Big time Free Agents

skywalker33 · Post #1 » by **skywalker33** » Sun May 8, 2016 9:00 pm

Well, with a lot of extra money available to almost every team, there will be some free agents that are max contract guys. Durant, Conley, Batum, Horford are just a few of the names in play....none of whom are coming to the Nuggets. However, we will have some money to play with too, so the question is how do we make that work to our advantage ?? It's rumored that both the Spurs and Warriors are in the hunt for Durant, both surely will have to make a max offer, but to do that the Spurs likely have to reduce their cap space, could a guy like Danny Green at $10M per for the next two years be had for nothing ??? Would we be able to lure a Harrison Barnes with the right timing if we wanted him ? Could be add some more draft picks for taking on others unwanted cap hits ? Do we even want to go that route ?

What other options would be available to teams such as the Nuggets to get better at the expense of FA hungry teams ??

Powder Blue · Post #2 » by **Powder Blue** » Sun May 8, 2016 9:16 pm

While I'm sure everyone will kick the tires on Durant I haven't heard that the Spurs are looking at Durant seriously. They've never been the type of team to have multiple max contracts either.

Idk about making Harrison Barnes our highest paid player, don't think it would move us all that far up the standings in the west. If the Nuggets are going to enter the free agent circus and overpay someone it should be a shooter...other than that I'd stay out of it. No need for any more J Nelson signings either.

Lately it seems like trade hype has outweighed actual trades. I'd love for the Nuggets to get in that mix and get some talent but I'm not sure it'll happen. That being said silent Stan can't be happy about last in attendance, a big name might be on the radar.

eathb_au · Post #3 » by **eathb_au** » Sun May 8, 2016 11:59 pm

Harrison Barnes is garbage, avoid that guy.

I'm okay with reserving cap space for the better FA pool next season. I may consider maxing Bradley Beal but from what I've read they intend to match any offer for him.

skywalker33 · Post #4 » by **skywalker33** » Mon May 9, 2016 1:21 am

Harrison Barnes was just an example, I'm not a big fan either. This was just to get a conversation of the possibilities in free agency that can be presented, something we've never attempted.

Post #5 » by **NuggetsWY** » Mon May 9, 2016 1:48 am

Remember that the Nuggets will have to spend some money just to reach the salary cap floor, which should be just a little over $80mil.

Some names I haven't seen thrown about (not all max contracts for sure):
Chandler Parsons
Allen Crabbe
Kent Bazemore
Jordan Clarkson

Post #6 » by **The Rebel** » Mon May 9, 2016 2:03 am

I would prefer that they take back an old veteran with a good attitude, preferably with a history of high level play, and they get a pick with them. Maybe something like Pau Gasol and a top 10 protected pick for Joffrey Lauvergne and the 19th pick. Or Tony Allen and a future Grizzlies 1st round pick for the 19th overall and Nelson.

skywalker33 · Post #7 » by **skywalker33** » Mon May 9, 2016 3:03 am

I like the idea, Rebel, but Pau looks to be a FA and the Grizzlies have traded a lot of their 1st away and I wouldn't be in for making them better anyway. However, just the kind of idea that will perpetuate the future in a positive way.

basketbob · Post #8 » by **basketbob** » Wed May 18, 2016 5:46 am

Nando!!!
I've been thinking all year that the Nuggets have one possible advantage in the FA market, and that's with European players. De Colo is an excellent example. I'd love to hear about other possibilities. I don't follow the euro game closely enough to know who would even be available, let alone a good fit. The other possibility would be euros already in the nba, like batum. Might be able to at least get a meeting with him. Generally speaking, however, I don't think FAs are the way to build a team. Kinda fool's gold for the most part.
To follow on rebel's idea, I think Pekovic would be a good salary dump target (and fit - could teach Nurk how to slow down with the ball), but don't think MIN has any need to dump salary at this point, so compensation for taking him on would be likely too low.

DaFan334 · Post #9 » by **DaFan334** » Wed May 18, 2016 1:13 pm

What will Fournier be worth? He would be a nice fit to bring back.

Post #10 » by **NuggetsWY** » Wed May 18, 2016 5:02 pm

There are some FA that might be available for Denver: Allen Crabbe, Jeremy Lin, maybe even Delladova - probably some others.

But going back to the OP; Teams like San Antonio going after Durrant will need to trade off some major pieces, Danny Green was the example. trading a couple of current and/or future second round draft picks and a future first round three years out with heavy protection wouldn't be a bad choice for Denver and there just might be a team willing to do that. Using Danny Green as an example; he would be a nice addition and I'm sure this board can come up with some even better matches of this nature.

nayyyyyyyyo09 · Post #11 » by **nayyyyyyyyo09** » Fri May 20, 2016 8:51 pm

I think we're going to attempt to sign Eric Gordon this off season considering he began following the nuggets Twitter account yesterday. We're at least talking to his agent a lot and he's obviously entertained by the idea. What do you guys think about this?

Post #12 » by **The Rebel** » Fri May 20, 2016 9:03 pm

I guess if Connelly likes him they will sign him, but I am not so sure about him. He looked like he could be a great player before the injuries and has just never looked the same since, and honestly I do not like that he pouted for over a year when the Pelicans matched him offer all those years ago.

