Post by sonnyblack on Nov 11, 2010 6:43:57 GMT -5
Welcome to this years Free Agency recap. We will analyze what might be the weakest Free Agency class since the start of the league.
Atlanta Hawks
"Dre" at the Hawks press conference, all smiles
The Hawks are the team that made the most noise in this offseasons Free Agency (so far). They traded for veteran All Star playmaker Gary Payton, but that didnt keep them from retaining last years starting PG Andre Miller for $9.000.000 a year. Good for them that the deal is only for one year, like this they shouldnt have trouble trading him should they be unable to provide enough minutes for both.
They also brought back the energetic Isiah "East Bay Funk Dunk"Rider for $7.000.000 over the next season, how should provide a great scoring punch of the bench or start over Doug Christie, depending if their coach favors a more offensive or defensive system.
Speaking of defense, Chris Andersen, also known as "The Birdman", also accepted the Hawks offer to remain with the team. He will make $10.000.000 over the next 2 seasons to anchor the Hawks defense down low.
Denver Nuggets
The 1999-2000 MIP will remain in Denver
Jalen Rose was arguably the best Free Agent of this class (yikes, that says all I have to say about this class), so to bring him back for anything under the maximum salary must be considered a winner. Remember, guys get overpaid in this market, so if Rose would have cashed in on a 3 or 4 Year maximum deal, nobody were to be surprised. Instead the former Fab 5 decided to come back to Denver for the next 3 seasons, earning $30,515,625 over this period.
Indiana Pacers
One of the best shooters in the league!
The Pacers had one weak spot in their starting lineup, and they went out to take care of it. Wally Szczerbiak, the 2000 3pt Shootout Champion, has a better rounded game than last years starter DerMarr Johnson. He doesnt have Johnsons' athleticism, therefore a far more fundamental game, which should go well together with Tim Duncan and Penny Hardaway, two of the most intelligent players at their respective position. They need some more depth in the frontcourt which they didnt adress yet, but nabbing Wally for the MLE is defenitly a winner.
Chicago Bulls
Spree vows not to choke anyone in the Windy City
The Bulls might be rebuilding and Latrell Spreewell might be too old for that purpose, however he fill their need fore more firepower on the wings and his in-out game should be a nice compliment to rookie Carmelo Anthony. That said, $8,971,852 over one year is unlikely to hurt anyone and in the worst scenario they can ship him off to a contender for more rebuilding pieces.
They also signed F/C Lazaros Papadopoulos for $540,850 over one year, a player who was recently released by the Minnesota Timberwolves after spending the entire 2002 season on their injured list. Not much to say about this one.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Sweet SSBL life!!!
The Wolves might be the deepest team in the league, but were lacking a little bit of depth in their frontcourt. They perfectly adressed that issue by signing Robert "Tractor" Traylor to their roster. Traylor was the Cavaliers starting center last season, so to sign one of the top bigmen in his class for the MLE as a 3rd stringer can only be considered a luxury.
On top, the Wolves brought back Jumaine Jones for $2,880,000 over 2 seasons. Jones saw only (regular) garbage minutes last year and you might ask yourself if he will get any minutes at all this year with all the wings on the Wolves roster already. For him it's purely a financial decision, as he would not have made more money elsewhere. Can't blame him, people need to feed their families in the cold Minnesota.
Atlanta Hawks
"Dre" at the Hawks press conference, all smiles
The Hawks are the team that made the most noise in this offseasons Free Agency (so far). They traded for veteran All Star playmaker Gary Payton, but that didnt keep them from retaining last years starting PG Andre Miller for $9.000.000 a year. Good for them that the deal is only for one year, like this they shouldnt have trouble trading him should they be unable to provide enough minutes for both.
They also brought back the energetic Isiah "East Bay Funk Dunk"Rider for $7.000.000 over the next season, how should provide a great scoring punch of the bench or start over Doug Christie, depending if their coach favors a more offensive or defensive system.
Speaking of defense, Chris Andersen, also known as "The Birdman", also accepted the Hawks offer to remain with the team. He will make $10.000.000 over the next 2 seasons to anchor the Hawks defense down low.
Denver Nuggets
The 1999-2000 MIP will remain in Denver
Jalen Rose was arguably the best Free Agent of this class (yikes, that says all I have to say about this class), so to bring him back for anything under the maximum salary must be considered a winner. Remember, guys get overpaid in this market, so if Rose would have cashed in on a 3 or 4 Year maximum deal, nobody were to be surprised. Instead the former Fab 5 decided to come back to Denver for the next 3 seasons, earning $30,515,625 over this period.
Indiana Pacers
One of the best shooters in the league!
The Pacers had one weak spot in their starting lineup, and they went out to take care of it. Wally Szczerbiak, the 2000 3pt Shootout Champion, has a better rounded game than last years starter DerMarr Johnson. He doesnt have Johnsons' athleticism, therefore a far more fundamental game, which should go well together with Tim Duncan and Penny Hardaway, two of the most intelligent players at their respective position. They need some more depth in the frontcourt which they didnt adress yet, but nabbing Wally for the MLE is defenitly a winner.
Chicago Bulls
Spree vows not to choke anyone in the Windy City
The Bulls might be rebuilding and Latrell Spreewell might be too old for that purpose, however he fill their need fore more firepower on the wings and his in-out game should be a nice compliment to rookie Carmelo Anthony. That said, $8,971,852 over one year is unlikely to hurt anyone and in the worst scenario they can ship him off to a contender for more rebuilding pieces.
They also signed F/C Lazaros Papadopoulos for $540,850 over one year, a player who was recently released by the Minnesota Timberwolves after spending the entire 2002 season on their injured list. Not much to say about this one.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Sweet SSBL life!!!
The Wolves might be the deepest team in the league, but were lacking a little bit of depth in their frontcourt. They perfectly adressed that issue by signing Robert "Tractor" Traylor to their roster. Traylor was the Cavaliers starting center last season, so to sign one of the top bigmen in his class for the MLE as a 3rd stringer can only be considered a luxury.
On top, the Wolves brought back Jumaine Jones for $2,880,000 over 2 seasons. Jones saw only (regular) garbage minutes last year and you might ask yourself if he will get any minutes at all this year with all the wings on the Wolves roster already. For him it's purely a financial decision, as he would not have made more money elsewhere. Can't blame him, people need to feed their families in the cold Minnesota.
good stuff Len
