2025 Offseason Free Agency Thread

[Iverson Armband]

Yeah, I’m not sure if Harper is really dealing with an injury like they’re saying, but based on how he played the entire game (not 2 minute highlights), there’s reason to be concerned. He struggled to blow by defenders in the halfcourt, especially when forced to his weak hand, and his shooting still looks questionable.

Right now, he’s only functional because of his size, skillset, and above average speed and athleticism. That’s carrying him for now. Of course, it’s just a 2 game sample, and he might not be 100%, but if I’m going off what I saw in Summer League, those concerns stood out.

Can you explain to me how that’s any different from VJ, who everyone seems to be so high on? Other than the fact Harper isn’t a Sixer.

VJ’s elite speed and athleticism really stand out, especially compared to Harper. While Harper has the size advantage. But that advantage is neutralize if you place a wing defender (most wings can match his size and mere above average quickness and athleticism), and this will be an issue if he plays with 1-2 guards. VJ’s quickness makes a bigger difference in my opinion, play someone fast and he likely can shoot over them with his standing reach + athleticism, play someone big and he’s likely going to have the speed advantage. Once he gains a step on his defender, it’s much harder for them to recover, that burst creates real separation.

I know VJ didn’t shoot well in Summer League, but long term, I actually think he projects to be the better shooter than Harper. And for me, that’s the factor that could create the bigger separation between the two down the line

I hope you’re right. I like your analysis. Speed is good but this isn’t track.

My problem with VJ, is offensively he is basically all theoretical. The only thing you can say for certain is that he’s probably going to a decent C&S 3 point shooter even though he didn’t even do that well in SL. Right now, if both players never improve Harper is the better player. With VJ, you are betting pretty heavily on that work ethic. We shall see.

[76ciology]

Can you explain to me how that’s any different from VJ, who everyone seems to be so high on? Other than the fact Harper isn’t a Sixer.

VJ’s elite speed and athleticism really stand out, especially compared to Harper. While Harper has the size advantage. But that advantage is neutralize if you place a wing defender (most wings can match his size and mere above average quickness and athleticism), and this will be an issue if he plays with 1-2 guards. VJ’s quickness makes a bigger difference in my opinion, play someone fast and he likely can shoot over them with his standing reach + athleticism, play someone big and he’s likely going to have the speed advantage. Once he gains a step on his defender, it’s much harder for them to recover, that burst creates real separation.

I know VJ didn’t shoot well in Summer League, but long term, I actually think he projects to be the better shooter than Harper. And for me, that’s the factor that could create the bigger separation between the two down the line

I hope you’re right. I like your analysis. Speed is good but this isn’t track.

My problem with VJ, is offensively he is basically all theoretical. The only thing you can say for certain is that he’s probably going to a decent C&S 3 point shooter even though he didn’t even do that well in SL. Right now, if both players never improve Harper is the better player. With VJ, you are betting pretty heavily on that work ethic. We shall see.

Like I mentioned in the other thread, my concern with VJ is his size. He’s listed at 6’5”, but he doesn’t quite look it, and I’m not alone. I listened to a podcast where the hosts were surprised by his official measurement after seeing him in person, saying he looked about two inches shorter, which matches what I’ve noticed on TV. That said, they still trust the NBA Combine numbers and suggested it might just be an optical illusion, maybe due to his narrow shoulders or frame.

Other discussions

Spoiler:

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1kl2snl/vj_edgecombes_official_measurements_from_the_nba/

But then he held his own in Summer League, NCAA and FIBA, and even against NBA sized defenders.. and even played bigger than his size on eyetest. But I’m still unsure how he would fare against the best defenders in the league for the regular season.

If size does become a limiting factor, then his development as a reliable perimeter shooter becomes even more important to compensate.

[76ciology]

If my understanding is correct and correct me if im wrong, the Sixers are almost guaranteed to be a tax team, especially after giving Kyle Lowry a $3.6 million contract. The luxury tax threshold for 2024–25 is $187.9 million, the first apron is set at $195.9 million, and the second apron is at $207.8 million.

