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Several sources with knowledge of the situation have informed me that Nate
Robinson has been telling people he wants to head back to the Pacific Northwest and sign an offer sheet with the Portland Trailblazers.
“Nate’s been telling people he doesn’t feel he’ll be around New York much longer,” the source told TKB. ” He wants Portland, he wants to go closer to home.”
But at this point, another source close to Blazers tells me, there is no interest from the Portland’s end. Portland desperately wants to add a veteran lead guard, which will allow superstar Brandon Roy, and Nate’s childhood buddy, to play the two. They feel it is his natural position.
I’m also hearing that Roy hasn’t gone out of his way to endorse Robinson. Roy knows a veteran one would be a huge addition.
Much like Denver, who added Chauncey Billups, and even Dallas who brought in Jason Kidd, the Blazers feel a veteran quarterback will allow them to take the next step in next year’s playoffs.
That player, as we said around this past trade deadline, is free agent Andre Miller. I have learned that the Blazers had a deal in place for Miller at the deadline which would have sent Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw to Philadelphia, but the deal was shut down by the Blazers at the last minute.
But Miller will not be easy to get even though the Blazers have some cap space. Sixers GM Ed Stefanski will likely want to keep Miller as they are a win- now team having brought in Elton Brand for big money last year. It would be hard to believe that the Sixers would start the year with a new point guard even if it meant parting ways with Miller. But like Donnie Walsh said about Nate and David Lee, players are good at one number and not at another.
But that remains to be seen, and for the time being there doesn’t seem to be any room to bring in Robinson, which begs the question: if Nate can’t get a deal from his hometown team, what is his market value?
It would also seem that his time in New York has run out with the Knicks poised to take a guard in next month’s draft. We’ve learned Nate has been saying his goodbyes around New York. He even offered the following Twitter message (his location reads “NY…for now”) following his exit interview with Walsh and coach Mike D’Antoni.
“…got out of my exit meeting with my coach and i hope iam playing 4 the knicks next year if not it was fun and it was real being a knick 1 luv..”
This situation will be part of what is sure to be a busy off season, especially for the Blazers who appeared to be active at the trade deadline this past season, but ultimately decided to hold tight. They may look to move point guard Blake and the oft-on-the-block Outlaw.
Should Miller stay in Philly and the Blazers fall short of upgrading, they may look to bring in Robinson, but for the time being because of a jogjam of guards which includes Blake, Sergio Rodriguez and Jerryd Bayless, who they are NOT shopping, it would seem that bringing in Robinson would make little sense. Again, they are looking for veteran leadership with the ball. Without Miller, the Blazers may look to add Nate’s scoring punch off the bench, but it seems, at least for the time being, that Nate and his agent should be looking in a different direction. Now, Nate can still technically accept the qualifying offer, but that seems unlikely based on the fact that he feels he’s due for a big payday. Where that comes from, I have no idea.
As far as Lee goes, it would seem that he is a venerable lock to stay here for a reasonable contract. Lee will field offers, but prefers New York because of the Orange and Blue, but also because his girlfriend Sabina Gadecki, of World Poker Tour fame, has been focusing on her career in the Big Apple. Based on the economy and Lee’s love of the city, I’d be shocked if he didn’t return.
We know Walsh is a patient man and there is no decision that gets made without incredible detail and you can bet that he will test the sign and trade waters before committing.
But from what we’re hearing, it seems pretty definitive that Nate will not be a Knick in October and Lee will likely stay for a reasonable deal, unless the right trade comes along.
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I’d tap that.
If Portland wants a PG lets work in Duhon to a Sign and trade for Nate.. Bring Rudy Fernandez to NY.. can P-land trade their D Miles liability to make things equal out? Assuming we draft SCurry to man the point he’d be a nice combo with Rudy. And we can find the mid level for Nash as the third guard.
Interesting twist on the Lee story with the GF angle. She’s too hot but doing WPT Im sure she is travelling a lot and can do that from any home base.
