JJ a hot commodity?

[muppetman]

Originally Posted by a_jordan9

I think the NYK get their max player guy... I think its going to very hard for one team to land 2 max players.

If it was a normal summer then I would agree with you - but SO MANY teams have money this summer for a max guy - who's going to NY that is worth the max?

LBJ & Wade stays.
If Bosh leaves he goes to Chicago or Miami.
Stat? Wouldn't he rather sign with Miami or Chicago for the max?
Joe Johnson? I think he stays with Atlanta before going to the Knicks.

Who else is a max player? I don't think that Gay or Boozer is a max guy, although they might get it from the Knicks if there is no one else available. But why go after Boozer for the max when you can resign Lee for $11 mil?

See what I mean. Its not that they don't have the money but who are they going to spend it on that's worth the max?

Also, I didn't even mention that PURELY from a basketball perspective (not social), the Nets are in a much better position than the Knicks in terms of having young talent to build around.

[flying_mollusk]

It is possible that one of the players, maybe Boozer, would be less interested in winning and more interested in just getting the max. So if for some reason he is boxed out, say LBJ and Amare go to Chicago and Bosh to Miami, he might just take what NYC gives him.

[flying_mollusk]

This completely throws a wrench into a lot of things:

DENVER -- Amar'e Stoudemire offered some bright news Wednesday to fans of the Phoenix Suns.

In an interview with FanHouse, the Phoenix forward said he's leaning toward not opting out of his contract this summer. Unless he were to sign an extension before then, that would mean he would put off his free agency from next summer until the summer of 2011.

"I can opt out this summer or I can opt in, which means I'll be back another year (for $17.69 million)," said Stoudemire, speaking after the morning shootaround in preparation for Wednesday night's game against Denver. "That's definitely an option. I'm leaning more toward that right now. Maybe opting in. ... (That would be to) buy time. See how we do. ... I think we got our game back on track. A three-game winning streak."

If Stoudemire indeed wants to stay, that could reduce the chances of the Suns dealing him by the Feb. 18 trade deadline. Stoudemire, making $16.38 million this season, believes the chances of him being moved are "50-50."


ShareStoudemire and his agent, Happy Walters, have been in talks with the Suns about a contract extension.

"I'm pretty sure they're going to offer a deal here pretty soon," Stoudemire said.

Stoudemire said he believes the next step is for a deal to be offered, and how that goes will factor into whether he might be dealt. Stoudemire, though, isn't expecting an extension offer for maximum money.

I don't know if the Suns are really willing to pay maximum deals period, whether it's me or whoever," Stoudemire said of what he believes is the financial situation of the team. "That's just how I feel about it. We'll see how it plays out."

Stoudemire said it's too early to say whether he would be willing to sign an extension this season. He was noncommittal on whether he would be willing to sign a deal that wasn't for maximum money.

One key question is whether Stoudemire would be willing to tell Suns management before the trade deadline he definitely won't opt out this summer. That could result in the Suns deciding definitely to not trade him and would extend until June 30, 2011, the deadline for signing Stoudemire to an extension before he could become a free agent July 1, 2011.

"That's a tough question to answer right now," Stoudemire said. "It can happen this summer (that he makes the decision on his contract option) or it can happen before the trade deadline this year. It's a tough question to answer. But the only way we can find out is wait and see."

Judging by his leaning toward not opting out, Stoudemire obviously likes the Suns. But Stoudemire, who said the "ultimate goal is to win,'' stressed no final decision has been made.

"I love the city," Stoudemire said of Phoenix. "But, at the same time, I'm open. I'm open for other teams. There's nothing written in stone. My feet are not planted in cement."

If Stoudemire doesn't opt out, there would be the risk a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2011-12 would limit what type of contract he could get. Still, it would be hard in this uncertain economy to walk away from more than $17 million.

Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr did not immediately return a phone message Wednesday.

Suns coach Alvin Gentry said he has not been told that Stoudemire is leaning toward not opting out of his contract. But he welcomed the news.

"I have not heard that, but obviously him being part of our team, he's been a hell of a player for the six years I've been here (as an assistant and head coach)," Gentry said. "We'll see how it all goes."

Gentry said he has talked to Stoudemire about rumors he might be dealt.

"The big thing that I told him is that it's not anything he should spend a whole lot of time worrying about because we have no control over it,'' Gentry said. "I think he put it behind him. I think being on the road (for a third straight game Wednesday) kind of helped. He's away from the whole Phoenix thing.

"I told him he's going to have to put it on the back burner until either (a trade) happens or doesn't happen. The whole trade thing, he has no control over that. ... I think it's been a distraction to him because no one wants to hear their name out there. It's tough. But it's all a part of the business. We all know that. But I think he realizes he's put that in perspective to be able to focus on playing."

Gentry said he hasn't been involved in any such discussions and doesn't know the chances of Stoudemire being traded. But if Stoudemire tells the Suns he's firmly committed to not opting out, it could be a moot point.

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/02/03/a...t-of-contract/

[muppetman]

Originally Posted by flying_mollusk

It is possible that one of the players, maybe Boozer, would be less interested in winning and more interested in just getting the max. So if for some reason he is boxed out, say LBJ and Amare go to Chicago and Bosh to Miami, he might just take what NYC gives him.

I agree with this completely - but my point was that they don't get something "deserving" of the max. Not that they wouldn't pay someone the max just to go there.

Think Rashard (Not that we have him - but that we are paying him like LBJ or Wade when he's worth being paid half that amount).

