Mock Off-Season: Day 1

[sportscrazy]

Let the games begin, this will close out at 11:00 PM ET tomorrow night (Wednesday, 06/29/2016):

Here's how it works:
As a result I will use Smitty's salary cap spread sheet to let you know how much cap space you have based on salaries, draft picks, cap holds, etc. Keep in mind if you waive a cap hold for a player, you will have that much more in cap space minus $543,471 for every roster spot under 12.

This will be one thread for each day that gives viewers a front stage seat to the behind the scenes that take place in terms of trades and free agency negotiations with my role being the agent for every player.

You will negotiate trades in this thread with other GM's. Once it is completed and agreed to by both sides, each side needs to send me a PM letting me know that they agreed and I will include it in my nightly re-cap of the days transactions.

The point of this is to accurately reflect based on your teams ownership style, player fit in your coaches style, team direction (tanking, going for it all, just trying to make the playoffs, keep flexibility open for next off-season, etc.) and other factors based on a realistic and consistent vision you have for your teams off-season. This is not to finish with the best 15 man roster you can create because keep in mind chemistry is an issue as well. This is to finish with the best possible outcome for your team and its fans both in the short-term and long-term of the franchise's best interests. Trading all of your young players for win now players may not be the best, tying up your long term salary options may not be the best. You will not be assessed on how good your team is at the end of this, but more so how well you maintained that teams goals in terms of youth development, cap flexibility, and other factors that may be important to your team.

Trades
You can post trade offers in each day's thread as well as who is on the trade block and receive offers. Negotiations can take place and another GM can jump in at any time as a third or fourth team to make it work, or just kick you out of the deal altogether if they have a better offer. Once it is agreed to by both sides, it isn't finalized until I receive a PM from both sides showing the same deal.

Free Agents
Free agency negotiations will take place throughout each days threads. You will make a financial offer based on your actual cap space or cap space you could create or have created via trade as well as a sales pitch as to why that free agent should take your offer over another team's offer. Not every free agent will take an offer they are given on the day they receive it so you can retract any offer until the close of the day when it will either be accepted or not. The reason strategy is placed on this is because for example, the Heat could go all in on a Durant pursuit, but Durant may not make his decision until the close out of Day 2 while Hassan Whiteside may make his decision at the close out of Day 1. Some one could pick up lesser free agents on Day 1 as the better free agents are pursued by other teams.

I will take reality into account, for example Dirk Nowitzki may agree to take less money if Dallas gets certain players around him or may wait to take an offer elsewhere until Dallas makes or does not make certain moves. Some players may be more loyal to their franchise than others and give this grace to their team.

In regards to restricted free agents, when they accept a deal at the close out of one day, the original team of that player has until the end of the close out of the next day to match that offer. If it isn't matched by then, he will take the offer and leave your team.
Close out will take place at 11:00 PM ET each day, so any offers going in after that time will not be considered until the following day if that free agent doesn't sign somewhere else already.

Schedule:
Day 1 (Wednesday, 06/29/2016)
Day 2 (Thursday, 06/30/2016)
Day 3 (Friday, 07/01/2016)
Day 4 (Saturday, 07/02/2016)
Day 5 (Sunday, 07/03/2016)

Sunday at 11:00 PM ET is the time it will end the off-season and your final 15 man roster will be the result.

As a side note, as the agent, I will control player opt outs that are still up for grabs, No Trade Clauses, retirements, etc. on top of free agent signing decisions. I will also chime in throughout the thread in specific situations, for example the Warriors want Kevin Durant, but will not clear the cap space it takes for his MAX salary without a commitment from him. I will chime in and let the Warriors GM know that if he can create that cap space, Durant will sign there if they make the best sales pitch.

The reason I think free agent negotiations and trade negotiations should be in the thread is first and foremost for the entertainment value of viewers that are just keeping an eye on the thread, but not participating themselves. I also think see other teams offers will create bidding wars that will reflect the final realistic salaries we will see this off-season with the raised cap as well as keep trade value honest. If you say Player X is worth this much, then the other team could say, but no one else offered that much, take another teams offer if you think it's better than mine.

