I have a buddy on the Gran Canaria team---asked him earlier this year about Freeland and he said basically the same thing. The guy can move really well around the court, just doesn't know really what to do with the ball outside of the paint. Maybe he got a jumper this year. Good stuff, though
Bingo. As I understand it, he is a FA in Europe. He is about to sign a contract with a Euro team that will likely be substantially more than Portland can pay him. Since that contract will also likely involve a hefty buy-out clause, we can kiss him good-bye.
If we don't get him now, we don't get him period. According to all reports, he is about to get a new contract and a hefty raise in Europe. Assuming his new team is not dumb, that will include a large buy-out.
Dang, that is disappointing. It would suck if we wasted a 1st round draft pick on the guy and he never suits up for us.
Hmmm... if he is a free agent, he can dictate the terms of his buyout. He can play teams against one another and say, essentially, "I want to be able to play in the NBA next year if things go just right... if you don't want to make a reasonably buyout them I can talk to other teams." I am no expert on free agency in FIBA, but I have to think with the number of teams involved, a player has a lot of power to dictate where he plays unless he's trying to absolutely maximize the yearly salary he receives. Ed O.
Right about the first (Unicaja, I believe), wrong about the second. Freeland WANTS to come to the NBA. He's not Fran Vasquez, where Spain is home. He's English - the US is the land of milk and honey.
Forgot to say: thanks Tince! This makes perfect sense. Freeland's not ready yet, but he's just got noticed in Spain, so next season should be a real breakout for him. His agent will probably want him to stay over there for the big bucks, but I can't imagine him not wanting to try the NBA. Oh, and if this is all true, it gives me confidence that we're not just going to waive the rights to Freeland at least.
It would suck even more if we wasted 3 first round picks on guys who never suit up for us. That's the problem with using late 1st round picks on Eurostashes. If they don't develop, you've wasted a pick. If they do develop into something special, they can get WAY more money to stay in Europe, and you've wasted a pick. BNM
Plus Rasta's English and mook's wife is English. I am pretty sure the English are all, like, first cousins, so there's another couple of people that know him. Ed O.
Great update Tince. There is not a need, nor should there ever be a need to apologize for a source. People know people that other people don't. It's just that simple. When did this all take place? I am sorry if that's been asked already.
My friend was KP's highschool buddy. They still keep in contact. Apparently, KP told my friend that Brandon Roy was thinking about not signing an extension as he believes the Blazers organization has disrespected him.
A little over two weeks ago. He just came back to the state this week for a month or two before he'll head back to play in Spain or England, depending on what offers he gets. I'm going to see him again tonight, so if there are any additional questions you want me to ask, I'd be happy to.
I have a very roundabout connection to Koponen, but it is of no use because my sister-in-law, who I would have to go through knows nothing of basketball so when I did ask her to find out about Kop, she came back telling me "he is a basketball player and a very nice young man", that's it.
I was just currious to know if this was before the draft and before we offered Millsap. It sounds like it was before both, so that is pretty telling. If you think he would know what the hell KP is thinking this off season, by all means ask him.
I know a source and am going to write about it now! I totally forgot to write this conversation I had on Monday with somebody famous who knows Roy and Aldridge's agent.
