26-JULY-2024: TOP 30 UNSIGNED FREE AGENTS

[chrbal]

So did the grizzlies just change their mind on Kennard?

[Texas Chuck]

Pretty sure Precious and the Knicks have already worked out a deal but they’re just waiting to see if something comes up that they could need to s&t Achiuwa at a higher number, for.

So Precious is okay with playing for whatever team the Knicks need him to? I mean if the money difference is enough, sure. But the idea he would be sitting around to be used at the Knicks' convenience would surprise me.

[BK_2020]

I think Okoro falls into the category of guys who are considered good defenders based on how bad they are on offense, not how good they are on defense.

Okoro was clearly the Cavs' best perimeter defender both by eye test and by the games he shut down the other team's best player. He did a number on Lillard in the middle of the Cavs' hot streak last year.

+1.1 defensive EPM last year. Same defensive EPM as Matisse Thybulle, Lu Dort, Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Hart.

Then again, that's actually a worse defensive EPM than Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert.

But still an overall -0.1 EPM, which is a solid rotation-quality player.

The Celtics hunted Okoro in the playoffs and Tatum and Brown went off on the Cavs. Those are the same Tatum and Brown who got completely and utterly shut down by Luka Doncic in the finals.
I think the Cavs who are in desperate need of wing defense would've extended Okoro if they thought he was actually good. They are well below the first apron and have no wing yet they seem content to see Okoro walk.

[gswhoops]

I think Okoro falls into the category of guys who are considered good defenders based on how bad they are on offense, not how good they are on defense.

Okoro was clearly the Cavs' best perimeter defender both by eye test and by the games he shut down the other team's best player. He did a number on Lillard in the middle of the Cavs' hot streak last year.

+1.1 defensive EPM last year. Same defensive EPM as Matisse Thybulle, Lu Dort, Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Hart.

Then again, that's actually a worse defensive EPM than Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert.

But still an overall -0.1 EPM, which is a solid rotation-quality player.

The Celtics hunted Okoro in the playoffs and Tatum and Brown went off on the Cavs. Those are the same Tatum and Brown who got completely and utterly shut down by Luka Doncic in the finals.
I think the Cavs who are in desperate need of wing defense would've extended Okoro if they thought he was actually good. They are well below the first apron and have no wing yet they seem content to see Okoro walk.

Tatum and Brown are elite players. I don't think the fact that they went off on Okoro means he's a bad defender.

Re: the Cavs not re-signing him, he's a restricted FA. If he wants more than the Cavs think he's worth, why wouldn't they say "here's our offer, you're welcome to see if you can beat it on the open market" and then match if he gets a deal they can live with.

[cgf]

Pretty sure Precious and the Knicks have already worked out a deal but they’re just waiting to see if something comes up that they could need to s&t Achiuwa at a higher number, for.

So Precious is okay with playing for whatever team the Knicks need him to? I mean if the money difference is enough, sure. But the idea he would be sitting around to be used at the Knicks' convenience would surprise me.

If it's something like the McBride deal (13M over 3 years) on the one hand and a 7-8M deal with a team option on the other, that feels mutually beneficial to wait. He could be almost doubling his salary for next season.

Plus there are only so many possible options of who we could trade for using the rest of our room under the 2nd apron, so his agent should have some idea of what those possibilities are.

[docholliday99]

Okoro was clearly the Cavs' best perimeter defender both by eye test and by the games he shut down the other team's best player. He did a number on Lillard in the middle of the Cavs' hot streak last year.

+1.1 defensive EPM last year. Same defensive EPM as Matisse Thybulle, Lu Dort, Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Hart.

Then again, that's actually a worse defensive EPM than Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert.

But still an overall -0.1 EPM, which is a solid rotation-quality player.

The Celtics hunted Okoro in the playoffs and Tatum and Brown went off on the Cavs. Those are the same Tatum and Brown who got completely and utterly shut down by Luka Doncic in the finals.
I think the Cavs who are in desperate need of wing defense would've extended Okoro if they thought he was actually good. They are well below the first apron and have no wing yet they seem content to see Okoro walk.

Tatum and Brown are elite players. I don't think the fact that they went off on Okoro means he's a bad defender.