Anyway, if we are keeping Lee on a “reasonable deal” that has to be in the 5 mil range for the first two years. With a player option for years three so he can get paid after we settle the 2010 thing.
Gots tog et my salary cap calculator out with all this money going out.
Hey Tommy, do you think you could explain why a team would trade for Nate (or dave for that matter) if they could just sign him to an offer sheet? I mean if we trade him, the team that gets him will have to give up players and sign him to a new deal. So why not just sign him to an offer sheet? Why waste the players? Is it simply because some teams dont have enough cap space to just sign a guy; so instead they have to trade for him and then sign him? Thanks
we’ll it’s the knicks call if they want to let nate walk for nothing. then they can get the team to agree. I believe that no team is going to blow nate away and if they do they let him walk. But if it;s close then you have the Sign and Trade option….
as Restricted Free Agents we have the right to match so in exchange for waiving that right we would do the sign and trade. Also, since we can offer the player more years and larger raises straight up the agent may push for that option which needs the S&T
This happens less so with Unrestricted Free Agents.
I like Sergio. Maybe, if Portland has no other options, and ends up wanting to take Nate without having to eat away cap room, they will be open to a sign and trade for Sergio.
He has good court vision and quickness and the Blazers don’t seem to have any use for his type of game. I really think he has the chance to be a very good PG in this league but just hasn’t been given a chance to play his game. He could help us. If we get Sergio, and draft Curry, we might be willing to part with Duhon, who could do wonders for us on the trade market.
He’s young blood, only 22, cheap, and he’s a playmaker who hasn’t been given a chance. I remember watching him in the Olympics, (Rubio came off the bench for him) and I was impressed.
I’m down to take a chance on anybody who’s on a rookie contract anyway, so it really couldn’t hurt. The best way to develop a winning team is from the ground up, because it’s the only way to be good and yet still have room to bring in a FA. (Kind of like the blazers)
Why Take Sergio when we can get Steve Blake.
Sergio did not make the Spanish national team and did not participate in the Olympics. Part of the reason he wants off the Blazers is that he believes his lack of playing time cost him a spot on the national team.
Let’s say eventually Curry starts, and then S-rod comes off the bench pushing him to the 2:
Sergio
Curry
Chandler
Galo
Lee
That is much better than what we have now in terms of player IQ, playmaking abilities, and shot consistency. Plus, there isn’t even anyone in that lineup getting payed more than 10 mil. That could turn into
Curry
Chandler
Galo
Jamison
Amare
with Sergio and, i duno, Grant Hill? off the bench.
unfortunately that still leaves us with Lee at the 5 spot. If we are going to keep Lee we have to do EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to get a real center in here.
Im thinking the Clips with their log jam would let Camby go. That would fll the spot. Sending Cuttino’s insured contract and a 2 or Q Rich back to LA could be enough.
@ Jeff – No disrespect but this line-up is ridiculous in my opinion.
A. Stephen Curry is undersized at the shooting guard position (and he doesn’t have Gordon’s strength/wingspan to make up for it).
B. If you want to destroy Gallinari’s career, put him at the power forward position and let him play against Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudemire or Kenyon Martin.
C. Lee’s not a center, he’s really good – as a center – only when the Knicks play against teams with one traditional big man in their starting lineups (like Golden State or Orlando) because he’s a good pick-and-roll player.
Just my opinion.
I agree 100%.
Curry is going to guard the opposing PG and play both guard positions on offense depending on who else is in the game (Chandler, Duhon etc..)
Gallo is going to defend the SF and be a kind of point forward that can shoot over opposing SFs and draw opposing PFs away from the hoop depending on who is guarding him.
Chandler is going to rotate on defense depending on the matchups and line up and become more of a slasher on offense, but one that will fire up 3s if you give him too much room.
Lee is a PF on both ends, but may occasionally get some time at C if the matchup is favorable on defense.
