Top Free Agents Article by Ric Bucher

[illmatic99]

A guy no one is talking about is Marvin Williams. He IS a definite upgrade over what we have right now, and is (IMO) available for the right price. As he is a RFA, a S&T would probably probably more likely rather than an outright signing, but with ATL cash strapped with Smith's huge deal and an upcoming hole at PG (with Bibby leaving... maybe), a deal with Outlaw and Blake going for Williams could possibly work.

What do you guys think Marvin would warrant contract wise? $28Mil/4 years? Something like that, maybe?

 

[C_note]

Jason Kidd is probably the most perfect fit for us, and maybe for him as well. We can pay him a reasonable salary and give him the chance to contend right away, which is about all he could ask for. He gives us great leadership, toughness and experience and also fits our timeline great...we get 2-3 years out of him while Bayless hones his skills and waits in the wing.

 

[ant]

Is Josh Childress a RFA? That's who I'd rather spend money on, and then get a PG through a sign and trade.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Is Josh Childress a RFA? That's who I'd rather spend money on, and then get a PG through a sign and trade.

Yes. They can match any offer.

 

[B-Roy]

Does anyone have the second half? 1-10?

 

[Tince]

Does anyone have the second half? 1-10?

1. Hedo Turkoglu, SF/PF, Magic (UFA)
Best fits: Magic, Pistons, Blazers, Grizzlies, Bucks

2. Ben Gordon, SG, Bulls (UFA)
Best fits: Bulls, Hawks, Mavericks, Timberwolves, Knicks, Suns, Hornets

3. Andre Miller, PG, 76ers (UFA)
Best fits: 76ers, Blazers, Warriors, Heat, Raptors, Knicks, Pacers

4. Rasheed Wallace, PF/C, Pistons (UFA)
Best fits: Celtics, Mavericks, Spurs, Magic

5. Lamar Odom PF/SF, Lakers, (UFA)
Best fits: Lakers, Spurs, Magic, Celtics

6. Trevor Ariza, SF, Lakers (UFA)
Best fits: Lakers, Cavaliers, Celtics, Bobcats, Magic, Spurs, Rockets, Pistons, Jazz

7. Anderson Varejao, PF/C, Cavaliers
Best fits: Cavaliers, Celtics, Hawks, Bulls, Nuggets, Thunder, Suns

8. Marvin Williams, SF, Hawks (RFA)
Best fits: Heat, Mavericks, Blazers, Pistons, Bulls, Hawks

9. Jason Kidd, PG, Mavericks (UFA)
Best fits: Mavericks, Lakers, Cavaliers, Rockets, Magic, Hawks, Celtics

10. Ron Artest, SF, Rockets (UFA)
Best fits: Lakers, Rockets, Celtics, Cavaliers

 

[Tince]

Bucher just said Portland is willing to wait and see who is available after the first players get their money. After that, Portland will be the team with the most money and very little competition.

 

[B-Roy]

Turkeyglue is first? really?

 

[Tince]

Turkeyglue is first? really?

Yep

 

[Tyler_Hansbrough]

I disagree.

At this point in their careers they are at a crossroads where they are quite similar in talent and effectiveness, with Blake getting better each year and Bibby now waning. That makes Blake > Bibby.

I rarely agree with anything that comes out of your mouth, but this, I do.

 

[Draco]

Since Boozer and Okur opted out that knocked the second half of his list up two spots. The new guys he added were;

19 Charlie Villanueva
20 Zaza Pachulia

I'm surprised Frye is ahead of Villanueva? Lets get him as our backup 4 :O

 

[PapaG]

Since Boozer and Okur opted out that knocked the second half of his list up two spots. The new guys he added were;

19 Charlie Villanueva
20 Zaza Pachulia

I'm surprised Frye is ahead of Villanueva? Lets get him as our backup 4 :O

Didn't they opt to stay in their contract?

 

[Draco]

Didn't they opt to stay in their contract?

Yes I mistyped.

"opt-in" is a funny expression.

 

[Idog1976]

1. Hedo Turkoglu, SF/PF, Magic (UFA)
Best fits: Magic, Pistons, Blazers, Grizzlies, Bucks

2. Ben Gordon, SG, Bulls (UFA)
Best fits: Bulls, Hawks, Mavericks, Timberwolves, Knicks, Suns, Hornets

3. Andre Miller, PG, 76ers (UFA)
Best fits: 76ers, Blazers, Warriors, Heat, Raptors, Knicks, Pacers

4. Rasheed Wallace, PF/C, Pistons (UFA)
Best fits: Celtics, Mavericks, Spurs, Magic

5. Lamar Odom PF/SF, Lakers, (UFA)
Best fits: Lakers, Spurs, Magic, Celtics

6. Trevor Ariza, SF, Lakers (UFA)
Best fits: Lakers, Cavaliers, Celtics, Bobcats, Magic, Spurs, Rockets, Pistons, Jazz

7. Anderson Varejao, PF/C, Cavaliers
Best fits: Cavaliers, Celtics, Hawks, Bulls, Nuggets, Thunder, Suns

8. Marvin Williams, SF, Hawks (RFA)
Best fits: Heat, Mavericks, Blazers, Pistons, Bulls, Hawks

9. Jason Kidd, PG, Mavericks (UFA)
Best fits: Mavericks, Lakers, Cavaliers, Rockets, Magic, Hawks, Celtics

10. Ron Artest, SF, Rockets (UFA)
Best fits: Lakers, Rockets, Celtics, Cavaliers

So why is Ariza not a good fit for Portland again? I mean the Rudy thing sure but other then that?

