Standing pat might be Portland's best option
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford Wednesday, September 17
Updated: September 17
9:24 AM ET
Wouldn't it be nice to be the Lakers right about now?
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak is the type of guy who does his Christmas shopping in July. A hall of fame free-agent bargain power forward here. A top-flight veteran point guard there. Wrapped. Under the tree with two months to go before training camp.
Not everyone can be so lucky. While the majority of the league appears to be set for training camp in two weeks, a few stragglers are looking at their roster right now and cringing. No center. No power forward. No point guard. No playoffs.
On Tuesday, we took a look at seven homeless free agents still looking for a job. Today the focus shifts away from jobless players to four teams that still need to get their house in order before training camp begins in two weeks.
Portland Trail Blazers
The problem: A shake-up in the front office and a new penny-pinching philosophy by owner Paul Allen has stalled what was supposed to be a fairly major overhaul this summer. To date the Blazers have yet to sign a free agent, and have lost three key players -- Scottie Pippen, Arvydas Sabonis and Antonio Daniels. New GM John Nash has been in trade talks for the past month, but has been unable to close a deal because of concerns about bad contracts.
Wallace
The solution: If the Blazers are just concerned with the bottom line, they'll probably do nothing. Rasheed Wallace's $17 million comes off the books next summer. Another $25 million comes off the books in 2005 when Dale Davis, Damon Stoudamire and Jeff McInnis hit free agency. If the Blazers don't throw too much money Zach Randolph's way two years from now, the Blazers could be $10-15 million under the cap in the summer of 2005.
If Allen expects the Blazers to compete in the West, something fairly dramatic has to be done. The top five teams in the West have all gotten significantly stronger. The team is still weak in the middle and at the point. If there is any truth to the rumors that the Blazers are holding up a deal that would bring Antonio Davis and Kenyon Martin to Portland for Rasheed Wallace and Dale Davis, they should jump on it. The deal won't help Paul Allen's wallet -- Davis has three years left on his deal and Martin wants a max extension -- but it does guarantee that the Blazers will stay competitive for a long, long time.
Utah Jazz
The problem: We knew that the loss of Karl Malone and John Stockton would be devastating, but who knew it would be this bad? GM Kevin O'Connor did his best this summer to land a top free agent, but the Jazz stuck out twice trying to snag a restricted free agent, and lost out on everyone else they pursued. They get an "A" for effort, but a "D" for the final result.
The solution: It isn't Keon Clark. Clark was the only significant addition to the Jazz this summer. While he will give them energy, shot blocking and much needed athleticism, he can't address either of the Jazz's biggest needs -- low-post scoring and point guard play. Had they landed Jason Terry, one of their problems would've been solved. Without Terry, the Jazz are in big trouble this season. The free-agent pool is essentially empty. The Jazz have a lot of flexibility with trades given that the team is still $15 million under the cap. But the key for O'Connor is getting players who aren't overpaid and who don't have too many years left on their contracts. As it stands, the Jazz will clear another $13.7 million next year when Clark and Greg Ostertag get off the books. They can afford to swallow one big contract, but not much else.
Abdur-Rahim
They've already made the calls to Atlanta, trying to pry away Shareef Abdur-Rahim. With the new ownership finally in place, will the Hawks be anxious to start cutting payroll and make a deal? If that doesn't work, the Jazz don't have many options. The Nets are trying to dump Dikembe Mutombo. The Raptors are shopping Antonio Davis. The Blazers are trying to move one long-term contract. It's doubtful the Jazz are interested in any of those trades. One option might be to dangle Ostertag as part of the deal now. Several teams like the Grizzlies and Knicks are still desperate for a center. Ostertag isn't much to look at, be he did average 9.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg in the playoffs last season. What about an Ostertag-for-Kurt Thomas-and-Charlie Ward deal? That would give the Knicks their big man and leave the Jazz with plenty of cap flexibility as Ward comes off the books next season. Another interesting option would be Ostertag and a future Jazz first-round pick for Stromile Swift and Brevin Knight. The Grizzlies have been insisting that they don't want to move Swift, but Ostertag size may make them think twice.
Atlanta Hawks
Vaughn
The problem: With the ownership of the team in limbo, the Hawks were grounded all summer. Their only significant free agency signing was Jacque Vaughn. While they did alright for themselves in the draft and appear to have Jason Terry locked up for the next three years, it won't be enough to dig them out of the cellar in the East.
