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Gordon Proves Patience Can Pay off

by Tommy Dee on July 6th, 2009 at 4:51 pm

Several months ago, I wrote that Ben Gordon was taking a big chance when he decided to play this season with the Bulls on his qualifying offer. Gordon left a 50 million dollar offer on the table and it appeared in this economy that he’d have a hard time getting that kind of money.

The Pistons proved that to be false, as they recently reportedly  inked Ben to a 55 million dollar deal over 5 years.

So it would make sense for both David Lee and Nate Robinson to follow the same pattern, if they can produce at the same clip this season. If you’re Nate, you can’t risk that based on the fact that the team seems to be leveraging your minutes. Sure, like Gordon, Nate has positioned himself as the super sub, but in next year’s flooded market, I’m not sure Nate should risk such a manuver. He should explore all opportunities to exit New York with a secure contract, even if it is in a sign and trade.

Lee is a different deal altogether based on the idea that he’s proven to have market value. Guys who have averaged double-doubles get taken care of financially. Lee eventually will, if it’s this year or next.

Gordon set a pretty interesting standard thanks to the Pistons’ pursuit of him, and now the ball is in the court of all RSAs in seeing if it’s wise to take the same chance. I still think it’s a long shot that any would, but now that it’s proven to be effective, you’d have to wonder how agents will try and position it.
  • Chris3035

    Detroit is stupid, do they think they can win a ring with Chailie V and Ben G as the core…maybe a NCAA Tourney championship…with Rip on board maybe they can recruit Okafor and move to Conneticut

  • epreneur7

    I like this move for Detroit,,,, i feel like Chicago Gordon, especially after all hes down for them( including numerous game winning and game tying shots). He said that he never recieved an offer from them, even after Chicago publicly stated that their number one goal of the offseason was to bring Gordon back. He deserves a big pay day and that what he got. On the other front….How about we resign Lee and as muc has i love Nate the Great, why not sign and trade him to Chi-town for Hinrich. He replaces gordon and gives them much needed bench scoring , and we get a pass first PG, as well as a starting PG. He can shoot extremely well, and working the pick and roll with lee or hill,,,it would be a dangerous combination…cause hes a great passer and if not he can shoot the open Jumpshot or take it to the basket……..thoughts????

  • bob go knicks

    the starting line-up is actually very good with hamilton,prince and stuckey

  • joetheknick

    Tommy: You were absolutely right when you said that Gordon was taking a big chance in not accepting a contract last year. But it wasn’t patence but good luck that got him the big contract from Detroit. Personally I don’t think he is worth the money they are paying him. Time will tell. I believe Lee will get a reasonable (8 M over 5 years back loaded) I believe the Knicks will decide that Nate is a headache but worth keeping at a reasonable number. Key to 2010 is moving Curry and Jeffries this season.

  • Chris3035

    will they win a championship with that lineup…can they compete with orlando clevland or boston…no

  • J-Knick

    I definitely agree with Chris3035 … signing B Gordon and Charlie V to such deals, pffff……I wouldn’t like to be a Pistons’ fan now.

    I know there are some huge fans of Villanueva in this blog but I still dont believe in the guy. And Gordon represents the opposite of what the Pistons stood for just two years ago, defense and teamplay.

    Well, anyway … that’s good news for the Knicks !!

  • Sergio

    I’m worried this is the type of summer we’ll have next year if we get dissed by LeBron James and Dywane Wade. Clearing cap space for players like Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva is going to be a huge disappointment to me.

  • barnaby8787

    You guys can’t blame the pistons though…they needed to rebuild so they went out and got two of the more sought after free agents available…will detroit be a top 5 team in the league this year? No. But they are on the right path, so that in a year or two from now, they will be highly competitive. Also, random comment, but thinking about nate…would anyone be opposed to nate and wilson to portland for rudy and outlaw? Think about it before you jump on me. Nate gets trade for an expiring, and we both get positions we need. We want a young 2 and they want a young 3, so it works on both ends.

  • Bart

    We need Nate and Lee back, both of them and the Trade for barnaby8787 guy Tracy McGrady and make a run at the playoffs.

