2014 Official FA Thread 2

[bwgood77]

Hayward is not getting a max contract and neither is Bledsoe. So far the only contract that seems a bit out of line is Bradley at 4 years $32M meaning he will start at about $7.5M/yr with 7.5% raises. That's about $1-1.5 M/yr too much.

I hope you are right. Although I can see someone like LA throw a massive (close to max) deal at Bledsoe once they have struck out on the premier FA's like Lebron, Melo and the like. They need someone exciting to energize the team again and Bledsoe is the best and most exciting PG available.

Word from all Lakers sources is they do not want any long term deals and want a clean cap sheet for 2016 when Durant is free agent. They want to sign 2 year guys to play these last two Kobe years and start over. Of course that's a lot of speculation, but mostly from people who are closest to Lakers.

I think it's possible they do it, but I think they may be hesitant.

[thamadkant]

I am not a big LeBron optimist, but as you see things playing out, it is beginning to look more and more like there will only be two teams where LeBron would want to play that can fit Lebron into a max salary slot. Those would be Phoenix and Miami. When you look at each team going forward and assume they sign their own free agents to the extent that they can and compare the situations, PHX is very competitive.

The Suns have the cap space to sign LeBron to a max deal, sign Bledsoe and Frye and still sign Tucker (if they want to). They would not have a mid level exception as they are under the cap right now, but neither would Miami. The Suns would sill have some cap space for further roster improvement and would have assets in terms of players and draft choices to adjust the roster as needed. The Suns would be a young athletic team with three excellent players (LBJ, Bledsoe and Dragic) as well as high level role players ( Frye, Morris Twins, Plumlee and Green) and developing players who would be instantly better with a great passer like LBJ (Len and Goodwin). In Miami he'd have a declining Wade, Bosh, Cole, and Napier and whatever else Riley can scrape together.

This is not a look back but a look forward and I think he and his agent know which situation is better going forward.

A lot of posters here have speculated that much since FA began.

A quick glance to all Lebron suitors... And it's clear Suns is the team that can surround Lebron with best depth and his max salary.

The biggest and only obstacle is Lebron's willingness to rough it out with Western Conference teams...

[jcsunsfan]

I am not a big LeBron optimist, but as you see things playing out, it is beginning to look more and more like there will only be two teams where LeBron would want to play that can fit Lebron into a max salary slot. Those would be Phoenix and Miami. When you look at each team going forward and assume they sign their own free agents to the extent that they can and compare the situations, PHX is very competitive.

The Suns have the cap space to sign LeBron to a max deal, sign Bledsoe and Frye and still sign Tucker (if they want to). They would not have a mid level exception as they are under the cap right now, but neither would Miami. The Suns would sill have some cap space for further roster improvement and would have assets in terms of players and draft choices to adjust the roster as needed. The Suns would be a young athletic team with three excellent players (LBJ, Bledsoe and Dragic) as well as high level role players ( Frye, Morris Twins, Plumlee and Green) and developing players who would be instantly better with a great passer like LBJ (Len and Goodwin). In Miami he'd have a declining Wade, Bosh, Cole, and Napier and whatever else Riley can scrape together.

This is not a look back but a look forward and I think he and his agent know which situation is better going forward.

A lot of posters here have speculated that much since FA began.

A quick glance to all Lebron suitors... And it's clear Suns is the team that can surround Lebron with best depth and his max salary.

The biggest and only obstacle is Lebron's willingness to rough it out with Western Conference teams...

Yep. The Conference is the only issue. But if I was LeBron, that could not be the deciding factor. You still have to play the Spurs and the Thunder at some point anyway. The Spurs were in the WC and won it all.

Its just logic. LeBron's agent understands all this perfectly.

[lilfishi22]

Word from all Lakers sources is they do not want any long term deals and want a clean cap sheet for 2016 when Durant is free agent. They want to sign 2 year guys to play these last two Kobe years and start over. Of course that's a lot of speculation, but mostly from people who are closest to Lakers.

I think it's possible they do it, but I think they may be hesitant.

