<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Free-agent center Darko Milicic agreed in principle to a three-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, the player's agent Marc Cornstein told ESPN.com Insider Chad Ford. Darko Milicic Milicic Forward-Center Orlando Magic Profile 2007 Season Stats GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT% 80 8.0 5.5 1.1 .454 .613 Cornstein refused to disclose the amount of the deal, but the starting salary is believed to be for substantially more than the $5.3 million mid-level exception. ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher, citing anonymous sources, is reporting that the deal is for three years and $21 million. A formal team announcement could take place as early as Thursday. "We are extremely excited for this new opportunity," Cornstein said. "Darko's going to a team that really wants him. He's going to a young team with an exciting bright future much like his own. We're very excited Darko gets to learn from coach Marc Iavaroni. We believe he's one of the best big men coaches in the game. And we couldn't be happier that he has found a new home where he's appreciated." Milicic was recently waived by the Orlando Magic to clear the cap room necessary to sign Rashard Lewis. "Memphis has really pursued Darko since the moment he became an unrestricted free agent last week," Cornstein said. "And I'm grateful for the opportunity they'll be providing for Darko at this stage of his career." Milicic was the second pick in the 2003 NBA draft. He was taken ahead of All-Stars like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade and was widely regarded as a draft bust heading into his third season. Milicic was traded to the Magic in February of 2006 and began to turn around his career. He averaged eight points and 5.5 rebounds in 23 minutes per game for the Magic last season. But he upped his average to 12.3 points per game in the playoffs this year. Magic general manager Otis Smith said that the team's top priority in the offseason was signing Milicic, but he reversed course after it became clear that signing Lewis would take all of their cap room. Milicic should address the Grizzlies' biggest offseason need -- adding a center to play with Pau Gasol. His game appears to complement Iavaroni's up-tempo system</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2933472 I know this isn't directly related to GS, but it's interesting for 2 reasons: first, there goes Darko. The report is that Darko was signed for 3 years at an amount above the mid-level. Bucher says it's 3 years, 21 mils. Second, how does this impact Gasol's status? If Darko impresses Memphis brass, perhaps that means Gasol will become more easily available? I think we should go after Gasol now, if possible, only because he might come cheaper than most players of his caliber...
Gasol might be a good fit on the Warriors. He seems pretty quick as far as 7'1 guys go. He's got a postup and faceup game. He passes, he rebounds, he blocks shots. He is fundamentally sound. I just don't trust this guy to take the last shot unless he's sinking free throws. He seems to do okay at the foul line in a close game when I've seen him play, but anything else it's like he'll turn the ball over or miss it or go quiet. Am I wrong? Something tells me that I haven't seen Pau Gasol enough. I'll check out 82 games for more info. http://www.82games.com/0607/06MEM17E.HTM I think I'm wrong. Not even free throws.
Perhaps if it doesn't free up Gasol, it may for Hakim Warrick and/or Stromile Swift. I don't know what to think about these two people other than that they could probably fit this team pretty well since they are both athletic and bigs. Perhaps the Grizzlies would be willing to do a POB/Sarunas for Warrick or Swift may work out...
I don't like Stro anymore, but maybe he can be of value in this particular system. But the minute we go halfcourt / open court balance, dump his butt because the guy has no basketball I.Q. I'm not sure if Warrick is big enough to play power forward. If we're playing that position so small, we might as well use a guy who can shoot, pass, and dribble.
Well, on Jan 3rd, Gasol teamed up with Mike Miller to torch GS. Gasol had 24 points on only 9-14 shooting, along with 4 blocks and 13 rebounds. Miller dropped 33 points on a jaw dropping 9-12 from 3ptFG. Grizz won 144-135. On April 6th, the Grizz and GS went to overtime. I am almost certain that Gasol hit a late stretch bucket in the post to send it to overtime. In overtime, Monta scored 9 points to barely top the Grizz 118-115. In that game, Mike Miller went absolutely bananas with 45 points on 9-17 from 3ptFG, along with 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Gasol was again solid all night, with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Gasol isn't a superstar like KG. But he'll get you 20 and 10 nonetheless. And, the way teams are handing out huge contracts, Gasol appears to be relatively affordable. He'll make 13.7 mils next year (Rashard just got something like 20 mils, according to reports), followed 15, 16.4, and 17.8 mils. That last year is a bit high, of course, but let's assume he improves and solidifies himself as a premier big. If we could get him AND keep Monta/Beans, that would be awesome. Something like: Harrington, Sarunas, POB, s&t Pietrus and part of the trade exemption, or something. Or am I dreaming?
