Can we get Morris Almond on an All-Star team by sunrise?
If that's the case then I would assume it's a prearranged deal. I can't believe he'd pick his option up if he thought he was being traded to Memphis or somewhere like that.
Can we get Morris Almond on an All-Star team by sunrise?
Well, there was an article about him picking his options with quotes of his agent. I guess the journalist also called RC. There wasn't the traditional "we're happy to have him back" quote.
Maybe I'm trying to much to read between the lines but this lack of reaction from Spurs quite surprised me.
Follows in the long line of Owl greats.
He did it to get paid.
Why would you assume there is a pre-arranged deal if they told him he wasn't in the plans? You opt in, you take your chances as to where you go.
When the Spurs do make a statement about Finley, I'm sure it will go something like this :
We're happy to welcome back our starting two-guard for next season, Michael Finley!
I just don't believe Finley cares about $2.5 million enough to stay with the Spurs if they told him they would trade him. Even if they didn't say one way or the other his agent surely told him how things might be. , even he could see what moves were being made and the team's move forward.
Again, I just don't think $2.5 million means anything to him at this stage of his career.
Actually, the conversation probably went like this:
Pop: Mike, you're really not in our plans for next year.
Fin: I'm opting in.
Pop: You might want to start packing...
Explain, then, why he puts his house on the market first, then opts in.
edit: Ah, just had a theory...maybe he doesn't want to play for the $2.5M, but is just fishing for a buyout? Do nothing for $1.25M?
You might very well be on to something, it is unusual that they wouldn't at least acknowledge it (publicly or in print), but I guess it could have just as easily got lost in the shuffle.
It's been quite the active month between the Jefferson acquisition and draft, so maybe the lack of questions in the presser's on the subject, is just as likely the reporters focused more on Jefferson, the draft, and free-agency.
It would be nice if something was in the works, though...
Expiring contracts are worthwhile. The Spurs have a few. There's no sense in going ape during the 1st intermission of the offseason.
Isn't it possible the Spurs talked about a trade with him before he picked his option up? Or is that against the rules?
Last edited by loveforthegame; 07-03-2009 at 12:37 AM.
It's not against the rules to talk to your own player.
I wouldn't mind us giving a minimum contract to Almond; I like his upside and he's never really gotten a chance to play at this level. However, there are two things I would be concerned about:
-From what I've seen and heard, McClinton has a lot of potential; I don't want to put a damper on that by crowding him out.
-Almond can't go back to the D-League, so if he's on your roster and on the IR, he's just sitting on the bench. In many ways, it might be better to take a flier on a more unknown guy who was undrafted, just to get a chance to see him play more.
Knicks Sign Almond For Summer League
Jul 03, 2009 8:27 AM EST
The Knicks have signed guard Morris Almond to play on their Summer League team.
According to a team source, New York plans to sign Almond for next season assuming he performs well this summer.
"We're looking for shooting," Knicks president Donnie Walsh told The Post. "We acquired some of it in the draft (Jordan Hill, Toney Douglas), but he's someone you have to look at."
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap/
That was a good "get" for them, and a good fit for Mo. He was going to struggle here because his defense sucks. Three First Names doesn't GAF about defense.
He's just playing on the Knicks' SL team. Spurs could still end up with him.
I didn't think so.
Isn't it possible Finley put his house up for sale and had plans not to pick his option up when the Spurs called and ask what if we trade you to a team of your choice? It could be a win-win situation for both sides assuming something could get done. Finley waits for the last minute to pick his option up to see if the Spurs have something in place. Not sure why it wouldn't be done yet but it's possible.
Almond might not have thing to do with it and maybe the Spurs look for someone else but it might explain why he picked his option up after putting his house on the market.
That's what I have been reading from Jazz fans. Almond seemed lost in the Jazz system. I wonder if that is a sign of low basketball IQ.
I'm mashing away at the controls on NBA 2K9 doing my best. I'll let you know shortly.
It was a bad envirement for Almond in Utah. I don't think he would do well here either. He needs a team like Golden State or New York.
Sounds like Almond will end up with the Knicks. The Spurs would probably have to give him a contract prior to summer league to get him.
There's zero contractual obligation for a player to sign with the team that they played summer ball with, but many do because they already know the coaches and such, and feel a sense of loyalty to them since they gave them a chance. Also, most of these guys get the same offer to them from a few different teams (minimum salary), so they may be more likely to go with the system they are already somewhat familiar with.
As for Anthony Morrow, yes the Warriors scooped him up pretty quickly, and for good reason; he was pretty impressive in summer league. It's possible that a few other teams made him offers, but probably not with any extra guaranteed money than the Warriors gave him.
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