Paul Millsap to The Thunder???
by cubsluver22 on Jun 29, 2009 9:15 AM CDT
44 comments
According to the Salt Lake Tribune we may be preparing an offer for restricted free agent Power Forward Paul Milsap. Link Here
Here are his career numbers. This might not be a bad idea but Utah will have the last say. I can honestly say I don't know much about this guy. Anyone know what kinda character he has or how is work ethic is?? We are approximately 11 million dollars under the salary cap. Thoughts??
Go Oklahoma City Thunder!!!!!!!!
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not sure
don’t know what to think about this, we have our PF in Green and if we really want milsap we are going to have to overpay for him. I think the Jazz will match whatever offer we make to him unless its a max deal, which would be foolish on our part.
question is, is Green at PF a better option than Millsap at PF?
by homer simpson on Jul 2, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly what we need
This is exactly what I was hoping Presti had in mind when he passed up Blair in the draft. Millsap is Blair without the injury concerns (Blair doesn’t have ACLs). I don’t know how many of you guys were fans of the team when they were in Seattle, but I was, and I remember that our last playoff appearance was fueled by our toughness and grit at the power forward position. Reggie Evans and Danny Fortson weren’t the most skilled power forwards in the league, but they went all out every time the ball came off the glass, and it flat out won us basketball games. Millsap led the nation in rebounding his last two seasons in college (at Louisiana Tech), and has always been one of my favorites. God I hope we can pry him away from Utah.
Small correction. Millsap led the NCAA in rebounding three straight years. Which is unheard of.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
I'd say it depends
On what our priority targets are. Millsap, he of two L’s, would be another PF on the roster — which isn’t a bad thing persay, but might not be the best fit. If we were to aim to target anyone, I’d hope we’d target an actual center. Collison can then shift over to PF and Green could actually be tasked with substantial playing time at both forward positions. On the other hand, Millsap is damn good and would seriously upgrade our PF slot and lack of interior defense. Add on the fact that he’s drastically improved over the years, and his ability to defend multiple positions … I could see this happening.
Not to mention the Jazz are perfectly happy to have Boozer walk and replace him with Millsap. I think that probably says it all. Then again — what happens to Green in this scenario?
On the other hand
If we have to overpay him to death, I’d rather not. I’m sure we can snag a better PF somewhere else out there — or in the draft next year. Millsap is good at what he does, but he DID break down near the end of last year. And he IS still undersized. But if some sort of an opportunity arises, adding him would be pretty sweet.
Take the F out of your post's title.
Kinda misleading. I wondered why you’d be upset with the franchise showing a willingness to improve.
By F he means "Forward"...
as in the position Paul Millsap plays
by ThunderandLightning on Jun 29, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Understood.
I would like to think anyone reading this blog knows he plays Power Forward.
But, as I’m scrolling through the Fanposts it jumps out as F MIllsap….
Or rather it jumps out as
F Milsap, who doesn’t seem to be on any roster. PF Paul Millsap on the other hand …
Millsap is a great player
a great hustler, very tough and a good character guy. that being said, I don’t know if he wants to leave utah where he was a backup just to come to the thunder to be a backup (presumably to jeff green).
by ThunderandLightning on Jun 29, 2009 12:21 PM CDT reply actions
i’m pretty sure he’d start over Green.
by homer simpson on Jul 2, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
we already have a PF
Green is the PF of this team we don’t need to replace him, he improved a lot over the course of last season and now with an entire off-season dedicated to playing the PF position he should be better next season.
Also for those of you saying Green is too small to play PF, Millsap is 6-8.
Then again Millsap
has a standing reach of 8’ 9.5" while Green has a standing reach of 8’ 7". There’s something to be said about long arms. Just saying.
Not that it matters
As both are undersized. And really, who doesn’t think Utah is going to pay at least 8 million to retain Millsap? Which makes this whole scenario a moot point.
weight is a factor too. Jeff Green weighed in at 228 lbs at the draft combine. Millsap was 258 lbs.
by homer simpson on Jul 2, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
I love Paul Millsap. But I don't understand this move.
Unless you’re planning to stick Green on the bench to play the super sixth man? It doesn’t make sense to pay 10-12/yr for a backup PF.
Why's everyone so against this idea?
Works for Lamar and Manu. As long as he gets minutes, I’m fine with Green on the bench.
Player development and cap allocation.
Durant is taking 40 of the 96 minutes to be shared between the forward positions. That leaves 56 minutes. How many of those do you need to give to Millsap and his fat contract? 30? That leaves 26 or so for Green, Collison, White, Thabo and whoever else. Then: how much are you going to pay Green when contract talks come up? Will that be enough to keep him if other teams want to offer him starter money and starter minutes? Keep in mind that this team isn’t the Lakers or New York; in such a small market, cap space is at a premium and I can’t believe there are going to be many years when Presti is going to be paying the luxury tax.
