Update: Gortat to sign with Dallas; Rubio to stay in Spain
UPDATE: It’s official, Marc Stein reports. Gortat to Dallas. Sigh…
Restricted free-agent center Marcin Gortat was scheduled to fly to Dallas on Thursday after giving the Mavericks a verbal commitment to sign an offer sheet with them next week, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources told ESPN.com that the Mavericks are bringing Gortat to town to tour the area and the team’s facilities after extending him an offer believed to be worth Dallas’ full mid-level exception — which could translate to a five-year deal starting at roughly $5.6 million — in hopes of dissuading the Orlando Magic from matching the offer.
Eddie Sefko, Dallas Morning News:
We’re now hearing that the Mavericks have indeed made an offer to Marcin Gortat and the only hangup will be if the Magic decides to match the offer. Barring that, the next center of the Mavericks appears headed this way. This would represent the first domino in the Mavericks’ summer makeover and probably would be a good move in helping sway Jason Kidd’s return.
Of course free agents can’t officially sign until July 8th, but agreements can be reached. Obviously no word on what the Mavericks offered, but it’s got to be somewhere within the MLE, otherwise Dallas wouldn’t be making this move as they’re already about $12M over the cap. And remember, nothing is official by any means, but I have a feeling if Presti was willing to deal, this wouldn’t be happening. But that’s an assumption, based on Sefko’s wording: “Only hangup will be if the Magic decides to match the offer.” He makes it sound like a done deal. Obviously, we just have to wait and see.
ALSO, word is that Ricky Rubio will remain in Spain for the next two years and then try and come over the NBA:
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ top draft pick, Ricky Rubio, 18, will remain in Spain to play for his DKV Joventut basketball team for the remaining two years of his contract rather than try to move to the NBA this season, El Periodico reported today. The Barcelona newspaper also says Rubio, who was paid $97,000 last season, plans to withdraw his contract lawsuit against DKV Joventut.
My general manager is smarter than your general manager. This is why you do your homework fellas. Crisis averted. Thank you Sammy.
Being a KU guy, I hate to say it, but I think Nick Collison and Earl Watson are both likley to be shopped pretty hard in the coming months. There was that rumor about Collison being offered to Memphis. I just don’t think both he and Watson will be on the team next year, probably just one of them.
All in all, I’m a big Millsap fan because he solidifies the second unit, or he allows Green to be one of the best sixth men in the league. Millsap is a hard worker that just knows how to get things done. In short, he’s a winner, and we need guys like that.
“My general manager is smarter than your general manager. This is why you do your homework fellas. Crisis averted.”
Absolutely.
Nothing personal Vega, but Channing Frye sucks. Why do we need another jumpshooting big man who doesn’t rebound very well (Green) and doesn’t like to play in the paint offensively or defensively?
@Joe
I’m just trying to think of another free agent big. I heavily doubt that Presti would sign Frye anyway. We already have a Euro version of him on the roster in Krstic.
@John
But seriously though… can you imagine the sh__storm that would be raining down on kahn right now if he passed on Rubio twice?
I don’t think there is any question we will have a new center on the roster by summers end, now it just appears that will be through trade instead of free agency.
Also, I think if he was taken by a different team that was in a better situation then Minnesota and its 15 point guards, Rubio would be playing in the NBA.
@J-W
Chris Kaman rumors were floating around a little while ago. I wouldn’t mind having him, so long as it didn’t require giving up anything but expiring contracts/Nick Collison.
According to the ESPN trade machine, Chucky Atkins and Nick Collison for Chris Kaman works financially. I think that would work well for both teams.
Has anyone looked at Brandon Bass?… as an alternative to the higher priced Millsap.
Or even Kwame Brown? (help us baby Jesus)… as a second option at the 5
Why are we shopping for a tweener that has only shown 1/2 of a good season? I would have liked Gortat because he showed some strong promise backing up Howard. I wish they would pick up Camby from the Clippers for a year just to secure the inside until we can make a play at someone more significant next summer.
Question, what do you think about Marc Gasol. Now to be fair, I doubt he is being shopped. But, with the way he wants out (notoriously bad treatment of his big bro), and the way they just set themselves up to have new starters at both the 4 and 5, he probably doesn’t figure prominently into Memphis’ plans. He’s a tough center, very young, athletic, a pretty good rebounder, and a post player. I would hope Presti is at least looking into his availability.
Hopefully, Phoenix crashes hard this year so that next year’s pick of theirs, which I believe belongs to the Thunder, could be used to draft a legitimate inside presence, or at least as trade bait to get what is needed. Perhaps, Cole Aldrich. I like his potential.
@CoachJ
Phoenix falling on its face would be beautiful.
I think that is a very viable option with Marc Gasol. However, what price are the Thunder willing to give up for him. How much would it take to get him? If it involved any combinations of Watson, Weaver, any 2nd round picks then I’d be up for it, but I don’t want to lose Collison. I believe veterans such as him and Desmond Mason are invaluable to a team–especially when the veterans work as hard as Collison and Mason do. It just sends the right message to all newcomers to the team when they see what the expectations are. Besides, they seem to fit Presti’s profile of a Thunder player.
@CoachJ
I think it would more likely be someone like White than Collison. As for salaries, Gasol doesn’t make much, so Memphis wouldn’t want to take back extra money if they could help it. In any case, I can’t imagine the price being all that high for a disgruntled backup (now at least). I have a feeling Detroit is looking at him in a deal with Hamilton, but it would be sweet to get him here.
I will be very surprised if we are able to land Millsap. Utah seems pretty set on resigning him no matter the cost.
I hadn’t looked at Zaza recently. I was all for signing him back summer in 2005. He was at career bests on FG% and rebounding last season. Just 25. Not sure he’d change things but he’d be alright and an asset and allow Presti to consider trades.
Often you have to give up a big to get a better big.
As indicated earlier I don’t think Gasol is available.
He will be quite sought after when he becomes a free agent in a few years. Wouldn’t be surprised if he goes to LA to join (or replace) his brother.
A sign n trade Milsap for Collison might appeal to OKC, SLC, Milsap and Collison. If the numbers on the Milsap contract work out. And Presti knows what he wants to do with Green.
@Vega
You must be joking.
Brandon Bass scores (and that has value in a big). He has weak adjusted +/- but his individual defense is surprisingly good. I haven’t seen him enough to judge or set a price. Under discussed. Especially compared to Milsap.