Report: Ostertag to Sacramento

[Renz]

According to station KSL in Salt Lake City, Greg Ostertag will sign with the Kings. No confirmation as of yet.

 

[elindholm]

It's pretty sad when seeing Greg Ostertag go to a rival crushes your team's hopes at center.

A Marion trade might be a necessity, even if the Suns don't keep Richardson. And no, don't ask me for whom or how it's going to work. That's not my job to figure out.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It's pretty sad when seeing Greg Ostertag go to a rival crushes your team's hopes at center.

A Marion trade might be a necessity, even if the Suns don't keep Richardson. And no, don't ask me for whom or how it's going to work. That's not my job to figure out.

that about sums it up for me. I'm praying we get Q - otherwise I deem this offseason to a complete and utter failure in which I hope to have egg on my face once the season starts.

I can't believe I was even somewhat excited about Osterfat.

 

[F-Dog]

I really hope this is true...


Tractor Traylor for the minimum is so much better than Ostertag for what he's going to get. If nothing else, the Suns can carry a little of their hard-won "flexibility" into the season.

As long as the Suns have over $5m in cap room, there's a chance they'll be able to move Howard Eisley for an expiring contract...

 

[Cheesebeef]

I really hope this is true...


Tractor Traylor for the minimum is so much better than Ostertag for what he's going to get. If nothing else, the Suns can carry a little of their hard-won "flexibility" into the season.

As long as the Suns have over $5m in cap room, there's a chance they'll be able to move Howard Eisley for an expiring contract...

why would a team want Eisley - who is grossly overpaid and not all that productive instead of an expiring contract? Not sure how that works out?

 

[F-Dog]

why would a team want Eisley - who is grossly overpaid and not all that productive instead of an expiring contract? Not sure how that works out?

For the same reason the Suns gave away two first-round picks for Keon Clark (so they could get under the cap and make money), or possibly not having to pay luxury tax. It looks like the lux-tax will be back this year.


I believe that Glenn Robinson ($12m expiring contract) for Eisley works straight up, for instance. If the luxury tax is enforced this year but not next year, the Sixers would save something like $5m from that trade.

 

[NJYAJ09]

A few teams could use a solid veteran point guard, such as Seattle or Houston. His contract isnt that bad, at least he can play some, theres lots of stiffs who get paid the same as eisley.

 

[Renz]

KINGS AND GREG OSTERTAG AGREE TO A CONTRACT

July 20, 2004

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento Kings and veteran center Greg Ostertag today agreed to a contract in principal, according to Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Ostertag is expected to be in Sacramento tomorrow (July 21st) to sign the contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re really excited to add a veteran center with valuable playoff experience to our roster,” said Petrie. “By adding Greg, it gives us a chance to improve in some areas where we’ve been struggling over the past couple of years. This gives us another rebounder and an interior presence at the basket. I think he’ll fit in well with Brad and Chris on our frontline.”

Ostertag, who is entering his 10th season in the NBA, has played for the Utah Jazz throughout his nine-year career. He has amassed career averages 5.1 points (.487 FG%, .125 3FG%, .577 FT%), 5.9 rebounds and 1.85 blocks per game in 640 outings. His most productive season, statistically, occurred during the 1996-97 campaign when he averaged 7.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.10 blocks per game over 77 contests. Ostertag led the Jazz in blocked shots (2.73 bpg, 5th in NBA) in 1998-99 and ranked 2nd on the team in rebounds (7.3 rpg). He was Utah’s leading shot-blocker (2.10 bpg, 11th in NBA) for a third consecutive season in 1997-98. Ostertag scored a career-high 25 points (4/28/01) versus the Phoenix Suns and scored a playoff career-high of 22 points against the Kings (4/26) in the first round of the 2003 NBA Playoffs.

“I’m excited about joining the Kings,” explained Ostertag. “I hope everyone knows that I’m not going to replace Vlade with scoring and passing, but I will be rebounding, blocking shots and taking up space in the middle. Hopefully, I’ll be able to help these guys reach their ultimate goal of winning a championship. They’re a good team. They still have their core with Chris (Webber), Peja (Stojakovic), Brad (Miller), Mike Bibby and Bobby (Jackson). I’m not coming in looking to be the star. I’m just coming in looking to do my part.”

Prior to being selected by the Jazz in the first round (28th overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft, Ostertag enjoyed a four-year career at the University of Kansas. He finished his Jayhawk career as the top shot-blocker in both Kansas and Big Eight Conference history, compiling 258 blocks (2.03 bpg).

 

[JS22]

It's pretty sad when seeing Greg Ostertag go to a rival crushes your team's hopes at center.

A Marion trade might be a necessity, even if the Suns don't keep Richardson. And no, don't ask me for whom or how it's going to work. That's not my job to figure out.

