Pelicans to meet with Oden {EDIT-Oden chooses Miami,P.61}

[UNO Gracias]

Is Oden working out for teams, or is he going the Andrew Bynum route? And does anyone know how far off his game he has fallen off?

I am for bringing Oden in. The price is most assuredly right when talking $3 mil. I just wonder what he can give us.

[BP225]

One of the reports said his agent said teams will need a few weeks to sift through the medical reports. My guess is that he'd look fine in a workout but the question is how will he hold up long term. Should you only play him 15 minutes a night and not on back to backs? Can you even get that much out of him?

[PELICANSFAN]

That, or stressing the point that he is a bean pole.

Wright is much better than people give him credit for. He has come along nicely for a pf/c his size, with his 8/5/1 average. I would take that from my big. His defense is solid (much more solid than the much touted, older Al Jefferson that many were clamoring for).

But this point is moot as Dallas is going to bring him back.

So you think teams were looking at Jefferson for his defense? If Wright's offense were anywhere near Jefferson's this would be relevant. It is not.

[GameBreaker]

At 280 lbs of muscle, if Oden can play 15mpg that would be perfect. I really don't care if he's lost anything offensively. Just need someone to defend and rebound.

This.

IMO, this team is missing 2 pieces that should be getting around 15 mins/game; a defend and rebound Center and a 3 and defend SF.

But I don't think they are necessity with the rotations.

[UNO Gracias]

So you think teams were looking at Jefferson for his defense? If Wright's offense were anywhere near Jefferson's this would be relevant. It is not.

I think Jefferson after a few years in the league realized his calling card wasn't going to be his defense so he focused on his offense. Wright is caught in the middle, not willing to focus on one thing or another so he suffers in mediocrity.

[SnowofSX2]

I don't know if someone has said this but on HoopsHype.com they said Oden is looking for somewhere safe where he can resume his career and have the team be patient with him. Shoot I think that's the perfect opportunity for him here. I mean we've already been through it once, why not try for this guy?

[Kumar]

Link?

[jhow0036]

Sources close to Oden say they have been looking for a “safe” place for Oden to resume his career and that they are looking for an organization that is willing to be patient with Oden and have the right kinds of expectations for him.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-am-rum...-summer-league

[Adam the Legend]

Link?

http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-am-rum...-summer-league

Last section of the article...

[pjk481]

https://twitter.com/ericpincus/statu...70825761423360

This is less than the 44m initially reported. Does this allow us to offer oden the roughly 1million more we were looking for.


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[WhoDatPelican]

The New Orleans Pelicans’ pursuit of free agent Greg Oden is not an empty gesture. In fact, sources close to the situation say the Pelicans could be offering a two-year deal worth more than $3 million annually to ensure they are the team that lands the former number one overall pick.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-am-rum...medium=twitter

[RaisingTheBar]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-am-rum...medium=twitter

2 year deal? hopefully its a 2nd year team option.

[Kurgan]

2 year deal worth more than 3 mlns per year? Uh....all right

[WhoDatPelican]

2 year deal? hopefully its a 2nd year team option.

yea...thats what i am hoping. We shall see. I trust in Demps/Loomis.

[pjk481]

If that's what's being reported it seems to me it would make sense that it was structured in the Lopez fashion. 1st yr guaranteed with team option to pick up yr 2&3 after year 1. I doubt we'd want to offer just 2 years guaranteed, because if it works out, we'd have no bird rights to resign him (need 3years).


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[RaisingTheBar]

https://twitter.com/ericpincus/statu...70825761423360

This is less than the 44m initially reported. Does this allow us to offer oden the roughly 1million more we were looking for.


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I don't think that is legit.

[pjk481]

I don't think that is legit.

Just what pinkus tweeted. Mike Mcnamarra said he is looking into it.


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[MichaelMcNamara]

He told us it was a "mistweet" Said it is for $44 mil with salaries declining.

Jason is working with Larry Coon, who has access to real figures. They have exchanged about 7 emails these last few days, so I will trust Coon and 42 over anybody. We should have all the numbers soon enough.

[PELICANSFAN]

He corrected to say $44,000,004

[MichaelMcNamara]

Yeah, the big part is if the salary is truly declining. That will be huge in year 4, as that is the year where AD's extension kicks in and Ryno and EG will be coming up for new deals

[pjk481]

He told us it was a "mistweet" Said it is for $44 mil with salaries declining.

Jason is working with Larry Coon, who has access to real figures. They have exchanged about 7 emails these last few days, so I will trust Coon and 42 over anybody. We should have all the numbers soon enough.

Thanks for checking that out. Looking forward to what Coon has to say.

[Davisistheman]

All I know is the If they want Oden and Oden want the Pelicans the deal will get done. In Dell I trust and with Loomis on the case too, the $$ is not a worry. that dude is a wizard with cap numbers.

[PELICANSFAN]

Yeah, the big part is if the salary is truly declining. That will be huge in year 4, as that is the year where AD's extension kicks in and Ryno and EG will be coming up for new deals

Yeah, with Lopez, GV and Harris, it would appear that we can take back around $12 million in salary in the first year. That would leave $32 million over the last 3. I am not sure how much differential we can offer each year, but given that we are likely to be over the cap next year as well, we may be able to allocate a decent amount to next year to let it taper to under $10 million in the last year.

[Spaniard]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but the Heat appear to be one of the front runners to go after Marcus Camby once he's officially bought out from the Raptors. I think that is going to make a lot more sense for them and will probably be a veteran minimum contract. There is no way they come close to the $3 million offer for Oden due tot he luxury tax IMO.

I'm with everyone else in thinking this has a real shot in happening and I almost say that it really should happen for both sides. It just makes a lot of sense. And god help the league if Oden does play next to Anthony Davis at anything near what he's capable of being.

[Adam the Legend]

Yeah, the big part is if the salary is truly declining. That will be huge in year 4, as that is the year where AD's extension kicks in and Ryno and EG will be coming up for new deals

Michael, what does your gut tell you about our chances of actually landing Oden? I'm worried he may be using us to drive up his asking price with teams like Miami or San Antonio.