Based on current estimates, the Sixers’ total team salary is around $198 million, which already includes Quentin Grimes on a $7 million qualifying offer. That puts them over the first apron and just below the second apron.

The contracts of Kelly Oubre Jr. ($8.4M), Andre Drummond ($5M), and Eric Gordon ($3.6M) total about $17 million combined.

What amazes me is why we gave Lowry a $3.6 million deal when we’re already so close to the second apron. If we want to pay Grimes around $20 million, we’d cross the second apron unless we move at least one contract, likely Gordon. And if the goal is to stay below the first apron, we’d need to shed a combination of Gordon, Drummond, and Oubre.

The only explanation is that the Sixers already have an agreement with Grimes for a $16 million per year contract, and that figure is already factored into the current $198 million payroll. This would put the team above the first apron at $195.9M and right around the second apron at $207.8M.

If Grimes ends up at $16M, the total salary lands at $207M, just below the second apron.

So the likely plan is to start the season in this range, then look to move or wait for teams to absorb Gordon $3.6M, Drummond $5M, or Oubre $8.4M during the offseason or regular season to either create breathing room below the second apron or ideally dip back below or around the first apron for flexibility. ..or just do nothing with a 207M-ish team salary.

[76ciology]

Looking around at the signings this offseason, these 3 actually got pretty fair deals.

Mo Wagner signed for $5 million a year, and Kevon Looney is still on an $8 million deal, both comparable to Drummond’s $5 million expiring contract.

Dorian Finney-Smith signed around $11 million, and Jake LaRavia got $8 million per year, which lines up well with Oubre’s $8.4 million deal.

Eric Gordon’s at $3.6 million which is the minimum, which seems like the going rate for vet guards.

Overall, I think these contracts doesn’t need picks to dump.

[76ciology]

What’s a fair contract for Grimes? I’d say something in the range of $16–18 million to start, similar to what guys like Grayson Allen, Malik Monk, Alex Caruso, or even Klay Thompson are getting. Nickeil Alexander Walker just signed for $15 million per year, which could pull Grimes’ value closer to the $16M mark. He might see himself in that $25M+ tier with players like Fred VanVleet, Trey Murphy, or Mikal Bridges, but this offseason showed that teams aren’t quite projecting him at that level, at least not yet.

So, the smart move might be to sign a short-term, fair market deal now, then aim for that big payday later. A 3+1 structure makes a lot of sense for both sides. Something like a starting salary at $16–18M and scaling up to $22M (like 16–18–20+22) gets him close to his personal ceiling, while still giving the team flexibility. He’ll be around 28–29 years old when that contract ends, right in his prime, with a player option as a fallback. And also consider that we would have big cap space with probably Jo and PG off the books. That would put him in a great spot for a major long-term deal down the line.

[sodmoraes]

Yeah, Vj measurements was probably a bit generous to him, since Mccain is listed as 6.2 and he doesnt look way taller than him. He´s probably 6´3.5 without shoes.

[Foshan]

Saw on wiretap (or somewhere) that Warriors had offered Kuminga 2@20per (which he refused) but i think that is actually (hopefully) close to wear it lands. I think Giddy makes a little more, and Grimes makes a little less

Giddy 4@25 (i just can't believe a guy who has struggled so much up until the last half of the season could walk away from 100M)
Kuminga 3@20 (1+1? bets on himself, and is traded)
Grimmes 3@15 (2+1?)

I think that's a pretty fair outcome, I could see each going up about 3M per in the negotiating process but i like the tiers.

[76ciology]

It feels like most teams are just playing poker, waiting to see who blinks first. Teams with cap space want to be compensated with picks to absorb contracts, while teams trying to unload players are hoping those cap-space teams will take them on without demanding significant assets, or for as little as possible.

[youngcrev]

Not sure if anyone else noticed this in the last couple workout videos that Maxey has posted... But why the hell does his trainer have him working so hard on mid range step backs? Just doesn't feel like a very high value shot, even if he gets good at it.