The solution: Burn it down. The temptation to keep this crew together and try to make things work will be strong. It would be a mistake. This team isn't a championship contender. Could it make the playoffs? Possibly. But that's about it. If Belkin wants to win it all, it's time to move guys like Theo Ratliff, Nazr Mohammed and even Abdur-Rahim if that's what it takes. Several teams are drooling over Rahim and a few are even interested in guys like Ratliff and Mohammed. If the Hawks can land young, promising talent, expiring contracts and draft picks in return, they should bite the bullet and do it.
Several weeks ago, Insider suggested that the Hawks move Abdur-Rahim to Houston for Eddie Griffin and Glen Rice (who's in the last year of his deal). We also suggested the Hawks move Ratliff, Mohammed and Chris Crawford to Memphis for Stromile Swift, Wesley Person and Brevin Knight (Person and Knight are in the last year of their deals). Both trades give the Hawks three coveted things: prospects (Griffin and Swift), lots of cap space (about $16 million next summer) and a shot at the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Here's one other option worth noting. The Sonics have been interested in Abdur-Rahim for years. A deal involcing Brent Barry, Vladimir Radmanovic, Jerome James and Joe Forte for Rahim works under the cap. While it doesn't clear as much cap space as the Houston deal, it gives the Hawks a player in Radmanovic, who could also be a star and gives them a shot, with the addition of Barry and James, of being respectable this season.
Indiana Pacers
Tinsley
The problem: The luxury tax. The Pacers are on the verge of it, and ownership doesn't want to pay it. Fear of the luxury tax already cost the team Brad Miller this summer and it's handcuffed what the team can do via free agency or trades. While Donnie Walsh and company feel that they're comfortable with the team they already have, it's no secret that they'd like to add some more backcourt help, especially at point guard. They haven't given up on Jamaal Tinsley, but know they need a decent veteran to help out during the team's playoff run.
The solution: Pacers sources claim that talk of them trading Ron Artest to Seattle are ridiculous (not to mention impossible because of Artest's base-year status). They also laugh off suggestions that they're going to let Al Harrington go without major compensation in return. But most GMs around the league believe strongly that the Pacers will try to move either Artest or Harrington in an attempt to change team chemistry.
If the Pacers are really talking to the Sonics, doesn't this trade make more sense? Brent Barry and Vladimir Radmanovic to Indiana for Al Harrington and Fred Jones. Barry's ability to swing between the one and the two is a perfect fit. That fact that he's in the last year of his contract doesn't hurt either. Radmanovic is a superb prospect who can fill in, at times, at both the three and the four. For the Sonics, Harrington gives them a player who's a better, more athletic fit at the four. Jones' athleticism in the backcourt will be a good fit behind Ray Allen and Antonio Daniels.
Around the League
The Toronto Star is reporting that the trade talk swirling around the Raptors, Blazers and Nets is dead. That might not, however, be the end of trade talk for Antonio Davis. The Star lists the Mavs and Rockets among the teams still interested in Davis. However, it's doubtful that either team works out a deal for Davis (and the $37 million left on his contract) before training camp begins.
The Mavs could offer Raef LaFrentz and Chris Mills for Davis and Michael Bradley. However, it could take another five weeks before the Mavs move Mills in a multi-player deal. Besides, while Mills would come off the books and LaFrentz makes about $4 million less than Davis, long term, it isn't much of a savings.
The Rockets could offer some sort of combo of Glen Rice and Kelvin Cato for Davis and someone like Lamond Murray. While that would give the Raptors significant cap savings, you're basically writing the season off if you swap Davis for Cato.
Mavs point guard Steve Nash can opt out of his contract next summer. He's already angling for a new deal as the season begins. While Nash said he'll focus on the season and not make any contract demands now (he'd be crazy too, he'd get less money if he did an extension because of cap rules), it is on his mind.
"If it's an easy thing, great," Nash told the Dallas Morning News. "If it becomes a difficult thing, I'll leave it all to Bill [Duffy, his agent]. I've done everything I can do. I've gotten better every year. I've gotten healthier every year. I've gotten fitter every year. Our team has gotten better every year. And in a lot of ways, I feel like I get younger every year. What more can I do? There's not much more that I can control."
Owner Mark Cuban says he wants Nash back.
"We love having Steve as a Maverick and hope we can work it out so he stays a Maverick until the day he retires," Cuban said.
At what price? The only two point guards in the league averaging more points and assists than Nash are Jason Kidd and Stephon Marbury. Both players make more than $13 million this season. Nash, on the other hand, is scheduled to make $5.75 million this year.