 

[Draco]

So why is Ariza not a good fit for Portland again? I mean the Rudy thing sure but other then that?

Not sure really.

6. Trevor Ariza, SF, Lakers (UFA)

His game: Streaky 3-point shooter, good finisher off cuts, but marginal handle and no midrange jumper off the dribble. Tenacious, eager defender, both on the ball and in passing lanes. Quick and lanky but surprisingly strong, so he can defend bigger players in the post.

Right system: A structured defensive-oriented one with at least one playmaker, because he's not comfortable shooting contested jumpers. Extremely quiet, so leadership has to come from elsewhere. Very adept at moving without the ball and a willing passer, so he flourishes in a pass-and-cut offense.

Wrong system: Freewheeling, drive-and-kick in which he has to handle or be a playmaker. His 3-point shot still isn't good enough to be a staple of his game.

Best fits: Lakers, Cavaliers, Celtics, Bobcats, Magic, Spurs, Rockets, Pistons, Jazz

 

[barfo]

Bucher just said Portland is willing to wait and see who is available after the first players get their money. After that, Portland will be the team with the most money and very little competition.

That would be a good strategy if there isn't one player we absolutely have to have, or if we are aiming to get more than one FA. It will be interesting to see how it goes if we do play it that way.

barfo

 

[Tince]

So why is Ariza not a good fit for Portland again? I mean the Rudy thing sure but other then that?

I think he's a great fit, but many disagree.

 

[hasoos]

I think he's a great fit, but many disagree.

Ariza would be a thumbs up with me. I wanted him when he left Orlando. I don't think he is 10 million a year good though, but that was probably him just puppeting his agents talk.

 

[PapaG]

Ariza would be a thumbs up with me. I wanted him when he left Orlando. I don't think he is 10 million a year good though, but that was probably him just puppeting his agents talk.

Well, he's either ~$8 million/per or he isn't if you want him to be a Blazer, and that still may not seal the deal.

 

[hasoos]

Well, he's either ~$8 million/per or he isn't if you want him to be a Blazer, and that still may not seal the deal.

But that being said, wouldn't it be nice to make LA pay a little bit more just to screw with them? The worst thing that happens is he becomes a Blazer.

 

[PapaG]

But that being said, wouldn't it be nice to make LA pay a little bit more just to screw with them? The worst thing that happens is he becomes a Blazer.

Ariza is an unrestricted free agent. Would he be willing to take a discount to go back to LA regardless of the ~ $8 million Portland can offer? Possibly, since he's a warm weather guy and is still young. I'd hate to see a Trenton Hassell Part II, but without the restricted status.

 

[barfo]

Ariza is an unrestricted free agent. Would he be willing to take a discount to go back to LA regardless of the ~ $8 million Portland can offer? Possibly, since he's a warm weather guy and is still young. I'd hate to see a Trenton Hassell Part II, but without the restricted status.

Presumably that doesn't happen. If Portland signs him, he no longer has the option of going back to the Lakers.

barfo

 

[PapaG]

Presumably that doesn't happen. If Portland signs him, he no longer has the option of going back to the Lakers.

barfo

If Portland offers him, his agent can go back to the Lakers and tell them about it before he signs. It gets complicated at that point. I'm guessing the Lakers may try to leverage the deal.

 

[number 10]

Bucher just said Portland is willing to wait and see who is available after the first players get their money. After that, Portland will be the team with the most money and very little competition.

And Pritchard calls Turkey Glue's agent at 9:01pm. Good call, Bucher.

 

[barfo]

If Portland offers him, his agent can go back to the Lakers and tell them about it before he signs. It gets complicated at that point. I'm guessing the Lakers may try to leverage the deal.

Yeah. But presumably Portland doesn't hold a press conference to announce they've made an offer.

barfo

 

[andalusian]

Yeah. But presumably Portland doesn't hold a press conference to announce they've made an offer.

Of course not. There will be a rally at Pioneer square...

 

[BrianFromWA]

I kind of wish we could've taken a run at Marvin Williams before laying out the carpet for Hedo.

In fact, I think I'd see if ATL wanted to do an S&T for Marvin at around 6-7 a year and then see if Kidd wanted a 2/16 deal.