Childress in play?
(Former) Hawks swingman Josh Childress appears to be in play for the second straight summer as a restricted free agent. He's in Milwaukee today visiting the Bucks.
HAWKSVILLE - From Athens to Milwaukee and back to Atlanta, the name Josh Childress is being tossed around in every direction these days.
Childress is in Milwaukee today visiting the Bucks with his agent, Jim Tanner.
What that means for the Hawks is that they might get a do-over with Childress, a restricted free agent again this summer as he was last summer.
Last summer they lost him as an asset when he chose to sign with Greek power Olympiakos (for $20 million post taxes). What the Hawks didn’t lose was the right of first refusal on Childress if he decided to return to the NBA this summer.
And two of my spies have made it clear that were Childress to receive any sort of “reasonable” NBA offer (the $5.6 million mid-level exception or below), the Hawks would match it before Childress finished signing his name on the offer sheet (the aim, however, is to work out a sign-and-trade deal to appease both sides since Childress has made clear his desire to play elsewhere, per a source).
Still, no player on the free agent market has more intriguing options than Childress. He has until July 15 to decide if he wants to return to the NBA (he’d have to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract with Olympiakos). So he has a window now that allows him to gauge his current value around the NBA while also holding on to the safety net that is his lucrative contract with Olympiakos.
Childress was in Atlanta last Sunday to meet with the Hawks’ brass and made clear that he would do his due diligence in evaluating his NBA options before deciding whether to return to Greece or not. It’s smart business yet again on the part of Childress, who had drawn interest from a number of other teams (Lakers, Clippers, Cavaliers and Spurs are included in that list, according to my league spies) curious to explore the potential of him making an return to the league now as opposed to at the end of his contract with Olympiakos.
“It’s a tough free agent market right now,” a former player now working as an analyst told me by phone Thursday morning. “I can’t imagine [Childress] could do better financially than he would by going back to Greece. But you never know what might go on in free agency, so he’s wise to explore his options.”
MOSTLY QUIET ON THE FREE AGENT FRONT: Things are quiet where the Hawks’ other free agent targets are concerned. Neither Zaza Pachulia nor Marvin Williams is scheduled to visit anywhere as of right now.
Plenty of teams are interested, from what I’m hearing, but no face-to-face meetings have been set up as of yet. Williams is a restricted free agent, so it’s expected that his summer will last a little longer. Pachulia’s summer could heat up rather quickly if one of the big man dominoes on the summer circuit (Rasheed Wallace, Marcin Gortat, etc.) were to commit to a new team.
Several sources inform me that the Hawks have moved into the “common ground” phase of their talks with Mike Bibby’s camp. Nothing has been announced yet, but those sources insist that a deal is closer to getting done than people might think. I’ll be curious to see how things progress through the July 4th weekend and into early next week, when the salary cap numbers come out on the 8th.
Rumors are flying around about what teams are doing. It’s almost too difficult to keep up with it all, since there are so many different outlets reporting (fact and fiction). But my man Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo! Sports does as good as job as anyone at keeping his finger on the pulse of what’s happening out there. Check out his latest buzz.
RECESSION? WHAT RECESSION?: While most of us working class folk are struggling to make ends meet during these tough economic time, there is a segment of the population that’s doing just fine. Check out some of the NBA players on Sports Illustrated’s list of top “ballers” in sports.
Steve Francis should be your new hero, since he clocked $20 million last year without playing a single second of basketball. How’d that song from the 90s go, “I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller.” Dang skippy!
NORTH OF THE BORDER: Both Cousin Doug up in Toronto and my man Ken Berger of CBSSPORTS.com are reporting that David Lee has become the object of the Toronto Raptors’ affection now that it appears Hedo Turkoglu could be headed to Portland.
Turkoglu agreeing to a deal could open the floodgates for guys like Williams, especially, considering Charlie Villanueva’s deal with Detroit (5-years, $35-$40 sounds reasonable, though it raises some issues for the Pistons, per my man David Aldridge of TNT) has already set a benchmark for players of that ilk.
Stay tuned folks. There’s no telling where this free agent roller coaster goes next.
