The official 2003 NBA free agents thread

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

I thought he was going back to the Heat?

 

Anyway, did anyone mention that nene hilario has changed his name to simply NENE?

I think he just changed his first name from what ever the fuck it is to NeNe.

 

And as for Michael Dickerson, he performed well for the rockets...then when he was traded to the Grizzles it became apparent that the only reason he was good with the rockets was because Barkely and Hakeem were drawing all the defense. He was always a iffy shooter, and that was just shown true in Vancover.

 

Then he started trying to prove that he was just as good as any two in the league and when he would touch the ball, just set up for the rebound. He was going to try and elevate over his man and shoot, or try to go around them...something he had no business doing.

His first name was Nene...

 

Anyway, the Clips have signed former Heat guard Eddie House to a multi-year deal.

[Ripper 0]

Nene isn't his real name. It is a shortened version of his real name. Like Jake Tsigausisfkafoio;aj from Phoenix real first name isn't Jake. Its longer than his last name.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

Nene isn't his real name. It is a shortened version of his real name. Like Jake Tsigausisfkafoio;aj from Phoenix real first name isn't Jake. Its longer than his last name.

I stand corrected.

 

What do you think of the House pick up? I think its interesting because with House and Dooling at the point, they can move Jaric to play the 2 along with Q. This would free up Maggette to play the 3 if Miami gives Odom an insane offer that the Clips don’t match. I’m still hopeful that Sterling will get things done with Lamar. The 3 year deal that they are offering him for $8 million/year seems reasonable and fair but perhaps they have to up it to $10 million if they want him to sign a 3 year deal.

[Ripper 0]

Eddie House=Jason Terry

 

Undersized 2 guards. He can put points on the board in a 1 on 1 situation, but he isn't a point and will never be confused for one. I see him getting buried on the bench and wondering what did he do to deserve this.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

For $800,000 a year, I think he will prove to be a bargain.

[Ripper 0]

Oh...I didn't know that the contract was so low. hell yeah that is a bargin.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

from the Miami Herald:

 

Odom's Deal Delayed

 

The goal remains the same, but the timetable continues to change just slightly.

 

Lamar Odom and his agent had hoped to sign an offer sheet with the Heat by today, but it now seems likely that Odom will not sign one until this weekend -- at the earliest.

 

Odom is in New York, while Heat coach Pat Riley and Odom's agent, Jeff Schwartz, are negotiating in Los Angeles. The dollar amount on a possible contract remains a slight issue, but the main hold-up is the fact the Heat wants to be assured the Los Angeles Clippers will not match such a deal.

 

Odom went a long way in boosting Miami's confidence with his comments Wednesday, which included: ``I feel like my relationship with the Clippers is over. From my understanding, no one wants to hire a disgruntled employee or bring a disgruntled employee back.

 

``I would not be happy coming back. I think my career is going to take off with the Heat. I'm running in muddy waters with the Clippers.''

 

Members of the Clippers' front office expressed surprise regarding the comments but offered no official comment.

 

Odom will return to Los Angeles on Sunday to take part in the negotiations. Heat general manager Randy Pfund also plans to join the talks this weekend.

 

The offer sheet the parties are negotiating is believed to be worth between $60 million and $70 million over six years. Odom said Wednesday he would be opposed to signing a one-year tender with the Clippers and would prefer to play for Miami this season.

 

A sign-and-trade remains a possibility, but the Clippers rarely choose that route with their free agents, and the Heat does not have much to offer in return.

 

CLIPPERS ADD HOUSE

 

While Odom is trying to get out of Los Angeles, former Heat guard Eddie House signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract with the Clippers.

 

House, who spent his first three seasons with the Heat, also considered the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors but figured his best chance of playing regularly was with the Clippers.

 

''I think it's open over there,'' House said Thursday from Phoenix, where he does his offseason training. ``It's a new coach [ Mike Dunleavy] and he doesn't have any loyalties to anyone.''

 

In his three seasons with Miami, House averaged 7 points and shot 40 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range.

 

House has played in 169 games, but inconsistent playing time left House somewhat frustrated last season.

