I'm not about to get alarmed because the Knicks see Dalembert in their future. So far, there have been at least three players that they're lusting after in the next freeagency period. As my grandmother used to say. "You've got a big appetite, but no money". Dalembert is an unrestricted freeagent in a league thats short on true centers. Especially those with defensive skills. So you have to expect teams to be interested. Fortunately for us, most of the teams with the desire, don't have the money under the cap. Those that do have the money, don't have as much as we do, and in a lot of the cases, have more pressing needs.
Both the Warriors and the Rockets have about 8 mil under the cap, based on last years cap, to work with. So we offer 8.5 mil. Remember, because of the Bird rights, the percentage of raise per year is higher if he resigns with us. That can add up to a couple of million dollars over a three or four year contract. Personally, if Dalembert wants a 4 year contract, I'm a little concerned. The only way I would do it is if the last year is a team option. In the perfect world I'd like his contract to end the same year that one of our major freeagents contract comes to an end.
Now if the league retains the rule where teams can go over the cap to resign their own freeagents, and the Maloofs have deep pockets in that regard, then its a moot point. So until we see the new CBA, who knows.