    PG: Chris Duhon

    SG: Tracy McGrady

    SF: Wilson Chandler/ Danilo shiatsu massage Gallinari

    PF: David Lee

    C: Jordan Hill

    6th man Nate Robinson

    We need our RFA back and more talent.

  • willynilly1688

    GREAT POST TOMMY! With hamilton, prince and stuckey, are the Pistons paying Gordon 11 million to play on the bench!? I know Dumars values depth but with all the MLE’s headed to some solid talent, you have to figure this is the Jared Jeffries deal of 2008.

    Everyone wants to get paid at some point, and I hope someone drops the same knowledge about double-double value on him. Especially a class act like David lee, the money will be there in 2010. Sure, Bosh and Amare will be prime targets but over 15 teams are positioning themselves for 2010 so money will be available for Lee.

    Willy Nilly Core 2010 –> Alvino, are you serious…trade Willy? Quit your mock lineups with Lebron James. Hope you have a day job, I’m at mine.

  • epreneur7

    i agree with this towards the Charlie V signing. As for Ben Gordon, he is exactly what the Pistons needed. Someone who doesnt hesitate to take clutch jumpshots or game winners, a clear go to guy in the clutch, because they lost thatman in Billups in that iverson trade. Dont forget,, gordon and rose are really the only reason why they brought Boston to game 7. Gordon had those game tying and game winning shots, and he is a pure shooter, and he strong enough to take it to the rack. As for charlie v,, he is a solid 4, but most def. not an upgrade over Rasheed Wallace, regardless of age.

  • barnaby8787

    d-wade, bosh, amare, lebron, joe johnson, nowitzki, pierce, ray allen, rondo, shaq, rudy gay, tyson chandler, steve nash, brandon roy, lamarcus aldridge, manu, boozer

    I’m confident that we can get better players than the likes of charlie and gordon… :)

  • barnaby8787

    LOL, listen, i’m not opposed to tmac, but I feel like sessions would do more for us over 82 games, then tmac could for 30-40. Plus, Hill wouldn’t start. D-Lee would and harrington would play the 4. Plus, tmac wouldn’t start opening day. And that’s still not a legit playoff team.

  • barnaby8787

    Oh and if we keep both lee and nate, we can’t get lebron.

  • joetheknick

    I definitely like your suggestion of signing and trading Nate for Hinrich. Would be good for both teams. We need Hinrich’s kind of game and Chicago needs a scorer. Hinrich averages 9M out to 2011/2012. I would do it.

  • Sergio

    So you would be happy ending up with Manu Ginobili and Tyson Chandler next summer after getting dissed by King James and Dwyane Wade?

  • Bart

    David Lee cannot play center next year I rather play Darko at center than see Lee give up basket after basket next season.

  • Bart

    I think you could if you get rid of Jefferies and Curry.

  • joetheknick

    Good trade idea. Good players going in either direction. Assuming Portland is willing, I think it depends on D’Antoni’s evalutation as to whether Nate is a net positive or a net negative for the team. Nate is a handful.

  • Big Blue St3

    I think Rudy could be great here. Hesitant to let Wilson go, but we have other guys to play the 3 and if the King really cometh having a legit 2 that can keep the D honest with his range would be nice. Plus Rudy is only 2 yrs older at 24 this year.

  • J-Knick

    Ben Gordon is a great shooter indeed and he proved that against the Celts. But the rest of his skills is limited.

    I’d be okay with this signing if Detroit didn’t have Rip Hamilton. If they dont trade Rip, throwing 10M$ py at Gordon is just a waste of cap space

    Gordon+Villanueva was a plan B for Detroit anyway … I dont understand why the Boozer scenario messed up

  • J-Knick

    Jeffries, maybe. But it’s gonna cost Nate or one of our cheap young talent.

