For those hoping to sign Sheed...

[Atzar]

Sheed would be an interesting fit for OKC.  They need a good big man and a veteran leader.  Sheed is a good big man - that's obvious.  I would be really curious to see if he has it in him to become a leader for that team.  His career thus far has said 'no', but I've seen stranger transformations in this league.  Never would have thought Starbury would be hesitant to shoot, would you?  Or that Artest would be a class act for an entire year... anywhere?  Or that Melo would play defense and team basketball?  You get my point.  If Rasheed Wallace decided to take that team over, they could surprise a lot of people over the next two years or so.  Somebody would have to teach Durant to play some defense, but they could score with anybody.

[indeedproceed]

I think this is all maneuvering. I know Sheed's character issues have been a problem in the past but he's beyond being a cancer. He's holding out for 8 but he'll settle for the MLE eventually if its for a winner. You just know he doesn't wanna go to a team that is barely gonna make the playoffs WITH him, let alone without him.

[Drucci]

Do you guys really think that Sheed deserves to be paid 8M$ next year?

I know how good he is as a player, and I'm not disturbed by his disappointing statistical season with Detroit but what annoys me about him is that he doesn't seem to have this "fire" anymore. Everytime I watched him play this year he seemed bored and disinterested, and that's why I think he should be glad if a team offers him a MLE contract.

[Roy Hobbs]

I think a lot of players are going to have to settle for less than they think they're worth, or be out of a job.  There are very few teams that have cap room, and those that do have it are probably going to look to next season's more talented free agent class.

Sheed is one of those guys.  What team is going to give him $8 million?  Detroit may, on a one year deal.  I don't see many other teams that will.

[MaineBleedsGreen]

Sheed would be an interesting fit for OKC.  They need a good big man and a veteran leader.  Sheed is a good big man - that's obvious.  I would be really curious to see if he has it in him to become a leader for that team.  His career thus far has said 'no', but I've seen stranger transformations in this league.  Never would have thought Starbury would be hesitant to shoot, would you?  Or that Artest would be a class act for an entire year... anywhere?  Or that Melo would play defense and team basketball?  You get my point.  If Rasheed Wallace decided to take that team over, they could surprise a lot of people over the next two years or so.  Somebody would have to teach Durant to play some defense, but they could score with anybody.

It's pretty unlikely OKC brings in Sheed. They have Durant and Green starting and playing 35+ mins at the SF and PF. They brought in Nenad Kristic to be their starting center as well (people forget he's only 25) and his minutes will increase from the 25mpg he played last season and they already have Nick Collison as their backup PF-C for the next 2 season at $6mil+.

That said, they have 11 players with guaranteed contracts going into next season with their total salaries coming in around $41mil. So they have the money to spend, but I'd see them focusing on bringing in a SG to help Durant and Green with scoring, as apposed to another PF-C. I don't think the platoon of Thabo, Damien Wilkins and Watson exactly blew them away at the SG position this season. Watson is more suited to playing the backup PG position, but was forced to play minutes at he 2 once they went with Westbrook at he 1. Thabo brings some defensive toughenss (and his stats did improve across the board in OKC), but again he seems bettered suited in the "defender off the bench role". And I just don't know what they thought they had in Wilkins when he was playing.

They do need size and a low post presence, but Sheed doesn't give them either of these, and their need for a competent SG in the starting lineup leads me to believe that is where they will spend the money. Unless they want to cut into Kritic and Green's minutes, or pay two backup PF-C's $15mil per season total (signing sheed and paying Collison) it doesn't seem to make sense. 

[Who]

Sheed is one of those guys who I think would retire if he felt the money wasn't right. So whether $8mil or not is the figure is up for some doubt, but the overall message sounds about right.

Wallace is not getting $8mil next season and he's not worth $8mil.