There is a thread running about it over on the ESPN boards, but thought I'd bring it over here. Just a snipet from David Locke's blog... http://www.lockedonsports.blogspot.com/ As we anticipated all signs are pointing to Wilkins going to Portland. Accorsing to sources in the NBA the Blazers are ready to extend an offer sheet to Wilkins that could be as much as 18 million dollars over 5 years. Wilkins has a very intense loyalty to Nate McMillan and would be interested in playing in Portland. Wilkins is a restricted free agent. This means the Sonics can match any offer. If this offer sheet is extended the Sonics have to decide what they are willing to lose to keep Wilkins. Juan Dixon or Damien Wilkins? Damien Wilkins or Flip Murray? Chance of Returning: 35% My thinking is similiar to my thoughts on bringing back AD and JJ - 5 years??? are you crazy!?!?!?! Wow, he seems like a good person and I hope he proves me wrong, but how can you justify giving a 5 year deal to someone you've seen play for 29 games in bench role, averaging 1.25 quarters of basketball??? Reggie had a similiar role, impact, production his 1st season...not to mention he played twice as much - and he could only muster a 2 year, barely over the minimum deal (I think?). It actually would make more sense from Seattle's perspective, given the uncertaintly surrounding Vladimir, to at least want to keep Damien on the roster. But look at some of the of SF PDX has coming back... Darius Miles GF 6-9 210 Oct. 9, 1981 Travis Outlaw F 6-9 205 Sep. 18, 1984 Ruben Patterson SF 6-6 223 Jul. 31, 1975 Cincinnati Martell Webster F 6-7 210 Dec. 4, 1986 Darius isn't going anywhere - Outlaw put similiar #'s, shot a better %, and is 4 years younger - and they just used their 1st round pick on Webster. Just doensn't quite make sense for a team that can't figure to make the playoffs next year, and probably even the year after that, and seems stacked (at least potential wise) at the posistion. This is obviously Nate exerting his influence, but is it the right thing to do for them??? for us to match??? (this is obviously assuming this deal is on the table, while it could very well be that Locke got it the info from a trumpet player outside the Rose Garden, or Wilkens crew could simply be posturing in attempts to drum up some publicity)
I agree with you, it seems a bit exhorbitant. He might be a solid player in the future but honestly I think there's lots of guys with his skill level. Sure he brings a great attitude and hustles, maybe that's something that Nate sees his sorely lacking on the current roster.
If true, than it's probably seeya Damien, and even better for Vlad. I really like him, I like what he brings to the table, and I know sometimes you have to bite the bullet with players and pay them, but c'mon, that's five years at 3.5-4 million a year. That's too much for a guy who hasn't proven himself consistently yet. I'd rather a cheaper alternative like Maurice Evans who realistically can do the same job. I can't blame Damien, when someone offers you that much cash you've gotta go for it.
Also it seems under the new CBA we'd have to use part of the MLE to match Wilkins, as he has only played one season, whereas this isn't the case with Reggie, Vlad and Flipdawg.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The raiding of KeyArena is over. The Trail Blazers stole Nate McMillan from the Seattle SuperSonics, and McMillan pilfered Dean Demopolous as his chief assistant. But Portland probably won?t land Seattle swing man Damien Wilkins, as you may have read elsewhere. The Blazers may make an offer for the restricted free agent, but they aren?t likely to overpay for him, and it?s even less likely that the Sonics would let him go. The 6-6 Wilkins averaged 6.3 points in 29 games of the regular season as a rookie last season. The son of ex-NBA guard Gerald Wilkins and nephew of the great Dominique Wilkins is more a slasher than a shooter ? he shot .271 from 3-point range and .581 from the foul line in the regular season and playoffs ? and is more of a small forward than a shooting guard. McMillan likes him, but Wilkins doesn?t seem a good fit on a roster flush with 3?s (Darius Miles, Ruben Patterson, Travis Outlaw, Sergei Monia). Would Portland use all of its midlevel exception (about $5 million) to try to lure Wilkins? Wouldn?t make sense. ?Any offer you make, you have to determine if it?s in your best interests if he accepts it,? Portland GM John Nash says. ?You can make an outlandish offer to avoid the other team matching, and sometimes regret it later.? And any reasonable offer for Wilkins will be matched by Seattle.</div> Portland Tribune. Hopefully this is on the money, it makes sense given they've just inked Monya to a multi-year deal.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post"> Hopefully this is on the money, it makes sense given they've just inked Monya to a multi-year deal.</div> Now this seems more like it. Just wasn't making sense - but I don't doubt that Nate is in love with the guy, he is his kind of player. And as much as Nate might have influence, I doubt your going to convince the FO to sign a guy who isn't any better than the 4 SF's already on your roster. I know I've talked alot about how 5 years is crazy talk, but just how high should we go to ratain Damien? Well, the MLE situation with the new CBA throws a wrench into the plans - but that aside, I was thinking a 3 yr 7 million dollar deal with a team option on the 3rd is the absolute breaking point, and I'd prefer to go lower dollar amounts. If Vladimir signs the QO and has an inevitable breakdown/crying for more minutes next season, it would be nice to have a somewhat serviceable 3 waiting in the wings. I don't go to 4 years to keep him, and wouldn't offer him a deal averaging 3 million a year - just too much for the role he's going to have with this team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">If true, than it's probably seeya Damien, and even better for Vlad. I really like him, I like what he brings to the table, and I know sometimes you have to bite the bullet with players and pay them, but c'mon, that's five years at 3.5-4 million a year. That's too much for a guy who hasn't proven himself consistently yet. I'd rather a cheaper alternative like Maurice Evans who realistically can do the same job. I can't blame Damien, when someone offers you that much cash you've gotta go for it.</div> I would love Mo Evans over Damien.
