Mad (Max) Money: Who do YOU want?

[ecuhus1981]

Ok, the dust has settled from the 2024 NBA offseason, and many of the names our front office had earmarked for the 2025 free agency have re-upped with their current teams. The available 2025 free agents who may garner a max contract are as follows (age on July 1st, 2025):

Jimmy Butler (35) - the best right-now player of this FA crop, although I doubt it will remain true this time next year. Injuries have limited his availability, but he's a locker room leader and has the clutch gene.

Kyrie Irving (33) - Pound for pound, the most gifted player in the planet. I wish he would want to return, but I don't blame him for shutting the door on any hope of a reunion. He's got a great gig with Dallas, I doubt they fumble the bag.

Rudy Gobert (33) - a true elite defensive difference maker, although his limitations are becoming more schemable each season. Even if Minny let him walk, he duplicates the skill set of many of our young bigs.

Fred Van Vleet (31) - the diminutive fireplug might get squeezed out of Houston's payroll, but he's still effective at organizing an offense (even though his own shooting is streaky). He's also a legit very good defender.

Julius Randle (30) - could we poach a wantaway star from a cross town rival? If so, he has shown he can thrive as a lead scoring option. However, in high pressure moments, that offensive prowess tends to... wane.

Aaron Gordon (29) - a key role player in the Nuggets title run, he might seek more than they are willing to spend. If so, he's a bouncy athlete and versatile defender. But is he worth it? High motor dudes tend to fall off quickly (see: Wallace, Gerald).

Brandon Ingram (27) - in theory, he's exactly what rebuilding teams want to lure in free agency: a currently disgruntled but immensely talented player in his prime. He loves being on the ball, and his low off-ball efficiency proves it. I have a funny feeling he puts it all together in a new environment.



So, if you as GM and owner could choose to grab one max player next summer with our maximum capspace, who would it be?

[Papi_swav]

none of these guys eww I'll pass

[ecuhus1981]

none of these guys eww I'll pass

What would you do with maximum capspace then? Split it between multiple guys?

[JKiddy]

I would also pass. Ingram is not worth the money at all. He is not even half a KD at this point.

[bubonicphoniks]

Only guy I really like is Randle but that wouldn't make any sense for either side.

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[Stone]

Personally I think Jimmy Butler is the best player on that list. I know he doesn't fit our so called time line, so it really comes down to the length of the contract. He has a player option in 25-26 for 52 million. Maybe throw a 3 year 100 Mil at him and he will bite?

I have heard he is really good locker room guy and provides true veteran leadership and that is valuable. I am not sure if he would clash with Jordy, like he did with Spo at times. We have all seen people who mean well cross the line. So there would have to be some concrete barriers in place.

[TheNetsFan]

Ingram is the only one on the list that makes sense. I don't think he's worth a full max, and neither do the Pelicans, but he's the right age and type of bridge player to help lighten the load on a young, highly drafted rookie. You don't draft a player as high as we're expecting to be, in a draft class as highly touted as this is to go into the '25-'26 season with tanking expectations that yield bad development & bad habits.

More likely, we'll be active in the trade market with our cap space, targeting underachieving teams with enormous tax bills.

[Netaman]

none of the above?

if one of them (fvv?) is willing to take a big 1 year deal i'll do that but i dont think next year's free agency is going to be our salvation.

there may be some decent RFA's squeezed next year depending on how things play out. jalen suggs/jonathan kuminga types. im not sure either is worth the max, which is why an aggressive offer could perhaps get them.

[Karate Diop]

I'd probably opt to use the cap space for more picks / prospects in a trade...

[Eyeamok]

If he plays well and you don't trade him. What about your own free agent Ben Simmons ?

[Shark]

If he plays well and you don't trade him. What about your own free agent Ben Simmons ?

Depends on what plays well is. If he shows he can be a role player, eh. I think we'd let him walk. If he actually elevates the team though? I think Marks would at least give it some thought. Although if Ben raises his stock enough I feel like he'd trade him in season. But I'm not holding my breath over Ben's future with us.

[Rastas]

If Ben gets back to his old self then he will probably elevate Cam T to almost a max extension and in doing so kill the Tank most on here are hoping for , can't wait to see what happens!