List of GM's:

Atlanta Hawks: dbrandon
Boston Celtics: 165bows
Brooklyn Nets: Prokorov
Charlotte Hornets: James Gatz
Chicago Bulls: aramada
Cleveland Cavaliers: jayjaysee
Dallas Mavericks: Texas Chuck
Denver Nuggets: Spens1
Detroit Pistons: stylesofpunk
Golden State Warriors: Warriorfan
Houston Rockets: HartfordWhalers
Indiana Pacers: pacers33granger
Los Angeles Clippers: Domejandro
Los Angeles Lakers: warren weel im
Memphis Grizzlies: SD2042
Miami Heat: R-DAWG
Milwaukee Bucks: bdpecore
Minnesota Timberwolves: Streakers33
New Orleans Pelicans: pelifan
New York Knicks: Mamba4Goat
Oklahoma City Thunder: bondom34
Orlando Magic: bigdogdylan5
Philadelphia 76ers: BullyKing
Phoenix Suns: bwgood77
Portland Trail Blazers: Soulyss
Sacramento Kings: BOOGIE-MONSTER
San Antonio Spurs: dremill24
Toronto Raptors: nodeal
Utah Jazz: jazzfan1971
Washington Wizards: Gilles

[165bows]

For the Celtics I'll opt to keep Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko's contract.

Also release the rights to Evan Turner, Luigi Datome, release John Holland and not sign Yabusele and Zizic for this year.
ETA: QO extended to Sullinger and Zeller.

[Prokorov]

Brooklyn Nets:

-The Nets Waive PG Jarret Jack

-The Nets choose NOT to extend the qualifying offer and renounce the rights to :
Sergey Karasev
Willie Reed
Markel Brown
Donald Sloan

-The Nets renounce the rights to:
Thomas Robinson
Shane Larkin
The Nets also renounce the rights to any other players who are UFA/RFA

The nets are hoping all players with options choose to opt out.

[warren weel im]

12:01 midnight (9:01pm in LA) I place a call on Hassan Whiteside's agent.

Pitch:

The Lakers are an up and coming team needing help in talent upgrade. We are young, full of potential and full of high-end talent. But our talents are more on the back court thus we need someone who can be the face of the franchise at center. We've always had great centers as part of our winning tradition, and we think you (HW) are the best free agent center out there.

With Luke Walton on board, he can give you, from the coaching standpoint, guaranteed starting position, guaranteed 32mpg barring foul trouble or injury, and guaranteed post touches. The actual gameplan will be hatched when we are more or less done with Free Agency, but right off the bat, we know what our plan is with you. You will be THE man in the middle.

Contract-wise, we are offering you the full max, as provided by the CBA. 4 years (max) 4.5% raises (max) and 25% of the new salary cap.

The Lakers are a very proud franchise and we've been in the worst stretch of our history. Frankly, it cannot get any worse. We are done with losing 50 games per season. The addition of Mr. Whiteside will assuredly propel our team to the playoffs when all is said and done. There will be room to grow, trades to make and free agents to add with our massive cap. Its a good opportunity for Hassan to be the next great Laker big man. He can lead the team that is full of youngsters.

[bondom34]

For OKC:

Up for trade are McGary, Huestis, Kanter. (Edit, also Ilyasova)

I'm picking up Morrow's option and letting Waiters test RFA.

I'd offer Philly a sign and trade of Waiters for Hollis Thompson at whatever price they'd get Dion for.

I'd offer Phoenix Chandler and Tucker for Kanter.

Renouncing Foye's rights should take the salary cap space to approximately 8 mil over the cap.

I'd also offer the MLE to Darrell Arthur or Trevor Booker if either are available.

Finally I'd inquire with Charlotte if they'd have interest in a sign and trade for Marv.

