Sessions Update:Ramon signs T-Wolves OS (page 310 update)

[thetown]

It's not surprising the market has contracted on Sessions when you consider he's a RFA, this year's draft was loaded with PGs and few teams had money to spend and only one of the teams that did needed a PG and they want a veteran.

The stars really aligned almost perfectly for the Bucks with regard to Sessions becoming a FA. Now they have to capitalize on this. I still think now's the time for Hammond to move in and try and get a deal done.

Jack somehow got 4 yr/$20m as a RFA though. Can't imagine how frustrating that must be for Sessions.

[europa]

It's not surprising the market has contracted on Sessions when you consider he's a RFA, this year's draft was loaded with PGs and few teams had money to spend and only one of the teams that did needed a PG and they want a veteran.

The stars really aligned almost perfectly for the Bucks with regard to Sessions becoming a FA. Now they have to capitalize on this. I still think now's the time for Hammond to move in and try and get a deal done.

Jack somehow got 4 yr/$20m as a RFA though. Can't imagine how frustrating that must be for Sessions.

I wouldn't be too frustrated if I was him. Jack will play 15 mpg behind Calderon. Sessions could get $1M a year less for three years and be a starter for the Bucks. Or he might get $5M a year for three years from the Bucks and be a starter.

[EastSideBucksFan]

Jarrett Jack is reportedly good friends with Bosh.

This was Colangelo's attempt to bring in one of Bosh's friends. So he overpaid to make sure Indy wouldn't resign him. That was clearly a nepotism contract.

[Neapolitan Buck]

Jarrett Jack is reportedly good friends with Bosh.

This was Colangelo's attempt to bring in one of Bosh's friends. So he overpaid to make sure Indy wouldn't resign him. That was clearly a nepotism contract.

You beat me to it.

[carmelbrownqueen]

I agree things have gone in the Bucks favor as far as the market is concerned, however, there are still a few teams in need of help at the PG spot. So why haven't we heard about any interest from teams like Philly in Ramon? Or why are we only hearing about "interest" from LAC & NYC but never a firm offer being made?

Honestly, I really expected to hear some rumblings (especially now) about Ramon to Philly considering the writing has been on the wall for some time with regard to Andre Miller but we have heard nothing...Perhaps some want to say it's the fact that he is an RFA and that secretly (fans on this board have been highly critical of the FO's lack of public declarations that they would match deals) the Bucks have threatened to match offers for Sessions. But does that fully explain the unwillingness of these "interested teams" in signing Sessions to a MLE (most rumors end up dwindling down to interest in him as "slightly below" the ML level) deal? Sessions is a promising young talent, and as it stands most of the interested teams have only wanted him as a backup and not a starter. Portland needs a starting PG, yet we haven't heard a lot about them expressing interest either...

I'm not saying that Ramon is crap or undeserving of a deal (for those wondering).. but as it has been stated numerous times already, teams have way overpaid for talent this offseason (Denver with Birdman, Detroit with CV & Gordon, etc) but a nice young talent like Sessions (regardless of his status as an RFA) has yet to get a team to offer him the MLE. Its actually somewhat surprising really. Especially since many on this board have asserted he is worth more than that and consider it an insult that Wise1 suggested a 3/$9 year deal. Has Sessions and his agent simply asked for more money than many (around the league not fans) feel his talent is worth??

[europa]

The Sixers have Holiday. They view him as their young PG of the future. I think they may be more interested in a veteran to start until Holiday is ready.

Back to Stein's report from ESPN, he insinuated that the Bucks are prepared to match an offer near the ML. So if a team comes in under, I would imagine the Bucks will be poised to match it. He also said that having Sessions means the Bucks can use Jennings as a backup which eases him into the transition of playing in the NBA. That, in my opinion, is clearly the right move to make.

The fact the Clips and Knicks both tried to work a S&T with the Bucks strongly indicates they think Milwaukee will match an offer that isn't extreme. The fact neither team was able to complete a S&T for Sessions indicates Hammond isn't just going to give him away. That strongly suggests he does value Sessions, even if he may believe Jennings is the PG of the future.

[paulpressey25]

Interesting thought CBQ. It could be.

But I also think that Ramon and the Bucks are in a unique position. Anything short term or reasonable and the Bucks are guaranteed to match. So why bother. Yet other teams also probably are scared to go full MLE in this environment.