"How much better do you get at point guard?" Nash said. "Is there a huge difference-maker out there at point guard? If we had Jason Kidd, do you think we'd be a championship team all of the sudden? I don't necessarily think so, as great as Jason is. I just wonder where they're going to go if they don't keep me."
It looks like the reports that the Magic were signing Donnell Harvey were premature. Florida Today reported on Tuesday that the Magic would sign Harvey to a one-year deal. The Orlando Sentinel is reporting today that the Magic are interested in Harvey, but they're facing stiff competition from the Nuggets and Wizards.
Magic general manager John Gabriel told the Sentinel there's more work to do to land Harvey.
"But I would think we got a chance," Gabriel said.
------------------------------------
Peep Show
By Terry Brown
NBA Insider
Wednesday, September 17
Updated: September 17
9:06 AM ET
Webber
Sacramento Kings: Power forward Chris Webber has 300 hours worth of community service over the next two years to contemplate his actions that led to him pleading guilty to criminal contempt recently in the cased involving University of Michigan booster Ed Martin. Then, the Detroit Free Press reports, a district judge will decide if he warrants a felony or misdemeanor conviction. "I believe that Mr. Webber understands the seriousness of his offense and that he's remorseful," Judge Nancy Edmunds said. Webber will serve his community service hours in the Butzel Middle School summer program in Michigan. "If there is anyone in the Michigan family that was hurt by these events, I would like to personally apologize to you," Webber said. "My heart bleeds maize and blue."
Atlanta Hawks: As excited as Michael Gearon Jr. is to be the new owner of the Hawks, Theo Ratliff, among other Hawk players, is just as excited to finally have someone to call boss. "I know I am excited and the players are excited to finally get this thing done," Ratliff said in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "[The owners] seem very hands-on, and they've been in the position of trying to get ownership before, so they were hungry for it and they saw the opportunity and they jumped at it . . . They seem like they are very educated about pro sports."
Miami Heat: In order to avoid further layoffs for a team that has suffered financial setbacks in recent years, the Heat organization, excluding the players, has decided to take up to 10 percent pay cuts across the board. And that includes head coach and president Pat Riley. The Miami Herald also reports that owner Mickey Arison has no intention of selling the team and that season ticket sales are actually up.
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford Wednesday, September 17
Updated: September 17
9:24 AM ET
Wouldn't it be nice to be the Lakers right about now?
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak is the type of guy who does his Christmas shopping in July. A hall of fame free-agent bargain power forward here. A top-flight veteran point guard there. Wrapped. Under the tree with two months to go before training camp.
Not everyone can be so lucky. While the majority of the league appears to be set for training camp in two weeks, a few stragglers are looking at their roster right now and cringing. No center. No power forward. No point guard. No playoffs.
On Tuesday, we took a look at seven homeless free agents still looking for a job. Today the focus shifts away from jobless players to four teams that still need to get their house in order before training camp begins in two weeks.
Portland Trail Blazers
The problem: A shake-up in the front office and a new penny-pinching philosophy by owner Paul Allen has stalled what was supposed to be a fairly major overhaul this summer. To date the Blazers have yet to sign a free agent, and have lost three key players -- Scottie Pippen, Arvydas Sabonis and Antonio Daniels. New GM John Nash has been in trade talks for the past month, but has been unable to close a deal because of concerns about bad contracts.
Wallace
The solution: If the Blazers are just concerned with the bottom line, they'll probably do nothing. Rasheed Wallace's $17 million comes off the books next summer. Another $25 million comes off the books in 2005 when Dale Davis, Damon Stoudamire and Jeff McInnis hit free agency. If the Blazers don't throw too much money Zach Randolph's way two years from now, the Blazers could be $10-15 million under the cap in the summer of 2005.
If Allen expects the Blazers to compete in the West, something fairly dramatic has to be done. The top five teams in the West have all gotten significantly stronger. The team is still weak in the middle and at the point. If there is any truth to the rumors that the Blazers are holding up a deal that would bring Antonio Davis and Kenyon Martin to Portland for Rasheed Wallace and Dale Davis, they should jump on it. The deal won't help Paul Allen's wallet -- Davis has three years left on his deal and Martin wants a max extension -- but it does guarantee that the Blazers will stay competitive for a long, long time.
Utah Jazz
The problem: We knew that the loss of Karl Malone and John Stockton would be devastating, but who knew it would be this bad? GM Kevin O'Connor did his best this summer to land a top free agent, but the Jazz stuck out twice trying to snag a restricted free agent, and lost out on everyone else they pursued. They get an "A" for effort, but a "D" for the final result.
