Saturday Notes: Sessions' status, Jennings getting noticed
by Frank Madden on Jul 25, 2009 7:45 PM CDT
in Daily Notes
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Stein: Clips the final option for Sessions?
So what the heck is going on with Ramon Sessions? At this point your guess is a good as mine. Gery Woelfel maintains the Knicks are still leaning toward an offer sheet, but opinion seems to vary on that. In New York, Frank Isola reported today that David Lee is increasingly likely to return to New York for at least a year, while Donne Walsh is also considering the freshly-released Jamaal Tinsley. And then there's the Clips. Marc Stein the other day pegged L.A. as a more likely destination, but there's little certainty about that.We should learn soon how far the Clips are willing to go with an offer sheet. If Sessions proves unable to land an offer that starts in midlevel territory, Milwaukee will be much more of a threat to match, and that would spare the Bucks from asking too much of Brandon Jennings in his rookie season.
The Clips tried to initiate sign-and-trade talks with Milwaukee to land Sessions, but the Bucks maintain that they're not interested in L.A.'s newly acquired Sebastian Telfair.
- HoopsWorld: Sessions not a fan of L.A.?
Steve Kyler at Hoopsworld indicates that Sessions doesn't want to play in L.A. now that the backcourt has gotten more crowded with the arrival of Sebastian Telfair. Personally, I'm not sure it was ever that appealing given Baron Davis was locked in at PG, Eric Gordon is the long-term SG, and Mike Dunleavy is still involved. And with Brandon Jennings now in Milwaukee, New York seems like the obvious best destination from a playing time/opportunity standpoints. What's more interesting is this:
Most of this is likely moot, as Milwaukee sources say they are likely to match any offers around the median exception, so unless the Clippers and Bucks reach a sign-and-trade deal it does not seem that the Clippers have any shot at Sessions, and it does not seem Sessions has much interest in the Clippers as constructed.
I'm still doubtful the Bucks would match a long-term offer close to the mid-level, but it's still tough to tell what exactly the Bucks will or won't do. What is certain is that the Bucks should be pleased to hear that Sessions' stock seems to be cooling. At Clips Nation, Steve Perrin wonders why Sessions would worry about the presence of Telfair in the first place. Good question, Steve.
Hunt: Bucks smart to play it safe
Michael Hunt isn't too broken up about the possibility of losing Ramon Sessions, and while I would like to keep Sessions I think he makes a lot of fair points. This I thought was pretty interesting:
The Bucks, for good or ill, have cast their lot with Brandon Jennings. He is their point guard moving forward and will start, barring unforeseen circumstances, from Day 1. They prefer their first-round pick's upside. They like the fact Jennings is quicker and much more spontaneous with his open-floor decision-making.Hunt was advocating Jennings as the starter pretty much as soon as the Bucks had his name called in New York, so I'm not sure if he's projecting his own views on the Bucks or if he's heard something internally suggesting Jennings is the likely starter in November. If Sessions leaves, I've kind of assumed Ridnour would start initially in order to keep the pressure off Jennings. But then again, with the Bucks going young across the board there wouldn't be much harm in giving Jennings big minutes from the start and letting him get his growing pains out of the way. I'm not sure that's really Scott Skiles' style of course...The Bucks have accepted the short-term growing pains that will come with Jennings. They will, to use an unfortunate phrase from a previous general manager, sink or swim with that decision.
Thorpe: Jennings 5th in rookie rankings
David Thorpe has some kind words for Jodie Meeks too, but it's all about Jennings:
If Ramon Sessions stays in Milwaukee, Jennings will fall out of the top 10. But because Sessions is expected to leave, Jennings projects to play major minutes. And he's too talented not to put up some impressive numbers.Jennings plays like a true point, looking to score only if it's the best option. And he showed in summer league that he can make players better, especially in transition. As I watched him play in Vegas, I kept thinking, "Who wouldn't like playing with this guy?" If Jennings accepts the tough love he'll get from Bucks coach Scott Skiles, he will be a candidate for rookie of the year.
PBN | Making a quick Buck
You can add Sam Amico to the list of people who thinks the Bucks are doomed to the Eastern cellar...but is interested in them anyway.