The Manu argument doesn’t really wash with me. Manu has always averaged 28-30 minutes a game, and skill-wise he’s always clearly been better than the guard he was playing behind. Bringing in his third (sometimes second) best player off the bench was a strategic decision by Pop that everyone bought into because it brought home titles. Odom is a better comp for the role Green would play, but the Odom situation was LA-specific: Odom was still able to log 30 minutes per game because Pau can play the 5 as well as the 4. Millsap should never be playing any position other than PF. Plus I have the feeling that the fact the Lakers were one of the best in the league and that they eventually won the title did a lot to placate any slight Odom may have felt from coming off the bench.
I would much, much rather sign Gortat or hold my cards and wait for a true 5. Fill the backup 4 with a Collison/Birdman-type, a solid energy/defense/rebounding guy that can be had for the MLE or less and save your cap space for the team nucleus.
I guess my argument to that would be would Millsap really struggle to guard a backup 5?
I don’t think so, they’re not really there for offense, just defense.
This team has a long history of playing undersized, strong power forwards at C
including our 6m dollar man on the bench right now. It’s a serviceable solution but simply inadequate for an elite team. If you hand a big money 5 year contract to Millsap, you’re bringing him in to lock down your power forward spot.
Good addition but...
Dude is a stud. He’s a POWER forward; he bangs, boards & busts his ass. He would be a great addition if it was for the MLE, I’d be all for it but it won’t be. He’ll be looking for his first real payday since he held down the PF position while Boozer was injured (or relaxing somewhere so he could collect a paycheck).
Utah is a smart old school team & knows Boozer is gonna bolt for another paycheck he doesn’t deserve somewhere with a big market. So they being smarter than most, will match almost any offer.
As far as OKC & it’s up & coming young roster, this would hinder Jeff Green’s development as a PF if he will ever become it. You have to start Millsap if you bring him in because of: 1) $$$ he would earn deserves a starting spot; 2) He won’t come w/out starting cuz he may have the opportunity to start in Utah if Boozer leaves.
Therefore, I’d take him for 5-7 mil/yr at most but honestly use the money on a position that we need help at…like our Center position. Kristic, Collison & Mullens won’t cut it.
Remembers when GP & the Reign Man were the best Duo in the NBA, hence the 4020...R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics & welcome Oklahoma City Thunder
we don't need a PF
we need a C. We have a glaring hole in our low post both offensively and defensively. If we are going to spend some cash it should be on a center. I’m not sure why so many Thunder fans are ready to say Green can’t play PF in this league, he hasn’t been given a chance to develop yet, he’s going into his 3rd year and he finally knows that he will definitely be playing the PF spot this up-coming season.
Last year PJ was clear that both Green would start alongside KD but it would be at the 3 while Durant was put at the 2.
Look at the numbers. His numbers got better after the move to PF(before he got hurt).
In November when he started at SF he averaged: 15 and 5.5 rebs
In December when he was moved to PF he averaged: 18 and 7
In January he averaged: 17 and 7.
In February he averaged: 20.5 and 9.5
After that he got hurt and was never able to get back up to that level not sure if it was because he was tentative after coming back or his injury was still nagging at him but his play suffered. Similarly KD’s play suffered after he came back from his injury.
Regardless the numbers don’t lie and its not surprising that the Thunder played their best ball of the season from January and February when both Durant AND Green were playing their best ball of the season.
Give the guy time, he’s shown he CAN play PF at a high level, now that he has a full off-season to dedicate to the position I’m sure we’ll see improvement from him.
Spend the money on a position of need not just because Green hasn’t developed as fast as people would like.
That's a sort of useless comparison
Given that a lot of his numbers are contingent upon comparisons to the position he was slotted at and how he was defended, his offensive versus defensive contributions, and the roster impact.
Durant shifting to the 3 was more important. Green’s added benefits on the offensive end were substantially mitigated by his underwhelming contributions as a PF on the defensive end. And the points/rebounds expected of a league average PF are different than the expectations for a league average SF.
Not that I don't like him at PF
But to think that there isn’t substantial room for improvement, and that the improvement could come from outside the organization, is to limit your options from the get-go. I’m sure that if given a chance to make a positive change to either bolster or upgrade the position, the FO will make the correct decision. If that means adding Millsap (should it be feasible and cost efficient) then so be it.
This is simple
The numbers thrown out there are 5/65. He is NOT worth 13 MILLION a year. good discussion but over. lol.
I would rather let Green and White develop. Jeff Adrien would also be worth looking at since he went undrafted, but it looks like Memphis is courting him.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
i would love jeff adrien
he is a garbage man in the oakley model and would be a perfect add for some cheap toughness to this team
when im hearing numbers like 3 million
a year for players like powe and big baby there is no way that millsap is 10 million dollars a year better than either of them.
An intriguing option became available today when the Bucks didnt tender charlie Villanueva who depending on the price could be an excellent scorer and rebounder off the bench. He put up very similar numbers to Green last season and was even better when the bucks had all their injuries and he got major time.
thats kind of hard to believe
that they didn’t give him a qualifying offer, I thought the entire reason they were trading Jefferson was to be able to re-sign Charlie V and Sessions.
