Most Appealing FA Haul

[ecuhus1981]

Assuming we amnesty Travis Outlaw and waive Stephen Graham this offseason, we should have $24 - $26mil in capspace, depending on where the new salary cap falls. We have three main needs IMO: long-range shooting, rebounding and defense. With Williams and Lopez firmly entrenched as our franchise cornerstones, and Morrow and Brooks *looking* capable of splitting SG duty, the two real spots where we can address our deficiencies are at SF and PF.

Now, $26mil sounds like enough to cure what ails us, but I think we'll need to be judicious with how we spend it. IMO, We can afford A) one elite FA, B) a starting-caliber but non-elite guy, and C) a rotation player. So, what would you do? I offer you some combinations that I think would work well I'll let you decide which you think. They are grouped into categories of A, B and C level FAs. I've done my best to make them feasible, fair in comparison to each other, and to address all of our needs within each group.

BTW, I have excluded players nearing the end of their career. Grizzled vets like Grant Hill and Shane Battier will be looking for established contenders who are one piece away from a ring, and our FO has put an emphasis on signing young in FA.

OPTION 1: Nene, Tayshaun Prince, Luc-Richard Mbah a Moute
OPTION 2: Thaddeus Young, Kris Humphries, Josh Howard
OPTION 3: Jeff Green, DeAndre Jordan, James Jones
OPTION 4: David West, Caron Butler, Shawne Williams
OPTION 5: Jason Richardson, Andrei Kirilenko, Reggie Evans

[Netaman]

1 and it's not even close.

[Jersey Generals]

When Jason Richardson, AK-47, and Reggie Evans are the second best option, you know the team is in for a long signing-season.

[ecuhus1981]

Yes, 1) has two of the most talked-about FAs on our FO's wish list. And I think that LRMAM would be a great 3rd pickup (Josh McRoberts would also complement that duo nicely). They would all add quality team defense, and each are efficient scorers and plus-rebounders. But I find option 3, Green/Jordan/Jones, to be an intriguing contrast. After all, the mean age of 3) would allow them to grow with our core throughout the length of their contracts. While Tay and Nene aren't old at 31 and 29, they will do nothing but decline over the course of their contracts. If their contracts are growing, while their production is shrinking, they could become onerous deals in the new CBA.

I'm not high on Green (pun INtended!), but he does have winning experience, and untapped potential as a starting SF. Ainge would really look bad if he traded Perk and then lost what he gained in the trade via FA. But after failing to gel with the Big Three, I'm not sure they would match an 8-figure/year offer (I actually see them going harder for Prince). 6 years and 20lbs of muscle also favor Jeff over Prince; in the EC playoffs, we'll need someone who can match up physically with James, Melo Pierce and Granger.

It's a similar situation for Jordan; he is not as polished as Nene, but he is arguably a better fit for 30mpg alongside Brook (better weakside defense and rebounding). He's also 7 years younger than Nene, and arguably is ahead of where the Brazilian was at that age. No health red flags, either...

Lastly, I hesitate to even raise this issue, but the "elephant in the room" of this conversation is Dwight Howard. If he exercises his ETO next summer, the Magic would still have leverage to orchestrate an S&T. If YOU were in ORL GM Otis Smith's position, which duo would you prefer to gain in a rebuilding return package for Howard: 30yo Nene + 32yo Prince, or 23yo Jordan and 26yo Green? 3) would at least leave the Superman option open, while I think 1) completely takes us out of it. My $.02.

[ecuhus1981]

I want to add one more ingredient to the mix: Wilson Chandler. He signed a 1-year deal in China; that means he cannot leave until the end of their season, in March. If the NBA season doesn't start until January, I hope we wait a couple more months for Chandler. Him, Jordan and a cheap swingman like Reggie Williams would be the ideal offseason haul, IMO.

[eazy-e jianlian]

Actually something that has been lost in translation with the wave of players who signed in China is that despite not having an opt out clause they can still get out of their contracts and return to the NBA.

All the player has to do is tick off Chinese management / tell them they're not playing for their team anymore and after a semi-protracted battle in which there will be some argument over finances, the player will likely be let go.

It happens all the time in international basketball.

All China's decision really means is that players can't be caught negotiating with NBA teams once they've signed in China, I'm guessing if they were FIBA would be brought in some sort of arbitrator role and they wouldn't look upon that too nicely.

Also this sums up how I feel about a few of the players you've mentioned:

http://www.netsdaily.com/2011/9/13/2423 ... ng-players

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Note on Jeff Green: He has underrated handles.

[ecuhus1981]

^

This is a good point; tampering is a gray area in International basketball, but I have heard about this possibility.

[vincecarter4pres]

Also this sums up how I feel about a few of the players you've mentioned:

http://www.netsdaily.com/2011/9/13/2423 ... ng-players

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Note on Jeff Green: He has underrated handles.

When is that dude, who ever he is, going to update that ****? Zam yo!

BTW, let's calm down on Jeff Green's handles cause of a couple highlight videos of pickup games dunny.

[vincecarter4pres]

I keep reading this as, "Most Appalling FA Haul", and then I think of Jamal Crawford, David West and Dalembert all signed to huge deals.

