Vlade Divac

[F-Dog]

Since there were 20 members online the last time I checked, I thought it was time for a new topic.


It looks like Q is going to get matched, so they have to figure out what to do with the money. To me, signing Vlade Divac seems like the best possible outcome.

--He's a real center
--He plays smart, which should rub off on the Suns' young players
--He plays in the high post, which is perfect for Amare

Divac is old and unathletic and is only good for 20 mpg, which is a good thing, because otherwise he would have signed a max contract already and the Suns would be out of luck.


Supposedly, Divac is looking for two years, $15m. The Suns could give him something like $13m over two years if Q is matched...that's pretty close. I say, send Amare over to his house and get it done!


So, what do you think? And if you disagree, what do you think the Suns should do with the rest of their FA money?

 

[F-Dog]

Oh yeah, one more thing:

--the Lakers and Kings are both in our division, and both teams could really use Vlade if he's cheap enough.

 

[Cheesebeef]

go after Dampier - seems like the market is drying up and Damps got no where to go - offer him 7-8 - if he takes it - this team contends THIS YEAR - It will have size, defense, low post presence, outside shooting, defense - the works.

 

[elindholm]

I'd rather have Dampier than Divac, even though Dampier would be a longer-term risk. The Suns should be talking to Dampier's agent now, so that the wheels will already be in motion if they lose Richardson.

 

[F-Dog]

I'd rather have Dampier than Divac, even though Dampier would be a longer-term risk. The Suns should be talking to Dampier's agent now, so that the wheels will already be in motion if they lose Richardson.

I still don't think it's possible that Dampier will sign for that little. The Warriors will S&T him somewhere--the only question is where IMO.


As for Dampier vs. Divac, I have to say I like the idea of Divac's and Eisley's contracts both expiring in 2006. Still, if Dampier fell into the Suns' laps for Q money, I'd be ready to cautiously re-examine his merits.

 

[elindholm]

Divac has one great advantage: for a seven-footer, his durability is amazing. He has missed a grand total of six games over the last six years. I don't think there's any other "true center" in the league who can come close to that.

Regarding Dampier, I'm not so sure he'll agree to a sign-and-trade. He's already left $17 million on the table in order to ditch the Warriors, so something tells me he'd be willing to accept a slightly smaller salary in order to really stick it to his old team.

 

[F-Dog]

Regarding Dampier, I'm not so sure he'll agree to a sign-and-trade. He's already left $17 million on the table in order to ditch the Warriors, so something tells me he'd be willing to accept a slightly smaller salary in order to really stick it to his old team.

My guess was that Dampier opted out for the money. Isn't he 30? And coming off a big season, Dampier probably thought he'd cash in on a big-money, long term deal--you know, like Steve Nash did.

 

[George O'Brien]

Divac has one great advantage: for a seven-footer, his durability is amazing. He has missed a grand total of six games over the last six years. I don't think there's any other "true center" in the league who can come close to that.

Regarding Dampier, I'm not so sure he'll agree to a sign-and-trade. He's already left $17 million on the table in order to ditch the Warriors, so something tells me he'd be willing to accept a slightly smaller salary in order to really stick it to his old team.

How much money is involved? Q's deal for $45 million, starts at a little less than $6 million if it is straight progression (1.1 times prior year).

 

[Phill11]

If the Clips don't match the offer I will be very dissapointed. I think he would be a very overpaid 6th man.

Vlade, Amare, Marion, JJ, Nash is a VERY strong lineup. Looks good too me.

Then Lampe, Barbosa, Zarko, Jacobsen, and co. coming off the bench it looks promising.

I say offer 2 years 14 million.

 

[cly2tw]

Judging from how Divac played last year, he is not worth that we use our precious, once-in-a-lifetime cap room. It's waste of money for what, barely getting into the playoffs?

 

[F-Dog]

Judging from how Divac played last year, he is not worth that we use our precious, once-in-a-lifetime cap room. It's waste of money for what, barely getting into the playoffs?

OK, now give us your alternative.

