The 2013 NBA Free Agency Thread

[nate33]

Last season with Washington, Martell made only 600K.

Webster was signed by the Wizards for $1.75M. He was also owed an additional $600K from Minnesota, I guess they opted out of his old contract early and it was partially guaranteed or something.

[fishercob]

If Copeland is getting something in the $16 mil range.... Webster is getting more, bet on it.

Copeland getting $16M in the new CBA is crazy talk. He turns 30 in March and has a year of NBA experience playing 15 minutes a night. He can shoot, yes. But that's pretty much it -- can't rebound for squat. He's an LLE type of player. I don't want him for anything more.

[Deivy202]

lets just draft Bennet and ill be happy .

[Deeptu McPullup]

From Chris "Sin Against God" Broussard:

According to one league source, several other suitors will make pitches for Smith and (Chris) Copeland. Smith has received early interest from the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns, and Copeland's list includes the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks ... d-copeland

Commence collective stampede of frothy angst in 3.....2......1

I'm guessing he'd be a fall back for us? Or maybe we go small?

[GhostsOfGil]

Copeland is 29 years old? Did I read that right??

[Deivy202]

I thought for sure he was like 22-23 if 29 than forget it . Where was he this whole time in the D-leagues or china or something?.

Lets just draft Porter or Bennet in which I rather have Bennet.

[hands11]

I dont mind Copeland at all he stepped it up a few game...honestly has potential too.

I rather have webster than Ariza honestly.

Copeland did have a pretty good rookie year - high efficiency and a better PER than Webster's ever had in his career. Considering Webster's poor health history with his back - and considering the back caused him to end last season prematurely, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Copeland gets more than Webster. Neither are ever going to make an all-defensive team - though I'd give Webster the edge there - when he's healthy.

I think it was a stomach muscle. Or a hernia

[doclinkin]

Copeland is 29 years old? Did I read that right??

He played in Europe and developed his defense and long range ball. I like the guy, solid role-player, superheavy work ethic. Not satisfied to be mediocre he overcame drawbacks and flaws and has clawed his way back to the NBA. Good role-model for young players, the equivalent of the old CBA players like John Starks who was bagging groceries at Safeway trying to fight his way up to the league. You get a ton of real wisdom from guys like Bruce Bowen or Anthony Mason or any of the players who had to fight their way to relevance and learn the craft overseas in places that they have to put up nets to keep the home crowd from throwing coins and batteries at you.

[Ruzious]

I dont mind Copeland at all he stepped it up a few game...honestly has potential too.

I rather have webster than Ariza honestly.

Copeland did have a pretty good rookie year - high efficiency and a better PER than Webster's ever had in his career. Considering Webster's poor health history with his back - and considering the back caused him to end last season prematurely, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Copeland gets more than Webster. Neither are ever going to make an all-defensive team - though I'd give Webster the edge there - when he's healthy.

I think it was a stomach muscle. Or a hernia

They called it a "strained abdomen". I assumed it was related to his back, but I could be wrong. He has had 2 major back surgeries according to the ultimate source for all facts - Wikepedia.

[verbal8]

With the additions on the wings in the draft, Webster is a lot lower priority. I think the priority is to find the next Webster. Hopefully a back up pg or big. If Webster will take 1/2 the mle, I could see keeping him and dealing ariza to balance the roster.

[FAH1223]

With the additions on the wings in the draft, Webster is a lot lower priority. I think the priority is to find the next Webster. Hopefully a back up pg or big. If Webster will take 1/2 the mle, I could see keeping him and dealing ariza to balance the roster.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JMichaelCSN/status/350639479754731520[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JMichaelCSN/status/350639578127925248[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JMichaelCSN/status/350639727998799874[/tweet]

[Dat2U]

I told you guys, Webster sees the writing on the Wall. Unless they are actively looking to deal Ariza, I don't see a viable scenario for Webster to come back to DC. The minutes simply won't be there and there are bigger priorities.

[Deeptu McPullup]

I told you guys, Webster sees the writing on the Wall. Unless they are actively looking to deal Ariza, I don't see a viable scenario for Webster to come back to DC. The minutes simply won't be there and there are bigger priorities.

The more extended quotes on Bullets Forever look much worse too.

[tontoz]

Copeland averaged less than 5 rebounds per 36 minutes. Pass

[jivelikenice]

I think ppl who said we can accomodate all three between Otto/Ariza/Webster would co-exist were being naive. A couple things could have or will occur:
1. Martell told the FO he wanted more than the MLE was and planning on shopping for more before settling for it here

2. The Fo will reach out to Martell's reps and will tell him that he is a priority and Ariza will be shopped

3. They've decided to go in another direction with the MLE.

I expect #2 to occur but if he's asked for more than the MLE, all bets are off....

[FAH1223]

I told you guys, Webster sees the writing on the Wall. Unless they are actively looking to deal Ariza, I don't see a viable scenario for Webster to come back to DC. The minutes simply won't be there and there are bigger priorities.

Exactly. We need to balance the roster with a floor general off the bench and a backup big who will rebound and play some decent defense.

[jivelikenice]

I'd keep Webster and would deal Ariza because I think hes out after this year regardless. Webster seems like he wants to stick around and would be a good bench piece for a playoff team.

[rockymac52]

Webster's comments do concern me, but at the same time, I think it was just his way of expressing his honest feelings about what had just happened in the draft. Obviously if you're a free agent SF and your team drafts 2 SFs, logically you have to understand they're likely moving in another direction. Martell's "I just want to be wanted" quote is the key, IMO. I think he genuinely means that. He'll accept less than the MLE, and he's happy to come off the bench, but only as long as the Wizards express to him that they want him. Drafting 2 SFs doesn't really express that to him.

HOWEVER, if you read Ernie and Randy's post-draft comments, they still remain adamant that the draft selections did not change their plans with Webster. They both keep emphasizing that several of our wings can play 2, maybe 3 positions. They clearly intend to play Ariza and maybe Porter at PF some stretches this season.

I think the Wizards will reach out to Webster today or very soon, and reassure him that he's still our priority, and that we want him to return and to be a big contributor. They'll tell him their plan to play him at SG some, as well as getting Ariza/Porter some minutes at PF to open up more playing time for Webster. We'll offer him the same deal we were always going to offer him, and hopefully Webster understands where we're coming from, and buys in.

I think all of that is what's going on, and I think he will still be re-signed, even if Ariza is not traded. I do admit that I am much more skeptical than I was in the past, and I'm worried that we might lose him. But I'm also cautiously optimistic.

Webster wants to be here. We want Webster to be here. We're going to pay him and he's going to get minutes. We just need to speak with him and reassure him that he's a big part of our future plans, and I suspect he'll be all in.

[gambitx777]

UDFA's are signing fast but Jackie Chrmicel is still on the market !
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/6/28/4 ... mer-league

[Ruzious]

Putting yourself in Websters' shoes, it can't feel good now. His team picks 2 guys who essentially play his position. Not only that, he has to listen to observers say how much they needed to get a 3.

Eh, I can't really feel sorry for someone who's likely going to sign a 10 mil contract (give or take a few... mil) within the next few months.