<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, on Jan 3rd, Gasol teamed up with Mike Miller to torch GS. Gasol had 24 points on only 9-14 shooting, along with 4 blocks and 13 rebounds. Miller dropped 33 points on a jaw dropping 9-12 from 3ptFG. Grizz won 144-135. On April 6th, the Grizz and GS went to overtime. I am almost certain that Gasol hit a late stretch bucket in the post to send it to overtime. In overtime, Monta scored 9 points to barely top the Grizz 118-115. In that game, Mike Miller went absolutely bananas with 45 points on 9-17 from 3ptFG, along with 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Gasol was again solid all night, with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Gasol isn't a superstar like KG. But he'll get you 20 and 10 nonetheless. And, the way teams are handing out huge contracts, Gasol appears to be relatively affordable. He'll make 13.7 mils next year (Rashard just got something like 20 mils, according to reports), followed 15, 16.4, and 17.8 mils. That last year is a bit high, of course, but let's assume he improves and solidifies himself as a premier big. If we could get him AND keep Monta/Beans, that would be awesome. Something like: Harrington, Sarunas, POB, s&t Pietrus and part of the trade exemption, or something. Or am I dreaming?</div> I agree. Gasol would be awesome on the Warriors. However I think Memphis said that they are planning on keeping him for now. It may take a much bigger deal on the Warriors' part to get Memphis' attention, then you suggested. Memphis may become a playoff team with Conley, Gay, Miller, Gasol, Darko and others.
Would Clif and AO do Wright, re-signed Pietrus for Gasol? Would that work? They already got Conley, they ain't getting Ellis.
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Would Clif and AO do Wright, re-signed Pietrus for Gasol? Would that work? They already got Conley, they ain't getting Ellis.</div> If it worked I'd be all over it. Gasol is a 20/10/4 and 2 blk guy, can't go wrong with that. Barons penetration and dishing, Belinelli's long range bombs, Ellis' slashing, Biedrins hustling, SJax technicals, and Gasol's post play and rebounding... mmmmmm. No way Memphis would go for it. I'd give Pietrus, Harrington, and a pick? Maybe Wright if they don't go for the pick.
AF, we'd probably have to give up Wright because there is no point in keeping him if Pau is the starting power forward. It's like this whole thing about wondering what to do with Monta Ellis if he ever transitions to point guard and we still got Baron Davis. Plus, if AH is coming off the bench, I'm fine with that. When we go small, he can do the Brian Cook thing (spreading the floor mainly).
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Would Clif and AO do Wright, re-signed Pietrus for Gasol? Would that work? They already got Conley, they ain't getting Ellis.</div> It would work for me (I'd be very happy with that), but I don't know if the Grizzlies bite. Contract/Salary wise I think if the Warriors added the TE, it may end up working. AnimeFANatic's idea of Wright, Harrington, and Pietrus for Gasol may get some consideration.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> This is what I've been sitting on for a few days, but didn't write or say anything because I didn't get confirmation from either Milicic's people or anyone else, just a source with a Western Conference team. One source isn't enough, especially when it wasn't from someone involved with either team (Magic or Grizz). This is what I know/knew/held back: The Warriors supposedly made a push for Darko over the weekend, offering the Magic the trade exception and Darko a starting deal of $7-million with no raises. Initially, Darko was listening and the Magic were interested as well, because they then wanted to swing the exception to Sacramento for Artest, despite what their GM says about not knowing anything about Artest. Things supposedly hit a snag Tuesday when Artest took himself off the block with the "I want to retire here" talk and Petrie announced he won't trade him. The Magic were still, supposedly, interested in the exception, hoping to swing it for someone else, but that fell apart when their GM gave up on sign and trade possibilities by renouncing Darko on Tuesday. Talks officially broke down when Memphis swooped in. People knew that Darko was a possibility for Memphis, but everything Memphis had put out is that their primary target was Varejao, which doesn't seem to be the case. They gave him more money than anyone else and it was done. This is all from one source and was not confirmed, so grain of salt. Sorry to keep the story from you for three days.</div> This is from a guy on GSOM who works for BasketballNewsServices and has given us tons of insight before on the Warriors. I hate all this personally, it only confirms that we are making a run for KG and that Darko would be Biedrins' replacement
