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Paxson's the one without leverage

Blogabull_s_tiny by your friendly BullsBlogger on

This 'negotiation' is really starting to get to me. Especially this permeating (if perhaps still a minority) opinion that it's of such paramount importance that the Bulls don't overpay for Deng and Gordon. This is usually accompanied wit the odd tough-guy talk that the Bulls can just let them go as a preferential alternative to overpaying.

The Bulls drafted these players, they own their rights. The CBA is set up so that it's easier for teams to retain their own players at the expense of their ability to get other team's players. That means it's even more important to draft smart, and sign who you drafted.

This isn't the fiscal responsibility league, and what makes me more willing to see the Bulls 'overpay' for Deng and Gordon is that there's isn't some tremendous downside to them not living up to the contracts. The team would be paying for their prime years, and at worst they're still above-average players. Even if it turns out that their best isn't good enough, they won't be untradeable. Heck, Hinrich (supposedly) still has trade value and I don't see Deng or Gordon ever having a season as bad as he just did.

Paxson made great moves in previous sign/trades, but that was because he was in a position to tear down the team, and guys like Crawford and Curry were unwanted (for different reasons). So draft picks and cap flexibility were enough of a haul. And that's mostly what teams get for the signed and traded.

With this team Paxson can't have that happen. I want Derrick Rose passing to legitimate teammates, not future cap space in jerseys. This team may be young but they have an opportunity to be young and successful. Being awful and cheap doesn't make the Bulls a good destination in the present or future.

Either Paxson failed to draft players worthy of big money, or mismanaged the roster to where the team can't correctly reward them. That could include the foresight of cashing in Deng early for Pau Gasol, or not tossing big money to Andres Nocioni.

If Gordon and Deng walk, the team is starting over. And if that's the case, I wouldn't mind having a new GM get a chance to try the rebuilding plan this time around. He can start early on the Tyrus Thomas contract stalemate.

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Pax did make great moves in previous sign-and-trades

That’s because he made those sign-and-trades with Isiah Thomas. Isiah is gone now, so he’ll have to find another sucker.

by Big D on Jul 23, 2008 12:03 AM CDT   0 recs

I guess we'll find out

It’s all about perception anyway for as long as the negotiations are going. If they get the money they want, he didn’t have leverage. If they sign for less, he did. And if they sign the tenders, I’d say neither one did.

by JSlakov on Jul 23, 2008 12:07 AM CDT   0 recs

Frankly,

I’d be happy to have Deng resolved in two weeks.
Somebody tell Gordon to set a deadline too.

And I agree, Paxon doesn’t have the leverage, and he hasn’t had it. People keep talking about how nobody else has money to spend, but the certainly will have it next year. So we need to make sure that neither of these guys plays on the QO. If we can’t agree to a deal, after two years of this, then they need to be S&T’d now.

by kidronmusic on Jul 23, 2008 12:08 AM CDT   0 recs

How much does Deng's agent think he deserves?

My guess is close to Andrew Bogut money: 14.5 per year. That’s six years, $87 million.

But let’s say Deng doesn’t agree to a deal. He takes the qualifying offer ($4.5 mil) this year, then signs a 5 year deal elsewhere for his $14.5 per in the offseason, putting his “total deal” only at 6 years, $77 million.

That would mean that 6 years, $77 mil (12.8 per year) is all we’d need to offer Deng to give him Bogut money. Factor in that Bogut was drafted #1 (Deng #7), Deng’s tough year last year, and the possibility that Deng doesn’t get $14.5 mil from another team next year… and I’d have to think he’d be willing to accept a 6 year, $70 million dollar deal – giving up $7 million in return for the guaranteed money upfront.

6 years, $70 mil. Offer that, and Deng’s agent tells him to sign.

by YaoPau on Jul 23, 2008 1:55 AM CDT   1 recs

I Agree, that sounds fair

Its good or if Deng wants we can do a 3 year with a 4th option for like 45

by NamingRightsOnSale on Jul 23, 2008 3:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bogut isn't getting that much

that’s with incentives. He won’t make most of those incentives. His deal is only guaranteed for $60 mill. And Bogut is a decent center with some pluses – there aren’t many decent centers in the league. There are a lot of good small forwards though.

by KT on Jul 23, 2008 7:21 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I can't help but wonder

If all this despair is manufactured by an information void hitting a 24-hour news cycle? Paxson has consistently been close to the vest with all information concerning roster/personnel moves. That doesn’t mesh well when media is expected to churn headlines at a constant rate. I can easily see this collision leading to far too much being read into what little the media does get or even out-right speculation being presented as fact.

