Free agent wishlist and "flexibility"

[Kilo]

Insert Lucy holding football for Charlie Brown image here.

Detroit has had money each of last two off-season and spent it on who and what? Joe Harris and Monte Morris, and BB and Bagley resigning?

And it takes two to tango. What FA worth anything would want to come to the longest losing streak team and the FO that built it and buffoon owner?

Want to pay somebody worth the MLE a max deal to come here? Or some 34 yr old a 4 yr max deal to bring "leadership"?

[bstein14]

Insert Lucy holding football for Charlie Brown image here.

Detroit has had money each of last two off-season and spent it on who and what? Joe Harris and Monte Morris, and BB and Bagley resigning?

And it takes two to tango. What FA worth anything would want to come to the longest losing streak team and the FO that built it and buffoon owner?

Want to pay somebody worth the MLE a max deal to come here? Or some 34 yr old a 4 yr max deal to bring "leadership"?

It's funny that all these rumors are starting up now about big name FAs. It's almost like management wants to keep hope alive for fans if we don't end up making a trade now because they are selling everyone on the idea that we'll land some good pieces this summer.

[LaSheed]

Insert Lucy holding football for Charlie Brown image here.

Detroit has had money each of last two off-season and spent it on who and what? Joe Harris and Monte Morris, and BB and Bagley resigning?

And it takes two to tango. What FA worth anything would want to come to the longest losing streak team and the FO that built it and buffoon owner?

Want to pay somebody worth the MLE a max deal to come here? Or some 34 yr old a 4 yr max deal to bring "leadership"?

It's funny that all these rumors are starting up now about big name FAs. It's almost like management wants to keep hope alive for fans if we don't end up making a trade now because they are selling everyone on the idea that we'll land some good pieces this summer.

Yep. My thoughts exactly.

[zeebneeb]

I'm just hoping now that change is obviously coming, that its not disastrous. I know that's tough, as it's this regime that got the team to this point, but what else is there?

Hope springs eternal.

[Canadafan]

Which is why we need to bypass any thoughts and wishes of signing someone outright this summer and use our expirings ro bring in a couple guys new that are signed long term and are forced to play for us lol

[Cowology]

2 years ago I actually wanted Mike Conleys expiring contract & veteran leadership. I still think we need somebody like that. A Lindsey Hunter type to help patrol the lockerroom & bring on-court leadership & toughness, without being a liability on the court.

Just because they are a "vet" doesn't mean they bring veteran leadership. Maybe Monte Morris can fill that void, but we don't really know and he's not helping us at the moment.

Guys like Grant & Tobias fill some gaps on the roster but neither of those guys are "leaders" either. They are not Horfords or Haslems.

We talk a lot about talent & fit, but I'm a HUGE culture guy. It's a big part of what I do professionally and I truly believe in it's importance to developing a winning team.

"Culture eats strategy for breakfast".

Yes, we need an infusion of talent. But our culture is broken. Doesn't matter who we bring in if we don't fix that. Every single guy in that lockerroom is feeling defeated and humiliated right now. Greatest professional embarrassment of their lives. There is a very real people-side to the equation and some big feels involved.

So yeah, we (sadly) need a LaVine type just to give us a chance to be competitive but we also need something else. I just don't know where to get it.

[FloridaMan78]

Yea that’s probably where all these rumors are coming from, probably not a trade, but going after them in free agency.

My guess is OG. We would be the one team to be desperate enough to outrageously overpay for him. I would be surprised if anyone else paid more than 40 mil a year for him. His max is looking around 45 mil. So if money is a priority for him I think we have a good chance to get him.

[vege]

OG is going to Philly. The only guys we have a chance to sign are Miles Bridges, because of his baggage, nobody would be stupid to throw big money at him, and we will, or Tobias Harris, who will be almost 32 and will be looking to get a big bag.

Tobias will probably cost 3 years 100-120 million, and we might pay him that kind of money, and that's going to be a terrible contract.

OG and Siakam names are out there too fool people who are naive and clueless enough to believe they would play for us.

I would rather make a trade. Sacramento would be a great trading partner. They have a bunch of guys entering their prime, and they need to improve so they can be competitive and reach the 2nd round of the playoffs and maybe do something better.

Isaiah Stewart would be a great fit next to Sabonis. Bojan would fit in their team like a glove. Barnes have been subpar, and Huerter is expendable.

Stew/Bojan/Livers for Barnes/Huerter/McGee. I would be fine adding 2nds or Sasser to get it done. Fit >>>>> Value at this point for us.

