The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Posted: **Sat Jul 10, 2004 6:33 pm**

Friday, July 9, 2004

Wizards can still match any offer

ESPN.com news services

It seems Etan Thomas is trying to head to Milwaukee. Will the Wizards let him go?

ESPN Insider Chad Ford reported Friday afternoon that the Bucks were seriously considering offering the Wizards' big man a six-year deal for between $37 and $39 million -- roughly the full mid-level exception.

ESPN's David Aldridge reports the contract is expected to be "front-loaded," meaning Thomas would get some kind of signing bonus and first-year salary up front in the first year of the deal, theoretically making it harder for Washington to match the offer.

With the free-agent signing period beginning on Wednesday, July 14, the Wizards would have 15 days from that date to match any offer.

Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld told Insider on Friday that while he hadn't heard of an offer to Thomas, Washington likely would match any offer.

"We really want to keep Etan," Grunfeld said. "We have the right to match an offer for him, and we want to keep him."

Thomas averaged 8.9 ppg and 6.7 rpg but is considered an undersized center at just 6-foot-9.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1837254

Posted: **Mon Jul 12, 2004 2:27 pm**

Lets give them Brenda Heywood instead. I can't for the life of me figure out why Etan comes off the bench with what's in front of him.

Posted: **Mon Jul 12, 2004 3:01 pm**

I don't know why either.

We have to keep Etan. I mean, he's got determination, size, and great locks!!!!

Posted: **Mon Jul 12, 2004 6:46 pm**

From everything I've heard from Grunfield, I have no reason to believe we won't match the offer. It's still a problem because of the money, but I'm definetly in the "keep Etan" camp. The kid is a ball player...

Posted: **Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:53 am**

Steve Spurrier III wrote:The kid is a ball player...

In the 21st century, I believe the term is "baller".

Yes, keep Etan. "The kid is a [baller]"

The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Bucks Close To Signing Wizards' Etan Thomas!

Bucks Close To Signing Wizards' Etan Thomas!