Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

I'm in for Barnes too. I think his ability to play the 3 and 4 won't impede the development of Ingram or Simmons (whoever we get). I like Barnes age at just 23....the other guy I want is Biyombo. Give him 2 years 40M with a player option on 2nd year. Let's see what he can do in his first year. Then, he opts out in year 2 and we'll have close to two max slots along with Barnes + Ingram/Randle/Russell/Clarkson/Nance with the cap going up.

BTW, a few other dump candidates to consider: McRoberts from Miami (could try to extract a young player from them like Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson or pipe dream...WINSLOW if Miami is trying to go the KD/Wade/Whiteside route this summer)

 

I don't see Miami dumping any of their young guys unless they land Durant. Richardson would be great though. He's going to be a damn solid player for a long time.

Biyombo scares me. I don't think he lives up to the contract he gets. Besides, why spend on a big? Get me Mosgov for a third of that and spend on what the NBA requires now, length on the perimeter and spacing.

 

I like Biyombo for this team, but I am worried about acquiring him for this price and under these circumstances. He was obviously fantastic in these playoffs, but I worry about him living up to the hype and his current price tag. The potential is there, but he is a risky signing at this price.

Plan B - Ian Mahimi. Mobile defender who should be cheaper than the likes of Biyombo, Horford, or Whiteside. Appears to have a good attitude & work ethic too. He's an 8 year vet, but he hasn't logged many minutes before this season either.

 

i'm not privy to why mozgov went from important piece to afterthought in cleveland, but one possibility is that they decided they can only play one center, and that thompson was better suited to what they wanted to do.

the only thing that concerns me about mozgov is that i don't think he's much of a passer. if you want to run an offense that's more pleasing to the eye than the lakers' from last year, one big step is making sure all 5 guys can pass effectively. i actually think this is as or more important than everyone being able to shoot threes.

 

i'm just saying, no major injury, and this guy played well in the finals last year and was a 10/7/1 guy for the year on 25mpg. he just forgot how to play basketball? the game fundamentally changed in 4 months? something doesn't add up. if the guy from last year was real, i think he can start and play 20-25mpg, leaving the backup minutes for tarik black types.

 

Give me a Byron Scott-less Tarik Black over Mozgov anyday. Can't wait to see what Black does without BOron getting in his head.
:Headpoint:

 

black can't be a starter, imo. too many 7 footers start at center to get away with that long term.

i think athleticism at the center spot is overrated. as long as you're not a complete plodding oaf (hibbert, i'm looking at you), you can get to the spots defensively. marc gasol was dpoy. duncan has been a great defender for almost two decades. neither is quick, fast, or can jump over a sheet of paper. they're smart and work hard. hell, even the aforementioned hibbert had a good run as a defender with the right teammates. there's more than one way to be effective on that end. deandre jordan and drummond do it their way, gasol and duncan and bogut do it theirs.

relatedly, i still need proof that the true big man is dead. almost all good teams play at least one (gs plays three). this is why i'm cautious about biyombo.

don't get me wrong, i'd take any of the guys you listed, but in terms of fit, i'm starting to think a healthy noah is ideal. even if you only get 25mpg. after that, i might go cheaper with a pachulia (passing, screens, but injuries...) or mozgov (large, can catch) before going twice that salary for mahinmi or biyombo, which is what i expect the market will yield.

 

Shelburne: Lakers in search of shooters

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/losangeles/playPopup?id=16054362

 

That raised my eyebrows. She usually seems to know her stuff but I'm with you on that. Honestly, I have a hard time seeing either Gasol brother coming here though based on comments from them.

 

Tell us how you really feel Ramona. :Randallconfused:

 

good question. let's say biyombo's floor is 15 million, and he could get up to 20. is mozgov's range 5-6? probably not. but i bet it's half (8-10). it would depend on what else i was doing? have i struck out on other FAs? are there salary absorption options?

my lower cost FA center targets are pachulia, mozgov, and miles plumlee. the latter is restricted, but my favorite. all should fetch similar cash and be viewed as stopgap starter level players, imo. given roster composition, i want plumlee because he can finish lobs.

 

I'd give Biyombo a max deal for 2-3 years. Bash away.