Many, if not all of us, feel that PG is a bigger hole than SF. At least at SF, we are sure the future player exists, in Batum. At PG, many of us have doubts whether Bayless will grow into a point guard. Milwaukee will match a reasonable deal for Sessions. But who says the Blazers have to make a reasonable deal? We just offered huge money to an over-the-hill Turkey-Glue, when Ariza is going for far less. If Portland makes a large offer to Sessions, Milwaukee, given the current economy and their own needs, may well decide that the smart thing is to walk away. The trick is to make it enough money to make sure Milwaukee does not match. Then the Blazers would have Blake/Bayless/Outlaw+Picks to package for a decent SF, if we can. But at least the PG position would be stocked for years to come. Sessions is an excellent young PG. He has the right work ethic, he plays solid defense, he distributes the ball well. He is 23, which means he is right in line with the team's maturity. Show him enough money, and Milwaukee will walk away. He would be a MUCH better free agent pickup than Turk, or Ariza, or Lee. Pritch - make it happen! iWatas
As I said in the other thread: By CBA rules, the most Portland can offer is a deal starting at the MLE. Sessions is a second-round pick, which means he reaches RFA a season earlier but it also means he's restricted in how much he can be offered...by Milwaukee or anyone else. A deal starting at the MLE, Milwaukee will match without question. They cleared out Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villaneuva, presumably for this reason. I'd love to get Sessions, but I think the only way to do it is to arrange a sign-and-trade with Milwaukee, if they're willing.
And, I add, Milwaukee drafted Jennings. They have Jennings and Ridnour at point even if Sessions goes.
You are correct that the offer would start as an MLE deal for the first two years. The third through fifth seasons are a different story. That is what would be the deciding factor on if the Bucks would match or not. It is a bit detailed, so here is the info; http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q37
I wanted sessions a while back, but the more I think about it, his 17% shooting from 3pt really scares me. I don't think that will be enough to help spread the floor so Oden and LMA can operate.
So if we have 9 mill in cap space, we can offer Sessions a 5yr 45M contract. Hmmm, not bad. Anyone think the Bucks would match THAT?
I'm on board! The 3% is not a big worry for me: yes, we want a good shooter. I would be worried if he hoisted a ton and only hit 20%, but not shooting a lot of 3s is GOOD for a young player - if you don't take it inside when you're young, you never will. And if there's one thing I really believe NBA players can learn over the course of their careers, it's 3 point shooting. Look at Magic Johnson. Look at Jason Kidd. And for a recent example, look at Trevor Ariza. I really would MUCH prefer the team went after Sessions than after Lee. The only reasons I can see that they wouldn't go after Sessions is the RFA thing, and knowing that would basically tie us up for the whole FA period while the Bucks mull matching. But of course, the same is true of Lee.. I hope we're not passing on Sessions because Pritchard really believes Bayless is the answer. Well, I guess we've got Summer League to see if he can be...
Yeah, the lopsided trades are always going to be there (assuming they are there now), since I can't see any of the teams with cap space going after a PG or SF in trade (basically it's down to OKC, and they have those positions down). The only risk is that the Bucks match and by that time, Odom and Miller reach deals with their teams or someone else. I'm not worried about us missing out on a backup 4, it seems like there are a ton of options to explore in FA and trades. But I can easily see Odom's party playing the waiting game (and I also can't really seem him coming here), Miller too. So KP, go get Sessions! Who cares if you get "slapped" again, well this board will be very annoying once again for a couple of days, but people are gonna complain either way. (BTW, it seems like it's very sexy these days to bash KP, to go against the grain and all that... maybe because he was treated like Jesus on here before.) Also, if we get Sessions, I'd be open to the idea of giving Bayless up for a top SF in trade.
Those of you who want Sessions are caught up with his youth. He's no better than Andre Miller at this point, and you want to pay him 45 million? Seriously?
I agree, don't understand the Sessions hype. I have not seen him play much, but I do remember him getting benched on occasion towards the end of the year for poor decisions. I don't like his 17% 3 pts, but what I really don't like is how many games he shoots 4 or less ft's. He has some big freee throw games, but in a lot of the games he doesn't shoot many, so this tells me he does not drive and make contact, which is something I want our PG to do. Also, I don't think he was playing as much at the end of the season, was Ridnour actually taking his minutes from him, OUCH!
That -- and with his last 3 years this will be when Roy and Aldridge have been extended, meaning serious luxury tax ville. It's not my money, but I think he will be a very good PG and might actually be worth the money at some point in his contract. Still... why not just see what J Bay can do, eh?
Why not? A player who's as good as Andre Miller is very valuable... in many years, a 5 year, $45m deal would not be at all out of the ordinary for an Andre Miller-type player. Heck, I'd argue that Andre Miller is a superior player to Hedo, at a position of scarcity, and 5/$45m is less than Turkoglu was just offered by two teams even in a terrible economy. Add in the fact that MANY 22 year-olds get better over time and it points to Sessions not only living up to such a huge deal but also potentially making it look like a bargain. Ed O.
Actually, he gets to the line more than 5x as often as Steve Blake. His FTA is 50% of his FGA. Blake's is 10%. Roy's is 35%. So relative to how often he shoots he gets to the line a ton. However, in spite of getting to the line a lot his efficiency is still worse than Blake's due to not taking or making many 3's. I think the "hype" about him is in part due to - his PER being much better than Blake's - Blake's defense sucks - which PER doesn't even account for (dunno if Session's defense is bad or not) - his 3 point shooting and defense might improve significantly, him being so young I'd take a young Andre Miller with lots of room to improve any day, given that PG is our greatest weakness.
If we're doing a S&T of a RFA, he would be a BYC player at the time of the trade, correct? I suppose since both Mil and Por will be under the cap, it's not that big of a deal, but it's still something to consider.
