jwquick Jason Quick Oden says he's "still a ways" from full-contact drills. "We want me to progress. We don't want to push me out there too soon."
Friday: signs QO. Monday: announces he is out for the season. Tuesday: S2 begins campaign to give him a max contract, guaranteed induction into the HOF, and sainthood in the church of his choice. People never learn.......
If they were thinking of offering him a max deal then yes, Portland would have a significant advantage over other teams. The trouble is, he really hasn't done enough to make himself a max player, and even with one (mostly) healthy and productive season does he cross that threshold?
The only teams that will be able to come within $26.6 million of the max Portland can offer will be teams at least $14.5 under the cap. How many of those will there be? How many capable and willing to offer Greg the max they can? Any he'd want to play for? For most teams, the max they will be able to offer is the full MLE, which falls about $65 million less than what Portland can offer. There's a whole lot of negotiating room between the other offers Greg will receive and the max Portland can offer. I suspect one healthy, productive season will result in an offer somewhere between those two extremes. How much exactly will depend on exactly how healthy and productive he is. Of course if Greg REALLY wants out, after one healthy, productive season, he can try to force a sign and trade. But at least we'd get something back in that scenario. BNM
That makes a lot of sense. My fear is there are a handful of teams gearing up for this summer free agency. The teams gearing up (clearing cap space) that miss out on the big names might end up throwing tons of money on a hope like GO. Blazers can offer more, but I'm guessing if Oden can put together a half way decent season, he will be overpaid this summer. By who is the question . . .
And then, it will be Portland's choice. They can overpay him more than anyone else can overpay him. If they REALLY want to keep him, they can make it worth his while to stay in Portland. I just don't get this whole "Portlanmd has no leverage" mantra. To me, it sure seems like they have more leverage than any other team in the league. BNM
I agree with you on this. Also that leverage is significant leverage considering this may be Oden's one big multi year contract in his career, so chasing a ring is not as important as securing financial stability for him and his family at that time. I hope it does come down to strictly a money analysis for Oden. I just think it won't be an easy decision to resign Oden as the Blazers will have to decide if they are willing to reach deep deep deep into PA's pockets to keep him because other teams will be making serious offers out there.
The extra year Portland can offer will be huge for someone with Oden's injury history. It will really depend on how Oden plays this season. Thankfully, if he is healthy (oh please, oh please, oh please) and productive, Paul Allen has pockets deep enough to pay him more than anyone else can offer. BNM
I think the only way Oden stays is if Portland can make a deep playoff run this year to give him hope that he can win with what we have in Portland.
Yeah, he could always accept significantly less money and go to non-contender like Sacramento or Minnesota, or accept a LOT less (up to $65 million less) and sign for the full MLE with a team like the Heat. Seriously, will there be any real contenders that are $14.5 million (or anywhere close) under the cap next summer? If they are, will they blow their entire salary cap load on Oden, even if he is healthy and productive this season? BNM
The Blazers have tons of roster decisions to make between now and July. Felton UFA, Oden UFA, Batum extension, Camby UFA (retires?), Roy Amesty? Signing Greg to the max (or near that) could have some real impact across the roster and force some hard decisions.
Wow, some of you must have seasonal depression - can't see how this development is anything but good news! Hope springs eternal in Rip City!
Camby will be gone, either traded at the deadline, or they'll let him walk. The only way he stays in Portland is if they offer him one year at the vet minimum and he accepts it. It all really hinges on Roy. If they use the amnesty clause on him, it will free up a lot of bucks to spend on Oden and Felton, should they wish. Oden is playing for his next contract this season. Roy is playing for pride. Financially, he'd actually come out ahead if he was mediocre (or slightly worse) this season, Portland uses the amnesty clause on him and some other team picks him up on a small contract. BNM
Yes, I was banned from speaking to the media during the lockout, but I was hosting private workouts with other posters and partcicpated in a few charity threads to help keep in shape. BNM
There's no financial advantage. a waiver-wire contract becomes an offset paid to Portland. Roy doesn't get to double-dip (unless he cleared waivers).
