Report: Darko, Grizzles Agree On Deal
July 11, 2007 - 10:01 pm
Chad Ford/ESPN -
Free-agent center Darko Milicic agreed in principle to a three-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, the player's agent Marc Cornstein told ESPN.com Insider Chad Ford.
Cornstein refused to disclose the amount of the deal, but the starting salary is believed to be for substantially more than the $5.3 million mid-level exception.
"We are extremely excited for this new opportunity," Cornstein said. "Darko's going to a team that really wants him. He's going to a young team with an exciting bright future much like his own. We're very excited Darko gets to learn from coach Marc Iavaroni. We believe he's one of the best big men coaches in the game. And we couldn't be happier that he has found a new home where he's appreciated.
Congrats Grizzlies fans. There wasn't much to be had in this year's FA market and you grabbed a player that could turn out to be a big steal. If not...oh well, Darko is at least a decent big man already.
__________________ Chick Hearn: This game is in the refrigerator. The door is closed, the lights are out, the eggs are gettin' cool, the butter's gettin' hard, and the jellooooooo's jigglin'!
Current 2008-2009 LA Lakers Roster
PG: Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, Luke Walton
PF: Pau Gasol, Vladimir Radmanovic
C: Andrew Bynum, Chris Mihm
Unsigned Free Agents: Sasha Vujacic, D.J. Mbenga, Ira Newble, Coby Karl, Joe Crawford
Brilliant contract for the Grizzlies. Not because Darko Milicic is an impact player - or even that he'll develop into one - the three-year length is the great part.
Having cap room this offseason was a one-shot deal. Even if Memphis signed nobody this offseason, they would have been over the cap in '08. Varejao and Milicic were the only realistic targets, and not only did they sign a more-skilled player in Darko, they did it with minimal risk involved.
Darko:
1) Addresses size issues on both ends of the floor
2) Provides another shot-blocking presence
3) Fits the team's uptempo philosophy - his athleticism combined with his size reminds me of Pau.
If he doesn't work out, three years is still an extremely easy deal to swallow, especially in today's NBA, a la Chris Wilcox and Drew Gooden. If he does work out, Memphis just added another solid young piece to its puzzle.
Funny how he ends up with the team now that traded the pick when he was drafted.
If it is for three years, Memphis can do no wrong. If he fails he will be of the payroll in 2010 and if he finally gets it together, this could turn out to be a great signing because you don't get quality big men with more than one elite skill via Free Agency very often.
I just wonder why his agent agreed to such a short deal.
Good pick up (you needed a center badly and cap space was about to go) I expect Memphis to do better and I hope Darko will show such play like he did for Serbia with potential starting role and extra minutes (then again maybe you are cursed... I refer to the fact that Pau plays for Spain better than for you )
Funny how he ends up with the team now that traded the pick when he was drafted.
If it is for three years, Memphis can do no wrong. If he fails he will be of the payroll in 2010 and if he finally gets it together, this could turn out to be a great signing because you don't get quality big men with more than one elite skill via Free Agency very often.
I just wonder why his agent agreed to such a short deal.
Same reason LeBron only signed a 3-year extension - bigger potential extensions down the road.
Report: Darko, Grizzlies Agree On Deal
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