[/quote]

At this point I have to keep Ersan as it won't clear cap space unless Kanter is gone.

Edit:

Oh and duh, I offer KD a max contract, his choice of the full 5 year or 1 + 1.

Edit: Adding my pitch, though don't know if its needed.

Kevin, we've been home for you for 9 years and greatly appreciate all you've given the city and state of Oklahoma. We feel like we've built a great young team around you and with your best friend in Russ at your side, this team is on the brink of a great future. We just brought in a fantastic young SG who you've been friends with for years and have a great group of hard workers in the locker room who were one of, if not the youngest ever conference finalists. Kevin, the decision is yours, but know OKC will always appreciate all you've given and we'd really hope to have you stay here for life.


Also wanted to add Kanter is available for cap space if anyone wants, and Singler is available too.

I'm offering up an offer to Chicago for Taj Gibson of Huestis/McGary/Ersan if they're going rebuild.

I'd also offer the MLE for Luol Deng.

Finally, I try to extend RFA offers to Adams at 4/68 and Roberson at 4/32.

[warren weel im]

In the meantime, paperwork for Qualifying Offers and formal renouncements are being arranged by my assistants.

Ryan Kelly has NOT been tendered a qualifying offer making him an unrestricted free agent.

We formally renounce: Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Roy Hibbert and Robert Sacre.

[bwgood77]

I don't know if I need to state it here, but the Suns are going to guarantee the contracts of Tucker, Jenkins and Alan Williams (didn't see him listed but he's been working out with the team and it's listed here http://www.basketballinsiders.com/phoenix-suns-team-salary/).

[Prokorov]

Brooklyn Nets - Restricted Free Agent Offers

The Brooklyn nets would like to extend a MAximum contract in both years and dollars to Bradley Beal, Restricted Free Agent of the Wizards. The nets submit this offer the second it strikes midnight on Day 1 of free agency.

The Nets want beal to know he is their main target, they see him developing into a true start under Atkinson who has developed many 20-somethins, and want beal to know they believe he is worth that money.

They also want beal to know they arent done after him, and still have max money and are looking to fill out the roster with a PG and another Wing.

[Prokorov]

Brooklyn Nets - Trade/Players available

The Brooklyn Nets have made Bojan Bogdanovic available via trade and are seeking cap relief/future second round picks for him

The nets are also open to taking on unwanted contracts around the league, and would like to engage the kings about Rudy Gay and the raptors about patrick patterson and terrance ross

[bwgood77]

For OKC:

Up for trade are McGary, Huestis, Kanter. (Edit, also Ilyasova)

I'm picking up Morrow's option and letting Waiters test RFA.

I'd offer Philly a sign and trade of Waiters for Hollis Thompson at whatever price they'd get Dion for.

I'd offer Phoenix Chandler and Tucker for Kanter.

Renouncing Foye's rights should take the salary cap space to approximately 8 mil over the cap.

I'd also offer the MLE to Darrell Arthur or Trevor Booker if either are available.

Finally I'd inquire with Charlotte if they'd have interest in a sign and trade for Marv.

At this point I have to keep Ersan as it won't clear cap space unless Kanter is gone.[/quote]

I'll get back to you on the deal you mentioned. Have to check something else first.

[warren weel im]

After my 1st call, which was to Hassan Whiteside, I schedule a call to the agent of Evan Turner. I heard he was just released by the Celtics, in pursuit of signing big time FAs.

Pitch:
The Lakers need talent, a playmaker that will move the ball, make creative passes and good decisions with the ball. Scoring is not the prime concern, but ball movement, finding the open man, just overall activity. I believe Evan Turner is a great talent who showcased his skills in Boston last season, we believe he can be an integral part of our core now and in the future.

The Lakers offer 4yrs and 48 million, fully guaranteed, if you sign with us on Day 1.

[bwgood77]

Suns just put in an offer to Cavs via PM.

Might be good to PM some of the offers initially as well because all 30 owners might not be monitoring it that closely, and this is going to move pretty quickly.

