Free-agency shocker: Magic mum to Milicic -- OrlandoSentinel.com (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-bk-magicdarko070107,0,4485418.story?track=rss)

In a surprising development, the Orlando Magic did not contact Darko Milicic's camp when NBA free agency officially began at 12:01 a.m. today.

The Magic had said they wanted to re-sign Milicic, but by late this afternoon they had yet to call Marc Cornstein, Milicic's agent.

Cornstein conceded he was surprised, because a team's call to a free agents after the courting period begins is seen as at least a good-will gesture, if not an actual precursor to negotiating.

Cornstein told the Sentinel he received calls from more than 10 other teams today about Milicic, including "a few" who made offers, but added, "Curious by their absence was the Orlando Magic."

A few who made offers.... WHERE ARE THE OFFER SHEETS!?!

10 teams and Detroit probably isn't one of them- such a shame. JoeD could still fix his biggest mistake ever. Maybe he's too proud.

A sign and trade with Seattle makes sense since Seattle desperatly needs big men.

If thats not the case the Magic do have the right to make counter offers so maybe they are seeing what comes up 1st. Seems like a lame way to do business if thats the case.

10 teams and Detroit probably isn't one of them- such a shame. JoeD could still fix his biggest mistake ever. Maybe he's too proud.
We just don't have enough money Ralphi. We're not even in the running.

A few who made offers.... WHERE ARE THE OFFER SHEETS!?!


The offer sheets are with the same lawyer handling Mark Cuban's paperwork on Don Nelson! :stirthepot:

Agent Marc Cornstein says he has yet to hear from the Orlando Magic, regarding his client Darko Milicic. Cornstein says he’s heard from at least 10 NBA teams who have interest in Darko, but none of them are the Orlando Magic – something he was somewhat surprised about. Darko is a restricted free agent so the Magic have the right to match whatever offers Darko receives on the open market. It is also believes that the Magic could be looking at using Darko in a sign and trade package for a free agent like Rashard Lewis. It’s not uncommon for teams holding restricted free agents to force them to establish market value rather than irrationally overpay, especially considering that Cornstein has implied for months that Darko was worth $60 million.
Free Agency: Kapono Nabs $24 Million | HOOPSWORLD.com | NBA News and Information | powered by Basketball News Services (http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22543.shtml)

Is someone crazy enough to come up with $60 mil for primadonna?

Maybe Darko needs to read our Cell Phone (http://www.pistonsforum.com/green-room-forum-lounge/6911-cell-phones.html) thread. His coverage might be lacking.

"I just vant to hear you now?"

I wonder if LB was one of the ones giving Darko an offer.

This speculation of Darko returning to Detroit reminds me of Elvis sightings, except I think there is a greater possibility of Elvis lurking about in our world than there is a possibility of ever seeing Darko roaming the court (or bench) again in a Detroit Pistons uniform.

What in the world makes you think Detroit would ever want Darko back?

AND:

What in the world makes you think Darko would ever willingly return to his nightmare if he had any other options available?

This speculation of Darko returning to Detroit reminds me of Elvis sightings, except I think there is a greater possibility of Elvis lurking about in our world than there is a possibility of ever seeing Darko roaming the court (or bench) again in a Detroit Pistons uniform.

What in the world makes you think Detroit would ever want Darko back?

AND:

What in the world makes you think Darko would ever willingly return to his nightmare if he had any other options available?
I agree Darth. I think it's more likely to see Elvis and 2Pac having lunch together than to ever see Darko Milicic in a Piston's jersey ever again.

A sign and trade with Seattle makes sense since Seattle desperatly needs big men.

If thats not the case the Magic do have the right to make counter offers so maybe they are seeing what comes up 1st. Seems like a lame way to do business if thats the case.

Seattle desperately needs veteran leadership. They have 3 guys who are 7 feet tall, all of them pretty high draft picks. They also have 3 SF, even if you don't count Rashard Lewis.

Seattle needs to trade off a SF and a C. Detroit has quite a few guards...

we're going to get a lot of this over the next week. johnson's agent trying to up his value...now darko's agent is making waves.

agents are trying to get the highest value for their client right now, so it's going to be hard to sift through the bs and get to the truth.

ESPN - Sources: Lewis agrees to leave Sonics for Magic - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2924228)

With Orlando signing Lewis, it looks like Darko will have to find a new home.

This is what I feared with Darko's contract in Detroit.

His agent is known for negotiating big deals for big men. He's the modern day Keith Glass (the guy known for representing "Eighty-one Feet of White Centers" including Chuck Nevitt).

Remember how many FA losers there have been in recent years? Sprewell, Flip Murray, Bonzi Wells. GMs are getting smarter, and they aren't going to overpay anymore. They are all looking in the dirt for chicken feed contracts before trying to rush out and lock everyone up. I don't think there are a lot of healthy deals for big men ala Nazr Mohammed, Jerome James, Joel Pryzbilla anymore.

