In a move that could have some ripple effect on who gets paid what in free agency.. DeSagna Diop is going to return to Dallas.
Sources told ESPN.com that Diop, traded by the Mavericks to New Jersey in February as part of the Jason Kidd deal, will receive the Mavericks’ full mid-level exception in a five-year deal starting at nearly $6 million.
He’s a 26 year old who avearaged 3 points and 5 boards last season… and 2 points/4 rebounds over a 7 year career. I was wondering if he might be in the mix for back-up center… and then Dallas gums up the works by throwing $6 mil a year at him. How can this guy make more than James Posey next year?
Thanks Cuban. Hope you enjoy not winning a championship over the next 5 years. Everyone realizes that Dallas isn’t getting over the hump… right?
“How can this guy make more than James Posey next year?”
Which is exactly the question I think James Posey is asking himself. Right now I’d bet that Posey is not coming back. I don’t think Maggette is coming either if the Spurs are offering him the same deal as the Celtics plus an opportunity to start.
So perhaps it’s part of the MLE to Chris Andersen? Another part to Eddie House? Can we sign Tony Allen without using an exception? If Posey is gone, I hope we retain Tony.
I’m not sure about Tony. I don’t think any money he resigns for would count toward the MLE.. but lord knows I’ve been wrong about the cap before.
There are going to be crazy contracts this year, just like there are every year.
Big men always get more money than swingmen.
Yeah Cuban is known for crazy contracts on not so “worth it” players. He saw what missing the size of Diop did for him last season after the trade and panicked and offered up everything to get the guy back. Posey has been around and realizes a 7′2″ center is hard to come across and is going to make good money to a team that needs it. I wouldn’t count Posey being signed with us out just yet.
and about TA. I don’t think it would even be worth it to sign tony back because of the players we just picked up in the draft, I’d rather spend it on a capable backup PG for rajon or another swingman off the bench that has more size and can back up pierce off the bench.
I just think that Posey wants to get paid and knows this is his last chance. And I don’t think Danny is going to pay him what he wants. (Danny is of course the guy who was telling Red he had to trade Larry Bird and Kevin McHale back in 1988; he ain’t shedding a tear over Posey).
Posey has the cachet of being the “New Robert Horry”; he’s going to get paid if he wants to be paid. The only way he stays is if his desire to play in this situation trumps the millions he’ll be leaving on the table. With two rings in the bag, I’m just not seeing it…
I hope I’m way wrong, but I don’t think it’s the end of the world if he does leave (although seeing him go to the Lakers would be nauseating at the least). Next year’s team will have a different feel whether he’s on it or not.
He’s 26, he’s already familiar with the Mavs’ system, and his numbers are hurt by playing limited minutes, here’s what he’d do per 48:
Points – 8.4 on 53% true shooting
Rebounds – 14.5
Ast – 1.5
Stl – 1.0
Blk – 3.3
TO – 2.1
PF – 5.4
So he rebounds like a beast and plays tough defense (lots of blocks and fouls). Over time he’ll play cleaner D and commit fewer fouls, and probably develop some kind of offensive game… right? In all likelihood he’ll be a bargain starter by the end of that contract, once Dampier’s expires.
But, now Poz can’t go to the Mavs, a team probably looking to replace Stackhouse… we should be grateful.
I’d rather him go to ANY Western team (including the Lakers) then Cleveland or Detroit or another Eastern team we may have to meet in the playoffs.
Jon, I assume you’re talking about Posey in response to my comment, and not Diop, right?
If so, I do agree with you that barring Posey’s return to the Celtics I want to see him go out west. Preferably to Golden State, who will have the room to offer more than the mid-level once Davis officially signs. He’s a good fit for them, bringing defense and three point shooting. I’m not sure if he wants their breakneck speed, and they don’t have a great shot at the playoffs, but he might want the chance to start he could get there.
Opposing forwards would have a tough time against Posey and Stephen Jackson.
I think PoZ is gone now. The Celts didn’t offer the full MLE for the length he wanted AND hoopsworld reported that he was upset that there were “talks” with Maggette. But going to the Flakers would be the worst, any other team but the Flakers. Can you imagine a repeat of this years finals, but with Posey guarding the Truth? And “the Savior” guarding the middle?
u bear me too it i bleed green in LA hoopsworld said this quote
“sources close to the situation contend James Posey would love to be a Laker and that the Lakers are willing to go the full exception to land him.”
So they’ll have Posey, Ariza, Walton, Radman and Odom all at the 3? There’s depth for you.