Re: the Cavs not re-signing him, he's a restricted FA. If he wants more than the Cavs think he's worth, why wouldn't they say "here's our offer, you're welcome to see if you can beat it on the open market" and then match if he gets a deal they can live with.

League speculators are saying the Cavs are offering Okoro something in the 8-10 range, based on his role on the team and what he brings and that the Cavs aren't comfortable getting close to 15m mark. Judging by all the teams that had space and access to the full mle, seems the league agrees with the Cavs valuation.

Personally, Okoro's defense is ok, he's had some moments but not a consistent lockdown defender and his shooting has been exposed in the playoffs, his 25% from 3 really hurt the team.

[BK_2020]

Re: the Cavs not re-signing him, he's a restricted FA. If he wants more than the Cavs think he's worth, why wouldn't they say "here's our offer, you're welcome to see if you can beat it on the open market" and then match if he gets a deal they can live with.

The point is their offer is probably quite low otherwise Okoro would've taken it.

[toooskies]

The Celtics hunted Okoro in the playoffs and Tatum and Brown went off on the Cavs. Those are the same Tatum and Brown who got completely and utterly shut down by Luka Doncic in the finals.
I think the Cavs who are in desperate need of wing defense would've extended Okoro if they thought he was actually good. They are well below the first apron and have no wing yet they seem content to see Okoro walk.

Tatum and Brown are elite players. I don't think the fact that they went off on Okoro means he's a bad defender.

Re: the Cavs not re-signing him, he's a restricted FA. If he wants more than the Cavs think he's worth, why wouldn't they say "here's our offer, you're welcome to see if you can beat it on the open market" and then match if he gets a deal they can live with.

League speculators are saying the Cavs are offering Okoro something in the 8-10 range, based on his role on the team and what he brings and that the Cavs aren't comfortable getting close to 15m mark. Judging by all the teams that had space and access to the full mle, seems the league agrees with the Cavs valuation.

Personally, Okoro's defense is ok, he's had some moments but not a consistent lockdown defender and his shooting has been exposed in the playoffs, his 25% from 3 really hurt the team.

Didn't hurt the team as much as Niang's 33% on twos and 13% on threes, along with much inferior defense. Okoro had a +5.8 on/off in the playoffs.

[cgf]

Okoro has some Josh Hart to him. Not as dynamic a rebounder or transition ball handler, but a better defender & that same never say die tenacity.

[docholliday99]

Okoro has some Josh Hart to him. Not as dynamic a rebounder or transition ball handler, but a better defender & that same never say die tenacity.

Then he should take the 8-10 the Cavs are offering, no one else seems to be wanting to give him more.

[Asif16]

Crazy how Tyus Jones is still out there

[docholliday99]

Tatum and Brown are elite players. I don't think the fact that they went off on Okoro means he's a bad defender.

Re: the Cavs not re-signing him, he's a restricted FA. If he wants more than the Cavs think he's worth, why wouldn't they say "here's our offer, you're welcome to see if you can beat it on the open market" and then match if he gets a deal they can live with.

League speculators are saying the Cavs are offering Okoro something in the 8-10 range, based on his role on the team and what he brings and that the Cavs aren't comfortable getting close to 15m mark. Judging by all the teams that had space and access to the full mle, seems the league agrees with the Cavs valuation.

Personally, Okoro's defense is ok, he's had some moments but not a consistent lockdown defender and his shooting has been exposed in the playoffs, his 25% from 3 really hurt the team.

Didn't hurt the team as much as Niang's 33% on twos and 13% on threes, along with much inferior defense. Okoro had a +5.8 on/off in the playoffs.

Didn't he come off the bench?

edit: I think he ended up starting due to injuries but wasn't really able to stay on the floor. Last game with Boston he lasted 12 minutes.

He doesn't seem to be mentally built for the playoffs.

[SkyHook]

Hayes just got signed!

As a Jazz fan, THT has some really interesting moments, but I don't think he should be on an NBA roster for now. He should go to Europe or Australia and iron out some of the bad decision making in a structured environment where he can get more reps.

I wonder how much of THT's bad decision making was just the same type of selfish basketball that we've seen before from guys playing for their next contract. Which, ironically, made him less valuable.

On the plus side, he was a great teammate on the bench from all accounts.