 

''I was there for three years and over the three years it didn't get any better as far as me playing,'' House said. ``And contrary to what some people might have said, I did get better in those three years.''

 

House's run-and-gun style helped the Heat at times, but House believes he will be more effective in the Western Conference.

 

''I think the Western Conference is by far more of an uptempo style, and it does suit my game more,'' House said.

[Guest Lethargic]

How many times are the Heat gonna get burned by signing some non-superstar player to some outrageous deal? Odom is good but he's not gonna turn the Heat around. They shouldn't blow all their cap room for him. They still won't make the playoffs next year with him or without him. They already have a team full of over paid players, they already made the mistake of trying to sign Juwan Howard for 100 million, those guys are crazy.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

^ Now their trying to deal Brian Grant and Eddie Jones's huge salaries with no takers thus far.

[Ripper 0]

Brian Grant will somehow be a Mavrick. Soon.

 

I would take Eddie Jones if I needed a 2 guard. Still a 20 point per night guy.

[Human Fly 0]

The Clips are just going to match whatever the Heat offer Odom so why sign him to some 6 or 7 year deal? If I was the Heat I would give him a 5 year deal with the ability to opt out after the first year so that even if the Clips do get him for the next campaign the Heat will still get him in a year.

[bob_barron 0]

From the Oh no department-

 

Martin seeking six-year, $87 million deal

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ESPN.com news services

 

 

Kenyon Martin once wanted a contract extension from the New Jersey Nets.

 

Now he just wants out.

 

Martin has broken off contract talks with the Nets and has asked for a trade, reports ESPN.com's David Aldridge.

 

Martin, who has one year remaining on his Nets contract, reportedly was seeking a six-year extension worth approximately $87 million, but Aldridge reports the Nets have offered him roughly $66 million.

 

Martin is not eligible for a new contract until July 2004. He is scheduled to make $5.1 million this season.

 

Martin produced the best numbers of his three-year career last season, averaging 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He increased his averages to 18.9 points and 9.4 rebounds during the playoffs when the Nets reached the NBA Finals for a second consecutive season.

 

 

K-Mart is my favourite NBA player and I wish he would stop crying about his maximum money. I want him to stay on the Nets

[Guest ErekT2k]

There are rumors that the Blazers are interested in shipping Wallace off for Martin. If I were the Nets, I'd take that deal. Wallace actually has a jump shot!

 

I mean, K-Mart shot up bricks in the last 2 games of the finals, and now he's expecting a maximum extension. It's true he's been a crucial part to their offense, but J-Kidd can work with anyone. Put in Wallace, and I think the Nets will be just as good, if not better with K-Mart.

[razazteca 0]

K-Mart should remember that when you demand max money, you most likely will play for a losing franchise.

[Guest Mindless_Aggression]

I'd trade Martin in a heartbeat for Rasheed Wallace. Wallace can do everything Martin can do and add onto that being able to consistently knock down the 3 pointer/mid range jumper. He's also one of the few who can match Martin's best asset and thats intensity.

 

Seriously, if the Nets get this deal straight up, that is a pretty decent steal. Wallace was putting up near 20 points with a bunch of ball hogging team mates and 8 boards a game despite getting stuck at the 3 a lot of the time.

 

In other random news, John Wallace is back and he plays for the Miami Heat. I am correct in saying that he was not in the league last year, right?

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

Here is the latest on Lamar Odom

 

 

Saturday, August 9

 

Odom seeks fresh start with Miami, Riley

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

By Marc Stein

ESPN.com

 

 

Lamar Odom is flying back Sunday to Los Angeles to tell Los Angeles Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor directly what Odom has been saying publicly for the past week.

 

Odom's message: "It's time for me to go elsewhere."

 

Elsewhere, of course, is Miami. Odom describes playing for Heat coach Pat Riley as his NBA destiny. Yet it's a destiny the Clippers control, because Odom's status as a restricted free agent gives L.A. a 15-day window to match any offer he gets.

 

"I want to see Elgin and tell him face-to-face," Odom said Saturday in an interview with ESPN.com, as he awaits a formal offer sheet from the Heat.

 

"As soon I get back, I'm going to try to get him on the phone, and on Monday morning I'll be right in his office to tell him," Odom continued. "I'm just trying to let the Clippers understand it's my time to move on. It's in my best interests and it's in their best interests.

