Maggette to Golden State
Eight days into free agency, I'm still waiting for Corey Maggette's agent to call me back about the possibility of playing in Utah. I haven't exactly been holding my breath and, according to reports tonight, Maggette has agreed to a five-year, $50 million contract with Golden State.
I don't doubt for a second the Jazz were interested in Maggette - - whom they signed to a $42 million offer sheet that was matched by the Clippers in 2003 - - but I doubt Maggette was interested in coming to Utah, especially when the most the Jazz could offer without a sign-and-trade was a contract for the full midlevel exception.
Maggette didn't opt out of $7 million this season with the Clippers to make $5.8 million anywhere, let alone Utah. Even if he had to accept the midlevel, Maggette was going to do it with San Antonio or Boston. Clippers owner Donald Sterling also isn't shy about letting players leave for nothing, making a sign-and-trade that much more difficult.
The Magic abandoned their pursuit of Maggette earlier today, agreeing to terms with Golden State's Mickael Pietrus. Elton Brand now has stunned the NBA, leaving the Clippers for a five-year, $82 million contract with Philadelphia. Baron Davis is probably feeling as if a truck hit him right about now.
Another free-agent story that caught my eye earlier today was in New Orleans, where the Times-Picayune reported that the Hornets "are targeting free agent James Posey to solve their needs at shooting guard, but whether general manager Jeff Bower can pull off a deal is uncertain."
The Hornets were supposed to have found that player last year in Morris Peterson, signing him to a four-year, $22.4 million contract. The Jazz hosted Peterson on a visit to Salt Lake City but decided against committing to more than three years. Peterson averaged 8.0 points a game last season, compared to 12.0 for Ronnie Brewer.
As simple as it sounds, sometimes the best moves are the ones you never make.
* * *
Thanks to the readers who posted their memories of meeting Jazz players growing up at various Jr. Jazz clinics around the state. If you didn't watch Chris Detrick's slideshow that accompanied today's story, it's well worth a minute and a half of your time. My favorite picture - - Almond talking to three kids on a bike outside Duchesne High - - didn't make the paper but is in the slideshow.
--Ross Siler
I don't doubt for a second the Jazz were interested in Maggette - - whom they signed to a $42 million offer sheet that was matched by the Clippers in 2003 - - but I doubt Maggette was interested in coming to Utah, especially when the most the Jazz could offer without a sign-and-trade was a contract for the full midlevel exception.
Maggette didn't opt out of $7 million this season with the Clippers to make $5.8 million anywhere, let alone Utah. Even if he had to accept the midlevel, Maggette was going to do it with San Antonio or Boston. Clippers owner Donald Sterling also isn't shy about letting players leave for nothing, making a sign-and-trade that much more difficult.
The Magic abandoned their pursuit of Maggette earlier today, agreeing to terms with Golden State's Mickael Pietrus. Elton Brand now has stunned the NBA, leaving the Clippers for a five-year, $82 million contract with Philadelphia. Baron Davis is probably feeling as if a truck hit him right about now.
Another free-agent story that caught my eye earlier today was in New Orleans, where the Times-Picayune reported that the Hornets "are targeting free agent James Posey to solve their needs at shooting guard, but whether general manager Jeff Bower can pull off a deal is uncertain."
The Hornets were supposed to have found that player last year in Morris Peterson, signing him to a four-year, $22.4 million contract. The Jazz hosted Peterson on a visit to Salt Lake City but decided against committing to more than three years. Peterson averaged 8.0 points a game last season, compared to 12.0 for Ronnie Brewer.
As simple as it sounds, sometimes the best moves are the ones you never make.
* * *
Thanks to the readers who posted their memories of meeting Jazz players growing up at various Jr. Jazz clinics around the state. If you didn't watch Chris Detrick's slideshow that accompanied today's story, it's well worth a minute and a half of your time. My favorite picture - - Almond talking to three kids on a bike outside Duchesne High - - didn't make the paper but is in the slideshow.
--Ross Siler
8:05 PM
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