Knicks sign Jeffries to offer sheet

[nbrans]

Looks like Wizards will probably match:

Knicks Sign Jeffries to Offer Sheet
By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 28, 2006; 6:06 PM

The New York Knicks signed restricted free agent guard/forward Jared Jeffries to an offer sheet this afternoon, according to NBA sources.

The Washington Wizards will have seven days to decide whether to match the offer. Team owner Abe Pollin, president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld and coach Eddie Jordan have all indicated a desire to retain Jeffries.

Terms of the offer sheet were not available. Jeffries has long been coveted by Isiah Thomas, New York president of basketball operations and head coach. Like Jeffries, Thomas starred at Indiana University.

The Wizards have 13 players under contract after the recent signing of free agent forward Darius Songaila to a five-year, $21 million contract, and have room under the NBA's luxury tax threshold to match the offer to Jeffries, according to sources.

Pollin has indicated that he is willing to spend up to, but not over, the luxury tax threshold $65.4 million. Teams with payrolls over the threshold pay a dollar-for-dollar penalty to the league on the amount of payroll that exceeds $65.4 million.

The most likely scenario, according to sources, is that the Wizards will use the full seven days before matching the offer sheet to retain Jeffries.

Jeffries was drafted by the Wizards with the 11th overall pick in 2002 and has posted averages of 6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in four seasons while carving out a role as perhaps the team's best all-around defender.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/28/AR2006072801323.html

Not sure why the Knicks went through the trouble of offering Jeffries the MLE this early in the offseason when the Wizards are clearly going to match. Now they can't go after any free agents for a week. Gotta love Isiah!

 

[Bricklayer]

Makes no sense all around.

1) Why do the Knicks bother wiht an MLE offer -- Wiz will match

2) Why does Jeffires bother -- thought he was holding out for more than MLE

3) why do Wiz hesitate for a week -- just as punishment? Thought this was pretty much the price they wanted him back at in the first place?

Only thing I can figure is that maybe they want to talk to the Knicks about sign and trade.

 

[nbrans]

On 3, I think they'll just do it to put the Knicks at a competitive disadvantage and tie up their money for a week. But I agree, none of it makes much sense.

 

[Kings113]

If the Knicks somehow get him...

Knicks are definitely gathering some defensive/hustle/versatile role players to compliment and mix with the offensive players.

Balkman/Collins, who both have showed good things and played well in the summer league. Which seemingly should translate over to the NBA... I liked Collins in college, and didn't know much about Balkman, was surprised at the pick like most everyone else, but I've come to dig Balkman.

Jefferies is similar to Balkman only taller. Can guard and play mutiple positions effectively, athletic, and can handle the ball.

 

[SacTownKid]

Yeah, Collins looked real good in Summer League. David Lee and Nate Robinson both looked really good as well.

 

[Kings113]

Indeed. Nate looked nice running the PG, was playing with a handful of his team-mates, and sounded confident about what he needed to do to get better.

 

[Sac.Kings]

Nate looked nice in some games. Others he just jacked up shots.