Summer 2019 Free Agency Thread

[the_process]

I don't think Bolden is back here next here.He feels like a guy to be attached to a pick or with Bad Simmons to see if we can get bench help that way.

I agree that guaranteeing “Bad Simmons” contract and adding something to him is a solid way to go for adding a bench piece.

[BullyKing]

I don't think Bolden is back here next here.He feels like a guy to be attached to a pick or with Bad Simmons to see if we can get bench help that way.

I agree that guaranteeing “Bad Simmons” contract and adding something to him is a solid way to go for adding a bench piece.

Did anyone figure out if Simmons' contract is old enough that its grandfathered into counting in full for matching purposes without being guaranteed?

In either case, I'd be open to Simmons and Bolden to Cleveland for Henson and then try and snag one of Collison/Joseph with the taxpayer midlevel.

[76ciology]

One option is to renounce Tobias.

Try to get Middleton. As a replacement for Tobias or as a back-up if Jimmy opts to walk.

If Tobias signs with Brooklyn, we then opt for Morris who is like a poor man’s version of him. Maybe explore Jeremy Lamb then add Dedmon in the process.

If we end up with Middleton and Butler, we then shift Ben at PF on defense.

[the_process]

I don't think Bolden is back here next here.He feels like a guy to be attached to a pick or with Bad Simmons to see if we can get bench help that way.

I agree that guaranteeing “Bad Simmons” contract and adding something to him is a solid way to go for adding a bench piece.

Did anyone figure out if Simmons' contract is old enough that its grandfathered into counting in full for matching purposes without being guaranteed?

In either case, I'd be open to Simmons and Bolden to Cleveland for Henson and then try and snag one of Collison/Joseph with the taxpayer midlevel.

Pretty sure I read that the only contract grandfathered in for that purpose is JR Smith’s. So you’d have to guarantee it. But I’ve been wrong before.

[BullyKing]

I agree that guaranteeing “Bad Simmons” contract and adding something to him is a solid way to go for adding a bench piece.

Did anyone figure out if Simmons' contract is old enough that its grandfathered into counting in full for matching purposes without being guaranteed?

In either case, I'd be open to Simmons and Bolden to Cleveland for Henson and then try and snag one of Collison/Joseph with the taxpayer midlevel.

Pretty sure I read that the only contract grandfathered in for that purpose is JR Smith’s. So you’d have to guarantee it. But I’ve been wrong before.

JR's contract was signed a year before Simmons so that would make sense.

[Foshan]

I dont see the Bucks not giving MIddleton all the money he can get, and then him choosing to stay there. They seem to have a pretty tight squad, especially with how well the playoff run has gone, even if it doesn't end in the finals.

If he turns down money/basketball reason to leave, it would be for lifestyle... which wouldn't be philly

[FlyingArrow]

Watching this bucks/raptors brogdon would be nice on the sixers

He'll cost close to $20M. No way we can sign him. Unlikely there's a trade there that both sides like.

[FlyingArrow]

Yeah, crap forgot about Zhaire. That's a problem. I guess no BAE but still better than I thought. Hopefully, we can get a serviceable center with only using $2.5 to $3.0 of the BAE and then everything should work.

I think we might be able to get Redick on a longer contract for less per year. That would free up a few million this year when we're really close to the apron and give us the bigger MLE and BAE. In future years, we're going to blow past the apron anyway. Even if Redick's play declines so quickly that we have to waive him, it's basically just stretching his contract at the outset to sign him for more years but less per year. That would let you fit Zhaire into your scenario above, which is pretty well done, I think.

[FlyingArrow]

1. Butler (32.4)
2. Harris (32.4)
3. Embiid (27.5)
4. MLE (9.2) - backup C
5. Simmons (8.1)
6. BAE (3.6) - backup PG
7. 1st round pick (2.2) - Shooter
8. Bolden (1.7)
9. Redick (7.5)
10. Scott (4)
11. #33 (1) - Shooter
12. #34 (1) - backup C
13. Zhaire (3.058)
14. Vet min. (1.6) - Shooter
15. Rookie min. (Shake Milton?) (.9)

I edited your comment to fit Zhaire in there (replacing a Vet. min) by signing Redick for less per year but a longer contract. And also suggested what roles the blanks might fill. A bunch of shooters - hopefully enough that one of them is a real rotation player.

