Post by RManske2 on Feb 13, 2011 15:20:26 GMT -5
Continuing with the series of potential free agents this coming offseason, we next look at the small forwards. Similar to the point guards that have already been covered, there appears to be some depth as to players that may be available for teams needing to address this need for the upcoming season and beyond. There appears to be one, maybe two, franchise players in this bunch to go along with some other quality starters and depth for teams needing to improve their bench. Note: while Lebron James is projected to be a free agent, he has offered to resign with the Boston Celtics so he is not included in the discussion.
Carmelo Anthony - Chicago Bulls
Current Stats: 22.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game[/b]
With the former Syracuse University star declining to resign a contract there are some nervous times in the Windy City at the moment since he is their franchise player. At just 22 years of age, Anthony has already been in the league four years and shown himself to be an impact player. While his numbers for this prior season were listed above, his career numbers at this point are 22.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. For teams with the cap space to offer a maximum deal, it is my opinion that Anthony, shooting guard Dwayne Wade, and bigman Amare Stoudemire will be the most sought after players based on their talent and age. Depending on how a team is structured will depend on which one of these three players any given general manager would rather have going forward. However, it is clear that if a team lands any of these players they will see improvement instantly.
With it known that Anthony is going to test the free agent market and that he will be getting lots of max deals over the six year period, the question is will he sign the seven year max deal to return to the Bulls. Even though the Bulls did finish with a losing record of 37-45, it should be pointed out that this was a team decimated by injuries as their starting center Marcus Camby missed half the year and forward Jason Maxiell missed significant time as well. While it remains to be seen what Chicago will be able to do in free agency, they have a scoring machine in Ray Allen at the shooting guard spot and a lottery pick to add another young talent to their roster. However, the question is what will Anthony's decision be and if there is enough for him to return to the Windy City or if he will try his luck elsewhere.
Tracy McGrady - New York Knicks
Current Stats: 24.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game[/b]
Following Carmelo Anthony, the other small forward that I would consider to be a franchise player in this free agency class is New York's Tracy McGrady. While he is just 27 years old, it already seems like he has been around forever with his 734 career games. Following many years with the San Antonio Spurs, McGrady was traded to the Big Apple last season and has been teamed up with Amare Stoudemire and Chris Paul in their quest to get the Knicks back to the top. As shown above, McGrady averaged 24.5 points per game this year which was his lowest total over the past five seasons and raises an interesting question. Some may debate that McGrady's skills might be slipping a bit or some could argue that his numbers slipped a bit based on the fact he was surrounded with more talent than he was in San Antonio.
As for what the superstar will do, it is clear this is last chance to cash in one a big time contract. When next season tips off, McGrady will be 28 so a 6 or 7 year max deal will end when he is 34 or 35 which could likely be the twilight of a great career. Perhaps there is nobody more nervous heading into free agency than the Knicks GM realizing that it is a possibility that both players will resign, presumably at max deals, or in the absolute worst case scenario of both players leaving the franchise and going elsewhere. If this doomsday scenario was to happen, this would be a huge blow to the Knicks since they would have Chris Paul left and they have moved their first round picks over the next few years so it might be difficult to bring in young talent through the draft.
Keith Van Horn - Charlotte Hornets
Current Stats: 23.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals[/b]
After Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady being considered as franchise calibur players, I think the next level starts with Charlotte's Keith Van Horn. While it is my opinion that the former University of Utah star is not a franchise player, there is no question in my mind that he is a very good player and could be the key to a team with a superstar that is looking to add one more big time player. During his career, Van Horn spent six years with the Bucks and during the last three years it has been quite the journey for him as he has played with at least the Utah Jazz, the Portland Trailblazers, the Los Angeles Clippers, and most recently with the Charlotte Hornets. Even with the amount he has been moved around, Van Horn has remained consistent throughout it all as he has averaged at least 20 points per game over the last four years with his 23.0 this year being his second best scoring season during his career.
With Van Horn scheduled to be a free agent, there are questions as to how he would fit into Charlotte's plans. In Charlotte currently the team has Hedu Turkoglu locked up to a long-term deal that is paying him $48 million over the next four years who also plays the small forward position. One could possibly argue that Van Horn could move over to the power forward spot but his lack of rebounding would hurt the team and whether he could take on the more physical post players. Besides, the Hornets have Eddy Curry in this spot and he is coming off a year in which he almost averaged a double-double. Based on these reasons, will the Hornets throw a big contract out to Van Horn with the hope of figuring out how to make things work or hope to pull off a trade to bolster their roster with players and/or picks.
