Post#226 » by youngcrev » Fri May 3, 2024 1:52 pm
I get the thought process of wanting to spread the free agent money out to build depth, but middle class of the NBA tends to provide bad value per dollar, and there just aren't many guys in this market that are worth more than MLE money.
Guys in that MLE to 20M range this summer:
Malik Monk, Bruce Brown, Caleb Martin, Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, De Anthony Melton, Gary Trent Jr, Sadiq Bey, Miles Bridges, Kelly Oubre
Klay is likely above this range (Monk and Tobias might get more too...)
Maybe there's trades to be made that leverage cap space for a contributor. Maybe I'm missing some guys.
Personally, if I can get a guy like Paul George, LeBron or Pascal to sign, I think it's an easy decision.
Hopefully that leaves you enough left to sign a guy in the 10-15M range, someone with room exception, and you can get contributors in the draft and with vet minimums.
Something like:
Maxey
Oubre (remaining cap)
George (max-type deal)
Batum (room)
Embiid
Looks like a really good lineup with a lot of length, shooting and creation.
Hopefully you can get an immediate bench contributor in the draft (or 2 with an early 2nd). Throw in some vet mins (Lowry? Payne? Drummond? Cov? Dinwiddie?). Re-sign KMart Jr with his low cap hold as either a bench guy or future trade fodder.
I prefer the "trade for a 3rd star in his prime" route, but I don't think they have enough to get that done.