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Wizards offer Madsen a deal
July 22, 2005


THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The Washington Wizards, looking to add depth in their frontcourt, have offered a contract to unrestricted free agent Mark Madsen, according to a report in yesterday's Minneapolis Star-Tribune that was confirmed by a league source.
The Wizards are believed to have made a two-year offer to Madsen in the form of what is known as a "$1?million exception." The true value of the exception is actually $1.6?million annually.
The Wizards are not alone in seeking the six-year veteran. Madsen will meet with Utah today. Additionally, Minnesota, which can offer him more than the Wizards, has said it is interested in keeping Madsen.
Madsen could reach his decision as soon as today, according to sources. However, he cannot sign a contract until the league lifts its moratorium on signing players and making trades, a date that has been pushed back indefinitely.
Although Madsen appeared in just 41 games last season after suffering a torn ligament in his right wrist, he is viewed by some around the league as a good post defender.
Conversely, Madsen is not considered much of an offensive threat. Over the last two seasons, he averaged 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds.
-- John N. Mitchell

http://washingtontimes.com/sports/20050 ... -8674r.htm

Not the kind of "big-man" I was hoping the Wizards would look at.

I agree. I don't know too much about him; he better have good defense if we get him. He's not much better than 50% from the line , which is something that kills us year after year, and his career high for a game is 6 points?


We need a force if we're trying to get farther into the postseason....I'm a little confused by this interest.

We need seious help in the middle, and they offer a contract to this guy.

All he's going to bring to the team is 6 points and a lack of rythym.

I guess he can cheer everybody up after a loss.

Seriously though What the Hell is Grunfeld doing?

Madsens not a bad defender although his offensive game is horrendous. Washington should bring him along just for the mere fact that he does that crazy no rythym dance after every big win (Anybody remember when he won championships with the Lakers LMFAO)

Don't remind me. That was an embarassment and classic representation of white men everywhere.

Madsen in not being brought in to score, he's being brought in to get rebounds and play tough defense...backup big guys don't need to score loads of points. He's big, smart, tough, good in the locker room, and willing to play without the need to score. Rodman was not a scorer, his teams never set up a play for him, it was all junk pts for him. He was fine with that too.

Actually, Madsen is like Ruffin, who was a good bench/role player for us last year. Heck, I was hoping they'd get Mutombo as a backup center behind Haywood. He ain't a scorer either.

Big guys that play defense, rebound, score and play really well make 14 mil a year...we're tying to fill our roster with the money we have. Also, check out the free agents, and find one big guy out there now that plays good interior defense that we should go after...I'd like to hear what others think.

Don't doubt what Grunfeld is doing...he's very good and has proven himself. He brought in Arenas and Jamison...give him a little time to build "his" team. Hughes was not worth the 12 mil a year we offered or the 14 mil a year the Cavs gave him -- the Cavs are outta control. Kwame wasn't giving us much in the frontcourt anyway, so at this point, we haven't gotten any worse in the frontcourt... Butler, Adkins and Danies for Hughes, Dixon and Peeler - I think we did fine in that exchange. I'd like to see them keep Blake.

Madsen decided to re-sign with Minnesota, thankfully.

We re-signed Ruffin. Not that bad of a move.

Pro Basketball
Ruffin, Wizards Come to Terms on New Deal

Tuesday, July 26, 2005; Page E02

The Washington Wizards and free agent forward Michael Ruffin have agreed to contract terms, according to agent Andy Miller .

Terms of the agreement were not available, and Ruffin cannot sign it until the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified. The 6-foot-8, 248-pound Ruffin averaged 1.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 16 minutes per game last season with the Wizards.

Ruffin, who is entering his sixth NBA season, will shore up a Washington front court that will be without Kwame Brown , who will be sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for swingman Caron Butler and point guard Chucky Atkins once the CBA goes into effect.

Unrestricted free agent guard Juan Dixon visited Seattle this weekend and has also spoken with Cleveland, Indiana, Miami, Minnesota and Sacramento, according to agent Calvin Andrews .

A source close to restricted free agent guard Steve Blake said that he has been contacted by teams, but likely won't receive a contract offer until after the CBA is ratified. Teams with reported interest include Miami, Minnesota and Cleveland.


-- Ivan Carter

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01410.html

We needed to re-sign Ruffin. He played great down the stretch and in the playoffs. He's a hard working guy too so good in the locker room. HOpefully we can find another big guy out there somewhere!

Glad to see Ruffin back. He is by far our best front court defender.