How about Detlef, y'all?

[CeltsSteve@aol.com]

Interesting story about Detlef Schrempf's future in Seattle from today's 
Seattle Post-Intelligencer.  If the Sonics renounce their rights to him so 
they can get under the cap and in turn only offer him the NBA minimum of $1 
million based upon his number of years in the league, why not go after him 
with the $2 million exception slot? He'd be the perfect scorer off the bench 
to anchor the 2nd unit and even though he's 36, he's still got game! 

He'd be a wonderful, veteran addition to this young club!    Anyway, here's 
the skinny in it's entirety:



Sonics mull future of Schrempf 

Wednesday, July 14, 1999

By RONALD TILLERY 
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER 




The ambivalence surrounding Detlef Schrempf's future with the Sonics is not 
just one-sided.

Faced with the need to get younger and more athletic as they court free-agent 
prospects, the Sonics are deciding whether to renounce their rights to 
Schrempf, a 36-year-old free-agent forward.

Schrempf, who has remained noncommittal about his intentions to re-sign with 
the Sonics, may have to accept the league minimum to return.

Teams began talking with free agents July 1. However, contracts cannot be 
signed until Aug. 1.

Sonics president Wally Walker already has talked about needing $3.5 million 
to lure a quality free agent. If the Sonics are to drop $3.5 million below 
the salary cap, they must renounce their rights to Schrempf, who counts $5 
million against the team's cap. 

Keeping the rights to Schrempf would mean the Sonics will remain over the $34 
million cap. The team then would have both allowable exceptions -- the 
"middle class" ($2 million) and the "million dollar" ($1.1 million) -- to use 
on free agents. But because teams cannot use both exceptions on the same free 
agent, the Sonics could add a more valuable player by renouncing Schrempf to 
get under the cap.

They are looking for somebody who can score off the dribble and shoot. 
Versatility is also a requirement in coach Paul Westphal's system. The Sonics 
hope to land a player who can operate at guard and small forward.

Dallas' Cedric Ceballos and Utah's Shandon Anderson rate high on the Sonics' 
list. Others available are Cleveland's Cedric Henderson, Houston's Sam Mack, 
the L.A. Clippers' Lamond Murray and San Antonio's Jaren Jackson.

Westphal also needs an experienced point guard and center. The Sonics will 
inquire about ballhandlers B.J. Armstrong of Orlando and Gary Grant of 
Portland.

Whoever the Sonics sign at center likely will be a minimum-salary player such 
as Olden Polynice, signed last season to a one-year contract.

Polynice is not expected to return. The futures of Aaron Williams, Drew Barry 
and John Crotty are also in doubt.

Schrempf, though, presents somewhat of a dilemma.

Because he has played under the same contract for three seasons, the Sonics 
could re-sign him under the Bird Exception, which allows teams to pay players 
any amount exceeding the salary cap.

Renouncing Schrempf would mean he loses his "Bird" rights. The Sonics then 
could offer him whatever they have under the salary cap.

Another option is offering Schrempf $1 million -- the minimum salary for a 
player with 10 or more years of experience.

Shrempf earned $3.3 million in the final season of a five-year deal with the 
Sonics. Because of his Bird status, 150 percent of last season's salary 
counts against the Sonics' salary cap this summer.

Now the Sonics must weigh Schrempf's worth against their chances of signing 
an impact player in free agency.

Schrempf was arguably the most efficient Sonic last season. He averaged 15 
points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and played in all 50 games. His 47 percent 
shooting led all starters.

OFFER FOR McCOY: The Sonics have tendered a qualifying offer of $535,000 to 
free agent Jelani McCoy. The second-year forward/center, who turned heads 
with his aggressive play for the Sonics late last season, has until Aug. 7 to 
accept the offer. McCoy is playing with the Sonics entry in the Los Angeles 
and Boston summer leagues. He can negotiate with any team, though the Sonics 
have right of first refusal. McCoy earned the league minimum ($287,500)
last season.

 <A HREF="http://www.seattle-pi.com/sports/sonx141.shtml">Sonics mull future 
of Schrempf
</A>