RE: Lamar Odom

["Kevin Crawford" <176012@msn.com>]

	Odom wasn't a higher ranked higher than McGrady for the draft .  He started 
out fairly high, but quickly fell while McGrady continued to move up.  Both 
started around 15th, but by the time the draft was near in nearly every report 
I saw McGrady was a top 10 prospect while Odom was in the lower 20's.  
However, he is a player with a lot of promise.  He definitely wouldn't start, 
but could give some help off the bench.  
	The rookie salary cap would not apply to McGrady.  The cap only applies to 
rookies who are drafted in the first round.  Any one who is drafted in the 
second round or left undrafted can be signed for any amount.  Therefore, Odom 
can sign for any amount on any team.  
	I have a question though.  Is there a rule about simply dropping out of 
college and signing with a NBA team.  I mean can  a kid not enter the draft 
and just sign with anyone?  It just doesn't sound right to me.  Because then 
say Tim Duncan really wanted to play for the Celtics.  Could he have simply 
not entered the draft and then signed with the Celtics as a FA and then in 
three years resign via the Larry Bird exception for big $$$.  Does any one 
know if there is a rule that a player must a least enter the NBA draft before 
he can be signed?   It seems as if there should be.

- -----Original Message-----
From:	owner-celtics@igtc.com  On Behalf Of smishra
Sent:	Saturday, July 26, 1997 9:02 AM
To:	celtics@igtc.com
Subject:	Lamar Odom

ESPN reported that Lamar Odom is pissed of by allegations of cheating etc
would like to pursue pro-career. This guy is 6' 9" and coming out of high
school was rated higher than Tracy McGrady. Pitino wanted an SF to fill the
void created by Fox's departure. This guy could be it..if the celtics could
get him, it will be a real feather in Pitino's cap.
Now clearly teams have to be under the cap to sign him. Teams likely to
compete for his services would be as under: Celtics, Cavaliers, Toronto,
Grizzlies, Clippers, Denver. 

Let's analyze the cap situation of these teams:
Celtics: After signing of two first rounders & Knight, the C's are 2.8 +
<amount by which the cap goes up>. I have not accounted for DeClercq
because that news could very well be a rumour.

Cavaliers : Last year they were about 4.5 under the cap, assuming that they
let Phills go, they will be 6.3 mill under the cap, accounting for their 2
first round draft picks. They will be left with most money i.e. 4.3 mil
under the cap.
Toronto: After signing Christie, Rogers and Williams + 1st round pick, they
hardly have any money left under the cap.
Grizz   : Same as Toronto <Big Country & Daniels>
Clippers: Marginally under the cap
Denver: Was under the cap but after signing Battie & Fortson will be
marginally under.

Based on this Cav's seem to be the only real competition.

One more question that merrits discussion is: Odom will be an FA, so should
the rookie salary cap apply to him? I belive it will, but I could be wrong.
What do you all think about Odom's potential and his liklihood of being a
celtic.
                                                                     -
Mishra