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642 comments Add your comment
Big Ray
July 2nd, 2009
3:45 pm
Rod,
You’d think it was common sense, but noooooooo. Surely one scoring threat takes the pressure off of another. As I said in a previous post, Jamal may not be a great shooter percentage-wise, but he’s a good scorer. I’ll take a scorer over a lights-out shooter most days because a scorer can find ways to get points. A shooter has trouble if he can’t get to his spots, and can’t get enough clearance for a shot. Let’s just call it a limited role.
Hey! Haven’t you learned by now not to say such things about Marvin? You’re sure to get a visit from your biggest fan “Stating the Obvious”, whoever that might be.
I have to admit that some of the stuff written here about Marvin is kinda funny and/or far-fetched. But I’ll leave that alone to save the inevitable argument.
I MUS WRITE- LUV DA KIDZ
July 2nd, 2009
3:50 pm
Chillz= garbage collector…… The MLE is all that his game deserves IMO- seriously what is it about his game that warrants 8-9 mill a year? Exactly -nothing. Everything he does can be replaced,I would rather have Flip or Crawford over him….U know guys that can actually score the ball.
Ariza is a good player but is he worth 9 mill or more…… A career avg of 10 freakn points…… A 7 mill increase in pay doesnt gaurantee u he will play 82 games the same way he did in the Finals……… Just see Jerome James -Eddy Curry
If the numbers work I would S&T Chills+Morris/Mo for J. Pryzbilla
Resign ZAZA Now!!!! before he gets away-We are razor thin at the F/C spot
Let Marvin play this year and take care of him next summer- he will probably get less offers/money because there will be better players in the 2010 free agent class.
Torn between Bibby and Flip….. If bibby takes 6 mill we need to sign him if for nothing else his leadership and ability to run a team. I would prefer to get a penetrating PG with defensive capability……. Sessions maybe….
Lets stop with the Amare and Bosh stuff………. Are we really wanting Bosh or Amare for two of our core guys -even when its likely he wont resign here….I thinks not
Did we learn anything for the Brave and the way they handled Mark Texetria – give up 3 good yung players for 1 relly good player……. the 3 yung guy’s are producing well on other teams and the guy u traded them for is with the evil empire with below average stats……..this would be a mistake………
Ariose
July 2nd, 2009
3:56 pm
Rod, that last rant WAS funny…..
Hoops
July 2nd, 2009
4:04 pm
BrittishAnger,
The Hawks made QO’s to Solo and West.
Blast
July 2nd, 2009
4:07 pm
For the record, Tony Parker kills any point guard in the NBA 1 on 1, not just Bibby. Very few people, point or not can guard that guy on the perimeter.
As I said numerous times, you cannot count Bibby’s one only failing; bad defence, and not factor in all the other positive stuffs he brings to a ballclub. Anybody remember Eastern Conference playoffs Game 6 in Philips versus Boston Celtics? Starting the 4th quarter, Hawks were down almost ten points. Coming into the game, we had Bibby, Joe, Childress, Josh Smith and Horford on the floor. Anybody recall Bibby gathering his troops together and assuring them that “We alright. We gonna be alright,” and the rest of them, Childress especially, nodding along with him? Hawks went on to win the 6th game to force game 7 where they got blown out.
Now, that is leadership, and I saw what Bibby saw to start the fourth. The Hawks had gone on a run, momemtum was on their side. The Celts were looking jittery, the arena was jumping, and I felt Hawks would win that quarter. And they did. Not too many points in the league can command that kind of respect or savvy from their teammates. Hawks were nothing before Mike Bibby came aboard. I really don’t know where they will be without him. And it shouldn’t be about money. Bibby has made enough money already in his NBA career.
And for those who says Bibby does not run the ball? Please. You must not watch the games at all. Hawks never ran more or better until they acquired Mike Bibby.
Stating the Obvious
July 2nd, 2009
4:08 pm
You rang? It’s all good. Trade Chill for a pick since there’s no use for him here anyway.
Rod, what was this about other people not lacing up? You figure out what an offensive foul does yet? Besides, no one has to lace up to figure out that you’re a dumbass.
Ariose
July 2nd, 2009
4:12 pm
Why do PPL think Flip isn’t our defensive minded Guard? Other than that game when Tony Parker went off at Phillips last march for 42; Flip has been our Most Solid peremeter defender. He knows when to foul in order to stop basket and he mokes his feet well; get’s a couple if steals here and there.
