Who Could the 2010 Cap Space Bring?

shrink · Post #1 » by **shrink** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:37 am

I was looking at the list of Free Agents this morning

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/stor ... ents-09-10

.. and I'm quite concerned that our plan for cap space for the 2010 free agency is going to come up empty. I believe McHale has said that even if we can't get one of the top stars, with so many other teams targeting 2010 free agency, they cut other players to get there, so we would get one of those guys. For example, suppose Josh Boone on the Nets starts developing into a very solid center over the next two years. If NJN had a chance at LeBron, but needed the cap space from not re-signing Boone, Josh would be gone in a second. While MIN probably has no chance at LeBron, they may be able to get a guy like Boone.

There will be perhaps 15 teams vieing for free agents in 2010, and MIN is not an enviable destination for many of them. I don't see the depth of talent in 2010 that makes me feel like we can take advantage of the space we'll have under the cap. I've advocated trying to clear Brian Cardinal's deal, so we could have opportunities in the 2009 Free Agency against OKC and MEM, where MIN doesn't look so bad by comparison. People complain that there's nobody that can help us in 2009. Who could we reasonably get in 2010 that's going to be better?

At this point, the most likely person we'd get in 2010 free agency is Mike Miller and a Foye extension.

Post #2 » by **Worm Guts** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:40 pm

I don't know, I see a lot of guys who could potentially help and that we could get in 2010. Guys like Kenyon Martin, Brad Miller, Ray Allen or Brendan Haywood. They won't be elite free agents, but it might be nice to have them on our team depending on our needs at the time.

Post #3 » by **C.lupus** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:38 pm

I don't see much in either year. Haywood or Przybilla in 2010 maybe?

shrink · Post #4 » by **shrink** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:01 pm

C.lupus wrote:I don't see much in either year. Haywood or Przybilla in 2010 maybe?

I agree that there's not much in either year, and why I would want to have two bites at the apple. I am concerned we're attaching too much hope into the 2010 Free Agency plan.

I could see Pryz maybe, but I don't think WAS is going to let Haywood get away. I admit though its hard to predict, two years out. Mike Miller + Foye + Pryz?

the_bruce · Post #5 » by **the_bruce** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:26 pm

I think the biggest benefit is being able to provide cap space to one of the top market teams. What's 5m worth when it helps you land lbj, wade, etc? a young player and a pick? What's 10m worth? A young player? 2 picks?

2nd tier talent, pick, maybe more depending on if they help a team heavily over the cap

Post #6 » by **revprodeji** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:08 pm

It will not be an elite player. The elite guys will either stay put or go to a big market. But if you consider that we already have a nice young core that can grow together. Than you throw in some B level free agents we would have a very nice mix that could do some things. (coaching needs to be gone)

that being said, I do not trade mike Miller expect for a package that brings an upgrade. I do not move him for picks, I do not move him to clear cap.

I am ok with using one of the picks to move a vet if we feel he is a problem, but Cardinal could be a good influence and have value as an expiring for a trade.

I think we need vets. I think we need to trade the picks to bring in vets that can contribute off and on the court. Priz would be a good very good vet to have. Maybe a vet like Rasheed Wallace? (depending on attitude) Al Harrington, T-Mac, Camby, Gay, Haslem, Chandler, Wilcox, Manu, Bosh, Haywood.

Or we can offer deals to the portland group hoping to either steal one, or jack the cost up for them to match. This includes LMA, Roy, Outlaw and Priz

We develop our core. Find out who those guys will be (we are the team of question marks) and then use FA to bring in vets that fit that core.

Post #7 » by **Worm Guts** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:34 pm

I mostly agree with rev, I think there are a ton of veterans available in the 2010 that don't necessarily look like they fit with the team now, but could once we make decisions on our younger guys. There's also a few top notch guys I'd like to take a run at like Joe Johnson or Dirk Nowitzki. I wouldn't expect to get those guys, but if we can get max money under the cap without doing something stupid I think it would be worth pursuing.
I'm not totally against using the Utah and Boston picks to move Cardinal either, especially if we get all 4 first round picks. We don't have room for all those players.