Well, Bring in Traylor or even Joel P...?

Id MUCH rather do that than trade away Marion for a center.

 

[elindholm]

Well, Bring in Traylor or even Joel P...?

Neither of whom would make an adequate contribution. I'm fine with picking them up, but they won't solve anything. There's a reason they can be had dirt-cheap -- don't you think other teams would want them too, if they could really be effective?

 

[George O'Brien]

Well, Bring in Traylor or even Joel P...?

Neither of whom would make an adequate contribution. I'm fine with picking them up, but they won't solve anything. There's a reason they can be had dirt-cheap -- don't you think other teams would want them too, if they could really be effective?

I wonder how much the Kings offered. It seems strange that Tag did not wait on the Suns who could potentially offer more money if Q doesn't come through. Considering the most the Kings could offer is $4.9 million, I have to think they offered him a much a longer deal than what he thinks the Suns would give.

It is possible he came to the conclusion that the Clippers won't match on Q. It is still curious.

 

[Gaddabout]

I really hope this is true...


Tractor Traylor for the minimum is so much better than Ostertag for what he's going to get. If nothing else, the Suns can carry a little of their hard-won "flexibility" into the season.

I don't know about that. Traylor has more ability, but Ostertag showed up to play every game. I think I'd go for consistent mediocrity over Traylor's infuriating up-and-down performances.

 

[F-Dog]

I don't know about that. Traylor has more ability, but Ostertag showed up to play every game. I think I'd go for consistent mediocrity over Traylor's infuriating up-and-down performances.

I would say exactly the opposite--Ostertag is the one who doesn't show up from time to time, while Traylor is the one who brings it every night, as long as he's not playing more than 15 mpg.

 

[Renz]

My sources (ha ha) say Sacramento are getting Ostertag for $2.7 mil. a year for two years. The second year is the Kings' option.

 

[George O'Brien]

My sources (ha ha) say Sacramento are getting Ostertag for $2.7 mil. a year for two years. The second year is the Kings' option.

If that's the case, I'm surprised he didn't wait. I was figuring about $3.5 million, so I think he went cheap. If accurate, his agent screwed up unless he insisted on a team already in the playoffs.

 

[mark1]

From today's Salt Lake Tribune.

Ostertag's final choice of new teams came down to Phoenix, where he has built a home, and Sacramento.
"It's been back and forth with [the Kings] and Phoenix for about a week," Ostertag said. "Phoenix had a good offer on the table, but they wanted me to wait until the end of the month. . . . If things had fallen through, I would have been out in the cold. And I was afraid of losing a good thing."

 

[Griffin]

From today's Salt Lake Tribune.

Ostertag's final choice of new teams came down to Phoenix, where he has built a home, and Sacramento.
"It's been back and forth with [the Kings] and Phoenix for about a week," Ostertag said. "Phoenix had a good offer on the table, but they wanted me to wait until the end of the month. . . . If things had fallen through, I would have been out in the cold. And I was afraid of losing a good thing."

Interesting. Sounds like the Suns are thinking Clippers are going to match Richardson, or already know so. At least they tried bringing in Ostertag, but I don't blame him for not wanting to wait. Personally, I don't like Ostertag, so I don't feel bad about this. I wonder who else they made an offer to and told to wait?

 

[George O'Brien]

The Salt Lake papers are saying Ostertag's deal starts at $4 million. This is about the most I expect the Suns would have offered, so he took the first team that offered it.

 

[scudney]

If that's the case, I'm surprised he didn't wait. I was figuring about $3.5 million, so I think he went cheap. If accurate, his agent screwed up unless he insisted on a team already in the playoffs.

I'm surprised too.

I don't understand why Ostertag would choose to go to Sacramento to be a backup.

I can't see money being his incentive. You did point out that it is now for 4 million, but still, his contact is only for 2 years.

And even if he really wanted to play for a contending team, it's not like Sacramento are the favourites to come out of the West.

And for the record, I would have loved (ok maybe not loved) for Tag to join the suns. He would still be better than any center we've had in a long long time.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

The paper said the choice came down to Phx and Sac. He said Phx had a "good offer" on the table, but needed him to wait till the end of the month. He said if they weren't able to get the money then, he would be out in the cold. So he made the safe choice.


It sounded like his first preference was Phx....

 

[George O'Brien]

The paper said the choice came down to Phx and Sac. He said Phx had a "good offer" on the table, but needed him to wait till the end of the month. He said if they weren't able to get the money then, he would be out in the cold. So he made the safe choice.

It is odd because it wasn't like the Kings have a lot of other options that Tag had to jump immediately. It certainly sounds like he and his agent believe the Clippers won't match on Q.