2014 Free Agency Thread

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Cliff's system requires a PF that can stretch the floor. McBob is actually a really good fit with his outside shooting and ability to help on defense. I think that a lot of folks here underrate what he brings to the table for this team and this system. Don't forget the chemistry with Zeller too.

Greg Monroe is not a target the Hornets will go after this off season. He doesn't fit the stretch 4 mold and it makes no sense to go after a hugely expensive backup for big Al at this point.

Honestly at this point I think that it makes more sense for the Hornets to spread some of their FA $ around rather than going big $$ on a single difference maker. They have the potential to get that guy with the #9 pick either for the long term via draft or right now via trade. The guys that will really help are guys that Zach Lowe talked about as the "pretty good guys." If the Hornets can get "pretty good" guys to build Cliff a solid 9-10 man rotation that will make a lot more difference in the long run than signing a single guy. The only exceptions to this for me right now are Chris Bosh (if the Heat break up, unlikely) or Gordon Hayward or MAYBE Lance.

Here are some of the guys I wouldn't mind the Hornets targeting:
* Greivis Vasquez (backup PG with ability to stretch the floor)
* Kris Humphries (only on a reasonable contract though - and I do worry about team chemistry with him)
* Spencer Hawes (more size than McBob but similar ability to shoot from range)
* Rudy Gay (but only if MKG gets traded and he is on a reasonable contract)
* Andrei Kirilenko
* Steve Blake
* Trevor Ariza (as a backup)

[MasterIchiro]

I can't seem to decide who I want us to realistically sign from this FA class. No one is jumping out at me as being that special.

Lance Stephenson or Gordon Hayward (will probably cost too much)

Stephenson is a head case and that scares me. Hayward is overrated and will want too much money. He's a good player, but he's about to get an awful contract.

Just to go through a few others...
Luol Deng is a solid player, but he's gonna get overpaid as well and I feel he isn't as good as some others think he is. Monroe is a awful defender and a terrible fit on this team. Gasol is old and, similar to Monroe, not a good fit. Evan Turner is terrible. Ariza is average.

I just don't see many starting level players that I feel are A.) willing to come here and B.) good value that would help us win. I do think we'll be able to get some solid backups, but none of the "big name" guys jump out at me.

If I had a gun to my head and had to spend our money on a big name guy, I'd probably go with Deng. Stephenson would be my 2nd choice. He has the potential to greatly improve our team or to ruin it.

This sounds alot like the commentary on Al Jefferson just this past off season. They have money to spend. It's not a perfect match but it's good enough to vault the team into relevance, but in this case, Deng could put us into ECF contention. There are better ways to spend money in different classes but this class just happens to come before the unveiling of the new unis and the new vibe at the hive.

The draft is great the FA class is not. You win some you lose some.

I think Deng's the guy. Solid defense sells him and we won't have to play 4 on 5 on offense.

[ARHornet]

Luol Deng is a solid player, but he's gonna get overpaid as well and I feel he isn't as good as some others think he is.

This sounds alot like the commentary on Al Jefferson just this past off season. They have money to spend. It's not a perfect match but it's good enough to vault the team into relevance, but in this case, Deng could put us into ECF contention. There are better ways to spend money in different classes but this class just happens to come before the unveiling of the new unis and the new vibe at the hive.

The draft is great the FA class is not. You win some you lose some.

I think Deng's the guy. Solid defense sells him and we won't have to play 4 on 5 on offense.

You mention Al. I did kinda feel the same way about him last season and I've clearly been proven wrong so there is a good chance I'm wrong again.

Deng is a solid player. He would be a pretty good fit for us, though I hate to give Clifford any more reasons than he already has to not play MKG. My big concern with Deng would just be money. He'd be a good fit and would help us. I'm just of the belief that he isn't quite as good as most people think he is and I'm afraid he'll get overpaid.

[JDR720]

Deng did stink it up in Cleveland

[MasterIchiro]

Luol Deng is a solid player, but he's gonna get overpaid as well and I feel he isn't as good as some others think he is.

This sounds alot like the commentary on Al Jefferson just this past off season. They have money to spend. It's not a perfect match but it's good enough to vault the team into relevance, but in this case, Deng could put us into ECF contention. There are better ways to spend money in different classes but this class just happens to come before the unveiling of the new unis and the new vibe at the hive.

The draft is great the FA class is not. You win some you lose some.

I think Deng's the guy. Solid defense sells him and we won't have to play 4 on 5 on offense.

You mention Al. I did kinda feel the same way about him last season and I've clearly been proven wrong so there is a good chance I'm wrong again.

Deng is a solid player. He would be a pretty good fit for us, though I hate to give Clifford any more reasons than he already has to not play MKG. My big concern with Deng would just be money. He'd be a good fit and would help us. I'm just of the belief that he isn't quite as good as most people think he is and I'm afraid he'll get overpaid.