Maybe I’m just too patient and willing to let the process unfold.

An aside, I love the phrase “future cap space in jerseys.” Someone should go through all the NBA rosters and replace the names with that phrase where applicable.

--Torch

by torch on Jul 23, 2008 5:51 AM CDT   1 recs

I tend to agree

It’s not that long ago everyone was talking about how the Bulls do, indeed, have some leverage here, because the QO is such an awful deal for the players. I don’t want them gone, but I don’t get the sentiment for giving them a blank check.

Second, in re the op, Paxson doesnt have leverage because he’s apparently sitting this one out while Reinsforf and Gar Foreman take care of things.

by Sports2 on Jul 23, 2008 6:54 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

However

The report that several teams have declared open poaching season on us doesn’t exactly help us.

by Sports2 on Jul 23, 2008 7:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah I sort of glossed over that

if Paxson has no role in negotiations anyway….

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jul 23, 2008 9:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I wonder why BJ left the club

He even ventured over to the “other side” with the agents and now represents Rose.

Armstrong in the clutch again.

by NBA Observer on Jul 23, 2008 2:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Right on

I do think if Paxson can’t bring either of them back or at least if he can’t sign them can’t make a single move this offseason, he should be gone…

by majoyenrac on Jul 23, 2008 7:29 AM CDT   0 recs

Great point: If Paxson fails to keep Gordon and Deng, then what's he done?

Positives:
Worked a dismal and uninspired franchise into a playoff team in very short order.
Drafted the best “immediate impact” player in the 2007 draft in Joakim Noah (outside of the first 3).

Neutrals:
“Lucked” into the No. 1 overall pick in a good year when they shouldn’t have even been in the lottery.
Cleared a roster out and created mild cap flexibility in five years. (over that period of time, it’s not that hard.
Gave a contract to a PG that is now deemed expendable at best.

Negatives:
Hired a coach that had heavy influence on the roster and eventually flamed out.
Drafted a boom or bust in Tyrus Thomas that had virtually no chance of cracking the lineup of the above-mentioned coach.
Overpaid for an aging, undersized, uninspired former DPOY from a ‘chief rival’.
Overpaid for an undersized, overinspired never DPOY SF who has turned into a ‘chucker’.
Drafted 2 players in one draft that failed to be “superstars” and then never came to terms to keep them in town even though they were the two best players on the team.

(I’ll gladly accept more positives or some rearranging.)

by tyger1147 on Jul 23, 2008 7:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Trading Tyson

for P.J. Brown maybe? Even though I’ve heard Reinsdorf was the person who wanted Wallace and all that done.

B.J. for three.... KABOOM!

by chibullsfan03 on Jul 23, 2008 9:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well I'd add

That he pulled a fast one on the Cavs in ridding ourselves of Big Ben and getting 1 very useful piece in Gooden (who could serve more useful in a trade if we trade, which we won’t)....

We have the bad contract in Hughes, but he too is far more servicable than Big Ben….

So that’s a slam dunk trade win for teh Bulls in my mind. Hughes has talent too and if he played team ball with the new coaching staff, could really help us out should we lose Gordon and Hinrich in our guard spots….

The biggest negative I have on Paxson are that he traded Tyson for a nice trade piece in JR Smith and an even better trade piece in the expiring and still useful PJ Brown….and then trading JR Smith for complete garbage so that he could sign and overpay Griffin for no reason at all, and then letting PJ Brown complain publicly about his role and ask to be traded and have a nice tradable hefty salary to get some nice pieces and DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WITH IT, which definately helped to hurt the team this past year.

Then I’d also add that Paxson allowed all those Gasol and Kobe and KG rumours to infiltrate the team without doing his best to silence anything and then he still proceeded to do NOTHING.

Those are big negatives.

by majoyenrac on Jul 23, 2008 10:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sign these guys to three year deals

If they’re worth what they think they are, that’s enough time to show it because they haven’t shown it yet. If they end up being overpaid, hopefully the Bulls will be able to use their soon-to-expire contracts as a trade asset for the summer of 2010.

Don’t overpay these guys for more than three years. If that’s what it comes down to, then try to do a sign-and-trade and get something back in return. If that doesn’t work and only if that doesn’t work, and you only are left with the choices of either overpaying these guys for longer than three years or letting them become an UFA next year, the latter is the lesser of the two evils and would allow you a shot at the shopping spree in 2010.

Now is that really odd tough guy talk?

by messwiththebull on Jul 23, 2008 7:47 AM CDT   0 recs

I still fail to see the horrible restriction on the club of a few million dollars.