He's not in your list, but I'd try to bring back Boban if he's cheap enough. He couldn't play against Toronto, but against most teams in the regular season he provided very good efficient minutes. If we're resting Embiid as much as we should, Boban is a perfect 3rd string center - as long as no one bids too high for him.

[youngcrev]

This is probably just a case of not getting over your ex, but if Brett approves (not sure how their relationship ended), I'd throw the MLE at Nerlens Noel.

What's changed here? Well, he'd have a clear cut role for one. Last he was here, we were still trying to figure things out behind Jo with Jah, Holmes and Nerlens all vying for time (and Nerlens sitting on a contract year). This go around he'd be the unquestioned #1 backup, and to a guy that the team will look to limit minutes and increase "load management" off nights. It may not be a starting role, but it's a guaranteed 14-20 minutes per night with about 15-20 games that he'll have the opportunity to start if they go full Kawhi with Embiid. I don't think any actual good teams can offer that same type of opportunity, and I'm not sure many bad teams would offer better.

What's changed for Nerlens? I can't say anything for sure (certainly doesn't look like he's been hitting the weights heavily), but you'd think his last couple years of free agency would be humbling. After turning down a substantial deal and betting on himself... he ended up taking a minimum deal for somewhat limited backup role.

What the numbers say? He still seems to be every bit the defensive impact player we claimed him to be when he was here. The Thunder defense was actually better with him on the floor than it was with Adams. He had a DEFRTG on NBA.com (basketball-reference and 82 games use different metrics for the same stat) of 101.1 (for comparison, Gobert was at 102.9 and Embiid was at 103.3). A DRPM of 3.84 (3rd in the league). He held opposing player to -8.1% below their average at the rim and average 1.2 blocks in just 13.7 mpg, so we're talking pretty elite rim protection.

The numbers also say he's still every bit the dud on offense, but I'm more concerned with stopping the bleeding on the defensive end when Jo steps off the floor.

He's still likely to struggle bigger low post types... but there's like 4 of them in the league now. He's a disruptive defender that can switch and run the floor. I want this team to push the tempo and swarm defensively when Jo steps off the floor, and he is a perfect fit to do so.

[youngcrev]

During that Nerlens research, Ed Davis is another guy that really stood out in terms of defensive metrics. We haven't talked much about him. He doesn't offer much in terms of rim protection, but the Nets had a DRTG of 101.3 with him on the floor and he finished 2nd in DRPM in the league. He's a rebounding horse and seems to be a good positional defender. I also thought him getting injured had a very noticeable effect on our series against them.

[youngcrev]

Re-sign Butler (max), Harris (slightly higher than the max other teams can offer), Redick (9M), Scott (5M), Boban (Min)
MLE: Nerlens Noel
BAE: George Hill
Convert Shake

Starters: Simmons/JJ/Butler/Harris/Jo
#runitback

Ben lineup: Shake/Smith/Simmons/Harris/Noel
Your crew run-run-run, your crew run-run

Jo lineup: Hill/JJ/Butler/Scott/Jo
Old man, half court dominance

[BullyKing]

Re-sign Butler (max), Harris (slightly higher than the max other teams can offer), Redick (9M), Scott (5M), Boban (Min)
MLE: Nerlens Noel
BAE: George Hill
Convert Shake

Starters: Simmons/JJ/Butler/Harris/Jo
#runitback

Ben lineup: Shake/Smith/Simmons/Harris/Noel
Your crew run-run-run, your crew run-run

Jo lineup: Hill/JJ/Butler/Scott/Jo
Old man, half court dominance

I wonder if we get could get Nerlens for less than the full MLE. Something like $7 million a year would give us some much needed breathing room.

[Negrodamus]

I'm going to guess that Noel's agent is going to flash the advanced stats, which were superb, and get him a decent contract with playing time for a team out there. At this stage of his career, he's probably valuing money over winning. As much as I'd love to have him back, I'm not expecting it.

If I were him, I'd wait for either a team willing to overpay, or for a newly formed superteam that needs a defensive center who doesn't need the ball in his hands a lot.

[BullyKing]

I'm going to guess that Noel's agent is going to flash the advanced stats, which were superb, and get him a decent contract with playing time for a team out there. At this stage of his career, he's probably valuing money over winning. As much as I'd love to have him back, I'm not expecting it.