I think Villanueva ends up either in Cleveland or Orlando, he’s mad no secret of the fact that he’d love to play with Lebron and he’s even said he’d be willing to take the MLE from Cleveland. I’m sure the same goes for the Magic although he probably will be the 3rd guy they look at.
dont really see either
Orlando there just flat out are not enough basketballs now that vince is there.
I think the talk of the MLE from Cleveland was when he thought he was going to be restricted and milwaukee would match. The only way i see him taking the MLE from there is if it is for 1 year because there is no reason for him to lock in at a low salary especially with ZERO guarantee lebron is there because if lebron up and leaves he is on a team worse than milwaukee.
The best fit in my mind of a team that has the combination of need for a 4 man and money is acutally Memphis. I dont buy the idea that Thabeet and Gasol can play together as neither has the quickness. A starting rotation of Conley, Mayo, Gay, Charlie and Gasol with Thabeet, Q-Rich, Sam Young and Demarre Carrol off the bench could be pretty good and in Memphis he could get 8 mil.
the other really good fit if he wants to take an MLE for a year i think is SA as a 4 to space the floor with a much better all around game than Bonner. SA with a bench of Bonner, Manu, Blair and Mcclinton and George hill would be a contender again.
Duncan, Thomas
Charlie, Bonner/Blair
RJ
Roger Mason, Manu, Mcclinton
Parker, Hill
Millsap / Gortat
Thanks to our Loud Links…
- Chad Ford says Gortat’s looking around 4yrs/16 mil (or 18 mil, forgot which).
- Millsap is a rumor now…before we go freaking out why or why not we must know:
- If Boozer will opt out. Its looking like the only team willing to break the bank, Detroit, won’t give up more than 12-14 mil/yr, which if I’m not mistaken is about the same as what he’s making now. He stays.
- Okur opts out so what’s he worth. He’s looking at around 9-10 mil/yr so tack that onto Utah’s payroll if they keep him, which is a safe bet.
- Korver not opting out, playing out contract. Not sure the exact numbers but wanna say around 3-4 mil/yr…correct me if I’m wrong.
So for everyone saying we can’t pay him 13 mil/yr, you’re right, we shouldn’t. BUT, if Boozer stays, Okur stays, plus Korver & their rookie Maynor’s salary…that’s a big chunk of change & they can’t match a thing for Millsap. Given economic times, he could command more like 5yr/35mil…Still not worth it? What about Gortat for 4yr/16mil?
Remembers when GP & the Reign Man were the best Duo in the NBA, hence the 4020...R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics & welcome Oklahoma City Thunder
detroit will be waiting
dumars will fall over himself to get a guy like Millsap. If Boozer ends up staying I think they may have to let Millsap walk if he gets a 8+/year mil deal.
I’d expect an offer in the 8-9 mil/year range from detroit.
I wouldn’t mind offering Gortat 4 years/16 mil if the contract is back loaded and there’s a team option for the 4th year.
Millsap & Gordon?
Detroit wants Gordon too. Question is do they want Gordon more than Boozer or Millsap? Joe D wants the quick fix unlike our strategic GM Presti. I like Gortat with backloaded & option on 4th yr. Something tells me Presti has no desire to overpay for Gortat though. He’s content on getting by at the Center position this year while letting our other 4 gain experience & chemistry, I think.
Remembers when GP & the Reign Man were the best Duo in the NBA, hence the 4020...R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics & welcome Oklahoma City Thunder
boozer
its sounding more and more likely boozer may not opt out this year, he really wants a major market team and none of the huge market teams have money or a need for a PF so he may decide to stay in Utah and wait until his contract expires.
boozer should stay
he wont get the money he wants and utah will either be screwed with a team payroll in the 80 million dollar range if they bring back millsap and pay out the ass for a year or detroit gets him and he helps them rebuild and then utah is sort of forced to pay boozer next summer.
millsap will get double figures from Joe D and maybe even frontload the deal to really screw Utah. i could see like 6/63 w 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8.
With that they should still have enough room to get gordon for about 10 mil though i dont think he is worth that.
Gortat and 4/16 is not a bad option cause basically all that happens is he and Kristic switch places once we develop/draft a young big.
To counter thunderhorn with the cap space we have the money we will have to pay out in the future to keep all out young players it should be frontloaded to take advantage of the way the cap works. 5.5, 4.5, 3.5, 2.5 or something like that would be great. I have a hard time believing there isnt one team out there dumb enough to give him the MLE.
that said
if the best millsap can get is 5/35 i would take that and figure out the rotation including maybe going very small depending on who we are playing and using millsap at center, but i doubt that is the scenario that plays out.
not sure i agree
but i dont envision either of those being reality so better for me not to think about them.
Gortat is going to at least get the mid-level (whatever that ends up being). He has too many suitors.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090702/SPORTS/907020323/1002/SPORTS/Gortat+drawing+interest
by homer simpson on Jul 2, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
DimeMag.com
They got a good article on the Thunder being “One player away.”
Remembers when GP & the Reign Man were the best Duo in the NBA, hence the 4020...R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics & welcome Oklahoma City Thunder
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