Would Dampier Test the Waters?

[George O'Brien]

During tonight's game against the GS Warriors, it may be worth paying special attention to Dampier. He is has a player option this summer and could opt out of his contract. He is scheduled to make $7.8 million next year (option year) and $8.7 2005/06.

Dampier is having a decent year: 11.2 ppg on 50.6%, 11.1 rpg, 1.6 blocks per game.

He is 6'11" 265. HoopsHype describes him as a "good shot blocker and great rebounder".

I'm not saying he will become available. However, he is the type of guy that having some cap space would make potentially a prospect.

 

[slinslin]

I have a feeling about Dampier that he is only playing well because he is playing for a contract.

I always though of him as injury prone and lazy.

It would mainly depend on the money that Dampier wants but I think I would rather have Camby if I had to chose between both.

Camby said that Phoenix is on his list. If we can't get Kobe and Camby agrees to a reasonable contract with injury insurance it might be worth it.
Camby would almost be perfect for the Suns and I think he is the main reason for Denver's improvement.

Though his agent is talking about Brad Miller - type of money! LOL

If we can't get Kobe this offseason we should probably sign a FA for up to slightly over the MLE.
Since White will be gone in 2005 and Eisley being easier to trade we should have about the same cap space in 05.


With a good draft we might not need any FAs really because our roster will be full.

Also Dampier has played poorly against Amare as far as I can remember.

 

[SweetD]

Damp has done very well against Amare and the Suns for years. He has realy worked on his game and looks to be moving to next level as a player. He is a big body that doesn't stop moving. He can score downlow and rebounds very well.

 

[scudney]

I would rather take Dampier any day over Camby. Dampier is exactly the kind of big man i think we need - a tall *strong* center.

However, if he is set to make that much money next year, i'm not sure why he would opt out, unless he is really unhappy in GS

 

[DaFlogger]

While living in the Bay Area I've seen Dampier play for a few years. I think Slinslin is right, he's playing for a contract! Previously he always looked lazy or was on the injured list for something bogus. Last year he made the coaches s__t list by running his mouth to the media for not getting minutes.

But who knows, maybe he changed his ways about the game. I don't think I would get a warm fuzzy if the Suns sign him.

 

[slinslin]

11pts 9reb 6blk 5to 3PF

2pts 4PF 3to 0reb 0blk - he was so bad that game he hardly played

7pts 4PF 4reb 1blk 1to

8pts 4PF 5reb 2blk

I wouldn't call that impressive.

7ppg 4.5rpg 2.25bpg 2.25topg 3.75PFpg against the Suns

 

[slinslin]

Originally posted by scudney
I would rather take Dampier any day over Camby. Dampier is exactly the kind of big man i think we need - a tall *strong* center.

However, if he is set to make that much money next year, i'm not sure why he would opt out, unless he is really unhappy in GS

Camby is the better shotblocker, longer and a lot more athletic than Dampier.

Dampier is more like a taller Jahidi White I think.

Also in this season, Damp's career season, he is below his averages against the Suns

 

[scudney]

I'm not sure i buy the argument of "playing for a contract". I think he would be crazy to opt out, giving up 16.5 million. I doubt anybody would give him that kind of money.

 

[slinslin]

It makes sense for him to opt out because he will seek a longterm contract that is worth more than those 16M$.

If he doesn't opt out and suffers an injury which is likely with his history he might not get a contract again.

 

[newfan101]

If Dampier opts out, he's going to be looking for more than his current $8.1 million salary. He wont get it. If his agent is smart, he'll advise him not to opt out, because he'll likely take a pay cut. I don't think there are too many teams lining up to give close to 10 million a year for a 30 year old with career averages of 8 points and 7 rebounds.

 

[devilalum]

Originally posted by slinslin


Camby said that Phoenix is on his list.

Every free agent in the world has Phoenix on their list.
They all think the Suns are gonna give them a sweet 50 mil. dollar contract with the cap room they have.

 

[devilalum]

Camby's a train wreck!

How many games has this guy missed over the course of his career?

 

[elindholm]

Whether Dampier is "playing for a contract" or not, he is historically inconsistent. There's no way I'd want to count on anything approaching this level of production over the next several years.

And even if he did put up this year's numbers, would that make the Suns a lot better? I don't think so.

Pass.

 

[Joe Mama]

I think if Eric Dampier opts out of his contract he is a fool. That is unless he is just looking for a longer contract. I definitely don't think he's going to get anything over that current $8 million per season he is making. He's just been too inconsistent, and he's no spring chicken.

The Suns won't touch him or Marcus Camby. I guarantee it.

Joe Mama

 

[JCSunsfan]

Every free agent is going to SAY the Suns are on their list. Its all about negotiations. The fact that the Suns are going to be under the limit is going to make alot of FA's alot of money this summer--even if the Suns don't sign anyone.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by newfan101
If Dampier opts out, he's going to be looking for more than his current $8.1 million salary. He wont get it. If his agent is smart, he'll advise him not to opt out, because he'll likely take a pay cut. I don't think there are too many teams lining up to give close to 10 million a year for a 30 year old with career averages of 8 points and 7 rebounds.

I agree.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Joe Mama

The Suns won't touch him or Marcus Camby. I guarantee it.

Joe Mama [/B]

Camby has a history of injuries and listed at about 6'11" 225. He is a great shot blocker and rebounder, but he has a lot of trouble defending big centers. He benefits a lot from playing with Nene. I don't think he is going anywhere.