LA's problem is they want cap space for the next round of free agents - Love, Durant, Westbrook etc. Some of them might be available next year (Love). I do not think they are keen on spending a ton on Bledsoe or any other free agent this year not named LeBron or Melo - and I really think they are targeting Melo, which is close to Kobe. LeBron not so much.

Kobe's massive deal runs out just when Durant hits FA. Assuming no extension or he signs for much less (or retire), they'll have more than enough for Durant and another max FA. THey definitely can't go into free agency in 2016 with just cap space. Well maybe they could because it's LA but they would present a much stronger case if they had a Bledsoe.

[JDLAW]

I am not a big LeBron optimist, but as you see things playing out, it is beginning to look more and more like there will only be two teams where LeBron would want to play that can fit Lebron into a max salary slot. Those would be Phoenix and Miami. When you look at each team going forward and assume they sign their own free agents to the extent that they can and compare the situations, PHX is very competitive.

The Suns have the cap space to sign LeBron to a max deal, sign Bledsoe and Frye and still sign Tucker (if they want to). They would not have a mid level exception as they are under the cap right now, but neither would Miami. The Suns would sill have some cap space for further roster improvement and would have assets in terms of players and draft choices to adjust the roster as needed. The Suns would be a young athletic team with three excellent players (LBJ, Bledsoe and Dragic) as well as high level role players ( Frye, Morris Twins, Plumlee and Green) and developing players who would be instantly better with a great passer like LBJ (Len and Goodwin). In Miami he'd have a declining Wade, Bosh, Cole, and Napier and whatever else Riley can scrape together.

This is not a look back but a look forward and I think he and his agent know which situation is better going forward.

A lot of posters here have speculated that much since FA began.

A quick glance to all Lebron suitors... And it's clear Suns is the team that can surround Lebron with best depth and his max salary.

The biggest and only obstacle is Lebron's willingness to rough it out with Western Conference teams...

Why would he, as a small forward, have a problem in the Western Conference? Who is is competition? Batum Leonard, Gay…? Are you saying he's afraid of these players?

[JJ13]

I am not a big LeBron optimist, but as you see things playing out, it is beginning to look more and more like there will only be two teams where LeBron would want to play that can fit Lebron into a max salary slot. Those would be Phoenix and Miami. When you look at each team going forward and assume they sign their own free agents to the extent that they can and compare the situations, PHX is very competitive.

The Suns have the cap space to sign LeBron to a max deal, sign Bledsoe and Frye and still sign Tucker (if they want to). They would not have a mid level exception as they are under the cap right now, but neither would Miami. The Suns would sill have some cap space for further roster improvement and would have assets in terms of players and draft choices to adjust the roster as needed. The Suns would be a young athletic team with three excellent players (LBJ, Bledsoe and Dragic) as well as high level role players ( Frye, Morris Twins, Plumlee and Green) and developing players who would be instantly better with a great passer like LBJ (Len and Goodwin). In Miami he'd have a declining Wade, Bosh, Cole, and Napier and whatever else Riley can scrape together.

This is not a look back but a look forward and I think he and his agent know which situation is better going forward.

A lot of posters here have speculated that much since FA began.

A quick glance to all Lebron suitors... And it's clear Suns is the team that can surround Lebron with best depth and his max salary.

The biggest and only obstacle is Lebron's willingness to rough it out with Western Conference teams...

Why would he, as a small forward, have a problem in the Western Conference? Who is is competition? Batum Leonard, Gay…? Are you saying he's afraid of these players?

It's pretty clear he's referring to the much superior western conference. Arguing with that is just arguing for the sake of arguing.

[Barkley6]

I am not a big LeBron optimist, but as you see things playing out, it is beginning to look more and more like there will only be two teams where LeBron would want to play that can fit Lebron into a max salary slot. Those would be Phoenix and Miami. When you look at each team going forward and assume they sign their own free agents to the extent that they can and compare the situations, PHX is very competitive.

