McDonald: Spurs at front of line for Maggette

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Originally Posted by timvp

In that case, Maggette is a much better three-point shooter than Josh Smith.

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Yeah, and that's pretty disturbing. :lol

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Originally Posted by timvp

In that case, Maggette is a much better three-point shooter than Josh Smith.

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Difference is that Smith is a PF.

Maggette doesn't make a lot of sense for Sixers. He is quite old, his best position if SF like Iguodala and he isn't really a shooter.
He only makes some sense if they can't get a quality PF or a quality shooter via trade or free agency.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

The Spurs’ most significant challenger for Maggette’s services might now be the new NBA champions.

The Boston Celtics have made an offer to Maggette as well, one he told the Boston Globe on Thursday he is seriously considering. The most the Celtics could offer Maggette is the mid-level exception, same as the Spurs.

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Didn't Boston deny offering Maggette a contract and their priority was to re-sign Posey instead?

One wonders if the Spurs will allow this thing to drag out. The earliest Smith could sign an offer sheet from Philly would be the 9th and then the Hawks would have 7 days to decide whether or not to match. They'll take all 7. So that's the 16th. If you're Maggette, do you wait? Yes, I know you are nodding your head.

The hope from the Spurs' perspective is that the Sixers put together some nasty looking offer sheet for the Hawks. They very well could, especially if the 2008-09 cap comes in high.

That still leaves the Warriors. Maybe they're interested in Maggette if they can get him to agree to a low amount (say $35 to 40 mil). Again, they really seem determined to avoid bad contracts for non-star talent these days.

Oh well, I need a drink.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

One wonders if the Spurs will allow this thing to drag out. The earliest Smith could sign an offer sheet from Philly would be the 9th and then the Hawks would have 7 days to decide whether or not to match. They'll take all 7. So that's the 16th. If you're Maggette, do you wait? Yes, I know you are nodding your head.

The hope from the Spurs' perspective is that the Sixers put together some nasty looking offer sheet for the Hawks. They very well could, especially if the 2008-09 cap comes in high.

That still leaves the Warriors. Maybe they're interested in Maggette if they can get him to agree to a low amount (say $35 to 40 mil). Again, they really seem determined to avoid bad contracts for non-star talent these days.

Oh well, I need a drink.

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I'm gonna be a puss and just go to bed I think.

Sigh :depressed

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Difference is that Smith is a PF.

Maggette doesn't make a lot of sense for Sixers. He is quite old, his best position if SF like Iguodala and he isn't really a shooter.
He only makes some sense if they can't get a quality PF or a quality shooter via trade or free agency.

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Well, Smith can play at the 4. I wouldn't call him a 4 but I agree with everything else.

If J.Smith falls through it might be a blessing in disguise because J.R. Smith might be a better fit.

He might be a R.F.A., but they could give him an offer Denver would be unwilling to match.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Difference is that Smith is a PF.

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Naw, he's a SF. The Hawks played him at PF this year because their GM drafted about 12 SFs so they had to make room by moving Smith to PF. On a serious contender, Smith has to play SF. He's too weak to play PF defensively and offensively he's always out on the perimeter when he's not dunking the ball. He has no post up game and doesn't play good post defense.

Thaddeus Young is probably more of a PF than Smith.

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Maggette doesn't make a lot of sense for Sixers. He is quite old, his best position if SF like Iguodala and he isn't really a shooter.

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I don't consider 28 old and with Miller at 32 running the show, they aren't that much of a young team. Maggette is about the same age as Dalembert.

Hopefully the Sixers look elsewhere but I can't agree that he isn't a need. When you are starting Willie Green the entire season, bringing in another swingman should be considered a vital need.

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Originally Posted by BLACKJACK21

Well, Smith can play at the 4. I wouldn't call him a 4 but I agree with everything else.

If J.Smith falls through it might be a blessing in disguise because J.R. Smith might be a better fit.

He might be a R.F.A., but they could give him an offer Denver would be unwilling to match.

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Agreed. Then all the Spurs would need is for Golden State to opt to go after J.Smith (assuming he doesn't sign an offer sheet with Philly), which is quite plausible.

JR Smith makes a lot of sense for the Sixers. Six years younger. They could give him a fair contract for his talent, but one big enough to scare off the Nuggets.

