Can anyone say H E B.
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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...nts/index.html
I love how the "best bet" is a team that hasn't even been seriously discussed here. Besides, I thought the Suns were already getting Elton Brand? http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100677Quote:
Corey Maggette
Suitors: Suns, Clippers, Jazz, Warriors
While Maggette will have no shortage of possible destinations, I'm reasonably sure one of them won't be Los Angeles. Despite being a prolific scorer (he averaged 22.1 points per game last season), Maggette hasn't always seen eye-to-eye with Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, who has had concerns about Maggette's defensive abilities. As a result, Maggette's name has frequently been floated in trade rumors.
Still, there will be a considerable market for an athletic, 28-year-old small forward. Phoenix, which could dangle point guard Leandro Barbosa in a sign-and-trade, would be a logical fit. As could Utah, which signed Maggette to a six-year, $42 million offer sheet in '03.
Wherever Maggette ends up, it will likely come via sign-and-trade. Maggette is leaving $7 million on the table, and only Philadelphia (which already has Iguodala at small forward) and Memphis (which has Rudy Gay) could offer him that much.
Best bet: Suns
The best example, I guess, is another ex-Clipper, DA. The Spurs basically landed him for a short term MLE contract because they had the cap flexibility the following summer to give him a large long-term contract or to sign and trade him to someone who would. Spurs also had the starting 2 spot open for him. Barry took less money from the Spurs in free agency. Not a star, but he turned out to be a useful signing.
What are the chances of a suns-clippers S&T? It would be 0% if the clips resign Brand, right?
I can not believe everyone is still racking their brains! We just have to be patient and good things will come...
Guess we find out July 9th?
Oh. I didn't realize that you were using Anderson as an example of a FA choosing the small market Spurs - I thought you were using him as an example of a "premiere" FA turning down the Spurs to head to a bigger market. The only thing that hurts us with Maggette is that I don't recall DA receiving anywhere near the amount of attention that Maggette is.
Here's a bit of an article that I found on ESPN this morning.
Will Clippers have Brand loyalty? Signs point to yes
Maggette knows his career with the Clippers is over unless Brand stuns the league and goes to Golden State. The high-scoring swingman has no shortage of suitors offering him a multi-year deal starting at the midlevel exception, which is expected to approach $6 million for next season, but Maggette hasn't abandoned hope that a team with salary-cap space (Philadelphia or Golden State) will come after him.
The obstacles?
No. 1: Maggette and Sixers restricted free agent Andre Iguodala share the same representative, which could make negotiating deals for two players who play essentially the same position with one team rather complicated for agent Rob Pelinka.
No. 2: There's a strong sense that the Warriors would prefer to chase restricted free agents Josh Smith (Atlanta) and Luol Deng (Chicago) with the money they threw at Brand, although Maggette's status as an unrestricted free agent -- who thus doesn't have to sign an offer sheet that could tie up a team's money for seven days -- makes him easier to pursue.
It's believed that Maggette, without an offer from a team with cap room, favors San Antonio if he has to sign a contract starting at the midlevel. But he has also drawn similar interest from a variety of enticing contenders -- Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando, New Orleans and Utah are the known suitors -- and the Lakers would be a dangerous suitor if they wanted to get involved given Maggette's close relationship with Kobe Bryant. The Lakers, though, would have to abandon any interest in resigning Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf to sign Maggette, and the team still favors retaining those two key reserves.
Today at 9:00 Real GM via ESPN reports Magette is favoring Spurs offer.