Raider_MXD wrote:Having cap space usually is great, but with the rising cap many teams have spare money and therefore a rebuilding small market team might not look too attractive for free agents.
I keep hearing you and other's say that. Please show me an example of that.
One of last year's biggest free agent signing Greg Monroe went to a team who's prior seasons where 41-41 and 15-67. Aldridge went to a super small market for a chance to win a ring. He didn't pick the bigger markets or one where he would be the focal point. The rest of the top free agents stayed with the teams that drafted them.
Who are these free agents that are not picking smaller markets? The big free agents prioritize money and winning.
Very few of the teams that have max salary capacity are also near contention. The ones that do, need to renounce a key free agent to have that space (for example Memphis with Conley or Houston with Howard). All that before bringing in roster to need/fit to the equation.
There are only 3 teams that can off two maxes (LA, Philly and Orlando); and there are only 7-8 total teams that can actually offer the mid tier Max or above (including those teams that would need to renounce their own free agents to get there).
Sure none of it is a guarantee, but the myth that stars won't sign in Orlando on some convoluted market size idea is BS.