The solution: It isn't Keon Clark. Clark was the only significant addition to the Jazz this summer. While he will give them energy, shot blocking and much needed athleticism, he can't address either of the Jazz's biggest needs -- low-post scoring and point guard play. Had they landed Jason Terry, one of their problems would've been solved. Without Terry, the Jazz are in big trouble this season. The free-agent pool is essentially empty. The Jazz have a lot of flexibility with trades given that the team is still $15 million under the cap. But the key for O'Connor is getting players who aren't overpaid and who don't have too many years left on their contracts. As it stands, the Jazz will clear another $13.7 million next year when Clark and Greg Ostertag get off the books. They can afford to swallow one big contract, but not much else.
Abdur-Rahim
They've already made the calls to Atlanta, trying to pry away Shareef Abdur-Rahim. With the new ownership finally in place, will the Hawks be anxious to start cutting payroll and make a deal? If that doesn't work, the Jazz don't have many options. The Nets are trying to dump Dikembe Mutombo. The Raptors are shopping Antonio Davis. The Blazers are trying to move one long-term contract. It's doubtful the Jazz are interested in any of those trades. One option might be to dangle Ostertag as part of the deal now. Several teams like the Grizzlies and Knicks are still desperate for a center. Ostertag isn't much to look at, be he did average 9.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg in the playoffs last season. What about an Ostertag-for-Kurt Thomas-and-Charlie Ward deal? That would give the Knicks their big man and leave the Jazz with plenty of cap flexibility as Ward comes off the books next season. Another interesting option would be Ostertag and a future Jazz first-round pick for Stromile Swift and Brevin Knight. The Grizzlies have been insisting that they don't want to move Swift, but Ostertag size may make them think twice.
Atlanta Hawks
Vaughn
The problem: With the ownership of the team in limbo, the Hawks were grounded all summer. Their only significant free agency signing was Jacque Vaughn. While they did alright for themselves in the draft and appear to have Jason Terry locked up for the next three years, it won't be enough to dig them out of the cellar in the East.
The solution: Burn it down. The temptation to keep this crew together and try to make things work will be strong. It would be a mistake. This team isn't a championship contender. Could it make the playoffs? Possibly. But that's about it. If Belkin wants to win it all, it's time to move guys like Theo Ratliff, Nazr Mohammed and even Abdur-Rahim if that's what it takes. Several teams are drooling over Rahim and a few are even interested in guys like Ratliff and Mohammed. If the Hawks can land young, promising talent, expiring contracts and draft picks in return, they should bite the bullet and do it.
Several weeks ago, Insider suggested that the Hawks move Abdur-Rahim to Houston for Eddie Griffin and Glen Rice (who's in the last year of his deal). We also suggested the Hawks move Ratliff, Mohammed and Chris Crawford to Memphis for Stromile Swift, Wesley Person and Brevin Knight (Person and Knight are in the last year of their deals). Both trades give the Hawks three coveted things: prospects (Griffin and Swift), lots of cap space (about $16 million next summer) and a shot at the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Here's one other option worth noting. The Sonics have been interested in Abdur-Rahim for years. A deal involcing Brent Barry, Vladimir Radmanovic, Jerome James and Joe Forte for Rahim works under the cap. While it doesn't clear as much cap space as the Houston deal, it gives the Hawks a player in Radmanovic, who could also be a star and gives them a shot, with the addition of Barry and James, of being respectable this season.
Indiana Pacers
Tinsley
The problem: The luxury tax. The Pacers are on the verge of it, and ownership doesn't want to pay it. Fear of the luxury tax already cost the team Brad Miller this summer and it's handcuffed what the team can do via free agency or trades. While Donnie Walsh and company feel that they're comfortable with the team they already have, it's no secret that they'd like to add some more backcourt help, especially at point guard. They haven't given up on Jamaal Tinsley, but know they need a decent veteran to help out during the team's playoff run.
The solution: Pacers sources claim that talk of them trading Ron Artest to Seattle are ridiculous (not to mention impossible because of Artest's base-year status). They also laugh off suggestions that they're going to let Al Harrington go without major compensation in return. But most GMs around the league believe strongly that the Pacers will try to move either Artest or Harrington in an attempt to change team chemistry.