The Suns have the cap space to sign LeBron to a max deal, sign Bledsoe and Frye and still sign Tucker (if they want to). They would not have a mid level exception as they are under the cap right now, but neither would Miami. The Suns would sill have some cap space for further roster improvement and would have assets in terms of players and draft choices to adjust the roster as needed. The Suns would be a young athletic team with three excellent players (LBJ, Bledsoe and Dragic) as well as high level role players ( Frye, Morris Twins, Plumlee and Green) and developing players who would be instantly better with a great passer like LBJ (Len and Goodwin). In Miami he'd have a declining Wade, Bosh, Cole, and Napier and whatever else Riley can scrape together.

This is not a look back but a look forward and I think he and his agent know which situation is better going forward.

A lot of posters here have speculated that much since FA began.

A quick glance to all Lebron suitors... And it's clear Suns is the team that can surround Lebron with best depth and his max salary.

The biggest and only obstacle is Lebron's willingness to rough it out with Western Conference teams...

Why would he, as a small forward, have a problem in the Western Conference? Who is is competition? Batum Leonard, Gay…? Are you saying he's afraid of these players?

It's not his direct competition, (you did leave out Kahwi Leonard who was a terror in the Finals), but the fact that in the East he has an easier road through Indiana and Chicago than in the West where he'd have to go through the Clips, Rockets, Spurs and Thunder, not to mention other strong teams like Dallas and Golden State.

[JDLAW]

Word from all Lakers sources is they do not want any long term deals and want a clean cap sheet for 2016 when Durant is free agent. They want to sign 2 year guys to play these last two Kobe years and start over. Of course that's a lot of speculation, but mostly from people who are closest to Lakers.

I think it's possible they do it, but I think they may be hesitant.

LA's problem is they want cap space for the next round of free agents - Love, Durant, Westbrook etc. Some of them might be available next year (Love). I do not think they are keen on spending a ton on Bledsoe or any other free agent this year not named LeBron or Melo - and I really think they are targeting Melo, which is close to Kobe. LeBron not so much.

Kobe's massive deal runs out just when Durant hits FA. Assuming no extension or he signs for much less (or retire), they'll have more than enough for Durant and another max FA. THey definitely can't go into free agency in 2016 with just cap space. Well maybe they could because it's LA but they would present a much stronger case if they had a Bledsoe.

The Lakers need to decide on a course to pursue and do so. Chasing RFAs who are likely to be matched (Suns will not let Bledsoe go to the Lakers for nothing) is futile. My observation is that the Lakers have very little to sell to a free agent right now except their heritage and Los Angles itself. They are clearly in a rebuilding state and right now they are sitting around and waiting for Carmelo.

The team is so devoid of talent, adding a Bledsoe at a max salary is not going to make the Lakers attractive to the Durant's of the world. I am not sure Bledsoe would want to play for the Lakers in their current state. They need to assemble a team with a direction as opposed to vagabond players playing on 1-2 year contracts built around Kobe.

I believe there is a power struggle going on in the Laker organization between Jimmy and Jeanie Buss and both are being pulled on by Kobe who is like Brett Farve in his dying days with the Packers and Nash in his last days with the Suns. Kobe wants to win now and no one is crossing him in that organization. He was largely responsible for the firing of D'Antoni and the departure of Howard.

[JDLAW]

A lot of posters here have speculated that much since FA began.

A quick glance to all Lebron suitors... And it's clear Suns is the team that can surround Lebron with best depth and his max salary.

The biggest and only obstacle is Lebron's willingness to rough it out with Western Conference teams...

Why would he, as a small forward, have a problem in the Western Conference? Who is is competition? Batum Leonard, Gay…? Are you saying he's afraid of these players?

It's pretty clear he's referring to the much superior western conference. Arguing with that is just arguing for the sake of arguing.

Another inane comment from you. Maybe you'd like to instruct me on how to respond?

I know what he is referring to. The point remains the same. He is without peer at the small forward spot in the WC. I have a hard time believing LeBorn is afraid of anything on the basketball court and have a hard time believing he would not believe he could elevate the Suns to one of the top teams in the West. When Jordan played the East was considered stronger than the west. He did not shy away from the competition for an easier path.

[JDLAW]

A lot of posters here have speculated that much since FA began.

A quick glance to all Lebron suitors... And it's clear Suns is the team that can surround Lebron with best depth and his max salary.