If I were him, I'd wait for either a team willing to overpay, or for a newly formed superteam that needs a defensive center who doesn't need the ball in his hands a lot.

In fairness, he already got burned once trying that strategy. But I agree that a return is unlikely as I didn't get the impression that he left on the best of terms and probably blames the Sixers for tanking his value some in a contract year.

[Negrodamus]

I'm going to guess that Noel's agent is going to flash the advanced stats, which were superb, and get him a decent contract with playing time for a team out there. At this stage of his career, he's probably valuing money over winning. As much as I'd love to have him back, I'm not expecting it.

If I were him, I'd wait for either a team willing to overpay, or for a newly formed superteam that needs a defensive center who doesn't need the ball in his hands a lot.

In fairness, he already got burned once trying that strategy. But I agree that a return is unlikely as I didn't get the impression that he left on the best of terms and probably blames the Sixers for tanking his value some in a contract year.

That's definitely true, but I believe the Mavs offered him that because of what he showed with the Sixers, which was just okay superficially but his advanced stats have been excellent. He hasn't been below a 2.9 STL% in his career which is absurd for a center.

He would have been excellent with Luka this past year. I think teams will see the potential as he enters his mid twenties and be willing to drop a decent amount of money on someone like him. I also don't expect him to make the same mistake twice.

[BullyKing]

I'm going to guess that Noel's agent is going to flash the advanced stats, which were superb, and get him a decent contract with playing time for a team out there. At this stage of his career, he's probably valuing money over winning. As much as I'd love to have him back, I'm not expecting it.

If I were him, I'd wait for either a team willing to overpay, or for a newly formed superteam that needs a defensive center who doesn't need the ball in his hands a lot.

In fairness, he already got burned once trying that strategy. But I agree that a return is unlikely as I didn't get the impression that he left on the best of terms and probably blames the Sixers for tanking his value some in a contract year.

That's definitely true, but I believe the Mavs offered him that because of what he showed with the Sixers, which was just okay superficially but his advanced stats have been excellent. He hasn't been below a 2.9 STL% in his career which is absurd for a center.

He would have been excellent with Luka this past year. I think teams will see the potential as he enters his mid twenties and be willing to drop a decent amount of money on someone like him. I also don't expect him to make the same mistake twice.

I definitely think Noel is a very valuable player but teams are so obsessed right now with centers shooting the three that I wouldn't be shocked to see him slip through the cracks again.

[youngcrev]

In fairness, he already got burned once trying that strategy. But I agree that a return is unlikely as I didn't get the impression that he left on the best of terms and probably blames the Sixers for tanking his value some in a contract year.

That's definitely true, but I believe the Mavs offered him that because of what he showed with the Sixers, which was just okay superficially but his advanced stats have been excellent. He hasn't been below a 2.9 STL% in his career which is absurd for a center.

He would have been excellent with Luka this past year. I think teams will see the potential as he enters his mid twenties and be willing to drop a decent amount of money on someone like him. I also don't expect him to make the same mistake twice.

I definitely think Noel is a very valuable player but teams are so obsessed right now with centers shooting the three that I wouldn't be shocked to see him slip through the cracks again.

That, and the market is just flooded. Vucevic, Cousins, Gasol, both Lopez brothers, Dedmon, Jordan, Bryant, Davis, WCS, Kanter, Baynes, Zubac, McGee, Chandler

Just a lot of decent-to-good options out there, and not a ton of starting spots available.

[youngcrev]

I'm going to guess that Noel's agent is going to flash the advanced stats, which were superb, and get him a decent contract with playing time for a team out there. At this stage of his career, he's probably valuing money over winning. As much as I'd love to have him back, I'm not expecting it.

If I were him, I'd wait for either a team willing to overpay, or for a newly formed superteam that needs a defensive center who doesn't need the ball in his hands a lot.

Think he gets more than the MLE? I'm trying to think from who. Maybe the Hawks? He's young enough to fit with their core. And there's the Lloyd Pierce connection. I think he'd fit the Kings roster, but doesn't seem like the type of 5 that Vlade would go for (I could see them going hard after Vucevic).

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Kyrie & Nets have interest in one another, if Kyrie signs there and Harris walks you could go after Russell and bump Simmons up to PF in terms of who he defends.

As far as backup PGs, I'd go after Corey Joseph.