With Flip, Crawford, and Teauge we have more than enough penetrators. Teauge and Crawford in particular have long wingspans for defensive pourposes. I’m sure Woody will get them all on the smae page….defensively that is.
Also, why do you all covet Ramon like he’s some finished product or something. He’s sucked everytime we matched up with the bucks and his weaknesses are fairly obvious, they’re the same as Acies: Not a great shooter, not agressive enough on offense, over-passes too much sometimes, doesn’t always make the assertive play-more conservative than not.
That’s not Woodys cup of Tea……AND YOU KNOW THIS…..
He likes Trigger-Happy guards and our roster is full of em’ so whats the problem? I live it, b/c when the big boys come into town(Boston, Cleveland, LA) you don’t want some guy on the floor whose not sure what he wants to do out there and looks intimidated. You want a pit bull like Flip who’s gonna run the ball right down your throaght, again, and again, and again…..just sayin’.
Ariose
July 2nd, 2009
4:13 pm
*mokes=moves lol…
Ariose
July 2nd, 2009
4:15 pm
*smae=Same….
darrell starks
July 2nd, 2009
4:17 pm
Wow chill really dont want be here well i wish you good luck but the show must go on do a sign a trade sund we cant let him go for nothing we trying to win a championship so we dont need any one thats not wanted here.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
jhan
July 2nd, 2009
4:19 pm
Johnny – “That’s why the Hawks drafted Teague, because Acie Law refused to sacrifice his body, and they hope Teague will” I have to disagree. Acie’s game depends on him driving to the basket – his coach runs an offense that discourages that type of play.
Relax – the nerve of the ASG wanting to make money! Throw out some names of players that can handle the Dwight Howards of the league & how we should go about getting them.
Also – we’re supposed to trade someone who is “a true tweener and sucks at post defense as well as post offense” for an All-star caliber center? You better bring more game to this blog than that!
Ariose
July 2nd, 2009
4:19 pm
Blast, Exactly….Good points.
Westurd
July 2nd, 2009
4:20 pm
Chill sux…..mediocre at best..He will not elevate the Hawks game, but only keep it the same……ship his a$$ out of town.
get lost Chill…..we don’t like your pansy a$$ anyway
darrell starks
July 2nd, 2009
4:21 pm
As much as i like horford i say trade chill and horford for amar’e right now this will put the hawks in the top 3 in the east.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Tony
July 2nd, 2009
4:22 pm
Why are we not interested in Chris ( Bird man ) Anderson?
Mike
July 2nd, 2009
4:23 pm
Sekou, I know the negotiations went poorly, but what’s all this about Chill and Woodson not getting along? Woodson seemed to love Childress. He didn’t start him, but he played him starter minutes and usually used him in crunch time. Childress played hard and played defense and was willing to accept his role (it seemed). Did they really not get along?
darrell starks
July 2nd, 2009
4:26 pm
2009 ATLANTA HAWKS
STARTE JAMAL, JOE, MARVIN, JOSH, AMAR’E.
BENCH TEAGUE, FLIP, MOE, WILCOX, ZAZA.
RESERVE WEST, SOLO.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
July 2nd, 2009
4:29 pm
TRADE horford and chill for amar’ this will put us in the top 3 in the east.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
dap01
July 2nd, 2009
4:30 pm
SEKOU:
Sorry if you have already discussed but:
1. Do you think that we will ever see the 2nd round pick (SG) over here? Why not use the pick on someone who might actually make the team?
2. Will the Hawks invite the center from Augusta State to camp? Or anyone else like him?
Ariose
July 2nd, 2009
4:32 pm
Sund called Chill a “utility player”. Woodson never Let Chill start, and as soon as we got Flip/Mo Woody was quick to blast Chill just like he did Acie after we drafted Teauge.
On top of all that, Childress isn’t stupd, he went to stanford…..and furthermore, woodson is an idiot. Come on, we all know he’s short a few brain cells, you can tell by just hearing him talk; It I was chill, i’d much rather play for a competent coach who sees the value in my abilities too. Why would I want to play for a Coach and GM that didn’t value me highly????
newkid
July 2nd, 2009
4:33 pm
Is Teague potentially a Tony Parker clone?
Big Ray
July 2nd, 2009
4:33 pm
Jhan,
Nice takedown!
