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Offseason Heating up
As the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified, things can really start getting interesting for the Miami Heat.
The negotiations with Shaq seem to be a formality at this point, and that should be official very soon. It is believed that Shaq will take a bit of a pay cut initially, but land a 5 year deal as opposed to the 3 year deal that was originally mentioned.
As for Damon Jones, Cleveland has some interest but beyond that, it doesn’t seem the phone is ringing off the hook. Even for Cleveland, Marko Jaric is a higher priority. But reports out of Memphis is that Damon Stoudemire is going to sign with them – 4 years for $17 million. If that is the case, the market may expand for DJ as Stoudemire and McInnis are both off the market. The Heat are currently offering a package of 3 years worth $10 million, reportedly.
The Heat’s choices for a backup point guard are namely Earl Watson, Steve Blake and Dan Dickau. All three look to be currently within the Heat’s price range as they have both the mid-level exception to offer ($5.1 million) and a trade exception (acquired for Malik Allen along with Steve Smith) worth around $2 million.
There have been discussions with Antoine Walker in which Pat Riley has actually met with the former Celtic to discuss what role he would be willing to play with the Heat. It is believed Boston will not invite him back but could work out a sign-and-trade.
Another sign-and-trade possibility being rumored is with the Grizzlies. The Heat may be looking to trade for Jason Williams and Lorenzen Wright. If the Stoudemire signing is true, then this may make that trade possibility more likely.
To keep up to date, visit us at the HeatZone forums.
Collective Bargaining Agreement ratified
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The NBA announced it’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement as it was ratified Friday and will clear the way for free agents to sign with teams on Tuesday at noon, eastern standard. In the meantime, officials will be going over rules and figures with teams in order to make sure everyone understands the new agreement. Some basic features of the new CBA:
The salary cap is set at $49.5 million which is an increase of $5.63 million dollars.
There is also a new salary cap threshold – $61.7 million. Any team exceeding that must pay the dollar-for-dollar penalty required of the soft cap system. In fact, with the new agreement, teams will now know ahead of time what the luxury tax threshold will be unlike in previous years where it remained a mystery for most of the season.
The amnesty salary cap clause will be in effect. Teams can waive a player’s contract that will relieve them of the luxury tax penalty one time only. Allen Houston and Michael Finley look to be candidates for this clause.
The minimum team salary is now $37.125 million.
Maximum length of contracts has been reduced from 7 years to six. Free agents changing teams can now sign for 5 years maximum and not six like under the previous model.
Player movement is now expected to take off as the new CBA is ratified and allowing players to officially change teams and negotiate.
No Dooling? No problem.
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Sorry if I am not getting teary-eyed over the departure of Keyon Dooling. This has happened to the Heat so many times over the years that it is all too familiar. Eric Murdock. Terry Porter. Anthony Carter (thank God!). Rafer Alston. Now Keyon Dooling. You see a trend here? Yeah, these guys had success with the Heat then left and went right back to anonymity.
DJ is thinking real hard about this, too. As he should.
There is a reason why Damon Stoudemire wants to be here. Or, for that matter, a number of other highly talented players that are looking to win. Shaq. And Wade, of course.
The Miami Heat has all the glitz and glamour and electrical buzz that the NBA could possibly market. The Heat sells itself. The only problem is, they just dont have the budget to work with.
Still, despite that, the Heat are more likely to attract a potential player than any other team offering a similar deal. So, consider that an advantage, Heat fans.
The other thing is the talent pool of remaining point guards is pretty attractive. After Stoudemire there is Steven Blake, Earl Watson, Marko Jaric, Brevin Knight, Tony Delk, Chris Duhon, Dajuan Wagner, Jannero Pargo, Jeff McInnins, Darrell Armstrong, Dan Dickau even Gary Payton. These guys all can come in and contribute right away to the Heat as they are, for the most part, a veteran pool that can play for cheap. Which fits the bill for the Heat. They are established players and those that are lesser known have the ability and are hungry to show it. Just like Keyon was last season.
