Realistic MLE Targets

[ecuhus1981]

Alright, friends, let's get real.

NBA Free Agency is almost here. I know that we have a whole entire offseason thread, but I wanted to ask this specific question, and get an idea of opinions. We have 14 full-time players under contract for next season, assuming we accept Sumner's team option, sign our 1st-rounders and give the QO to Johnson. That's not even counting our recent 2nd-round pick Wilson, though I expect we'll sign him to a 2-way. We might make a consolidating trade or two, but for now, let's assume we only have 1 open roster spot.

We might end up re-signing Yuta, but for now, let's aim a bit higher. Who would you most like to pursue with the taxpayer MLE (starting @ $5mil)?

-- a playmaking PG, like Tre Jones?
-- a defensive SG, like Donte' DiVincenzo?
-- a toolsy SF, like Jalen McDaniels?
-- a scoring PF, like Christian Wood?
-- a vertical threat C, like Mo Bamba?

Keep in mind, our current depth chart looks something like this:

PG - Dinwiddie // Thomas // Mills
SG - Bridges // Harris // Sumner
SF - Johnson // O'Neale // Whitehead
PF - Finney-Smith // Simmons //
C - Claxton // Sharpe // Clowney

Which of these 5 plausible free agents would you add, and why?

[TheNetsFan]

I'll be shocked if we use the MLE. We're deep already, will try to duck the tax, and we're better off preserving future cap space. Unless you are signing someone to a 1 year deal, it's going unused.

[Netaman]

think our use of the MLE depends on Cam Johnson. If he goes to detroit, they are 18m below the luxury tax and have use of full 12m+ MLTE with room to spare. I think in that instance they would offer it to any of Bruce Brown, Grant Williams, Max Strus, or Gabe Vincent hoping to get one of them. In a weird way all of them would possibly be better fits (and certainly better value) at MLE than CJ in the first place.

depending on who they get then they can decide whether or not to keep DFS/Royce. I expect they have a trade for one of those guys up their sleeve if they get Cam J back.

[CalamityX12]

I'd go for Wood

F it

[Netaman]

I'd go for Wood

F it

im good with that - i'd really like them to add a stretch 5.

wood, landale, olynyk, even obi toppin wouldn't be a bad dice roll. vanderbilt if they feel like he can expand his range.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Mo Bama would be a great pickup but not sure hes worth the MLE.

[Papi_swav]

Any of these guys would help but I would like a legit point guard like Tre Jones. Wood would be a solid addition too. I think it's time for Patty Mills, Joe Harris and DFS to go. Hope we can consolidate them or trade them individually and get something of value for them.

[JoseRizal]

Wood would look good next to Clax