1) I'm checking on Claxton before I call Goga in (or after Goga gets a quick offer for $14m+). If Claxton will sign for $15-18 x 3 or 4, we grab him quick. I still keep Goga on the hook with a modest raise but do not entertain a bidding war. I'm growing increasingly intrigued by Mo's play at C, so he's my backup. Once I get Claxton (or Goga) signed, I'm getting serious about moving WCJ - but that's another thread. We'll need a 3rd C, but I'll save that for last, once I've got my main guy. If I have early solid talks with Claxton, I'm probably getting really busy on the trade front with WCJ, because that could be the likelier way to upgrade than just UFA's with our limited remaining spending money.
I'd say it's very unlikely that our FO, even with appx $42 to spend...would spend more than, say $30m (if that) with the pending rookie extensions on their mind...unless they traded existing guys, like WCJ, away. Just from a financial standpoint...they are VERY careful - for better or worse. No way do they just "let it rain" in the FA market (exception...2 year deals for vets with the second a team option-which is great for our situation and seems to be their favorite).
Going on the assumption that Suggs and Black and the rest of the backcourt have shown just moderate improvement with their offense, I'm always looking for shooting and playmaking.
Monk seems like a great fit and might feel he's ready for a starting spot, but it'll take some bucks to get him away from SAC. SAC is kind of limited in what they can pay him (4yr $78m), but it's still a lot and he's been great for them. He was pretty sloppy early in his career, so I'm not feeling super sure about a $20m per deal for him, despite his recent performance. Love to have him but concerns.
Hield $24, Beasley $15, GTJ $17, Kennard $15, Evan Fournier $18, McBuckets $14 (present salaries) are all likely to take pay cuts as UFAs who don't play defense at a high (or in some cases, any) level. Honestly, I'd love any for a bargain, but I don't know how well they'd fit. My favorite scenario is to get one cheap at the TD for a try-out until the end of the year. I don't know if Mosely values these kinds of guys.
Realistically, I'm looking for vet 3&D bargains for shooters. I've locked up Suggs, Franz, Paolo, and Claxton in my starting lineup, so I'm likelier to go bigger in a trade for another starting guard (Brogdon, Simons, Huerter, etc) who is under contract. So, I'm now just looking for depth and shooting at multiple spots. Some names and their present salaries...
Guys that fill a couple of needs: Tyus Jones 14.5 Kelly Olynyk $12 Kyle Anderson $9 Monte Morris $9
Vet Shooters/3&D: Royce O'Neale 9 Grayson Allen 9m - we'd have to overpay, I think. Robert Covington 12
Alec Burks 10m KCP $15 (PO)-not happening Saddiq Bey $5 - getting a raise
*any of these guys on a 1/1 deal under $10 would be great role players (or bigger roles than present)
Late 3rd stringers that know how to play and would fit (vet mins?)...
Kris Dunn/PG $2m Miles Plumlee/C $5m Cam Payne/PG $3m
"Shocking Discounts-I want to retire in FL" 1/1 deals, deep discounts for wealthy vets that could actually have big roles...
Gordon Hayward currently 30m Mike Conley currently 23m James Wiseman currently 10m, 22yo
Wild Cards:
Miles Bridges, presently $8m, big talent but... What the hell happened to Bouknight? $4.5
So, mine is: Claxton $16m x 4, Kyle Anderson $10 1/1, Wiseman $2m 1/1 (Trade WCJ for Brogdon or add for Simons)...again, I'm trying to be realistic - these are not the best players in the NBA, just prudent fits/risks. As I worked through this, I really didn't see any Lead Guards I'd want to throw significant free agent money at...even though that's priority #1. IQ would have been the one, but TOR will not let him go, like NYK might have had to.
Claxton, M. Wagner, Wiseman
Paolo, Anderson,
Franz, Ingles, Houstan
Suggs, Cole, Jett
Brogdon, Black, Dunn
Alright, have at it...