 

"I'm looking forward to a fresh new start, playing for the Heat and coming back home to the East Coast. I think it's about time that I get my career off the ground and I think Miami is where I need to go. Hopefully the Clippers will understand where I'm coming from."

 

First, Odom must secure a signed offer sheet from Miami, which the Heat has withheld until now knowing that the Clippers have made it clear they intend to match any offer Odom receives. Baylor himself has informed Odom of those plans and, by all indications, L.A. has not changed its stance.

 

Odom is attempting to convince the Clippers that it would be a mistake to "bring a disgruntled employee back," as he told The Miami Herald in Thursday's editions. In Saturday's conversation, Odom said he is simply trying to "let the Clippers know how I feel as honestly as possible."

 

After two trips to Miami and separate conversations with Riley, Odom said he expects to have a signed offer sheet "in the next 24 to 48 hours -- hopefully by Monday." He is seeking at least $60 million over six years. The Clippers have offered Odom a three-year deal worth $24 million and contend that they will match any Miami offer, just as they did when the Heat signed Elton Brand to a six-year, $82 million offer sheet last month.

 

The strategy has proven successful twice already this off-season for the Clippers.

 

After a history of contentious contract negotiations, without a single marquee free agent retained or signed in the club's history, Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling matched offers to Brand and Corey Maggette ($42 million over six years) instead of haggling over the terms himself. Given Odom's status as a longtime Sterling favorite, and with Gilbert Arenas choosing to sign an offer sheet with Washington instead of L.A., the expectation remains that even a $10 million-a-season pitch from Miami for Odom would be matched.

 

Knowing that, Miami has tried to convince the Clippers to participate in an Odom sign-and-trade, on the premise that L.A. might be more willing to let Odom go if it gets something back. The Clippers, though, have shown zero interest in a sign-and-trade, according to league sources.

 

If the Heat decides that an offer sheet is futile, Odom has two options. Resume contract negotiations with the Clippers or sign a one-year tender with L.A. that would make the 23-year-old an unrestricted free agent next summer.

 

This already ranks as the Clippers' most successful off-season in team history, but they insist that the plan going into the summer was to re-sign Brand, Maggette and Odom at the minimum. If Miami does elect to extend Odom the lucrative offer sheet, it will be hoping that L.A. changes its mind after Sterling spent an unprecedented $124 million on the first two players and in the wake of Odom's public pleas to play for Riley.

 

In his interview with the Herald, Odom announced that he considers his relationship with the Clippers "over" and that "I don't see myself playing for any other coach than Riley next year." In Saturday's interview, Odom scaled back his comments slightly, but reiterated his wish to leave the franchise that selected him No. 4 overall in the 1999 draft.

 

"When I was coming to the NBA, I thought I was going to be playing for the Miami Heat and I thought Pat Riley was going to be my coach," Odom said. "A team took back their promise with what they were supposed to do with the Heat (on draft night). Me and Coach Riley, we have a great relationship for two guys who haven't come together like we were supposed to."

 

Odom admitted Saturday that he hasn't played to his full potential in his first four seasons, with his career derailed by injuries and two drug suspensions.

 

"But I don't think I can do it here," Odom said of the Clippers.

 

"It's not my doing to rip them or downgrade anybody. I don't want to do that because people could do the same with me. I did it a little bluntly (in the newspaper interview), and that might be wrong to some people, but I'm just trying to let them know how I feel."

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I say if Riley wants Odom that badly then the Clippers should match the offer and demand Caron Butler and Dwayne Wade in exchange for Odom. As much as I would like for Odom to stay, if he doesn't really want to be here then I don't want him here either.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Riley would hang up the phone if the Clippers asked for that trade.

[Guest ErekT2k]

Except if Riley's infatuation with Odom carries over, he will take that trade.

 

Also, there have been discussions of the Blazers trying to move Wallace for Martin, but no trade is on the table. New Blazers GM Nash is trying to cut payroll and also get rid of all the bad rep, so there's a really good chance Wallace could be shipped out. If the Nets do get Wallace, expect them to return to the Finals again. Whether they will win is another question.

