Thursday Insider

[Traceman]

Thursday, July 29, 2004

By Chad Ford

ESPN Insider

Chat with NBA Insider Chad Ford at 1 p.m. ET today.

Will the Clippers match the Suns' offer sheet for Quentin Richardson? That's the

question on everyone's mind this morning as the 15-day window for the Clippers

to respond to the Suns' offer sheet expires Thursday at midnight eastern.

With most of the free-agent dollars dried up, several teams and player agents

are waiting with bated breath for the decision.

The Clippers, as of late Wednesday night, still weren't willing to divulge their

decision. Sources have been maintaining for more than a week that the Clippers

were leaning heavily toward matching the offer. However, a number of trade

scenarios have popped up over the past few days that could convince the Clippers

not to match in an effort to preserve their cap space for a deal down the road.

A league source told Insider on Wednesday that Richardson had not had any

contact with the Clippers since he signed the offer sheet.

"You'd think, if they wanted him back, they would've at least tried to give him

a little love after the Kobe thing fell through," the source told Insider.

"Everyone knew they were after Kobe, but after he chose the Lakers, I think he

expected the Clippers to reach out."

Quentin Richardson

Shooting Guard

Los Angeles Clippers

Profile

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Richardson's six-year, $42.6 million offer sheet is pretty reasonable --

especially given the out-of-control market this summer. His starting salary of

$5.8 million is barely more than the mid-level exception and $1.2 million less

than Corey Maggette's starting salary last season. However, Insider has learned

that his contract does have a few clauses in it that have given the Clippers

pause.

Richardson's contract stipulates that 70 percent of his first-year salary has to

be paid to him on Aug. 15th. The contract also has a 15 percent trade kicker in

it. The Clippers matched similar-type offers for Elton Brand and Maggette last

season. Will it scare them away from Q?

The Suns don't know either.

"I'm not sure what their going to do," Suns GM Bryan Colengelo told Insider

Wednesday afternoon. "We're waiting like everyone else. I think he'd be a great

fit on our basketball team. But we have contingency plans in place in the event

that they match."

If the Clippers match, suddenly the Suns become players in the free-agent market

again. Warriors free-agent center Erick Dampier has been waiting for over a week

to see what happens with Phoenix. The Suns still need a big man and Dampier

would be a good fit, especially if he's willing to sign outright for the $5.8

million in cap space the team has.

If he's not, the Suns may still be able to work out a sign-and-trade. If the

Warriors were willing to take back center Jake Voskuhl (2 years, $3.57

remaining), he could do a sign-and-trade for a starting salary of $7.4 million.

Given that the Warriors can give him 12.5 percent raises, he could end up with a

contract of five years, $44 million or six years, $55 million depending on how

high the Suns were willing to go. The Suns aren't willing to break the bank for

him.

Dampier isn't the only option for the Suns. Stromile Swift is still looking for

an offer sheet, though it appears likely the Grizzlies would match a six-year,

$42.6 million offer sheet. Other top-tier free agents like Darius Miles are also

looking for a home.

If the Clippers choose not to match, the Suns are capped out, but the Clippers

would have roughly $13.2 million in cap space to use. That number goes down to

$7.4 million if the team matches.

A number of free agents have targeted the Clippers as have several teams trying

to cut cap and work out a trade. Most notably, the Nets have been trying to work

out a deal that would send Kerry Kittles (and the one year, $10.3 million left

on his contract) to the Clippers in an effort to get even further under the

salary cap. Why would the Clippers pay Kittles $10.3 million but refuse to pay

Richardson (arguably the better player) $5.8 million next year? With Kittles and

Marko Jaric coming off the books next summer, the Clippers would have max cap

room to play with again next year.

Around the League

More restricted news: Only five other restricted free agents have signed offer

sheets with teams. Mehmet Okur signed one with the Jazz. The Pistons withdrew

their qualifying offer from Okur when they signed Rasheed Wallace and Okur

signed with the Jazz on Monday. The Wizards matched the Bucks' offer to Etan

Thomas. The Cavs will be unable to match the Jazz's offer to Carlos Boozer and

he's expected to formally sign today.