[Ron Propeil]

u cant trade jj now

we spent 4 years developing him

and now it's bearing fruit, plus

he is the best pick n rolle ball handler we have cause he can make the passes, and shoot over screens

[muppetman]

Originally Posted by Ron Propeil

u cant trade jj now

we spent 4 years developing him

and now it's bearing fruit, plus

he is the best pick n rolle ball handler we have cause he can make the passes, and shoot over screens

What about this summer when he asks for 3 years 15 million or 4 years 16 million?

[justafan5]

Originally Posted by muppetman

What about this summer when he asks for 3 years 15 million or 4 years 16 million?

We do not have to cross that bridge until we get to it..

[muppetman]

Originally Posted by justafan5

We do not have to cross that bridge until we get to it..

I disagree - we are less than 14 days from crossing that bridge. If Otis gets an offer that he likes AND he thinks that JJ will ask for too much this summer - then that "bridge" comes into play and not this summer.

[justafan5]

Originally Posted by muppetman

I disagree - we are less than 14 days from crossing that bridge. If Otis gets an offer that he likes AND he thinks that JJ will ask for too much this summer - then that "bridge" comes into play and not this summer.

If he gets an offer that he likes so be it. If not we still cross the jj bridge when we come to it....

I do not see jj or anyone else going anywhere at the moment. I think Otis stands pat...

[scobu822]

jj is restricted (provided we extend the qo) in the offseason. That means if another team offers him a fair deal and he accepts, we can match. That means we have the advantage.

[adamosgp]

Unless something blows us out of the water, I don't see J.J. getting traded. He's a fan favorite and leader in the locker room.

[PK]

you don't think that JJ is worth 4-5 million a year? someone who can shoot that well? i've got a feeling that some team will give him a mid-level (not saying he deserves it) exemption just based on that skill... if he goes to the right team, he could be a pretty good weapon (and right now he's on one of those teams)

[adamosgp]

It depends how he does the rest of the season and in the playoffs, but he's definitely worth $4-5 million, but a lot will depend on the newest info as far as player association negotiations go and how much lower salaries will drop.

[LOL_Dong]

The money JJ will offered by any team will be in the same ballpark ... It'll come down to playing time. JJ'll go to the team where he'll play an important part.

He's good enough to start for half the teams in the league.

[muppetman]

I don't think the Magic can, or will, continue to hand out contracts in the $4 million range. Our payroll roll for the next two years is already over $80 million (granted two years from now it will drop if we don't excercise Vince's final year).

I never said that I think we should trade JJ - I simply pointed out that not even considering trading him b/c he's been here for 4 years already and we've developed him. That is not sound, logical thinking. Nor do I think it is prudent to say we won't worry about what he will ask until the summer IF we might be able to return value now. The whole idea behind doing Salmons for Reddick would make no sense b/c we'd be paying Salmons MORE next year than JJ would command - but would someone do this? Pietrus / JJ / AJ for Hinrich & Salmons? Adds to salary next year BUT it would address back up SG and PG for next year and at least equal / exceed overall talent level. (Don't forget I hate Pietrus but if you want to switch him and Bass out you could). That also would give us over $25 million in expiring contracts next year to play with.

[flying_mollusk]

Originally Posted by muppetman

I don't think the Magic can, or will, continue to hand out contracts in the $4 million range. Our payroll roll for the next two years is already over $80 million (granted two years from now it will drop if we don't excercise Vince's final year).

I never said that I think we should trade JJ - I simply pointed out that not even considering trading him b/c he's been here for 4 years already and we've developed him. That is not sound, logical thinking. Nor do I think it is prudent to say we won't worry about what he will ask until the summer IF we might be able to return value now. The whole idea behind doing Salmons for Reddick would make no sense b/c we'd be paying Salmons MORE next year than JJ would command - but would someone do this? Pietrus / JJ / AJ for Hinrich & Salmons? Adds to salary next year BUT it would address back up SG and PG for next year and at least equal / exceed overall talent level. (Don't forget I hate Pietrus but if you want to switch him and Bass out you could). That also would give us over $25 million in expiring contracts next year to play with.

I think you're right with this point. Otis has been very averse at giving away 4-5 million dollar contracts to backup SGs the last 5 years or so.

DeShawn Stevenon
Keyon Dooling
Mo Evans

Who knows if JJ will be different.

[LOL_Dong]

JJ offers more than those 3 guys combined.

With VC and his lousy play, I reckon the chances of JJ being dealt or not signed are buckleys and none.

[Ron Propeil]

Originally Posted by muppetman

What about this summer when he asks for 3 years 15 million or 4 years 16 million?

Hes restricted right?

hes not getting that

plus john salmons? Hell no

if i trade JJ i want to get CLEE back

JJ is just a really smart player who has finally figured out the NBA GAME, ever since he learned to put the ball on the floor as a penetrating threat, everything has come around. he tries hard on defense and is a lethal 3 pt shooter

hes a very good reserve and he fits our style hes giving us 10 points and 2 assists in 23 mins a game, per 40 thats 18 points

another thing he gets to the FT line 3 times in those 23 mins, so as a starter that'd be 5-6 attempts which is more than Lew AND Nelson

[a_jordan9]

It wouldnt surprise me to see Otis deal a guy like MP for an expiring contract in order to be able to sign JJ in the summer. I dont think the Magic can keep both MP and JJ's new contract.

[a_jordan9]

Would a trade like this make sense for both teams... salaries match and I think its a win-win for everyone involved.

MP to Memphis for Steven Hunter and Sam Young.

Memphis is looking for a proven player to come off their bench, which MP is. We get a younger and less experience version of MP in Young (also a lot cheaper) and an insurance big in Hunter who's contract expires anyway. The money that we saved on the deal can be used to make sure we hold on to Reddick.