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Vecsey's Back
No Celtics material, but then you can't have everything...
NY Post http://www.nypostonline.com
SHANDON WON'T
GO BACK TO UTAH
By PETER VECSEY
<snips>
OF ALL THE remaining unsigned free agents, Shandon Anderson is
the only one of consequence who doesn't figure to return to
his parent team.
John Stockton is on the verge of re-signing a substantial (10
million per) multi-year deal with the Jazz. You know Jeff
Hornacek is soon to follow for shorter money and less time.
Corliss Williamson, I assume, is in line to get rewarded by
the Kings for taking a huge pay cut (500G) last season so they
could sign Vlade Divac. And any minute now Charles Barkley is
going to startle us with the announcement he's rejoined the
Rockets for the wink deal (1-year, $14M), he and Houston owner
Les Alexander agreed to prior to last season.
Meanwhile, say sources, Anderson has whittled his choices down
to the Rockets and the Pacers. Both aren't able to financially
compete with the Jazz - the team the 6-6 forward has performed
a vital reserve role for over the last three seasons since
being selected No. 54 in the '96 draft, and a major building
block for the future - yet are in superior position to win the
non-bidding conflict.
How can that be? Because, like Anderson's former Jazz boss
Scott Layden, who was recently recruited to be the Knick GM,
he "wants to move into a different environment and grow up."
In other words, Anderson's feelings are battered and bruised,
allegedly beyond repair. The Jazz, it seems, failed to
demonstrate the proper economic respect he demands. Somewhere
in the vicinity of $7M per for seven years. Owner Larry Miller
is reportedly offering in the neighborhood of $4M per for five
years.
Free agents trapped without sound options tend to swallow
their pride and eat the meal put in front of them. Anderson is
telling NBA players he's working out with in Atlanta he's
prepared to take half that amount, if necessary, from either
the Rockets or the Pacers.
The Pacers actually have Antonio Davis' $4.5M exception (43M
over seven) on the back shelf. But in order for Anderson to
get it, the Jazz would have to agree to a sign-and-trade
(Derrick McKey and Travis Best) deal. According to Miller's
comments several weeks ago, that's not going to happen; if he
wants to leave, that's his business, but it's bad business for
the team to take back a lesser player(s) just for the sake of
getting something in return.
Naturally, Miller believes Anderson is bluffing. After years
upon years of renegotiating with Karl Malone's ego, he can't
fathom a player taking half of what can be pocketed in Utah.
Within a week or so, we should know if Anderson really does
have the moves, or whether he'll go for Miller's head fake.
From what I'm told, Anderson is on his way to Houston for one
final visit before he makes up his mind between the Rockets
and Pacers. Both are preaching up-tempo this season, which
certainly appeals to Anderson's athleticism and versatility at
off-guard and small forward. The proof is the addition of
Steve Francis in Houston and Jonathan Bender in Indiana, but
only the Rockets can offer quality and quantity minutes.
Anderson obviously would fit in flawlessly with either team,
whereas his departure from Utah is certain to damage the Jazz
almost as much as Olden Polynice's arrival.
*
LARRY Brown has offered John Calipari an assistant's job for
this season, sources reveal, and the former Nets coach, who
worked under Brown at Kansas, has tentatively accepted. The
only way it won't happen is if some succulent head spot in the
pros or college suddenly materializes and he'd be a fool to
turn down the opportunity. As a 76er assistant, the Nets are
still obligated to pay Calipari the final two years of $3M per
contract.
Terry Cummings, arguably the Warriors' MVP last season,
re-signed yesterday for another two years at $2.5M per. And to
think the only reason the 38-year-old commander of respect and
administrator of discipline was thrown into the Latrell
Sprewell trade was for salary-cap purposes ... The Suns and
Wizards are battling it out for Corie Blount's esteemed power
forward services, with the Lakers and Pacers right behind.
What is Orlando doing accumulating 20 guaranteed contracts
comprised of talented youngsters and veterans, for the most
part, on the end of the contracts? Accruing salary cap room
for next summer in order to romance either Tim Duncan or Grant
Hill, or both. As of today, they'll have roughly $12M to
invest in one or the other. Move Chris Gatling, as they're
trying to do, and add another $5.5M to that figure.
The Blazers are receiving all sorts of offers for Kelvin Cato.
Nobody would like to have him more than the Bucks, should
Portland want Ervin Johnson in return ... The Raptors are
offering to broker a three-way deal regarding Sherman Douglas.
The Heat, Pacers and Nets are interested. The Clips were not
interested in a sign-and-trade involving Eric Murdock and
Elliott Perry for Douglas.
Look for the Clippers to release Pooh Richardson next week
despite owing him almost $4M on the final year of his
contract. Meaning Troy Hudson, a counterfeit Iverson, is
L.A.'s starting point and its backup as well. That's what I
love about the Paper Clips; they compare their players to
their own players and determine their competence (Hudson was
discovered in the CBA last season), instead of comparing them
to the other players in the league.