In fourteen season in the NBA, Sam Cassell has played in the playoffs ten times. Although at this point in his career, he can only be expected to play twenty minutes a night, he has great value to a team looking to add another piece for a playoff run. Unfortunately, his current team, the Clippers, are ten games under .500 right now and it appears that they will not be participating in the playoffs in the 2007-08 season.
With a favorable contract of $6,150,000 this season, the Clippers will likely look to move him to a contender in order to pick up some more assets that can be beneficial as the reload. Cassell's contract expires after this season, which may likely be his final year in the NBA.
Five teams currently in competition to make the playoffs could certainly use Cassell. Here is a look at those five ranked by how the need of Cassell and the likelihood of a trade working out:
1.) Orlando Magic
With only Carlos Arroyo and Keyon Dooling available behind Jameer Nelson, the Magic could desperately use some backcourt punch. This trade is likely because the Magic currently have a handful of players with expiring contracts, plus young players that the Clippers may want to take a look at. An exchange of Cassell for Pat Garrity ($3,818,750), James Augustine ($687,456), and J.J. Redick ($2,000,160) would allow the trade to work. At the end of this season, Redick's contract has a team option, so the Clippers would get a good look at him before deciding whether to bring him back or not. Garrity likely would be released when this trade would be made.
2.) Golden State Warriors
With Troy Hudson likely out for the season, Don Nelson and the Warriors need a backup point guard to Baron Davis. With trade exceptions, multiple expiring contracts, and a collection of underused young players, the Warriors would have several ways to go about acquiring Cassell.
3.) Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta is a team that has missed a quality, veteran point guard going back to the days of Mookie Blaylock. Though they may not have the experience to advance in the playoffs this season, they still should make a push for Cassell. A swap of Tyronn Lue ($3,500,000), Lorenzen Wright ($3,250,000) and either Salim Stoudamire ($783,000) or a future draft pick would allow the Hawks to bring in the veteran point guard. Unlike with the teams previously mentioned, Cassell would likely get the chance to start at point guard over incumbents Anthony Johnson, Acie Law, and Speedy Claxton.
4.) Los Angeles Lakers
A trade for Cassell would make a great deal of sense for the Lakers. With young players such as Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, and Javaris Crittenton playing behind starting point guard Derek Fisher, Cassell would bring a veteran prescence of the bench that is currently not there. The difficulty with this trade is that it would take some creativeness for it to work. Chris Mihm ($2,500,000) and Sasha Vujacic ($1,756,951) are the two most likely players the Lakers would include in a trade whose contracts expire at year end. However, Kwame Brown ($9,075,000) would also be a contestant to move to the Clippers in a trade netting Cassell. Brown has battled injury all year and appears to have completely fallen out of favor with the team. Adding Cassell to a group of smalls that include Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Farmar, and Trevor Ariza would make sense for the Lakers in their playoff pursuit.
5.) New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-04 season. Led by the league's best young point guard in Chris Paul, the Hornets are an exciting team that could give anyone a tough run in the postseason. Beyond Chris Paul, Bobby Jackson, and Morris Peterson, the Hornets are very thin at the guard spots. The Hornets could put together a package of expiring contracts (Ryan Bowen, Melvin Ely, Bernard Robinson, Marcus Vinicius) or inexpensive young players (Adam Haluska, Hilton Armstrong) to acquire Cassell. He certainly would bring a big-shot type player to the squad.
Showing posts with label Troy Hudson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Troy Hudson. Show all posts
Monday, December 31, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Detailing the Bucks-Charlie Bell Saga
Last season, Charlie Bell made $744,000. Bell had his most productive NBA season, which saw him average 13.5 points per game, 3.0 assists per game, and 1.18 steals per game.
Currently, Bell is a restricted free agent. Therefore, his options are to:
a) Sign a long-term contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
b) Accept the Bucks' one year qualifying offer of nearly $900,000 and then become an unrestricted free agent after the 2007-08 season.
c) Sign a long-term offer sheet with another team and see if the Bucks match the offer or not.
Here is a timeline of the events that took place:
-Mid August: Milwaukee offers Bell a three-year deal worth $9,000,000.
-Mid August: Bell’s camp reportedly demands the third year be a player option with larger annual payments (nearly $5,000,000 per season).
-August 31: Bell reportedly weighs offers from a handful of European teams.
-August 31: Bell's agent, Mark Bartelstein, reportedly says he is considering simply accepting the one year qualifying offer.
-September 7: Bell reportedly received an offer from Olympiacos for three years and $9,000,000.
-September 13: Bartelstein and Bell determined he would not accept the one year qualifying offer.
-September 17: Miami Heat sign Charlie Bell to a five year, $18,500,000 offer sheet. The Bucks have seven days to match, although Bartelstein and Bell have publicly tried to convince them not to match so he can play with Miami. It has been reported that Bell would make $3,000,000 in year one and an average of $3,600,000 per season throughout the agreement.