    Curry … well we’re not there yet. Right now he’s untradeable

  • Chris3035

    first of all we dont HAVE to spend our cap space on the 2010 class…im sure there will be a all star in 2011, if there is no one to get then just wait it out…second i would be fine with some of the secondary guys like nash dirk or whatever ex MVP or 3 time all star is there, the world doesnt revolve around Lebron, there are other good players out there( joe johnson, cp3,,,i think)

  • Chris3035

    Im not so high on Darko…ive watched him alot hoping he would pan out the past 5 years but…he sucks…Darko>Q however and for 1 year i dont mind seeing his ugly mugg ride the pine….Lee>>>>>>>>Darko

  • Bart

    Why trade Wilson? Rudy is not better than him he may be a better shooter but Wil has to stay I want Nate to stay too so we need to move JJ and Curry.

  • Chris3035

    Well if Lee takes 7-8mil a year and nate takes 4-5 i think we still would have room for Lebron, i think it would kill our chances of getting a second max contract unless we move curry & jj(i dont think we can move curry unless he plays awesome…everyone wants room in 2010 and who really wants curry)

  • Bart

    Defensively ?? Defensively any one is better than Lee he cant play center hes not a PF/C hes a PF, I’d put Hill or Darko at the 5 over Lee 10 times outta 10 just being 7ft Darko is a upgrade and Hill is active so he can block shots Lee cant play center next season.

  • Chris3035

    with who playing the 2 when TMac is hurt for 30-40 games…nate or chandler…and also do you really belive that that team is better than Orlando, Clevland, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Atlanta, Washington, even Philly….thats 9 teams i think will finish better than the lineup you posted

  • Bart

    Its gonna have to be package situations :

    Larry Hughes and Eddy Curry

    and

    Jared Jefferies and Mobley’s contract

    If Curry can show something at all I think they both can be moved.

  • Chris3035

    well to start darko has never played more than 24 mpg…that shows you that either he totally sucks or he doesnt have the endurance and conditioning to stay on the floor, he is not as good of a DEFENSIVE rebounder as Lee is…Lee adverages twice as many Defensive rebounds as Darko…which is huge it gets the ball going in the other direction…im not saying lee is good on D…he sucks but he is a way better starting big than darko…no comparison…none…lee=starter darko= bench(not even first big off)

  • Chris3035

    I think Jefferies is moveable…he is a valeuable role player on a good team, he can come off the bench for 3 diffrent spots, but Curry…hes not going anywhere…btw bart Jefferies>Darko…better D

  • Bart

    It makes us better than we were last year I would say Chandler would play 2G till T-Mac gets back and its not 30 – 40 its 20-30 unless something changed. T-mac makes us better there’s no way around that fact and he doesn’t affect what your trying to do in 2010 if anything he makes it better because you would want to trade Curry and Hughes for him which gives you even more cap space.

  • knicksbro

    Yea, that’s a TERRIBLE trade for us. Giving up Wilson AND Nate for Rudy and Outlaw? If we are gonna trade a guy like Wilson I at least expect Rubio, but not Rudy and Outlaw.

  • KBT1615

    And hamilton is likely out the door…..

  • Bart

    Im not comparing Lee to Darko I’m saying hes not a C and he should not with us picking up Hill and Darko any of those guys defensively would be better at center Lee would still start at his real position PF.

  • Bart

    I don’t disagree Jefferies is alright.

  • KBT1615

    yea we can especially if Nate signs for the QO and no one wants to do a S&T.. And I doubt Lee would START at center.

  • Chris3035

    I wouldnt mind seeing TMac, and we would be better with him, but i still dont think we would make the playoffs and i dont think they would want curry,,,even without yao,

  • Chris3035

    Noooooooo Chandler Nate>>>>>>Rudy Outlaw…Random though…who is better the young spanish players or the young italians….Spaniards Rudy Fernandez Sergio Rodriguez Marc Gasol vs Italians Marco Bennelli Danilo Gallinari Andre Bargnani….hmmmm

  • KBT1615

    As a backup plan I love Joe Johnson and Bosh. and move Lee if he comes back for a good swingman…
    And if all that fails we can definitely Amare and WAY Overpay for Brandon Roy.

