ducks
05-26-2004, 09:01 PM
SUPER-SIZED ORDER
Among the names bandied about last summer were Alonzo Mourning and Brad Miller. Say hello to Mehmet Okur.
Who? Well, that's as good of a starting point as any for the Mavericks front office, which has started piecing together their strategy for the expansion draft, the NBA Draft and free agency. Though the names involved might not be sexy, this off-season does promise to be a busy one for a team that exited the playoffs after five games.
Just as last summer, the primary focus is fortifying the middle. The Mavs were unable to land a top-flight defensive starting center in 2003, instead trading for two high-profile scoring forwards. Antoine Walker and Antawn Jamison could be the pieces used to corral a big man.
At the top of the Mavs' wish list, according to league sources, is Okur. The 24-year-old Detroit Pistons center from Turkey is a restricted free agent, but would likely be available if the Pistons re-sign Rasheed Wallace.
However, the Mavs can only offer Okur (6-foot-11, 250 pounds) the mid-level exception -- expected to be in the $5 million range -- because the team is over the salary cap. But the exception won't be available if the Mavs follow through with their plan of keeping restricted free-agent guard Marquis Daniels.
The only other alternative is a sign-and-trade deal, which the Pistons could pursue if it appears they will lose Okur. Such a scenario is complicated because of salary cap rules and Okur's base-year status. Although Okur is restricted, the Pistons will not be able to pay him more than the mid-level exception, unless they get under the cap. The Mavs also won't be alone in their pursuit of Okur. Teams such as Utah, Phoenix, Atlanta and the Los Angeles Clippers have significant cap room and could also be in the market for Okur when free agency begins July 1.The list of free-agent big men, including restricted players, that the Mavs are mulling over is extensive. Some names to chew on: Erick Dampier, Zeljko Rebraca, Chris Mihm, Chris Andersen, Mark Blount, Marcus Camby, Adonal Foyle, Greg Ostertag, Michael Doleac and Wallace.
"Internally, we've started targeting free agents," Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "Now, it's time to roll up our sleeves and see what's out there and what we can do."
The Mavs can protect up to eight players for the June 22 expansion draft. The Charlotte Bobcats can choose no more than one player from each team and must draft at least 14 players.
The Mavs can only protect players under contract and restricted free agents. Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley, Josh Howard and Marquis Daniels are locks on the protected list, according to Nelson. Jamison, Eduardo Najera and Shawn Bradley are also probable. Walker and Jon Stefansson are on the fence.
The Mavs will leave Tariq Abdul-Wahad, Danny Fortson and Tony Delk unprotected. The Mavs can't protect unrestricted free agents Steve Nash, Scott Williams and Travis Best. Re-signing Nash is the Mavs' No. 1 priority.
If the Bobcats do choose a player off the Mavs' unprotected list, the Mavs receive an assignment exception equivalent to that player's salary. The Mavs could then trade for a player to fit that salary slot. If Walker is chosen, that slot would be $14.6 million.
"A sign-and-trade into any slot is really an attractive piece to have," Nelson said. "Not only do you get financial relief, that number times two [because of the luxury tax], you can also get someone to help you."
The Mavs only have late a second-round pick for the June 24 NBA Draft. Nelson expects the draft to be "deep, young and international." Though he won't know how deep until after the pre-draft camps, Nelson said the Mavs would move into the first round if the price were right. He did offer this warning: He doesn't think the Mavs could find anyone in the first round that would help the Mavs beat San Antonio or the Los Angeles Lakers.
Should the Mavs once again fall short in their effort to find the defensive antidote -- or at least someone to show down Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan -- other blockbusters could be on the horizon. The Mavs do have the contracts -- Finley's, Jamison's and Walker's -- to make a run at the some of the league's premier stars.Who those names will be -- Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson or perhaps O'Neal -- is anyone's guess. What's certain is the Mavs will be busy.
Wish list?
Some big men who could interest the Mavericks:
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
(team has right to match contract offers)
Chris Andersen, Denver
Marcus Fizer, Chicago
Kenyon Martin, New Jersey
Chris Mihm, Boston
Mehmet Okur, Detroit
Zeljko Rebraca, Atlanta
Stromile Swift, Memphis
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
(player free to sign with any team)
Vlade Divac, Sacramento
Michael Doleac, Denver
Adonal Foyle, Golden State
Stanislav Medvedenko, LA Lakers
Greg Ostertag, Utah
Rasheed Wallace, Detroit
TEAM OPTIONS
(team has right to terminate or pick up contract for next season)
Carlos Boozer, Cleveland
Robert Horry, San Antonio
PLAYER OPTIONS
(player can choose to terminate contract)
Karl Malone, LA Lakers
Brian Skinner, Milwaukee
Marcus Camby, Denver
Erick Dampier, Golden State
Vitaly Potapenko, Seattle
link (http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/basketball/8739027.htm?1c)
Among the names bandied about last summer were Alonzo Mourning and Brad Miller. Say hello to Mehmet Okur.