Huerter would be our first 2 way player and Barnes would be a huge upgrade on offense and fit over Stewart. We would get a massive downgrade on defense tho.

McGee would give us a 10 mpg backup center capable of protecting the rim and rebounding, he is dumb, but he is 10x smarter than Bagley and Wiseman.

[FloridaMan78]

OG is going to Philly. The only guys we have a chance to sign are Miles Bridges, because of his baggage, nobody would be stupid to throw big money at him, and we will, or Tobias Harris, who will be almost 32 and will be looking to get a big bag.

Tobias will probably cost 3 years 100-120 million, and we might pay him that kind of money, and that's going to be a terrible contract.

OG and Siakam names are out there too fool people who are naive and clueless enough to believe they would play for us.

I would rather make a trade. Sacramento would be a great trading partner. They have a bunch of guys entering their prime, and they need to improve so they can be competitive and reach the 2nd round of the playoffs and maybe do something better.

Isaiah Stewart would be a great fit next to Sabonis. Bojan would fit in their team like a glove. Barnes have been subpar, and Huerter is expendable.

Stew/Bojan/Livers for Barnes/Huerter/McGee. I would be fine adding 2nds or Sasser to get it done. Fit >>>>> Value at this point for us.

Huerter would be our first 2 way player and Barnes would be a huge upgrade on offense and fit over Stewart. We would get a massive downgrade on defense tho.

McGee would give us a 10 mpg backup center capable of protecting the rim and rebounding, he is dumb, but he is 10x smarter than Bagley and Wiseman.

Yea I disagree, if money means anything to him then we have a chance. My guess is contending teams offer 40 mil a year, non contenders offer 42 mil and we offer the max 45 mil.

OG is not a max guy, he’s not a shot creator. But we have to overpay. 20 mil overpay because we suck.

He’s not restricted. He’s not a star. I just don’t see anyone offering more money than us. Now if 20 mil doesn’t matter to him than yea we have no shot.

[vege]

The worst part is, it's actually working. A lot of people are naive enough to believe we could get OG and/or Siakam.

4 years fooling fans, while sitting on their hands and collecting paychecks and employing their son in the organization, while building the worst team in history, and people still believe.

[7r5ur]

The worst part is, it's actually working. A lot of people are naive enough to believe we could get OG and/or Siakam.

4 years fooling fans, while sitting on their hands and collecting paychecks and employing their son in the organization, while building the worst team in history, and people still believe.

It comes down to what other teams are willing to pay, as always. Siakam is a definite no because some other team will be offering the max. OG has a slight possibility just because teams might be (and probably should be) scared to give him the full max. I'm sure a lot of teams want him at 30M/year, but do any want him at 45M/year (I think his max is about 182/4)? That's the only way we're getting coveted free agents.

Same way we were only getting Cam Johnson in the offseason if we beat the Nets offer by such a ridiculous price that they'd be stupid to match it (and we'd be stupid to offer it).

I think if we strike out on OG, I'd be fine giving Tobias some kind 1 or 2 year deal with a big $$$ overpay, in the realm of what Houston did with FVV. That was probably the move last off-season too but Weaver missed the boat.

[Snakebites]

Yeah, I’m not sure why any fan would believe we’d have a chance to get OG or Siakam in free agency.

The Sixers proved that you don’t have to bottom out to get cap space.

[7r5ur]

Yeah, I’m not sure why any fan would believe we’d have a chance to get OG or Siakam in free agency.

The Sixers proved that you don’t have to bottom out to get cap space.

Philly's situation is very specific though. They have an MVP caliber player, which is always going to be a bargain deal given how max contracts work. OG will probably be making a few million less than Embiid next year while giving like 25% of the impact.

They also have Tyrese Maxey on a very small cap hold relative to the caliber player getting his max deal in the offseason at the same time as they're getting off of Tobias, and a bunch of filler on the roster. For all of that to line up they needed Maxey to become this player that no one saw coming, and have his rookie deal expiring at the exact right moment. And of course they need an MVP.

A lot of stars have to align for something like that. Golden State had it happen largely because of Steph's ankle injury suppressing his value when he signed his extension. Otherwise it's very rare.

[Uncle Mxy]

Everyone, raise your hands if you want to be overpaid by the Pistons, versus some other team.

<crickets>

[bstein14]

Yeah, I’m not sure why any fan would believe we’d have a chance to get OG or Siakam in free agency.