[Prokorov]

Brooklyn Nets - Free Agent Offers

The Brooklyn nets would like to extend a 4 year 52 million dollar offer to point gaurd Rajon Rondo.

Pitch: Nets feel rondo is a perfect fit with Brook lopez and would hand him the keys to run the offense. The Nets arent looking backwards but forwards, and will ensure rondo there will be more talent to come, pointing to the offer sheet they have in for beal. Rondo is the nets top choice at point gaurd, and are rumored to NOT be interested in mike conley.

The Brooklyn Nets would like to make a 3 year 18 million dollar offer to Forward Jared Dudley

Pitch: the nets would like dudley to take over as their starting Power forward. the nets are moving away from a traditional lineup and moving into the future with a floor spacer to help give lopes more room to operate inside. Dudley would start from Day 1 and spend some time at SF as well in bigger lineups.

The Brooklyn Nets would like to make a 2 year 12 million dollar offer to G Sergio Rodriuguez

Pitch: the nets want to bring sergio back to the NBA as they have heavy ties and scouting overseason. Sergio would backup PG but play 25-30 minutes a night combined between PG and SG in 3 gaurd lineups.

[warren weel im]

With my top 2 priorities already in place, I place a call to Jordan Clarkson (himself).

Pitch:
Jordan, its no secret that when we brought you in, we believe in your talent, skillset, dedication and heart. We want you to be a Laker for 4 more seasons. In the meantime, salary cap machinations are being worked at that we want you to be patient in signing with us. We hope you consider us, to not sign elsewhere so as to tie up our cap space un-necessarily. I can guarantee that you are a part of the next great Laker team we're building. You've been with us from the start, see us through till the end.

[Prokorov]

Brookyn Nets - Contacting Agents


-The Brooklyn Nets would like to contact the agents of Kobe Bryant to see if there is any interst in joining the nets, and what his contract demands would be.

-The Brooklyn nets would also like to reach out to the agents of Kent Bazemore and Al Horford, to see what his contract demands are and if there is interest in following forner coach kenny atkinson to brooklyn. The nets would like to setup a meeting with both players for the same date and time

- the nets would like to contact the agent of Grevis Vsazques to see what his contract demands are

[HartfordWhalers]

Wow me with offers for Beverley. I'm looking at you Philly. And Sacramento.

Also, talk to me now on Motie and Jones S&T's. I probably match just to keep assets, but for a S&T...

[sportscrazy]

Brookyn Nets - Contacting Agents


-The Brooklyn Nets would like to contact the agents of Kobe Bryant to see if there is any interst in joining the nets, and what his contract demands would be.

Kobe Bryant's agent stresses that he will remain retired.

[warren weel im]

Sometime in 12:15 or so, I place a call to the agent of Marvin Williams.

Pitch:
The Lakers are an up-and-coming team that wants to improve and make the playoffs. We're adding young veterans to our team to help lead the team. More importantly, we believe your contributions on shooting and defense is the kind of skillset that our new coach is in great desire for. Luke Walton can bring about the best in guys of that skillset because that is exactly the kind of players that we need.

In terms of contract, we'd like to place an offer of 48M in 4yrs, fully guaranteed. We believe that Marvin can be part of the great core we're building in LA, filled with athletic, proficient, playmakers and shotmakers. In terms of minutes, Marvin can be slotted for a good 25mpg sliding between 3 and 4. We are hopeful that you consider this offer and take it in Day 1.

[HartfordWhalers]

And Houston is going all in on Horford. Max 4 year and we figure out the maths later, selling point is simply that
Beverly
Harden
Ariza
Horford
Capela

is a top 4 team in the league, in Texas state tax free and with a big ready to take the center pounding while he shines next to Harden.

[165bows]

Celtics offer a two year deal totaling $52.8M to Pau Gasol, along with a starting C spot as well as a featured role in the offense along with Isaiah Thomas. The second year is a team option, the first year is $27M guaranteed.