FA Capology

[Gregory Odegaard <grodeg@kalama.com>]

Per Mark's message: =20

The league will meet on 9/2 to resolve the Dudley-NY Knicks trade.  =
Again Dudley opted out of the last 3 years and 13MM of his deal with the =
Blazers, that at the time was a landmark in dealing with the cap.  When =
Dudley first signed with the Blazers in 93 it was for a minimum =
contract.  In 94 he then signed the mega deal (6 years 20MM+), which =
went to multiple arbitration hearings with the league.  The deal was =
upheld under the LBird rule.  Danny Manning and a couple of others =
tested this scenario as well.  Here in Portland, Dudley was always =
considered overpaid, making his opt out, even more unbelievable.  His =
agent convinced him he could, and he still might, be able to pull down =
more than the 4MM he was to be getting from Portland.  With Detroit =
using their money, he ran out of options. =20

Remember he is going from about 3MM to 275K, even worse than Cliff =
Robinson, going from 3.1MM to 1MM with Phoenix.  They are both hoping =
for the LB deal, Dudley with the Knicks.  This is where the caps =
separates the classes, very much like the NFL. =20

The argument is that his perceived value in the league is 3 to 4MM, and =
this is an obvious attempt to get around the cap.  The Knicks want the =
deal, with the LB rule intact.  What the Blazers get in return is not =
clear.  Maybe a FT shooter above 45%.

The bottom line is that the cap is marshmallow soft.  It is for the most =
part a joke.  I have noted before, because of some perceived slip, the =
Celtics had to release Fox.  The cap room was there, building up the =
perception of double standards. =20

By the way, I read today and before, that the FA class next year is not =
all that great (overated).  I agree.  McDyss, Joe Smith, Stackhouse et =
al.  The only players I am real high on are Stoudamire and Rasheed =
Wallace, neither of which will be lost by there free spending teams.  =
Any available player will go for 10MM+.  Talk about overpriced.  Do we =
really want to play this game, and further ruin any chances for quality =
value pick ups in the future?

As I have said before I feel we are set at 1 through 4, quality for =
years to come.  If RP and company can pick-up an all star caliber =
center, in the next two years we are set.

P.S. what is the bid deal about designating a player based on his all =
star status.  Cliff Robinson was an all star in 94, and just look at =
what this got him, in this soft FA year.