Post by nick24 on Sept 21, 2010 13:48:55 GMT -5
With the draft here, Free Agency is just around the corner. It is a very important time during the offseason aside from the draft and trades, as teams either try to resign their studs or try to and convince studs to sign with another team. Anything can happen in FA as seen in last season’s FA, where 3 major FAs signed with different teams (Abdur-Rahim from DAL to VAN, Mourning from MIA to IND, and Kidd from PHX to VAN). However, as a rule, never think you can form a team based on FA. The odds are not in your favor. That’s what trades and the draft is for. Anyways, let’s take a look at the top 2001 FA’s this offseason, along with some key bench players.
The Headliners:
FC Tim Duncan
Sadly for the Mavs, he didn’t resign. This has not only their GM nervous, but also their fans. The future success of the Mavs rests on resigning Duncan. Duncan always had the tools to be a superstar bigman in the league, and he is. His scoring is still improving, but it’s his rebounding and shot blocking that help make him an elite big. He is also only 25, and can play both the C and PF positions. He is a no-brainer to sign a MAX deal. The Mavs were able to recover after losing Abdur-Rahim in FA last offseason. If Duncan bolts, I don’t see how they could recover from that.
G Chauncey Billups
Billups is listed as a PG, but he did play SG for the Nuggets last season. It worked to a certain degree, but he’s still a PG for me. Therefore, he’s the top PG in the list of FAs. He has worked real hard every offseason, and it has shown. Billups put up career highs in ppg, spg, rpg, FT%, and 3P%. Like Duncan, he’s also only 25. Even though the Nuggets have Brandon at PG, they still need Billups to come back. He’s definitely a MAX guy. Hopefully the Nuggets will be able to resign him.
SG Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson is an intriguing player. At SG, he has nice ratings. However, stat wise, he hasn’t lived up to those ratings. Yes, he was on a good Dallas Mavericks team. Therefore, it’s hard to really gauge what kind of money Anderson deserves. Teams will be weary because they don’t want him to turn out like a Jerry Stackhouse. The good thing is tough he has 2 more camps left. If focused on his offense, he should become a good #3 or maybe even #2.
C Zydrunas Ilgauskas
I honestly don’t feel like he fits in the top FAs that should be looked at, but many teams I feel will be intrigued by him. Over the years, he has gotten significant interest from the trade market. However, I don’t see anything special in him. His best season was on a good Cavs team in the 1998 season. He hasn’t done much in TCs. With all that said, I could easily see him getting overpaid, given that bigmen get overpaid more often than never. I think he deserves like 1 3-4 deal, a little bit over MLE. At this point in his career, he’s a good backup big.
C Bryant Reeves
I kind of feel for the guy. He has posted really solid stats, but hasn’t been signed to a multi-year deal. I don’t get it. Another thing I don’t get is why he isn’t playing C. The guy is HUGE and is NOT a PF. Granted, the Clippers weren’t a great team, but he still put up career highs in several categories. He shouldn’t get anything close to MAX dollars, but he should get a 3-4 year deal. With bigmen at a premium, Reeves should get sign early.
SF Rick Fox
Fox came out of nowhere and had some good TCs, and ultimately has become a good #3 scorer. The guy is a flat out shooter. His main asset is his 3PT shooting. He has posted a career 42.3% from #, which is solid as hell. A team running on an outside focus would LOVE this guy. He asked for big money this offseason, something the Mavs weren’t committed to having Harrington ready. They will want to resign him, but will ultimately trade him for future assets.
GF Ron Mercer
I have to give it to Mercer. He had a fairly solid season for Atlanta in 2000. Yes, the Hawks weren’t the best team. He’s only 25, and has some decent ratings to camp on. If anything, he’s a good non-option on a good team. If camped right, he could easily become a 15 ppg scorer on a good team. He should definitely get a multi-year deal, somewhere in the neighborhood of Big Z.
FC Adonal Foyle
When it comes to defense and rebounding, Foyle is one of the best in this FA class. Only downside with him is that he’ll never be a scorer or decent FT shooter for a big. Given his age and that he’s a big, I feel someone is going to overpay to get him. He wanted big money from the Spurs, and they smartly declined his offer. Around MLE for multi-years makes sense to me, but watch, he’ll get overpaid.
