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**CP26** · 07-02-2004, 09:15 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1832325

ESPN.com news services
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State Warriors center Erick Dampier has opted out of his contract as expected and becomes a free agent.

Dampier, 29, opted out of the last two years of his contract to become a free agent, leaving more than $16 million on the table. He is coming off the most productive season in his eight-year career. He averaged a double-double -- 12.3 points and 12.0 rebounds -- while also blocking 1.85 shots in 32.5 minutes per game.

He has drawn the interest of the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks and Washington Wizards, a source told ESPN's David Aldridge.

"We received the paperwork on Friday indicating that Erick has officially exercised the opt-out clause in his contract," Chris Mullin, the Warriors' executive vice president of basketball operations, said in a statement. "We intend to speak with him and his representatives when NBA rules permit us to do so, which as an unrestricted free agent is July 1."

Dampier ranked fourth in the league in rebounding and seventh with 42 double-doubles. He has hired a new agent, Dan Fegan, in Los Angeles.

jazzy1 · 07-02-2004, 11:19 AM

We're becoming the Golden State Warriors. I'm becoming more convinced than ever that the curse is VERY real. Why else are we morphing into another losing team. Abe has pissed someone off in the spiritual world. Because if this happened I'd be really scared.

Seriously why don't they just relocate the Warriors here and get it over with.

There's NO WAY we win if we get Dampier. And I have nothing against him as a player. I think he's one helluva tough rebounder and defender.

I'm sorry fellas this is really spooking me.

f22egl · 07-02-2004, 11:54 AM

Signing Dampier would be an upgrade at the center spot. I wonder how much salary he wants though.

The Golden State team in 02-03 was pretty good with Arenas, Jamison, and Dampier. They had 38 wins in the West, one more than MJ's Wizards had.

**MJG** · 07-02-2004, 12:13 PM

I wouldn't mind picking him up as a player, but I am very much against giving him the type of money he'll probably command. Last year was obviously fantastic, with averages of 12/12/2 BPG on 53% FG in 32 MPG with 74 total games played. However, a big contract for a vet (who'll be 30 by the time next season rolls around) based on one good year is a mistake.

Prior to last year, his previous seven seasons' numbers looked more like 8/6.5/1.5 on 42% FG in 24 MPG with 65 games played per year. Guess who else gives numbers like that almost exactly -- Etan Thomas. Actually, take Etan's line from last season, replace any of Dampier's previous seasons with it, and no one would think twice of it.

That's not to say I'd let Etan stand in the way of picking up Dampier if the money was equal. It's just that considering the likely salary difference, I'd rather not bother with him. Etan will likely make the MLE as a max, whereas I'd say the MLE will be Dampier's minimum possible offer he'd consider.

jazzy1 · 07-02-2004, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by f22egl!
Signing Dampier would be an upgrade at the center spot. I wonder how much salary he wants though.

The Golden State team in 02-03 was pretty good with Arenas, Jamison, and Dampier. They had 38 wins in the West, one more than MJ's Wizards had.

They had Boykins who was their savior bailing them out in 4th quarters. I wouldn't say they were good they were entertaining. They had all sorts of gripng and whispering. Same season Gilbert pulled the move in New York.

NO way we should go after Dampier, No way.

I thought in the limited minutes Haywood played. He really improved. Brendan is becoming a solid player. I'm okay with the Haywood, Etan, Kwame, JJ rotation down low. You have to have continuity, they've gotten comfortable with one another. Heck we were top ten in rebounds and shot blocks last season thats not bad at all.

Kwame as our main option down low is a good passer who knows where to find those guys now.

**BCH** · 07-02-2004, 02:04 PM

Ike Austin Part 2.

**MJG** · 07-02-2004, 02:07 PM

I'm glad I'm not the only one who isn't that high on the guy. So many mention him like he'll join a team and instantly bump them up a notch. He was my pre-offseason '04 FA bust pick (for those curious, Marquis Daniels of Dallas was my '04 FA steal pick, but he's agreed to be signed for a good chunk of change already).

For the MLE or a bit less, Dampier would be a great addition to most any team. For anything more, he'll be a Brian Grant Lite.

twinz2gether · 07-02-2004, 03:16 PM

i was really starting to think that the golden state team that won 38 games was really an up and coming team, so getting that team i dont think is a bad idea, anyways, erick dampier is a great veteran defender, i think he'd be a great addition to our team.

jazzy1 · 07-02-2004, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MJG!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who isn't that high on the guy. So many mention him like he'll join a team and instantly bump them up a notch. He was my pre-offseason '04 FA bust pick (for those curious, Marquis Daniels of Dallas was my '04 FA steal pick, but he's agreed to be signed for a good chunk of change already).

For the MLE or a bit less, Dampier would be a great addition to most any team. For anything more, he'll be a Brian Grant Lite.

I agree with you and BCH he has busto potential big time. He played well but I'm suspicious of career underachievers playing well on bad teams. His head just never seems right to me.

Unlike you MJG I think Daniels is a bust. With what he had around him he played well, Finley, Dirk, Nash, Jamison, Walker, thats 5 potential allstars. Daniels doesn't do anything real well he just plays unafraid and does the small things in a game. You take away, Nash now, with Jamison and give him an increased role where the other team can focus on him and I bet he folds and doesn't play well at all.

Dallas is foolish for that contract. I think people overrated him because the Mavs had a team that played no defense. And he seemed to play with toughness.

**MJG** · 07-02-2004, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jazzy1!

Dallas is foolish for that contract. I think people overrated him because the Mavs had a team that played no defense. And he seemed to play with toughness.

I'm with you on that part. When I picked him for my steal of the offseason, it was because I hadn't heard more than a peep about him and I thought he might get a Michael Redd-ish cheap deal because of it. At $6+ million per year, he is definitely not a steal. I still have faith in him being a solid player for the Mavs, but that contract is a stretch based off of a good half season.

Maybe they rushed a bit once they found out Nash was gone? Dallas was looking a bit thin at PG with pretty much just Devin Harris there, and Daniels can cover that spot.

On that topic, Dallas is looking really overloaded at the 2-4 positions after the trade with us. Daniels, Stackhouse, Howard, Finely, Wahad, Walker, Laettner, Nowitzki, Fortson -- they really need to be working those phones.

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