Westurd,
Chill IS out of town. Way out of town. As in, on another continent. Where have YOU been?
Darrell Starks,
Say what? Chill and Horford for Amare? I won’t even do that on NBA LIVE 2009.
Relax And Take Notes
July 2nd, 2009
4:33 pm
I’m sorry if our 29 year plan to win a title does not satisfy me. I don’t feel like waiting 24 more years as we win a few more games every year. I think teams like Miami, LAL, and Boston made MAJOR MOVES to bring in SUPERSTARS to get them over the hump. I don’t exactly see how this “improve a little a year” plan works when teams below us are scrambling to get players like Bosh or Amare or other potent players like Rasheed to get championships. What does this team do? Rick Sund waits…and waits…and waits…and waits…and waits…and waits… until everyone else has done their moves then he looks for bargains. Boston was a TRASH team and won the title the next year because they realized they could trade their YOUNG STAR and PIECES for a SUPERSTAR. Why can people not see that trading Josh Smith + Chillz rights for Amare/Bosh gets us into the top 3?
Big Ray, Amare didn’t even play in the WCF one of those years. He is as good as any big–even Shaquille O’Neal said this. The only bigs Shaq praises are Duncan and sometimes Yao, so obviously there is legitimacy to that statement. Josh Smith does not get us over the hump.
THAT’S WHY YOU MAKE A MOVE TO GET US OVER THE HUMP.
I don’t to be the freaking talented team that wins a few playoff games and wins fans. This retarded rebuilding plan is done — now get that last piece, and don’t waste all our money on scoring guards.
And Flip scores 12 ppg or so and made 1.5 mill this past year. Why should we pay Marvin 8 mill to score 14?
Relax And Take Notes
July 2nd, 2009
4:37 pm
And the fact that we are resigning Bibby over ZaZa — I will never get over this. When you all see ZaZa go to some crappy team like OKC or Memphis because they paid him the 2 mill extra, you will know why. Because our arrogant GM wants Bibby more than bigs. Sund has not brought us one big besides RandMo and Othello.
Any team in the top 8 in the East that trades for Amare or Bosh is an instant contender. Give Philly a healthy Amare and trade Brand and they are a contender. This team is content with just being #4 seed, which is what you will see this year. Hawks will finish #4 again and lose in 2nd round. This roster with its resigned FAs has NO SHOT of beating one of the top 3 teams — but that’s okay as long as everyone here sees an improved record
darrell starks
July 2nd, 2009
4:42 pm
Trade for bosh or amar’e will put us at the top but we have keep josh.
GO HAWKS!!!!!
darrell starks
July 2nd, 2009
4:47 pm
BIG BROTHER RAY who would you trade for amar’e and please dont say josh?
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Ariose
July 2nd, 2009
4:52 pm
Ralax and Take Notes, We can’t sign anyone until july 8th WTF are you talking about???? LOL
The order in which we “persue” doesn’t really matter to me. All of the Hawk players aside from Childress want to come back so there’s really no rush….
darrell starks
July 2nd, 2009
4:56 pm
BIG BROTHER RAY you cant tell me that this team cant contend for a title.
STARTE JAMAL, JOE, MARVIN, JOSH, AMAR’E OR BOSH.
BENCH TEAGUE, FLIP, MOE, WILCOX, ZAZA.
RESERVE WEST, SOLO.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Ariose
July 2nd, 2009
5:03 pm
DS, without Horford, we barely make the playoffs. I like Wilcox’s hustle, but at this point I don’t think he’s a great fit for us. He really had a down year last season and I expected a lot more out of him. He’s all hustle but his skill hasn’t gotten any better over the years. He’s also an undersized PF. I’d much rtather take out a flier on Channing frye who has 3pt range and I beleive he’s being severly underrated at this point.
Tony
July 2nd, 2009
5:03 pm
Any team in the top 8 in the East that trades for Amare or Bosh is an instant contender.
