Post by DarthVegito on Apr 7, 2014 21:00:47 GMT -6
Darth's Free Agent Preview
So here we are heading into the biggest and best free agency period yet, and although many of these big names won't come close to hitting the market...many will. So what I'll do is go thru each big name and guess at what I think will happen! So first off, there will be a group of guys who I will call "The Untouchables". These guys will never see the market so close your mouth and stop drooling.
The Untouchables
Tim Hardaway - I would be absolutely shocked if Tim ever smelled free agency. Expect the Sixers to give him the super-max.
Brad Daugherty - This guy WILL be given the super-max as well. Maybe you can get him in a sign and trade but I highly doubt it. This guy is staying in Memphis.
Rod Strickland - Rod has chosen to negotiate with Atlanta. Although reports tell me that Atlanta refuses to break the bank for this guy, I fully expect him to be a Hawk next year.
Hakeem Olajuwon & Gary Payton - Although during the season no-one knew the landing place for these guys, it's very safe to say now that these guys will be permanent residents of South Beach. Heat GM shipped away Cassell, and made a big trade to acquire "The Dream". Both of these guys are getting the super-max.
Michael Jordan - Mike IS negotiating, which means he isn't going anywhere. The two have not come to an agreement as of late but both sides are simply playing hard ball. One will cave and this deal will get done soon.
David Robinson - It's David "Super-Max" Robinson.
Kevin Johnson & Scottie Pippen - Even if your player DID shit gold bricks you couldn't pry KJ from GM BallsO'Hard. He'll get the super-max. I also feel confident that LA will give the super-max to Pippen as well. He did trade a very valuable and young piece in Macon for him. So yeah, I think he'll be in Los Angeles for a while.
Glen Rice - Despite the Suns recent struggles, Rice being 26 years old makes me think he gets the sup-er-max no matter what. Depending on the GMs future plans with the team you could possibly pull off a sign and trade but once again I doubt it.
Shawn Kemp - "Check my stats bro!"-Kemp
This next group are the question marks, which is where most of the 29-33 year old blue/blue guys land. SOMEONE will max these guys, but who will it be? Depending on their team's plans they may choose to retain the players' services OR may choose to take a chance and let them hit the market. I also see lots of S&T potential with this group.
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Dell Curry - This one is truly a head scratcher. Could go many ways. All depends on the GM. Has 2 maxes on the books already due to the famous "Guard Debacle" in last year's free agency. He could always move one of those deals, and yet he could max Curry AS WELL as keeping those others. He'd have a good 2-3 years before any major cap problems. But with everything being factored in, I see Mr. Curry hitting free agency.
Chris Mullin, John Stockton, & Derek Harper - So these three will be 32,31, and 30 years of age when free agency comes around. If the Bulls sign NONE of these guys to a super-max they will have almost their entire bankroll to spend in free agency. But we all know that free agency is similar to the draft lotto in that you have no control over it. So I wouldn't be shocked if one of these guys were given a super-max by janjanjanjan. And then again considering most of the talent in the market that will be available is of the older sort, he may choose to keep more than one. This one is totally up in the air. I would probably say ALL of these guys would be available thru sign and trade or they will just hit the market.
Derrick Coleman - So my gut feeling on this one is that the Cavs will resign Coleman. Simply because they really couldn't go into a rebuild if they wanted to. They can't pay anyone to take that Wilkins contract, so they are stuck with that. They just signed Muggsy and have Jayson and The Ultimate Gary Grant. So I see them holding onto Coleman and not letting him hit the market.
Clyde Drexler & Terry Porter - Porter WILL hit free agency. The Celtics won't be maxing this guy and barring someone wanting to do a S&T(Yeah please give this guy a 5-yr max...please do) he'll be hitting the open market. Now Clyde is a totally different story. The only reason Boston would sign Clyde to a super-max would be because he looks so good capwise. He has 3 years of no cap worries IF he did sign Drex to a super. Now years 4 & 5 would take their toll on his pocketbook as he'd have to max Zo. I do think Clyde could be available for a S&T. I think Clyde either stays in Boston or gets S&Ted away.
Dennis Rodman - Rodman WILL be hitting free agency. His services will be fought for by many many teams. I doubt he gets a longterm max. I could see someone throwing a 1 year max at him though. He's definitely a declining player who will only get slammed even more by next years TC. What is he truly worth? Who the fuck cares, no-one gets paid what their truly worth...LOL
Karl Malone - My strong feeling on this one is that he gets sign and traded to the highest bidder. I don't think the Kings GM has ANY intentions on Malone being on this team at the beginning of next season. Get your offers ready!
Patrick Ewing - I think how this season ends for the Pacers will have lots to do with whether Ewing stays or goes. It could be a very similar situation to Malone in that at 32 years old he won't want to sign Patrick to a 5 year deal. He'll be 37 at the end of the deal making waaaay more than he'll be worth at that point. But that's the dilemma with all these 31-32 year old stars. How much will they decline in 5 years? Will their production in years 3-5 of the contract be worth their pay? We'll find out, but know one thing....Someone is maxing these guys.
Larry Bird - Bird falls into the same category as Rodman. He won't get a max or even close to one. He'll get offered a one year deal. Whose will be bigger? He'll be 38, he may be available to no-one if he decides to hang up his career. We shall see.
Mark Price - It's hard for me to imagine the San Antonio Spurs without Mark Price. Price has been nothing but consistent for the Spurs but he will be 31 years old. A big decision will the Spurs have this off-season. Look for Price to receive the super max either way, whether it be to stay or be traded away...haha that rhymed.
Now there are more valuable free agents out there...many more. But these are the ones everyone will have their eyes on. This off-season will be HUGE! Teams will look to complete what they hope to be a contender and many others will strike out all together all thanks to the beast that is FREE AGENCY. One thing can be certain.....
MONEY WILL FLY!!!!!!