LA_33 · Post #8 » by **LA_33** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:40 pm

I think it's more likely that the Wolves will be looking to trade for a star still on to a multi-year deal running past the 2009-10 season, rather than letting all their FAs expiring and shooting for cap space. Someone like Wince Carter, if he were actually as good as his reputation (to be clear, I don't have much actual interest in Carter, just someone who's the level of 2nd-tier star that Wince is supposed to be at, but really isn't anymore...)

Among the potential 2010 FAs, the guy I'd be looking at is Joe Johnson, but I suspect that a lot of other teams will be in on him, too, as he's the best player beneath the LeBron, Wade, Bosh tier. The Nets, for instance, will have room for TWO max guys if they can find a taker for Wince, and JJ would be a great running-mate for LeBron as they look toward Brooklyn (with all the young talent currently on that squad concentrated at the 1, 4, and 5 spots).

I'd also second Rev's high valuation of Mike Miller. I'd only include him in a trade if it brings back a major upgrade on the wing (or maybe at center), AND McCants looks like a keeper as the 6th man this year. Because it may actually be possible for the Wolves to have the cap space to sign a Max FA in 2010 (or trade for a max-type RFA without sending back matching salary) while still re-signing Foye and Miller, but it would require letting McCants walk next summer, and I suspect that if he produces as a 6th man this year, the FO won't be able to get away with letting him go without angering all the fans who will start paying attention to the team again this year if they can get into the upper 30s in wins.

WallyWorld · Post #9 » by **WallyWorld** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:24 pm

Well geez I dont know...I picked up Kobe in the 2010 FA class in NBA 2k9.....

Jokes aside...we all know the LBJs and Amares are going to simply resign with their current teams, making the salary dump pretty pointless for many. Who are the big players....really...besides us again? I know New Jersey. Anyone else?

In my opinion, we will see a something along the lines of a sign and trade if anything, or a one sided trade where we absorb a large amount of additional salary/talent via trade with a non-FA. We may have to take on a bad deal, but honestly that may be worth the risk. Either way, its not like we are going to come up with NOTHING....

Devilzsidewalk · Post #10 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:46 pm

everybody knows all the top free agents are going to sign in Russia for 20 million annually.

Jokes aside... all the top free agents are going to sign in Greece for 30 million annually

shrink · Post #11 » by **shrink** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:35 pm

I believe if we can move Brian Cardinal (keep Miller), and do some other deals with smaller assets, we would have a very good chance of being able to sign Carlos Boozer or Shawn Marion in 2009. Even if those guys aren't great fits here, those are the types of players you can use to make trades for the players you want. For example, skorff is right that Boozer would look great in LAC next year, and I think they would have to think hard if we offered Boozer for Kaman.

We wouldn't be able to get a Kaman-level player in the 2010 draft -- heck, we couldn't get Boozer or Marion-level. Its time to create the cap space to get assets we can turn into players we need, and stop wishful thinking on getting a difference maker in 2010.

LordBaldric · Post #12 » by **LordBaldric** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:06 pm

2010 could be a dangerous year to have cap space. If what WallyWorld said above is true, and the big stars resign with their current teams, then a ton of teams will have a ton of money to spend on B levels players. The result will be a slew of guys getting overpaid.

andyhop · Post #13 » by **andyhop** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:48 am

shrink wrote:I believe if we can move Brian Cardinal (keep Miller), and do some other deals with smaller assets, we would have a very good chance of being able to sign Carlos Boozer or Shawn Marion in 2009. Even if those guys aren't great fits here, those are the types of players you can use to make trades for the players you want. For example, skorff is right that Boozer would look great in LAC next year, and I think they would have to think hard if we offered Boozer for Kaman.

We wouldn't be able to get a Kaman-level player in the 2010 draft -- heck, we couldn't get Boozer or Marion-level. Its time to create the cap space to get assets we can turn into players we need, and stop wishful thinking on getting a difference maker in 2010.

It is highly unlikely that we could attract Boozer given the fact that we have his position covered and he is much more likely to stay in Utah or go elsewhere by S&T if necessary.

We could possibly get Marion by overpaying for him but that would be a terrible move that would hurt rather than help as he would be untradeable and doesn't fit with the team.

