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There could be a third team in the mix, or Udoka could be hoping that somebody else joins the bidding. He might not be high on San Antonio or Memphis and might be seeking a third choice.
Or it could just be posturing. Who knows?
http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2...n_the_air.html
Ime up in the air
Posted by Casey Holdahl July 19, 2007 09:00AM
No real new news about Ime Udoka today other than he's still pondering where he's going to play next season:
The Spurs have had talks with Portland free-agent swingman Ime Udoka, whose agent, Eric Cowan, said he is waiting to hear from Udoka about his decision. Udoka turns 30 next month and is listed at 6-foot-5, so he doesn't perfectly fit the mold of the young, long, athletic small forward the Spurs have sought in recent seasons. But last season for the Trail Blazers, Udoka proved to be a rugged defender and dependable 3-point shooter, two skills the Spurs value highly.
Udoka started 75 games last season and averaged 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 28.6 minutes. Prior to last season, he had only 12 games of NBA experience, including eight with the New York Knicks.
This does strike me as a little odd. Which teams is Ime choosing between? If it's San Antonio and Memphis, then it's a no-brainer if the money is the same. If Memphis is offering substantially more than San Antonio, then it's an easy decision to go with the Griz. That's two easy choices, so why the hold up? Could he be holding out for a final offer from the Blazers? Is there another unknown team in the mix? I'm guessing we'll find out no later than tomorrow.
There could be a third team in the mix, or Udoka could be hoping that somebody else joins the bidding. He might not be high on San Antonio or Memphis and might be seeking a third choice.
Or it could just be posturing. Who knows?
That's pretty much a quote from Johnny Ludden's article in the Express-News today.
His first option would be Portland.
He's went to school in Washington.
Portland is rumored to still be making moves.
A press conference is scheduled for tomorrow in Portland where they are supposed to announce the acquistion of Jones, but there might also be an announcement of another trade. Portland wants to unload some of there point, which if they do they can free up a spot....possibly for Udoka.
Memphis could offer Udoka more playing time than SA, but highly doubt that since Mike Miller, Hakim Warrick, and Rudy Gay are all in the mix. Memphis could throw a bit more money.
It's possible that Udoka could not be comfortable here in SA. After all, it's not an attractive destination for free agents...unless you've been in the league 8+ yrs and want to win a le....ala...Brent Barry, Glen Robinson, Michael Finely, etc....
Udoka when to school in Oregon, actually - in Portland. Portland State University. And it lists Portland as his hometown, too. So leaving Pdx (which appears to be inevitable) will be a big change for him.
Supergirl, you're right.
My bad, I got Oregon confused with Washington.
I was listening to Sports Radio, and they were talking about the Durant/Nike deal, and in my head I was thinking Oregon, but got confused and put down Washington (Seattle/Durant).....ha ha ha.
Thanks for the clear up.
Udoka seems to be torn between leaving his hometown and staying. Spurs need to make the hometown discount somewhat steep.
I don't think staying in Portland is an option - they don't have the money for him or PT for him.
From what I've heard, the teams making offers to him are SA and Memphis, and other teams have expressed interest.
He might get more money from Memphis, and maybe more PT next year, but I think he'd be crazy not to sign with SA. Who wouldn't want to sign with the defending champs and become a crucial part of their efforts to repeat? But then again, I'm biased.
Someone around here mentioned the "low mileage" on Udoka, and I think that's key. He may be 29, but he hasn't been playing as long as Kobe or KG, so he's more likely to be able to play till he's 36 or 37, like Bowen.
Anyone have the transcript for the Oregonlive thingie? I'm very anxious to see this guy sign up.
I think he can be an option for Portland.
I think Portland is still in talks of trades with other teams.
If a roster spot clears up in Portland, they could possibly make a run at him and he may decide to stay.
To us, SA seems like the best for any player because we are winners, have TD, have Pop, 1st class organization.
However, for players who are young into the league....first and foremost is getting paid and playing time.....something Memphis probably could offer more of to Udoka than San Antonio.
However, if it is all about winning and becoming a better player....SA is a no brainer for Udoka, but that obviously is not the case because if it was he would of signed already.
He may get less PT next year, but when Barry and Finley move on, that will free up a lot more minutes for him.
