McDyess wants to stay, D'Antoni wants him back and Denver likes him too

[slinslin]

What about Camby, Rasheed Wallace, Kenyon Martin, Mehmet Okur, Quentin Richardson, Jamal Crawford? It is not like Dampier clearly seperates himself from the others.

I don't think there will be a serious bidding war. I see 4-6 teams (Detroit, Denver, Atlanta, Phoenix, Utah, Golden State since they will probably try to keep Dampier but could instead keep Foyle for less) with enough caproom and important need to go after one of those centers and in my book there are 4 centers on the market that might get more than the MLE. Dampier, Camby, Rasheed and Okur and maybe Divac or even Ostertag.

And then there will be some second tiers like Adonal Foyle, Dan Gadzuric, Jarron Collins..who could be nice additions for the Suns also.

 

[devilalum]

It seems like Camby was always out with some kind of strain or tendinitis or a toe injury, etc...

Now in his contract year he toughs it out and plays every game. I believe that once he has the new contract all those nagging little injuries may become once again to painful to play with.

Staying in shape to play 82 games of basketball is extremely hard physically and requires a lot of dedication. Some guys can do it, some can't.

Talent is only half of the equation. Just ask Derrick Coleman.

I hate guys that only seem to find any heart in a contract year.

 

[elindholm]

What about Camby, Rasheed Wallace, Kenyon Martin, Mehmet Okur, Quentin Richardson, Jamal Crawford? It is not like Dampier clearly seperates himself from the others.

Camby is also attractive, but because of his health issues (historically more serious than Dampier's), I think Dampier will be the hotter property.

Wallace will either stay with the Pistons or go to the Knicks. The chance of any other option is about 2% at most.

Martin will stay with the Nets. All speculation to the contrary is just an excuse to have something to write about.

Dampier, based on this season, is at least ten times better than Okur.

Richardson is an erratic swingman with a questionable attitude. Do you really think teams will prefer him to a legitimate top-five center?

Crawford, give me a break. MAYBE someone will offer him more than the MLE, but if so it won't be by much, and most likely the Bulls will match anyway.

 

[slinslin]

Dampier isn't a top 5 center I would say.

Okur is only 24 that will make him a hotter property than Dampier at least to some teams.
Especially because he can shoot from the perimeter too.

Richardson is also young, one of the best guards in the post and has improved a lot. 17.5ppg 6.4rpg 2apg 1spg 35.5%3s.

Why would Rasheed Wallace go to the Knicks for the MLE when he could get almost twice as much from some teams?
Rasheed already said at least half of the decision is made by his family.

Stromile Swift will probably also get money close to what some of those centers will get, meaning more than the MLE. He is probably at least as talented as any of them and young.

 

[elindholm]

Looks like we're up for a couple of gentlemen's bets, slinslin.

Okur is only 24 that will make him a hotter property than Dampier at least to some teams. Especially because he can shoot from the perimeter too.

I say Dampier will make more money than Okur next year. You want the other side? I'll even give you a point spread: Dampier's salary next year will be at least $2 million higher than Okur's.

Richardson could get a big deal, so I won't argue him anymore.

Why would Rasheed Wallace go to the Knicks for the MLE when he could get almost twice as much from some teams?

Bet #2: I say Wallace will start next season with either Detroit or New York. You want to take that one up as well? I'm open to a "point spread" idea if you can think of one that will work.

 

[slinslin]

No.

But who is going to compete for Dampier? Denver? Would probably resign Camby for the same.

Detroit will have his hands full trying to keep Okur and Dampier.

That leaves Atlanta, Utah, Phoenix and Golden State.

Besides that I think the Suns could sign Wallace if they wanted but they probably won't even inquire. The only other place for Wallace would be Denver which I think is definately a possibility.

 

[Chaplin]

Don't forget sign-and-trades either.

 

[Chaz]

Because of past issues, I certainly don't expect Camby to be healthy all next year. The question is, is he worth the chance? For the money he'll probably demand, I don't think he is.

If they don't get Kobe, I think he may be worth big money on a shorter deal.

He has never played more than 63 games his entire career. This year he has played 72. I think some of his injuries as a younger player were part of his immaturity as a player. Later he had a serious hip injury that kept him out for an extended period. Sure he is a risk but I would be willing to give him a chance.

 

[Chaplin]

If they don't get Kobe, I think he may be worth big money on a shorter deal.

He has never played more than 63 games his entire career. This year he has played 72. I think some of his injuries as a younger player were part of his immaturity as a player. Later he had a serious hip injury that kept him out for an extended period. Sure he is a risk but I would be willing to give him a chance.

That is extremely optimistic, and also completely opposite of the trend--the older a player gets, the MORE injured he usually becomes. Not the other way around.

 

[George O'Brien]

Maybe we should start a pool on who can guess the first year salary of the various centers. I'm not sure how to set it up, but it could be interesting.

My guess is that the Warriors will end up doing a "sign and trade" deal. I'm not sure they can make the numbers work right straight up, but I could see the Pacers trading Harrington and Foster for Dampier.

 

[Chaz]

That is extremely optimistic, and also completely opposite of the trend--the older a player gets, the MORE injured he usually becomes. Not the other way around.

True but also as a player grows up he learns what he has to play with to make it through a season. I think Marcus wants to play, and nobody denies his talent when on the floor.

Like I said a shorter contract would mitigate the risks somewhat. I am not interested in another long, pricey veteran contract for a historically injured player either.

 

[F-Dog]

I say Dampier will make more money than Okur next year. You want the other side? I'll even give you a point spread: Dampier's salary next year will be at least $2 million higher than Okur's.

I would take this bet. (Let me put it this way: if you win, Okur had better be playing for Phoenix.)


Most of the teams that have money (Atlanta, Denver, Utah) are looking to build around youth, character, and versatility, and Okur fits the bill better on all three counts.

In SF, Adonal Foyle seems to be filling Dampier's shoes more than comfortably. Why would anybody want Damp for big bucks when they can get Foyle for less than half the price?

I'm starting to think that Dampier won't exercise his out this year, actually. I don't see him getting an offer that starts at more than what he's making right now, and if he puts up the same numbers for another year, teams will be much more interested in him.

 

[elindholm]

I would take this bet.

Okay, you're on. Loser has to admit he was wrong. But if Dampier doesn't opt out and yet still has a salary $2M+ higher than Okur's, that counts for me.

 

[hcsilla]

Camby is "destroying" Yao tonight.

18pts 8reb 3ast 3blk 1stl at the beginning of the 4th.

Actually Camby didn't destroy Yao, DEN's team defense did.

BTW, Camby played fantastic basketball against HOU. He hitted at least 8 midrange J's, passed the ball, played very good D, he was the MVP of that game despite Nuggets' loss.

 

[George O'Brien]

Money, length of contract, and likelyhood of staying healthy is much more important than stats when discussing the top two or three guys.

(I'm not sure what the hulk icon means, so what the heck.)

 

[F-Dog]

I would take this bet.

Okay, you're on. Loser has to admit he was wrong. But if Dampier doesn't opt out and yet still has a salary $2M+ higher than Okur's, that counts for me.

I dunno...if I lose, it might set a bad precedent...

Seriously: it's on, d00d.

 

[elindholm]

Seriously: it's on, d00d.

Feel free to remind me if I lose and forget to say anything. I'm serious.