It’s the defensive C that is the missing piece.
Hopefully Donnie Walsh will find a way to sign-and-trade him for a first round draft pick. The only guy that I like (from Portland) is Jerryd Bayless, I would love to have him.
Bayless is not available from what I understand…
I m wondering if Donnie is regretting not trading Lee during the season? Two first rounders from the Nuggets seemed a good deal. In the sign and trade situation were now in will he get similar value? The point Im trying to get at is that surely Lee’s value is now less than it was before the deadline
Two first rounders in the late-twenties (these players rarely become starters) would have been a horrible deal.
of course Lee was the 30th pick. It comes down to scouting. I think there are plenty of players out there in the mid/late first round that in the right circumstance can be effective pieces to a championship.
Not talking all star starters but effective pieces which is all anyone can ask for..
He HAS TO regret it.
it seems like Nate has 0% chance of returning, so why didnt we pull the lever on the deal that would have sent Him and Jared Jeffries contract to Sacramento..?
I think Walsh and D’Antoni were still hoping he would settle down, mature, and play team oriented basketball. If he would, he could definitely be a very good role player. But he thinks he’s worth more than he actually is and is still too “ME” oriented to be part of a championship team. He may still change, but at this point I think multiple coaches have been pretty patient and it doesn’t seem to be happening.
Jeffries is not a bad role player and even though he’s overpaid, it’s not a crushing contract like Zach’s, Curry’s or a few others were.
I don’t think they’ll have a really tough time moving Jeffries if they want to, but I’m not sure sure it’s a requirement. Moving Eddy Curry is a requirement because he’s overpaid and can’t play defense. Eddy is an above average and efficient offensive C when he’s healthy and in decent shape, but he can’t play defense, block shots etc.. at all. That’s what the Knicks need from a C given the makep of the rest of the team.
Curry is no longer my option at point come on say it with me Brandon Jennings hes the best open court PG in the draft he has as much up side as anyone and he played with pros already hes more NBA ready to contribute right away. He put on a show at the McDonalds All American game and most of the great plays he had were on the fastbreak. He’s a much better shooter since going to europe I think he has to be the choice over Curry.
I agree I am a huge Jennings fan and with all these names getting thrown around he is just flying under the radar ready to fall to 8.
Kinda ironic, isn’t it? Nate really gets wrapped up in this “Nate the Great” scorer persona, making him a bad fit for the D’Antoni offense in a contract year and that also makes him a bad fit for the Blazers.
He’s got All-Star talent, I think it’s all up to Nate to make something of it. If he signs elsewhere, unless it’s a proven winning franchise, he’s always going to regret not playing on the biggest stage.
Maybe he’ll figure this out, talk to Coach and Donnie, promise to be an orchestrator instead of a scorer, so we keep him?
I suppose my point was a more general one around RFAs and their trade value. Are David and Nate of less value now because potential suitors can potentially give offer sheets? Lee seemed to be attract substantial offers all ( Mucha- didnt realise they were both late rounders, thanks for the update) year , ie from Portland. Does Lee now have less value now in a S&T ? Isnt DW therefore taking a huge chance on Lee being affordable. I would hate to think we may have missed out on some of the solid assets being rumoured many of whom were in rookie contracts
Yes we lose a lot of leverage in a sign-and-trade scenario. Because everybody knows that we can’t overpay Lee and whoever’s willing to give him a huge contract could just wait until they get a one-sided deal.
But we can’t say that waiting was a bad decision. The outcome will automatically give us the answer, maybe it was a wise decision, maybe it was a bad decision. I mean if we get Rubio in a sign-and-trade deal in July, Donnie Walsh is a genius because he would have never gotten that kind of value in return during the regular season.