It’s a really poor strategy to put all your hope into one FA year. I’d rather take back “pennies-on-the-dollar” in trading Nocioni and Hinrich in the future than be stuck in the lottery for the next 5 years.

by tyger1147 on Jul 23, 2008 7:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's not so much about 2010 as going forward.

I realize 2010 is a longshot but I’d still like a shot nonetheless. I’d be willing to give up that shot but not if it’s in return for overpaying these two guys over the longer-term. The point is that the lesser of the two evils of being locked into a long-term liability for overpaid players versus letting them walk is the latter. Let’s avoid this situation all-together and sign these guys to rich short-term deals!

The fact that you fail to see the restriction of a few million dollars after we saw teams like Philly get Brand by clearing as little as $3m baffles me. The fact that you’d rather take back “pennies-on-the-dollar” in trading overpaid assets in the future baffles me even more. Because of these glaring philosophical differences, it is apparent you and I will not agree on this topic at all.

by messwiththebull on Jul 23, 2008 8:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Right... because Philly wasn't able to clear that space relatively easily.

Denver didn’t just clear $10 million in a fairly easy fashion either. Yes, that space matters, but NO, it’s not hard to create. And yes, I’d rather take pennies on the dollar for Nocioni and Hinrich than get nothing in return for Deng and Gordon. What a horrible thought.

by tyger1147 on Jul 23, 2008 8:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Philly had to be quite resourceful in a short-period of time

and were essentially bailed out by teams willing to take on those players’ salary. That was not an easy slam dunk and a lot of credit has gone to Stefanski for the job he did: because it wasn’t easy.

And Denver had to literally give away the former DPoY and team’s interior presence. That cap space came at a price; Denver couldn’t afford to take any salary back which is one reason they had to turn down the Nets’ offer of guys like Sean Jefferson, Josh Boone, and take that conditional second round pick.

These sound easy to you?

by messwiththebull on Jul 23, 2008 9:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Easier than you think

The Bulls issue is not that you can or can not clear space, it is that they misvalue their own talent. When Deng had value they were hesitant to pull the trigger because of his upside. Now they do not want to pay for that upside but want the same guy that is more important than KG, Pau and others to take less money because he had a bad season.

The NBA is full of overpaid players and you can either overpay your own players who are above average (see Deng and Gordon) or you can pray that you can have space to sign a better player in the future.

PS Any NBA player who is underpaid based on production is a malcontent and gets the money anyway

by bullschwaa on Jul 23, 2008 9:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If not "easier", they sound more common-place...

...landing a superstar talent outright in FA. I’m sure we could count a few of these deals every year. But signing a star-level talent outright? How often does that happen?

by tyger1147 on Jul 23, 2008 9:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

right

Even Elton Brand this year…he’s nearing the edge of his prime and just came off a major injury. Baron Davis also will likely be a bad deal by the time it’s over.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jul 23, 2008 10:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Very rarely

because teams understandably don’t like to let legit superstars go, especially for nothing. Organizations don’t seem to have a problem giving legit max contract guys their max money. But I don’t think the retaining teams, at this point at least, are providing enough incentive for that player to stay, assuming the dollars/offers from other teams will be comparable.

by messwiththebull on Jul 23, 2008 10:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It can be a viable option if the opportunity presents itself.
If they’re worth what they think they are, that’s enough time to show it because they haven’t shown it yet. If they end up being overpaid, hopefully the Bulls will be able to use their soon-to-expire contracts as a trade asset for the summer of 2010.

This would be an option as part of a sign-and-trade involving one of the superstar free agents, probably having to involve three teams.

by messwiththebull on Jul 23, 2008 9:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is not entirely in Paxson's hands.

So the leverage that you perceive may or may not be with Pax. Whether or not you agree, the league is structured with a soft salary cap and luxury tax threshhold. Its this luxury tax that our owner has balked at paying unless the team is winning. We have not been winning. This leaves Paxson roughly $17 million to spend on these two players. So, overpaying for one will basically spell the demise of the other as a Bull and I am okay with that…but I am not convinced that Paxson is okay with that. In the spirit of your post, I don’t think you would be okay with one of these two walking.

Although I don’t know what has been offered, I have seen this play out every offseason all around the NBA…Remember Anderson Varrajeo last summer…The players pout and make threats and pretend to have drop dead dates and whine…I expect one of the two players in question will be signed, and Pax will make a brilliant salary dump move with the other…because neither is a franchise player.

by Dionysus2.0 on Jul 23, 2008 9:19 AM CDT   0 recs

and

they got paid accordingly

by JSlakov on Jul 23, 2008 12:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Joe Johnson got a max deal.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jul 23, 2008 1:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ok

He’s a good example of someone who got paid on potential and it worked out. However if we could get a future Most Improved Player and two first round picks for Deng, I’d be happy to do so.

