With Atlanta offering Kenyon Martin a max-deal (which he is yet to sign), you'd expect Denver to up the ante and offer a similar deal. As such, Nene and Nikoloz Tskitishvili could soon find themselves on the bench, or out of the rotation completely (or in the latter's case, even further down the bench). Anyway, there is an opportunity to grab a bargain here. Denver has failed to improve their SG position so far this summer, so could we possibly look at a Nene for Flip + change deal? (I realise I've just recently posted that we should trade Ray for SAR and keep Flip, but givent the choice between this deal and Ray's... I'd probably take this one). ANYWAY, if we were to look at such a deal, we'd be looking at a long-term big man rotation of Collison, Nene, Swift Alternatively, would Denver give up on Skita, and look at a deal for AD and draft-pick considerations? Skita is still a baby, but I have a feeling he's going to break out hardcorely as he gains more and more muscle. From all reports he was quite the gym rat over the last season, and his '7"1 frame could fill up sooner than we'd think. I doubt anyone in the Sonics head office has the foresight to look at such an opportunity, but this really is a mutually-beneficial deal that should be pounced upon.
There is no way that Denver would trade for Flip unless he got a contract extension. Right now he is making the league minimum for a third year player and best believe as an unrestricted free agent in 2005 he will be looking to cash in following this season. You don't trade post players for guards who are in the last year of their contracts. You know how opposed I am to trading Flip, but that would be a deal that would make sense for the Sonics. Nene could be a future all-star and he could definitely anchor our frontline for years to come. He is also physical enough to play center and give Collison more minutes at the four. I just hope that the Sonics don't trade Flip. As much as I love the Supes that would be a hard pill to swallow.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">There is no way that Denver would trade for Flip unless he got a contract extension. Right now he is making the league minimum for a third year player and best believe as an unrestricted free agent in 2005 he will be looking to cash in following this season. You don't trade post players for guards who are in the last year of their contracts. </div> I presume the "never trade big for small" convention would be broken in the event of Denver obtaining Martin, as Nene would be surplus to needs or he could very well demand a trade due to losing his starting position. It would also be attractive as they would gain a player a position that is currently their weakest - it would certainly round out their line-up quite nicely. Yeah, he'd probably have to be extended... but if I'm not mistaken, Denver would receive his Bird rights (presuming he is on a 3-year deal), and could therefore re-sign him with no impact on their cap. On a totally unrelated note... Kristaps Valters is on the summer league scene. Possibly on a roster next year?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RiverspoonJones:</div><div class="quote_post">On a totally unrelated note... Kristaps Valters is on the summer league scene. Possibly on a roster next year?</div> I played w/ him too when I was in Latvia. I know that he signed to play in Belgium next year, but I'm sure that if he played well enough in the summer league that he could buy his way out of that deal. He is a good player, but he is best served playing in Europe. He was on a marginal team in Greece and was not too impressive. He actually returned to Latvia midseason and played on his father's team w/ Biedrins.
I'd throw in our 2005 first rounder too if it meant landing Nene. Again, I doubt management would have the foresight to look at that, just as it seems we aren't going heavily after Brand or Wilcox (although we may be and it's somehow been kept quiet), but if Martin signs in Denver it does open up a few boards. Now I wait for Denver fans to come on here and tell us it's impossible. However I think Denver could get a lot more for Nene - they'd demand Ray I think, although Nene and Voshon Lenard probably isn't such a bad swap. Gain a prospect, and some caproom.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I have a feeling he's going to break out hardcorely as he gains more and more muscle. From all reports he was quite the gym rat over the last season, and his '7"1 frame could fill up sooner than we'd think.</div> With a newsnote in today's Times re: this deal (reportedly from the Denver Post), I'm a little worried this is actually going to happen. Especially since in the same article they mention the Jim McIlvaine $35 million deal orchestrated by Wally a few years back. I haven't seen anything from this kid that indicates he's anything more than a young Vladimir Stepania. Obviously he must have some skills being picked no. 5 but, as bad as it may be for Flip, the Sonics need some insurance if Ray Allen gets hurt as his history indicates.