Of course, that's assuming they'd be willing to go through the restricted FA game for him. Maggette's UFA status might be too tempting for them.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Difference is that Smith is a PF.

Maggette doesn't make a lot of sense for Sixers. He is quite old, his best position if SF like Iguodala and he isn't really a shooter.
He only makes some sense if they can't get a quality PF or a quality shooter via trade or free agency.

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agreed.

One would have to believe that the Warriors will call Josh Smith in for a visit the moment Brand turns them down. Maybe something crazy happens like the Sixers then making a play for Childress. Or at least JR Smith.

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Originally Posted by Hollinger

The Warriors are far enough under the cap that they could, for instance, just trade a second-round pick to New Jersey for Vince Carter (not that I've heard this, mind you … I'm just saying). A number of other trades are available, too -- it would just depend on which other team's unwanted contract they wished to take on and how cheaply they could get it.

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source

I think it'd take a little more than a 2nd round pick, but if the Warriors want a name to help promote the team, well, there's always him. Still, I think they'd just hit rebuilding at that point (assuming they don't get a shot at Josh Smith).

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

One would have to believe that the Warriors will call Josh Smith in for a visit the moment Brand turns them down. Maybe something crazy happens like the Sixers then making a play for Childress. Or at least JR Smith.

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If you really look at team needs and not who the teams are going after, J.R. to Philly and Josh to G.S. makes a whole lot more sense.

J.R.'s shooting for the Sixers and Josh's versatility with a small-ball line-up seem ideal for both teams.

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Originally Posted by BLACKJACK21

If you really look at team needs and not who the teams are going after, J.R. to Philly and Josh to G.S. makes a whole lot more sense.

J.R.'s shooting for the Sixers and Josh's versatility with a small-ball line-up seem ideal for both teams.

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Right. The Sixers could put together a big enough offer to dissuade the Nuggets from matching (would they want to pay $18 to 20 mil for JR Smith next season?)

Josh Smith to GS would be a good fit. I could see them coming up with a large offer for him.

Maybe if Maggette sees this happen that will be enough for him to decide to take the MLE. With the Spurs, I hope.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

One would have to believe that the Warriors will call Josh Smith in for a visit the moment Brand turns them down. Maybe something crazy happens like the Sixers then making a play for Childress. Or at least JR Smith.

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Yeah, that may be the best case scenario. The Warriors spend near max dollars on Josh Smith and the Sixers spend their money on someone like JR Smith.

Luol Deng or Ben Gordon could also come into play. Maybe Okafor. The Sixers making a huge offer for Okafor to play him at power forward come make sense. Deng should be a player the Warriors should look at. I'd say Deng is probably a better player than Maggette.

It might come down to how much the Warriors and the Sixers are willing to go after RFAs. Maggette is no doubt the best UFA on the market but Iguodala, Okafor, Deng, Josh Smith, Biedrins and Ellis are all as good or better. Even Gordon and Childress are right there in the mix.

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It might come down to how much the Warriors and the Sixers are willing to go after RFAs.

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That's how it looks right now. Of course, Brand could end up in Oakland and the Spurs will have to split the MLE among whatever UFAs are left. And bring back one of Finley or Barry.

I wonder what the Spurs' Plan B might be. There's been speculation that they're interested in JR Smith, but there really hasn't been much else. Ditto for Pietrus. I think you go after Pietrus and try to lock him up quick if you miss out on Maggette.

It's interesting that they have interest in Najera. He'd probably take up most of the MLE, if not all. One wonders if they aren't considering a trade of some sort then to nab a swingman. Bonner would be the obvious man out then....but who's he going to bring in return?

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

That's how it looks right now. Of course, Brand could end up in Oakland and the Spurs will have to split the MLE among whatever UFAs are left. And bring back one of Finley or Barry.

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If McDonald is to believed, it appears as JR Smith is Plan B. If that fails, splitting the MLE between some combination of Mason, Delfino, Pietrus and Najera looks like Plan C.

If Maggette isn't coming, hopefully we hear soon. The worst scenario is the Spurs wait out Maggette and then he signs elsewhere. At that point, the Spurs could be left standing with their MLE in their hands and no one to spend it on.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

Right. The Sixers could put together a big enough offer to dissuade the Nuggets from matching (would they want to pay $18 to 20 mil for JR Smith next season?)

