Bonnell on free agency

[dnbman]

Re: Marion and Sideshow

Doubtful. Marion is a guy who can play a LOT better than an MLE contract type guy. A contender would surely snatch him up.

[BRNC]

The thing is...all the contenders (except Blazers) can only offer the MLE...and now that Hedo goes to Toronto Marion is on the market...looks like Blazers choose one piece over the MLE then we compete (just like everyone else) with the MLE...I hope the Blazers go Miller instead since that leaves the "bigs" for everyone else to fight over...maybe we can get Bass after all...

[SWedd523]

Marion isn't worth the MLE anymore. He hasn't done anything substatial since being traded to Miami. Varejao will be looking for more than the MLE but likely won't get it. I think he'd be a nice pickup but we won't get him.

[BRNC]

Bass or Varejao would be ok...I Varejao is one of the players I'm hearing nothing about...wonder if everyone is assuming he's back with the Cavs and any interested team would feel they are just bidding him up for the Cavs?

[dnbman]

Marion isn't worth the MLE anymore. He hasn't done anything substatial since being traded to Miami. Varejao will be looking for more than the MLE but likely won't get it. I think he'd be a nice pickup but we won't get him.

His numbers really aren't that bad. If he's motivated again, I think he easily goes back to 18 and 9-10 rebounds a game. All of the rest of his numbers are still pretty good.

He's just been very frustrated with the teams he's been on.

[SWedd523]

His numbers really aren't that bad. If he's motivated again, I think he easily goes back to 18 and 9-10 rebounds a game. All of the rest of his numbers are still pretty good.

He's just been very frustrated with the teams he's been on.

Then Charlotte is not where he's going to do it. The only way he goes back anywhere near 20/10 is if he goes back to Phoenix.

[BRNC]

Hey Swedd...now that the Suns have "Robin" maybe Marion will play for free with them...

[dnbman]

Then Charlotte is not where he's going to do it. The only way he goes back anywhere near 20/10 is if he goes back to Phoenix.

My original point was that it wasn't a good match:

Doubtful. Marion is a guy who can play a LOT better than an MLE contract type guy. A contender would surely snatch him up.

But I can see him signing to one of the contenders to give them a versatile 3/4 for cheap. He'd probably be great for Cleveland.

[WAM9]

Do you guys think there's any chance that Varejao or Marion will slide under the cracks and sign the MLE with the Bobcats?

I'm pretty sure I read that Marion declined an offer from Toronto of 8-9 mil per. He probably wouldn't turn that money down (even if it is in Toronto) if he and his agent though the MLE elsewhere was the best they could do.

To the point that Marion somehow isn't worth the MLE...I think you are way off. He definitely deserves the full MLE.

I actually think Varejao is a darkhorse for who we use our MLE on. I'm on board like a lot around here with Bass being a great target but for some reason I think Varejao might actually happen. He was willing to sign with us first when he was a restricted free agent before Cleveland matched so there is some type of relationship there. We'll see.

[BRNC]

He's a real energy guy...rather have Bass he's a better FT shooter...the next week (particularly after the 8th when contracts can be signed) should be really interesting...but according to Bonnell the only two guys we've contacted are Bass and McDyess...maybe that will change...

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar..._mcdyess_bass/


Pts. Reb. Blks. FT%
Bass per36= 15.7 8.4 1.3 .867

Varejao per36= 10.8 10.1 1.0 .616

Some slight differances...Bass a better scorer...Varejao better rebounding....differance maker for me is FT%...the team needs to get better at FT...I'd feel better with Bass...
per36 was based on what they did last year not career numbers...they have both improved yearly and I did not feel they've played enough years to base it on career numbers...