VeeshanVault

Will unrestricted free agent Ben Wallace stay or go? The scoop:

The three scenarios:

The Pistons can re-sign Ben; sign and trade him; or he can sign with a team and the Pistons get nothing.

The money:

Wallace likely wants at least $10 million a year for at least four seasons. But the Pistons will go over their salary cap and approach paying a luxury tax if they give him anything more than $10 million a year. And do they want to give a guy who will be 32 in September four or more years?

The money Part 2:

A maximum contract would pay Wallace upward of $14 million a year for five or six seasons (only the Pistons can offer a six-year deal). Only Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte and Toronto have the money to come close to giving Wallace a max contract.

What about a trade? All teams could acquire Ben through a sign-and-trade. This happened with Grant Hill in 2000. Hill wanted to leave, so the Pistons signed him, then traded him to Orlando (and got Wallace in return).

What the Pistons say:

Players want him back and think he'll come back. President Joe Dumars said: "At the end of the day, it's going to be Ben's call."

Winnow wrote:Ben Wallace to test market:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 50663/1051

Will unrestricted free agent Ben Wallace stay or go? The scoop:

The three scenarios:

The Pistons can re-sign Ben; sign and trade him; or he can sign with a team and the Pistons get nothing.

The money:

Wallace likely wants at least $10 million a year for at least four seasons. But the Pistons will go over their salary cap and approach paying a luxury tax if they give him anything more than $10 million a year. And do they want to give a guy who will be 32 in September four or more years?

The money Part 2:

A maximum contract would pay Wallace upward of $14 million a year for five or six seasons (only the Pistons can offer a six-year deal). Only Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte and Toronto have the money to come close to giving Wallace a max contract.

What about a trade? All teams could acquire Ben through a sign-and-trade. This happened with Grant Hill in 2000. Hill wanted to leave, so the Pistons signed him, then traded him to Orlando (and got Wallace in return).

What the Pistons say:

Players want him back and think he'll come back. President Joe Dumars said: "At the end of the day, it's going to be Ben's call."

Shame he throws bricks for free throws or he's be interesting in a Sun uniform! I doubt D'Antoni would want a poor free throw shooter for the amount of money he'll be getting.

Pherr the Dorf wrote:looks like the suns traded him away, I still think they will regret not taking and keeping Williams

Xorian wrote:First time a swiss player get drafted !

You guys need to let me know how he will perform next year with Chicago Bulls (do the drafted player actually play next season they drafted? or they usually warm the bench and train?

You guys need to let me know how he will perform next year with Chicago Bulls (do the drafted player actually play next season they drafted? or they usually warm the bench and train?

Sueven wrote:

You guys need to let me know how he will perform next year with Chicago Bulls (do the drafted player actually play next season they drafted? or they usually warm the bench and train?

It depends pretty heavily on the player. I really don't know much about Sefolosha, but given that he was drafted pretty high and he's 22, I would expect him to get some playing time at least. Most Euro rookies take a year or two to adjust to the style of play in the NBA, so I wouldn't expect him to be starting or lighting it up right away, but he'll get to play. What you want to see is his minutes expanding over the next few years, and three of four years down the road he should be reaching his peak.

Sueven wrote:The skills that make a player worthy of playing time on the Bulls and the Suns are completely different. Witness: Tim Thomas.

Speaking of Tim Thomas, it appears that you've lost him. So you might want to reconsider the value of this draft.

Sueven wrote:I agree that they overpaid. Bobby Jackson looks like he's going to the Hornets, so he's out too.

Banks a surprise catch

Guard told agent to contact Suns about desire to back up Nash

Doug Haller
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 21, 2006 12:00 AM

The agent thought his client was nuts, but Michael Higgins phoned the Suns anyway. He had a talented free-agent point guard on his hands - one willing to sacrifice a possible starting gig for a chance to learn from Steve Nash.

David Griffin, Suns vice president of basketball operations, long had figured Marcus Banks was out of the team's price range. He had averaged 12 points, 4.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 40 games for the Timberwolves. He was only 24, short in stature but long on potential.

Griffin phoned Suns coach and General Manager Mike D'Antoni and told him about Banks' interest.

"He would come and be a backup?" D'Antoni asked. When Griffin replied yes, D'Antoni's wish became clear.

"Do it," he said. "Get it done right away."

Griffin relayed these details Thursday after a news conference introduced the sturdy 6-foot-2 Banks into the Suns family, a group trying to come up with the final pieces of a championship puzzle. The two sides had agreed this week on a five-year contract worth about $21 million.

The Suns plan to add 6-10 center Sean Marks next week, giving them 12 players under contract for next season. They have a $3.6 million trade exception that expires Aug. 21, but any major roster maneuvering seems unlikely. No scrambling, Griffin said, only tinkering.

Banks' arrival provides backcourt relief and defensive pressure. Banks said he has the speed to defend 94 feet, pestering ballhandlers enough to disrupt an opponent's offense. Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said a Minnesota assistant coach told the Suns: "We know you think Leandro (Barbosa) is the quickest player in the NBA, but I'm going to tell you, we think Marcus is faster."