Still, this isn't about wins and losses. It's about continuing to learn Skiles' no-nonsense philosophy, weeding out the guys who can't cut it and revamping around the guys who can.Not that I'm projecting 40 wins or anything, but I think there's also been a bit of overreaction to the losses of Villanueva and RJ. Sure, the Bucks would be better with those guys on the roster, but both guys have better names than games at this point. More important is the number of games the Bucks can get out of Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd, not to mention all the x-factors currently on the roster.It's about allowing Redd and Bogut to carry the load as the rookies and second-year guys develop. It's about beginning to get an idea of what type of organization you can become.
Does Jennings have the physical and mental makeup to survive and contribute over an 82 game season? Can Amir Johnson stay on the court long enough to shore up the interior defense? Can Ersan Ilyasova translate his success at the highest levels of European competition to the NBA? Can Joe Alexander give the Bucks at least average production at either or both forward spots? Given the injuries a year ago and the number of young players, this has the makings of a team that can surprise people.
Jeremy has an interview with Brandon Jennings' former high school coach, the legendary Steve Smith of Oak Hill Academy.
I'd like to welcome Justin Malaise to the Bucks blogger family! He's got a good look at Jennings' summer league stats and how they compare to other rookie PGs.
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Seems like the Bucks at least scared the Blazers away. Now there really aren't that many options for Sessions.
We went with Miller, partly because of his experience, partly because the team still believes in Bayless and a 2-3 year deal fits the timetable, and probably partly out of fear losing out on both Sessions and Miller if the Bucks match and Miller goes to NY during the week or something like that. Definitely not because he has a higher ceiling.
by Norsktroll on Jul 25, 2009 8:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Chubby/Sessions should force the issue
If New York is really the only destination Sessions wants to end up in, which appears to be the case based on comments from the Sessions camp, why let Walsh have all the leverage. Bring this to a head by giving Walsh a deadline to come up with an acceptable offer sheet. Tell Walsh that if an acceptable offer sheet is not forthcoming by ______________, then Sessions will sign the one year QO and look at more options next offseason when PG pickings will be slim, more teams will have money, and those teams won’t have to worry about whether MIL could match. There’s a pretty good chance Sessions would end up with a better payday over the next 5 years by taking the QO this year.
by hunter11 on Jul 25, 2009 9:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Probably right
The RFA negotiating dynamics are pretty fascinating, and certainly have not worked in Sessions’ favor this summer.
One interesting question to me is what the Bucks do if Session doesn’t get any offers. It’s fine to let the market dictate a price—I get the argument of not bidding against yourself. But what if the market doesn’t set a price? You have to sit down and offer him more than just the QO right? Even if it’s just two years and $6 million or so, that’s preferable to one year at just $1 million IMO (it could be $1.5, that’s the number Sessions mentioned last week, though the Bucks aren’t obligated to offer that much).
by Frank Madden on Jul 26, 2009 3:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's played 2 years and he's only 23, so...
making a million for his third year and then trying to get a $7+ mil per year contract….not such a bad thing. RFAs are generally screwed.
I looked at next year’s projected free agents/draftees. Let’s see…one team will end up drafting John Wall. Outside of Wall, no other PG projected to be in the draft who you want to hitch your team’s future to. Then you have Rondo who likely is kept by BOS. After Rondo, I think Alston might be the most attractive FA PG (if Sessions isn’t part of the mix). After Alston, you have Ridnour, Duhon, etc.
by hunter11 on Jul 26, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
which is why
he’d be smart to take the 1 year QO and then hit the market next year. He’d be crazy not to.
The Bucks, if they’re smart, should try to get him on a 3 year deal, for something in the neighborhood of 4 mil per year. That might be just tempting enough for him to sign, and would be an imminently more movable contract if/when the Bucks are ready to commit major minutes to Jennings. At the end of the contract, Sessions would be still looking at a hefty raise being only 26.
by swilldog on Jul 26, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Discuss: Rammon Sessions at Detroit Pistons Fan Community - PistonsForum.com
What about him?He’s a free agent and I would love to get him.He’s a true poing guard who can score,if needed and he would be a better pick in todays Pistons then Stuckey.I offer Stuckey+Maxiell for Sessions in sign and trade.
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I didn’t check to see if the numbers work out in a sign and trade.
There are now 41 posts at Pistonsforum.com on this topic
Interesting reading
by Buddahfan on Jul 26, 2009 3:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd make that trade in a heartbeat ...
but it seems too lopsided (in Milwaukee’s favor) and the numbers also don’t add up (Stuckey at 1.8 mil and Maxiell at 5 mil). At the beginning of last season, it seemed Stuckey was the future pg for Detroit but his value has since declined. Neither Sessions or Stuckey can shoot the three with much accuracy, but I’d have to give Sessions th nod for NBA starter vs. back-up pg right now simply because of Sessions playmaking ability and willingness to distribute. In my opinion, Maxiell would be the prize in the trade (would definitely prefer him over Amir) and could be the Bucks answer at PF they have been seeking for years!