<div class="quote_poster">Air Monta Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">This is from a guy on GSOM who works for BasketballNewsServices and has given us tons of insight before on the Warriors. I hate all this personally, it only confirms that we are making a run for KG and that Darko would be Biedrins' replacement </div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Free-agent center Darko Milicic agreed in principle to a three-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday</div>http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=sports&id=5473422 Think he'll back out? There is a possibility, but yeah it probably won't happen when the deal is that close to finishing. I don't see any confirmation of anything until KG has already been dealt. The Warriors are just trying and waiting so they can get KG and not give up our future/core players to get him. But I agree with you that we're making a run for the Big Ticket. That was obvious I think the way the news sources like espn and our bay area newspapers all talk about it. Any part about a league icon such as KG can't stay quiet. I don't think KG will be a Warrior, though. Usually warriors trades end up in total surprises, don't they? Who thought that the Baron or the Dun/Murphy trade would go down? Jrich was kind of easy to guess. I mean they drafted a shooting guard over the obvious choice which was Jason Smith, a power forward. I mean how many people here wanted Jason Smith if we were to land BAP and position of need? I wonder if there is a huge possibility that KG could wind up in the Eastern Conference? It might be interesting...
I'm not big on the run for KG. Here's the way I see it. Marco for B-Wright was a steal. Marco is better than J-Rich last year. He's a shooter, and a better one than J-Rich was. He's as athletic as post injury J-Rich, he can run the break, he's a better passer so far, his defense is questionable, but his rebounding is no where near J-Rich's level. So we got a more competent offensive J-Rich minus the defense (which was still spotty) and rebounding. Add B-Wright, he may be another project, he may be able to contribute. We get Lamse who may or may not contribute, but can block and grab boards, two things we need. Overall, we have: PG: Baron/ Monta/ Pierre Pierce? (I hope he does better than in SL.) SG: Marco/ Azubuike/ Monta SF: Jackson/ Barnes (I hope)/ Lamse or another FA pickup PF: Harrington or Wright/ Harrington or Wright or Powell (I personally love Powell)/ Lamse C: Biedrins/ Kosta Perovic/ Powell It's an upgrade in the front court, and about the same at SG. Win Win.
We haven't seen Belinelli actually play a real nba game and see how he fares in an 82 game season. Also, we haven't seen how he performs when he gets 2-1 days rest or no rest (back to back games). Jrich when healthy or injured has been able to put together great consistency, some clutch performances, and showing the veteran know-how to be a productive scorer. Jrich can be a guy that can play consistently outside and he'll finish strong inside. I haven't seen that from Belinelli yet inside the painted area. All I see thus far is an outside game which is superb and a lot of playing against third stringers or nba hopefuls. We can't take what we see from summer league and suddenly put Belinelli up on a pedestal. I know that part. I'm sure he'll be an efficient contributor much like how Cuttino Mobley is for the Clippers, but it won't make me miss Jrich any less for the short term situation we have here. Long term, I know Jrich ain't going to cut it if that free throw % or ballhandling never improves. With Belinelli, we might get more of the same with the streaky free throw shots and the guy not being so quick and smooth with the ball... But we never know. Drafts are crapshoots sometimes. We seen him on video, we've seen him summer league, but come nba season and the seasons after, he may fail to meet expectations. That is definitely possible. It's like that Joe Smith thing. There was such a dropoff.
I am with ya cus.... no way can you say marco is better than j-rich in anything as far as i can tell. I mean his numbers over seas are less than impressive. From what i have seen of him in the summer league i have yet to see him effective going to the basket..... j-rich was strong and could play abolve the rim.. rebounding clearly j-rich superior passing .... i dont know .... i have seem some nice passes from marco i admit... and i am not completely sold on ball handling either.... though he does look a bit more fluid.. As for shooting.... that remains to be seen over the course of a season.... a nba season..... j-rich was streaky but man when he was on he was scary... And j-rich could post guys up.... not sure i see that in marco's game yet... Don't get me wrong, i am as excited as the next guy about MArco and his potential, but don't sell j-rich short..... the guy was/is a stud. And he was emerging from his post surgery..... come back.... I think he will be fine this season....and the bobcats will be a great team to watch with j-rich - oak - wallace
