Summer 2012 Free Agents Thread - Part II

[zardsfan]

Man, I hope we have an awesome draft because I just don't see a game changer in this years pool of FA's. I hope I am wrong and we have a great draft AND pick-up a quality FA that fills a need also.

[closg00]

Spencer Hawes, another late-blossoming big, he is going to earn a nice raise. Hawes is no Dwight, but he's been carrying that Sixer team of-late.

[Ruzious]

Spencer Hawes, another late-blossoming big, he is going to earn a nice raise. Hawes is no Dwight, but he's been carrying that Sixer team of-late.

Yeah, ever since Hawes missed about 8 straight chip shots in the 1st half of game 3, he's been a man possessed. His agent must have made a deal with the devil.

[fishercob]

BulletsForever has run a nice series entitled "Better Know a Free Agent" that underscores the availability of free agent wing shooters.

Courtney Lee

OJ Mayo

Batum

I think they'll be doing Brandon Rush, Jodie Meeks and several others. We should have some decent CHEAP wing options, which is why I don't think we should give up much in a trade for a guy like Kevin Martin.

[jivelikenice]

The problem with Meeks, Rush, ettc...is that they only provide shooting. You don't get any real ability to create off the dribble. IMO this team needs a guard who can make the open shot, but also has the ability to occasionally break down a D in the half court or at minimum be effective at the pump fake & drive game.

[montestewart]

The problem with Meeks, Rush, ettc...is that they only provide shooting. You don't get any real ability to create off the dribble. IMO this team needs a guard who can make the open shot, but also has the ability to occasionally break down a D in the half court or at minimum be effective at the pump fake & drive game.

Valid point, but the right option might not available, or may be disproportionately priced. Are the Wizards ready to overpay to get a broader game from their SG? Some of these options seem like they aren't necessarily the final answer, but would still give Wall a target, and if something better arrives later, might still have some trade value or serve as a decent reserve wing.

[nate33]

The problem with Meeks, Rush, ettc...is that they only provide shooting. You don't get any real ability to create off the dribble. IMO this team needs a guard who can make the open shot, but also has the ability to occasionally break down a D in the half court or at minimum be effective at the pump fake & drive game.

Valid point, but the right option might not available, or may be disproportionately priced. Are the Wizards ready to overpay to get a broader game from their SG? Some of these options seem like they aren't necessarily the final answer, but would still give Wall a target, and if something better arrives later, might still have some trade value or serve as a decent reserve wing.

Exactly.

Sure, I'd love for a wing who can not only shoot and defend, but also create off the dribble. The problem is, those guys go for $10M+ a year. Given our salary restraints, I think we can do really well just getting a 3&D role player like Rush, Green or Lee, hopefully for less than $5M a year.

[jivelikenice]

I understand the point and I guess a lot will be determined by the draft and if we draft Beal or not. That being said, I'd only consider guys like Meeks, Rush, etc..on one yr deals or cheap multi-year deals. I guess I'm more concerned about over-spending on average than over-spending on the likes of a Batum/ Gordon type. I think are past cap problems were just as much attributed to having a bunch of guys like Deshawn, Songaila, Etan, etc...all tied up on long-term deals that paid close to or slightly below MLE levels...

[nate33]

I understand the point and I guess a lot will be determined by the draft and if we draft Beal or not. That being said, I'd only consider guys like Meeks, Rush, etc..on one yr deals or cheap multi-year deals. I guess I'm more concerned about over-spending on average than over-spending on the likes of a Batum/ Gordon type. I think are past cap problems were just as much attributed to having a bunch of guys like Deshawn, Songaila, Etan, etc...all tied up on long-term deals that paid close to or slightly below MLE levels...

I have no disagreement in principle. Certainly, Songaila, Etan and the post-back-injury Deshawn were overpaid relative to their performance. Etan and Songaila were 15-20 mpg backups. It's a bad idea to spend MLE money on backups who figure to fall between 7th and 10th in the rotation. However, Danny Green or Brandon Rush figure to be 30 mpg starters on our team. Admittedly, they're not top shelf starters, but they're legit starting-caliber players who would probably start on at least half the teams in this league. They would instantly be the best wing players on our roster with the possible exception of our lottery pick (assuming it's Beal/MKG). Typically, 5th starter/6th man type players make MLE money.