Sure, Keyon gave us some highlights and got us excited. He played fast and frantic. Of course, that was also the very same reason he drove us nuts – he played fast and frantic. The fact is, the Heat did lose a valuable player in Keyon who could have seen his game grown and mature quicker with the Heat; but he chose a path he felt was more attuned to his needs. Consequently, the Heat find themselves in a position to find a back up PG who could actually fill their needs a little better than Dooling could have.
And if there is one thing to know about Riley, it is that he does not miss out on talent. When a player comes into Miami, he gets some of the best coaching avaiable and will quickly see his potential maximized. That is why you see players like Keyon Dooling come in through the back door only to leave through the front door. Haslem had the chance, too, but was smart enough to realize what he had here in Miami. And Miami will be kind to him for it.
So another player will come in through the back door, too, and replace Keyon. We very well could be having this same conversation next offseason. And that is precisely why I am not worried at all.
Best approach: stand pat
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The options for a deal for AJ Burnett has gotten more narrow – despite his recent success and the fact that the Marlins seem to be leaning towards taking Lowell out as part of the attachment for any deal. It seems the Red Sox and the White Sox are in a bidding war, right now, for Burnett. But the only piece of laundry that AJ should be wearing is a jersey that has “Marlins” written across the front.
I know, I know. You are probably thinking why I had a change of heart. I haven’t. I always have liked and respected AJ’s talent; it was just his inconsistency that drives me crazy. And his seemingly poisoned tongue that looks to slash at this organization. But winning and hope can change things – or at least put them on hold.
AJ is gone after this season. No doubt. The Marlins know this, AJ knows this, the Yankees know this. The debate is or has always been, should the Marlins trade AJ and at least get something for him in return? To lose Pavano for sandwich picks in the amateur draft is ok; but to do it two years in a row? And for a talent like AJ Burnett? Not exactly capatilizing on his value for this franchise.
Of course, there is another way to define value. If the Marlins can pull it together and get into the playoffs, they have a very good chance of winning the whole gosh-darned thing with AJ and Beckett taking the ball. Just ask the DBacks how Randy and Schilling fared for them in the playoffs a few years back. Or even the Cubs when Wood and Prior are healthy. The fact is, teams that excell in the post season have fireballers in their rotations and in their pens. I see the Braves nodding in the back of the room.
So yes, to keep AJ means you will lose him for basically nothing at the end of the season. But to keep him means you risk winning it all. You are in a better position to do so with AJ here than by trading him – no matter how successful you think Jason Vargas will be or any other call up. And with Dontrelle hitting a rough patch, this may be the most approriate time to hold onto AJ.
For the Marlins, standing pat is the best situation. It only assures a greater possibility of winning for this team and there really isnt a knock down deal for AJ out there. And when the Marlins attach Lowell’s contract the focus is less about talent but more about contract flexibility. This means the talent that will be netted in return is less likely to contribute at the current level already in-house. As for Lowell, I dont think dealing him may be in the best interest from a PR perspective let alone he is starting to hit the ball again (over his last 7 games he is 8/25 with 1 HR and 7 RBI).
With the Marlins moving up in the wild card standings while only going 5-5 on this road trip and the recent offensive explosion, it seems both Jack McKeon and Bill Robinson have managed to secure their jobs for the meantime.
Maybe all of this is a sign. Maybe it is just dumb luck. Maybe, it is time for the Marlins to finally rise to the occasion. Either way you look at it, standing pat keeps the possibility for it to continue in place.
Dooling to sign with Magic
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Terms have yet to be finalized, but reports out of Orlando is that Dooling has agreed to terms with the Orlando Magic. The contract, as reported is 3 years at around $10 million.
“I feel overwhelmed,” Dooling said Friday. “I wouldn’t have been in this position if it weren’t for the Miami Heat franchise. They gave me an opportunity to play with a special team.”
The search for a backup point guard now becomes another offseason priority for the Miami Heat. Such options that have been discussed are Steve Blake, Earl Watson, Chris Duhon, Marko Jaric and even Juan Dixon. Dooling’s contract cannot be made official until the NBA ratifies its new collective bargaining agreement – expected to happen sometime this week.
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