Drobnjak will likely be available

[BleedRed]

Honestly, anyone would be better then Scott Williams, I mean for real what did this guy do for us last year? Nothing that Lil Jake or Bo Outlaw couldn't have done that's for sure. By the time the season ended I was so tired of seeing Scott Williams miss 18 foot jumpers from the top of the key , I was even screeming for Alton Ford to get some p.t. I know he's a veteran big man to tutor Amare or whatever, but lets get him to retire and put him on the coaching staff. Elden Cambell is a decent idea, but Drobnjak?? If we did bring in a free agent we need a shot blocker or @ least a physical big man. I say we dump Williams and go after Keon Clark. LOL!!! He might not be physical, but he can block some shots and would look nice next to Amare. But anywayz, Go Suns!!!

 

[slinslin]

NOTE: Negotiations with Drobnjak and Evans are expected to be slower than those with Ollie. Teams will be hesitant to make an offer, knowing the Sonics have the right to match. David Bauman, Drobnjak's agent, said there is no hurry. Drobnjak will begin training with the Yugoslavian national team July 15 and compete at the European championships in September in Stockholm, Sweden. That gives the Sonics time to free room in the middle. Centers Vitaly Potapenko, Calvin Booth and Jerome James each will make about $5 million next season. Drobnjak made just more than $500,000. The Suns and Lakers have contacted Bauman about Drobnjak.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/129114_sonx02.html

 

[Joe Mama]

If the Phoenix Suns do anything I'm sure it will be at the end of the summer when some player is desperate to sign. I'd be shocked if they rushed right out and signed somebody next week.

Joe Mama

 

[Joe Mama]

This was from today's ESPN Insider:

Don't be surprised if the Suns settle on Sonics big man Predrag Drobnjak with some of their mid-level money. Drobnjak's size, ability to stretch the floor and ability to play some center have them intrigued.

I'm starting to wonder whether the Suns might have some deals in the works that would clear a little bit of salary and some roster spaces. The problem is that when I look at the roster I can't figure out who they would be able to deal, and what they would get in return.

Stephon Marbury: no way

Shawn Marion: no way

Amare Stoudemire: no way

Joe Johnson: very unlikely

Casey Jacobsen: don't see much value there

Tom Gugliotta: they made the release his expiring salary will provide after next season

Penny Hardaway: virtually untradable

Bo Outlaw: as much as I complained about FJ overplaying outlaw, the spark he provides off the bench would be sorely missed. Still, they would have to consider trading him if they could. It would be difficult with his $5 million salary for the next two seasons. If anybody is getting traded I would think it would be Outlaw.

Jake Tsakalidis: is a huge body in the last year of his rookie contract, but so far he has done nothing merit much trade value.

The two rookies: they aren't going anywhere

Jake Voskuhl: I think the only way he isn't re-signed is if another team offers and much more than the Phoenix Suns feel he is worth. Either way, he won't be traded this summer.

Scott Williams: he is a free-agent. Perhaps my imagination is getting the best of me, but perhaps the Suns will wait to see what else is out there before they re-sign him as a player. If there isn't room for him on the roster they could offer him a job with the team in the some other capacity.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

Don't be surprised if the Suns settle on Sonics big man Predrag Drobnjak with some of their mid-level money. Drobnjak's size, ability to stretch the floor and ability to play some center have them intrigued.

Chaplin has convinced me that this would be a very bad idea. Drobnjak is a poor overall shooter, and the evidence for his alleged ability to "stretch the floor" is mere 30 career three-pointers. I hope that the "experts" are wrong as usual on this one.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by elindholm
Don't be surprised if the Suns settle on Sonics big man Predrag Drobnjak with some of their mid-level money. Drobnjak's size, ability to stretch the floor and ability to play some center have them intrigued.

Chaplin has convinced me that this would be a very bad idea. Drobnjak is a poor overall shooter, and the evidence for his alleged ability to "stretch the floor" is mere 30 career three-pointers. I hope that the "experts" are wrong as usual on this one.

