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**Weasel** · 04-15-2008, 07:20 PM

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basket...0.story?page=1

Quote:

Maggette is expected to opt-out of the final season of his contract and test what is shaping up to be a limited-spending free-agent market. Publiclyhe has said he wants to remain with the Clippers, although it's believed he is still undecided on returning.

"I understand the business, the limit they can go to," Maggette said. "It's up to them. It's not up to me. They already know where I want to be. I want to be here. If I can't, then it's just a part of business and I had a great time being here."

Brand is also believed to be leaning toward opting out. He has repeatedly said that if negotiations go right between the team and David Falk, his agent, that he will return. If so, it will probably be under a new contract.

Quote:

"You look at security, what's on the table and what you have coming in the next year and what's on the table for how long," Brand said of his thought process. "For a new team, you look at is that team a better situation for you? And then you've got to look at salary again."

Maggette and Brand said they would wait until the playoffs end before making their decisions.

If Brand does opt out, the article says he is "leaning toward" it right now, I really hope he stays. I hate to see him in a different uniform.

bootstrenf · 04-15-2008, 07:28 PM

there is going to be huge market for brand if he opts out...a pf that plays offense and defense....not too sure about maggette though...

leidout · 04-15-2008, 08:17 PM

Ok, so now the question is, how much are Brand & Maggette worth? Chances are, both players are going to want maximum length contracts, and at their ages it would seem likely that the last 2-3 years of a 6-year contract will result in diminished returns.

Brand is 29 years old and got paid 15.3M (to sit out) and is due 16.4M if he doesn't opt out.
Even though he's the heart & soul the team, i just can't justify giving him a max contract at this point in his career since he's not a superstar level player and he's aging. That said, he can be a top 5 PF in any given year even though his peak is definitely behind him, ideally i'd like to see him signed below 80M over 6 years.

Maggette is 28 years old and got paid 7.8M this year and is due 8.4M if he doesn't opt out.
He's been our most reliable scorer, improved his game nearly every year and is possibly the most efficient offensive player in the NBA. But Thornton makes him expendable, so anything under 50M over 6 years seems reasonable for me.

These are both probably going to be considered low offers for both players, but considering their age and the long term impact of their contracts, the clips might be best suited to just let them walk. If someone like Beasley becomes available in the draft, then letting Brand & Maggette go is the way to go.

**yamaneko** · 04-15-2008, 09:44 PM

Wow, that would be GREAT if brand opts out. That would open up a plethora of opportunities for us, both in sign and trade, and in just straight free agency. I wonder what the time frame is on these things. I sure hope that the draft comes first before we or they have to decide on anything.

the ULTIMATE thing would be brand opting out, us signing like say an arenas perhaps, then because of that, we dump livingston, freeing up some more money...then no one can afford brand so he ends up resigning with us for way less than market value.

**yamaneko** · 04-15-2008, 09:46 PM

If anything i say thornton makes brand expendable, not maggette. Thornton has still played like 80% of his best ball at the PF position, and most consistent play there. I really worry about him being a maggette replacement when he hasnt proven he can play that role well yet in dunleavvy's system.

**Ruff Draft** · 04-15-2008, 09:46 PM

Letting Maggette go wont hurt that bad with Thornton on the pine waiting. Yam has some good ideas on Brand leaving, but I really hope he doesn't.

leidout · 04-16-2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruff Draft

Letting Maggette go wont hurt that bad with Thornton on the pine waiting. Yam has some good ideas on Brand leaving, but I really hope he doesn't.

Yeah, even though it might be better in the long term (maybe even short term too, if we make the right moves) to let Brand leave, it'd really suck to see him suiting up for another team. I'd probably still cheer for him whenever he's in town.

leidout · 04-16-2008, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamaneko

If anything i say thornton makes brand expendable, not maggette. Thornton has still played like 80% of his best ball at the PF position, and most consistent play there. I really worry about him being a maggette replacement when he hasnt proven he can play that role well yet in dunleavvy's system.

Preferably i'd like to keep Thornton at SF/PF & Maggette at SG/SF, both guys can swing between the positions without a hitch and it gives us great flexibility in creating mismatches (which is Dunleavy's whole gameplan pretty much).

afobisme · 04-16-2008, 02:11 AM

i would get rid of maggette since he's only worth what he's currently making... and then i'd try to keep brand with thornton.

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