If Indy doesn't match I really like this signing. Best free agent we could get this off-season. Yes he will be highly paid, but it is only for 4 years. Rashard Lewis was signed for a 6 year deal at a higher amount. Also, "max" contracts are not all the same. A max contract for Hibbert is much smaller then an established veteran, or Kobe or whatnot. Hibbert is coming off a rookie contract so his max is around $15 million. Kobe earns over $30 million. Dirk earns way over $20 million. Players like Durant and soon to be Blake Griffin got the 30% designated player max which is also significantly higher then what Hibbert is eligible for. Posters throw around the term "max" as if its always a set amount but it varies greatly. Hibbert has one of the smallest "max" contracts you can get.
Hibbert is a RFA, they coudln't offer him in any draft day deals just like we couldn't offer hickson/Batum in any.
I'm excited over this news. Very excited. Imagine had we still been without a GM? Next: f**k OKC and go after Scott Brooks to coach this group! Lillard / Billups / Smith Elliot / Wes / Barton Batum / Babbitt / Claver LMA / Hickson Hibbert / Lennard
Why so? I thought he did very well until the loss in game 2 in the Finals. Then he had some issues with adjustments, etc. But on the whole, he had his players together as a "team" and appearing to be all on the same page. In any case, I doubt he will not sign a new contract with OKC today. In truth, I say we just give Kaleb a shot - providing we can't lure Jackson.
He has made 1 defensive adjustment in 3 years in the playoffs and suddenly he is getting all this praise. They are a horrible team from timeouts and the reason they are good isn't him but his players, the players like him so he stays as a headcoach who will make adjustments as often as Nate did, difference is he has more talent to work with.
Hibbert is a rare old-school center because he had an old-school teacher, Larry Bird. I know, Bird wasn't the coach, but he taught him a lot. Now that Bird's gone, Hibbert will stop progressing, even if he stays in Indiana with the same coach. Hibbert will now regress, whether in Indiana or here.
It's just like I credit Kevin McHale for Garnett's development, even though McHale was GM, not Coach. Auerbach--->Fitch--->Bird & McHale--->Hibbert & Garnett
Did you forget, McMillan sat Babbitt on the bench for 2 seasons? How else can Babbitt get the offensive flow when he's sitting there for two seasons. It pissed me off when Nate just had him play under 5 min in blow out wins. How else is Babbitt, Nolan Smith, etc get experience? Sure, I admit Babbit needs help on the defensive end but at least he hit 3's and did other scoring when he finally hit the floor without Nate McMillan game system in toe.
In the McMillan system without Roy, if you don't keep your starters in till the blowout's over, you blow the blowout. Man, I am glad that walking bag of contradictions is gone. Bonus: He took Pritchard with him! Yeah!
But this is pretty freaking cunning, though. Make the offer as early as possible. Force Indy's hand and eliminate them from going after guys that we're after too-- like Gordon.
Brilliant diversionary tactic. Offer the max to a player on each team which wants Gordon. While they scramble, we take Gordon.
not worth getting excited about. indi will cry about it, then match. just like we will with batum at 11M.
The Blazers are also making an ofer to Omer Asik. http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/221929/Blazers_To_Make_Contract_Offer_To_Omer_Asik
Interesting move. Center problem solved if we get him. We'd still have 11 mill left if we sign him to the max, after signing Lillard/Leonard. ( but not counting Batum's hold). That will be enough for Batum, and we have his bird rights. But by bye JJ Hickson.....if we had his bird rights, we could have gone over the cap to sign him for one year, knowing we could get Kurt Thomas, Nolan Smith and Shawn Williams off the books next year. Also, what does this mean for Joel Freeland? I'd like him to get get a backup role over Kurt Thomas, but it looks like we'd have to go over the cap to get him. Lillard/Smith Batum/Williams/Barton Matthews/Babbit/Williams LA/Thomas Hibbert/Leonard
What do we know about Indiana's ownership / priorities? Are they frugal? I know I heard that Hibbert was their #1 priority, but then they didn't offer him the max. Then again, as a RFA, why would you open with a max offer? Also, since they are after Gordon, it doesn't sound like they are huge cheapskates or anything. My guess is they match, right? I doubt KP wants to help Paul Allen out, although it could be Indiana's owner's call.