Holy crap. I don't know where I got the idea that he is a good shooter. I figured it must have been from the games I saw him and against the Phoenix Suns. However looking back he only had one good game against the Suns. This is what he did against them this season.

October 30, 2002
15 min., 2-4, 4 points, 2 rebounds

December 23, 2002
30 min., 10-18, 21 points, 7 rebounds

March 24, 2003
14 min.,1-6, 3 points, 0 rebounds

April 16, 2003
18 min., 1-7, 2 points, 2 rebounds

That game on December 23 was impressive, but the rest of his games against the Suns last season were pretty crappy.

I should point out that Jake Tsakalidis shot just 45% from the field last season despite the fact that the majority of his shots came from point-blank range. I was actually surprised that Scott Williams shot 41% from the field last season. Looking at Drobjnak's games quickly I noticed that he seemed to have the same problem as Williams with consistency. They could to pretty well one game and come out the next game and hit nothing.

If the Phoenix Suns could get him cheap I still wouldn't mind having Drobjnak

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'm just not impressed with this guy. Langhi had some good games early on--and showed some promise. If we aren't going to keep Langhi, I see no reason to go for Drobnjak.

Its not that I'm a Langhi fan, I just do see Drobnjak as any better.

 

[SirStefan32]

The problem with Drobnjak was that his minutes were very inconsistent. I've been watching this guy for a long time, and believe me, he can shoot. Sure, he only shoots low 40's, but that is not bad considering that 90% of his shots are 15- 18 footers.

There is a rumor going around in San Antonio that they are going to go after Voskhul.

I say sign Drobnjak, and let Williams go.

Stefan

 

[elindholm]

Sure, he only shoots low 40's, but that is not bad considering that 90% of his shots are 15- 18 footers.

It's not bad in terms of shooting skill, but it is bad in terms of what the team wants to accomplish offensively.

The idea of having players spot up from 18 feet is to make the defense pay for collapsing. The shooter must make the shot often enough that the defense decides to give up something else instead. It's just like when teams drop off of Jason Kidd and force him to shoot -- sure, he'll make 40% or so, but that's a lot better than the alternative. What team will hesitate to leave a guy open, if that guy shoots only 40% from 18 feet?

A shooting percentage in the low 40s is not going to get it done. If the Suns are going to add big people to shoot from the perimeter, they need to bring the overall shooting percentage up, not down.

Scott Williams shot 41% last season, and we saw how unhelpful that was.

 

[elindholm]

There is a rumor going around in San Antonio that they are going to go after Voskhul.

Wouldn't that serve the Suns right! They ignore the guy for most of the season, finally discover that he can play, and then lose him to a team that appreciates him more.

Maybe Voskuhl's friendship with Marbury will be enough to keep him in Phoenix.

 

[SirStefan32]

Originally posted by elindholm
There is a rumor going around in San Antonio that they are going to go after Voskhul.

Wouldn't that serve the Suns right! They ignore the guy for most of the season, finally discover that he can play, and then lose him to a team that appreciates him more.

Maybe Voskuhl's friendship with Marbury will be enough to keep him in Phoenix.

I would throw in some Benjamins just to make sure.

 

[Chaplin]

I'm definitely with Eric on this, but I'm wondering if the system that Drobnjak plays in on Seattle would make an impact on his statistics--and how that may or may not change in Frank's system. And with Iavaroni giving him coaching...

 

[SirStefan32]

Originally posted by elindholm
Sure, he only shoots low 40's, but that is not bad considering that 90% of his shots are 15- 18 footers.

It's not bad in terms of shooting skill, but it is bad in terms of what the team wants to accomplish offensively.

The idea of having players spot up from 18 feet is to make the defense pay for collapsing. The shooter must make the shot often enough that the defense decides to give up something else instead. It's just like when teams drop off of Jason Kidd and force him to shoot -- sure, he'll make 40% or so, but that's a lot better than the alternative. What team will hesitate to leave a guy open, if that guy shoots only 40% from 18 feet?

