Yes. But Orlando probably has no interest in that because they would have to take back the salary that they pay Darko. Maybe you take the one year hit to get some salaries you can dump next year, but you might have to pay the tax, and the best you can hope for as an upside is a bunch of picks, which can't be traded in consecutive years, so it's a long time payoff for a team hoping to move up NOW. Teams do S&Ts when they are going to get left empty handed, but in today's NBA of fiscal responsibility, deals like this are harder to pull off. Darko is actually pretty screwed now when it comes to a big contract. That's the reality of his situation.
don't forget that if nothing else darko is a good defender. darko next to tim duncan would add another level to san antonio's defensive game. darko next to tim duncan would get him respect from the refs defensively. darko in the starting lineup raised d. howards game to a new level. it would do the same for timmy and vice versa. it's also the thing san antonio does every year adding another piece that will sustain thier semi dynasty. in my opinion adding darko to pretty much any of the playoff teams gets them to the next round. who in the finals had a better center / pf than darko. i would say utah and maybe denver.
i think d. howard is in for a rude awakening once darko leaves. darko brought his game to a new level....just kidding jay but it does look like darko will get his chance to lay the bust label to rest.
My gut says he ends up in Atlanta. He could step in and start for them. Starters- Speedy Claxton Joe Johnson Josh Smith Al Horford Darko Milicic Bench- Acie Law Salim Stoudamire Marvin Williams Sheldon Williams Zaza Pachulia Not bad.
Here's an interesting article on Darko: SI.com - Writers - Marty Burns: Darko could score big on free-agent market - Tuesday July 3, 2007 3:32PM
Actually according to that article a s&t is impossible now that the Magic have made him an unrestricted FA. Looks like its the MLE to start for Darko. Some place. I know its not going to be here.
Have a feeling he'll be headed for the WC. He can start shooting the rock from outside and get the blood flow going in his legs.
This is the most bizarre thing I've seen since Boozer stiffed a blind man. Makes zero sense, whether you're a DHOFer or not. You don't just release players that have trade potential. From my perspective, Otis Smith lied to Darko, then cut him. It's like it was personal, he was trying to find any and every way to mess with him. I completely understand keeping Rashard over Darko. It's a no brainer. But, why not work a sign and trade for Darko, and get something in return? Other GMs are quoted as having said they'd tried to do sign and trades with Orlando, but Otis wouldn't listen. Even Joe managed to get two 2nd rounders for Delfino. You think Darko may have been worth something in this draft? Weird, strange, Otis Smith should be fired. Not for releasing Darko, but for going out of his way to make sure he got nothing in return. Anyone who can think of any rational reasons for this, I'd love to here them. BTW, my bet is San Antonio gets Darko with their MLE, with a wink and a nod to use their 2008 cap space for a better deal if Darko produces.
Thing is also this was the 2nd time Smith pulled the rug out. Both sides had a agreed to an extension last season before Smith pulled it.
Really? Popovich and LB are kinda cut from the same cloth, aren't they? I guess Darko would be prepared then for a tough, demanding coach.
