Free Agent Talk

[loflin3hree5ive]

I made this thread because I just saw on Sportscenter that the Clippers are one of the teams pursuing Ariza but I didn't know where to post about it.

This will be a convenient thread to post articles, links, rumors and general free agent talk. Now let's hope we don't blow all our 2010 money a year early.

[Forte IV]

Ive also heard that Ariza might not be going back to Lakers, so that might be some good news for us.

[SportsFan215]

I say we only sign players to one year deals to keep a 2010 plan in place.

[jflipclip]

Yeah, I saw the same thing on ESPN.com. Like many of the other teams, we probably offered the MLE. In the end, I don't see Ariza coming, but hey, it keeps things interesting as to where he'll finally end up. Latest rumor has Toronto and Portland pushing for him. I don't see why Portland would want him. He's not that big of an improvement over Outlaw and you still have Batum growing. =p

[mkwest]

I read this link earlier, but Pincus said that the article was inaccurate, so I left it alone. I'd personally be cautious of how much I offered him. He has always shown potential throughout his career, but Kobe and Gasol would only be walking through that door 4 times if you know what I mean.

[ClipperDomination]

I'm with the rest of you. I wouldn't offer him a big deal, nor a long-term deal, and would rather keep the cap room for 2010 free agency. Plus, I don't see him coming here either.

[Tucker74]

Ariza definitely benefited from the right fit, team, role and timing. Stick him on a lesser team and the expectations of a big contract and he's set up to disappoint. Glad we won't be the ones for a change!

[Det the Threat]

I'd rather go for Ime Udoka(i'll call his name quite some during the offseason ), instead of Ariza.
Sura, Ariza's a really good role player that defends, worked on his jumpshot and is younger, but Udoka can play the same role for you, is a more proven outside shooter(shot over 40% from downtown with Portland 2 years ago) and won't be as expensive as Ariza.

BTW: A vet 3rd string pg on the cheap is also something we should be looking for.

[SportsFan215]

I agree with all of you. Ariza is a player that needs to be with a Kobe and Pau. He will be a bust if he goes some where else.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I wouldn't mind signing Ariza as long as he's not over paid or given too many years. If we can get a similar type player for less then I'm all for it. Ariza might be a little over valued and I think that right now he's a very good roll player.

[Tucker74]

Since we're talking SF how about Dahntay Jones?

[adiedanny]

Since we're talking SF how about Dahntay Jones?

Yes, definitely and cheaper too.

[JJ LoDuca]

ESPN's bottom line just listed the Clippers as one of about six teams interested in signing Ariza. This means we'd have to pay him more than 5.8 mil...a price I'd rather not pay.

[Forte IV]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... th_lakers/

Lucky sons of guns.

[bbsee1]

God how i hate the Lakers! It was BS how they got Pau Gasol and Ariza for basically nothing and now this! I just hope they get some bad luck like we have had the past few years. I know it sounds classless to say this but I hope Pau or Kobe gets injured or anything else that would hinder the lakers like Lamar losing motivation now that he has his ring or Bynum continuing to be immature. I wonder now how much Lamar is going to be signed for. I love the NBA but I hate the lakers. I don't care who wins the NBA title as long is its not the lakers! I was listening to 570AM and I think it was Don Maclean who made a good point in saying that the NBA is becoming like the MLB in that it is a league now with the have's and the have not's. The lakers now seem to have it all.

[JJ LoDuca]

Ron Artest + Kobe Bryant = ticking timebomb.

Can't wait to see it go off.

[Forte IV]

Yea, dont both of them hate each other? Horrible chemsitry in the Lakers future imo

[ClipperDomination]

Ron Artest + Kobe Bryant = ticking timebomb.

Can't wait to see it go off.

I think it's an absolute fantastic signing for the Lakers. Artest is the perfect SF in the triangle and gives you more of everything compared to Ariza.

Trevor was the product of an open floor offensive system, kind of like David Lee to an extent. Hopefully he does well in HOU, but now is Battier expendable?!

Battier for Kaman, anyone?

[LifeLongFan]

[/quote]Battier for Kaman, anyone?[/quote]

Wow, I really hate the Lakers. Way to always steal our thunder. I used to like Artest now hate him. With Ariza there Battier is expendable, but with the ability to have him and McGrady off of their books next year, they will kill in the free agent market. I'd love to trade or use our trade-exemption to somehow get Battier, but with their cap space they will be huge players next year. As will we, I think this means we should start sweet talking Battier and Joe Johnson now when it comes to terms for next summer's free agent period to solve our problems at the 3. Personally I would prefer Battier there because of his defense and glue guy to Johnson who is the scoring star and needs the ball more, but either is a great match for us next summer and we could move Thorton to the 6 and kill the Lakers. No need to trade Kaman now, Jordan isn't ready to start and Battier may bolt after 1 year and we'd have no center or defensive minded SF and we'd need 2 things rather than 1.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Looks like Dallas got to Q Ross

Straight from the wiretap

The Mavericks are expected to sign free-agent Quinton Ross to a contract next week.
The Dallas Morning News reported that the terms of the deal are not yet known.