Before when i listed Curry as the 2 guard, i didn’t mean he would actually be our 2 guard, i was just listing a set of 5 players that we could possibly have who are all very young, and pretty good. I wasn’t including any of the acquisitions we make to fill in the roster. My point was that it would be a good young, cheap, core, with lots of talent and LOTS of room to sign FA’s.
And for Galo: The kid is 6-11, so if you think playing the 4 will ruin his career, than his career is already ruined. You think galo has the lateral quickness to guard the likes of Andre Igoudala and LeBron? Absolutely not…
There is no reason we should ever turn down the option to pick up a player who is on a cheap rookie contract. Obviously Curry, Sergio, Chandler, Galo, and Lee is NOT AT ALL a starting lineup, but my point was that it would be a very cheap, very young core, much better than the core we have now, with a lot of room to pick up big time players.
And to everyone who wants a legit defensive center next to Lee, so that Lee can play PF, you clearly don’t know how the system works.
A frontcourt of Camby and Lee in a dantoni spread offense? That makes absolutely no sense, Lee is a center for us on offense whether you like it or not, unless we get another big man with good range. Defense is another story.
A duo resembling the likes of “Lee and Camby” will NEVER share court time together in our system, its just the way it is.
Galo has to be a PF for us eventually. That is why we drafted him; Having a big man ;like him with incredible range opens up the rest of the lineup so much, and opens up the floor even more than the suns could. I heard people saying something like
Rubio
Chandler
Galo
Lee
Camby
That would be terrible. No shooting at all. Playing against a zone defense that team only wins 25 games.
[...] – Saw that post by the relentless Tommy Dee regarding Nate Robinson. All due respect to TD, who is a hard-working blogger, but I don’t [...]
@ Jeff
Donnie Walsh wants Gallinari to be a Larry Bird type of player, not a power forward. Bird is the player he compared him to, this is a fact. And with his bad back, I think they don’t want him to bulk up too much.
I have a feeling Nate will finish with the QO ..
[...] draft night, Knicks Fanblog favorite Tommy Dee worked his sources to deliver the following scoop: Several sources with knowledge of the situation have informed me that Nate Robinson has been [...]
What does Stephen Curry or whoever we draft at 8 have to do with Nate Robinson? We’re drafted our starting PG. Robinson is our 6th man/3rd guard. Just because we draft Curry, it doesn’t mean we don’t need Robinson. When we signed Chris Childs, did we trade or waive John Starks?
What are you guys looking at when you look at Rudy Fernandez? The guy can slash & shoot move the ball and move without the ball. He is perfect for MD’s system! Okay he has a week spot on defense but that is just a matter of effort and the system really does not demand major defense (ask Nash lol)
That being said maybe there is a 3 way deal that can be worked out with the Clips & Blazers….to get the camby as well as a Fernandez & Bayless or Sergio.
I think some of you guys are underrating the value of D.Lee skill sets there are plenty of teams who can use just what he brings to the table, and there are teams who need the scoring that Nate could bring off the bench (say the Lakers) I say there are moves to be made across the board to improve our team and set it up for our real future “Stoudemire”!! put great shooters around him and the sky is the limit!!
Darko is an option over Camby…before you guys lose your collective minds where the guy may be a bust as far as where he was drafted the guy is a 7 footer who can run the floor block shots and oh yea is 23 years old!! Who knows what DM could get out of him in his system, remember DM has a long history with European players and may find the key to unlocking the best in him!!
Here are some R.Fernandez highlights and this does not even include him dunking on D.Howard in the Olympics!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt3iJSmwkZ4&feature=related
Portland will never…NEVER include Rudy Fernandez in a trade for N Rob, who Nate Macmillan does not like, or David Lee who they have no use for. No hate, it’s just the truth.
[...] Dee @ theKnicksblog says that Nate Robinson is fairly certain that he will not be a New York Knick next season. Dee [...]
[...] Ya don’t say… [...]
[...] Again, as TKB reported weeks ago, Portland has it’s eyes on Andre Miller and has no interest in Nate at this point. [...]