How many times does this plan have to fail before fans realize that this approach doesn’t work! Didn’t work for Milwaukee last year bring in Richard Jefferson, Shaq to Phoenix. Elton Brand to Philly, A.I. to Detroit, Byron Davis to the Clippers, Kid to Dallas, Kenyon Martin pre-Billups to Denver, Jason Richardson to the Bobcats, Zach Randolf to the Clippers or Knicks, Tracy Macgrady to the Rockets, Eddie Curry To the Knicks etc. S
So please stop all of these nonsense post claiming that we can only become contenders if completely change the roster that won 47 games while being the youngest team in the playoffs even with our numerous injuries during the season and post season!
newkid
July 2nd, 2009
5:04 pm
“Relax And Take Notes”, maybe it’s the sense of urgency that comes with aging, but I for one strongly agree with the sentiment you expressed in the 1st paragraph of your 4:33 p..m. post. It may be unrealistic – as Sekou puts it – but as a fan my wish is that the owners and GM are doing everything possible EACH YEAR to win a championship. This notion of hanging around the margins and picking up marginal pieces when it’s convenient with the hope of ’someday’ having assemble sufficient talent to win it all, as opposed to identifying the pieces needed to compete NOW for the trophy, is to me a loser’s mentality. What’s the saying so common here in the south, if you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch. Seems some are quite comfortable with a lifetime of staying on the porch, so they forever pass off as ‘too difficult’ or ‘too expensive’ the steps needed to catapult one’s soft butt off the porch and decidedly join the hunt. Meanwhile, those who understand ‘the fierce urgency of now’ are actually collecting the pieces required to lead and win the hunt. Definitely different are the strokes for winners as compared to losers.
Clyde
July 2nd, 2009
5:07 pm
Volman I don’t have time to post under other peoples names.
Why are we trying to sign Bibby? That dude was on his last leg last year. He can’t play defense and he’s too slow to drive past someone. He can hit a every now and then but other than that he’s washed up. What are the Hawks thinking? They need to get their priorities straight.
Speaking of priorities I thought signing big men was a priority going into the off season. Instead all the Hawks want to do is sign point guards. What’s wrong with this picture?
The Hawks are setting themselves up for another second round debacle. Your guards can throw up as many shots as they want but championships are won by getting stops on the defensive end. And with the front line we has last year stops were hard to come by. So what makes you think it gonna be any different if we bring back the same front line next year.
In the last paragraph I mention the word championship. With the way Sund has gone about free agency the past 2 years its hard to believe he wants to put a team together that can compete for one. Making the playoffs is OK for some fans but Clyde wants a ring for his Atlanta Hawks.
I MUS WRITE- LUV DA KIDZ
July 2nd, 2009
5:20 pm
Amen tony!!! sign our own guys and add a big man to go with ZAZA….. Bosh and Amare are rentals for 09-10… They will go to the highest bidder summer 2010….. If one guy had to go right now it would be flip- i hate Bibbys stand still jump shooting game but he is the cool head we need out there on the floor- Teague has to play tho he is the yin to bibbys yang -speed anhd ability to get to the rim.
darrell starks
July 2nd, 2009
5:22 pm
Aroise i have to disagree you horford is good on the boards we no that but when it come to defense josh is better, we always point the finger at josh but no player on this team give more weakside help than josh and a lot of the time that leave him out of position, so is that joshes fault no everybody have to step up to the plate and do there job on defense.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
darrell starks
July 2nd, 2009
5:26 pm
And wilcox is solid player that we need come of the bench him and zaza of the bench on the boards will be great i just think he need a fresh starte.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
jhan
July 2nd, 2009
5:31 pm
Do you guys truly believe that Sund & the ASG don’t want to win a championship?
All I hear is we need Amare or Bosh – WTF has either of them done to help their current teams win a title? The answer is nothing!!
Amare played with 2 All-Stars (Nash & Marion) & couldn’t get to the finals. I don’t believe Bosh has ever been to the 2nd round (could be wrong).
This is Sund’s 2nd season as GM. Do you realize it took the great Pat Riley 11 seasons as GM/Coach to bring Miami to the finals? Do you think he only wanted to win the title in his 11th season?
How about this Lakers team – Kobe, Shaq, Malone & Payton. 4 perennial All-stars/Hall of Fame players. Did they win the title? Hell no. Just because you trade for an All-star doesn’t guarantee shyt!
I’m not saying the ASG couldn’t have done things better/differently but you guys are really out in left field with some of your stances.
BrittishAnger
July 2nd, 2009
5:33 pm
Thanks hoops, good looking out mang….
darrell starks
July 2nd, 2009
5:34 pm
Why do we need a 7′0 footer we have one in randolph morris.