Carmelo Anthony - Chicago Bulls
Current Stats: 22.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game[/b]
With the former Syracuse University star declining to resign a contract there are some nervous times in the Windy City at the moment since he is their franchise player. At just 22 years of age, Anthony has already been in the league four years and shown himself to be an impact player. While his numbers for this prior season were listed above, his career numbers at this point are 22.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. For teams with the cap space to offer a maximum deal, it is my opinion that Anthony, shooting guard Dwayne Wade, and bigman Amare Stoudemire will be the most sought after players based on their talent and age. Depending on how a team is structured will depend on which one of these three players any given general manager would rather have going forward. However, it is clear that if a team lands any of these players they will see improvement instantly.
With it known that Anthony is going to test the free agent market and that he will be getting lots of max deals over the six year period, the question is will he sign the seven year max deal to return to the Bulls. Even though the Bulls did finish with a losing record of 37-45, it should be pointed out that this was a team decimated by injuries as their starting center Marcus Camby missed half the year and forward Jason Maxiell missed significant time as well. While it remains to be seen what Chicago will be able to do in free agency, they have a scoring machine in Ray Allen at the shooting guard spot and a lottery pick to add another young talent to their roster. However, the question is what will Anthony's decision be and if there is enough for him to return to the Windy City or if he will try his luck elsewhere.
Tracy McGrady - New York Knicks
Current Stats: 24.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game[/b]
Following Carmelo Anthony, the other small forward that I would consider to be a franchise player in this free agency class is New York's Tracy McGrady. While he is just 27 years old, it already seems like he has been around forever with his 734 career games. Following many years with the San Antonio Spurs, McGrady was traded to the Big Apple last season and has been teamed up with Amare Stoudemire and Chris Paul in their quest to get the Knicks back to the top. As shown above, McGrady averaged 24.5 points per game this year which was his lowest total over the past five seasons and raises an interesting question. Some may debate that McGrady's skills might be slipping a bit or some could argue that his numbers slipped a bit based on the fact he was surrounded with more talent than he was in San Antonio.
As for what the superstar will do, it is clear this is last chance to cash in one a big time contract. When next season tips off, McGrady will be 28 so a 6 or 7 year max deal will end when he is 34 or 35 which could likely be the twilight of a great career. Perhaps there is nobody more nervous heading into free agency than the Knicks GM realizing that it is a possibility that both players will resign, presumably at max deals, or in the absolute worst case scenario of both players leaving the franchise and going elsewhere. If this doomsday scenario was to happen, this would be a huge blow to the Knicks since they would have Chris Paul left and they have moved their first round picks over the next few years so it might be difficult to bring in young talent through the draft.
Keith Van Horn - Charlotte Hornets
Current Stats: 23.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals[/b]
After Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady being considered as franchise calibur players, I think the next level starts with Charlotte's Keith Van Horn. While it is my opinion that the former University of Utah star is not a franchise player, there is no question in my mind that he is a very good player and could be the key to a team with a superstar that is looking to add one more big time player. During his career, Van Horn spent six years with the Bucks and during the last three years it has been quite the journey for him as he has played with at least the Utah Jazz, the Portland Trailblazers, the Los Angeles Clippers, and most recently with the Charlotte Hornets. Even with the amount he has been moved around, Van Horn has remained consistent throughout it all as he has averaged at least 20 points per game over the last four years with his 23.0 this year being his second best scoring season during his career.
With Van Horn scheduled to be a free agent, there are questions as to how he would fit into Charlotte's plans. In Charlotte currently the team has Hedu Turkoglu locked up to a long-term deal that is paying him $48 million over the next four years who also plays the small forward position. One could possibly argue that Van Horn could move over to the power forward spot but his lack of rebounding would hurt the team and whether he could take on the more physical post players. Besides, the Hornets have Eddy Curry in this spot and he is coming off a year in which he almost averaged a double-double. Based on these reasons, will the Hornets throw a big contract out to Van Horn with the hope of figuring out how to make things work or hope to pull off a trade to bolster their roster with players and/or picks.