It’s hard to tell what Dumars is thinking given they appeared to be set at starting sg and pf (Maxiell and Rip) but just dished out some serious cash to 2 guys who play those exact same positions, and not nearly as well as Maxiell and Rip in my opinion (Maxiell WILL produce if given starter’s minutes but isn’t likely with CV now in the mix).
Is this trade a rumor that’s been circulating? I have yet to read or see anything about it on any Bucks blog!
by BigO1 on Jul 26, 2009 4:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Doesn’t work cap-wise because Sessions would be BYC and thus only count for half his salary from the Bucks’ perspective. Still, I’d say it’s definitely preferable to losing Sessions for nothing.
I think Stuckey’s gotten a bit overrated but he’s a quality talent with two years left on his rookie deal still…that makes him somewhat valuable even if you don’t think he’s got star power. I don’t think Maxiell is a starter but he has shown he can give you very good minutes as bench PF.
by Frank Madden on Jul 26, 2009 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sources: Nate, Knicks Are Close To Deal
This is from RealGM this morning.
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Jul 27, 2009 7:29 AM EST
Sources confirmed to The New York Times that the Knicks are close to an agreement on a one-year deal with Nate Robinson.
The contract will pay the restricted free-agent guard between $5 and $6 million, according to the source.
New York is thrilled with the negotiations because they would be able to keep Robinson for another season without using up any of their cap space in 2010.
The deal, which is expected to be finalized at some point this week, would allow Robinson to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Signing Robinson would likely end New York’s quest for Milwaukee restricted free-agent Ramon Sessions.
by Buddahfan on Jul 27, 2009 8:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
While I hope this ends their interest, you could still make the argument that a Sessions signing makes sense in New York.
Robinson would only be on a one-year deal and he probably becomes a non-priority next summer when they go fishing for LBJ/Wade/etc. So he doesn’t tie up 2010 cap room, and perhaps more importantly he’s not a real PG. Given Sessions’ size you could probably play them together a bit as well.
by Frank Madden on Jul 27, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
NateRob is really just a 3rd guard. So, sure NY could still have interest in Sessions if they were trying to build a team. If NY signed Sessions, Duhon’s minutes would plummet…and NateRob will still have the same role he had last year (3rd guard). However, NY really isn’t trying to build a team…they are simply trying to have as much money next offseason as possible so all of the elite FAs can laugh at them. Then they will overpay for 2nd tier guys like Joe Johnson just so they can tell their fans they landed a big name. In short, I’m going to say that Walsh has too much of an eye on 2010 and that’s the reason the Knicks are now looking elsewhere (let’s be honest…we all know “Tinsley signs 1 year contract with Knicks for league minimum” is coming)
by hunter11 on Jul 27, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Source: Knicks To Meet With Tinsley
From RealGM
Jul 28, 2009 7:54 AM EST
The Knicks will meet with Jamaal Tinsley at some point this week, according to a source.
Tinsley will sit down with general manager Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D’Antoni.
Walsh drafted Tinsley in 2001 during his time with the Pacers.
by Buddahfan on Jul 28, 2009 8:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I believe that same story suggests
that D’Antoni would prefer/want Sessions. Walsh knows that he can get Tinsley cheap, especially with the promise of competition for the starting job. I’m sure Walsh will have as easy a time convincing Lebron/Bosh/et al to sign up with the team next year with the following marketing ploy: “hey, we can re-sign TInsley or Duhon, or maybe even get Ridnour…so no worries with our PG situation. come on board.”
by hunter11 on Jul 28, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For Those Who Are Disappointed In the Jefferson Trade
Another perspective:
Would you trade Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons for Amir Johnson, Bruce Bowen, and Kurt Thomas? I emphatically would. That’s essentially what happened.
by MadTown Hoops on Jul 28, 2009 11:26 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
+1
So simple, yet so elegant. Great perspective.
"I'm so clean, cats think I sip Ajax."
by Mitchell_M on Jul 29, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sessions trade??
Why not trade Redd and his contract? Keep Sessions, and Jennings togeather! Sessions can play the 2 position, so the worse is you have 2 point guards on the floor at the same time?
by The Dark Side on Jul 29, 2009 5:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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