GO HAWKS!!!!
Ariose
July 2nd, 2009
5:36 pm
DS, I could say the same for Josh too. Without him, we don’t get to the playoffs, defenitely. BOTH are worth more than Amare TO THIS TEAM if you ask me.
Jfreak
July 2nd, 2009
5:37 pm
It’s good to hear the Hawks and Bibby are close on a deal. He made such an improvement on this team when he came here and that should mean something even in todays business world. Or at least is should?
Childress, sign and trade seems likely. He a great talent and seemingly a good kid. Wish we could have found a way to keep him but now getting something for nothing seems reasonable.
I don’t see the Hawks making any major moves other than to resign some of their own which in the case of Bibby and ZaZa is major in my opinion but I’m still hopeful for an Amare and Smith trade that shocks the world.
Hope we find a way to keep Marvin Williams. I was slow to warm up to this guy but watching how much he improved last year I’m convinced he is more valuable to this franchise than Smith. Not that he has more talent and not that Smith wont prove to be a really good NBA player but Williams seems to do many thing WELL not just a couple of things great like Smith.
Big Ray
July 2nd, 2009
5:38 pm
Relax and Take Notes,
I understand your point of view. But it’s not MY plan. I’m a fan, not an owner, or a GM. Getting pissed with me does you no good. I’m not even a season ticket holder, dude. As for your point of view, many here (myself included) have loudly proclaimed our impatience on this forum for the last several years. Welcome to the club….
By the way, I don’t take everything Shaq says as the gospel. This is a guy who asks a former teammate who helped him win a few rings “how does my ass taste?” Phoenix brought Shaq in because Amare simply isn’t enough. And together they achieved….nothing. Two of the biggest of the big men, guys you just mentioned. On the same team. Went and did nothing. Together. Want to explain that one?
Amare is a big-time threat when he’s healthy. I have yet to see him bring anybody a championship. And I’d take Dwight Howard over him ALL DAY LONG. But nobody is giving up Dwight. And don’t you find it rather odd that despite the fact that Phoenix shops Amare every year, there are STILL no takers?
Why on earth would a team want to dump a super duper star like that? And why wouldn’t they be able to get anybody to take him?
Again, don’t get me wrong. He’s a superb talent. But a champion? Besides, there are two main risks here. One, he’s only got a year left on his contract and the sonofagun is so flighty, you never know where he’s going to want to be. Two, he’s a max contract kind of guy…with health issues.
Love to get Chris Bosh. Couldn’t begin to tell you how to do it. Well, I could propose something like any other blogger, but since I’m not a front office executive, nobody is going to take me seriously. But YOU. You’re a man on a mission. Give Sund a call. Tell him what needs to be done. I’m sure he’ll be all ears. Heh.
rainman
July 2nd, 2009
5:39 pm
I think it was a 3 year deal that Chills signed, and that each year he has the option to opt-out by July 15th. I think it averaged around 9 or 10 mil./yr. — so would he play in the states for 6 mil.? I think he may have the ‘cultural thing’ out of his system & is probably concerned about safety issues – and would like to be back in the good ole USA. Who knows? — would the Hawks match a 7 or 8 mil./yr. deal?
– Camby, Chandler, Amare, Bosh – add one of these guys and we might be able to play with the big boys.
– I would like to see Marvin on the team this year, unless he were used to aquire one of the afore mentioned players. I really feel that he is ready to bust loose.
– I could see giving Bibby 7/yr. for 2 yrs. or 6/yr. for 3 yrs.. I could also see someone like Jack at PG until Teague is ready.
– JJ should not be considered ‘untouchable’ since his contract is up next year – Crawford could play 2 if need be. In fact, I don’t believe anyone, including Josh Smith, should be considered untouchable.
My problem with working a deal for one of the ‘quality bigs’ is that we give up a lot for a one year rental. Sekou – do you think it’s even realistic to think any those guys would sign a new deal, or would they all want to wait a year and be unrestricted?
niremetal
July 2nd, 2009
5:39 pm
I actually would really like to see Chill back here. I even sent him a Twitter message to that effect yesterday, although I’m sure he didn’t care enough to read it. He, Horford, and Marvin are the only solid players we’ve had in the past few years who are willing to give up a shot at gaudier stat lines to help the team win. I don’t think you can get enough of those kinds of players on a team if you want to contend.
