After Utah Matches Millsap

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After Utah Matches Millsap

Written by wendell maxey

Saturday, 11 July 2009 23:08

marvin2

It’s not a matter of if the Utah Jazz match Portland’s offer to Paul Millsap, but simply when.

As Gordon Monson – a columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune – wrote Saturday night, the Jazz should re-sign Millsap and trade Carlos Boozer for a defender that would better suit Jerry Sloan’s offense....and Utah has said all along they are committed to matching a Millsap offer.

So that takes care of Utah. But for Portland there are basically three trains of thought in rebounding from what could be another rejection. Some of you have heard me talk about this idea the last two days, and for those that haven’t, here goes:

After Utah matches Portland’s offer of four years between $32 and $36 million, including a signing bonus to Millsap, the Blazers may once again turn their attention to New York Knicks free agent forward David Lee.

Brandon Bass was thought to be the back-up plan if the Millsap deal didn’t happen. But now that Bass inked with the Orlando Magic on Friday, Lee becomes a repeated target in the same vain as Millsap: for the blue-collar work ethic and sheer bruising scrappiness.

The trouble there is Lee isn’t going to come cheap or want a back-up gig. Not at all. Even still, the Knicks are planning to match any “reasonable” offer he receives, but at this point it’s hard to determine what is “reasonable” any more after Cleveland’s Anderson Varejo and Detroit’s Charlie Villanueva both received bloated contracts.

That brings us to the second option: Marvin Williams.

The offers haven’t exactly been flowing for Williams since free agency got underway. Atlanta is clearly not making him a priority any longer. The Hawks instead opted to throw money at Zaza Pachulia and Mike Bibby. I get Pachulia. I don’t get Bibby. There were also talks weeks ago that General Manager Rick Sund wanted to bring in Washington’s Caron Butler, but that has since fallen to the way side – right along with Williams returning to Atlanta apparently.

Williams’ agent Jim Tanner met with the Hawks recently, but that discussion was only about a one-year qualifying offer and nothing more. That would push Marvin’s salary to $7 million.

Would Portland ante-up for a longer deal for Williams?

Four years into the league, he’s not the veteran type Nate McMillan has been pushing for over the past two summers, but at 23-years-old would certainly mature with the core of Brandon Roy, Jerryd Bayless, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden among others. At 6’9 and 240 pounds, Williams – who averaged 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds in 61 games played - is one of those versatile players who could fill in at power forward and also creates mismatches at small forward in spot minutes.

This would once again leave Travis Outlaw expendable.

What else is new?

Because after Williams, the choice is clear and isn’t going to sit well with Rip City die-hards.

Do nothing at all and wait patiently to make a trade happen later in the offseason, if at all.

pic via: nydaily news

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Comments (10) Add Comment

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written by Will Wiens, July 12, 2009

So there is no chance we actually get Millsap? Come on WM, crazier things have happened right? I know it's set up perfectly for Utah to have to actually think about this one. Thats why they said, "we will match any offer," and then changed to, "we are exploring all our options," or something along those lines. either way it turns out it's a good move by KP, and by KP i mean Tom Penn.
Personally, I think we are straight with Martel Webster and Batum but i guess i am in the minority. Martel may not hit the boards like Marvin but with either Joel or Greg (or hopefully Millsap) on the court there will be less to grab than if Horford or Pachulia are out there. Lol i was playing as the Hawks in NBA Live 09 and Pachulia scored 37 for me!!!

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written by Dover, July 12, 2009

Don't be so sure Utah won't let Millsap walk. Especially if they can't unload Boozer. Remember Portland's "toxic" offer?

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written by Dover, July 12, 2009

I've been thinking that Portland's best move right now is to do nothing. The Blazers are in a financially admirable position. When other teams realize they're bleeding money with the state of the economy and the salary cap and luxury tax thresholds decreasing, players that were previously "untouchable" will suddenly become available. It makes no sense for Portland to participate in the arms race that is occuring in the NBA by paying big money for a mediocre player.

Not sure if getting Millsap would be better for Utah or Portland. He definitely provides the toughness the Blazers need, but can he fit in the rotation and win games for them. It's hard to top 54 wins, but it's getting them in the playoffs that counts. I think it's worth waiting for the right player.

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written by wmaxey, July 12, 2009

don't get me wrong will....millsap would be a solid fit. just what they need.

i just haven't heard anything to lead me to believe utah won't match. haven't heard anything that is saying the jazz aren't set on moving boozer too.

so we'll see how this shakes out.

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written by wmaxey, July 12, 2009

thanks for reading and writing dover.....

that $10 million up front is the kicker. utah didn't see that one coming, but they are a creating front office. portland can only hope this deal goes through. if not, it's back to the drawing board in mid-july.

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written by wmaxey, July 12, 2009

think many will begin to take that stance before too long dover.

not only that, but if the blazers opt to sit tight the talent pool is much wider and the guys you plan to move (read blake, blake) will likely draw more interest and value in return.

it's tough. it's snooze or lose on that cap space. it doesn't carry over. but you also don't want to force change just for the sake of making a move.

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written by Zander, July 13, 2009

Wendell,
Are you of the impression that this offer from Pritchard was to force the hand of the Jazz into pressuring the Bulls to figure out a deal? I know Pritchard wants Millsap but I think he would rather complete that trade with Chi-Utah-Por to get a position of need at PG.

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written by wmaxey, July 13, 2009

not sure about that one.....could see how it may seem that way, but that's hard for me to say.

i will say this though, portland isn't moving bayless. this much we know. and i don't think they make a move at the point, as i've said before. i think they stick with bayless and blake and let them go at it in training camp.

the third pg spot goes to a vet they can get for cheap or someone maybe even who is waived once camp is underway and guys start to get cut.

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written by Oregon Duck, July 15, 2009

Why not Odom? Lakers just cut off contact with him for now because he doesnt want their 3 year offer. He could be a big upgrade at the 3 hwile also playing valuable minutes at the 4. This would also allow us to trade Outlaw and maybe another player or because they become expendable. At the very least we force a Western Conference rival to pay more than they wanted to for a player, tying up their money in him long term. I don't see how this could hurt the Blazers

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written by wmaxey, July 16, 2009

i can only tell you what i've heard, and plain and simple portland is not interested in odom. word is no one wants to touch this guy right now, that's why no team outside of the lakers tried to throw any money at him. that says something.

there's a reason he didn't stick with the clippers or the heat, and now maybe not the lakers either.

i'm not sure what the answer is oregon duck, but it's not odom.

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