Who? Well, that's as good of a starting point as any for the Mavericks front office, which has started piecing together their strategy for the expansion draft, the NBA Draft and free agency. Though the names involved might not be sexy, this off-season does promise to be a busy one for a team that exited the playoffs after five games.
Just as last summer, the primary focus is fortifying the middle. The Mavs were unable to land a top-flight defensive starting center in 2003, instead trading for two high-profile scoring forwards. Antoine Walker and Antawn Jamison could be the pieces used to corral a big man.
At the top of the Mavs' wish list, according to league sources, is Okur. The 24-year-old Detroit Pistons center from Turkey is a restricted free agent, but would likely be available if the Pistons re-sign Rasheed Wallace.
However, the Mavs can only offer Okur (6-foot-11, 250 pounds) the mid-level exception -- expected to be in the $5 million range -- because the team is over the salary cap. But the exception won't be available if the Mavs follow through with their plan of keeping restricted free-agent guard Marquis Daniels.
The only other alternative is a sign-and-trade deal, which the Pistons could pursue if it appears they will lose Okur. Such a scenario is complicated because of salary cap rules and Okur's base-year status. Although Okur is restricted, the Pistons will not be able to pay him more than the mid-level exception, unless they get under the cap. The Mavs also won't be alone in their pursuit of Okur. Teams such as Utah, Phoenix, Atlanta and the Los Angeles Clippers have significant cap room and could also be in the market for Okur when free agency begins July 1.The list of free-agent big men, including restricted players, that the Mavs are mulling over is extensive. Some names to chew on: Erick Dampier, Zeljko Rebraca, Chris Mihm, Chris Andersen, Mark Blount, Marcus Camby, Adonal Foyle, Greg Ostertag, Michael Doleac and Wallace.
"Internally, we've started targeting free agents," Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "Now, it's time to roll up our sleeves and see what's out there and what we can do."
The Mavs can protect up to eight players for the June 22 expansion draft. The Charlotte Bobcats can choose no more than one player from each team and must draft at least 14 players.
The Mavs can only protect players under contract and restricted free agents. Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley, Josh Howard and Marquis Daniels are locks on the protected list, according to Nelson. Jamison, Eduardo Najera and Shawn Bradley are also probable. Walker and Jon Stefansson are on the fence.
The Mavs will leave Tariq Abdul-Wahad, Danny Fortson and Tony Delk unprotected. The Mavs can't protect unrestricted free agents Steve Nash, Scott Williams and Travis Best. Re-signing Nash is the Mavs' No. 1 priority.
If the Bobcats do choose a player off the Mavs' unprotected list, the Mavs receive an assignment exception equivalent to that player's salary. The Mavs could then trade for a player to fit that salary slot. If Walker is chosen, that slot would be $14.6 million.
"A sign-and-trade into any slot is really an attractive piece to have," Nelson said. "Not only do you get financial relief, that number times two [because of the luxury tax], you can also get someone to help you."
The Mavs only have late a second-round pick for the June 24 NBA Draft. Nelson expects the draft to be "deep, young and international." Though he won't know how deep until after the pre-draft camps, Nelson said the Mavs would move into the first round if the price were right. He did offer this warning: He doesn't think the Mavs could find anyone in the first round that would help the Mavs beat San Antonio or the Los Angeles Lakers.
Should the Mavs once again fall short in their effort to find the defensive antidote -- or at least someone to show down Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan -- other blockbusters could be on the horizon. The Mavs do have the contracts -- Finley's, Jamison's and Walker's -- to make a run at the some of the league's premier stars.Who those names will be -- Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson or perhaps O'Neal -- is anyone's guess. What's certain is the Mavs will be busy.
Wish list?
Some big men who could interest the Mavericks:
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
(team has right to match contract offers)
Chris Andersen, Denver
Marcus Fizer, Chicago
Kenyon Martin, New Jersey
Chris Mihm, Boston
Mehmet Okur, Detroit
Zeljko Rebraca, Atlanta
Stromile Swift, Memphis
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
(player free to sign with any team)
Vlade Divac, Sacramento
Michael Doleac, Denver
Adonal Foyle, Golden State
Stanislav Medvedenko, LA Lakers
Greg Ostertag, Utah
Rasheed Wallace, Detroit
TEAM OPTIONS
(team has right to terminate or pick up contract for next season)
Carlos Boozer, Cleveland
Robert Horry, San Antonio
PLAYER OPTIONS
(player can choose to terminate contract)
Karl Malone, LA Lakers
Brian Skinner, Milwaukee
Marcus Camby, Denver
Erick Dampier, Golden State
Vitaly Potapenko, Seattle
link (http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/basketball/8739027.htm?1c)