Author: John Paulsen (Page 686 of 937)

      Lakers overspend on Sasha Vujacic

      July 25, 2008 /

      I estimated sharpshooter Sasha Vujacic’s value at $3.0 to $3.5 million per season, but the Lakers apparently think he’s worth more, so they inked him to a three-year contract worth $15 million.

      The Lakers original offer was three years, $12 million, a deal worth $4 million per season.

      Vujacic and his representatives rejected the offer and instead threatened to accept an offer from a European team.

      But Vujacic, who had planned to take a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Europe on Friday, never left Los Angeles.

      Vujacic, 24, and his representatives actually sought a four-year, $24 million deal, but the Lakers weren’t willing to go that long or that high.

      Vujacic had been looking for a deal similar to those of Jason Kapono (4 years, $24 million from Toronto), James Posey (4 years, $25 million from New Orleans) and Mickael Pietrus (4 years, $25.1 million from Orlando).

      Had Vujacic played well against the Spurs or the Celtics in the playoffs, maybe he would have been worth $5 million a season, but he shot 30% against San Antonio and 39% against Boston, and was absolutely shredded by Ray Allen on defense. This contract isn’t as appalling as the one Luke Walton signed – at least Vujacic can shoot – but it’s pretty close.

      I wonder how much of this was a reaction to the loss of Ronny Turiaf to the Warriors earlier this month.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, NBA Finals, Rumors & Gossip

      Uh-oh… Delonte West considering overseas offer

      July 25, 2008 /

      The Cavs’ Delonte West is considering a two-year, $10 mlllion offer to play in Moscow.

      This time, the overseas revolution of outbidding NBA teams for restricted free agents advances with Dynamo Moscow discussing a two-year, $10 million offer with Delonte West, a source close to West said on Thursday.

      Clearly, Dynamo is a franchise with the resources to be taken seriously. Just a week ago, it lured New Jersey Nets forward Bostjan Nachbar with a three-year, $14.3 million contract.

      Nachbar’s contract turned into a prelude to Atlanta Hawks free agent Josh Childress signing a groundbreaking three-year, $20 million deal with Olympiakos of Greece. So far this summer, four international players with NBA résumés – Jorge Garbajosa, Juan Carlos Navarro, Carlos Delfino and Pops Mensah-Bonsu – have taken substantial offers in Europe.

      It’s not surprising that international players are electing to play overseas, but it’s a fundamental shift in thinking that good, young NBA-quality American players are seriously considering playing internationally.

      So far, the Cavs and West haven’t been able to come to terms. He could sign a one-year qualifying offer of $2.76 million, which would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

      If West is considering a Russian deal worth $10 million over two years, it doesn’t seem like he and the Cavs can be too far apart. Why doesn’t Cleveland just offer him a three- or four-year deal worth $4 to $4.5 million a season and call it a day?

      The bottom line is that the Cavs don’t want to lose West. He was the best player to come out of Cleveland’s deadline deals back in February. He’s a good shooter and he can handle the ball well enough to play point guard alongside LeBron James.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      Warriors re-sign Ellis for six years, $66 million

      July 25, 2008 /

      In my post – “What are these guys worth?” – I estimated Monta Ellis value to be $10.5 to $11.5 million per season. The Warriors just signed him to a six-year deal worth $66 million. Throw in Andrew Bogut’s deal – which was for $12 million per season (I predicted an annual salary of $12.0 to $12.5 million) – and I think I have a pretty good handle on player values. If any NBA teams want to hire me to consult, I’m available.

      I don’t want to break my arm patting myself on the back, so let’s talk about the signing. Ellis is a lightning quick scoring guard who averaged 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists last season. With Baron Davis’ decision to sign with the Clippers, Ellis will be asked to handle the ball more, so we should see his assists rise. There’s a slight chance that the newly-acquired Marcus Williams could start at the point, but he hasn’t shown much in his short career, so I’m guessing that’s a long shot.

      Given all that has happened with the Warriors this offseason – namely, letting Baron Davis go and missing out on Elton Brand – the had to re-sign Ellis, and it’s good to see the former second round pick get an appropriate payday.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      The Hawks lose Josh Childress to Olympiakos

      July 23, 2008 /

      In what is a major blow to the Atlanta Hawks and the NBA, Josh Childress has agreed to terms with Greek powerhouse Olympiakos.

      Former Hawks swingman Josh Childress has signed with Olympiakos of Greece, a three-year, fully guaranteed contract worth far more than the $20 million initially believed to be his prize.

      Could there be a more stunning turns of events for fans who thought Childress was destined to remain in a Hawks’ uniform for at least the next four or five years?

      It’s a groundbreaking move for all sorts of reasons, none of them terribly thrilling for the Hawks and their tattered reputation.

      Childress is one of the most productive small forwards in the game, and his departure is a bad sign for the league. First and foremost, the NBA needs his talent.

      But on a macro level, it makes the restricted free agency system look outdated and ridiculous. NBA teams are reluctant to sign other team’s restricted free agents because they know the player’s current team is likely to match the offer. They’d rather wait a year and make a run at the player when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. But, in this case, the Hawks can’t match Olympiakos’ offer, so Childress is gone, at least for a season.

      Given the new landscape of global basketball (and the seemingly nonstop drop of the U.S. Dollar), the league should do away with restricted free agency altogether.

      NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      The obligatory Brett Favre update

      July 23, 2008 /

      I spoke my piece in the post, “The Packers should bring back Brett Favre,” but now there’s a bit of news to share. Adam Schefter is reporting that the Packers have contacted several teams to gauge Favre’s trade value.

      It is unknown exactly how many teams the Packers have spoken with, but what is known is that they have not relegated their exploratory calls strictly to AFC teams. Green Bay has called multiple teams in the NFC as well. The Packers declined comment.

      One NFL executive speculated that the Packers simply are doing their dillegence and fielding any of the potential offers before deciding whether it would be worth trading Favre, who does want to play in 2008.

      This hardly means the Packers will wind up dealing Favre. But at least they are debating the merits of it, reaching out to teams to inquire what Favre would bring in return.

      By contacting other teams and fielding any potential offers, the Packers then can make a more informed decision about whether or not it is worth trading Favre.

      Schefter continues to report the following…

      Still, the Packers have not welcomed back Favre and have told him that he would be a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

      …even though Thompson has welcomed Favre back, but just isn’t willing to guarantee him his starting job back. Thompson is left with two choices – bring him back as the starter or trade him. Right now, it looks like they are exploring the latter.

      On another front, the NFL is investigating allegations that Favre made phone calls to the Vikings (using a cell phone that was given to him by the Packers).

      I still think that Favre gives the team the best chance to win, and of all the teams in the league, the Packers are best able to utilize his services. Thompson should bring him back and give him his starting job back.

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

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