Solid Bench Guys:
PG Darrell Armstrong
You could argue and say he’s a starter. I agree with that argument to a certain degree. He does have decent ratings to be a starter. However, being that he’s a PG and 33 years old, he could easily decline. Therefore, he makes a solid backup/fringe starter at PG. Getting him at MLE would be a luxury.
FC Travis Knight
Yes, Knight played on a bad Jazz team, but you have to show love for the reigning 6MOTY. Another MLE type guy, who can play solid defense and rebound.
GF Scottie Pippen
Back in the early-mid 90s, this guy wouldn’t even be thought of as a bench guy. However, at the ripe age of 36, Pippen is a bench guy now. I like him because he has the ability to play PG, SG, and SF. However, he might only be limited at SF after a bad TC. With age comes loss of quickness, etc. Getting him for MLE would be smart though.
SF Lamond Murray
Murray will probably resign with the Kings after helping them win a Ship. He seems like a good glue guy and would be a nice backup SF.
F Robert Horry
Big Shot Bob is what he is…solid all around. He can score some, play defense, and is versatile. That’s really important for a contending team. MLE for this guy makes a lot of sense.
SF Byron Russell
Russell is nice because of his solid defense. He also can play some SG, showing some versatility.
C Keith Closs
Maybe a stretch here, but I like him because of his size and defense.
GF Bob Sura
Hey, the Clippers were bold enough to give a 1st for him. He’s not that good but I like him due to his versatility and toughness. Got to love those FSU guys.
SF Ime Udoka
Udoka is a bit of a wild card to me. Everyone passes up on him in the draft and he ended up being picked up by the Wiz after a strong showing in camp. He’s young, has solid ratings, and still a listed A potential. Very intriguing. Could be worth a gamble for a small 3 year deal.
PF Tony Battie
I really like Battie. As a big, he brings strength and toughness to any team. He can score some, but what makes him stand out is his defense and rebounding. Sign him at MLE and you got yourself a solid backup PF and C.
FC Dickey Simpkins
As a big, he won’t blow you away with shot blocking or rebounding. However, his inside scoring is what sets him apart. He scored almost 12 ppg at 23 mins and less than 1 TOpg. That’s pretty damn efficient.
C Rik Smits
Smits is old but he can still score, defend, and rebound with his size. He fits the Simpkins mold but is a better defender/rebounder.
C Shawn Bradley
Have to love this guys size and defense. If you need shot blocking, try and sign this guy.
SG Dell Curry
A really good shooter off the bench.
FC Antonio Davis
He’s also aging but has shown signs he can still play after a 13/9 season.
The Headliners:
FC Tim Duncan
Sadly for the Mavs, he didn’t resign. This has not only their GM nervous, but also their fans. The future success of the Mavs rests on resigning Duncan. Duncan always had the tools to be a superstar bigman in the league, and he is. His scoring is still improving, but it’s his rebounding and shot blocking that help make him an elite big. He is also only 25, and can play both the C and PF positions. He is a no-brainer to sign a MAX deal. The Mavs were able to recover after losing Abdur-Rahim in FA last offseason. If Duncan bolts, I don’t see how they could recover from that.
Duncan without a doubt is the best available FA this FA class
G Chauncey Billups
Billups is listed as a PG, but he did play SG for the Nuggets last season. It worked to a certain degree, but he’s still a PG for me. Therefore, he’s the top PG in the list of FAs. He has worked real hard every offseason, and it has shown. Billups put up career highs in ppg, spg, rpg, FT%, and 3P%. Like Duncan, he’s also only 25. Even though the Nuggets have Brandon at PG, they still need Billups to come back. He’s definitely a MAX guy. Hopefully the Nuggets will be able to resign him.
Mr. Big Shot is the best PG available
SG Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson is an intriguing player. At SG, he has nice ratings. However, stat wise, he hasn’t lived up to those ratings. Yes, he was on a good Dallas Mavericks team. Therefore, it’s hard to really gauge what kind of money Anderson deserves. Teams will be weary because they don’t want him to turn out like a Jerry Stackhouse. The good thing is tough he has 2 more camps left. If focused on his offense, he should become a good #3 or maybe even #2.
C Zydrunas Ilgauskas
I honestly don’t feel like he fits in the top FAs that should be looked at, but many teams I feel will be intrigued by him. Over the years, he has gotten significant interest from the trade market. However, I don’t see anything special in him. His best season was on a good Cavs team in the 1998 season. He hasn’t done much in TCs. With all that said, I could easily see him getting overpaid, given that bigmen get overpaid more often than never. I think he deserves like 1 3-4 deal, a little bit over MLE. At this point in his career, he’s a good backup big.
