Well had Hodge and Gilchrist played full seasons without any injury/off court issues they would have each won a club MVP imo and the team probably would have done a bit better too.
Not that Ballinger isnt a good player, i see him as a really good player but not the type of player who is going to ever carry a team to a title. I think in the ideal world we would have atleast 2 players as good if not better than Ballinger, and then we would be dangerous.
The last time we made the playoffs we had Hodge (he left before the playoffs but was key in getting us there imo) and Schenscher who were arguably better than Ballinger, and had Hodge stayed on we probably would have given the playoffs a bit more of a shake.
Thats the type of team we need with Ballinger, atleast 1 stud import and an Aussie who is just as good/slightly better, we just havnt had that recently.
The only import who has really been better than Ballinger since then is Gilchrist, had he not got injured id say we wouldnt have won that wooden spoon, especially if we had a upgrade on Groves and a fit Burston all year.
To be honest for next season I would offer him the 6th man role with the average 6th man wage, we cant afford to offer him anything more as we need to add atleast one stud to our line up which costs money, and the Ballinger on top money era hasnt really worked for us.
If he can get more elsewhere then good luck too him, but i wouldnt bother out bidding him, id rather let him go and try and recruit a stud player with his salary/spot/roster spot and try something new,
i think fans would rather us get a fresh top line player who is as good/better than Ballinger and have a bit more success then spend big bucks on Bsllinger, risking his injury/age concerns and continue to be down the bottom even if he has a strong season.
All the best to Ballinger if he does leave or stay, and I hope the 36ers manage to pull of atleast one star addition to the teams good young talent.