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Any chance we could get Zydrunas to opt out of his contract next summer so that we could sign somebody before resigning him via the Bird exception?

No -- not at his age.

'Z' wouldn't walk away from at least 10 million dollars in the twilight of his career.

Him and Ferry are friends -- but that is too much change to walk away from.

rjgraca wrote:No -- not at his age.

'Z' wouldn't walk away from at least 10 million dollars in the twilight of his career.

Him and Ferry are friends -- but that is too much change to walk away from.

I'm not saying he walks away from $10mi. I'm saying he and Ferry come to a gentleman's agreement that Zydrunas opts out so that we can sign somebody else. Then we sign Z to a 1-year deal for $10mil via the Bird Exception.

I was under the assumption that if a player opts out (like Brand, or Z in your scenario), that we lose their bird rights? Is that wrong?

Hydroponic3385 wrote:I was under the assumption that if a player opts out (like Brand, or Z in your scenario), that we lose their bird rights? Is that wrong?

I believe that a player has to be waived or switch teams via free agency for Bird rights to expire.

If Z opted out of his contract the Cavs would still hold his bird rights, but, they'd also have a cap hold greater than his current contract unless they waived his bird rights. So, what you are suggesting could no occur and as someone said previously, no way is Z walking away from 10 million dollars.

TheOUTLAW wrote:If Z opted out of his contract the Cavs would still hold his bird rights, but, they'd also have a cap hold greater than his current contract unless they waived his bird rights. So, what you are suggesting could no occur and as someone said previously, no way is Z walking away from 10 million dollars.

Yeah, I forgot about the cap holds. I must have misunderstood the whole E Brand situation. They made it sound like he opted out just so LA could sign B Diddy.

It could be a possibility but I think Ilgauskas will just want to play out his contract and then retire from there.

It really depends on which of our expiring contracts (Snow, Jones, Smith, Wally) go during the year/off-season.

If everyone were to stay here, and left to expire, along with Varejao opting out (likely to) and Ilgauskas opting out, that would mean we'd have around $18 million in cap space. That $18 million includes Delonte West's expiring contract, assuming he accepts his qualifying offer this year. So, keep that in mind.

If that were the case, we'd be heading into the off-season with 5 players: James, Wallace, Hickson, Gibson and Pavlovic. Now if you count in a 1st and 2nd round draft pick, that'd mean we'd be up to 7 players. But to fill 8 roster spots (3 starters) with $18 million is really hard to do. Although, it is possible.

If that were the case, my #1 priority would be getting Danny Granger away from the Pacers. With that probably being unlikely, here's what I'd do.

I'd first off re-sign Ilgauskas to a mid-level deal (starting at $4 million) for two years, with a player option for the 3rd (totaling around $18 million).

Then I'd make signing Jason Kidd my #1 priority. Yes he's not a #1 scorer but his impact on the floor is invaluable. Not only that, but he's a guy that LeBron really wants. I'd sign him to a 3-year deal, worth around $36 million ($10 million being the starting salary).

I'd then sign Anthony Parker to fill the hole at SG, to a deal for 3-years, worth $15 million ($4 million base salary).

I'd have 10 guys on the team, with two spots left to fill (1 major one, being the backup center spot).

I'd sign Jason Collins to a 1-year deal, worth the veteran's minimum, for some depth.

I'd sign Eddie Jones to a 1-year deal, worth the veteran's minimum, for some depth.

I'd sign Chris Mihm to a 1-year deal, worth the veteran's minimum, for some depth.

In the draft, I'd grab Tyler Smith (SG/SF, Tennesse) with my 1st round pick (late 1st round) and Connor Atchley (PF, Texas) with my 2nd round pick (late 2nd round).

Then fill out the roster with a couple of summer league scrubs/D-Leaguer's and you're set!

Here's my end results:

Kidd / Gibson
Parker / Jones / Smith
James / Pavlovic
Wallace / Hickson / Atchley
Ilgauskas / Mihm / Collins

The bottom line: it's highly unlikely that something like this were to happen. And if it were to happen or if they were to consider it, it'd be considered way too risky and way too hard to do. Because of where were at with the luxury tax and how much money we'd have to get off the books, it'd leave too many holes open to put together a viable team. That's why trading is going to be our best option.

