Post by Orlando Magic on Aug 9, 2008 14:27:45 GMT -5
So we’ve knocked out the Duds and now we look ahead to the wanna-be’s this off-season. These teams are those who will have significant cap space but will not be able to offer the big name free agents max contracts for the first year. With some crafty dealing, they should be able to land some great role players and solidify their benches.
The Wanna-be’s:
– $7 million cap (Sebastian Telfair) Estimated: 2 cap
The Raptors will have two openings to fill in free agency, however, with three 2nd rounders in the upcoming draft, they could easily sink their entire 7 million in one role player. A few options I could see them trying to sign up are veterans Robert Horry or Ricky Davis. Both would provide some senior leadership for this relatively young team while still being able to provide some statistical help off the bench. Their other option could be resigning guard, Sebastian Telfair (my personal recommendation), for a multi-year contract that could still leave them with one or two million on draft picks.
– $5.5 million cap
The image that will be burned into the Warriors GM’s mind this summer is the sight of Andris Biedrins back as he walks out the Golden State doors for the last time. With his departure they will have a gaping hole at the center slot and it will be very difficult to patch up with their limited funds. As much as it pains me to even suggest something like this, Kwame could be the key. He will not be picked up by the Magic and although many have their misgivings about his style and quality of play, he is a guy that can fill their center void for only 5.5 million in his first year. Just something to consider…
– $7.5 million cap
The Nuggs seem to be pretty set in the starting five still but beyond those fellas, there is very little to get excited about. With what should be 7 or 8 million in cap room, I see Denver signing a few bench players along the likes of Kwame Brown, Stevenson or Duhon. However, they only have 7 players on the roster currently and might need to trade for depth or stretch that 7.5 mill into many, many players. If I were in charge, I might begin the rebuilding era for youth and picks or try and get some quality value out of Miller/Barbosa to fill the much needed bench void. Even trading Yao isn’t completely out of the question, but my money is on him staying in the Mile High for years to come.
– $8.5 million cap
Difficult times approach in Arizona, where veteran stud Antawn Jamison will set down his uniform for the possibility of making big time bucks in the free agency pool this summer. This leaves a massive void at the 4 for the perennial Pacific favorites. Lebron, VC and Nash all remain, which is nothing to spit at, but rumors are swirling about a Phoenix youth rebuilding project that could dismantle this team in favor of some young guns. This is one squad that I see changing a lot this off-season so it will be difficult to project what kind of FA moves they will make. All I can say now, is that given their situation, their best free agent move might be bringing in Alonzo or Kwame as these seem to be the only real options at the PF slot this off-season…within Phoenix’ price range that is. But the chances of these signings are slim to none and the most likely scenario is a draft day trade bonanza.
– $9.5 million cap
New Jersey seems to be in a sort of free agency limbo. Their biggest team need is a point guard but with only 9.5 million in cap room, they will not be able to afford guards like Devin Harris and Monta Ellis. Therefore, I see very little free agent moves this off-season and instead I will believe the many rumors surrounding this franchise. I know for a fact they are hunting down Phoenix point guard sensation Steve Nash and seem to have a decent shot at succeeding. With the third pick in the draft, which one can only assume to be OJ Mayo, they hold a valuable trading chip should they choose to deal it. Mayo can play the point, although his turnover ratios have been under serious scrutiny. But I digress into matters of the draft and not free agency. As far as free agent moves go, they should have a few bench spots open and I believe they can acquire some solid value with their cap room. JR Smith, Dooling and Josh Childress being a few potential targets.
– $15 million cap (Daniel Gibson) Estimated: 9 cap
Priority numero uno for the Jazz this summer needs to be the re-signing of Daniel Gibson. He has incredible potential and fills out this team’s starting five nicely. If Gibson walks and the free agency pool remains the same as I predict, Gibson could get some serious money. Whether that money would be warranted, taking into account his current abilities, would be in question. But with many teams looking to wheel and deal, Utah will need to sign him up quick before he can get a taste of that sweet, sweet unrestricted free agent money. This being said, Danny will probably return with a comfortable 6 or 7 million dollar contract in his first year and continue to improve on this promising Utah team.
– $24 million cap (Luol Deng) Estimated: 10 cap
The Kings face a very interesting question this off-season, to sign Luol or not to sign Luol? If they choose the former, the Kings should offer close to 14 million in his first year to keep him away from the free agency money. However, a more intriguing option for this team might be to release him, in the hopes that they can bring in someone like Jamison with their 24 million in cap room. With Ryan Gomes starting at PF, this Sacramento squad needs some serious inside presence and Antawn could fill that void very nicely. The price of taking a chance on Antawn, with so many other suitors knocking on his door, would be very risky and the most likely move will be sticking with Deng. But still…you always need to ask what if?
