Alexander: Looking For Rasheed Wallace

[Blackjack]

I wonder if Hedo ends up in Detroit...

[Spursmania]

I wonder if Hedo ends up in Detroit...

My bet is he will.

[Spurs9]

Honestly if its between Orlando and Spurs I think he would chose Spurs, Pop has always liked him. If he does go to Orlando then we could try to get Gortat which I would be happy with too.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Well, if it's really between San Antonio and Orlando then it should be a quick decision anyways.

Tim can probably help him with that choice...

[kace]

Even if he's in town, the media should be quiet about it so the Spurs don't investigated for tampering. Come on.. help out the hometeam

that's maybe journalism, who knows...

[Streakyshooter08]

Could somebody set me straight on the cap situation of Orlando? The have Turkoglu and Gortat as FA's, right? I thought they only have the MLE and LLE. If they would really re-sign Turkoglu and add Wallace with the MLE, that would put them really high into the lux tax... I don't know if they woud really do that.

If they do this, than it might increase the chance to sign Gortat.

[spurspokesman]

There's ONE issue with Rasheed Wallace..motivation..that's all it comes down too..I don't buy the bull that he's "done" and "too old to contribute"..you give him a chance to win a le, you allow him to play for a coach he respects and a legendary friend of his in Duncan, and this guy will be motivated..

He would be coming to a team that limits the playing time of their stars during the regular season..the scary thing is that the Spurs are building up depth right now, and if this team stays healthy, there should be plenty of blow-outs and opportunities to rest for our older players..

This could DIRECTLY be a matchup against the Lakers..'Sheed pulls out one of their 7-footers, and I can't imagine Gasol being happy with being guarded by him for a physical 7-game series..

A motivated Rasheed Wallace, and the team staying healthy= best team in the NBA, at least IMO..

Acquiring Wallace would be the last piece of the puzzle from a talent perspective..the rest of the off-season can simply come down to picking the talent to fill-out the team, and allowing more time for the guys to build chemistry and get to know each other on and off the court..

Right on the money heat. Who wants to play hard when they know they are positioned to lose

[Spurs Brazil]

Magic to Pursue Rasheed Wallace, Brandon Bass
Posted Jun 26, 2009 7:10PM By Tim Povtak (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Magic, Mavericks, Pistons, Playoffs, NBA Rumors, NBA Transactions, FanHouse Exclusive
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Now that they have landed All-Star Vince Carter and all but said goodbye to Hedo Turkoglu, the Orlando Magic will try to rebuild their supporting cast by targeting a pair of vastly different free-agent frontcourt players.

After losing to the Lakers and their big front line in the NBA Finals, the Magic are expected to make offers next week in free agency to both veteran Rasheed Wallace of Detroit and young Brandon Bass of Dallas, according to two NBA sources.

Wallace, 34, is expected to be pursued by both the Magic and the Boston Celtics, who are competing with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Wallace has played 14 seasons in the NBA, earning a reputation as an often enigmatic, but unselfish player with championship experience.

Wallace still could remain in Detroit, but he has expressed a desire to finish his career with a legitimate contender in the East. He would help either Boston or Orlando counter Cleveland's addition of Shaquille O'Neal.

Bass, 24, came into the league with New Orleans as a second-round draft pick. Although still unheralded as a backup last season to Dirk Nowitzki, he is considered a good rebounder who would provide Dwight Howard with more help around the basket.

In getting Carter on Thursday from New Jersey, the Magic traded center/forward Tony Battie, along with guards Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee. They also are expecting to lose center/forward Marcin Gortat to free agency, necessitating several roster moves this summer.

Turkoglu wasn't part of the deal for Carter, but his fate in Orlando became clear when the Magic traded for Carter. Turkoglu earlier this week notified the league that he was opting out of his contract to become a free agent.

He is expected to be seriously pursued by Toronto, Portland and Sacramento. He is seeking a five-year deal worth an estimated $10 million annually, which is more than the Magic were willing to pay.

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/26/m...-brandon-bass/

[spursbird]

I prefer McDyess to Wallace. Dyess fits the Spurs well, and more important, he has a high fg% as a centre. Wallace shooted only 41% as a PF last season, WTF?