Really works out well for the Bucks. Let's just take this gift and move forward. We've been screwed enough in the past when our FA's had other teams with free money. Time for the good guys to win one for a change.

[Neapolitan Buck]

The Sixers have Holiday. They view him as their young PG of the future. I think they may be more interested in a veteran to start until Holiday is ready.

Back to Stein's report from ESPN, he insinuated that the Bucks are prepared to match an offer near the ML. So if a team comes in under, I would imagine the Bucks will be poised to match it. He also said that having Sessions means the Bucks can use Jennings as a backup which eases him into the transition of playing in the NBA. That, in my opinion, is clearly the right move to make.

The fact the Clips and Knicks both tried to work a S&T with the Bucks strongly indicates they think Milwaukee will match an offer that isn't extreme. The fact neither team was able to complete a S&T for Sessions indicates Hammond isn't just going to give him away. That strongly suggests he does value Sessions, even if he may believe Jennings is the PG of the future.

Excellent post, exactly what I was going to write.

[carmelbrownqueen]

The Sixers have Holiday but they are also looking for a vet PG to "start" for that team and I think Sessions could have been a good fit with that team. Reportedly, they want Miller back but not at the amount he is looking for and now they are taking a look at a guy like J. Tinsely over Sessions? Is Tinsely better than Sessions at this point in his career (when he hasn't played for well over a season)? Maybe, but I'm not convinced of that.. Quite a few teams are looking for a PG to either backup a current starter, or to start, but Sessions at the MLE hasn't generated as big of a buzz as some expected.

I guess my perception of it, regardless of what the Bucks "say" about their willingness to match, is that perhaps Ramon Sessions would be a little more desirable to a number of teams if he wasn't looking for an MLE deal. At a lower number, I think many of these teams would have given him more consideration and risked signing him to an offer sheet much earlier in the offseason to see what the Bucks would do.. but at ML or MLE dollars most are less than interested. I just think Ramon and his agent are marketing him a little higher than what he has earned at this point in his career and the market is sort of giving him a reality check. Perhaps one of these teams will get desparate enough and sign him to an MLE deal but there certainly appears to be some reluctance to do that.

[KingCammo]

Interesting thought CBQ. It could be.

But I also think that Ramon and the Bucks are in a unique position. Anything short term or reasonable and the Bucks are guaranteed to match. So why bother. Yet other teams also probably are scared to go full MLE in this environment.

Really works out well for the Bucks. Let's just take this gift and move forward. We've been screwed enough in the past when our FA's had other teams with free money. Time for the good guys to win one for a change.

One thing's for sure. If LH was still at the helm, he would've freaked out and signed Ramon to a 4 year, $32 million deal.

[europa]

If other teams believe Sessions is only $3M-$4M or whatever, that's fine with me. That's still a very good price given what he's shown so far combined with his youth, talent and potential for improvement. Frankly, I'm elated no team wants to pay him a full ML deal. I consider that to be a huge bonus for the Bucks because this means there's a greater chance they can keep a talented young player at their price. I see zero problems or downside to that.

[europa]

The Sixers have Holiday but they are also looking for a vet PG to "start" for that team and I think Sessions could have been a good fit with that team.

Sessions isn't a veteran, though, sis. He's another young PG. I think the Sixers would prefer to have a veteran be around for the short term until Holiday is ready - hence their interest in Tinsley and Watson. They don't want to make a long-term commitment to another young PG. They want someone they can bring in who's cheap and won't be around for very long. A guy like Tinsley fits the bill (assuming the Sixers want to ignore all of his red flags). He'll likely get no more than two years (probably only one) for around the vet minimum.

[carmelbrownqueen]

Interesting thought CBQ. It could be.

But I also think that Ramon and the Bucks are in a unique position. Anything short term or reasonable and the Bucks are guaranteed to match. So why bother. Yet other teams also probably are scared to go full MLE in this environment.

Really works out well for the Bucks. Let's just take this gift and move forward. We've been screwed enough in the past when our FA's had other teams with free money. Time for the good guys to win one for a change.

If we believe half of what has been reported most don't believe the Bucks will match an offer for Sessions regardless of the length because we are "cutting costs/salaries" and rebuilding so why not call their bluff and see what we do if that team really believes he is worth that much?