A shooting percentage in the low 40s is not going to get it done. If the Suns are going to add big people to shoot from the perimeter, they need to bring the overall shooting percentage up, not down.
Scott Williams shot 41% last season, and we saw how unhelpful that was.

Scott Williams is a very interesting case. When he is on, he can't miss. When he's off, he can't make a layup.

If Predrag Drobnjak gets consistant minutes, he will be a lot more consistant than Scott Williams.
Also, he is much younger, and can run.

Don't get me wrong Eric, I see what you are saying, but how many 4's and 5's do you know that make more than 40% of their jumpers? Few of them that do are making max. money. (Webber, Malone, etc)

 

[elindholm]

Scott Williams is a very interesting case. When he is on, he can't miss.

Oh come on. Everyone who has ever picked up a basketball in his life shoots well when he is "on." If you look only at players when they're hot, there are no bad shooters in the entire league.

If Predrag Drobnjak gets consistant minutes, he will be a lot more consistant than Scott Williams.

Let's hope some other team elects to gamble on that speculation.

I see what you are saying, but how many 4's and 5's do you know that make more than 40% of their jumpers? Few of them that do are making max. money. (Webber, Malone, etc)

Clifford Robinson.

I know that such a player is hard to find. But if the Suns can't find what they want, they should save their money, rather than waste it on someone who is kind of similar to a player they would have wanted.

 

[SirStefan32]

Predrag Drobnjak is better than Tsakalidis, Voskhul and Williams.

He would also be a very good influence on Zarko.

I say, "Sign him," and I rest my case.

Stefan

 

[jbeecham]

I think I would take Drobnjak over Williams for a few reasons:

1) Drobnjak made $500,000 last year so giving him the Vet Minimum should be enough.

2) He's much more mobile on offense and defense than Williams will be.

3) He could help Zarko transition into NBA life.

4) He can't be any worse than Williams.

 

[slinslin]

Sonicsfans really don't like Drobnjak and regard his as one of their major problems because he can't guard anyone.

 

[JCSunsfan]

If San Antonio comes in with an offer of 3.5 million for Voshkul, do you match it?

Keep in mind that it means paying him 7 million with the lux tax.

That would be a tough decision. I don't know if I want to tie up $7 million in a backup center. But I really like Voshkul.

 

[SweetD]

Originally posted by JCSunsfan
If San Antonio comes in with an offer of 3.5 million for Voshkul, do you match it?

Keep in mind that it means paying him 7 million with the lux tax.

That would be a tough decision. I don't know if I want to tie up $7 million in a backup center. But I really like Voshkul.

IMO I say no. Lil Jake hopefully will be a back up on are team. Plus IMO we can pick up a servicable back C for less money. I like Lil Jake and would love to see him in a Suns uni next year, but he is not worth that much. I would say 1-2.5mil would be ok.

 

[elindholm]

If San Antonio comes in with an offer of 3.5 million for Voshkul, do you match it?

That would be quite an overpayment. I don't expect the Spurs to give $3.5 million away that easily. For just a few dollars more, they could have Juwan Howard.

 

[slinslin]

I would not even give Jake Voshkul close to 2M$.

He is a decent backup but that is it and I don't see any evidence that he will eventually be more than that.

For 3.5M$ we could almost get Alonzo Mourning and surely Elden Campbell.

 

[JCSunsfan]

It might be overpayment. I was just trying to suggest the "breaking point" number. The key for SA would be to offer just enough to make it not worth it for the Suns to sign him.

Of course SA has the advantage because they are really only spending $1 for our $2.

I guess the point is this. If SA really wants little Jake, they are going to get him.

 

[Chaplin]

But then again, we shouldn't overestimate just how much San Antonio wants Little Jake--it might equate to nothing more than how much we want Elden Campbell. It'd be nice to have him, but will it be a disaster if we don't sign him? No.