GS Contracts

N.Van Axel is overpaid but he is also productive and in the last year of his contract (11m/year: $77 million starting in 1999 with a team option for '06). That was one reason trading A.Jamison for Van Axel helped GS. Jamison is also overpaid but his max contract lasts longer to 2007) (2001-2007 $79.3 player opt '07).

Trading Van Axel to Portland rids GS of an older, temperamental player who was injured most of last season. GS picked up a PF Dale Davis and PG Dan Dickau. Both of their contracts also end in 2005. So GS lost nothing in terms of salary cap and they got an older, defensive, team oriented player in place of a scoring PG/SG. They also get Dan Dickau, a 3rd string, back-up PG to Derek Fisher and Speedy Claxton. Trading Van Axel removes the log jam at PG and SG (top draft picks J.Richardson and M.Pietrius).

Dale Davis was described as the defensive heart of the Trail Blazers and can play Center. He will team up with veteran PF Clifford Robinson who played well for GS last year and is under contract to 05 (team optin in 06). A.Foyle is starting center and also known for his defense and shot blocking. T.Murphy is a 4th year PF who has played center and developed a 3 point shot (working with C.Mullin). C Evan Eschmeyer and PF Popeye Jones are left overs of the A.Jamison trade and contracts expire in 06 and 05 respectively.

Popeye Jones:
Enjoys the physical battle in the paint despite his lack of size and athleticism... Hard nosed rebounder... Plays with heart... Not a bad jumper... Makes no mistake from the charity stripe... Totally unselfish player.

Evan Eschmeyer:
Another big tough man in the middle... No offensive skills... Injury prone.

Dale Davis:
A hard worker, a rebounder and a good defensive player... Not a guy to care about on the offensive end... Has no range and no proper post-up game... Still in a good physical shape.

Adonal Foyle:
A shot blocking machine... Raw offensively... Horrible from the free-throw line... Has not lived up to the expectations... A good locker room presence.