Re: Will Perdue, anyone?

["CeltsSteve" <celtssteve@mindspring.com>]

I'll defer to your assertion that the Spurs have officially been given the
medical exemption for Elliot from the league. I hadn't heard that it was
official but I'll take your word. Let's see who they can get that is still
available to give them all the qualities you believe they are searching for
at that price; i.e. " a great first step AND 3-point range."  If such a
player is still available, he'll likely command well in excess of the $2
million plus medical exemption slot created by Elliot's condition.

Based uponyour definition of 'negative trade value' ("I think of anyone who
would be waived if he didn't have a guaranteed contract as having negative
trade value"), that could easily apply to over 25% - or more - of the entire
NBA.

 I do agree with you that a Cheaney for Perdue trade won't occur nor would I
be an advocate of such a deal.


----- Original Message -----
From: Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>
To: CeltsSteve <celtssteve@mindspring.com>; <celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 07, 1999 12:05 PM
Subject: Re: Will Perdue, anyone?


> The Spurs in fact have a medical exemption due to Sean Elliot's condition
> that is bigger than the $2M exception.
>
> And Williams does indeed have negative trade value. I think of anyone who
> would be waived if he didn't have a guaranteed contract as having negative
> trade value, and Williams fits the bill. His contract is just way out of
> proportion to what people view as his ability right now. Why do you think
> Denver is willing to pay $3M of his salary? Because Pitino said, "If you
> want us to take on Eric Williams' overpriced contract, you're going to
> have to share the cost with us. Otherwise no deal."
>
> Now if Pitino can get his career back on track and he can prove that he's
> completely over his injury, he may regain some trade value, which is
> what has happened with Barros and Minor before his injury. But let's not
> delude ourselves into thinking that Williams can get us Perdue right now.
> If we throw in a first rounder, I could see it happening because the Spurs
> do need to look to the future and they would still have their medical
> exemption to get a proven performer.
>
> The closest comparison I can think of is Chris Dudley who was a bit
younger
> than Perdue at the time of the trade, and a very similar player. It cost
> New York John Wallace and a first rounder, if I remember correctly.
> Wallace had better prospects and a more favorable contract than Williams
> did, but our first rounder may be better. Personally, I don't think it's
> worth it for someone who will only help short-term.
>
> And I don't think that the Spurs would want Washington either. As you say,
> Kerr is one-dimensional, but it's a dimension that the Spurs can use and
> that Kerr is one of the best ever at. His career 3 point percentage is
> 10% better than Eric Washington's. And the reason I say that the Spurs
> need a perimeter player is that they need to space their floor for their
> two big men to work. Williams, who has no three point range, does not fit
> the bill. Elliott had both three point shooting ability and a great first
> step which made him ideal. Williams doesn't have the outside shooting
> ability that they need.
>
> Greg, I think, mentioned Cheaney as a possibility, which I could see the
> Spurs being more likely to go for. I still wouldn't do this trade though.
> A guy chooses Boston over several other options and you trade him right
> away to a team he turned down? Nah. Anyways this is a pointless debate
> because it's just not going to happen. If it does, you're free to say
> "I told you so."
>
> Alex
>
> > Alex,
> >
> > There is such a thing as "leverage".  The Spurs don't have cap room so
they
> > are very limited in what they could sign in the free agent market and
they
> > are finding that out. Since they used their $ 2 million exception on
Terry
> > Porter, all they have left is their $1.1 million slot. Obviously, they
> > aren't finding any "quality" guys to take that slot. Couple that with
the
> > fact Will Perdue is not exactly at the peak of his career, either. He's
34
> > years old and  may have 2 - 3 years left in the tank  Williams, on the
other
> > hand, is 27.  While he doesn't have huge trade value, I disagree that he
has
> > "negative" trade value. He would compliment what Jaren Jackson brings to
the
> > party in that JJ is strictly a perimeter guy and Williams is a slasher
that
> > gets to the line (and can convert his FTs) as good as anybody in the
league.
> > By the way, how much more would you say  Elie has left in his tank?
> >
> > To your point of wanting an outside shooter to compliment Duncan and
> > Robinson's inside game: I say fine  - add Eric Washington into the trade
> > discussion/equation.  He's 6 ' 4" and can also defend. Contrast that
with a
> > one-dimensional guy like Steve Kerr who can shoot and do little else.
> >
> > If I'm the Spurs, I don't think I  would just unequivocally  say "NO" to
a
> > Williams/Washington proposal for Perdue.
>