Josh Smith to GS would be a good fit.

Maybe if Maggette sees this happen that will be enough for him to decide to take the MLE. With the Spurs, I hope.

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And from what I've heard Atlanta wants to keep Josh, but aren't willing to over-pay. They knew with Philly they'd have some stiff competition, but they were pretty sure they'd be capable of matching.

G.S. having this kind of cap-room, might have just put J.Smith out of reach for the Atlanta owners financially.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

I think you go after Pietrus and try to lock him up quick if you miss out on Maggette.

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That really does look like the next smart step. Messing with JR Smith would be risky business ... especially if they already are spending extra time on Maggette.

Landing Pietrus and Delfino or Mason really wouldn't be a bad summer, all thing considered. Not nearly as good as Maggette, but no one thought Maggette was possible going into the offseason.

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Originally Posted by timvp

That really does look like the next smart step. Messing with JR Smith would be risky business ... especially if they already are spending extra time on Maggette.

Landing Pietrus and Delfino or Mason really wouldn't be a bad summer, all thing considered. Not nearly as good as Maggette, but no one thought Maggette was possible going into the offseason.

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Yeah when the offseason started that was considered successfull and still should be.

While Maggette would make it fantastic, its not a make or break of season based on his decision.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

I wonder what the Spurs' Plan B might be. There's been speculation that they're interested in JR Smith, but there really hasn't been much else. Ditto for Pietrus. I think you go after Pietrus and try to lock him up quick if you miss out on Maggette.

It's interesting that they have interest in Najera. He'd probably take up most of the MLE, if not all. One wonders if they aren't considering a trade of some sort then to nab a swingman. Bonner would be the obvious man out then....but who's he going to bring in return?

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It's interesting that the Spurs have rumored interest in others (Smith, Mason, Hayes). However, no mention of Pietrus at all as a possible Plan B. I trust the Spurs have been or will be in communication with him, if or when this Maggette acquisition falls thru.

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Originally Posted by timvp

:shootme

Hopefully the Spurs are just being nice to Finley at this point in case everything else doesn't work out. If the Spurs sign Maggette, I fail to see the point of Finley. Even if Maggette isn't signed, it's hard to imagine a scenario where Finley makes sense.

Unless Finley agrees to a Steve Smith in '03 type role, him being on the team next year would likely lead to disaster.

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I trust the Spurs are simply granting Finley a professional courtesy. Regardless what the Maggette outcome, I, too, fail to see any scenario where Finley's return makes any sense - any sense at all.

At this point it's all speculation, hopes, homerism, and stardust. No one knows what Maggette is thinking and all we can do is sit back and see how it all pans out.

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Originally Posted by timvp

Damn, that sucks. That's about the worst possible thing that could happen. If both the Warriors and 76ers turn their attention to Maggette, they'd bid each other way higher than the MLE.

The Spurs are going to have to need a lot of luck in the next week. The Sixers are going to have to land Josh Smith. And then the Warriors are going to have to find something better than Maggette ... which would likely involve a trade.

Maggette landing in San Antonio is going to take the perfect storm. So far, it's been perfect but there are at least two huge obstacles in the way before anything comes close to being official -- Golden State and Philadelphia.

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I think Maggette would be a fool not to sign with the Spurs for one year for the MLE. It'd be the perfect scenario for him. Think of all the stereotypes and misconceptions (in his mind) that he could disprove if he had a successful campaign for the Spurs.

A) He's not all about the money
B) He's not all about scoring and playing selfishly
C) He's not a loser
D) He can get along with a demanding coach
E) He can play defense
F) He can play a starter or a reserve without complaint
G) He can be a good teammate
H) He can be an integral part of a championship team

One year with the Spurs and Maggette can make himself the most coveted free agent of next off-season. He can either use his Bird rights to sign a huge deal with the Spurs or he can use his leverage as a guy who "helped push us over the top" to sign with another team. We can rehabilitate his image and make him look like a posterboy for all that is good about the NBA, if he lets us.

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Originally Posted by Tully365

At this point it's all speculation, hopes, homerism, and stardust. No one knows what Maggette is thinking and all we can do is sit back and see how it all pans out.

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and stay positive.