or whatever."
James said he's had conversations with Houston, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Lakers.
"I'm only talking to teams that are contenders or willing to contend," he said. "With Shaq being in Miami, that makes Miami a contender."
Nothing new: Atlanta guard Bob Sura, who said he has interest in joining the Heat and teaming with O'Neal, said he hasn't spoken with his agent in a few days and doesn't think anything is progressing with Miami. "I've been out of the loop," Sura said. "I'm just letting him do his work."
chris_perkins@pbpost.com

 

If Mike James is willing to take the 1.6M veterans minimum for 2-3 years I would snatch him up! That would be a bargin. He could still be the long term backup here since Lue's contract ends next season.

Does anyone find it odd that Cleveland is trying to get Chucky Atkins when they already have McInnis and Ollie as PGs on thier roster? They must have absolutely NO faith in Ollie what so ever! And if they dont have faith, we shouldnt have faither either. Not to mention Ollie's 5 year 15M contract is hideous! Another LONG term contract for a role player. I also wonder if the Cavs fear that McInnis will leave them when he is a FA after next season?

 

to the theme of final countdown by Europe....

what about Boki and MoT for Shaq???

 

Maybe they are trying to pick up Atkins so that they can send McInnis to us!

 

Cavs also have Wagner who plays the point. They will deal someone if they get Atkins....What about us getting Wagner, he is the leading scorer in summer league, and yes I know that doesn't count for much. Might be a good change of pace scorer off the bench.

 

wagner is garbage; he is another sg in a pg body.

 

We could be silent in trying to get Jason Kidd, who knows, YAO TMAC KIDD, wow

 

I'm going to get a lot of flak for this. But for some reason I feel having a backup center to Yao is more important than acquiring a PG. Especially if we can develop a PG rotation between Reece Gaines (starting) and Tyronn Lue (coming off of the bench to uptempo the game). I'm worried about Yao not being able to catch a breather.

 

not to mention he has kidney problems and have already missed a signifigant amount of games and he's what? 21 now?

 

I'm wondering if his agent initiated the contact, or if we did. James is the guy I wish the Rockets would go after & it appears that we can get him cheap. After all, we don't have to have a star PG, just someone that won't lose the game for us.

How about James & Keon Clark for the MLE? Then I'd pick up Rodney White for the minimum. Of course, I'd try to find a way to trade the TE to Cleveland for Battie, before signing Clark.

That'd give us a lineup of:

C: Yao/Battie(?)/Clark(?)
PF: Howard/Taylor/Spoon
SF: McGrady/Nachbar/White
SG: JJ/Piatkowski/Gaines/Griffin
PG: James/Lue/Gaines

 

Wouldn't be bad.
I know we can't cure all our holes in one offseason, but I sure would like to have a long 3 playing starters minutes instead of McGrady. With him playing the 2, which he prefers, the mismatches are just rediculous!

 

Rodney White for the MINIMUM????

That would be too good to be true.....

 

LOL

 

What's with the ? He's an unrestricted FA. Denver didn't pick up his option & appear to be willing to let him walk, & I've not heard of anyone making him an offer. Also, since he's an UFA, Denver can't match any offer he gets to keep him. They can, however, make him a larger offer than we would be willing to. But, would they?

 

I would be all for signing the guy for the minimum but you would think with all the money being thrown at mediocre players this offseason that a 23 year old former top 10 pick would draw some interest.

 

Personally, I feel the Rockets are going to exhaust every opportunity they have in the market to fill the 1 guard. But I don't believe they're going to get anyone to ink a respectible deal. They'll look into it but I think in the end they will ship the TE to Philly and pickup Snow.