If we don't have the room for all 4 1st round picks if we get them all, then I'd try and get a deal with the Clips for the Celtics and Jazz picks in return for our pick back and if that doesn't work you should be able to flip them over to the year after .

casey · Post #14 » by **casey** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:56 am

shrink wrote:Even if those guys aren't great fits here, those are the types of players you can use to make trades for the players you want.

No. You don't sign a max player to trade him.

southern wolf · Post #15 » by **southern wolf** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:17 am

Shaq to Minny in 2010...

shrink · Post #16 » by **shrink** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:05 am

casey wrote:
shrink wrote:Even if those guys aren't great fits here, those are the types of players you can use to make trades for the players you want.

No. You don't sign a max player to trade him.

And why is that?

And what else could we use to bring in a player like Okafor or Kaman? We're sure not getting someone like that with the 2010 Free Agency plan, so what other option is there?

shrink · Post #17 » by **shrink** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:11 am

andyhop wrote: It is highly unlikely that we could attract Boozer given the fact that we have his position covered and he is much more likely to stay in Utah or go elsewhere by S&T if necessary.

We could possibly get Marion by overpaying for him but that would be a terrible move that would hurt rather than help as he would be untradeable and doesn't fit with the team .

Boozer has thoroughly demonstrated he's going to go to the place that will offer him the most money. Utah is frustrated with him, but he's a tough person for them to trade because his presence might give the Jazz a chance at the WCF. Boozer has an ETO next season for $12.3, and he might expect more.

As for overpaying Marion, why do you think that? Because Marion will be so desperate to go to OKC or MEM for less? Of course, Marion could be involved in a trade and extension, but he also has value as an expiring. Having the cap space gives you the choice to pay.

andyhop · Post #18 » by **andyhop** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:51 am

shrink wrote:
andyhop wrote: It is highly unlikely that we could attract Boozer given the fact that we have his position covered and he is much more likely to stay in Utah or go elsewhere by S&T if necessary.

We could possibly get Marion by overpaying for him but that would be a terrible move that would hurt rather than help as he would be untradeable and doesn't fit with the team .

Boozer has thoroughly demonstrated he's going to go to the place that will offer him the most money. Utah is frustrated with him, but he's a tough person for them to trade because his presence might give the Jazz a chance at the WCF. Boozer has an ETO next season for $12.3, and he might expect more.

As for overpaying Marion, why do you think that? Because Marion will be so desperate to go to OKC or MEM for less? Of course, Marion could be involved in a trade and extension, but he also has value as an expiring. Having the cap space gives you the choice to pay.

If all Marion cares about is the cash then it would take a too big/too long deal for us to get him.If he will modify his demands to select a team he won't sign for us.

I just don't see Boozer as wanting any part of coming to the Wolves, he might try and Force a S&T somewhere but given the choice between a couple of million extra in Minny or waiting one year in Utah before collecting a max deal with someone more of his liking I think he would wait.

Foye · Post #19 » by **Foye** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:46 pm

Think we are in a bad situation if we have cap space in 2010 because almost everyone will have cap space by then...we should use our cap space to bring in another top 1-5 pick thats what our team needs and not an probably aging overpaid player.

I'd offer anybody we have (of course not all together^^) except for Big Al to trade for Ricky Rubio if he's going to play in the nba

The 2010 FA-market is bull in my eyes. The chance to lose is higher than to win. We have to use our cap space in 2009 or use the cap space/our many picks or/and some of our role players to bring in a potential superstar at draft night. We have to hope that McHale finally gets one right.

We would be way better (in terms of future) if we had drafted Al Thornton in 07 and kept Mayo this year. I still don't think Brewer and Love will be the real deal. But Brewer has at least the potential to be as good as Thornton since he's younger then Al T. and can develop. I simply don't understand why we have Love? In the NBA Love is a PF and what we need is a legit C. Since Big Al is better at PF than at C. So we are stuck at PF but lack at other positions -.-

casey · Post #20 » by **casey** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:56 pm

shrink wrote:And why is that?

Because no owner is going to commit $80Mil to some guy he doesn't want, and no player is going to commit 5 years of his career in some place he doesn't want to be. If you really think that's a legit possibility you gotta take off the GM hat and join us back in the real world.