Not sure if they count as rumors, but I've seen multiple blog posts over the last few days linking him to the Heat (they are perpetually in search of a center), Knicks (to back up Chandler, but I think Dalembert wants a bigger role than that), Atlanta (this one makes the most sense, they have the cap room to offer him more than the room exception, he could start - which he wants to do, and they could move Al Horford to PF - which he wants to do). And finally, I have read one or two blog posts saying the Blazers are interested in Dalembert. I think this one is a long shot. He'd be stuck in a similar situation to what he was in Milwaukee last year - too many bigs, not enough minutes. We have Lopez as our starter and the team wants to develop Meyers Leonard. So, why would Dalembert come here to play 3rd stringer and get even fewer minutes (and less money) than he did in Milwaukee last season? If I had to guess where he'll end up, I'd rank his options as: Atlanta - more money, more minutes Heat - decent minutes, chance to win a ring Knicks - it's NY and at least he'd have a clearly defined role as the back-up to Chandler Blazers - just don't see it happening, he can get as much, or more money, and more minutes elsewhere BNM
Maybe I'm overvaluing him, but I can't imagine Dalembert settling for so little money and I don't think he'd be the best fit given the current composition of our roster. The team probably needs another big man who can slide between the 4 and the 5, since whomever they sign is likely to be an emergency player anyway -- Ronny Turiaf or somebody along those lines.
I would agree with you, but players are getting 5 mil contracts. AND those players looked way more valuable than Dalembert.
7 footers who are coordinated enough to walk without tripping usually get paid about 3X as much as a 6'9" player of similar skill/talent.
Leonard can't play any defense and Lopez is a below average starting center so I think Dalembert would have a real chance to compete for a large role. Miami would give him a better role but they only have the minimum. On the Knicks he'd be a backup. Atlanta has Horford and Millsap who are clearly ahead of him. Yes I agree Atlanta might have the best combo of available playing time and money. Sounds like they are going after bigger free agents first so in the end they may only have the room exception like us. Well I hope Olshey can pull it off.
Oh I don't disagree. I give them a hell of a lot of value too. Just this summer has been weird. Players you think should get tons of money aren't and those that you assume would be middle of the pack get 12 mil.
Hmm I'm not sure what that would be? I don't think we'd get a starter much better than Wes. Maybe Danny Granger? But he could leave after the season.
That's what I'm thinking. I think the teams offering the big contracts don't fully understand the new CBA and it will bite them. Smart teams are offering the right type of deals. A 12 mil deal for a old CBA is around 10 mil for the new. The way it should be. I think the smart teams will be in a very nice position in 2 years.
I wouldn't mind taking a chance on Granger actually and move Batum to 2. If it doesn't work out; we just added 10 more mil in cap space next summer. But I'd rather have a player with a 2 year left contract. They would all expire when Aldridge expires. If Aldridge does bolt, then we will have a lot of money to reload.
I think Dalembert could easily be the starter. Makes Lopez/Leonard a trade chip - I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if we traded Lopez if we somehow got Dalembert. I see very little chance of us trading Wes anytime before the Trade Deadline - and even then I think the chances are slim...unless we're getting a starting-quality SG in return, which wouldn't really make sense.
I'm all for adding more depth than it appears we need right now. How many years have we thought there is no way all of our guys will get enough minutes, then we have an injury, another player has a disappointing season, then all of a sudden we have to play guys big minutes who shouldn’t be on the court at all. TRob was traded for second rounders, heck I love his upside but there is a chance he is not ready for minutes. Meyers was not ready for minutes last year. Although Robin Lopez was healthy last season he’s missed a lot of time with injuries in other years. Sure I’m hopeful each of our guys pans out but chances are one or more will be injured and I don’t want us to be forced to put Freeland in the rotation or watch Meyers play 35 mpg.
Problem is, Dalembert would never sign here unless we offered him more money and he knew ahead of time he'd be the starter, or at least get significant minutes. BNM
I agree with all that, but it's a moot point - in this case. Without a clearly defined role as a starter or key reserve who is part of the regular rotation, Dalembert will not sign with the Blazers. There are other situations that are a much better fit for what he wants (more money, more minutes). BNM
