Rumor: C's Want Free (Agent) Darko
by Jeff Clark on Jul 11, 2007 7:51 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics Rumors
Email
Print
Mike Gorman is reporting that the Celtics have interest in signing Darko Milicic.
Milicic was renounced by the Magic today in an effort to overpay Rashard Lewis for another year. Milicic's agent was ticked, but that doesn't mean he's looking for the Mid Level. Last I heard he was looking for something in the $10M a year range.
Obviously the C's can't offer that, but if the teams that can offer it don't have interest in him, then Darko may be forced to look at other options.
I know that Clifford Ray had mentioned that the Magic were not using Darko right in Orlando. I'm sure he'd like a crack at it. Darko has always had talent, but he's been in the league a number of years and we're still talking about his potential instead of his production. We'll have to see if this rumor goes anywhere.
I don't have all the complex rules figured out on how the team might be able to sign and trade for him (if that is even possible). My guess is that the team is interested in getting him for the MLE. He might be interested in Boston because of the potential playing time.
32 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
this would be huge for us. he doesn’t have to be a star here just good. i would roll the dice on him.
by d.money on Jul 11, 2007 7:53 PM EDT reply actions
I’d prefer working a trade for someone like Camby or AK who’s established themself as a defensive presence but I do like what Darko can do on defense and if Cliff Ray truly does have the magic touch than it would be worth the risk. With the Magic signing R. Lewis to and obscene contract and the Bobcats resigning Wallace (5year 57mil is being reported) Darko doesn’t seem to be likely to get more than the MLE but I guess we could also work a sign and trade with Ratliff’s contract.
As much as some people think hes a bust he’s still 6 months YOUNGER then big AL. He can play pretty good D and has only played an avg of 15 mins a game over his caerrer , I honestly believe next year he could avg 12 pts 8 rebs and 2 blks a game if given 25 mins of play . Darko ,Big Al and Perk would be a very good young 3 man rotation for us IF we can get him for the MLE
I wouldn’t mind Darko at all. He’s big, he’s versatile, he can shoot the ball, he’s an excellent passer, and he’s an above average shot blocker. I would like Darko on this roster, but the money he wants is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous, for what he is and what has proven (or hasn’t proven).
I also heard that if Darko can’t get a bigger deal, like he wants, he’d want to sign a 1-year deal for the MLE and try to cash in next year. If that’s the case, I don’t want any part of a 1-year rental who is too cocky about himself to realize he isn’t worth half the money he’s asking for.
CeltaBalla32,
Darko can’t really shoot the ball, at least to this point in his NBA career. In three of his four seasons, he’s shot below 25.6% on jumpshots. In his other season (his third, which he split between Detroit / Orlando), he shot approximately 40% on jump shots. He certainly hasn’t earned the reputation of being a good shooter.
I’ll give him the full MLE if he’ll take it, but I bet he gets double that. This would be an absolutely fantastic signing at this price, but it really won’t happen.
by scotthp49 on Jul 11, 2007 8:12 PM EDT reply actions
The only ways I can see that we’d have a leg up over Phoenix and Dallas are 1) playing time, and 2) the presence of Clifford Ray, who coached Darko two seasons ago in Orlando.
I’m not enthralled with Darko, but I guess I’d gamble on him, if ownership is willing to pay the luxury tax and will continue to fill the pieces that are necessary. Like Brickowski and others, I am skeptical of Wyc doing this.
Reading Orlando boards, it appears that Phoenix, Philly and Dallas are all interested in Darko. Any reason to think we can get him over those three teams?
The reason he would choose us over them is because if he can’t get 10 mil a year he would wanna sign a one year mle with a team where he would get significant playing time . This way he can try to put up big numbers so he can get a big pay day next year
Roy Hobbs corrected my erroneous post in the other thread— I thought they had full Bird rights but they don’t because of an exception to the Bird rule for first round picks coming off their third year— but the amount Orlando can pay him is capped at the amount of his 4th year team option (the one they declined to exercise when they renounced him), not the MLE. Since Darko was a #2 pick his option amount is close to the MLE, but it’s not the same. You’d have to look at the old CBA to get the exact amount.
Darko would put the Celtic in luxury tax land. The question is what the Celtics would be willing to sind back in a sign-and-trade in the way of players, picks, etc.
Im a Darko hater. Id rather see the Celts trade for Camby, or go big and shoot for Garnett. However, if they could really get him for the MLE and the price for Camby seemed unreasonable I could live with him. I sincerely doubt there isnt one GM out there that won’t stupidly overpay him though. And make no mistake, anything over the MLE would be a dumb gamble for this guy even with his supposed talents. If nothing else, it would justify his whole approach of excuse-making, laziness, and general lack of cajones if he gets rewarded that richly for what little he has done so far. Kick the tires on him if other things fall through, but Id say theres about a 2% chance he comes here for the MLE.
by nebist on Jul 11, 2007 8:25 PM EDT reply actions
rondohondo said:
“does anyone know what teams other them Memphis are still under the cap and could sign him for 10 Million a year?”
Milwaukee and Charlotte, A Yi-Darko sway is not out of the question if Yi’s advisors continue to snub the Bucks. Yes, the Bucks already have Bogut, but whatever else you can say about Darko, he’s a huge upgrade over Gadzuric.
Interesting move on Memphis’ part. I wonder if it means they’re ready to move Gasol… though I don’t think we have what they’d want for him now.
by GMoney on Jul 11, 2007 8:42 PM EDT reply actions
If the C’s were able to land Darko this season would be a hit for them
Darko is a player that would fit the C’s like a hand in a glove, he’s a much better version of Raef Lafrenz.
Darko can play and do a little of everything, his defense is better than average and he’s a runner.
Darko would make life easier for Jefferson and Jefferson will make basketball easier for him as well.
The thought of having Darko playing with Al and Paul and Allen is exciting
Ainge’s should do his best to get Darko on this team
Good lord, we’d be scraping Bill Simmons inards of the walls of the Sportsguy Manision.
I’m all for it…give him the MLE and throw in a carton of Pall Mall’s.
by gobo on Jul 11, 2007 8:54 PM EDT reply actions
Milicic, Grizzlies agree on three-year deal
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
(Archive)
Updated: July 11, 2007, 9:30 PM ET
Free-agent center Darko Milicic agreed in principle to a three-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, the player’s agent Marc Cornstein told ESPN.com Insider Chad Ford.
Cornstein refused to disclose the amount of the deal, but the starting salary is believed to be for substantially more than the $5.3 million mid-level exception.
by JB_Celticsstuff on Jul 11, 2007 8:56 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Behind the Box Score, where the Spurs won Game 1 with an inspired fourth quarter
- Kendrick Perkins does not think much of Andrew Bynum’s relative intelligence
- Behind the Box Score, where the Boston Celtics are moving on to the conference finals
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Indiana Pacers? Gone till November
