Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency I like Lopez but he's going to command a contract similar to Batum and is coming back from injury. Would much rather focus on Gordon, regardless of what the Hornet management say about his contract. Make 'em sweat!
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency "Now, in an attempt to maintain leverage, Ndiaye has instructed Trail Blazers general manager, Neil Olshey, not to speak with Batum and he hasn't done so since becoming the team's general manager." Sorry but I don't agree with this. If I am the player I want to listen to what the new guy has to say. Ndiaye is taking it too far.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency Seems like this is a tactic that European agents like to use.... but it doesn't work so well over here in the states.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency Reports were that the Blazers offered a "low ball" offer. I don't know whether the figures were reported, but if they legitimately felt that the Blazers attempted to low ball them (which is within the Blazers' rights to do) then I don't see why they should feel any sense of "loyalty." Loyalty is a bankrupt concept if it's only supposed to go one direction.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency Bouna the boner is just coming off as a fucking idiot more than anything else. You'd think an agent would want his client to have the best possible team around him. If he proceeds with this course of action all he'll succeed in doing is hurting his client's team, and nothing more. A team, I might add, that has stated countless times how much they value Batum and that they'll match any offer, yet Bouna's response is that we can't talk to him? Weird.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency I think Brook would be a large upgrade over the nonexistent C we currently have. And would put less pressure on Leonard to perform right off the bat.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency Ya, I probably over reacted on Lopez. Not a great rebounder, but he is a skilled passer and scorer. Olshey said he would like the team to play with motion, so Lopez would be a good get.....Then again he also said he wants to play pick and roll, so????????
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency With Lopez a RFA, does anyone really think NJ will let Lopez walk? Especially considering they have nothing else if Deron walks.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency Maybe? Maybe they realize they can't get a deal done for Howard, so they will clean house and just sign him next off season? Maybe we can work a S&T with them for future picks for an Orlando deal?
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency I was honestly just asking the question, not debating. I really don't know. But after thinking about it for a few, I would expect them to match whatever Lopez is offered.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency Any S&T possibilities I hope Neil seriously looks at K. Leonard. The Spurs are yet again lusting for Nic Batum.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency Getting outta hand. Batum's agent requested Olshey not contact his client
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency But why? Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if this happened. The idea would be to acquire an "all-star" like Kaman, which would make it look like the Blazers have acquired pieces to the average fan and keep people tuned in long enough to endure the Blazers first and second round losses. It keeps business afloat. Rebuilding doesn't.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency Why would the Blazers extend Batum and lose valuable cap space when they could wait and sign him this summer. It made zero sense and if Batum can't see that, too fucking bad. It's obvious that he and his agent took it personally with how they're handling things publicly. Why wouldn't they understand that the team is trying to maximize it's cap space before signing him to a fair deal? Seems rather childish, selfish, and short sighted.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency Eric Gordon was pissed that he was traded in the manner he was with the Clips. Neil told him hours beforehand the trade was dead and Gordon would be with the Clips for the long-term. Gordon was awkwardly then on a bus with season ticket holders when the news broke. I don't think there is any way he signs an offer sheet with us.
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency rather have Spencer Hawes than Kaman. He is a NW guy and is quite funny (he caused a twitter storm re: Obamacare yesterday)
Re: Now what? i.e. Free Agency Batum and his agents odd behavior if anything hurts his free agency value. Teams want a positive guy and if your bitching with your old team it sounds like a disgruntled employee that might eventually bitch when he gets to a new team. So maybe we should be thanking Batum's agent for acting like an ass, hurting his clients value, and lowering the price we'll have to pay to match.
