The NBA's free-agent Spend Even More-atorium is about to be replaced by the actual signing of the deals we've been reading about since July 1.
A couple of the unrestricted free-agent maneuvers have truly moved the interest needle. But no less provocative are this week's decisions on restricted free agents by teams currently wielding their right to match the soon-to-be-signed offers sheets like the Sword of Damocles.
But this particular decision can cut both ways.
In the crosshairs of this examination are four players whose offer sheets represent healthy pay raises based on flashes of stardom. They've been good enough to be scary . . . based on the financial component. We could take the easy road and play the It's-Not-Our-Money card. With that as our game plan, each offer sheet would be matched, the player would stay put, the matching team would start fidgeting over future luxury-tax considerations and the franchise bestowing the offer sheet would have to look elsewhere for talent.
Right, aside from getting stuck paying elite-level money for a pretty good player, no problem.
We're here, however, to make the tough call on these restricted FA bonanzas. Unfortunately, most of the personnel executives contacted for input excused themselves from our study. Fortunately, two from these ranks agreed (with their names withheld) to participate. We have an Eastern Conference executive (Mr. East) and his counterpart, who's employed by a Western Conference franchise. He'll be referred to as Mr. West.
In the event of a 1-1 tie, I'll supply the tiebreaker.
And now, let's get to Match Game 2012 (the players are listed in order of when I first thought about 'em).
ROY HIBBERT, CENTER, INDIANA PACERS
By giving the Pacers 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, the former Georgetown post player was rewarded with a four-year, $58 million (the most allowable in these poaching situations) offer from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Given the Blazers' large-center employment history, you may be wondering if they're cuckoo. Sure, he was in the All-Star Game, but $14.5 million for a guy who averaged a single-double?
Mr. East: "This one's easy. Match it . . . all day long. That's a lot to pay, but he's 7-foot-2, young and one of the best centers in this conference. Those aren't easy to come by."
Mr. West: "They should match. Keep him out of our conference."
You can't go there.
Mr. West: "Oh. Well, even without that consideration, they should match. Very few bigs have his ability to score down low or facing up. He's not bad as a rim protector, and he's gotten better every year."
According to reports of out Indy, the Pacers are all set to pony up the $58 million.
ERIC GORDON, SHOOTING GUARD, NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
After a bum knee limited the former Los Angeles Clipper to nine games during the compressed season, the Phoenix Suns decided it would be a good idea to bestow upon Gordon the same offer Portland extended to Hibbert. Gordon, who said his heart's now in Phoenix, is attempting to talk his way out of New Orleans.
Mr. East: "I think the Hornets should match it. He can score off the bounce and off the catch. They have (first overall pick Anthony) Davis coming in along with (Austin) Rivers. If they let him go, that's too much pressure on the rookies. If they don't want to match, they'd try a sign-and-trade and I don't like the Suns' assets. They could get those late picks Phoenix got from L.A. in the (Steve) Nash deal, but I doubt they'd throw in their own pick. I know Gordon's been talking about how he wants to leave, but if they make him stay I think he'll quickly see the Hornets have more young talent to grow with."
Mr. West: "Do the sign-and-trade deal and let him go. I think it's too much money for a guy who's short for the position and an injury risk."
Me: Even though the Suns' offer sheet is for more money than the Hornets' low-ball offer that arrived while the team was under league ownership, I think they should match.
NICOLAS BATUM, SMALL FORWARD, PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Minnesota Timberwolves are hoping the Blazers will gulp hard and let the small forward from France go at a price tag of $50 million over four seasons. The numbers — 14 points on 45-percent shooting and 4.6 rebounds — were boosted by enough big games to make the 23-year-old seem capable of much more.
Mr. East: "No way they should match that. Yeah, he's young, but I look at him and don't see a guy with that rip-out-your-throat mentality when he has the ball. For $12.5 million a year, I want a guy who wants to dance on your head."
Note: I wonder if the dancing is supposed to occur before or after the throat-ripping part.
Mr. West: "They should keep him. It's not a big-market franchise, but the owner (Paul Allen) has the resources and they don't have enough established players to go with (LaMarcus) Aldridge. I think if Batum gets into more of an attack mode like he does for his national team, he'll grow into that lead-dog type."
Me: Boy, this is a tough call, but I say Portland should match the offer.
JEREMY LIN, POINT GUARD, NEW YORK KNICKS
Linsanity now . . . insanity later? Well, armed with a four-year offer from the Houston Rockets that checks in at around $29 million, the author of New York's wild ride seems to be the only player standing between the Knicks and a starting gig for 39-year-old Jason Kidd.
It should be noted that our experts are mostly operating in terms of on-court production potential and not marketing power.
Mr. East: "Time to say 'bye-bye.' I know a guy still out there and unsigned — I won't mention his name — who can get the job done for less. With the system Woody (coach Mike Woodson) will implement, it won't play to Lin's strengths. And those strengths aren't worth this kind of money, in my opinion."
Mr. West: "With all of the money they have tied up in their frontcourt, I couldn't justify this. Sure, he'll make money for them off the court, but he'll also limit what they can do in terms of personnel acquisition in the future. Those huge contracts they have, especially (Amar'e) Stoudemire's, would be almost impossible to move."
For the record, we had two 'no' votes for Chicago Bulls back-up center Omer Asik and Knicks swingman Landry Fields.
Asik was offered $25 million over a three-year deal that includes the dreaded poison pill of $15 million in the final season. And when the subject of Fields (three years, $20 million from Toronto) was broached, both of our insiders responded by using his name in the form of a question.