 

[F-Dog]

Free agent rumors, courtesy of ESPN Insider:

Vlade Divac - Kings
Kings
Lakers
Suns
Clippers
Pacers?
Jul. 16 - The Kings want to re-sign Vlade, but want the home town discount at this point. With several teams like the Lakers and Suns in hot pursuit, they may not get their wish. The Lakers have their full mid-level exception they can throw at him. The Suns may have a little more than that if the Clippers match their offer sheet for Quentin Richardson. The Pacers might also be willing to get involved if Vlade was willing to sign for something less than the mid-level. Vlade may be 36, but he's still the best passing big man in the league. As long as teams realize he's only going to give them 20 minutes a night, he's a great pick-up.

The Sacramento Bee reports that the Kings are offering Divac less than $2.5 million to stay in Sacramento. The Kings have had to write substantial luxury tax checks the last two seasons and are trying to scale back. "What the other teams are talking about is basically double (the amount the Kings say they can pay)," Divac said. "Phoenix and the Clippers have talked about more than the Lakers. Now it's a matter of whether these teams will give it to me or give the money to someone else. If I had offers, then I'd have a decision to make."

Erick Dampier - Warriors
Lakers
Knicks
Grizzlies
Pacers
Hawks
Wizards
Heat
Jul. 16 - Several teams with cap room are in desperate need of a big man and may be willing to offer Dampier big bucks. The Lakers are interested now that they've lost Shaq. The Grizzlies, Heat, Wizards, Knicks and Pacers are interested, as well. All five teams can offer a six-year deal at the mid-level that, in total, would exceed what Dampier gave up by opting out of his contract with the Warriors. Or, they could work out a sign-and-trade with the Warriors that would earn Dampier even more cash.

However, so far the Warriors have been reluctant to pull the trigger on a sign-and-trade deal. They've already turned down a Shane Battier/Lorenzen Wright offer from the Grizzlies. They've also spiked an offer from the Pacers that would've sent Austin Croshere their way. The Knicks' offer (Dikembe Mutombo and Nazr Mohammed) isn't much better. The Warriors are reportedly hoping that the Grizzlies will offer Stromile Swift in the deal via sign-and-trade. The Lakers are willing to offer Gary Payton and Devean George in a sign-and-trade, which may be the most attractive deal for the Warriors.

Sounds like the team that loses Q has first shot at Vlade, if they want him.


I knew that Dampier would have a tough time getting his salary demands met, but the thought that he'll be reduced to playing for less than his backup (Adonal Foyle) is now making...


Edit--here's one more article on Vlade:

Link

News
With the free-agent market dwindling, Kings center Vlade Divac said the Lakers, Clippers, and Suns have expressed interest in him, and that his hometown team currently trails the others in the race for his services. " If it was close, I would stay with the Kings," Divac told the Sacramento Bee. "But right now, it's not even close. If I decided I wanted to play for something totally other than money, I would play for Sacramento."

Views
Now that we've got Vlade's priorities straight, it's easy to see he will likely not return to Sacramento, where the Kings were hoping he might accept a hometown discount. According to Divac, they are currently offering about half of what his potential suitors are discussing. We're not wild about Vlade's fit with the young Clippers, but the Lakers and the Suns represent good matches.

 

[JS22]

If the Clips don't match the offer I will be very dissapointed. I think he would be a very overpaid 6th man.

Vlade, Amare, Marion, JJ, Nash is a VERY strong lineup. Looks good too me.

Then Lampe, Barbosa, Zarko, Jacobsen, and co. coming off the bench it looks promising.

I say offer 2 years 14 million.

Old, slow, chronic smoker Vlade over Richardson?! You've got to be kidding me.

 

[Phill11]

Old, slow, chronic smoker Vlade over Richardson?! You've got to be kidding me.

Richardson? How?

Amare at Center won't do. It would hurt him. He'll get hammered.

 

[elindholm]

"If I decided I wanted to play for something totally other than money, I would play for Sacramento."

Let's hope this odd statement is a reflection of Divac's poor command of English.

 

[F-Dog]

"If I decided I wanted to play for something totally other than money, I would play for Sacramento."

Let's hope this odd statement is a reflection of Divac's poor command of English.

I guess what he's trying to say is, "if money was no object,".

 

[JS22]

Richardson? How?

Amare at Center won't do. It would hurt him. He'll get hammered.