 

EDIT:

 

I forgot to add that Mutombo and Ruben Patterson will also be in this trade. It'll be Patterson/Wallace for Mutombo/Martin. Mutombo isn't happy sitting behind 'Zo in the lineup, apparently.

Edited August 10, 2003 by ErekT2k

[alfdogg 0]

With Sabonis likely retiring, that trade could work out great for Portland. Martin is more of an inside presence than Wallace, IMO (although Wallace is still better all-around), and this would also allow Bonzi to become more of a scorer and maybe the star of the team (I'm hoping since he's from Muncie, which is about 1/2 hour from my hometown ).

 

As far as Odom goes, attitudes aside, I'd take him over Butler anyday. I don't know about him and Wade, though.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Wallace is a huge headache. He doesn't get the rebound he should be getting, and the Blazers will be better off in the long run with Martin on the team.

[Guest ErekT2k]

Yet if the Nets get Wallace, his contract runs out next summer and reports say that the Nets want that to pursue KG next summer in free agency. Another reason Martin should say bye bye to the Meadowlands.

 

KG and Jason Kidd in a team is scary.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

Great deal for the Nets. They get rid of the ever-increasing uselessness that is Mutombo and his huge salary, along with Martin in return they get Wallace, who is a better shooter and can match up well with the 4's in the west and as an added incentive, they get the Kobe Stopper! Ruben Patterson is a defensive specialist who will thrive in the open floor with Kidd.

 

As far as Odom goes, he can whine, bitch and moan all he wants, the Clipper police with Oden Polynice at the helm, should bring him back to Clipperdom for 6 more years by matching the offer sheet he will supposedly sign today.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

Concerning Odom, it looks like the most likely resolution to this will be Odom signing the one year tender, because according to Sports Illustrated Odom is only going sign the Heat offer sheet if the Clippers promise him that they will not match the offer.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

Concerning Odom, it looks like the most likely resolution to this will be Odom signing the one year tender, because according to Sports Illustrated Odom is only going sign the Heat offer sheet if the Clippers promise him that they will not match the offer.

I read that he is expected to sign a Heat offer today.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

Concerning Odom, it looks like the most likely resolution to this will be Odom signing the one year tender, because according to Sports Illustrated Odom is only going sign the Heat offer sheet if the Clippers promise him that they will not match the offer.

I read that he is expected to sign a Heat offer today.

Yeah i just saw that in the Miami Herald website, I guess the Heat and Odom feel that there is no way the Clippers can match the offer.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

The Orange County register is reporting that the Odom deal will be 6 years and $65 million. The Clips would be crazy not to match that especially after offering Arenas $60 million.

 

 

Odom is the most versatile player they have and if he finally reaches his potential, the Clips will definitely be an up and coming team with a stable line-up for years to come.

[Ripper 0]

But he doesn't want to play for them. At ALL. Is he worth the headache and the negative effect in the locker room?

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

yes, he's worth the trouble. I really believe that he will come around once he has the contract they he has been coveting this summer.

 

Besides, a Clipper lockerroom cannot possibly have any more of a negative effect on their players.

[alfdogg 0]

The offer sheet was either 63 or 83 million, my TV is kind of blurry so I couldn't really read it.

 

Also, the Hawks will retain Stotts as their coach.

[Rendclaw 0]

There are very few things worse in sports than a player stuck on a team that he doesn't want to play for.

 

If I owned a team and a player didn't want to play for my organization for ANY reason, I would tell him "there's the door, don't let it hit you in the ass on the way out."

 

PR, stop trying to spin this. Odom does not want to play for the Clips anymore and he wants out. Instead of working a sign-and-trade, and getting something in return for him, Sterling is showing his ineptitude by trying to MAKE him play for the club. Any positives that the organization have made in the offseason are going to be killed off by the cancer that is caused by an unhappy player.

 

Does Odom have talent? Unquestionably.

 

Has he squandered that talent? So far, yes, between things that were not his fault (the injuries) and things that were (his inability to stay away from the chronic).

 

Sterling should just let him go. You thought the Clippers were bad before, you just wait and see what happens if they match the offer sheet.