The Raptors have decided to match the Hornets' three-year, $15 million offer to

Mo Peterson, according to several reports. They are expected to announce their

decision today. The other outstanding offer is the Blazers' four-year, $27

million offer sheet to Trenton Hassell. The Timberwolves have until Aug. 10 to

match the offer.

More options for Damp? If the Suns end up landing Richardson or, if they can't

work out a quick deal with Dampier, look for Dampier to land in either New York

or Atlanta by early next week.

The Knicks have reportedly upped their offer to Golden State, offering Kurt

Thomas and Othella Harrington (who is in the last year of his contract) to the

Warriors for Dampier in a sign-and-trade. Thomas could provide the Warriors with

a much-needed veteran presence at the four, though Chris Mullin might balk at

the five years, $36.8 million left on his contract.

If things don't go that way, Dampier will likely sign the Hawks' offer. The

Hawks have, according to sources, upped their offer to Dampier now that they've

received considerable trade interest from several teams, including the

Grizzlies. The Warriors may not be interested in doing a sign-and-trade, but the

Hawks wouldn't be averse to signing Dampier and then trading him. If they sign

Dampier, they won't be able to trade him until Dec. 15.

There's always the risk, given his history, that Dampier will get injured and

become untradeable before the deadline. But if he goes to Atlanta and plays well

for a few months, it may convince a team like the Grizzlies or Pacers to make a

trade that could help fill a number of holes that the Hawks have.

Miles, Abdur-Rahim blazing in Portland: Lost in the Shareef Abdur-Rahim trade

demand on Tuesday was a subtle hint as to why restricted free agent Darius Miles

and the Blazers aren't even close to an agreement.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim

Power Forward

Portland Trail Blazers

Profile

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According to Abdur-Rahim and coach Maurice Cheeks, the Blazers are offering

Shareef Miles' job at the three. Miles started 42 games at small forward for the

Blazers last season, averaging 12.6 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 28 mpg. By the end of the

season, he'd upped his averages to 14.1 ppg and 5.1 rpg. Not too shabby.

Last season, Cheeks clearly preferred Miles to Abdur-Rahim and it was tough to

argue with the results. The team went 24-16 with Miles in the starting lineup, a

dramatic improvement from where it began the season.

Abdur-Rahim averaged 10 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 23 mpg coming off the bench. However,

his production steadily fell off as the season wore on. By April, he was

averaging just 7.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg in 17.8 mpg.

Why the sudden change of heart from Cheeks? Even Abdur-Rahim doesn't get it.

Darius Miles

Guard-Forward

Portland Trail Blazers

Profile

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"My problem with that is if you started Darius at small forward all of last year

-- and Darius is supposed to be a big part of the Blazers' future - and now I'm

going to start there?" Abdur-Rahim told the Oregonian. "That's creating a crazy

situation. What is Darius supposed to think about that? And for the team? That's

not good. I don't want to be in a situation where it's uncomfortable.

"And last season, I didn't even split time at the four, and now all of a sudden

you want to start me at the three and have me back up at the four? I just want

to know what is really going on. Are they trying to keep me to save luxury tax

dollars the next season, or what? I just want to sit down and get some straight

talk."

Abdur-Rahim is so upset about the situation that he's threatening to sit out the

season if he isn't traded. Can you imagine how Miles feels? During his exit

interview, Miles was told he was going to be a big part of the Blazers' future.

Abdur-Rahim was told they'd try to trade him. Now, it looks like both promises

have been turned on their head.

After the latest fiasco, there's no question that Miles, too, now wants out of

Portland. He was stunned when the team offered him a contract that started lower

than its one-year tender offer ($5.4 million). The few teams left with cap room

have been reluctant to make offers because the Blazers are claiming they'll

match. Several teams are willing to do sign-and-trades, but the Blazers are

refusing to talk.

That leaves Miles with just two options. One, he can still try to convince a

team like the Clippers, Hawks, Suns (if Q isn't matched) or the Bobcats to make

him an offer. The Clippers make the most sense. He flourished in L.A. and has a

rock-solid relationship with Corey Maggette, Elton Brand and rookie Shaun

Livingston. He works out with all three at Hoops the Gym in Chicago all summer.

