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

[Newz]

I'm sure players thought that Larry Harris wasn't cheap and treated his players well...

Where did that get him?

It got him fired because he had zero concept in my opinion about how to properly construct a team.

I'd also be fine with a $1M deal for Sessions. I'm not saying I wouldn't. I'm saying if someone is advocating long-term FA as a way to add talent, having a GM who players believe is cheap might not be the best way to go.

Who cares if they think he is cheap?

Let's say in 2011 we have cap room and we want... Let's just say Caron Butler. Everyone else offers him 9 mil a year and we offer him 10 or 10.5... Does he really care what the hell we gave Ramon Sessions?

He just handed out a huge contract extension to Andrew Bogut, I doubt getting Sessions on a bargain is going to make any players upset.

[europa]

I just think it's foolish to offer the same contract to two players when one has significantly outperformed the other.

[Newz]

I just think it's foolish to offer the same contract to two players when one has significantly outperformed the other.

Why?

So you are saying the Bucks should pay more money than they have to just to give Ramon "what he is worth"? Start low, like 3/9 and work your way up from there... Get him at as much of a bargain as you possibly can.

I could give a damn what Ramon Sessions makes, he is going to be a millionaire either way. I care about the Bucks and their salary structure now and in the future... I think John Hammond agrees with me and that is why we apparently haven't made an offer to Sessions yet... We are just waiting.

[Sigra]

If the choice is no money or going overseas with the Bucks retaining your rights or getting the Ersan deal, I'd guess Sessions would take the Ersan deal. It would represent a significant raisse over his prior contract.

Yup. Especially considering how bad fit is Europe for Ramon. Ramon would SUCK in Europe just like Childress sucks in Europe. Europe is just bad fit for players without shoot.

[europa]

I understand why Hammond hasn't made an offer yet and as I've said many times I'm in agreement with him. But if you think Sessions and Ilyasova should be paid the same, that's fine. I don't. I want the Bucks to get the best possible deal as well so if they can get Sessions for 3/$7M, that's great. I won't complain about it. I just wouldn't offer two players the same deal when one has significantly outperformed the other. But that's just my opinion.

[buckaroo]

The only reason anyone signs Iverson is on some crazy notion that he is going to sell out their building on a regular basis. It sure as hell doesn't look like any good teams want anything to do with him. We are hearing the Clips and Memphis were most interested. Those are the 2 worst run franchise in the league. Even they aren't pursuing him that hard (or in Memphis' case, at all). I'd be thrilled if Iverson wasn't in the NBA next year.

Isn't Iverson a better move for NYK than Sessions? It is not like NY is making the playoffs and he would ruin the chemistry. NY needs a one year rental and if that rental helps fill seats, all the better for them. Iverson is talking 1-yr with the other teams. He is a draw for fans. Where is the downside?

[emunney]

I don't know why Iverson would get a better contract than Sessions. He produced far less on lesser efficiency than previous years, and was the major acquisition on a team that lost 20 more games than the previous year. And he's 34. He's already played more career minutes than a number of notable hall of famers. Who's going to pay him and why?

Neither player is likely to get locked up longterm....4 plus years. Short term, Iverson is still a better player than Ramon Sessions and likely will be until the day he retires. As far as the who and why, I guess the questions apply to both players at this point. Allen Iverson cuuld at least be an asset to an owner as a ticket producing marquee act. No one is going to rush out and buy season tickets because Ramon Sessions is coming to town.

Iverson. Better basketball player. Better draw at the ticket window. Despite the extra drama he brings to the table.

I guess that's where we differ. Iverson isn't a better basketball player. He's well below average at this point and he's a ball dominator so he hurts you more forcefully when he's on the court. More talented, sure, but he's pride incarnate on the court and that kills him and his team, because he takes a lot of shots and he doesn't make enough of them. He thinks he's great and he's only mediocre, and those two things combined create a negative impact. Why did Detroit lose 20 more games than last year? If Iverson is better than Sessions, then Billups must be better than Jordan.

