[外電] GMs, owners reluctant to jump into sha
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/12/02/free-agency/
A visual comes to mind as it relates to the most unique of NBA free-agency
periods that has unofficially begun. Picture a pool surrounded by the
league's general managers and owners, all of them turning left and right to
see what the other is doing while peering down at the water with a shared
look of trepidation.
This is a pool party, after all, so someone will have to jump. But with big
men Nene, Tyson Chandler and Marc Gasol waiting for them in the deep end and
the talent level of free agents so shallow compared to last year's class led
by LeBron James, no one is in the mood for a cannonball just yet.
"I think what you're seeing is that nobody considers anyone in this
free-agent market to be a clear-cut, franchise guy that we have to do
everything within our power to get," said one agent with a client near the
top of the mediocre mix. "No one wants to be the first to give that stupid,
crazy contract and have that article saying what a sham the lockout was."
As a result, the third day of talks between agents and teams came and went
without any major news of a big-name player leaning hard in the direction of
a particular team. While oral or signed agreements are not allowed until Dec.
9, after the tentative collective bargaining agreement is ratified, a mutual
understanding of some sort is still possible. But the pace has been even
slower than expected.
MANNIX: Top 20 free agents
More than a dozen sources who spoke with SI.com said the countless
discussions have been exploratory, with agents setting financial parameters
and teams slow to respond with any sort of counter offer. They discuss the
respective fit and the player's mentality, and attempt to gauge the level of
interest from each side.
The feeling-out process is due, in part, because there isn't even ink on the
CBA yet -- let alone dry ink -- and teams are still learning what the changed
landscape means for their options. Some teams must decide whether they want
to use the new amnesty clause on a player, or make another move to free up
salary-cap space for a signing.
"[But] you have to judge the interest on the other side," Warriors general
manager Larry Riley cautioned on Thursday. "How would you like to let the air
out of all your tires, say 'OK, I'm going to get a new set of tires,' and
then all of a sudden the only tires left are worn-out ones. Those things are
continuously being evaluated, and to the point of stressfully evaluated."
More than that, though, the hesitancy is also rooted in the fact that no one
wants to dive head first into the shallow talent pool first.
According to sources, Nene, Chandler and Gasol all set their early asking
prices in the neighborhood of maximum-contract territory, starting at $14.8
million for Gasol, $17.7 annually for Nene, and $20.7 million for Chandler.
There is plenty of crossover in their respective lists of salary-cap-friendly
suitors, with the Nets, Rockets and Warriors appearing to be the hungriest
shoppers, and the Pacers and Trail Blazers strolling the big man aisles as
well.
The Nuggets are hoping to hold onto Nene, but it remains to be seen at what
price since he is an unrestricted free agent. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, have
made it clear they intend to retain restricted free agent Gasol but are
reportedly facing competition from the Pacers. And despite the Mavericks'
obvious need to hold onto Chandler to keep their title-defense hopes alive,
the 10-year veteran told ESPN.com this week that he plans on being with a new
team once training camp begins.
The non-cap-friendly contenders are hoping to get involved as well, with the
Heat and Mavs mulling their big man options.
But if and when any or all of the top-tier free agents land their max money,
the ripple effect will be great and the already-long list of bloated
contracts may see a spike this season.
"[Are] there going to be some people who are overpaid?" Riley said. "We
acquiesce to that. We do believe that there will be some people who get
overpaid. If it's the right person, we might do that.
"But there aren't many of them, and to make a mistake right now with this
roster would set us back, so we have to evaluate that very carefully."
By dipping one toe in at a time.
Read more:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/12/02/free-agency/index.html#ixzz1fWEYWTSw
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