what does "going over the cap" even mean? over the luxury tax? also, what Erroneous Subterfuge said, Vince Carter changes everything.
Btw, Carter makes almost 15 million this year and has 4 years on his contract. I can't see them keeping Hedo.
What about Bruce Bowen, he's expected to be waived, we don't need another scorer (with the most efficient offense in the league) and it give us much needed veteran (championship) leadership and a great defender. I think he'd be a lot less expensive too. I'm just not sure about signing Hedo to a long term contract for the salary he's going to want. I suspect the Orlando system made the most of his game but I'm not sure that will translate in the Portland system.
The Spurs didn't need scoring either and Bowen was buried deep on the bench this past season. Its clear that he is not the defender he once was.
Dang. I hadn't realized it was that much and for that long. No wonder we weren't that interested in him.
He's only 28. Sign him for a couple years to mentor Batum without taking up too much salary cap. He's been on the all defensive team for years and he's won 3 rings with the Spurs. He knows a whole lot more about what it takes to win a championship than Hedo does.
No, my bad, he's 38 but was still first team all defense in 2007-08 season (I think he was finally left off last season). If he'd agree to sign for the veterans minimum I think it would be worth giving it a shot. I think Nic has the tools to become an elite defender (who can also score a little)... I'd love to see what happened if they had to scrimmage against each other for a year or two.
Sorry. the ESPN trade machine showed 4 years still. I'm sure they haven't updated it since the season ended.
You know what? I was thinking that you could sign 1 player to a veterans minimum and it wouldn't go against your cap but the rule I was thinking of is that when you're over the cap you're allowed to sign 1 player to the veterans minimum (it still goes against your cap but it's allowed). I was imagining signing him and still having all the extra cap space to go to either a good back up PF or PG upgrade. Essentially I was think a buy one get one free deal... that's what I get for pretending I'm Tom Penn. You've got to admit it was a good idea under my imaginary rules.
My vote...for what it is worth: Artest...no way! Bowen...even worse! Prince...yes please. Hedo...if less than 10 mil per year. Nothing...go with Batum/Webster...probably what happens and that would be okay...I guess?!
I don't think Portland has much choice. They intend to resign Blake and Outlaw, so they won't even have 10 million to play with.
How about this for a stupifying off season: Portland signs Jerrit Jack and Ime Udoka as free agents and then sign Frye to an extension. I am really trying to think of the worst case scenario so that when KP does fuck all this off season it seems like a good thing.
No one has talked about this as an option but why not pick up Outlaws option but not Blakes. That saves us an additional 4.25 million to throw at a vet PG. Coupled with the estimate of us having 7 million available in cap space brings us to over 11 million available (not to mention a 3 million TE and the ability to renounce Freeland and Kop.) Outlaw has value and we can hold onto him to use in another trade. This would allow Bayless to be the clear cut back up and can be mentored by a seasoned vet. Mills likely wouldn't play much but can learn on the end of the bench. Thoughts?
I like Hedo. He gives us another player who can initiate the offense and run the pick and roll. Plus, he's used to playing with some pretty amazing big men (Duncan, Webber, and Howard). Get Hedo and Hinrich and call it a day.