Richardson will be here for 6 years and is only going to get better. Vlade is only going to get worse and would cost too much. I'd rather just throw Lampe/Voskhul out there and them them go at it as opposed to bringing in Vlade. As much as this team may need a center I think its best to just hold off and try to find a stop-gap guy for now.

Vlade will be here 1-2 years tops. Richardson will be here 6 and is EXACTLY what this team needs. He has no fear and plays with emotion. You dont pass up on a guy like him for a 36 year old chronic smoker who is at the end of his career just because we "need" a center. I have no problem with Lampe, Voskhul and whoever else we bring in if it means we can get Q. Plus, we still have Chicago's pick and hopefully we could land our "future center" next season. (If Lampe falls apart this year)

Also, i have a strange feeling that something big will go down once Q gets on board anyways, so the whole lampe / voskhul thing might be a moot point anyways.

 

[Phill11]

Richardson will be here for 6 years and is only going to get better. Vlade is only going to get worse and would cost too much. I'd rather just throw Lampe/Voskhul out there and them them go at it as opposed to bringing in Vlade. As much as this team may need a center I think its best to just hold off and try to find a stop-gap guy for now.

Vlade will be here 1-2 years tops. Richardson will be here 6 and is EXACTLY what this team needs. He has no fear and plays with emotion. You dont pass up on a guy like him for a 36 year old chronic smoker who is at the end of his career just because we "need" a center. I have no problem with Lampe, Voskhul and whoever else we bring in if it means we can get Q. Plus, we still have Chicago's pick and hopefully we could land our "future center" next season. (If Lampe falls apart this year)

Also, i have a strange feeling that something big will go down once Q gets on board anyways, so the whole lampe / voskhul thing might be a moot point anyways.

Vlade is a center, which is all we need to contend.

If we get Richardson, what happens to JJ. If we keep putting him on the bench he's going to demand a trade or he's just gunna not play.

Trust me, I'd love to see Richardson here, but not at Marion/JJ/Amare's expense.

 

[JS22]

Vlade is just too old. As much as people hate "building for the future" I really think it would be wise to pass on Vlade if it meant getting Richardson. Sure, he might be able to help us win 5 more games this year but what happens next year when he can only put in 15 minutes a game? (He averaged something close to 25 this year.)

Vlade is wearing down. Richardson is just starting to shine. And im about 90% certain that if Q comes on board that Phoenix has a trade for a legit center already in the works. It makes no sense otherwise.

But, we can agree to disagree, right?

 

[Gaddabout]

I've watched Vlade all year (I'm in Sacramento). If this were two years ago, the Suns would be foolish not to jump on it. But this is not the same Divac that used whirl around other centers for double-doubles. He's been reduced to a passer from the high post on offense, and he doesn't really provide much more than 6 fouls a game. He's certainly not a shot blocker, nor is he a big rebounder. His body just doesn't respond anymore.

If this is the direction the Suns are going, I'm not so certain Scottie Williams at the veteran minimum for a year wouldn't produce the same results. I don't want Divac for one year, and they'd have to sign him for two?

I'll pass.

 

[JS22]

I've watched Vlade all year (I'm in Sacramento). If this were two years ago, the Suns would be foolish not to jump on it. But this is not the same Divac that used whirl around other centers for double-doubles. He's been reduced to a passer from the high post on offense, and he doesn't really provide much more than 6 fouls a game. He's certainly not a shot blocker, nor is he a big rebounder. His body just doesn't respond anymore.

If this is the direction the Suns are going, I'm not so certain Scottie Williams at the veteran minimum for a year wouldn't produce the same results. I don't want Divac for one year, and they'd have to sign him for two?

I'll pass.

agreed!

 

[elindholm]

Scott Williams can't play anymore. He hasn't been effective for three years now. I agree that Divac is slowing down, but he blows Williams away.

 

[moviebuff316]

Vlade would be a good pick up ... He is a good passer and he played several years with Sacramento which is another fast break..

 

[NJYAJ09]

Vlade is old and theres lots of things that are wrong with him, but he destroys williams.

 

[Dave64]

Here is a stat in favor of Divac. In February, he average 8.5 assists! Can you imagine how many assists he will have in passing to Nash, JJ, Marion, and Amare?