I think teams want Ramon, but not at the midlevel, and would rather pay for a shorter term stopgap then give him the money most believe he is worth at this point in his career.

[Bernman]

I don't purport to know what's the actual factual, because there are conflicting reports from various media sources, and one of them is the New York Post, so I guess you believe what you want.

If the reports that are alluding to a weak market for his services, are valid, Ramon ought to fire his agent. Wells is seeking the full MLE over 5 years because that would gain him maximum financial security. If Ramon received the full MLE over 3 seasons, he'd have far more security than a human being should require, and then he could fill up the world's biggest piggy bank subsequent to that time period, so long as he's the bona fide paterfamilias. Problem is that wouldn't necessarily gain Wells enough security, considering he has only one client. He's the one who has the bigger motivation for a longer deal, and from observing Ramon in interviews, the kid is very impressionable and still immature, so he's not driving the car in this situation.

Seeking a 2-3 year deal would vastly expand the possibilities for Ramon. Teams who drafted who they hoped to be their point guard of the future, like Philadelphia, would not only be precluded from being excluded, but then they might be major players. They can't seriously be planning on handing the keys over to Holiday immediately, when he's 18, sucked in summer league, is a bit of a project because he's new to the position, and the Sixers have a team outside of the pg position who is capable of doing damage in the playoffs. They might be all over Ramon if he was requiring a long term deal.

[carmelbrownqueen]

The Sixers have Holiday but they are also looking for a vet PG to "start" for that team and I think Sessions could have been a good fit with that team.

Sessions isn't a veteran, though, sis. He's another young PG. I think the Sixers would prefer to have a veteran be around for the short term until Holiday is ready - hence their interest in Tinsley and Watson. They don't want to make a long-term commitment to another young PG. They want someone they can bring in who's cheap and won't be around for very long. A guy like Tinsley fits the bill (assuming the Sixers want to ignore all of his red flags). He'll likely get no more than two years (probably only one) for around the vet minimum.

I don't think the Sixers want Tinsely around Holiday.. (if so they they have completely lost their minds) but will settle for him if they can get him at the right price.

[europa]

I think if Wells called Hammond right now and said he'd take 3/$12M the deal would be done within minutes. I don't blame Wells for wanting a lot for his client but if he doesn't adjust to the market conditions he's doing Sessions a huge disservice.

[europa]

The Sixers have Holiday but they are also looking for a vet PG to "start" for that team and I think Sessions could have been a good fit with that team.

Sessions isn't a veteran, though, sis. He's another young PG. I think the Sixers would prefer to have a veteran be around for the short term until Holiday is ready - hence their interest in Tinsley and Watson. They don't want to make a long-term commitment to another young PG. They want someone they can bring in who's cheap and won't be around for very long. A guy like Tinsley fits the bill (assuming the Sixers want to ignore all of his red flags). He'll likely get no more than two years (probably only one) for around the vet minimum.

I don't think the Sixers want Tinsely around Holiday.. (if so they they have completely lost their minds) but will settle for him if they can get him at the right price.

I agree he's not the guy I'd be pursuing. But I don't think they want another young PG. I think they want a stopgap guy who can handle the minutes until Holiday shows he's ready. Ridnour would be a nice fit there.

[carmelbrownqueen]

I think if Wells called Hammond right now and said he'd take 3/$12M the deal would be done within minutes. I don't blame Wells for wanting a lot for his client but if he doesn't adjust to the market conditions he's doing Sessions a huge disservice.

Maybe.. and I think ultimately that might be what he ends up getting if another team fails to make an MLE offer, but I think it's very possible the Bucks offer could end up starting at 3/$9 (you know that insulting number ) for him and work it's way up rather than starting at 3/$12...

[Scoops]

I think the salary cap a year or two from now is scaring teams to death. I wonder if Hammond/Skiles even want Sessions? Maybe the plan was to have another team offer him the full MLE and then they could let him go and not have to deal with the situation. I mean let's say they love BJ and Skiles wants the vet Ridnour to stay. They could be thinking they have no need for Sessions but realize it would be a publicity nightmare to just let him walk. Now they might be scratching their heads wondering what to do with Sessions when they don't want him and everyone else is afraid to spend.

I think that might be exactly what is happening. Bummer.

[europa]

More power to Hammond if he can get Sessions for 3/$9M. I just don't see it.