The length of the deal probably puts it out of question for Bucks general manager, Larry Harris, to match this agreement. The new deal will keep Bell under contract until he is thirty-three years old. Considering the money the Bucks have committed to Michael Redd and Mo Williams already in the backcourt, it would not make sense for Harris to bring back Bell. Earlier this sumer, the Heat made a strong run at Williams, offering him a five year, $31,000,000 contract. However, the Bucks offered a significantly larger deal at six years at $52,000,000.
Upon determining whether to matching Bell’s offer sheet, the Bucks will need to consider giving future extensions to Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva, who become restricted free agents after the 2008-09 season. Therefore, Harris will most likely pass on Bell and look to fill the spot vacated with a minimum salary veteran-type player, such as Dee Brown or Troy Hudson.
Bell is a savvy veteran who shoots the ball well from long-range. He is a versatile guard who handles the ball well and plays smart. Bell is no more than an average athlete, but hestles and plays hard each night. He is able to free himself off the ball for an open jumper by using screens. He is not much of a threat to drive off the dribble, but still can score effectively.
For Miami, Bell will join Jason Williams, Dwyane Wade, Smush Parker, Chris Quinn, Daequan Cook, and Devin Green in a crowded backcourt. Bell’s addition most likely signals the end of Chris Quinn with the Heat. Additionally, the Heat will most likely look to again unload Jason Williams and his expiring contract of $8,937,500. Miami will be targeting a player who can defend at the wing and shoot the ball consistently from the outside. The addition of Bell also ends any chance that Gary Payton will return for another season. If the Heat are unable to trade Williams, they may even consider waiving him outright, in order to save money against the luxury tax.
Bell will fit in with the Heat nicely. Assuming Williams does not return to the Heat, Bell will compete for a starting job next to Wade. Bell provides a long-range shooting threat that the Heat badly need, especially after the loss of Jason Kapono to the Raptors. Last season, Belll was one of only twenty-one players who averaged more than 13 points per game, 3 assists per game, while shooting over 35 percent from behind the three point arc. His 35.2 percent mark from three point ranked thirty-third in the Eastern Conference last season.
After receiving the offer sheet from the Heat, it is probably in the best interest of all parties for the Bucks to decline matching the offer and let him move onto Miami. Although Milwaukee would have liked to have Bell return to be the first guard off the bench behind Williams and Redd, at this cost it is not worthwhile. I expect the Bucks to decline the offer sheet and turn their attention to free agent point guards. I would suggest signing a young player with upside such as Dee Brown or C.J. Miles.
Currently, Bell is a restricted free agent. Therefore, his options are to:
a) Sign a long-term contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
b) Accept the Bucks' one year qualifying offer of nearly $900,000 and then become an unrestricted free agent after the 2007-08 season.
c) Sign a long-term offer sheet with another team and see if the Bucks match the offer or not.
Here is a timeline of the events that took place:
-Mid August: Milwaukee offers Bell a three-year deal worth $9,000,000.
-Mid August: Bell’s camp reportedly demands the third year be a player option with larger annual payments (nearly $5,000,000 per season).
-August 31: Bell reportedly weighs offers from a handful of European teams.
-August 31: Bell's agent, Mark Bartelstein, reportedly says he is considering simply accepting the one year qualifying offer.
-September 7: Bell reportedly received an offer from Olympiacos for three years and $9,000,000.
-September 13: Bartelstein and Bell determined he would not accept the one year qualifying offer.
-September 17: Miami Heat sign Charlie Bell to a five year, $18,500,000 offer sheet. The Bucks have seven days to match, although Bartelstein and Bell have publicly tried to convince them not to match so he can play with Miami. It has been reported that Bell would make $3,000,000 in year one and an average of $3,600,000 per season throughout the agreement.
The length of the deal probably puts it out of question for Bucks general manager, Larry Harris, to match this agreement. The new deal will keep Bell under contract until he is thirty-three years old. Considering the money the Bucks have committed to Michael Redd and Mo Williams already in the backcourt, it would not make sense for Harris to bring back Bell. Earlier this sumer, the Heat made a strong run at Williams, offering him a five year, $31,000,000 contract. However, the Bucks offered a significantly larger deal at six years at $52,000,000.
Upon determining whether to matching Bell’s offer sheet, the Bucks will need to consider giving future extensions to Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva, who become restricted free agents after the 2008-09 season. Therefore, Harris will most likely pass on Bell and look to fill the spot vacated with a minimum salary veteran-type player, such as Dee Brown or Troy Hudson.
Bell is a savvy veteran who shoots the ball well from long-range. He is a versatile guard who handles the ball well and plays smart. Bell is no more than an average athlete, but hestles and plays hard each night. He is able to free himself off the ball for an open jumper by using screens. He is not much of a threat to drive off the dribble, but still can score effectively.