Banks' opinion of his speed against Barbosa's: "You know what, I'm a competitor, so I'm going to say myself."

Griffin said D'Antoni already is thinking of the possibilities, playing Barbosa and Banks together and moving Raja Bell to small forward at times. He also said Minnesota executive Kevin McHale called to tell him that the Suns had landed a tremendous kid, which is "unusual for a general manager to do," Griffin said.

As for minutes, Banks isn't concerned. He said he feels they'll come sooner or later. For now, he just wants to learn from Nash, the league's two-time MVP.

"Why wouldn't I want to learn from the best?" he said.

Winnow wrote:

Sueven wrote:I agree that they overpaid. Bobby Jackson looks like he's going to the Hornets, so he's out too.

The Suns finally got their back up point guard. I'm not familiar with Marcus Banks. Anyone have some input? It sounds good from the press release below but would like someone's opinion who's seen him play:

Banks a surprise catch

Guard told agent to contact Suns about desire to back up Nash

Doug Haller
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 21, 2006 12:00 AM

The agent thought his client was nuts, but Michael Higgins phoned the Suns anyway. He had a talented free-agent point guard on his hands - one willing to sacrifice a possible starting gig for a chance to learn from Steve Nash.

David Griffin, Suns vice president of basketball operations, long had figured Marcus Banks was out of the team's price range. He had averaged 12 points, 4.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 40 games for the Timberwolves. He was only 24, short in stature but long on potential.

Griffin phoned Suns coach and General Manager Mike D'Antoni and told him about Banks' interest.

"He would come and be a backup?" D'Antoni asked. When Griffin replied yes, D'Antoni's wish became clear.

"Do it," he said. "Get it done right away."

Griffin relayed these details Thursday after a news conference introduced the sturdy 6-foot-2 Banks into the Suns family, a group trying to come up with the final pieces of a championship puzzle. The two sides had agreed this week on a five-year contract worth about $21 million.

The Suns plan to add 6-10 center Sean Marks next week, giving them 12 players under contract for next season. They have a $3.6 million trade exception that expires Aug. 21, but any major roster maneuvering seems unlikely. No scrambling, Griffin said, only tinkering.

Banks' arrival provides backcourt relief and defensive pressure. Banks said he has the speed to defend 94 feet, pestering ballhandlers enough to disrupt an opponent's offense. Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said a Minnesota assistant coach told the Suns: "We know you think Leandro (Barbosa) is the quickest player in the NBA, but I'm going to tell you, we think Marcus is faster."

Banks' opinion of his speed against Barbosa's: "You know what, I'm a competitor, so I'm going to say myself."

Griffin said D'Antoni already is thinking of the possibilities, playing Barbosa and Banks together and moving Raja Bell to small forward at times. He also said Minnesota executive Kevin McHale called to tell him that the Suns had landed a tremendous kid, which is "unusual for a general manager to do," Griffin said.

As for minutes, Banks isn't concerned. He said he feels they'll come sooner or later. For now, he just wants to learn from Nash, the league's two-time MVP.

"Why wouldn't I want to learn from the best?" he said.

Cartalas wrote: He was a backup in Minnesota that should tell you how good he is.

Nick wrote:I think the 6'8 guy will be picked first then the 6'7 guy then the other 6'8 guy and then the other 6'7 guy

Updated: July 25, 2006, 3:40 PM ET

Marion, Morrison, Ridnour left off national teamAssociated Press

LAS VEGAS -- Shawn Marion, Adam Morrison and Luke Ridnour were left off the U.S. national team's roster Tuesday before its trip to Asia for the world championships next month.

Amare Stoudemire and Kirk Hinrich were the only moderately surprising inclusions on the 15-man roster, which will play five warmup games in Las Vegas, China and Korea before opening the world championships in Japan on Aug. 19.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff must trim the roster to 12 players before the world championships.

Marion, the Phoenix Suns' three-time NBA All-Star, apparently was left off the roster because of a minor knee injury. He was just one of five candidates remaining from the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, which won a disappointing bronze medal.

Hinrich, the Chicago Bulls point guard, beat out Ridnour for the ostensible third-string spot behind Chris Paul and Gilbert Arenas. Hinrich was slowed by a hamstring injury during the team's weeklong training camp in Las Vegas, but apparently did enough to impress Krzyzewski.

Stoudemire earned a spot on the traveling team with a remarkable comeback from surgery on both knees during last season with the Suns, when he played in three NBA games. The 6-foot-10 forward looked strong and mobile during training camp despite struggling during summer-league play a few weeks ago.

The rest of the 15-man roster includes LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Bruce Bowen, Elton Brand, Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Arenas and Paul.

In all, 25 players have committed to be members of the U.S. national team for the next three years, through the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Zamtuk wrote:im working on this group project with greg oden in my finance class. that asshole left for vegas last week for the team usa tryouts sending me an email saying he wouldnt be back for the rest of the quarter and sent me like half of his assignment. so after finishing it all for him that bastard randomly shows up to class to turn it in with me.

told him he better buy me a car when he gets drafted.