The Sixers proved that you don’t have to bottom out to get cap space.

Philly's situation is very specific though. They have an MVP caliber player, which is always going to be a bargain deal given how max contracts work. OG will probably be making a few million less than Embiid next year while giving like 25% of the impact.

They also have Tyrese Maxey on a very small cap hold relative to the caliber player getting his max deal in the offseason at the same time as they're getting off of Tobias, and a bunch of filler on the roster. For all of that to line up they needed Maxey to become this player that no one saw coming, and have his rookie deal expiring at the exact right moment. And of course they need an MVP.

A lot of stars have to align for something like that. Golden State had it happen largely because of Steph's ankle injury suppressing his value when he signed his extension. Otherwise it's very rare.

100% Philly upset Harden and Harris because they wanted to keep two max salary slots open to add to Embiid + Maxey this summer... because they waited on resigning Maxey he'll have a lower cap hold and then they can go over the cap to max him after they sign two other max guys. Nurse was hired in Philly and I'm 70+% certain that the OG + Siakam duo end up just both signing in Philly to create a big four with Maxey and Embiid.

We will likely wind up with something like:

Harris + Bridges + Monk + top 4 pick for our four additions to our roster.

C:Duren / Bagley
F:Bridges / Stew
F:Harris / Ausar
G:Monk / Ivey
G:Cade / Top 4 pick

[SuperBad]

You talk big, nothing comes about at a good price, it allows them to continue on there plan of filling the team 1-15 with mostly prospects, to eventually move for something bigger while continuing to add and develop more prospects around Cunningham and Duran.

[TPA]

I don't see why this team can't be a couple of good "fit" guys away from being a playoff team. Guys around the league see that Detroit has some pieces. If they choose to take our money, which we have, and want to be a part of an ascending team with playoff aspirations, I think you could do a lot worse than Detroit. If a team has the bones, it takes one good player joining on to signal to others that something good is brewing.

Call me optimistic, but I don't think it's all doom and gloom for this franchise. A lot of us said it before this season, that the FO needed to see what this team had up until this trade deadline, to see how the pieces fit. They took fliers on expiring contracts and left the financial flexibility on the table. I don't think that ANYONE foresaw it would be this bad, but the flexibility is still there, and we DO (despite what some people want to believe) have some good players to build around. It's time for the organization to capitalize on its strategy, and redeem itself.

[vege]

I would like for us to get Derrick Jones Jr.

He's atlhetic, a passable shooter and an excellent defender and he is also a fine offensive player. He shouldn't cost much more than the MLE and he is still 26yo.

Quentin Grimes is a guy I would love for us to trade for. He's also a solid young and cheap 2 way player.

If we add Tobias + DJJr + Grimes, bring a healthy Monte Morris back and a top 5 pick we could be fine next season.

[Billl]

I'm expecting us to trade for some overpaid but servicable guy(s) before the season is out. Or at least some decent young guy set for a big payday. We really don't have much of a shot at signing any bigger name guys in free agency. And even if we did, we would be overpaying pretty massively to attract them.

[Cowology]

Yeah, I’m not sure why any fan would believe we’d have a chance to get OG or Siakam in free agency.

The Sixers proved that you don’t have to bottom out to get cap space.

Philly's situation is very specific though. They have an MVP caliber player, which is always going to be a bargain deal given how max contracts work. OG will probably be making a few million less than Embiid next year while giving like 25% of the impact.

They also have Tyrese Maxey on a very small cap hold relative to the caliber player getting his max deal in the offseason at the same time as they're getting off of Tobias, and a bunch of filler on the roster. For all of that to line up they needed Maxey to become this player that no one saw coming, and have his rookie deal expiring at the exact right moment. And of course they need an MVP.

A lot of stars have to align for something like that. Golden State had it happen largely because of Steph's ankle injury suppressing his value when he signed his extension. Otherwise it's very rare.

100% Philly upset Harden and Harris because they wanted to keep two max salary slots open to add to Embiid + Maxey this summer... because they waited on resigning Maxey he'll have a lower cap hold and then they can go over the cap to max him after they sign two other max guys. Nurse was hired in Philly and I'm 70+% certain that the OG + Siakam duo end up just both signing in Philly to create a big four with Maxey and Embiid.

Isn't that what the 2nd Apron is designed to prevent?

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nba-second-apron-explained-salary-cap-team-spending/efo6htjzzmzrswoncvvlbmhi