For Miami, Bell will join Jason Williams, Dwyane Wade, Smush Parker, Chris Quinn, Daequan Cook, and Devin Green in a crowded backcourt. Bell’s addition most likely signals the end of Chris Quinn with the Heat. Additionally, the Heat will most likely look to again unload Jason Williams and his expiring contract of $8,937,500. Miami will be targeting a player who can defend at the wing and shoot the ball consistently from the outside. The addition of Bell also ends any chance that Gary Payton will return for another season. If the Heat are unable to trade Williams, they may even consider waiving him outright, in order to save money against the luxury tax.
Bell will fit in with the Heat nicely. Assuming Williams does not return to the Heat, Bell will compete for a starting job next to Wade. Bell provides a long-range shooting threat that the Heat badly need, especially after the loss of Jason Kapono to the Raptors. Last season, Belll was one of only twenty-one players who averaged more than 13 points per game, 3 assists per game, while shooting over 35 percent from behind the three point arc. His 35.2 percent mark from three point ranked thirty-third in the Eastern Conference last season.
After receiving the offer sheet from the Heat, it is probably in the best interest of all parties for the Bucks to decline matching the offer and let him move onto Miami. Although Milwaukee would have liked to have Bell return to be the first guard off the bench behind Williams and Redd, at this cost it is not worthwhile. I expect the Bucks to decline the offer sheet and turn their attention to free agent point guards. I would suggest signing a young player with upside such as Dee Brown or C.J. Miles.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Ranking the Remaining Free Agents
With Matt Barnes recently resigning with the Golden State Warriors, one of the last available productive free agents was taken off the market. The remaining free agents can be split into three groups: veterans able to produce now (Varejo, Bell, Brown), young guys with potential (Pavlovic, Pietrus, Adams), and of course, aging veterans (Webber, Mutombo, Rose).
Here are my rankings of the top twenty remaining free agents based on desireability to teams:
1.) Anderson Varejo
2.) Charlie Bell
3.) Sasha Pavlovic
4.) Chris Webber
5.) Mickael Pietrus
6.) P.J. Brown
7.) Ruben Patterson
8.) Earl Boykins
9.) Corliss Williamson
10.) Brian Skinner
11.) James Posey
12.) Melvin Ely
13.) Dikembe Mutombo
14.) Troy Hudson
15.) Hassan Adams
16.) James White
17.) Jalen Rose
18.) Dee Brown
19.) Jeff McInnis
20.) Danny Fortson
Others include: Jumaine Jones, Gary Payton, Marc Jackson, Derek Anderson, Alexander Johnson, Yaroslav Korolev, C.J. Miles.
Boston, Detroit, New Jersey, Miami, Washington, Cleveland are the teams most likely to sign some of these players above. Boston is still looking to add one more perimeter player with Reggie Miller being mentioned to come out of retirement. If the Celtics can persuade Posey or Adams to join the team, it would be a better choice than Miller.
Detroit should add one more big body upfront to put next to Rasheed Wallace. Returning Webber would be the most logical decision, but bringing in Brown would also be a good choice. New Jersey still is light in the post. A big body like Williamson or Fortson could help them in the long run. Miami has reportedly pursued Pietrus in the past, and this would be beneficial for their perimeter defense. It is more likely though, that they return Posey or Payton. The Wizards could still use some scoring off the bench. If they can afford Ruben Patterson, he would be a great fit. Cleveland will look to bring back Pavlovic and Varejo.
Here are my rankings of the top twenty remaining free agents based on desireability to teams:
1.) Anderson Varejo
2.) Charlie Bell
3.) Sasha Pavlovic
4.) Chris Webber
5.) Mickael Pietrus
6.) P.J. Brown
7.) Ruben Patterson
8.) Earl Boykins
9.) Corliss Williamson
10.) Brian Skinner
11.) James Posey
12.) Melvin Ely
13.) Dikembe Mutombo
14.) Troy Hudson
15.) Hassan Adams
16.) James White
17.) Jalen Rose
18.) Dee Brown
19.) Jeff McInnis
20.) Danny Fortson
Others include: Jumaine Jones, Gary Payton, Marc Jackson, Derek Anderson, Alexander Johnson, Yaroslav Korolev, C.J. Miles.
Boston, Detroit, New Jersey, Miami, Washington, Cleveland are the teams most likely to sign some of these players above. Boston is still looking to add one more perimeter player with Reggie Miller being mentioned to come out of retirement. If the Celtics can persuade Posey or Adams to join the team, it would be a better choice than Miller.
Detroit should add one more big body upfront to put next to Rasheed Wallace. Returning Webber would be the most logical decision, but bringing in Brown would also be a good choice. New Jersey still is light in the post. A big body like Williamson or Fortson could help them in the long run. Miami has reportedly pursued Pietrus in the past, and this would be beneficial for their perimeter defense. It is more likely though, that they return Posey or Payton. The Wizards could still use some scoring off the bench. If they can afford Ruben Patterson, he would be a great fit. Cleveland will look to bring back Pavlovic and Varejo.
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