[eazy-e jianlian]

:afflalol:

I'm not saying that because of the Jeff Green streetball video it's just that Green has always been a small forward, he had no business being a power forward - ever - yet OKC's GM pulled a huge David Kahn with that draft choice (Durant - Green, Rubio - Flynn)...

Green's real "problem" when at SF isn't his handles it's just that he's not exceptionally quick (which is compounded by the fact that he's bulked up quite a bit in order to play PF). He's pretty fast in the open court because of his long strides and he can finish with authority but that ability to explode with the dribble against other wing players just isn't there...

I'd still take Green over Baddeus Young 8 days of the week...

[ecuhus1981]

I wouldn't say that Green has no business at PF; he is a good tweener, but he is more useful at SF, I think. Young is going to get paid like a 2nd option, but he is really more of an elite 6th man. However, I still prefer Chandler over either.

[ecuhus1981]

<bump>

I wanted to revisit this topic, on the eve of free agency. Have opinions changed at all for any of you?

Would everyone still like to get Nene now that his asking price is looking like 4 years, $70mil?

Does Tayshaun Prince still appeal to you, signing a high-mileage 31yo to a big contract for a season highlighted with several back-to-back-to-backs?

And with the recent (albeit expected) news that Deron isn't signing an extension with us right now, does it concern anyone else that there is a distinct possibility that we could be stuck in sub-mediocrity next summer, with cap-clogging 30-somethings and no superstar?

[N Ireland Nets]

Apparently Deron feelshe can take Nene up a few levels and make him elite and has told King to go hard after him.

If Willians thinks that I'll jump on that gravy train. Remember Williams will any player look better than they are because he is a proper pg. I don't feel good giving Nene a max deal but if it keeps Deron sign me up to it.

PS The pick & rolls from Nene & Williams would be straight nasty

[Netaman]

Out of everything in consideration option #1 is still by far the most interesting. I'd love to substitute Afflalo for Prince but it doesn't seem like Afflalo is realistic without a big $ offer - which would likely only be an option if they miss out on the bigs.

It seems that at this point it's us and Houston for both Nene and Chandler. Since Nene is a much better fit with Lopez I think we outbid them and lock him down.

I see no way they don't also address the SF position and Prince makes the most sense there by a long shot with Battier likely to the Heat and Butler likely to the Bulls. As long as Prince has his athleticism he's a great role player.

DWill / Farmar / Gaines
Morrow / Brooks
Prince / James
Nene / Williams
Brook / Petro or trade

Not the most athletic lineup on the planet and still a little weak on the wings, but a very solid and reliable frontline mixed with a great PG should bring a lot of fortune. Also a team tailor made to give the Heat problems.

The next move clearly revolves around Brook Lopez. Does his game take off with less pressure or do they need to trade him for more help on the wings? Can they lure Dwight (or another FA F) to Brooklyn?

[vincecarter4pres]

Still keep reading the thread title as "Most Appalling FA Haul".

[ecuhus1981]

Well, at least Bill Simmons agrees with me. I thought I was the only one beating the Jordan>Nene drum:

"For me, it's no contest — not only would I rather have Gasol or Chandler [i](than Nene)[i/], I'd rather overpay Jordan (at least he's an up-and-comer) for 50 to 60 percent of what Nene will probably cost."

We can make Sterling blink with at most a 4-year, $45mil offer for RFA DeAndre Jordan, I think. He's 6 years younger, about 12 years healthier, he DOES provide what Brook lacks (plus-rebounding, weakside defense, elite shot-blocking), things that Nene can't boast. Furthermore, Jordan DOESN'T double some of Lopez' strengths like Nene, namely low-post scoring and man defense. Younger, cheaper better fit? Yes please.

Nene is going to get a max offer (4 years, $78mil or 5 years, $100mil via S&T) from someone. If not us, Houston. If not Houston, Golden State. Or Indiana. Or Sacramento. Don't forget, Denver hasn't stopped pursuing him, and they might use the fact that can offer Nene a 5-year deal as leverage for a S&T.

CAVEAT: I remember a similar feeling in my gut about Melodrama. RESULT: we drove up the price for our rival, and ended up with a better player at a more critical position for the same package. ***Hopefully***, this relentless Nene hunt is all a big ruse, to make someone like Houston or Indiana step in and make a BIG pre-emptive strike to land him. I just can't believe Deron would say, "I'll only re-sign if Nene is here. DeAndre Jordan isn't good enough of an acquisition to convince me to stay".

Please be a diversionary tactic, please be a diversionary tactic!

[jeff1624]

I like Simmons and I usually read his stuff, but this just might be his worst article ever. He actually said that 55 mil over 4 years is a good deal for Chandler. Chandler isn't worth 14 mil a season. That's best to second best player on your team type money, and I'm sorry, but if Chandler is your second best player your team sucks ass.

Marc gasol - five years, $78 million (properly paid) is another head-scratcher.

[stephGRAHAMbury]

I like Simmons

I read this as "I like Bobby Simmons" and stopped reading the rest of your post

[ecuhus1981]

Chandler isn't worth 14 mil a season. That's best to second best player on your team type money, and I'm sorry, but if Chandler is your second best player your team sucks ass.

I'm inclined to agree with you on the money, EVERYONE is going to get overpaid this offseason. But Chandler WAS the 2nd-best player on a team that just won the title.

[vincecarter4pres]

That article was an abortion. It read like a demens post.