He will definitely be overpaid just like Al Jefferson because he's a known commodity. Our team isn't in a position to swing for the fences with big contracts. We need a surefire solid contributor that fills a specific gameplan and need. Clifford's system is similar to Chicago's where Deng thrived. He's just a safe investment even though he's an overpay. All of these free agents will be overpays - no bargains but not all of them are known commodities who put up consistent numbers/performance like Deng does. He has a long track record. It slows MKG's rise to starter status but the FO may feel he could benefit from staying around 25 minutes a game.

It's not my money so I don't love it but I understand wanting to play it safe rather than dabble in unknowns and hope for upside.

I'm sure MJ has met Deng several times in Chicago. Deng's been around for a bit.

[MasterIchiro]

Deng did stink it up in Cleveland

That whole team stinks it up. The talent was not pieced together right. Maybe Embiid bails out there lack of defense. They need a stopper desperately. They have there high flyers already. I think the Cavs select Embiid.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Deng is old and on the downside of his career. He's a good fit on paper, but the reality would be unspectacular. Sadly Rudy Gay would be a better fit if you really wanted to spend money on a free agent SF. Haywood would be better than either long run but wouldn't bring the D that Deng potentially could in the playoffs.

[TheKingofSting2]

Deng is old and on the downside of his career. He's a good fit on paper, but the reality would be unspectacular. Sadly Rudy Gay would be a better fit if you really wanted to spend money on a free agent SF. Haywood would be better than either long run but wouldn't bring the D that Deng potentially could in the playoffs.

He also will want money money then he is worth!

[ARHornet]

I do understand what you are saying MasterIchiro. And as I said, Deng would be my top choice if I had to spend all our money on one guy. I just am afraid signing him would mean overpaying a guy on the downside of his career. Al I think was different because he's in his prime. His game isn't based on athleticism so we knew what we were getting - one of the best low post scorers in the game who couldn't defend. Deng is a guy coming of a pretty bad season. He's got a lot of wear and tear from the heavy minutes in Chicago so I don't think it's unreasonable to say that he very well may be in decline.

[MasterIchiro]

They can play hardball and offer Deng 2 or Pau 1. Whoever bites first gets the deal.

[BeesWax]

I like the idea of giving someone a 1 year big prove it deal.

If we can't get Hayward just offer to pay one guy big for a year and see where it goes.

[ARHornet]

I don't want Pau for any price to be honest. Unless it's like a 1 year deal.

[mrknowitall215]

Luol Deng would be a bad acquisition for Charlotte if they had to offer him more than $6 million or 1-year. Overrated player that's nothing more than a quality starter and happens to be on a decline. I seriously doubt that Deng will ever regain his Chicago Bulls form, and even if he does it won't be enough to make this team a serious contender

[TheKingofSting2]

They can play hardball and offer Deng 2 or Pau 1. Whoever bites first gets the deal.

Even as a Duke fan I won't no part of Deng. Maybe Pau on a one year deal.

[greg4012]

Does CDR get more than the vet min?

[HornetJail]

Does CDR get more than the vet min?

I could see him getting an offer from Houston or San Antonio for more than the min. The Rockets seem like the kind of team that would make a smart signing like that and Gregg Popovich would make CDR like Danny Green 2.0.

[BobsBuddy]

Here is a list of players who will not come to Charlotte and Why?

Lance Stephenson....I look for Indiana to trade Hibbert..free up cap space and sign him..
E.Turner........The front office is down on him and can do better.
DJ Augustine....Better deal in Chicago
P. Gasol......Western Confernce teams more interested and will offer more $
AF Aminu.....Game too much like MKG..Lacks scoring ability
J.Crawford......RFA Clippers will Match
G. Hayward.....RFA Utah will match

Here is our free agent targets and why.
L.Deng........He fits our team perfectly at 3 position. $ is big question after down year at CAVS
C.Parsons RFA......Houston will not match wants to free up cap space to acquire Mello.
S.Hawes.....Depends on $ but would be great starter should MCBob walk (PO)
G.Davis.....''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Would be great backup to Zellar if he starts.
A.Morrow...""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 2 or 3 postion..
Mo Williams...Veteran PG backup
J.Jack """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""

[BlackOutBuzz]

Houston would trade almost anything not named Dwight Howard and James Harden to get at Anthony and they would go all in on a contract too. There has been talk that Houston has offered up Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin in a “give away” trade that could include their draft pick in the first round or a roster player like Terrence Jones to get those salaries off the books.

- Basketball Insiders

I was gonna say this sounds like a very Cho move, but holy **** those contracts. The cap hits for both are $8.75m EACH, but they actually get paid $14.9m. This just seemed relevant.

[ARHornet]

C.Parsons RFA......Houston will not match wants to free up cap space to acquire Mello.

More than likely Houston accepts Parsons' team option. It's only like 1 mil and they can use him as bait in a sign and trade to get Melo or a 3rd star. Then they could extend him in the fall if they can't land a big name guy.

I highly doubt he fits free agency this summer.

[JDR720]

People are actually taking that "30 possibilities" article Bonnell wrote seriously lol

http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/artic ... d_16539406

http://hoops-nation.com/hornets-linked- ... nson-deng/

http://fansided.com/2014/05/26/nba-rumo ... tephenson/


Bonnells Article= http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/0 ... er-of.html