Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:00 am EDT
The big names have all moved on, and the NBA offseason has
now shifted into the second-tier gear, assuming there is such a tier. Or gear.
Here's a list of the players who managed to get a good chunk of what little
money is left.
The Clippers signed the restricted free agent to an offer sheet with nine million over three years.
Regardless of whether or not the Lakers match Golden State's offer to Ronny Turiaf (we find out today), the Warriors have to match this, right? Three million a year for an improving wing with solid skills in every area you'd want? Yes, he was in an out of Golden State's rotation last year, but who wasn't? That's a pretty movable contract, as well.
If Kelenna ends up in Los Angeles, then kudos to the Clipper braintrust. A smart way to spend not a whole lot of money.
Even before he's even played a game as a Hornet, it's become pretty obvious that this is a ridiculous signing. Posey was dominant at times defending small forwards last year, and his three-point shooting percentage (after what seemed like a fluke year in 2003-04) has remained in the high 30s for a while now. He's a solid player, average in every way once you account for the yin and the yang.
But he'll turn 32 next season, he had issues with quicker wings all season, and he's James Posey. He's not worth paying an average of 6.3 million a year to for four years, especially for a player who relies on legs to get those long shots off (414 field goal attempts last year, 279 were three-pointers), and quickness to stay in front of scorers.
And for all his glue-guy rep, the Celtics were better with Posey off the court last year than they were when he was on the court (even defensively), and there's a reason Denver, Houston, Memphis, and to a lesser extent Boston and Miami have left this guy go. They know.
It was a huge boon for the C's last offseason to be able to pick up a quality player this inexpensively to sop up minutes and add depth a team that desperately needed it. Posey's three-point shooting was critical in those NBA Finals, and he did have some stellar nights defensively last year. The, "we don't win a title without James Posey" line is true. He was needed, and he will be missed.
But New Orleans doesn't need this. They're already a very good defensive team, and even if Peja Stojakovic falters, you're not doing all that well if James Posey is having to play starter minutes on your conference contending team.
Signed with the Bucks for a little under four million dollars over two seasons.
I would have preferred the Bucks go after a big man, even if my hypothetical (and likely non-existent) big is not as good as Lue this team still has depth issues up front. Adding Lue is insurance just in case the Ramon Sessions movement loses a little steam, but based on the way Sessions has played since early Spring, I wouldn't bank on it.
Lue's contract is also quite tradeable.
Signed for the same terms as Lue's contract (the biennial exception) with Orlando. The Magic think defense-first and Jason Williams (the guy who knocked AJ out of a job with Sacramento a decade ago) is still without a contract.
Signed with the Bucks as well, and I should probably warn
Milwaukee fans who are unfamiliar with Scott Skiles to prepare to hear this
phrase from Jim Paschke uttered several times throughout 2008-09:
"The Bucks enter the quarter going small, Malik Allen is at center ..."
Signed a four-year contract extension with the Jazz. No surprises here, you gotta lock that down.
Signed for five years and a reported 20.8 million. It's a below average contract for a below average player, but even with that in mind (and knowing that keeping LeBron happy is of paramount importance) it seems like a bit much. The guy gives you three-pointers, and ... ?
Would have liked to another team step up to the plate first before you throw that sort of cash at Gibson. The Cavs need all the perimeter help they can get, but you can hold a guy's feet to the fire if it allows you more trade flexibility down the line.
Signed by the Celtics in a great move. Every time I saw this guy last year he looked solid, he just turned 22, and has a good run in limited minutes since his foul-happy first year with Golden State.
Because O'Bryant was drafted by the Warriors before Don Nelson came on board, Nellie couldn't take credit for him, and never took to him. Pity, because he has skills and put together some good numbers down in the NBDL. He'll come cheap, he's the same age as Jason Thompson and six months older than Roy Hibbert, and the skills are there. Now he needs the minutes.
Signed a cheap three-year deal with Toronto.
A point guard with size? Yay, Raptors.
Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Posted Nov 24 2009
Posted Nov 23 2009
Fantasy Insider: Start 'em, Sit 'em Part 2
Posted Nov 23 2009
Edited by MJD
Edited by 'Duk
Edited by J.E. Skeets
Edited by Greg Wyshynski
Edited by Matt Hinton
Edited by E. Brennan
Edited by Jay Busbee
Edited by Jay Busbee
Edited by Steve Cofield
Edited by Chris Chase
Edited by Chris Chase
Edited by Andy Behrens
59 Comments
1 - 25 of 59
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Shaq has titles. Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki have playoff experience. Grant Hill has leadership. I'd rather see points, rebounds, and consistent defense for that price.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Now a good AD reference.
You rule, KD.
PJ
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Y'know, normally, I wouldn't even touch this one, but when you go through the HELL us Warriors fans have gone through for the last decade. It's people like this that make me sick. When you wonder why GS dumped Dunleavy, POB, and Matt Barnes-- you aren't paying attention. POB in a best case scenario will be Michael Olowakandi, Dunleavy and his shoe-string head band in a best case scenario will be... uhh, Head coach of the Clippers? As for Matt Barnes, I really liked the guy-- 2 years ago. He completely lost it last year. And for a middle of the bench guy, thats a Death sentence. Oh, and before I shut up, it's Chris Mullin-- no "S", and without him and Nellie, there would be no reason to talk about the Warriors in July.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
lahoopsblog.wordpress.com
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
#13 - What??
And to #15 - Did you see Dunleavy Jr. at all last year? 19 pts a game with 5 boards and 3.5 assists? 48, 42, and 83% shooting from the field, 3 point line, and free throw stripe? How about 10 games with 30 or more points? The only reason he struggled on the Warriors is because Nelly kept trying to play him at PF. As for O'Bryant, compare his numbers to Biedrins' first two years and you'll see it's only a matter of playing time. Selling him out as another Olowokandi is a bit too harsh considering he's never played more than 5 minutes a game.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
This loss is gonna hurt Boston alot more than people might think!
Report Abuse
Lock Down Boozer Memo and Price and a SF not AK47
And Start sign the Jazz up for championships.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
As to Posey, the Horry comparison is dead on. Big Shot/Cheap Shot Rob did nothing that would show up in a box score for just about all of his career, yet his timely shooting and veteran knowledge have proved invaluable to seven championship teams (I think I counted right - Houston in 94 and 95, Lakers in 00, 01 and 02, Spurs in 05 and 07), the most of anybody who wasn't a Celtic. Yes, Posey is old, but so are the big three.
1 - 25 of 59