Usually though paying for potential hasn’t worked out and guys who became all stars late in their careers like Billups and Nash had some smaller contracts before hand.

by JSlakov on Jul 23, 2008 1:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Last I remember

Billups was an all star last year, as was Joe Johnson. Joe Johnson likely will at least be an all star next season, Billups is definately also still in consideration.

Prince is one of the more underrated players in the league, but for obvious reasons he’s been hidden behind Sheed and Billups…...that might change though with the new coach.

Prince is all around a better Battier (as talented defensively with more offensive weapons).

Not bad to have on your team, and he’s cheaper

by majoyenrac on Jul 23, 2008 12:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

at this stage in career i.e 4th season restricted

Noone of them were there are tons more. Bogut isnt an all star even curry and crawford got thier money. point is the Bulls is raking in big bucks. We can afford to pay players WE picked.

by Blacknight23 on Jul 23, 2008 2:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Got your point

I don’t get the BOGUT extension at all. Milwaukee might have done better working a trade for Okafor and I think Emeka’s a better player now and tomorrow than Bogut.

You can’t throw the Knicks into this discussion, they gave Duhon the entire MLE…..enough said.

by majoyenrac on Jul 23, 2008 2:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You're really in love

with Okafor aren’t you?

"The Zen philosopher Basho once wrote: 'A flute with no holes is not a flute, And a doughnut with no hole is a Danish.' He was a funny guy."

by Noce1184 on Jul 23, 2008 3:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Europe?

With Childress signing in Greece, I’d be interested to see if Deng’s camp will start to explore Euro options. While the European teams haven’t to date made crazy money offers to American players, it seems like Deng would be an excellent choice. Fundamentally sound (if athletically awkward) with experience living overseas – he’d be a great fit for any of the new wave of European owners (particularly new money Russian oil barons) to make a splash.

As the league continues to emphasize its global reach, I think the transfer of players, particularly quality american players, will become more prevalent, particularly if the luxury tax remains in place and the dollar continues to fall.

by Gene Banks on Jul 23, 2008 9:31 AM CDT   0 recs

funny mention on BullsBeat

If Gordon went to the Euroleague he’d be like the 6-time MVP.

But I agree that it’s a more plausible option for Deng considering non-basketball reasons.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jul 23, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i wondered that too...

especially after seeing Childress signing in Europe.

There’s a chance Deng could get more money in Europe. I’d prefer we lock him up, so we don’t lose him for nothing.

by swede2287 on Jul 23, 2008 1:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

at least

he wouldn’t be helping another team get better.

by JSlakov on Jul 23, 2008 1:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Paxson's in a great position with huge leverage.

Everyone (well, almost everyone—except me and maybe Dionysus) believes the Bulls have to figure out a way to pay both Deng and Gordon, or, at worst, at least one of them then hope for the best on the other.

I say…forget both of them. We’ve seen what they are, and they’re not championship material. But who out there is?

Iggy.

We could build a legit contender out of Rose and Iggy. Offer Iggy money that Philly would be hopelessly unable to match. Then cut both Deng and Gordon loose.

I’d much rather have one potentially really great player (Iggy) than two potentially really average, or slightly above average players (D&G).

You can do it, Pax!

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Jul 23, 2008 10:05 AM CDT   1 recs

Stats agree too

Their per-36 stats from last season are comparable even though Iguodala had a “breakout” year and Deng was playing with nagging injuries. Also, Iguodala is two years older than Deng.

by paxson43 on Jul 23, 2008 10:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

His first 2 1/2 years he had to defer to Iverson

Last year truly was his “break-out” from out of Iverson’s shadow year.

Iguodala and Rose would put so much more pressure on defenses than Rose + D or G.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Jul 23, 2008 10:56 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

Pressure against teams that don't know how to defend the paint...sure

That’s still a duo that can’t shoot effectively. Good PGs need to have a perimeter player that can shoot the lights out from the outside, it makes their lives so much easier.

I was a multiple time all star throughout my little league career. Won 5 championships- 4 in a row- thats more in a row than MJ… (kenwo4life@aol.com)

by Ozzie Montana on Jul 23, 2008 11:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Those were, um, last year's stats.

They weren’t deflated by career numbers. So your breakout point is meaningless.

by tyger1147 on Jul 23, 2008 11:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

what?

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Jul 23, 2008 11:12 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I assumed....

