CBSsports.com says so. Free Agent Buzz (UPDATE) Posted on: July 6, 2009 5:58 pm Edited on: July 6, 2009 10:16 pm Score: 267Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: With two days to go until the official signing period begins, here's the latest free-agent buzz gathered from conversations with executives, agents, and others in the know: UPDATE: * As reported by CBSSports.com, the Mavericks are pushing for a sign-and-trade with Toronto that would send Shawn Marion to Dallas. Such a deal almost certainly would have to include Jerry Stackhouse going to Toronto -- or a third team -- because only $2 million of his $7 million salary for next season is guaranteed. Toronto is not in a position to take back salary because it needs to clear space to sign Hedo Turkoglu, who agreed to a five-year, $53 million deal over the weekend after reneging on a verbal commitment to Portland. Mavs owner Mark Cuban and Marion's agent, Dan Fegan, are pushing the Dallas scenario, according to a source, and are trying to involve either Oklahoma City or Memphis as a third team to satisfy Toronto's need to clear room for Turkoglu. If the Raptors can't trade Marion, the simplest path to clearing space for Turkoglu would be to renounce its rights to Marion, Carlos Delfino, and Anthony Parker. * Despite reports that the Trail Blazers were preparing to make a major bid for Knicks restricted free agent David Lee, a coaching source familiar with the situation said Portland is more interested in the Lakers' Lamar Odom. And the source described the Odom situation with Portland as "lukewarm." The Blazers and Lee's agent, Mark Bartelstein, discussed the situation early in the negotiating period, but Portland was preoccupied at that time with its pursuit of Hedo Turkoglu. Now that Turkoglu has spurned the Blazers and committed to the Raptors, Portland is deliberating what to do with its $9 million in cap space. The Blazers have been exploring point-guard options for some time, but the coaching source said Sixers free agent Andre Miller isn't the answer because of his sub-part shooting ability. * Lee's situation is complicated by the fact that the teams with cap space have either spent it on other players (Detroit, Toronto, Memphis) or are proceeding cautiously in the first wave of free agency (Oklahoma City, Sacramento). The market for Lee is difficult to navigate because teams are hesitant to endure the seven-day period during which the Knicks would have the right to match. Sign-and-trades, too, are untenable due to the fact that Lee's first-year cap number would be exorbitant based on his status as a base-year compensation player. Knicks president Donnie Walsh has played this as close to perfectly as possible from the beginning.
What would be everyone's reaction be to a "summer of Lamar Odom." That's it. Blake/Bayless/Mills Roy/Rudy Batum/Odom/Webster LMA/Outlaw/Pendergraph Oden/Pryz PG is not addressed - but maybe we wait until next year or at the Trade Deadline? We see how Pendergraph developes. That's a pretty nice 2nd team. and you could run Roy/Rudy/Odom/Outlaw/LMA at times.
I don't like Odom, but if he has his head screwed on straight, he fits our needs better than Lee. He can actually pass the ball, and he doesn't mind playing second fiddle. The obvious downside, is that you have to grit your teeth through the nights he just doesn't show up!
Odom would be nice because he can actually play both forward positions. Of course, if he were acquired, we would STILL have to make a trade to clear up some space. I wouldn't be unhappy with signing Odom and then trading for a point guard like Hinrich. Hinrich/Bayless/Mills Roy/Rudy Odom/Batum/Webster Aldridge/Odom Oden/Przybilla I think it works out perfectly. Odom swings between the two forward spots, which frees up minutes for Batum and Rudy.
Yes, I really think it would be best if our vet SF could handle the backup PF role, too. That way Batum could get his 25 minutes. Gerald Walace would also work from that standpoint.
Odom is looking to play us off the L*kers to re-sign with the Purple & Piss. We're wise to stay away.
I absolutely LOVE this lineup. But it wont happen. I would get a Blazer tattoo if we had this lineup!!!!! But it wont happen.
I agree. I just heard on the radio that the talks between Odom and the Lakers are stalling because Odom wants over 10 million a years. Uhh, no thanks. I don't like him anyways.
Exactly. This, to me, means he's on our list of possible targets, but down in the bottom half, below our other options.
It wouldn't have to be us. Piss him off enough and he might pull an Ariza. Some contender with their mid-level left... Or: OKC still has cash. Looks like Jerry Buss is becoming a tightwad. Maybe him sending his son in his place to the title-winning game is a sign he's not interested any more?
The only reason I would think you guys would go for Odom is to push the price tag up for the Lakers. I don't really think he fits your team that well and doesn't exactly fit a need.
I don't entirely agree. While Odom doesn't fully address Portland's most pressing need, I think Odom is a pretty decent fit for almost any team, because he's well-rounded. He can pass, score, rebound and defend and swing between the 3 and 4. His passing would help Portland quite a bit, Portland definitely needs improved defense and his ability to provide minutes at power forward would be very useful.
Well, the thing with Portland signing him is they'd have to find minutes for him. They already have Batum, Rudy, Webster and Outlaw who can get minutes at the 3, and he's not going to be getting minutes over a much younger Aldridge. Unless they unload one of those 4 guys, I don't know if there'd be enough minutes for him.
Well, if Portland got Odom, I'd slot him in at starting small forward and have him take all the backup power forward minutes when Aldridge is resting. Getting 12 minutes at power forward and 24 minutes at small forward gives him 36 minutes a game and still allows Batum 24 minutes per game, which is plenty to allow his development to continue. For me, it would mean looking to trade away Outlaw and, if possible, Webster. Considering Webster has never been good, has missed a year and is still not back to playing basketball, he's not really a factor to me.
I honestly hate the guy! All the crap he's pulled against us these past couple seasons! BUT.... I think I would rather have him on our squad then Turkey!