[spursbird]

Wallace still could remain in Detroit, but he has expressed a desire to finish his career with a legitimate contender in the East. He would help either Boston or Orlando counter Cleveland's addition of Shaquille O'Neal.

So does the Spurs still have opportunities?

[ShoogarBear]

The only thing the Spurs should say to 'sheed is this: If you come here, you're going to start. If you come here, you're getting as much money as we can give you. If you come here, we're gonna win 75 games and sweep the playoffs. If you don't commit to us right now, we're committing the money to Gortat.

Uh . . . if Sheed starts . . . which one does Pop say is playing center and thus pisses off?

[DBMethos]

Orlando. (even though I like them)
Come to SA, 'Sheed.

[wildbill2u]

I know this sounds like raining on everyone's parade, but here goes a voice of sanity:

1.What gives anyone the idea that Sheed is willing to take the MLE (and a 6-7 million dollar salary hit) just to play with the Spurs? I bet he still thinks of himself as a big time All Star player and if he came here he'd expect to be the guy who's the final piece of the puzzle--and worth big time money.

2. What's he worth to someone else? Don't you think somebody might offer him around what he is getting now, $13,000,000? If not, do you think his skills have eroded so much that he's only worth about half of what he'd been getting on the open market?

3. Is a POSSIBLE championship worth taking a huge cut in your last contract? Just sayin' that the MLE idea is a fantasy.

4. If the MLE won't get Sheed, then could the Spurs go higher? I know Holt supposedly wrote Pop and the FO a blank check, but with the acquistion of Jefferson and his $13,000,000 tab, I think he'll be leery of going even further into the luxury tax to give Sheed more than the MLE.

Let's be reasonable. The Spurs aren't going to stock up with 5 All-stars starters and a couple more high dollar players like McDyess for the bench.

[Kori Ellis]

It goes back to their ACC days. UNC vs Wake was basically Duncan vs Sheed.

Weren't they only in college at the same time for one season?

[Kori Ellis]

that's maybe journalism, who knows...

Journalism would be if they actually saw him in San Antonio not reporting a rumor that someone's cousin's sister-in-law's brother's uncle's girlfriend thought she saw him.

Anyway, my comment was a joke about helping out the hometeam.

[Kori Ellis]

Weren't they only in college at the same time for one season?

My bad, two seasons.

Anyway, I just remembered Rasheed being destroyed by Duncan in 1995 in the Wake-UNC game, then Rasheed getting dominated by Corliss Williamson in the Final Four.

[CGD]

I know this sounds like raining on everyone's parade, but here goes a voice of sanity:

2. What's he worth to someone else? Don't you think somebody might offer him around what he is getting now, $13,000,000? If not, do you think his skills have eroded so much that he's only worth about half of what he'd been getting on the open market?


Let's be reasonable. The Spurs aren't going to stock up with 5 All-stars starters and a couple more high dollar players like McDyess for the bench.

Attaining Rasheed is very "reasonable". Do you honestly think he can command around $13M as you suggest? The "open market" is being stingy this year (with the exception of the Spurs). It is definitely a Buyers Market right now. The sobering reality for Sheed is that no one is going to pay him what he initially demanded, and if he wants to play he's the one that'll have to be reasonable.

Bottom line: Rasheed no doubt knows that the Spurs are only willing to offer him the MLE. So in fact if he is here (don't buy it), or when he comes visit SA on July 1 I'm convinced it'll be to sign.

[wut]

Magic to Pursue Rasheed Wallace, Brandon Bass
Posted Jun 26, 2009 7:10PM By Tim Povtak (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Magic, Mavericks, Pistons, Playoffs, NBA Rumors, NBA Transactions, FanHouse Exclusive
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Wallace, 34, is expected to be pursued by both the Magic and the Boston Celtics, who are competing with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Wallace has played 14 seasons in the NBA, earning a reputation as an often enigmatic, but unselfish player with championship experience.

Wallace still could remain in Detroit, but he has expressed a desire to finish his career with a legitimate contender in the East. He would help either Boston or Orlando counter Cleveland's addition of Shaquille O'Neal.

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http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/26/m...-brandon-bass/

I'm wondering if that's the exact translation of his desires...or if he just didn't say 'legitimate contender'.