This concludes the Wanna-be’s portion of my free agency coverage. Up next are the real players this off-season who are poised and licking their lips in anticipation for the FA period to begin. You will not want to be on the other end of a bidding war with these teams.
Midway Monster
The Wanna-be’s:
– $7 million cap (Sebastian Telfair) Estimated: 2 cap
The Raptors will have two openings to fill in free agency, however, with three 2nd rounders in the upcoming draft, they could easily sink their entire 7 million in one role player. A few options I could see them trying to sign up are veterans Robert Horry or Ricky Davis. Both would provide some senior leadership for this relatively young team while still being able to provide some statistical help off the bench. Their other option could be resigning guard, Sebastian Telfair (my personal recommendation), for a multi-year contract that could still leave them with one or two million on draft picks.
– $5.5 million cap
The image that will be burned into the Warriors GM’s mind this summer is the sight of Andris Biedrins back as he walks out the Golden State doors for the last time. With his departure they will have a gaping hole at the center slot and it will be very difficult to patch up with their limited funds. As much as it pains me to even suggest something like this, Kwame could be the key. He will not be picked up by the Magic and although many have their misgivings about his style and quality of play, he is a guy that can fill their center void for only 5.5 million in his first year. Just something to consider…
– $7.5 million cap
The Nuggs seem to be pretty set in the starting five still but beyond those fellas, there is very little to get excited about. With what should be 7 or 8 million in cap room, I see Denver signing a few bench players along the likes of Kwame Brown, Stevenson or Duhon. However, they only have 7 players on the roster currently and might need to trade for depth or stretch that 7.5 mill into many, many players. If I were in charge, I might begin the rebuilding era for youth and picks or try and get some quality value out of Miller/Barbosa to fill the much needed bench void. Even trading Yao isn’t completely out of the question, but my money is on him staying in the Mile High for years to come.
– $8.5 million cap
Difficult times approach in Arizona, where veteran stud Antawn Jamison will set down his uniform for the possibility of making big time bucks in the free agency pool this summer. This leaves a massive void at the 4 for the perennial Pacific favorites. Lebron, VC and Nash all remain, which is nothing to spit at, but rumors are swirling about a Phoenix youth rebuilding project that could dismantle this team in favor of some young guns. This is one squad that I see changing a lot this off-season so it will be difficult to project what kind of FA moves they will make. All I can say now, is that given their situation, their best free agent move might be bringing in Alonzo or Kwame as these seem to be the only real options at the PF slot this off-season…within Phoenix’ price range that is. But the chances of these signings are slim to none and the most likely scenario is a draft day trade bonanza.
– $9.5 million cap
New Jersey seems to be in a sort of free agency limbo. Their biggest team need is a point guard but with only 9.5 million in cap room, they will not be able to afford guards like Devin Harris and Monta Ellis. Therefore, I see very little free agent moves this off-season and instead I will believe the many rumors surrounding this franchise. I know for a fact they are hunting down Phoenix point guard sensation Steve Nash and seem to have a decent shot at succeeding. With the third pick in the draft, which one can only assume to be OJ Mayo, they hold a valuable trading chip should they choose to deal it. Mayo can play the point, although his turnover ratios have been under serious scrutiny. But I digress into matters of the draft and not free agency. As far as free agent moves go, they should have a few bench spots open and I believe they can acquire some solid value with their cap room. JR Smith, Dooling and Josh Childress being a few potential targets.
– $15 million cap (Daniel Gibson) Estimated: 9 cap
Priority numero uno for the Jazz this summer needs to be the re-signing of Daniel Gibson. He has incredible potential and fills out this team’s starting five nicely. If Gibson walks and the free agency pool remains the same as I predict, Gibson could get some serious money. Whether that money would be warranted, taking into account his current abilities, would be in question. But with many teams looking to wheel and deal, Utah will need to sign him up quick before he can get a taste of that sweet, sweet unrestricted free agent money. This being said, Danny will probably return with a comfortable 6 or 7 million dollar contract in his first year and continue to improve on this promising Utah team.
– $24 million cap (Luol Deng) Estimated: 10 cap
The Kings face a very interesting question this off-season, to sign Luol or not to sign Luol? If they choose the former, the Kings should offer close to 14 million in his first year to keep him away from the free agency money. However, a more intriguing option for this team might be to release him, in the hopes that they can bring in someone like Jamison with their 24 million in cap room. With Ryan Gomes starting at PF, this Sacramento squad needs some serious inside presence and Antawn could fill that void very nicely. The price of taking a chance on Antawn, with so many other suitors knocking on his door, would be very risky and the most likely move will be sticking with Deng. But still…you always need to ask what if?
This concludes the Wanna-be’s portion of my free agency coverage. Up next are the real players this off-season who are poised and licking their lips in anticipation for the FA period to begin. You will not want to be on the other end of a bidding war with these teams.
Midway Monster