I continue to rank Danny Green way ahead of the other 3&D role playing wings. It's one thing to be 25 mpg role player on a bad/mediocre team like Rush and Lee (for Golden State and Houston, respectively). It's another thing to be a 25 mpg role player on the best team in the league (San Antonio).

[Severn Hoos]

I understand the point and I guess a lot will be determined by the draft and if we draft Beal or not. That being said, I'd only consider guys like Meeks, Rush, etc..on one yr deals or cheap multi-year deals. I guess I'm more concerned about over-spending on average than over-spending on the likes of a Batum/ Gordon type. I think are past cap problems were just as much attributed to having a bunch of guys like Deshawn, Songaila, Etan, etc...all tied up on long-term deals that paid close to or slightly below MLE levels...

I have no disagreement in principle. Certainly, Songaila, Etan and the post-back-injury Deshawn were overpaid relative to their performance. Etan and Songaila were 15-20 mpg backups. It's a bad idea to spend MLE money on backups who figure to fall between 7th and 10th in the rotation. However, Danny Green or Brandon Rush figure to be 30 mpg starters on our team. Admittedly, they're not top shelf starters, but they're legit starting-caliber players who would probably start on at least half the teams in this league. They would instantly be the best wing players on our roster with the possible exception of our lottery pick (assuming it's Beal/MKG). Typically, 5th starter/6th man type players make MLE money.

I continue to rank Danny Green way ahead of the other 3&D role playing wings. It's one thing to be 25 mpg role player on a bad/mediocre team like Rush and Lee (for Golden State and Houston, respectively). It's another thing to be a 25 mpg role player on the best team in the league (San Antonio).

I'll only take Rush if Peart and Lifeson come too.



(So how many get that reference? Yes, feeling quite old today. Thanks, ST21... )



Take off...to the Great White North; Take off... it's a beauty way to go......

[jivelikenice]

I understand the point and I guess a lot will be determined by the draft and if we draft Beal or not. That being said, I'd only consider guys like Meeks, Rush, etc..on one yr deals or cheap multi-year deals. I guess I'm more concerned about over-spending on average than over-spending on the likes of a Batum/ Gordon type. I think are past cap problems were just as much attributed to having a bunch of guys like Deshawn, Songaila, Etan, etc...all tied up on long-term deals that paid close to or slightly below MLE levels...

I have no disagreement in principle. Certainly, Songaila, Etan and the post-back-injury Deshawn were overpaid relative to their performance. Etan and Songaila were 15-20 mpg backups. It's a bad idea to spend MLE money on backups who figure to fall between 7th and 10th in the rotation. However, Danny Green or Brandon Rush figure to be 30 mpg starters on our team. Admittedly, they're not top shelf starters, but they're legit starting-caliber players who would probably start on at least half the teams in this league. They would instantly be the best wing players on our roster with the possible exception of our lottery pick (assuming it's Beal/MKG). Typically, 5th starter/6th man type players make MLE money.

I continue to rank Danny Green way ahead of the other 3&D role playing wings. It's one thing to be 25 mpg role player on a bad/mediocre team like Rush and Lee (for Golden State and Houston, respectively). It's another thing to be a 25 mpg role player on the best team in the league (San Antonio).

I understand where you're coming from. My only issue would be that you only make a move on someone like Rush or Danny Green if you think they're your long-term starter. If you don't envision them as a starter in two years, then its a bad investment. Personally I can see the argument for Danny Green possibly but I don't see Rush/Meeks as starters on a playoff team.

[miller31time]

I'll only take Rush if Peart and Lifeson come too.



(So how many get that reference? Yes, feeling quite old today. Thanks, ST21... )



Take off...to the Great White North; Take off... it's a beauty way to go......

Can someone go get grampa his meds?

[montestewart]

I'll only take Rush if Peart and Lifeson come too.