Even though he's a bust, Big Z could get paid this offseason
C Bryant Reeves
I kind of feel for the guy. He has posted really solid stats, but hasn’t been signed to a multi-year deal. I don’t get it. Another thing I don’t get is why he isn’t playing C. The guy is HUGE and is NOT a PF. Granted, the Clippers weren’t a great team, but he still put up career highs in several categories. He shouldn’t get anything close to MAX dollars, but he should get a 3-4 year deal. With bigmen at a premium, Reeves should get sign early.
SF Rick Fox
Fox came out of nowhere and had some good TCs, and ultimately has become a good #3 scorer. The guy is a flat out shooter. His main asset is his 3PT shooting. He has posted a career 42.3% from #, which is solid as hell. A team running on an outside focus would LOVE this guy. He asked for big money this offseason, something the Mavs weren’t committed to having Harrington ready. They will want to resign him, but will ultimately trade him for future assets.
Fox is the best SF available
GF Ron Mercer
I have to give it to Mercer. He had a fairly solid season for Atlanta in 2000. Yes, the Hawks weren’t the best team. He’s only 25, and has some decent ratings to camp on. If anything, he’s a good non-option on a good team. If camped right, he could easily become a 15 ppg scorer on a good team. He should definitely get a multi-year deal, somewhere in the neighborhood of Big Z.
FC Adonal Foyle
When it comes to defense and rebounding, Foyle is one of the best in this FA class. Only downside with him is that he’ll never be a scorer or decent FT shooter for a big. Given his age and that he’s a big, I feel someone is going to overpay to get him. He wanted big money from the Spurs, and they smartly declined his offer. Around MLE for multi-years makes sense to me, but watch, he’ll get overpaid.
Solid Bench Guys:
PG Darrell Armstrong
You could argue and say he’s a starter. I agree with that argument to a certain degree. He does have decent ratings to be a starter. However, being that he’s a PG and 33 years old, he could easily decline. Therefore, he makes a solid backup/fringe starter at PG. Getting him at MLE would be a luxury.
FC Travis Knight
Yes, Knight played on a bad Jazz team, but you have to show love for the reigning 6MOTY. Another MLE type guy, who can play solid defense and rebound.
GF Scottie Pippen
Back in the early-mid 90s, this guy wouldn’t even be thought of as a bench guy. However, at the ripe age of 36, Pippen is a bench guy now. I like him because he has the ability to play PG, SG, and SF. However, he might only be limited at SF after a bad TC. With age comes loss of quickness, etc. Getting him for MLE would be smart though.
SF Lamond Murray
Murray will probably resign with the Kings after helping them win a Ship. He seems like a good glue guy and would be a nice backup SF.
F Robert Horry
Big Shot Bob is what he is…solid all around. He can score some, play defense, and is versatile. That’s really important for a contending team. MLE for this guy makes a lot of sense.
SF Byron Russell
Russell is nice because of his solid defense. He also can play some SG, showing some versatility.
C Keith Closs
Maybe a stretch here, but I like him because of his size and defense.
GF Bob Sura
Hey, the Clippers were bold enough to give a 1st for him. He’s not that good but I like him due to his versatility and toughness. Got to love those FSU guys.
SF Ime Udoka
Udoka is a bit of a wild card to me. Everyone passes up on him in the draft and he ended up being picked up by the Wiz after a strong showing in camp. He’s young, has solid ratings, and still a listed A potential. Very intriguing. Could be worth a gamble for a small 3 year deal.
PF Tony Battie
I really like Battie. As a big, he brings strength and toughness to any team. He can score some, but what makes him stand out is his defense and rebounding. Sign him at MLE and you got yourself a solid backup PF and C.
FC Dickey Simpkins
As a big, he won’t blow you away with shot blocking or rebounding. However, his inside scoring is what sets him apart. He scored almost 12 ppg at 23 mins and less than 1 TOpg. That’s pretty damn efficient.
C Rik Smits
Smits is old but he can still score, defend, and rebound with his size. He fits the Simpkins mold but is a better defender/rebounder.
C Shawn Bradley
Have to love this guys size and defense. If you need shot blocking, try and sign this guy.
SG Dell Curry
A really good shooter off the bench.
FC Antonio Davis
He’s also aging but has shown signs he can still play after a 13/9 season.
