Re: Free Agent Breakdown - no trade, It's all about free agent
Here are some of MY thoughts...
In a (likely) shortened season (thus w/ a shortened pre-season) having a group of vets & guys ho have played together & are familiar w/ one another will greatly help. Re-signing some of our "key" FA would only add to our chemistry. And even though G.Hill has not played w/ this current group, being a vet he will greatly help us much more vs. having a rookie - another great part to the trade!
This is NOT a great season to sign FA's, so be smart, build with depth & go for it 110% in '12 (ie: EJ!)
That said:
OUR FA's:
-Re-sign Foster (1 yr w/ a Team option for a 2nd) for depth.
-Re-sign McRoberts & get him on the post & off the perimeter. Get him focused off playing "mean". Love his athleticism, & if we can start getting some production from the 2, his limited offense will not be as glaring, plus now w/ G.Hill's ability to penetrate & playing w/ an elite big should help Josh & Roy.
My DON'T wants:
-D.West: 31 yrs old coming off an ACL, turned down 3/26 so he obviously wants more - Too Much, PASS!
-K.Martin: 33 yrs old, not sure about his attitude w/ a young core, likely wants too much like West).
-A.Jefferson: (via trade): 13 Mil for 3 more yrs., more a C then a PF, don't see as a fit next to Roy.
-Carl Landrey: I like him, but is is not the "long, athletic PF" we need/ desire. He will likely be too expensive for be a 2nd/3rd PF off the bench. I want to want him, but I just don't see him addressing our needs.
My Wants:
-Tyson Chandler: Now there is No Way he leaves Dallas, but his size, defense, & leadership would be the Perfect compliment to what we need. We won't get him, but he should be at the top on any list.
-Nene: Again, another pipe dream, but he would be a great get. Not sold on him being a PF, but he is the type of talent you go for when you can.
-Shane Battier: The Perfect vet & backup SF/SG. Locker room Gold!!!
Honorable Mention:
-Kris Humphries: If he does not resign w/ NJ due to them wanting to save $ for D.Williams & Lopez n/y, he might be an interesting option to look at. Even if HE is not interesting to look at, Kim K. will be!!!
My "Under the Radar" pick:
-Earl Clark: Only 23 yrs old, 6'10", now a sculpted 250 lbs, w/ a 7'2" wing span, can play 3 & 4 & is a strong defender! He was not tendered an offer off his rookie deal (by PHX), so he signs under the new CBA & will not expire w/ the rest of most of his draft class, thus spacing his contract away from many of our young core. In Orlando (where he seemed to attach himself to D.Howard) he added over 10#'s & seemed to find a work ethic. Van Gundy praised his work & especially his defense - said he could be "special" as a defender w/ a developing offensive game. There were rumors last season early that L.Bird had interest. Could he be a potential Lamar Odom type down the road? I like his fit with this team.
My "Long Shot" pick:
-Greg Oden: POR has till Thur to tender, if they do he can refuse to sign & instantly be a FA (unlikely), or sign & either be delt in season, or play out his 1 yr & become a FA. Last word I heard has Greg sitting out till after the new year to insure he gets healthy. Good news for him, if there is a lockout & a 50 game'ish season, he might not miss anything. Also, I'm not mistaken, Greg's agent is M.Conely Sr. If I am right, this could play very well in Greg's favor (as well as ours!). With MC Sr., there is an emotional element that might not be there with someone who does not know Greg like he does, & he will want what is truly the best for Greg the person. If Greg is as emotionally beat up as we hear he is, maybe coming home might be a great move for him. The support of family & friends could only help this young man (IMO). As for his "fit" on our roster, playing as a b/u to a guy like Roy would be great as the limited min's would allow Greg time to heal (physically & emotionally) and to regain some confidence. For Roy, playing against a solid defensive big every day in practice would be great for him as well. For the team, adding a former #1 pick & potential stud defensive big could be huge, plus adding another hometown kid won't hurt the box office either.coming home & playing back up min's could be great for him personally. If this is not a '11 move, I could see in in '12
Here are some of MY thoughts...
