<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Although Atlanta officials met yesterday with Golden State center Erick Dampier, a knowledgeable NBA source said the Hawks are expected to pass on the unrestricted free agent in favor of making a major offer to Memphis forward Stromile Swift. In that case, it's likely agent Dan Fegan will push Warriors general manager Chris Mullin to trade Dampier to the Knicks. Mullin yesterday denied a published report that said he already had agreed to trade Dampier to the Knicks for center Nazr Mohammed and forward Othella Harrington. "It's all speculation," Mullin told Bay Area reporters at a news conference introducing Warriors point guard Derek Fisher. "Nothing is imminent right now ... We're talking to several other teams. When something becomes clear, we're going to regroup and go from there." Dampier met with the Hawks in Salt Lake City, where Atlanta is participating in summer- league play. Although the Hawks have the salary-cap room to offer Dampier a maximum-salary deal, they might be leery of his work ethic. Swift is a restricted free agent, so Memphis has the right to match any offer, but the Grizzlies might not overpay to keep him. The Knicks have offered the Warriors Mohammed and Harrington for Dampier, who would sign a long-term deal starting at $9 million and then be traded to the Knicks. Their salaries match under NBA guidelines, and they meet Mullin's requirement that he take back no long contracts. Mohammed has two more years, and Harrington is entering the last season of his deal. Indiana and Memphis also are interested in Dampier, but Mullin has a close relationship with Fegan, who would prefer to have Dampier in New York if the Hawks don't make a substantial offer. Fegan did Mullin a favor by having Dampier opt out of his contract. The agent also has two other Warriors, Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy, coming up for contract extensions, and Mullin would like to retain them. But if the Knicks think they would be getting a player who can stop Heat center Shaquille O'Neal, they might want to consider Dampier's numbers in 17 starts against O'Neal, whose team was 12-5. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, O'Neal shot 58.4 percent from the field and averaged 25.1 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.9 blocks. Dampier shot 39.8 percent with 7.8 points and 7.1 rebounds. </div> Link
If they aquire swift yes it would be a big signing, but passing on damier for swift was a huge mistake. They can make stromile a huge offer, but most likely jerry west isnt a dumb guy wont let swift slip out of memphis without at least getting a sign and trade deal done with the hawks. Then if he does do that it may force the hawks into giving up one of the few talented players they have under contract. Also alot of people will also make an offer at swift so they have to have a huge offer ready. Dont no if the lakers are still tring to obtain him, but this is all speculation right now since he is restricted while dampier was unrestricted. You sign him you would have known right away you got your man.
Thanks atl Gm's for trying Well atl has alot of cap space so they will be able to offer stromile a huge contract. And by the way is not Stromile alot younger than dampier which is always good in my book. hopefully the Grizzlies wont try any f stuff and force a sign and trade. because i think that would be just gay ( very buisiness like and understandable) compared to before. <u>Hawks <font size="4">Power</font> forwards</u> <font size="4"><u>Stromile Harrington</u></font> <font size="4"><u>Very decent</u></font> <u><font size="4"></font></u> <u><font size="4"></font></u>
I don't think that the grizzlies would match if it was a pretty large contract (7million and over). If they try to get him for the MLE then the grizzlies have stated they'll match, but i don't think the hawks were thinking of that so thats not a big concern. Who cares about dampier, hes 30 years old or something, so he probably won't be as successful as a cent for much longer, whereas swift is like 25 or 24, so even though he hasn't been as amazing as you'd expect from a 2nd overall pick, theres still time for him to develope his amazing athleticism.
I would love for Stromile Swift to be a hawk, if that came true I would be a sole hawks fan. Stro is the man, I think he's better than Dampier because Dampier's had only one good year and Stro has had a few good years and has a good work ethic while at the same time being a lot younger than Dampier. Ima take Stromile Swift over Dampier anyday.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe I've misheard, but doesn't Stromile have bad work ethic?</div> Yes. He has an extremely bad work ethic. If the Hawks sign him for any more than MLE they are foolish. He'd be a good starting Center in the East.... for about five games. He's very inconsistant. He told the Memphis media that some nights he just doesn't feel like playing hard. There's also rumors that he's addicted to marijuana because of his smell, appearance, and all his missed practices. He hasn't proved anything or lived up to any of his hype. He was the #2 pick in the weakest draft of all-time, and that was soley based on potential which he hasn't fulfilled. I wouldn't be mad if the Grizzlies resigned him at MLE, but that right there is the line for someone who has proven next to nothing as a #2 pick. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting buckets_42:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know so i just put in he has a good one to sound intelligent </div> Please don't do that again. Stromile is lazy and has not had one good season yet.
So are these rumours of Jerry West being a big fan of Stro's false then? Atlanta just need to offer more than the MLE really, but I think that's overpaying for someone who really hasn't made many steps forward at all in the league. Paying for potential might be OK if they've only had a year or two in the league, but Swift went second in the same draft that provided Kenyon Martin, Desmond Mason and Quentin Richardson. Very weak draft I know, but that gives an indication of where Stro is at as a player. He's not a rookie anymore.
Voodoo Child, I will keep that in mind next time and chek my stuff before I post it. I also that Jerry West was really high on Stromile Swift? I dont get what the exceptions are, like the MLE and stuff... Can someone explain it to me?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting buckets_42:</div><div class="quote_post">Voodoo Child, I will keep that in mind next time and chek my stuff before I post it. I also that Jerry West was really high on Stromile Swift? I dont get what the exceptions are, like the MLE and stuff... Can someone explain it to me?</div> I think west is probable impressed by swift's athletism. Though west isn't stupid if they offer him more money than he deserves he will not continue to perssue him or try to match any offer to him. He doesnt make wrong reads (jerry west) if he doesnt match an offer to a guy either the guy will never be great or doesnt deserve that type of cash money.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post">I think west is probable impressed by swift's athletism. Though west isn't stupid if they offer him more money than he deserves he will not continue to perssue him or try to match any offer to him. He doesnt make wrong reads (jerry west) if he doesnt match an offer to a guy either the guy will never be great or doesnt deserve that type of cash money.</div> So your saying Swift will never be a great player if Jerry West doesn't match any offer he recieves?
