Inside_Man

Belkin's probably asking the obvious question. Why are we doing this sign and trade instead of just having JJ sign the offer sheet and challenge the Suns to match it?

Call their friggin bluff. Are we giving up picks because we're cowards?

The point of restricted FAs means you have to OVERPAY to get someone. So, okay, we're overpaying, so there's no need to throw in Boris and picks.

character matters.

And that trait will show itself on the court.

It will show itself in the longevity of his career.

It will show itself in the w-l columns.

You can't get Curry unless you can get insurance.

Any smart insurance co is going to insist he take the DNA test before they write a policy. It's that simple.

Chill Walt.

We're going to the playoffs in '07.

The fair market value for centers is a lot higher than any other position.

That's obviously BK's plan.

But I think in this world of Zone Ds, the speedy point guard is not as valuable. And the big wing-span guy is more valuable, because he makes help that much closer.

Hoopshype reports our salary at 17.06 for this year.

Add about 4 for Marvin and we're at 21.06.

Deduct 1.1 for Boris and we're at 19.969.

Add 12.5 for JJ and we're at 32.469.

The cap is at 49.5.

We still have 17.1 mil in cap space!

Now we need to sign Salim, and some combo of Donta, Zaza, and various role playes.

But I think we have more space than anyone is saying.

Where am I wrong?

Hoopshype Altanta salaries

The Suns were looking at lose/lose. They were hosed if JJ left for nothing, but they were going to be strapped if they matched. They had enough leverage to force a sign and trade, but that's it.

This is huge for the Hawks. Just huge.

Where's Walter?

I think there's only two outcomes here.

If he can be insured. We can get him.

If not, I bet he plays for the 1-year qualifying offer.

Big WHoop - we're so far under the cap this year.

I love it.

We've got enough kids. We can give up the Boston/Laker pic and one of ours so long as it's protected.

Rumor on ESPN radio and picked up on Phoenix ESPN boards.

nm

It's not BK's fault if Phoenix matches.

It's not BK's fault if Curry's uninsurable.

He's screwed nothing.

So far, they haven't handed out big money to any stiffs.

They appear to have drafted well, albeit for the long haul, not to satisfy short-term positional needs.

Tuesday

Raise it too much and it becomes tough for us to pay it! Especially as how we don't sell tickets!

Childress, with Lue 2nd.

Win share is some stat from basketball reference.com

Here's a bunch from last year

JJ 26

Chandler 24

Curry 14

Dally 11

Childress 9

Lue 7

Harrington 4

Smoove 4

Delk 4

Antoine (w/hawks) 2

Boris 1

Ed Gray says, "Hi!"

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are you positive the Hawks will pick up Boris' option?

When is the deadline? (I think it's coming up.)

He must be insured.

The insurance is going to be expensive.

The cost of the insurance will reduce what he makes.

If they get Zaza, it better be a multi year deal. He will be a good pick-up. We won't go after Curry unless we can insure his contract.

So he signs the offer - Then we wait seven days - THen they match - Then we can sign Chandler to a max offer - then we wait seven days - then Chicago matches - then we get Curry to sign an offer - then we wait seven days - then Chicago doesn't match - Then we have our FA.

We can't judge BK on whether or not JJ comes here. If JJ signs the offer, BK has done his job. If JJ signs the offer, it's because he sees the potential of the young talent BK has brought here and he wants to be a part of our future. That means BK has done is job.

If Phoenix matches, we can't blame BK and say 'he couldn't get a FA!" That's idiotic.

There's a tiping point in building good teams, 'critical mass' if you will. It's the point where everyone will want to be a Hawk. But after we get there, we won't have the cap space for the stars who are going to want to come anyway. If JJ comes, good centers will fall over themselves to be a part of the new Hawks.

I like the draft picks of the two Joshes, Marvin and Salim.

I like the type of players BK wants to bring.

I'll wait as long as it takes.

JJ might be matched, Curry uninsurable, and Chandler gets a Max from Chicago. If those things happen, it's not BK's fault. But I bet we get Zaza, and maybe something for Al, and with our kids getting more experience I bet we win over 20 games without signing a single big FA. And eventually, they will come. We will reach the tipping point. And then I hope I have enough dough for season tickets.

I think the Suns have been floating those stories to prepare the fans to be without JJ and to guage fan reaction. Now if the Suns front office has gotten 5000 calls from season ticket holders threatening to cancel, then look for them to match.

For cap purposes, the payments are spread out of the life of the contract. But I think it's not that way for the lux tax. If I'm right, and the other team is in lux tax territory, than they take a huge hit by matching the front-loaded contract.

I'm not positive on this point, though.

on ESPN Detroit boards.

Makes more sense - seeing as most people here like the idea and most Detroitians hate it.

I think once Dally signed, and no insurance for Curry, now BK has to look elsewhere.