He's also best friends with Quentin Richardson. The two would love to be

reunited.

If that doesn't work, Miles can accept Portland's one-year tender offer and

become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Doing so guarantees that he'll

bolt the Blazers next summer. Like most free agents, he'd prefer to get a deal

done now before the collective bargaining agreement expires . . . but given the

current climate in Portland, sources say he's on the verge of taking the tender

offer.

All of this leads to the inevitable, what the heck are the Blazers thinking,

conclusion. While clearly they hold most of the negotiating cards right now, if

Miles calls their bluff and takes the tender offer, they've just lost a valuable

asset. Owner Paul Allen and GM John Nash may prefer Abdur-Rahim to Miles, but

the reality is that Shareef is bolting Portland.

If the Blazers don't trade him this year, he'll leave via unrestricted free

agency next summer. If Miles does the same ... where does that leave the Blazers?

With Zach Randolph (who's looking for a big extension next summer) and roughly

$20 million in cap room. Maybe the Blazers think they can do better on the open

market next year, but if Miles blows up this year (he showed signs of it toward

the end of the season) the Blazers will end up kicking themselves.

Free agent updates

League sources told Insider that the Lakers have reached a multi-year agreement

with big man Slava Medvedenko. Look for him to sign the contract on Monday. The

Lakers are also close to signing second round draft pick Marcus Douthit to a

deal.

Lithuanian sharp shooter and top international free agent Arvydas Macijauskas

signed a three year extension on Monday with Tau Ceramic. However, he can still

head to the NBA this season as long as he does a deal by July 31st. After that

window, he's unavailable until next summer. Several teams, including the Bulls,

have shown interest.

Look for Hawks free agent point guard Jacque Vaughn to land in New Jersey along

with another free agent guard Rodney Buford. Both have been in serious talks

with the Nets all week. Vaughn is the most critical signing. It looks like Jason

Kidd may miss that start of the season after offseason knee surgery and the Nets

need someone with starting experience to replace him.

Hawks guard Travis Hansen is trying to talk the Hawks out of picking up their team option for his second year. The Hawks drafted a four swingmen in this year's draft and played Hansen sparingly in the summer league. A number of teams are in hot pursuit of Hansen, but can't do anything until the Hawks decide what to do with him. The Hawks have until Aug. 15th to waive him or his salary protection becomes full.

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

[Traceman]

[Packfill]

Whty wouldn't the Hawks pick up Hansen's option? I would like to keep him as he fits exactly what the team is trying to do - athletic, good defensively and he has the makings of a shooter.

[beav]

I'm also stunned by the blazers negotiations with Miles. He was moving towards being their best player by the end of the year.

Pennywise pound foolish...

[cyman3]

i think SEVERAL teams wouldnt mind having HANSEN as their 11th or 12th player on the team.

i wish we PICK UP the team option, but if the guy DOESNT want to be here... then wat are we suppose to do?

[Traceman]

Quote:

---

i wish we PICK UP the team option, but if the guy DOESNT want to be here... then wat are we suppose to do?

---

Pick up his option! The purpose of a team option is to give the TEAM the ability to bring a player back at the negotiated salary if the player plays well. Hansen knew the deal when he signed the contract. Besides, its not that he doesn't want to be here, its that another team is likely willing to give him a multi-year deal starting at a higher salary. He will be unrestricted next year if we pick up his option but this year, he will be at Billy's mercy.

[OGRat]

I'd do Skita for Hansen.

[pathway23]

Hansen for Raul Lopez, I'd do! (Yeah right)

[OGRat]

Why shouldn't Hansen have as much of a chance to earn a spot on the team as any of the rookies. I like the fact that he can score. The team will be needing his jumper.

I'd consider trades for a PG or a big, but who is available at that price.

[pathway23]

I think Knight wants him, he just wants to wait until the last minute to exercise the team option, which I believe he can go over the cap without penalty to do , but now he needs the space to maximize flexibility as far as trades go. I remember Knight saying he was interested in resigning Travis after this past season and I don't expect that that has changed especially since Bob Sura is not likely to be resigned and Jax is gone.