As far as tanking games this year, this move surprises me. I like the move as far as getting a decent player.
So what is his contract and and how does that effect us and does it impact our cap for this summer at all? And like HCP how does all of that work when its on waivers?
Why are you guys bitching about how this effects our draft position? We're not going to be in the lottery after this move. This move is solely for this year, and for making our run into, and through, the playoffs.
Holy crap, this website has it already showing. WTF? http://www.spotrac.com/nba/portland-trailblazers/j.j-hickson/
Seeing that Hickson is a RFA, I like this deal since it gives the team leverage on a guy that has potential. It's the only part about this move that makes sense, because every other move the past week has been such an obvious tank job, it was almost embarrassing. Actually, maybe that's why they signed Hickson. Stern and the NBA saw an obvious tank job, and Portland decided to actually do something constructive for the team I do have to look back and laugh a bit at the posters a few years ago who were clamoring to trade for Hickson. Did anybody think he'd be put on waivers just a few years later?
Hoopsworld has him as an UFA http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-nba-free-agents Edit: but ESPN has him as Restricted http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-11-12
I thought any teams could claim him, but the team with the worst record would win his rights. Golden State wanted him, but thought he'd clear waivers and they could just sign him outright. Golden State would've gotten him if they put in a claim since they have a worse record than us.
He will be a RFA I believe. We can choose to keep his bird rights later on, so really there is no risk involved. He can take away some of Przy + Kurt's minutes. We get essentially a free tryout to see if he has any game left, similar to what we're doing with Flynn and Thabeet.
Actually, this is part of the tank job. The team is resting LA for the rest of the season. Hickson will fill-in now. Actually, the way LA has played the last few games, and with Hickson playing for his next contract, this might actually improve the team.