DEN-MIN .. a request for Madsen

[shrink]

A deal that's been proposed over on the Nuggets board for a while is a Madsen-for-Chucky Atkins swap, and with the Samb trade, it finally makes more sense for them.

The actual numbers are hard to find, but according to their local paper, the Nuggets are only a bit above the lux right now. If they can get under the lux, they'll save an additional $2 mil, plus the doubling of whatever the salary they have over the lux (for the sake of argument, I'm going to say ($0.4 mil).

Salaries:
Madsen 2008 $2.63, 2009 $2.84
Atkins 2008 $3.24, 2009 $0.78 (guaranteed)

Financially, this works like this way for DEN: In 2008-09 $0.61 mil (difference in salaries, + $2.0 mil in lux share + $0.4 mil as amount doubled in lux) for a total savings of around $3 mil. In 2009 they lose about $2 mil (difference in salaries) so they save $1 mil.

Financially for us, its simply the difference. We pay about $0.6 mil in 2008-09, but save about $2 mil in salary difference in 2009-10, for a net savings of $1.4 mil.

I want to be clear though that Atkins is nowhere near the player he was last year, and while we have a need for a PG, if he can provide help there, at least while Ollie is out, that's just bonus. He's racking up DNP-CD's, and has only scored points in two games over the las three weeks. If he had on court value before, it disappeared when Billups arrived. For us the deal is about clearing cap space (and/or creating a roster spot). DEN is very shallow for front court depth, as you can tell when its those guys that keep bringing up Mark Madsen. Madsen's nothing special, but he plays hard, knows where to be in the court, boxes out pretty well, knows his place, and has a pretty good attitude.

As unfamiliar as I am with Madsen requests, I'd be in favor of a deal like this.

[theGreatRC]

As long as he is a DNP-CD for the rest of the season, i'm all for this trade since he racks up 2 mil less than Madsen next year.

[Mattya]

I wouldn't mind it, I would miss the mad dog though

[C.lupus]

I like Madsen as a person and he provides some energy and defense when he plays. For all intents, though, he is a glorified cheerleader and at this point a broken-down PG might be better than 6th PF/C. Might as well save Taylor some money before he starts shopping for FAs.

[john2jer]

Makes sense for both teams. Means we're sitting at roughly 12mil under the cap next year before draft picks are signed. Is that enough to get Marvin Williams?

[Wingman]

Makes sense for both teams. Means we're sitting at roughly 12mil under the cap next year before draft picks are signed. Is that enough to get Marvin Williams?

We better not spend more than 12 million on a guy who averages 13.5 points and 6 rebounds in 35 minutes a game, lol. He's only 22 and has lots of talent, but I think we could get him if we want to overpay.

[shrink]

I don't think Madsen is a bad contract. He's a vet big man with a salary in the $2's, and he becomes an expiring in six months. He's not particularly talented, but he's active on defense (some would say "hyperactive," boxes out well, goes to the right spots on the floor, and has a good attitude everywhere .. i.e. .."knows his role." I'd miss Madsen too, but I admire his professionalism. Denver's record is now 5th best in the NBA, and he'd get minutes, so I think its a good situation for him. I hope we'd consider bringing him back as an assistant coach when he decides to retire.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I've looked all over to get a firm figure on how close DEN is to getting under the lux. I don't trust any of them, but the local DEN paper says its about $0.2 mil after moving Samb. This would mean the trade would save MIN $1.4 mil and DEN $0.8 mil. I think if Taylor threw in $300,000, to split the savings, it'd be a good deal for both. Maybe Atkins could even cover a few minutes at Pg with Ollie out for three weeks?

[john2jer]

Makes sense for both teams. Means we're sitting at roughly 12mil under the cap next year before draft picks are signed. Is that enough to get Marvin Williams?

We better not spend more than 12 million on a guy who averages 13.5 points and 6 rebounds in 35 minutes a game, lol. He's only 22 and has lots of talent, but I think we could get him if we want to overpay.

Well you have to figure the draft picks are going to cost us probably 4-5mil, so that brings us down to 7-8mil for Marvin Williams.

Also, keep in mind that he's probably their 4th, sometimes 5th option, after Johnson, Smith, Bibby, and sometimes Horford. He'd become at the very least our 3rd option after Jefferson and Foye. He'd average more than 13.5 and 6. Plus he's 23 years old, fits talent, need, age, and potential. He's probably a perfect fit from the 2009 class, and he's used to playing in North Carolina and Atlanta, we might have to toss a couple extra bucks to get him to come up to Sota.

[WallyWorld]

Im doubtful we will ship Madsen out.

Remember we still have a small trade exception from the Houston trade for the GG trade. Maybe we could get some guard help with that.

[casey]

I don't think Madsen is a bad contract. He's a vet big man with a salary in the $2's, and he becomes an expiring in six months. He's not particularly talented, but he's active on defense (some would say "hyperactive," boxes out well, goes to the right spots on the floor, and has a good attitude everywhere .. i.e. .."knows his role." I'd miss Madsen too, but I admire his professionalism. Denver's record is now 5th best in the NBA, and he'd get minutes, so I think its a good situation for him. I hope we'd consider bringing him back as an assistant coach when he decides to retire.

Mark Madsen is the worst player in the league. He'd be overpaid if he was getting the minimum.

[john2jer]

I don't think Madsen is a bad contract. He's a vet big man with a salary in the $2's, and he becomes an expiring in six months. He's not particularly talented, but he's active on defense (some would say "hyperactive," boxes out well, goes to the right spots on the floor, and has a good attitude everywhere .. i.e. .."knows his role." I'd miss Madsen too, but I admire his professionalism. Denver's record is now 5th best in the NBA, and he'd get minutes, so I think its a good situation for him. I hope we'd consider bringing him back as an assistant coach when he decides to retire.

Mark Madsen is the worst player in the league. He'd be overpaid if he was getting the minimum.

The only thing that matters is winning, especially championships.

Madsen > Barkley, Webber, Ewing, and Malone

[jack612]

I have never liked Madsen but especially hate him since I found out he donated a bunch of money to Yes on Prop 8 in California. I can't wait until he's gone.

[Gunny]

I have never liked Madsen but especially hate him since I found out he donated a bunch of money to Yes on Prop 8 in California. I can't wait until he's gone.

That's one of the reasons I want him to stay.

Minnesota could use a few more conservatives.

[shrink]

Doesn't matter now. DEN decided to use a 2009 1st to get under the cap and add Petro.

[PeeDee]

Minnesota could use a few more conservatives.

No thanks, you can keep them all in NC.

[Gunny]

Minnesota could use a few more conservatives.

No thanks, you can keep them all in NC.

Won't be here for long. My enlistment's almost up.

There are more liberals here than most people think, especially in the military.

Anyway, back on topic. Don't really like Madsen as a player and wouldn't mind giving Atkins some spot minutes, but I really hope Mark goes back to the Wolves organization after his retirement. Fans love him here and he's good for the game.

[Gunny]

Actually, scratch that plan. OKC's got Atkins.

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/56464/20090107/atkins_dealt_to_oklahoma_city/