In a (likely) shortened season (thus w/ a shortened pre-season) having a group of vets & guys ho have played together & are familiar w/ one another will greatly help. Re-signing some of our "key" FA would only add to our chemistry. And even though G.Hill has not played w/ this current group, being a vet he will greatly help us much more vs. having a rookie - another great part to the trade!
This is NOT a great season to sign FA's, so be smart, build with depth & go for it 110% in '12 (ie: EJ!)
That said:
OUR FA's:
-Re-sign Foster (1 yr w/ a Team option for a 2nd) for depth.
-Re-sign McRoberts & get him on the post & off the perimeter. Get him focused off playing "mean". Love his athleticism, & if we can start getting some production from the 2, his limited offense will not be as glaring, plus now w/ G.Hill's ability to penetrate & playing w/ an elite big should help Josh & Roy.
My DON'T wants:
-D.West: 31 yrs old coming off an ACL, turned down 3/26 so he obviously wants more - Too Much, PASS!
-K.Martin: 33 yrs old, not sure about his attitude w/ a young core, likely wants too much like West).
-A.Jefferson: (via trade): 13 Mil for 3 more yrs., more a C then a PF, don't see as a fit next to Roy.
-Carl Landrey: I like him, but is is not the "long, athletic PF" we need/ desire. He will likely be too expensive for be a 2nd/3rd PF off the bench. I want to want him, but I just don't see him addressing our needs.
My Wants:
-Tyson Chandler: Now there is No Way he leaves Dallas, but his size, defense, & leadership would be the Perfect compliment to what we need. We won't get him, but he should be at the top on any list.
-Nene: Again, another pipe dream, but he would be a great get. Not sold on him being a PF, but he is the type of talent you go for when you can.
-Shane Battier: The Perfect vet & backup SF/SG. Locker room Gold!!!
Honorable Mention:
-Kris Humphries: If he does not resign w/ NJ due to them wanting to save $ for D.Williams & Lopez n/y, he might be an interesting option to look at. Even if HE is not interesting to look at, Kim K. will be!!!
My "Under the Radar" pick:
-Earl Clark: Only 23 yrs old, 6'10", now a sculpted 250 lbs, w/ a 7'2" wing span, can play 3 & 4 & is a strong defender! He was not tendered an offer off his rookie deal (by PHX), so he signs under the new CBA & will not expire w/ the rest of most of his draft class, thus spacing his contract away from many of our young core. In Orlando (where he seemed to attach himself to D.Howard) he added over 10#'s & seemed to find a work ethic. Van Gundy praised his work & especially his defense - said he could be "special" as a defender w/ a developing offensive game. There were rumors last season early that L.Bird had interest. Could he be a potential Lamar Odom type down the road? I like his fit with this team.
My "Long Shot" pick:
-Greg Oden: POR has till Thur to tender, if they do he can refuse to sign & instantly be a FA (unlikely), or sign & either be delt in season, or play out his 1 yr & become a FA. Last word I heard has Greg sitting out till after the new year to insure he gets healthy. Good news for him, if there is a lockout & a 50 game'ish season, he might not miss anything. Also, I'm not mistaken, Greg's agent is M.Conely Sr. If I am right, this could play very well in Greg's favor (as well as ours!). With MC Sr., there is an emotional element that might not be there with someone who does not know Greg like he does, & he will want what is truly the best for Greg the person. If Greg is as emotionally beat up as we hear he is, maybe coming home might be a great move for him. The support of family & friends could only help this young man (IMO). As for his "fit" on our roster, playing as a b/u to a guy like Roy would be great as the limited min's would allow Greg time to heal (physically & emotionally) and to regain some confidence. For Roy, playing against a solid defensive big every day in practice would be great for him as well. For the team, adding a former #1 pick & potential stud defensive big could be huge, plus adding another hometown kid won't hurt the box office either.coming home & playing back up min's could be great for him personally. If this is not a '11 move, I could see in in '12
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