...that Pax43 linked to a career comparison, and you were arguing that the two were only close because Iguodala was stifled in his first two years while Deng wasn’t. Then I see they weren’t: it becomes that Iggy’s “breakout year” was comparable to Deng’s down year.

by tyger1147 on Jul 23, 2008 11:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I meant recent Iguodala compared to year 1 & 2 Iguodala.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Jul 23, 2008 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not denying that Deng's got and great mid-range jumpshot...

and a great mid-range jumpshot, and…well, you know, he’s got that great mid-range jumpshot.

Deng has found the perfect niche for a fairly unathletic wing player. I don’t know what else he can do to improve. He’s slow and he can’t jump—that cuts out a lot of his options for improvement.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Jul 23, 2008 12:16 PM CDT to parent up   1 recs

Extending range and adding post-up moves...

...don’t require exceptional athletic ability.

And, well, I should know this by now, but… if you think that’s all Deng has, then really are misinformed and ignorant to basketball.

by tyger1147 on Jul 23, 2008 12:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We've already seen the failed post moves experiment...

and he’s made what, nine 3 pointers the last two seasons combined? That sounds like a guy who’s mindset is to extend his range!

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Jul 23, 2008 1:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Make a point and defend it.

Don’t just attack.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Jul 23, 2008 2:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"Yap, yap, yap," said the little lap dog.

Any time now you can come out from behind Matt’s chair.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Jul 23, 2008 2:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

don't drag me into this

I need to use a Paxson model for this blog: everyone goes at the end of their rookie deals.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jul 23, 2008 3:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Trade unwanted commenters for another blog's trash?

I was a multiple time all star throughout my little league career. Won 5 championships- 4 in a row- thats more in a row than MJ… (kenwo4life@aol.com)

by Ozzie Montana on Jul 23, 2008 3:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hah!

I get where you’re going with this.

Maybe you could trade me to Portland for Mortimer?

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Jul 23, 2008 3:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Fine. He's still young and had horrible coaching

Now why don’t you come up with something correct for once?

by tyger1147 on Jul 23, 2008 4:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Deng's not extending his range

Skiles told Deng to decrease his range and he stopped taking 3pts. That helped Deng get to this point now, and he’s still getting better. He’ll attack the basket more and can be the most effective bull at the basket at rare moments. How can you forget about his defensive skills and shot-blocking. I’ve seen Tayshaun Prince-like blocks and glimpses numerous times. Deng should benefit from Rose maybe even the most (alot may not agree).

by JayDangles on Jul 24, 2008 2:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree

Between his lack of handle and his lack of lateral quickness he’s not a natural slasher. I have however seen him experiment with using his length for post ups. He’s kind of tentative so far, but I think his low key demeanor will help him have the patience to develop that, and not rush the post stuff.

by iBurkey on Jul 24, 2008 7:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

heard you the first twelve times

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jul 23, 2008 10:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and how do you propose we throw money at iggy?

we’d have to do a sign and trade (which obviously isn’t what you are suggesting) or i assume renounce the rights to deng and gordon first, which would be an enormous risk.

and iggy is good, but i just don’t agree that he is so much better than deng.

by Jaina on Jul 23, 2008 11:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Iggy would be overpaid, too

if he got what he’s been asking for. He may get it because Philly is now on the verge of legitimate contention,. Winning breeds generosity (i.e. see Hinrich and Noce).

by messwiththebull on Jul 23, 2008 12:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought we had until the end of next season to sort that out.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Jul 23, 2008 1:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Paxson's only leverage

is the qualifying offer of $4.5 mil that Deng would have to sign if he doesn’t agree to an extension.

I don’t know what % cut an agent takes from a deal, but the cut from $4.5 million is a whole lot less than it would be from $11-12, so the agent better be damn sure that Luol can get that back in the future. And of course, he isn’t, because Luol hasn’t shown anything besides the ability to hit an open jumpshot.

The agent is using this 2 weeks thing as a negotiation tool, and I’d be shocked if we don’t lock up Deng longterm. The QO is just too much of a financial gamble for the agent to take.

by YaoPau on Jul 23, 2008 11:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

His other leverage is what teams will be under the cap next year?

Not the Lakers, Jazz or Pistons. The Heat will, so that’s a problem if they’re willing to pay quite a pit for Deng.

So I guess Deng’s asking price just went up.

by Sports2 on Jul 23, 2008 12:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

portland's a big one too

that is, if no one screws them by playing darius miles for 10 games.

by Jaina on Jul 23, 2008 12:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why?

Deng’s a better complement. He keeps Beasley down low so he doesn’t suffer the Kirilenko Syndrome.

by tyger1147 on Jul 23, 2008 12:29 PM CDT