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Cool Hand Ernie Grunfeld pulls off a coup in Mason acquisition
Updated: Wednesday November 07, 2001 2:17 PM
An NBA GM, like a good poker player, has to know when to hold `em and know when to fold `em. Bucks GM Ernie Grunfeld showed he knew how to play the game last month with his acquisition of free agent Anthony Mason. As a result of his patience -- and some incredible luck -- the Bucks were not only able to add the All-Star power forward but actually lower their payroll in the process. It all started early last month when Golden State opted to match Houston's offer for restricted free agent center Marc Jackson. The Rockets, desperate for a big man, suddenly had to look elsewhere. They had a $3.2 million exception for injured power forward Maurice Taylor, but it had to be used by midnight, Oct 22. Knowing the Rockets wanted Nuggets center Kevin Willis, but couldn't match up players with Denver for a straight trade, Grunfeld went to work. Late on the night of Oct. 21, he convinced Denver, which needed a replacement for injured power forward Antonio McDyess, to agree to take Bucks veteran power forward Scott Williams and a future first-round draft pick for Willis and center Aleksandar Radojevic. Grunfeld then redirected Willis to the Rockets for a future second-round pick. By taking Williams' $4.65 million salary off their books, and saving another $1.1 million with a buyout of Radojevic's contract, Milwaukee had enough spare cash to sign Mason to a four-year, $20.88 million contract. Moreover, with Mason agreeing to defer some of his money until the fourth year, Grunfeld actually was able to lower his team's payroll from $54.3 million to $54.1 million, and stay under the luxury tax threshold. "Just good timing," Grunfeld said. "Houston had an urgency to get it done because of the exception. And if Golden State hadn't matched the offer, it never would have happened."
Come again, Dave?Speaking of Grunfeld, he had to be somewhat amused by comments attributed Wednesday to former Madison Square Garden president Dave Checketts regarding the state of the Knicks. Checketts, who was fired following the team's first-round playoff ouster last May, told the New York Post the team's struggles have to do with the lack of a true franchise center. "In today's league, real quality size gives you a chance," Checketts said. However, the Bucks came within a game of reaching the NBA Finals last year with a center rotation of Ervin Johnson, Williams and Mark Pope. None will ever make anybody forget Patrick Ewing. Yet it was Checketts who canned Grunfeld as Knicks GM midway through the `99 season, shortly before New York caught fire behind Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell and Marcus Camby (all Grunfeld acquisitions), and made it to the Finals.
Shaw-Shaq redemption doesn't excuse LakersThe Lakers dodged a bullet when no team claimed Brian Shaw off waivers this week. L.A. can now bring the veteran reserve guard back for the $1 million veteran's minimum, instead of having to pay him the full $2.3 million he had coming under terms of his contract. The Heat took a serious look at signing Shaw, 35, but opted against it out of luxury tax fears. Still, the Lakers' decision to put cost-saving --Shaw's old salary would have put L.A.'s payroll perilously close to the luxury tax threshold -- over loyalty rankled many players like Shaquille O'Neal and Rick Fox. In addition to being a valuable performer for the Lakers, Shaw was one of the most popular players in the locker room. "I don't think we treat it like dust under the carpet," Fox told the L.A. Times. "It is family to us, in terms of what we accomplished the last two years. The business of the game supersedes the sensitivity of it." As Fox knows from his own experience as a free agent a few years ago, the Lakers used to be known as an organization that would take care of its veteran players. However, the new economics suddenly have made them as cut-throat as most other teams. It will be interesting to see if L.A. loses out on future players because of it.
Celtics' Strickland gives up green for GreenWho says the only thing NBA players care about is money? Newly-signed Celtics guard Erick Strickland opted out of the last year of his $2.8 million contract with the Grizzlies because he didn't figure in their long-term plans. Instead he spent all summer waiting for an offer until Boston came along Thursday and inked him to a one-year deal for $653,350, the minimum for a five-year veteran.Despite the loss of income, Strickland's agent, Raymond Brothers, says his client is excited about the opportunity to play in Boston. The 6-foot-3 Strickland, who averaged 12.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in Dallas two years ago, is expected to add depth at point guard and shooting guard. "He's just happy to be back in the NBA, and in a situation where he can contribute," Brothers says. Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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