  • Chris3035

    Well i agree that Lee should not be the starting center, i totally disagree that darko should see any signifigant time on the floor…Jeffries would be a better option than darko…or how about giving curry some minutes so he can get his value up…has everyone forgotten about Al Harrington…hes big he can play the 3,4 or 5…how about Harrington

  • Chris3035

    i would LOVE roy…im just saying the world doesnt end for the knicks if lebron resigns with clevland…there are a MILLION diffrent back up plans that would work just fine, btw how about marvin williams to a below market deal this year…not sayin im for it but he would be a great value for a team like the nets

  • CircleLimit4

    I think Charlie V was the good signing (though he was a bit overpaid) and Gordon might be the mistake. They should have spent it on a center. That said I think the Pistons are only a center away from being a championship caliber team.

  • CircleLimit4

    Have there been any updates on Birdman? There hasn’t been a lot of noise there.

  • Bart

    AL cant play 5 effectively defensively offensively yeah, Jefferies played 5 last year and it obviously didn’t work only other options are Hill and Darko if its no on Darko the only other option is Hill hes athletic 6’10″ number 8 overall he should start. Lopez was I think 10 overall and I think he started every game last year.

  • Bart

    As far as Curry thats probably the move they will start him, show that he can still play and look to move him asap hopefully to Houston.

  • KBT1615

    Yea I read on hoopsworld he is going back to denver…

  • Jeff Cykiert

    I read the first few comments and skipped down to the bottom because I’m in a rush, but just wanted to say KUDOS on the Nate for Kirk idea. That would be great for us, Heinrich is exactly what we need, and Nate can replace Gordon for them.

    However, i think they like the dynamic play-making back court of Rose and Kirk, and now that Gordon is gone there are a lot more minutes for them to use Heinrich. It all depends on what their plan is, because it could really be one extreme or the other: Either he’s part of the plan, or they’re done with him.

    Great Idea though… He’s also a great defender, can defend 1, 2, and 3 very well. Mike D would love him.

  • Cammydog0123

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=mpga7h

    I thought of a trade so great donnie walsh wont think of it. The knicks want cap space. the rockets need a pg and a big center and dont want t mac. the bulls dont want hinrich cuz of derrick rose. heres a perfect 3 way team trade that works for every team and improves every team. SHOW THIS TO EVERY SO THIS CAN GET AROUND.

  • coocoo4knicks

    If we can’t get Wade, Amare, Lebron, or Bosh, I would like to see us sign Roy and Gay. Not sure how easy that would be as they are RFA, but those guys would likely excel in SSOL.. As these guys are not likely to require max contracts, we could also sign Nash to a reasonable contract.

    Imagine this rotation:
    Darko/Jordan Hill/Sene
    Lee/Gallinari/Hill
    Gay/Gallinari
    Roy/Almond/Douglas
    Nash/Douglas (Rubio?)

    I don’t have Chandler in the rotation because I figure we may need to use him in a S&T
    Since this is fantasy, I’ve also gotten rid of Curry and Jeffries’ contracts.
    If I want to make this an even more intense fantasy, stick Rubio in as the point guard under Nash, and then switch roles at mid-season. Roy Gay and Gallinari are all serious scoring threats. Hill could be a great finisher in this system. Darko can provide much needed toughness in the middle. Lee would continue to provide energy, intensity, and high percentage shooting. He still has room for growth in this system. Darko should help shore up some of his defensive deficiencies.
    Nash or Rubio would be excellent floor generals. Almond and Douglas would be strong role players.

    I would wager that a team made up of these players in this system, would be a 50 win team and potentially go deep in the playoffs. Very smart players who can shoot.
    While it would be incredible to get James, Wade, Bosh, or Amare, if we got some of these other guys, we would be positioned to do well and these guys would get to grow together. It’s a VERY young team.

  • coocoo4knicks

    I can see why Houston would do it. I can see why the Knicks would do it, but I don’t see why Chicago would ever do this trade? Duhon backed up Hinrich and Chicago let him go. I think they think they can do a lot better for Hinrich.

  • Cammydog0123

    COOCOO4KNICKS…

    thank you for seeing my side of this trade but think about the bulls. they wanna get rid of hinrich cuz of derrick rose right. and plus they save alot of money in this trade so in 2010 they can make a run at their hometown star dwayne wade. so my trade is perfct. pass it around.