Darko, Pek and the Lockout.

[NewWolvesOrder]

Looks like the lockout is very likely. What's the probability of Darko or even Pek approaching Kahn about canceling their contracts and going back to Europe. There were some rumblings about Darko doing so if he doesn't like it here after this season and he sure doesn't look too happy during games, so the lockout could be an excuse for him going home. Pek may become tired of constant refs abuse and being a scrub bench player instead of being a star in Greece. Plus I don't think he wants to sit out a year without play and pay.

Will it be a good thing for the Wolves? On one hand we clear alot of capspace, on the other we lose our centers. What are your thoughts on this?

[[RCG]]

Both seem to like it here. I haven't heard anything about Darko complaining and he's been getting starting minutes. I can't see how losing both would be a good thing for the Wolves, if we wanted cap space we could have traded them at the trade deadline.

[NewWolvesOrder]

Both seem to like it here. I haven't heard anything about Darko complaining and he's been getting starting minutes. I can't see how losing both would be a good thing for the Wolves, if we wanted cap space we could have traded them at the trade deadline.

But do they want to sit through the lockout? And did they tell you they enjoy it here?

[UK-Wolf]

I'm not really clued up on rules/regs but couldn't they play in Europe just for the lockout and come back the following year?

[B Calrissian]

Both seem to like it here. I haven't heard anything about Darko complaining and he's been getting starting minutes. I can't see how losing both would be a good thing for the Wolves, if we wanted cap space we could have traded them at the trade deadline.

Agreed.

But do they want to sit through the lockout? And did they tell you they enjoy it here?

[[RCG]]

Both seem to like it here. I haven't heard anything about Darko complaining and he's been getting starting minutes. I can't see how losing both would be a good thing for the Wolves, if we wanted cap space we could have traded them at the trade deadline.

But do they want to sit through the lockout? And did they tell you they enjoy it here?

Yep, they personally told me they like it here. Your post implies that they would leave for Europe and not come back, otherwise the comment about clearing cap space doesn't matter because there wouldn't be any games and it wouldn't matter if we had a center or not. I fail to see how this question applies only to the Europe players. Does anyone want to sit through a lock-out? I would think that any player would want to go earn some money playing basketball somewhere else. I would also imagine, in the event of the a lockout, that players would be free to play elsewhere but that once the new CBA were agreed upon that the regular NBA contracts would still be in effect. It would be similar to a one-year hiatus.

[Peezo]

Is it too much speculation to assume that they are happy, or at least content? Did they ever say they were unhappy?

I could see them playing overseas and being allowed to do so, I would be more concerned with IF they did leave whether or not they would want to come back.

[NewWolvesOrder]

Both seem to like it here. I haven't heard anything about Darko complaining and he's been getting starting minutes. I can't see how losing both would be a good thing for the Wolves, if we wanted cap space we could have traded them at the trade deadline.

But do they want to sit through the lockout? And did they tell you they enjoy it here?

Yep, they personally told me they like it here. Your post implies that they would leave for Europe and not come back, otherwise the comment about clearing cap space doesn't matter because there wouldn't be any games and it wouldn't matter if we had a center or not. I fail to see how this question applies only to the Europe players. Does anyone want to sit through a lock-out? I would think that any player would want to go earn some money playing basketball somewhere else. I would also imagine, in the event of the a lockout, that players would be free to play elsewhere but that once the new CBA were agreed upon that the regular NBA contracts would still be in effect. It would be similar to a one-year hiatus.

First of all, I don't remember players going to Europe to play during the previous lockout, and I think only FAs can go to play whenever they want during the lockout. I may be wrong about it but you also don't seem to be a guru on contract issues.

[re49gb_2gho32fp]

last time around Divac went to eu, played a few games and came back once the lockout ended. no biggie.

speaking of offseason, i was thinking the past day or so of a trade proposal POR/MIN

#1
POR sends: Batum, Fernandez, Camby
MIN sends: Johnson, Pekovic/Milicic (either)

#2
POR sends: Batum, Camby, Fernandez
MIN sends: Johnson, Randolph, 1st, (e: + 2nd)

Implication for MIN: Inserting batum into starting lineup opens an opportunity to capitalize on beasley in the market, for maybe a quality sg or pg. Also MIN doesnt need 3 players capable of playing the 5 and instead gets an expiring vet presence PF/C in Camby. The intagibles Camby brings for 1 year prove invaluable for any team not to mention a young team.

Implication for POR: Get bigger. desperately in need of frontcourt depth (wallace doesnt offer it). With wallace, batum may be used as a solid tradechip. Oden cant be relied upon as C. POR signs an additional PF/C in offseason, and additional SF through either draft or bringing claver.

?

[[RCG]]

First of all, I don't remember players going to Europe to play during the previous lockout, and I think only FAs can go to play whenever they want during the lockout. I may be wrong about it but you also don't seem to be a guru on contract issues.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/1/31/1966198/dirk-nowitzki-nba-lockout-2011-europe

If there is a lockout players' contracts may be void, in which case they would be free to sign overseas. I never claimed to be a "guru on contract issues," I said "I would think" and "I would also imagine"...

[Klomp]

last time around Divac went to eu, played a few games and came back once the lockout ended. no biggie.

speaking of offseason, i was thinking the past day or so of a trade proposal POR/MIN

#1
POR sends: Batum, Fernandez, Camby
MIN sends: Johnson, Pekovic/Milicic (either)

#2
POR sends: Batum, Camby, Fernandez
MIN sends: Johnson, Randolph, 1st, (e: + 2nd)

Implication for MIN: Inserting batum into starting lineup opens an opportunity to capitalize on beasley in the market, for maybe a quality sg or pg. Also MIN doesnt need 3 players capable of playing the 5 and instead gets an expiring vet presence PF/C in Camby. The intagibles Camby brings for 1 year prove invaluable for any team not to mention a young team.

