Monday, January 15, 2007

I Got Sources, Baby!

(Boulder-CO) Thanks to Tymes Rhymes, a long time Nugg Doctor reader, for pointing out a rumor that Nene allegedly wants to be traded. I think that it is fair to say that the Nuggets management is not afraid to shake things up. We have already seen the maneuver to land AI, shake-ups that sent Earl and Julius Hodge to the Bucks just mere days after beating Milwaukee, and the all of the moves this summer. So, if Denver does trade Nene what is to be expected in return is a hot topic right now.

The rumor stems from this link and is said to have come from Peter Vescey:
http://multimedia.rockymountainnews.com/forums/index.cfm?frmid=62&tpcid=5438.

I personally do not think that anyone will want to roll the dice on a player like Nene at this stage of the game. I would love it, but let’s be honest… He has a 60 million dollar contract, is out of shape, and is nothing but a huge question mark right now when his knee is concerned. If there is a team willing to throw their fate in the wind we should see if they want to take Kenyon Martin too! The Nuggets could sure use some draft picks, or young talent at center. Marcus Camby isn’t going to be able to play forever and it would appear that center is our most shallow position.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck finding someone to take him. If he has some good games this year, I can see some teams taking a gamble on him. But damn, that contract is such an albatross. It'd be one thing if it was a 3 or ever 4 year deal -- but 6? That's a bitter pill to swallow if he doesn't work out.

At the same time, there's a ton of terrible big men (who aren't nearly as skilled or potential-filled as Nene) who are getting paid to stay at home. So maybe a GM will be dumb enough to bite (Kevin McHale.. cough... Olowakandi.. cough)... I think he's showed some promise in spurts this year, and we really could use him if he ever develops, but I just don't see it happening (especially any time soon). Even if we take a sub-par Center and just clear some cap space, I'd call it a victory. I think Jamal Sampson has shown some stuff this year and deserves some more playing time. He's not exactly a great low post presence, but he's taller than everyone else on the team and can certainly grab rebounds and finish.

Hopefully he's healthy enough to get some minutes so we can hope for an outburst or two that will generate some buzz (like a 20/15 game). I don't see any GM (even McHale) taking a gamble on him based on what he's shown this year thus far.

Nugg Doctor said...

Stumbleweed,

I really like your ideas about Sampson and would have to agree. I think that he is only shy the playing the time that it would take for him to come into his own. He has two good knees, a start for the Nuggets, and is realitively young. What do we have to lose by giving him a shot?

Thanks for reading,

The Nugg Doctor

Anonymous said...

Sampson reminds me a little of Eddie Curry, he needs to get more agressive and angry.

Anonymous said...

I also think it's funny that just a few days ago there was the article talking about how disappointed he is with himself and his knee... then he asks for a trade? Way to build the league's confidence in you and your eventual recovery, buddy. Either he's too broke to play period (i.e. don't ask for a trade) or he's on the comeback trail -- either way, he probably should just shut up and grin because he's sitting on 60 million essentially unearned dollars over the next 6 years.

It's kind of sending a mixed message -- usually when you're wanting to get traded it's because you think your team isn't utilizing you enough or in the right ways (like AI)... but here, he's basically saying, "I'm not healthy, I'm disappointed in myself, my knee still hurts, but I think I'd contribute elsewhere." That makes zero sense. He should be thanking the Nuggets for saving his ass and giving him that ridiculous contract. Even if his knee never gets back to health and never produces, he'll live like a king in Brazil for the rest of his life thanks to Kiki and his dumb move. It just takes some stones to ask for a trade in that situation -- not like the Nuggets wouldn't gladly oblige him, but damn... show some gratitude to the team that took a gamble on you and do your job.

I mean, what's he frustrated about and how would it get better somewhere else? If he's frustrated with himself (as he said), then it's not improving anything to get sent elsewhere. Maybe someone within the organization told him to ask for a trade so they had an out -- otherwise, he's got balls the size of church bells. Maybe his agent's to blame -- I dunno.

And I'd like to see Sampson get about 20 minutes/night, playing alongside Kleiza/Najera (because Reggie should start with Marcus). I think it'd be enough to see what he can really do while still making sure to keep the guys who have proven themselves (Najera/Kleiza/Evans) in the lineup the majority of the time. I don't know what to do about Nene after this news -- if you sit him, his value will spiral down, if you play him, it's stealing time from the other guys who have proven themselves and deserve the playing time (and Sampson, who just needs the chance). Bit of a quandry for George and the other decision-makers.

Nugg Doctor said...

I also kind of found it interesting that Nene would say that he is embarrassed with himself and then say such a thing.

Maybe he figures that the food in downtown Denver is just too good and he will never be able to get down to fighting weight while he is in the Mile High City.

I don't know how else to take it.

Thanks for reading,

The Nugg Doctor