RRFB · Post #13 » by **RRFB** » Fri May 20, 2016 9:11 pm

I've been suggesting Gordon as possible FA target for a little while now. I think he'd do well in a Randy Foye type of role as a reserve SG and emergency PG. There's going to be a massive logjam at the wing positions though. I have no idea how Malone is going to find time for Gallo, Chandler, Harris, Barton, at least one rookie, and Eric Gordon or possibly another free agent.

nayyyyyyyyo09 · Post #14 » by **nayyyyyyyyo09** » Fri May 20, 2016 9:58 pm

Well there's always the possibility he's part of something bigger to maybe trade a pick or two and some of our wings for someone to elevate this team to the next level. That's really what I believe is happening here. In that case you have to trust Kroenke knows what he's doing. And honestly how bad can Gordon be? We sign him at no more than 8 a year (which is still kinda steep) and the worst thing he does is get injured which opens up playing time for a rookie. I mean that's what happened last year and Jokic took advantage of it. He's a mentor and I'm sure he knows even if he starts he's taking a back seat in terms of who's in charge on the team. But you can't deny that best case is he starts averaging over 20 ppg again and helps elevate mudiays game to the next level

Post #15 » by **NuggetsWY** » Fri May 20, 2016 10:34 pm

SlayOrNay wrote:Well there's always the possibility he's part of something bigger to maybe trade a pick or two and some of our wings for someone to elevate this team to the next level. That's really what I believe is happening here. In that case you have to trust Kroenke knows what he's doing. And honestly how bad can Gordon be? We sign him at no more than 8 a year (which is still kinda steep) and the worst thing he does is get injured which opens up playing time for a rookie. I mean that's what happened last year and Jokic took advantage of it. He's a mentor and I'm sure he knows even if he starts he's taking a back seat in terms of who's in charge on the team. But you can't deny that best case is he starts averaging over 20 ppg again and helps elevate mudiays game to the next level

Nelson doesn't like sharing the backup PG minutes - Not sure Augustine would like that either. They want to play minutes. Gordan has already demonstrated he doesn't want to not play. He's really a 6'4" SG (based on his assist numbers) and we already have Harris at 6'4" and Barton. What we need at PG (behind Nelson), is a young combo guard. What we need behind Harris is 3pt shooting and defensive length. I don't see Gordon as a good fit. But as you say, Connelly may have a big trade in mind.

But this doesn't fit with the OP - "Big Time Free Agents" - with no offense to Gordan, he's a 4th or 5th option or a 6th man. That may be "Big Time" but I don't think so in this case.

Not trying to be negative, but Bradley was mentioned. I'll remind you: 56, 73, 63, 55 - the number of games he's played each year of his career.

Powder Blue · Post #16 » by **Powder Blue** » Sun May 22, 2016 4:43 pm

We need an athletic, scoring SG in front of Harris. Problem is I don't think one falls to us at 7 nor are we a player for the few in free agency. With SG being our #1 need in my opinion I'd like to add more than Gordon but we might not have better options.

Post #17 » by **NuggetsWY** » Sun May 22, 2016 5:27 pm

Hield might fall, but it's beginning to look like he probably won't.
Beasley, & Korkmaz are projected to go around 15-20 but they probably won't start in front of Harris - at least not for a year or two.

Two guys that are 6'4" with 7'0" wingspan are Malachi Richardson, who isn't projected to go until early second round by most accounts and Wade Baldwin, who is projected to go around 15-20.

Kriss Dunn & Jamal Murray are likely to be gone but there are other combo guards that might be there and we all know Malone likes two PGs playing together.

There are some SFs that might be able to play SG. I'm thinking Luwawu & Taurene Prince & Denzel Valentine.

I think Connelly has some interesting options and I'll trust him to figure it out.
My preference would be to trade up to be ahead of New Orleans because I see them needing a SG too. But if we trade with Boston, does that mean we take Bender? Hard to pass up. Phoenix might take Faried plus a pick and that'd work for me. Minnesota could also be interested in Faried (less likely than Phoenix). But add a pick and maybe it works. Then the question becomes "Murray or Hield"? I'm leaning towards Hield but Jamal Murray would be hard to pass up.

skywalker33 · Post #18 » by **skywalker33** » Mon May 23, 2016 5:24 pm

Powder Blue wrote:We need an athletic, scoring SG in front of Harris. Problem is I don't think one falls to us at 7 nor are we a player for the few in free agency. With SG being our #1 need in my opinion I'd like to add more than Gordon but we might not have better options.

I kinda like Malachi Richardson for that role, problem is he not quite there yet. He's got the size, quickness and shot but needs to work on shot selection, turnovers and defense (tell me a rookie who doesn't though). Other "issue" is that he's a 20yr old freshmen.

nayyyyyyyyo09 · Post #19 » by **nayyyyyyyyo09** » Tue May 24, 2016 12:16 am

Beal says he leaves if Washington doesn't offer max, would we be able and willing to if they don't? I know I wouldn't only because of his injuries but it'd be an interesting risk with some great advantages

Post #20 » by **The Rebel** » Tue May 24, 2016 12:36 am

I do not know what to think about Beal, he is a great fit for what this team needs, but I really do not want another injury prone player here right now.