Implication for POR: Get bigger. desperately in need of frontcourt depth (wallace doesnt offer it). With wallace, batum may be used as a solid tradechip. Oden cant be relied upon as C. POR signs an additional PF/C in offseason, and additional SF through either draft or bringing claver.

?

I thought you were a POR fan? isn't Batum virtually untouchable?

[NewWolvesOrder]

First of all, I don't remember players going to Europe to play during the previous lockout, and I think only FAs can go to play whenever they want during the lockout. I may be wrong about it but you also don't seem to be a guru on contract issues.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/1/31/1966198/dirk-nowitzki-nba-lockout-2011-europe

If there is a lockout players' contracts may be void, in which case they would be free to sign overseas. I never claimed to be a "guru on contract issues," I said "I would think" and "I would also imagine"...

So your link shows that it will be very complicated for players to keep their current NBA contract and sign one in Europe. I don't see a Euro team throwing big money at a guy like Pek if he can go back to USA at any moment. I still think that Pek or Darko can try to get out of their deals to secure a good contract in Europe and avoid losing a season of their carreer. Pek is one year removed from being a star player challenging for trophies, I don't think he will miss playing for 12 min a game on a lottery team and being whistled for phantom fouls avery other minute. And living in Minnesota has nothing to do with it so don't get so defensive.

[Worm Guts]

I don't remember this ever happening, where a team and a player have mutually agreed to void a contract. It seems very unlikely to me.

[AQuintus]

#1
POR sends: Batum, Fernandez, Camby
MIN sends: Johnson, Pekovic/Milicic (either)
?

I would do this no question, and I would throw in Tolliver (even more big man depth) and the Mem 1st.

[[RCG]]

So your link shows that it will be very complicated for players to keep their current NBA contract and sign one in Europe. I don't see a Euro team throwing big money at a guy like Pek if he can go back to USA at any moment. I still think that Pek or Darko can try to get out of their deals to secure a good contract in Europe and avoid losing a season of their carreer. Pek is one year removed from being a star player challenging for trophies, I don't think he will miss playing for 12 min a game on a lottery team and being whistled for phantom fouls avery other minute. And living in Minnesota has nothing to do with it so don't get so defensive.

Let me summarize.

You asked about Darko/Pek wanting to cancel their contracts and go back to Europe and whether or not it would be good for the Wolves. I said I hadn't heard of either of them complaining and didn't think it would be beneficial to let them go. You then asked if they told me they liked it here, assuming that they must not like it. I said I would think that NBA players would be free to play elsewhere overseas in the event of a lockout due. You then said I'm not a guru on contract issues which I never claimed to be.

I don't get what living in Minnesota has to do with anything and I fail to see how I'm getting defensive, I'm just clarifying what I said and what you claim I said.

FIBA honors contracts signed with other leagues so FA's could sign overseas in the event of a lockout. If the courts rule NBA contracts void after the players have been locked-out/decertified then they could sign in Europe as well. I would think the contract would only be void for the next year though, I can't imagine every NBA player becoming a free agent when the CBA is agreed upon. If the courts rule that the NBA contracts are valid then players under contract wouldn't be allowed to sign overseas and the issue is moot. I'm not sure if Pek/Darko even want their contracts bought out, if the Wolves would even do it, and certainly they wouldn't be a better team with no centers.

This thread is just entirely speculative. The big assumption is that Darko/Pek don't want to play in Minnesota which there hasn't been any evidence for. Both just signed contracts, which no one forced them to do so unless they publicly come out and say "I don't want to be here," I'll assume that signing a contract with the team implies they want to be here.

[[RCG]]

I don't remember this ever happening, where a team and a player have mutually agreed to void a contract. It seems very unlikely to me.

If this is in response to my post, I'm sorry for not being clear. I meant the courts would rule the contract void.

[Saltine]

There is no official, legal, agreement between the Leagues. They could certainly go over there and play if they wished for the season, all of them could. The NBA wouldn't have a legal argument either, especially if they had locked everyone out.

This Letter of Clearance thing is silly, every single player has to have one to transfer between teams already. It isn't something special, it is standard practice. All disputes are resolved in Swiss courts, within a maximum of 6 weeks. I'm sure the NBA will do really well over there, lol

Here is the daunting, single page, widely spaced, letter of clearance.
http://www.fiba.com/downloads/training/ ... MPLATE.pdf

[re49gb_2gho32fp]

I thought you were a POR fan? isn't Batum virtually untouchable?

Not for the right bargain. Plus, if POR can have a decent frontoucrt and a healthy wallace starting for 2-3 years at SF, POR should definitely seek to explore a good return for Batum. Plus, Batum is entering his last year next season, while Johnson enters his 2nd. if Oden gets QO, it makes sense for POR to get johnson for Batum. while Rudy is good at quite a few things, his shooting is very inconsistent and POR already has three sg's on the roster. also expiring.

#1
POR sends: Batum, Fernandez, Camby
MIN sends: Johnson, Pekovic/Milicic (either)
?

I would do this no question, and I would throw in Tolliver (even more big man depth) and the Mem 1st.

In that event, this is an absolute no-brainer for blazers. Call kahn or email bomb him with this (just make sure to highlight/bold batums name).
This is a great deal imo.

[B Calrissian]

I like the Blazers deal with Johnson/Pek/Darko(even with added Tolly/Mem 1st) but I wouldn't want to have Randolph included. I'm not a fan of Camby but he could definitely teach AR a thing or two.

[Klomp]

Plus, Batum is entering his last year next season, while Johnson enters his 2nd.

Wow, had no idea Batum would retire after next year...