The biggest and only obstacle is Lebron's willingness to rough it out with Western Conference teams...

Why would he, as a small forward, have a problem in the Western Conference? Who is is competition? Batum Leonard, Gay…? Are you saying he's afraid of these players?

It's not his direct competition, (you did leave out Kahwi Leonard who was a terror in the Finals), but the fact that in the East he has an easier road through Indiana and Chicago than in the West where he'd have to go through the Clips, Rockets, Spurs and Thunder, not to mention other strong teams like Dallas and Golden State.

I did not leave him out.

[Son of Ra]

I think one underestimated factor is that Bledsoe has the same agent as James. We talked contract with Bledsoe already supposedly and there is no way we didn't talk about James with the agent. So I am sure it's in the agents interest to sell LeBron on the Suns in order to have us sign Bledsoe to a max in return.

[Barkley6]

I think one underestimated factor is that Bledsoe has the same agent as James. We talked contract with Bledsoe already supposedly and there is no way we didn't talk about James with the agent. So I am sure it's in the agents interest to sell LeBron on the Suns in order to have us sign Bledsoe to a max in return.

That's a little collusion-esque. Not sure we'd have that type of arrangement, or whether such an arrangement would be legal. As of now the market sets the price on both players. Yes, the fact they have the same agent is an advantage in that he knows what Phoenix's plans are and has a relationship with McD and Babby already, but at this point those conversations are separate I'd have to think.

[Qwigglez]

So Wade and Bosh might stay in Miami. 14mil a year for Wade, and 15mil starting off for Bosh. Then they get Luol Deng for 12mil.

Even if we just add Lebron to our team, it's still pretty scary. I'd like to keep Frye if any other big name free agents don't wanna join him. I wonder if Pau would like to play with that roster, at maybe 30mil/3years. I really don't want to see him going to the Spurs, but I said during the playoffs that I could see them making a run at him.

Is this a feasible lineup?
Dragic/Ennis
Bledsoe/Goodwin
Lebron/Green/Warren/Marcus
Frye/Kieff
Pau/Plumlee/Len

[lilfishi22]

The Lakers need to decide on a course to pursue and do so. Chasing RFAs who are likely to be matched (Suns will not let Bledsoe go to the Lakers for nothing) is futile. My observation is that the Lakers have very little to sell to a free agent right now except their heritage and Los Angles itself. They are clearly in a rebuilding state and right now they are sitting around and waiting for Carmelo.

The team is so devoid of talent, adding a Bledsoe at a max salary is not going to make the Lakers attractive to the Durant's of the world. I am not sure Bledsoe would want to play for the Lakers in their current state. They need to assemble a team with a direction as opposed to vagabond players playing on 1-2 year contracts built around Kobe.

I believe there is a power struggle going on in the Laker organization between Jimmy and Jeanie Buss and both are being pulled on by Kobe who is like Brett Farve in his dying days with the Packers and Nash in his last days with the Suns. Kobe wants to win now and no one is crossing him in that organization. He was largely responsible for the firing of D'Antoni and the departure of Howard.

It won't make them a competitive team but with Kobe done in a couple of seasons, they need at least one good player . You can't show up for dinner with Durant and hope to recruit him with a postcard of LA and a max offer. It's not gonna get it done. I'm not saying they would secure Bledsoe with a max offer, but I'd imagine at the very least, they send out an offer just to show Kobe they aren't just sitting on their hands waiting for Kobe to retire.

[bwgood77]

I've always thought that being in the WC might give him a better idea of how to beat teams in the Western Conf like the Spurs. Miami actually had a better record against the west than the east this season. But besides that, the Suns played well against the Spurs and hopefully he knows that. But being able to play them and learn their tendencies is pretty valuable for a smart player like LeBron.

The only thing is bringing another star like Melo in. If we were to bring in another star and jettison our depth, that puts us in a position like Miami is in. Luckily the luxury tax is expected to jump to about $77 million which helps, but we have to make sure to stay under the cap to sign guys. I'd rather keep as many assets as possible, and then make a play for Love later if possible. At that point we would have all of our players.

