Re: more Wyc - green team, greenback, green all the way

[Mark Piotrowski <markp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Feb 19, 2004, at 12:39 PM, Mark Piotrowski wrote:

> > He said they offered the MLE last year to Karl Malone, but he turned 
> > them down, and he said this year there is a group of Free Agents they 
> > will offer it too.
> >
> > He said that the group of owners has deep pockets pretty much and are 
> > willing to spend it.
>
> This is great -- but there is a difference between spending wisely 
> (see Detroit) and spending for spendings sake (see Philadelphia, 
> Orlando).  Which way wil we go?
>
> There's been talk by Ainge and Wyc about the MLE this summer.  i'm 
> glad to hear it, but nervous about the prospects.  Who is worth it?  
> here's most of the possibilities -- see end of msg for the full list 
> of FA's this summer (from Real GM)
>
> Antonio McDyess -- with his health issues is he worth the gamble? maybe
> Brent Barry -- worth the MLE? eh...
> Carlos Arroyo -- good young PG but Utah will probably pay more
> Darius Miles -- Portland probably lets walk with SAR on board, but 
> again is he worth the MLE? maybe
> Eric Williams -- winds up wherever Obie is huh?  I'd welcome back 
> gladly but I'm guessing Cleveland resigns him
> Gordan Giricek -- doesn't fill a need, let someone else overpay
> Keon Clark -- hasn't played all year, i'm begining to think he's this 
> year's version of Yogi Stewart (flash-in the pan)
> Manu Ginobili, Mehmet Okur -- someone pays much more for each 
> (probably SA & Det respectively)
> Rasheed Wallace -- all but signed, sealed and delivered to NY
> Ron Mercer -- definitely regressed, we don't really need another SG/SF
> Stromile Swift -- may become unrestricted FA if left unprotected in 
> expansion draft; I'd give him the MLE i guess, but someone will 
> overpay for him I'd also guess
> Toni Kukoc -- is it worth it at this point?  why wouldn't he stay in 
> Milwaukee?
>
> Kenyon Martin, Jamal Crawford, Quientin Richardson, et al -- MLE won't 
> fetch any restricted FA's
>
> There are other players i wouldn't mind adding at the Vet Min (a la 
> Erick Strickland a few years bakc, or the Lakers gave Malone) like Wes 
> Person, Donnell Harvey, Michael Doleac as backups, but overall this 
> Free Agent class is pretty weak.

I omitted a few players who have options they may exercise:

Kobe -- ha ha
Steve Nash -- Dallas keeps him or he goes for more money elsewehre
Marcus Camby -- I imagine Denver keeps him or he doesnt opt out
Dampier -- someone will pay more than the MLE for him
Gary Payton -- if Kobe leaves and Malone hangs it up, i wonder it he'd 
come here for the MLE -- doubtful.
Sprewell -- doubt he opts out
Kurt Thomas -- he'd be well worth the MLE, but I think he ends up back 
in Dallas if he does opt out.

the pickins are still not too rich.

(the other) mark