From an academic standpoint, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

I assume his qualifying offer is now OFF the table, so what kind of security will Darko look for? Long term MLE? Short term MLE so he can get back on the market in 3 years?

Very interesting stuff.

We just don't have enough money Ralphi. We're not even in the running.
Given the current trend, I highly doubt that Darko will get more than MLE. He still hasn't proved he'd be worth more.

Or would he bail on the NBA and look for a decent contract in Europe or elsewhere? Unless there is something behind the scenes going on with Orlando he's probably feeling pretty screwed by the NBA about now.

I'm sure it is all Detroit's fault. :rolleyes:

Darko could probably get a $2 million a year contract in Europe, coupled with some tax breaks and the perks playing overseas (free car, rent, utilities paid), it's not a bad living.

I'm sure it is all Detroit's fault. :rolleyes:

Darko could probably get a $2 million a year contract in Europe, coupled with some tax breaks and the perks playing overseas (free car, rent, utilities paid), it's not a bad living.


I really think Darko wants the $$$$$ over everything right now. It's his way of proving his worth. (did we mess him up??) Don't see him playing in Europe. He'll set up for the big contract here.

i personally see darko going to a contender for the mle. darko has stated he wants to play his game over the money. the money isn't there this year anyway so the only other option is to play for less on a contender.

chicago needs a low post threat. skiles won't let him play his game.
dallas needs a center.
cleveland needs to transition Z to the bench. verajao may sign a free agent deal elsewhere.
phoenix needs a center but doesn't have to give up quickness and passing.
toronto can use him bargnani can play small forward against certain teams.
miami can use him to back up shaq.
san antonio can use him next to tim duncan to check the other teams best post player.
he could also go to the nets and replace mikki moore.
houston could use him at pf.

i personally want him to come back to the pistons. darko on the cheap would be a steal.

Instead of worrying where we'll get our next center, I'll just go out and water my tree which grows 7 footers in their early 20s....................or maybe these kind of players "don't grow on trees"...............

Wow. Darko is now an unrestricted free agent. That means they gave away their pick for nothing.

Wow. Darko is now an unrestricted free agent. That means they gave away their pick for nothing.
I don't know about "for nothing". He was an 8 million dollar place marker.

Wow. Darko is now an unrestricted free agent. That means they gave away their pick for nothing.
Not necessarily just yet. The Magic still have a few options.

Check out about 2/3 of the way down the page. "What about Darko?"
ESPN - Hollinger: Magic making early offseason noise - NBA (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&id=2924526&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba %2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dholling er_john%26id%3d2924526%26lpos%3dspotlight%26lid%3d tab2pos1)

Well, looks like I spoke too soon.

ESPN - With Lewis agreement, Magic withdraw Darko offer - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2925284)

One day after coming to a verbal agreement with free agent Rashard Lewis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3275), the Orlando Magic (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=orl) withdrew their qualifying offer for restricted free agent Darko Milicic (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3705) on Tuesday. In effect, the move means the Magic have renounced their rights to Milicic and he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

*a phone rings*

Darko: Yes?

Larry Brown: Can you hear me now?

*a phone rings*

Darko: Yes?

Larry Brown: Can you hear me now?
:pound::pound::pound::pound:

"I just vant a contract"

*a phone rings*

Darko: Yes?

Larry Brown: Can you hear me now?

OMG!
:pound::pound::pound::pound:

They said on ESPN tonight that his agent was ticked and said Darko would never again play for the Magic.

Not that they wanted him.:MusicBigGrin:

What a turkey. Someone to blame always. Never himself.

I would be ticked off as well. they strung him along.

I see a whole lot of energy being channeled into some decent play this season.

I would be ticked off as well. they strung him along.


I disagree. When an offered is made, it doesn't come with unlimited time limits. That is the danger of not getting it done by the agent when an offered is made to you. His agent is just trying to save face with his anger. Kind of like the Detnews headline right now "Pistons and Billups still haggling". Detnews ought to be embarrassed for their headline yesterday declaring completion. Now they are trying to shift the blame onto Pistons and Billups calling them hagglers. Somebody should be held accountable over there.

So two teams.....

One nightmare, and never again.....

Next........

I disagree. When an offered is made, it doesn't come with unlimited time limits. That is the danger of not getting it done by the agent when an offered is made to you. His agent is just trying to save face with his anger. Kind of like the Detnews headline right now "Pistons and Billups still haggling". Detnews ought to be embarrassed for their headline yesterday declaring completion. Now they are trying to shift the blame onto Pistons and Billups calling them hagglers. Somebody should be held accountable over there.Did Team Darko haggle on last years' extension?

Getting the facts out of that we can see that.

1) They had to renounce Darko in order to get the cap space for Lewis

2) They tried to do a sign/trade with Seattle to make room for Darko which failed.