If we were leading the west and playing well, we might not need to, but if we needed a little more rebounding and to upgrade our frontcourt, we'd have the assets to do that. Love wouldn't have to be our best player, but he could provide rebounding and still spread the floor. We could then trade the twins along with future firsts which likely wouldn't be as valuable. Obviously the Lakers pick is valuable, but if we could keep our guards and put Love at PF, along with Plumlee that would be ideal.

If we have Frye, that is a nice backup at either frontcourt position and if Len develops, that only helps more. With Lavine, Shabazz, etc, they might not want Goodwin either, who probably is under the radar with most teams. My guess is they'd want players that could play immediately and picks. They already have their own young players.

It would be nice to have a core for now and young guys to contribute, with Frye and Green off the bench, and then Goodwin, Len, Ennis and Warren developing.

[Barkley6]

So Wade and Bosh might stay in Miami. 14mil a year for Wade, and 15mil starting off for Bosh. Then they get Luol Deng for 12mil.

Even if we just add Lebron to our team, it's still pretty scary. I'd like to keep Frye if any other big name free agents don't wanna join him. I wonder if Pau would like to play with that roster, at maybe 30mil/3years. I really don't want to see him going to the Spurs, but I said during the playoffs that I could see them making a run at him.

Is this a feasible lineup?
Dragic/Ennis
Bledsoe/Goodwin
Lebron/Green/Warren/Marcus
Frye/Kieff
Pau/Plumlee/Len

If that's the case, the Suns would still have aprox. 7-10m to spend depending on how much you brought Frye back for. Doubt they leave that much room open, there are GOOD players to be had for that much, so in theory that team, while a championship contender already could still add another quality rotation player.

[bwgood77]

So Wade and Bosh might stay in Miami. 14mil a year for Wade, and 15mil starting off for Bosh. Then they get Luol Deng for 12mil.

Even if we just add Lebron to our team, it's still pretty scary. I'd like to keep Frye if any other big name free agents don't wanna join him. I wonder if Pau would like to play with that roster, at maybe 30mil/3years. I really don't want to see him going to the Spurs, but I said during the playoffs that I could see them making a run at him.

Is this a feasible lineup?
Dragic/Ennis
Bledsoe/Goodwin
Lebron/Green/Warren/Marcus
Frye/Kieff
Pau/Plumlee/Len

If they sign Deng and those players at those numbers, they would have to dump Cole, and Shabazz would have to start. Would they even have a bench? All minimum guys? Do the minimum guys putting you over the cap make the MLE available? I thought they could use that, but I saw JDLAW says they wouldn't have it, and maybe you don't get it if you start the summer under the cap. If they don't have that, their depth will be extremely weak. And I forgot about Haslem. He'd HAVE to take the minimum. Otherwise I don't think it works. Those salaries add up to about 62 million and then probably one million or a little less for Napier.

[letsgosuns]

Lebron starting to look at other suitors besides Miami now. http://msn.foxsports.com/ohio/story/sou ... ors-070214

[Qwigglez]

So Wade and Bosh might stay in Miami. 14mil a year for Wade, and 15mil starting off for Bosh. Then they get Luol Deng for 12mil.

Even if we just add Lebron to our team, it's still pretty scary. I'd like to keep Frye if any other big name free agents don't wanna join him. I wonder if Pau would like to play with that roster, at maybe 30mil/3years. I really don't want to see him going to the Spurs, but I said during the playoffs that I could see them making a run at him.

Is this a feasible lineup?
Dragic/Ennis
Bledsoe/Goodwin
Lebron/Green/Warren/Marcus
Frye/Kieff
Pau/Plumlee/Len

If that's the case, the Suns would still have aprox. 7-10m to spend depending on how much you brought Frye back for. Doubt they leave that much room open, there are GOOD players to be had for that much, so in theory that team, while a championship contender already could still add another quality rotation player.

Lol. Suns wouldn't have room for another role player.

Actually, we could put Ray Allen in there so our back court on our bench isn't so inexperienced.

[matt131]

Lebron starting to look at other suitors besides Miami now. http://msn.foxsports.com/ohio/story/sou ... ors-070214

As he should be. I just hope his 'list of suitors' is one team long