Bowen's at 30 minutes per night. Ginobili's at 27 minutes. That leaves 41 minutes open. Assuming Barry is dropped and Finley sees 20-22 a night then there would be 19-21 minutes available for the 4th swingman.
The more the off-season goes on and on....
I don't know how strong the likelihood of trading Barry or Beno looks....
Portland does not really need either or....
Cleveland looks to have lost interest in Beno.....
If it is necessary to lose Barry or Beno to get Udoka, I don't see Udoka landing in SA.....
Then again, if Barry and Beno are on the team and the Spurs sign Udoka out right.....then that puts SA over the Lux Tax....and that does not seem like Spurs business either....
:/
I thought it was Imus..:
If they are dumping Barry and/or Udrih, then Cleveland is the natural destination for Udrih and a team like Seattle would be so for Barry.
Chat with with GM Kevin Pritchard now
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/chatradio/
Hopefully we won't get him, and then we'll follow that by waiving James White and then signing Beno to a 5 year contract extension. That will make this amazing offseason complete.
I can definitely see both of those trades happening too. The Beno trade has been widely discussed and is, frankly, too obvious for Ferry to pass up. And Barry seems to fit the bill for what Seattle wants in a player and the nostalgia factor only increases his value. Considering the fact that next year is pretty much a lame duck season before they bolt for Oklahoma City, I think Barry could do a lot to salvage their ticket sales.
Did anyone hear this live chat? Someone told me Pritchard basically said Ime was leaving. Including the quote "We'll miss Ime."????
Pritchard seems pretty content with the roster.
Udoka is virtually gone from Portland.
I guess it's his choice pretty much now whether he goes to Memphis or lands in SA.
Feel slightly sorry for Udoka, who won't play in his hometown (Portland); but he'll make a chunk of cheese instead.
Meanwhile, I thought Memphis was restricted on how much they could offer. Not the case?
Yea, I heard the chat stuff and it really sounded like he was gone. The funny thing was that a lot of the Portland fans were like, "OH NO! If Udoka goes to San Antonio then we're screwed!"
Yeah, I think Memphis is now a little cash strapped too.
I don't think their offer will be significantly larger than SA's.
Indeed, Udoka is pretty much gone from Portland.
There were rumors that Portland was still interested in dealing with other teams, but that does not seem likely anymore.
I would hope that Udoka would make a decision by tomorrow, but that just seems unlikely.
Looks like another weekend of pondering.
Grizzlies should have 2.8-2.9 left in cap space. this would add up to the sometimes mentioned 3 years/9 million.
it would make sense that the Spurs have offered exactly the same (or slightly higher) number they knew the Grizzlies can offer.
S&T isn't an option, instead of the TE the Grizzlies have, b/c Blazers only have 1.4 from the MLE left and don't hold any rights on Udoka.
Grizzlies would have a better chance to get Barnes IMO. in this case they could offer a S&T, the Warriors could sign him for the full MLE and Grizzlies could trade for him by using their TE (2.9 million) and add a pick.
this dude needs to shut the up and sign.
He was a journey man, be proud that the 4 time champs want you.
NUT UP
Udoka unlikely to return to Blazers
Posted by jfreeman July 19, 2007 14:08PM
Trail Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard confirmed with me today what seemed imminent after Travis Outlaw signed a three-year contact with the team earlier this week: Ime Udoka probably will not play for the Blazers next season.
"I think it's going to be very difficult (to bring Ime back) at this time," Pritchard said.
The 6-foot-5 small forward, who blossomed from a training camp invitee into a surprising starter and fan favorite for the Blazers last season, is a free agent and the Blazers already feature an NBA maximum 15 players with guaranteed contracts for next season.
Udoka's agent, Erin Cowan, told me Tuesday that his client has received interest from multiple teams but always had hoped to return to Portland, where he grew up and attended Jefferson High School and Portland State. Cowan would not identify the interested teams, but speculation is that Memphis and San Antonio are the most fervent suitors.
Cowan did not immediately return a message seeking comment Thursday afternoon.
With Udoka's likely departure, the Blazers' small forward position appears up for grabs, with three players fighting for the starting spot: Outlaw, Martell Webster and newly acquired James Jones, who on Thursday was formally introduced at the Rose Garden. (Read more about that in Friday's The Oregonian.)
--Freeman
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindbla...urn_to_bl.html
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