We’re not gonna get two megastars on this team unless we can pull of a trade for Bosh (which seems close to impossible at this point), so that model of building a title contender isn’t happening. The Plan B is to have 1-2 guys who can score at will and surround them with very good players who don’t need to be “the man” to have the team win. For that reason, I’d love to see Chill back, because he strikes me as fitting that mold.
That being said, I take Sekou at his word when he says Chill isn’t looking to come back here. The Clippers seem like the most logical destination for him, since 1) they have the trade exception to play with; 2) I think he’d be a great fit on a Dunleavy squad; and 3) they have a major need for a swingman. The question is what we can get back – assuming, of course, that the Clippers are truly interested.
Sekou Smith
July 2nd, 2009
5:40 pm
Gortat to Dallas – http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4303432
Sheed to Boston – http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/07/cs_offer_sheed.html
Hawks better get on Zaza before someone else does.
Tony
July 2nd, 2009
5:40 pm
I nominate Jhan for post of the day!
niremetal
July 2nd, 2009
5:44 pm
Co-sign jhan.
Interesting that the Dallas article mentions us as contacting Gortat – good to know Sund is at least looking. My hope is that now he’ll lock up Zaza with a slightly-above-midlevel contract offer. But yeah, he’d better move PDQ.
Big Ray
July 2nd, 2009
5:45 pm
Newkid,
I agree. But it’s also easy to say when you’re sitting in your office chair at home or at work, and it’s not your money. What happens when those championship caliber players don’t want to come here? What happens when those thrice-cursed agents get in the way? It’s almost silly to act like all one must do is simply write out the checks (regardless of the amount), and Voila! A championship! Trust me, I am an impatient person when it comes to winning too, but reality is a picture that we can’t completely focus on.
We do not know the reality of all things, and this is a very fluid business. I’ll bet the Clippers thought they had it licked when they signed Baron Davis and offered a gazillion dollars to Elton Brand to stay. But what happened? An agent, that’s what. Suddenly Brand is in Philly, with a smaller contract no less, than that which the team he SAID he was signing with offered. What of Philly, who thought they had nabbed a huge building block in Brand? Out for the year, and they still don’t know if he’ll even mesh with a team that is built for running, and not the halfcourt game in which he seems to thrive.
Ah yes, cut and dry it is not.
Still, I share your impatience. It’s just…this is nothing new. And stability starts at the top. The ASG hasn’t been around long, they can’t even get their partnership situation straight right out of the gate, and there is just too many of them (my opinion). But what do I know?
niremetal
July 2nd, 2009
5:55 pm
Ray,
Too many of them? Most NBA teams are owned by groups, including several of the contenders – in fact, the Celtics and Pistons both have ownership groups bigger than ours. And it’s not like we were contending for titles when Ted Turner owned the franchise. Ask Paul Allen how many Finals appearances he’s had. And those are the two richest team owners in NBA history.
niremetal
July 2nd, 2009
5:58 pm
I actually take the view that in this economy, you don’t want all your eggs in one basket with an owner. That’s how teams get moved from city to city – the one owner freaks out about the huge expenses involved in running a sports franchise and decides to sell the team to an owner who wants to move it. Just ask Seattle, Charlotte, and Vancouver…
BrittishAnger
July 2nd, 2009
5:58 pm
Darrell,
We need a seven footer who can actually perform more, not just a body inside averaging 2 fouls and a turnover a game (don’t quote me on those stats, but they seem reasonably legit). Short of Randolph making some very big improvements and proving his worth in the Summer camps and leagues, he may be an expendable piece in that inevitable “Sign and Trade” scenario everybody has Marvin Williams assumed for. It’s either that or find a strong, girth filled body to take the banging inside and dish it out, whom Chris Wilcox could be that person. The worth of a 7′ center comes from looking at some of the simpler losses we took this season, ones where our post presence was slim to nil, even when players weren’t in foul trouble (Our games against New Jersey, Boston, the Cleveland series at times). I’d just as soon have somebody a little shorter who has the skills to create second chances and defend the post from the other threats, but in this game, size is a difference maker, and an inch can turn into a mile if used properly…Stakes is High…You know them Stakes is High….