darealjuice wrote:I wouldn't be interested in that. Giving Van Vleet the deal he'll be looking for doesn't make sense after drafting Haliburton at 8, and I don't think I'd want to pay Gallo the contract he'd be looking for to play here over paying Oubre a similar amount. This free agent class doesn't really have anyone I'm comfortable giving a sizable, multi-year contract to either.
It doesn't make sense to me to trade Oubre because we don't want to pay him, only to spend all of our money to an aging, injury prone veteran like Gallo. I'd rather stick at 10, use our cap space to fill out the weak points of our roster, and run it back if we're not packaging him for an immediate upgrade. If we keep him in free agency, then great; otherwise we'll have plenty of money in a good free agent class with a team (hopefully) on the upswing.
I agree with not taking Haliburton IF we plan to go after / sign Van Vleet. I'd in that situation, Look to either Toppin ( If he fell) Vassell or Avdija. Agree with not paying Gallo
over 20 million, But don't agree with not being willing to pay him anything more than what Oubre is currently making, Because if we could even get him for around say 16-18 million,
Then that would be solid value honestly. Also because obviously Gallo is much better overall offensively! And would help to make us a top 5 offensive team in the league. And additionally, He could be a great mentor to Cam, As well as our young players, And is a longtime family friend/ mentor of Booker. So you score points with Book on that signing.
Also, I get that this summer's free agency is relatively shallow on high tier free agents, But I don't understand why everyone assumes that we'll be expected to have more success in 21' free agency, When the league will be saturated with teams having a ton of cap space. This situation will create much greater competition for key free agents, And very likely drive up bidding prices in order to secure your targets. I'd rather secure a quality impact player this summer, With interest in making the jump to being a playoff team. Since there will be
significantly less competition this summer due to the lockdown and restrictive cap situation. So if we know that we either can't afford to, Or don't intend to resign Oubre, Then it makes little sense to hold onto him longer and his trade value will continue to depreciate the closer that he gets to actual unrestricted free agency.
The point is to optimize the returning value for Oubre. Now as you said, IF we have a plan and can afford to keep him, Then great! But if not, Then getting a large chunk of cap space to pursue an impact player AND other potential assets is great value, And a win for our team's direction.
I have mentioned before that the best way to go towards keeping Oubre is to utilize the draft to add low cost contractually controlled positional depth ( supporting cast) around Oubre / Booker/ Ayton. But because all three are primarily strongest on the offensive side of the ball, And Oubre is best at isolation and penetration scoring, We'd be best served to add prospects that are very versatile and switchable defenders, AND strong potentially elite 3 point shooters to create immense gravity to pull out defenders from the paint, And open up the lanes.
I believe that the front office will consider this with there speculated interest in Bane initially. But they should also be considering potentially elite low usage versatile utility defenders such as Vassell/ Tyler Bey/ Paul Reed/ Trevelin Queen etc. As these prospects still contribute to winning plays. But don't really need the ball in their hands to be effective. This way, They don't take away looks from Booker, Oubre, Ayton.
Lastly, I agree for the most part with not wanting to give a sizable contract to the majority of available free agents this particular summer. But I would however consider something reasonable for either Grant or Wood. As both are relatively low usage complimentary players that would have a significant impact on our team. And would also address key weaknesses and positional depth issues.
With Grant, Something around 42/3 ( 3rd yr team option). And with Wood, Maybe something around 30/3 ( 3rd yr team option). With benchmark incentives ( Bonuses) for production and statistical improvements ( To keep his energy/ work ethic high! I really like Wood actually, As he's basically a bigger, longer, better 3 pt shooting version of Oubre anyways. Both are Uber athletic, long, fast, play with energy and tenacity! Only Wood would be on a much cheaper deal.
If we can't get these targets, then just run it back as plan B with short 1 yr deals, Or a 2yr deal with a 2nd yr team option.
By the way, No Vassell in the top 15??