[MarHill]

I must admit I'm still ambivalent about Rasheed coming to the Spurs. I know they are a lot of supporters in this forum for him coming to SA. I can see why.

In his prime, I always thought Sheed could have been one of the best PF's in the league. However, he has been an enigma. And the fact...that he has gotten out-of-control with his behavior in Detroit's last two or three playoff series.....just worries me.

I know that if he comes to the Spurs....Pop and TD will be able to mitigate his act somewhat. But he's 35 and set in his ways.

I prefer the Spurs go after Gortat instead. He's 6'11, a good defender, and can block shots. He played good defense in ECF vs the Cavs and block a few of Lebron's shots as he drove to the lane. Also, he was decent against Bynum in the Finals.

I believe that is someone that Spurs need more than Rasheed. I know I'm in the minority with this.....but getting a big that can protect the rim is more important to me than getting a talented engima who is a little beyond his prime.

Hmmmm....maybe my buddy SenorSpur could convince me why the Spurs should take Sheed!!

[Mavs<Spurs]

I think Sheed will come here. I think given his age, the economy, he will accept the full MLE since that is probably all that Orlando would offer him and he would rather play for Pop and with Timmy.

I agree that he will be motivated playing for a real championship contender. I think that this will make it really tough for LA to beat us. And that interior defense will be beastly.

If we get Sheed, sign Blair, McClinton, then we are the team to beat.

[Mavs<Spurs]

Wednesday can't get here soon enough.

Championship !

[Spursmania]

Come on Down Sheeed!

[kace]

I must admit I'm still ambivalent about Rasheed coming to the Spurs. I know they are a lot of supporters in this forum for him coming to SA. I can see why.

In his prime, I always thought Sheed could have been one of the best PF's in the league. However, he has been an enigma. And the fact...that he has gotten out-of-control with his behavior in Detroit's last two or three playoff series.....just worries me.

I know that if he comes to the Spurs....Pop and TD will be able to mitigate his act somewhat. But he's 35 and set in his ways.

I think Sheed will come here. I think given his age, the economy, he will accept the full MLE since that is probably all that Orlando would offer him and he would rather play for Pop and with Timmy.

well, i really feel like both of you. Thinking that the MLE should be enough to get him (who would give him more ?) and being a little bit hesitant about what to think about him.

The thing is that before the RJ trade and the draft, i would think the Sheed risk would be a good one. We needed something to be made and the gamble of seeing a good Sheed was a solution before the end of the Tim window.

Now with RJ and hopefully Blair (why not even Mc Clinton, who knows), it seems we're back in the mix with the legitimate contenders (we were not so far of them IMO). A solid big, even if not a genius talented one, could be enough to have a great team. The gamble that Sheed clearly is could be less needed. I don't really know.

[MarHill]

well, i really feel like both of you. Thinking that the MLE should be enough to get him (who would give him more ?) and being a little bit hesitant about what to think about him.

The thing is that before the RJ trade and the draft, i would think the Sheed risk would be a good one. We needed something to be made and the gamble of seeing a good Sheed was a solution before the end of the Tim window.

Now with RJ and hopefully Blair (why not even Mc Clinton, who knows), it seems we're back in the mix with the legitimate contenders (we were not so far of them IMO). A solid big, even if not a genius talented one, could be enough to have a great team. The gamble that Sheed clearly is could be less needed. I don't really know.

Kace,

I feel the same way.

I like Sheed...when he has played like he wants to. His skills are great...but he has a huge downside. And he's an enigma!! A lot of Spurs fans are overlooking that.

I just feel the Spurs need more a defender and shot-blocker in the post with the MLE than Sheed. I maybe wrong...but I just worry about someone who is an enigma.

I felt the same way about Lamar Odom last season. He proved me wrong...he was terrific in playoffs against Denver and Orlando.

Maybe Sheed can do the same thing...if he becomes a Spur!

[Galileo]

Playing with Duncan will get him rolling again. Imagine a big 5 of Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Jefferson, Wallace. Just nasty, on paper that looks unbeatable assuming it happens. If they can manage to sign McDyess along with Sheed, that would be awesome. Still this is just a daydream, but it sounds like a good fit.

70 wins, baby!