Dalembert considering Heat, Knicks, Rockets

[.infamous]

Centers are at a premium in this league, that should be evident by now. Nene, Tyson Chandler, Marc Gasol, all will lead this free agency class. Dwight Howard headlines the next. Chandler’s defensive impact was a primary factor in the Mavericks winning the title. So Samuel Dalembert will be getting his fair share of calls in the next few weeks as teas vie for his services. More importantly? Dalembert’s willing to take less to play for a contender. Say hello to Miami.

From FoxSportsFlorida.com:

Soon, the Miami Heat might have a basketball volunteer in Dalembert. The team desperately needs a center, and the 6-foot-11 Dalembert is a free agent. And the Heat is high on his list as the free agency signing period is expected to begin Dec. 9 following a five-month lockout.

Joining the Heat “would be fantastic,” Dalembert said Sunday night from Haiti in an interview with FOX Sports Florida. Miami is where more than 50 of his relatives live and is about one hour south of his home in Boca Raton.

via Dalembert: Joining Heat ‘would be fantastic’.

Dalembert would provide a major upgrade for the Heat who very nearly won the title anyway. Joel Anthony would work a lot better at power forward alongside Udonis Haslem. Having size inside to deter opponents inside would help the perimeter weapons of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James and take pressure off Chris Bosh, the starting power forward. Dalembert’s strengths would play perfectly to the Heat’s style and his offense is just strong enough to make him a better offensive weapon than Anthony.

But the Heat aren’t the only option on Dalembert’s radar. He also lists the Knicks and Rockets. The Knicks are starting Ronny Turiaf. There really shouldn’t be any further discussion, but sure, why not. Dalembert’s mobile enough to function in D’Antoni’s offense while not only providing defense at the rim, but rebounding which is an inherent issue in the Knicks’ coach’s system. However, as long as the Knicks are focused on acquiring Dwight Howard in 2012, the Knicks will likely tread lightly in their approach. If CP3 is their primary objective, though, Dalembert would improve the Knicks and make them a more attractive option.

Finally, Dalembert also regards Houston as a potential landing spot, since they need a center with Yao gone. The Rockets are making a lot of noise about being active in free agency, with Nene also a target according to reports. But Dalembert doesn’t make the Rockets that much better, which is what the Rockets really need.

Dalembert’s going to have his options, and his decision could impact who wins the next NBA title.

 

[DJT]

I could see him going to Miami if Nene doesn't work out.

 

[ZigZag]

Dammit, Kings really needed him back

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Knicks will gladly take him.

 

[RipCity32]

I feel like Miami is a foregone conclusion if they are unable to get Nene.

 

[Pugz]

where did the nene to miami talk come from? how would that even work out?

sammy d to miami wouldnt be a bad choice though. if he really does show interest then miami should bite. but new york could use him and maybe if tyson walks from dallas.

 

[RipCity32]

IDK someone posted something about it the other day. Didn't really read into lol.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Miami and the Knicks? Who didn't see that one coming?

But why Houston?

 

[Pugz]

Miami and the Knicks? Who didn't see that one coming?

But why Houston?

houston, lol. i laughed at that. maybe he just likes the area? ha. or maybe he wants to help hasheem? idk. i just dont see why hed want to go there other than those reasons.


nene to miami cant happen unless its a S&T, correct? they dont even have the pieces to make that deal nor the money.

 

[RipCity32]

I guess if he wanted to take a paycut and come for the MLE he could?

 

[Pugz]

I guess if he wanted to take a paycut and come for the MLE he could?

well yea but why would he? nene is going to get paid. and he can go to other teams that are right there in terms of contention.

 

[RipCity32]

Well, I believe the rumor was that Nene liked Miami as a destination.
But the most Miami can offer is 6 million.

So unless he REALLY likes Miami, it won't be happening lol.

 

[.infamous]

Nene said he doesnt care what type of money he gets. He said he wants to be on a winning team and I think he said somewhere that he likes the Heat. And yea they would be able to do around 6 million if they waive Mike Miller.

 

[Pugz]

everyone comes out and says money isnt an option. if he does go out and signs with miami i can already hear what shit people will be saying lol

 

[Giantmetfan07]

houston, lol. i laughed at that. maybe he just likes the area? ha. or maybe he wants to help hasheem? idk. i just dont see why hed want to go there other than those reasons.


nene to miami cant happen unless its a S&T, correct? they dont even have the pieces to make that deal nor the money.

I read somewhere that the new CBA erases bird years in a Sign and Trade. If thats true, I doubt theres a sign and trade.

 

[Pugz]

i read that S&T's can still happen. but i havent went out to read everything new and what they fixed. so i really dont know if i read the correct shit. lol

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I'm not saying they can't make a sign and trade, but they have to have the cap room to do it, I believe.

This is what I read in Newsday about the Knicks and Chris Paul (who i dont think we will get) --

The new CBA says a player will lose his Bird Rights as part of a sign-and-trade or an extend-and-trade, which means there is no financial benefit for Paul to push for this the way Carmelo did. Plus, the new CBA now limits extensions to a total of three years (two if there is an option year left in the current contract) when done as part of a trade. Paul can sign for a maximum of four years as a free agent.

So teams can still do a sign and trade but it's not as useful as it was in the past.

 

[Pugz]

i read that they wanted to do that but didnt get it done. they called it the carmelo rule and it can still be done.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

hmm yea I don't know. I read ESPN article about the new CBA compared to the previous deal and it mentions limiting the years in the sign and trade but doesn't mention bird years.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/CBA-111128/how-new-nba-deal-compares-last-one

 

[Pugz]

i think five year is max deals and four years if you sign to a new team. they didnt get rid of the S&T, they tried but didnt. ive read that a few times.