(FYI - there's other things you could do in FA, like go after Allen Iverson, instead of Kidd, or go for Artest or Marion or Odom, etc.)

TheOUTLAW wrote:If Z opted out of his contract the Cavs would still hold his bird rights, but, they'd also have a cap hold greater than his current contract unless they waived his bird rights. So, what you are suggesting could no occur and as someone said previously, no way is Z walking away from 10 million dollars.

This seems like as good a time as any.. what decides cap holds and why would Z's cap hold be larger than his current contract?

Smooth32 wrote:It could be a possibility but I think Ilgauskas will just want to play out his contract and then retire from there.

It really depends on which of our expiring contracts (Snow, Jones, Smith, Wally) go during the year/off-season.

If everyone were to stay here, and left to expire, along with Varejao opting out (likely to) and Ilgauskas opting out, that would mean we'd have around $18 million in cap space. That $18 million includes Delonte West's expiring contract, assuming he accepts his qualifying offer this year. So, keep that in mind.

If that were the case, we'd be heading into the off-season with 5 players: James, Wallace, Hickson, Gibson and Pavlovic. Now if you count in a 1st and 2nd round draft pick, that'd mean we'd be up to 7 players. But to fill 8 roster spots (3 starters) with $18 million is really hard to do. Although, it is possible.

If that were the case, my #1 priority would be getting Danny Granger away from the Pacers. With that probably being unlikely, here's what I'd do.

I'd first off re-sign Ilgauskas to a mid-level deal (starting at $4 million) for two years, with a player option for the 3rd (totaling around $18 million).

Then I'd make signing Jason Kidd my #1 priority. Yes he's not a #1 scorer but his impact on the floor is invaluable. Not only that, but he's a guy that LeBron really wants. I'd sign him to a 3-year deal, worth around $36 million ($10 million being the starting salary).

I'd then sign Anthony Parker to fill the hole at SG, to a deal for 3-years, worth $15 million ($4 million base salary).

I'd have 10 guys on the team, with two spots left to fill (1 major one, being the backup center spot).

I'd sign Jason Collins to a 1-year deal, worth the veteran's minimum, for some depth.

I'd sign Eddie Jones to a 1-year deal, worth the veteran's minimum, for some depth.

I'd sign Chris Mihm to a 1-year deal, worth the veteran's minimum, for some depth.

In the draft, I'd grab Tyler Smith (SG/SF, Tennesse) with my 1st round pick (late 1st round) and Connor Atchley (PF, Texas) with my 2nd round pick (late 2nd round).

Then fill out the roster with a couple of summer league scrubs/D-Leaguer's and you're set!

Here's my end results:

Kidd / Gibson
Parker / Jones / Smith
James / Pavlovic
Wallace / Hickson / Atchley
Ilgauskas / Mihm / Collins

The bottom line: it's highly unlikely that something like this were to happen. And if it were to happen or if they were to consider it, it'd be considered way too risky and way too hard to do. Because of where were at with the luxury tax and how much money we'd have to get off the books, it'd leave too many holes open to put together a viable team. That's why trading is going to be our best option.

(FYI - there's other things you could do in FA, like go after Allen Iverson, instead of Kidd, or go for Artest or Marion or Odom, etc.)

Wow, no offense man but i would hate if that happened.
1. It kills our 2010 cap space.
2. Kidd is not going to worth a 3 year deal at $36 mil.. or anywhere close to that. He's on the brink of deteriorating.
3. Big Z will most likely retire after next year. He can still walk right now and wants to keep it that way. Not to mention he can't be the best option for the team.. he would be what 36 or something (i'm not looking it up right now).. he walks down the court now.. i could only imagine what he'd do then.

Just throwing things out there. I have no clue what they'd be looking for, so I just guesstimated. If they'd be willing to take less, than I'd be more than willing to do it.