[ReasonablySober]

Iverson is no longer a good player and I don't think I'd want him on my team at any price. And I used to be a big Iverson fan.

[BobbyLight]

Isn't Iverson a better move for NYK than Sessions? It is not like NY is making the playoffs and he would ruin the chemistry. NY needs a one year rental and if that rental helps fill seats, all the better for them. Iverson is talking 1-yr with the other teams. He is a draw for fans. Where is the downside?

Interesting idea. If Isiah was still there he'd already have him signed to a max contract.

[Ayt]

Iverson is no longer a good player and I don't think I'd want him on my team at any price. And I used to be a big Iverson fan.

He was a lot of fun to watch in his prime and he was definitely an impact player, but he's the perfect example of a player that cannot adapt to aging. He still thinks he's 25 years old, but at his age he's no longer effective playing like that.

[bentley]

For accuracy purposes, Ersan somewhat outperformed Ramon last year although I like both players.
Ersan led his team to the final 4 championship round and was considered one of the top rebounders in Europe. Do you really think that Ersan and Ramon would sit around comparing millionaire salaries ?

[europa]

For accuracy purposes, Ersan somewhat outperformed Ramon last year although I like both players.

I was comparing their production in the NBA. That's the only relevant comparison in my opinion. But again, if the Bucks can get Sessions to take a 3/$7M deal, good for them.

[europa]

I know we've been down this road before but one Knicks beat writer (Alan Hahn) thinks they could offer Sessions a deal. He believes it will be worth half of the ML. If it's that low, Hammond would have to be a fool not to match it. Here's the report:

The Knicks — who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday — will now focus again on restricted free-agent guard Ramon Sessions, who could get a multiyear offer sheet for about half of the midlevel from the Knicks.

[LUKE23]

Getting Ramon at half the MLE would be awesome.

What are all these reports about "could get offer sheet" though? Of course someone could get an offer sheet, tell me when the F they DO sign an offer sheet. Sheet.

[europa]

Getting Ramon at half the MLE would be awesome.

What are all these reports about "could get offer sheet" though? Of course someone could get an offer sheet, tell me when the F they DO sign an offer sheet. Sheet.

I agree. We've been hearing for nearly a week now that the Knicks were going to offer Sessions a contract. First it was the full ML. Then less. Now half of the ML. I'm skeptical - especially given how two respected sources insist the Knicks aren't going to make Sessions an offer. But even if they do, the good news is we have several sources reporting the Bucks will match at least $3M and close to the ML. So if the Knicks come in low, there's zero reason for Hammond not to match.

[BucksRUS]

Europa,

You even think that the Bucks will match it even if it for 5 years. That seems like an awful long time to have a player you aren't sold on being a long term piece. We don't know the length of the offer yet, but if it is for 5 years would Sessions sign it for only half the mid level?

[europa]

I don't think it will be five years. My guess is it's four at the most. And at $3M a year (which is half of the ML), I think Hammond would be a fool to not match it. That's a bargain price. Even if you think Sessions is only going to be a backup, paying $3M a year for a backup PG is not overpaying by any means. The Bucks would be paying around $5M a year for their PG situation for the next few years. How many teams in the league can say that?

[drew881]

I wouldn't be surprised if they offer something lower than the MLE. Remember Varejao's last contract. Everyone thought he could get a decent amount, and then ended up signing I think 4 years 9 million. Sure he made his pay day the second time around this summer, but if I remember correctly, he went for well below what everyone thought. Hope the same thing happens. If the Knicks low ball him, and depending on the details of the contract (options, years), it's still risky not accepting it.

[paulpressey25]

Even if the thing is 5-years/$20mm with a player option after year four, I'd match it. $4-5mm a year players of Ramon's skill level can be dealt. I think the $7-8mm a year full MLE's are a lot harder. And under a full MLE we'd have those last couple years over $7mm a year.

[europa]

Woelfel and Hahn remain the only reporters in America who think the Knicks will still sign Sessions to an offer sheet. Here's the latest from Gery:

Knicks still leaning toward offer sheet 4 Ramon Sessions. S&T with D. Lee isn't in cards.