(So how many get that reference? Yes, feeling quite old today. Thanks, ST21... )



Take off...to the Great White North; Take off... it's a beauty way to go......

Seen the Trailer Park Boys episode where they kidnap Lifeson in order to score tickets?

Oh yeah, also, don't fall asleep at the wheel and accidentally sign Kareem Rush.

[MoMM]

Wizards amnesty Dray and buy out Lewis then go and sign McGee and Nick

****ing awesome post.

I'm still not too enamoured of anyone available this year. Anderson will cost too much. Any reasonable offer to Batum will be matched. I would save my ammo for 2013.

How much do you think Ryan Anderson will get this summer?

[rl25g]

Goran Dragic is an UFA. He was behind Steve Nash in his earlier years, and just recently was leading the Rockets to a playoff surge when Kyle Lowry went down. If u look at him play, he has a lot of Manu and Harden in his game. Albeit, he does not have legit size, he fits the same role as both of these players; guys who can play the pick and roll game, and consistently knock down long jump shots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kux8gm_GU6Q


I am definitely advocating for Dragic while he is an UFA. I would love Harden, but he is simply unrealistic. Dragic can play a similar 6th man role, but also back up Wall at the point. He could have consistent minutes, and would drastically improve our offense.

For all those who say Dragic takes the ball out of Wall's hands, I would say that he plays a much similar game to James Harden, one that many want on this team. He plays the pick and roll game and attacks, gets the roll man involved, and can hit outside jump-shots. If there are 3&D guys starting with Wall, Dragic would be an absolute perfect fit on our ball club.

I dont really know how to get any PER or Per-36 numbers, so if anyone can pull up advance stats on Dragic It would be appreciated.

[montestewart]

I dont really know how to get any PER or Per-36 numbers, so if anyone can pull up advance stats on Dragic It would be appreciated.

Not too advanced, but:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... igo01.html

He looked pretty quick and cagey the few times I've seen him, able to find space to get his shot off. His numbers look pretty good. Don't recall what his defense looks like.

[Ruzious]

Here ya go, rl http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... igo01.html I'm also a Dragic fan, and I think he'd fit well with Wall. He'd be an ideal 3rd guard for the Wiz and solid as a starter. Houston's got a few players that I'd have an interest in, and he might be the best. I think it just took him a while to adjust to the NBA, but he's become a productive and efficient player - a nice combination. It depends on his price. I think he finished the season strongly, so that might have pumped up above what we'd want to pay. But his scrawny build and hybridness might scare teams away. He'd definitely be one of the top free agents that I'd look for the Wiz to go after.

Edit - Monte beat me to it. He's not going to wow anyone with his D.

[rl25g]

Yea, his D isn't the best, but his offensive abilities would be a plus to the team.

16 & 7 per 36 isnt bad, and he showed this year that he can certainly produce and attack when given the minutes.

[montestewart]

Yea, his D isn't the best, but his offensive abilities would be a plus to the team.

16 & 7 per 36 isnt bad, and he showed this year that he can certainly produce and attack when given the minutes.

He actually had those per game numbers in the second half. I've heard Dragic mentioned here as a possibility before, but he really wasn't on my radar until this exchange. From what I recall, his mobility would probably work really well alongside Wall. He can make some slick passes too, but his stats show a pretty high TO%, something I also recall from watching him. I'd been thinking more of ball protecting vet to backup Wall and bring in as a counterpoint and change of pace, maybe Ridnour in trade or something.

[theboomking]

How much do you think Ryan Anderson will get this summer?

Depends on what the Magic do with Howard. If they are trying to convince him to stay, the Magic will overpay. If they are moving him, they may not want to add the salary.

I think Anderson's price has come down with his playoff performance. I guess the real question is what is he worth to us? A stretch 4 that can space the floor for Wall, Nene and Seraphin can be valuable. But, he won't defend as well as Vesely, and will take up a lot of cap room.

Dragicis no Harden. He won't defend, plays a duplicate position, and will cost too much. I like him, but not for the Wizards.

What is Batum going to get this summer'?