payitforward wrote:As I've written a couple of times already, this was Martell's one chance to get a long-term contract for real $$, and I'm sure his people walked in the door w/ a ton of comparables and were able to point to interest from several other teams. So the deal is no surprise.
Is it a good deal for the Wizards? Well, the bottom line financial risk is no doubt covered, in that teams usually insure contracts. The impact on cap space isn't that big an issue either, as it's mostly some years down the line.
Are there players in the league who make less and are better? Sure. Tony Allen is a more productive player than Martell Webster for example. But there are also guys who aren't as good and make more.
From a Monumental Sports point of view -- as opposed to impact on wins and losses -- Martell is a great guy to have around. His obvious brains, his ability to talk, his willingness to lead. Those are special qualities.
I'm a numbers guy, but not every signing is exclusively about numbers. I love the guy, and I'm delighted to think of him as a Wizard long-term. I have no grief whatever w/ this deal -- welcome back, Martell!
I also would say that there's a substantial difference in having multiple years w/a player over 30 (Ariza, Okafor, Nene), and having multiple years with a player that's only 25, and actually, technically, could be a potential foundation piece if he could stay healthy.
While I wouldn't have selected Porter, I do kind of like how things have been set up, the team is essentially locked in in terms of the back court and small forward, and can focus all attention going forward the next two years on the twin mission of #1 keeping Nene and Oka healthy, and #2 figuring out for once and for all if there's anything to Seraphin, Booker, Ves, or Singleton as long term pieces, probably not, but we'll see. I kind of see the lack of depth, and cap space available to address the position as essentially a means to evaluate these guys for one last year, before deciding what their roles will be in the future, if any. Not a bad plan. We own our picks next year in that mega stacked draft, and should be getting some cap space going forward as well and have Ariza and Oka as an expiring to address these issues if as expected, that pile of first rounders/boyd draftees turns into a colossal pile of busts.
I won't cry any if we get extra minutes to evaluate Seraphin and Vesely for once and for all, and if it boosts are draft slot in the best draft in a decade, I definitely won't be crying.
And as mentioned earlier, health is a big question w/his track record, but at least he's young, and that is a huge selling point, ditto his chemistry and understanding with the team.
