Wow, wasn't ready for that one.... 50, KJR'S Locked on Sports has learned that Damien Wilkins turned down a $16 million dollar deal from the Portland Trailblazers. Therefore, there must be another team that is offering Wilkins a big money contract. The popular opinion around the league is that Atlanta may turn to Wilkins. The Hawks have made inroads to Joe Johnson, but the Suns have altered their roster to make sure they can pay Johnson what offer sheet he receives. The Sonics are positing themselves to make sure they can match offers to Wilkins http://www.lockedonsports.blogspot.com/ First off, I can't believe he didn't sign that offersheet - and second, I can't believe we would think about matching a deal that big. The "sonics are positioning themselves to make sure they can match offers to Wilkins" line really scares me. I guess what really bothers me about this whole thing, is that we've heard absolutely nothing about trying to resign Reggie, and probably rightly so if mgmt's goal is to play Nick alot next season as well as bring back Vladi - but we've heard all kinds of speculation about matching what looks like its going to be a very significant offer for a player who will be fighting for minutes with Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, and Vladimir Radmonovic (our core ). Makes absolutely no sense - both that he would turn this offer down and that we would at all consider matching it. At least Reggie has proven he has top-o-the-line rebounding skills. We haven't even seen a full season out of Damien yet!
Either he wants to come back to Seattle for less money, or some other team is going to offer him a ridiculous contract.
What happened to his 'intense loyalty' to coach Nate? Surely 16 mil + Nate has got to be a no brainer for Damien.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">What happened to his 'intense loyalty' to coach Nate? Surely 16 mil + Nate has got to be a no brainer for Damien.</div> Maybe he wants to be loyal to the team that gave him a chance and take less money, ala Udonis Haslem. That, or some team is just really stupid and going to offer like 18-20 Million or something.
Why on earth would Atlanta pay him big money? They justified going after Johnson by saying they wanted him to play point guard, but where is Damien going to fit? Childress, both Smiths, Harrington, Diaw and now Williams. Unless we're planning a sign and trade with Diaw, I can't see why Atlanta would show any interest. I reckon he wants to come back and play for Bobby and give the management back something, but we may have to pay him more than originally hoped.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">Why on earth would Atlanta pay him big money? They justified going after Johnson by saying they wanted him to play point guard, but where is Damien going to fit? Childress, both Smiths, Harrington, Diaw and now Williams. Unless we're planning a sign and trade with Diaw, I can't see why Atlanta would show any interest. I reckon he wants to come back and play for Bobby and give the management back something, but we may have to pay him more than originally hoped.</div> I don't get the ATL angle either - much like I don't get UTA giving up on Snyder for a year of Tag??? Matching a deal like this the death of any hope to sign a decent vet C though. Having to use part of the MLE to sign Damien isn't helping our situation at all - I didn't mind it as much when I thought we'd be able to split it between a guy like Dixon/or Wilkens and then have a chance to go out and get Dale Davis (I think you can do that?) - but I was anticipating snagging Damien for a deal similiar to wha Dixon signed, 3 yr 8mil.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe the Hawks link is something to do with his uncle?</div> Hmm hadn't thought of that angle. But with rumors that Joe Johnson wants out of Phoenix to sign with the Hawks, that makes it even more crowded although I heard a rumor that Joe would play the 1 (?).
^ Yeah I was thinking of the Hawks also, maybe if Joe doesnt sign to the Hawks, then the Hawks will go ahead and pick up Wilkins..