3) Smith did inform Cornstein on July 3 that the Magic were releasing Darko. e-mail message or not Smith did inform Cornstein.

4) Smith never said that Darko was his #1 priority - just a priority.

5) Cornstein also represents Fran Vazquez who the magic drafted in 2005 and never signed.

Milicic's agent blasts team -- OrlandoSentinel.com (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-milicic0407jul04,0,4571398.story)

Luke, no he didn't haggle last year. He said he was going to sign it right away and before they could get together, Smith jerked the offer off the table. He said he wanted to let Darko play and set his own value, but then allowed his coach to keep him down.

Anytime Darko would approach a double double, he would jerk him. When DMC got on a roll, he jerked him. He kept Darko with no plays and was nowhere on the shooting option chart. Darko's job was to set picks for everyone but stay out of Grant's lanes, out of the way generally. And although he played better than Battie in every phase of the game, he "did not earn" the chance to start. When he replaced Battie in the starting linup while Battie was hurt, he even played better but Battie got his job back even when he could not catch the ball when he received a pass. The announcers were continually apologizing for Battie's play, but he was starting again.

No chance to set his own worth and when GMs called to talk trades, Otis would not answer the phone or return calls. When it was too late and other GMs had their priorities defined by the players who were available, Otis renouced him.

If that is not shoddy treatment, I don't what would qualify. But of course, I am a Darkoholic so what do I know. Just kidding but I do realize that I have a slightly biased POV, although I try to be fair.

I don't understand why Darko and his agent are so mad. Now Darko can go where ever he wants. He should be happy. It is a business. Rashard Lewis brings more to the table than Darko at this point in there careers. Darko needs to work on his game and go to the next team and show that he is mature and serious about being the best he can be.

I don't understand why Darko and his agent are so mad. Now Darko can go where ever he wants. He should be happy. It is a business. Rashard Lewis brings more to the table than Darko at this point in there careers. Darko needs to work on his game and go to the next team and show that he is mature and serious about being the best he can be.


From what I read Cornstein had talked to Otis Smith the same day the Rashard deal was announced and Otis kept saying Darko was top priority...never mentioned the pending Rashard deal. So then the Rashard deal gets announced and he feels he was lied to. He has a beef but you are right Darko can play anywhere now so it should be fine.

Jermaine O'Neil managed to come from behind during his career. I think he was with Portland when he showed little potential, and around his fifth season, he started his ascent. Can Darko do this?????? I don't know, but the motivation should be there....................

How many bridges can Darko burn before being treated like the LB of active players?

I would guess it will be slightly more difficult to make the HOF sans a team to play on.

How many bridges can Darko burn before being treated like the LB of active players?

I would guess it will be slightly more difficult to make the HOF sans a team to play on.

Yes he does not come across too well in that does he? Even though its mainly his agent this time it still reflects on Darko. Right or Wrong they may have lost some money on the blasting the GM deal.

How many bridges can Darko burn before being treated like the LB of active players?

I would guess it will be slightly more difficult to make the HOF sans a team to play on.


:cheerlie-GOAL::rofl:

How many bridges can Darko burn before being treated like the LB of active players?

I would guess it will be slightly more difficult to make the HOF sans a team to play on.

he's 7' and skilled offensively and defensively there will never be a shortage of teams to play on. it isn't darko it's his agent that is causing the big fuss. darko doesn't have loyalty problems it's the teams that haven't been loyal to him.

I would guess it will be slightly more difficult to make the HOF sans a team to play on.

Come on Low, that's just evidence of the HOF's anti-Darko bias. If you weren't one of the haters, you'd recognize!

Darko already has HOF numbers averaging 8 points and 5 boards per game which combined with DH's 17 and 12 (which Darko is mostly responsible for) adds up to 25 points and 17 boards per game for the young fella.

*a phone rings*

Darko: Yes?

Larry Brown: Can you hear me now?

Bro, easily one of your funniest lines ever! :pound:

ESPN - Darko days ahead: Milicic, Grizzlies agree on deal - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2933472)

Darko is headed to Memphis.

Wasn't it the Grizzlies pick we used to select Darko in the first place?

ESPN - Darko days ahead: Milicic, Grizzlies agree on deal - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2933472)

Darko is headed to Memphis.

Wasn't it the Grizzlies pick we used to select Darko in the first place?
Wow, you're right talk about the irony.

Based on Darko's travels, I would guess his next stop after Memphis is Hemofarm in the Serbian league.

Based on Darko's travels, I would guess his next stop after Memphis is Hemofarm in the Serbian league.


From what I understand Darko speaks fondly of his youthful days at the Homofarm.

Again, he gets a nice big man partner. But Gasol will be getting his number called a bunch in the post. Either that opens up things for Darko, or he gets frustrated that he can't be the man. Or Gasol gets traded.