Dampier is a quality big man and throughout all of free-agency was highly regarded and called the best center available. If the Clippers match the Suns offer to Q. Richardson then we have something in the range of 5.5-6.1 million to offer Damp. He now (with the Van Exel trade) can only sign with the Hawks and that is his only option, but I think if the Suns made him an offer he would sign in a heartbeat. Reasons being he could stay on the west coast, play for a quality team that has a legit chance at the playoffs, and he would have an oppertunity not to play for the Hawks. Do you think that the reason he is waiting so long to sign is because he is waiting on the offer from Q. Maybe the Suns have offered him a deal if the Q deal falls through like the Suns did with Ostertag (reported on www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/) This certainly is Intriguing, and has many questions and varibales involved. All in all I think if Q is matched this is more then a possibility. What does everyone else think?
I don't see Dampier coming to the Suns. The top runners for Dampier are the Knicks and the Hawks. If I'm not mistaken, the Hawks had just made them an offer. It's up in the air I think between the Hawks and the Knicks. The chances of Damp coming to the Suns is very slim. Best bigman out right now that's available, but I doubt that he comes here.
Well, the Suns might have a chance. The Warriors desperately need a small forward and since Phoenix is trying to move Shawn Marion, we could see a sign-and-trade between Golden State and Phoenix. The Suns would send Marion to Golden State in return for Dampier and Dunleavy. That is not a bad deal for both teams.
From Mark Stein: "Don't rule out Phoenix from the Erick Dampier chase. The Suns have liked Dampier from the start of free agency, and they could be back on the free-agent market next week if the Clippers, as expected, elect to match Phoenix's offer to restricted free agent Quentin Richardson. If the Clippers do match, Phoenix can present a contract to Dampier that starts above the $4.9 million mid-level exception. At present, unless New York can find a third team to get involved in a sign-and-trade with Golden State, Dampier can't get more than the mid-level from any team besides Atlanta. Working against the Suns: Dampier's preference for switching to the East". As I have stated if Damp is smart he will sign with Phoenix. No other team with the exception of Atlanta can offer him a bigger contract. I think Damp is smart though, he knows Atlanta and if he is all about the money it will be a perfect spot for him, but not a smart choice. Atlanta is a team that is at least 3-4 years away (it could take 30 years). I think though that Damp wants to win, and he has a great oppertunity in Phoenix. If he wants more money I think that we could possibly trade Howard Eisley or maybe Casey do free up Cap room for a bigger contract. We have a great chance to land Damp in my opinion.
in the GS forum they said that Damp's agent is on vacation. convenient for us and our waiting for the Q matching! this is good. if Damp has to accept an MLE type salary our offer to Q is just as good as the offer New York can make as GS is not willing to make a sign and trade for crappy contracts other people want to get rid of. our only competition for Damp is really the Clipps They can afford to get Q and Damp. Damp wants to make an all star game. Shaq is in the East and Yao is in the West. One available spot each side. Damp wants to win? Why go to the Hawks? Damp doesn't want to be the main man on a team (rumors)? Phoenix has Amare and Marion and Nash as the main men. At the beginning I never would have thought we had a chance based on what he was asking, but now that the market has fallen we might be the winners
That is exactly what I am saying. I think that Damp wants to win which is exactly why I believe he will not sign with the Hawks. He will look at a better situation like Phoenix. There is also no way he is going to the Clips. They invested a 1st round pick on Kaman last year and hope to see a much more productive player this year. Yes as I have said we have a great shot in Phoenix.
Bringin in Damp would give the Suns a complete line-up. Nash, JJ, Marion, Amare, Damp; with Barbosa, Casey, Lampe, Zarko, and Vroman coming off the bench. They will be a force to be reckoned with.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Downtown:</div><div class="quote_post">Bringin in Damp would give the Suns a complete line-up. Nash, JJ, Marion, Amare, Damp; with Barbosa, Casey, Lampe, Zarko, and Vroman coming off the bench. They will be a force to be reckoned with.</div> Aaaghhh... I hope we don't jinx it! Man I need to bust out my vcr and get it working, I've got night classes mon-thurs all this fall semester and likely in the spring as well. Gonna hate missing so many games. I may have to smuggle in a little am radio and sit in the back of the class. :mrgreen:
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting unbeliever:</div><div class="quote_post">Aaaghhh... I hope we don't jinx it! Man I need to bust out my vcr and get it working, I've got night classes mon-thurs all this fall semester and likely in the spring as well. Gonna hate missing so many games. I may have to smuggle in a little am radio and sit in the back of the class. :mrgreen:</div> I hear ya man. I have a helish year ahead of me at ASU. I need to tape most of the games
If I were the Suns I wouldnt bother trading Shawn Marion for Damp,while Shawn is still in his prime Damp could have played well last year because it was his contract year. Even though the Suns need a center I wouldnt go after Damp and pay him so much money,IMO he wont put up the same numbers he did last year.
