Etan Thomas signs offer sheet w/ Bucks

[RedskinsVision]

http://washingtontimes.com/sports/20040713-124210-5777r.htm .. the Wizards need him if they're going to compete w/ Shaq and the rejuvenated Eastern Conference.. only Haywood, Brown and the rookie Ramos can play center which doesn't bode well.. Etan's the hardest worker on the court and his passion is unmatched by his teammates and he's only getting better.. sign him Grunfeld..

The Bucks are expected to offer Thomas a six-year deal in the neighborhood of $40 million. After Thomas — who said he will sign the contract — puts his name on the dotted line, the Wizards will have 15 days to match the offer.

[LATrueRedskin]

Wow thats a pretty big contract for a guy like Thomas. I'd still sign him, but he'll do next to nothing against Shaq. He will be better than anything we got now though, thats for sure.

[IowaSkinsFan]

The entire Atlantic division will be helpless against him.

[GolfFreak]

Anyone know if the Wiz CAN match this offer? Do they have enough money?

[IndianBaller27]

Now watch, Etan is gonna turn into a superstar. I know he has potential. He was okay coming off the bench last season. He brought some excitement and motivation on defense.

[suppitty]

The Wizards could resign anyone. The NBA's cap is weird so you have infinite space to resign your players, but a limit on other free agents. I don't lknow if Thomas is worth it. He has no offensive ability.

[IndianBaller27]

Yeah it is really weird, but that is kinda good cuz you can't lose your player unless he is askin for wayyyy too much or if he doesn't want to come back.

[GolfFreak]

Source (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46992-2004Jul13.html)

Glad they got their facts straight (see last paragraph) ...


The Washington Wizards' Etan Thomas has tentatively agreed to an offer from the Milwaukee Bucks that would pay the bruising forward between $35 million and $40 million over six years, according to sources close to the negotiations.

Thomas, whose shot blocking, rebounding and overall physical play near the basket last season made him a fan favorite, is a restricted free agent and has seen his market value skyrocket in a year where quality big men are scarce.

Under league rules, the Wizards are allowed to match or exceed any offer Thomas gets, including a seven-year contract with 12.5 percent annual increases in pay. But the Bucks' offerwill make it difficult for the Wizards to match and maintain a viable team salary structure.

Wizards' management must decide whether Thomas, who finished last season with career highs in minutes (24.1), points (8.9), rebounds (6.7) and blocks (1.5), is worth the money.

Ernie Grunfeld, the Wizards' president of basketball operations, has repeatedly said that the Wizards intend to keep the 26-year-old Thomas, who started only 15 games. In a phone interview this morning, Grunfeld said that the Wizards intend to review the offer once Thomas submits it.

"We like Etan very much but we have to take a look at what he's been offered," Grunfeld said.

Some scouts believe Thomas is the best power forward available in free agency and replacing him with someone of the same caliber could prove difficult for Washington.

Acquiring forward Antawn Jamison from Golden State last month bolstered the team's inside game but losing Thomas would force the Wizards to rely more on young players such as Brendan Haywood, Jared Jeffries and Jarvis Hayes.

[GolfFreak]

Wash Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53260-2004Jul15.html)

Now he wants to stay ... or does he?


Etan Thomas said yesterday that he desperately wants to remain with the Washington Wizards, but he's still unsure if the team feels the same way.

On Wednesday, Thomas signed an offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks, reportedly for six years and more than $36 million. The Wizards have until July 29 to match the offer, and a source familiar with management's thinking said they plan to.

"I hope they do," said Thomas, a power forward, who averaged 8.9 points and 6.7 rebounds last season. "I understand that it's a business, but my preference is to play here. I'm comfortable here. I like the system here, and I like my teammates. This is home, so I hope this is where I get to play."

The 6-foot-10 Thomas has played for Washington since midway through his rookie year in 2000. He emerged slowly -- a broken toe limited him to 85 games combined during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons -- before breaking out last season.

Washington has two capable post-up players in Kwame Brown and Brendan Haywood, leaving Thomas to come off the bench.

"Milwaukee is kind of desperate for a big man and I'm not even a starter here," Thomas said. "I mean, they've got a lot of big guys here. I'm not trying to talk them out of matching the offer, but those are the facts."

Thomas sat courtside next to Wizards owner Abe Pollin at MCI Center yesterday to watch an afternoon Washington Mystics game. When Pollin was asked if Thomas would stay with the Wizards, the owner said, "I sure hope so. I hope so."

"We've got a great relationship," Thomas said. "I know he respects me, and I know he likes me as a person.

"I really don't know what's going to happen, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. My guess is they'll take the whole 15 days to decide, so I've got a long time to wait."

[IndianBaller27]

I sure hope they resign him.

[LATrueRedskin]

I can feel him becoming another Ben Wallace when he leaves this team.