If the Pacers are really talking to the Sonics, doesn't this trade make more sense? Brent Barry and Vladimir Radmanovic to Indiana for Al Harrington and Fred Jones. Barry's ability to swing between the one and the two is a perfect fit. That fact that he's in the last year of his contract doesn't hurt either. Radmanovic is a superb prospect who can fill in, at times, at both the three and the four. For the Sonics, Harrington gives them a player who's a better, more athletic fit at the four. Jones' athleticism in the backcourt will be a good fit behind Ray Allen and Antonio Daniels.
Around the League
The Toronto Star is reporting that the trade talk swirling around the Raptors, Blazers and Nets is dead. That might not, however, be the end of trade talk for Antonio Davis. The Star lists the Mavs and Rockets among the teams still interested in Davis. However, it's doubtful that either team works out a deal for Davis (and the $37 million left on his contract) before training camp begins.
The Mavs could offer Raef LaFrentz and Chris Mills for Davis and Michael Bradley. However, it could take another five weeks before the Mavs move Mills in a multi-player deal. Besides, while Mills would come off the books and LaFrentz makes about $4 million less than Davis, long term, it isn't much of a savings.
The Rockets could offer some sort of combo of Glen Rice and Kelvin Cato for Davis and someone like Lamond Murray. While that would give the Raptors significant cap savings, you're basically writing the season off if you swap Davis for Cato.
Mavs point guard Steve Nash can opt out of his contract next summer. He's already angling for a new deal as the season begins. While Nash said he'll focus on the season and not make any contract demands now (he'd be crazy too, he'd get less money if he did an extension because of cap rules), it is on his mind.
"If it's an easy thing, great," Nash told the Dallas Morning News. "If it becomes a difficult thing, I'll leave it all to Bill [Duffy, his agent]. I've done everything I can do. I've gotten better every year. I've gotten healthier every year. I've gotten fitter every year. Our team has gotten better every year. And in a lot of ways, I feel like I get younger every year. What more can I do? There's not much more that I can control."
Owner Mark Cuban says he wants Nash back.
"We love having Steve as a Maverick and hope we can work it out so he stays a Maverick until the day he retires," Cuban said.
At what price? The only two point guards in the league averaging more points and assists than Nash are Jason Kidd and Stephon Marbury. Both players make more than $13 million this season. Nash, on the other hand, is scheduled to make $5.75 million this year.
"How much better do you get at point guard?" Nash said. "Is there a huge difference-maker out there at point guard? If we had Jason Kidd, do you think we'd be a championship team all of the sudden? I don't necessarily think so, as great as Jason is. I just wonder where they're going to go if they don't keep me."
It looks like the reports that the Magic were signing Donnell Harvey were premature. Florida Today reported on Tuesday that the Magic would sign Harvey to a one-year deal. The Orlando Sentinel is reporting today that the Magic are interested in Harvey, but they're facing stiff competition from the Nuggets and Wizards.
Magic general manager John Gabriel told the Sentinel there's more work to do to land Harvey.
"But I would think we got a chance," Gabriel said.
------------------------------------
Peep Show
By Terry Brown
NBA Insider
Wednesday, September 17
Updated: September 17
9:06 AM ET
Webber
Sacramento Kings: Power forward Chris Webber has 300 hours worth of community service over the next two years to contemplate his actions that led to him pleading guilty to criminal contempt recently in the cased involving University of Michigan booster Ed Martin. Then, the Detroit Free Press reports, a district judge will decide if he warrants a felony or misdemeanor conviction. "I believe that Mr. Webber understands the seriousness of his offense and that he's remorseful," Judge Nancy Edmunds said. Webber will serve his community service hours in the Butzel Middle School summer program in Michigan. "If there is anyone in the Michigan family that was hurt by these events, I would like to personally apologize to you," Webber said. "My heart bleeds maize and blue."
Atlanta Hawks: As excited as Michael Gearon Jr. is to be the new owner of the Hawks, Theo Ratliff, among other Hawk players, is just as excited to finally have someone to call boss. "I know I am excited and the players are excited to finally get this thing done," Ratliff said in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "[The owners] seem very hands-on, and they've been in the position of trying to get ownership before, so they were hungry for it and they saw the opportunity and they jumped at it . . . They seem like they are very educated about pro sports."
Miami Heat: In order to avoid further layoffs for a team that has suffered financial setbacks in recent years, the Heat organization, excluding the players, has decided to take up to 10 percent pay cuts across the board. And that includes head coach and president Pat Riley. The Miami Herald also reports that owner Mickey Arison has no intention of selling the team and that season ticket sales are actually up.
