Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

I don't see us going after Whiteside because everything I've heard about the Lakers is they're looking for veterans in FA, right? Whiteside is far from a veteran even though he's 27 years old. He's only really got 1.5 years of NBA experience under his belt. I like him, but I'm just not getting my hopes up he's the Laker target.

I see them going after the big fish obviously in LeBron and Durant and then going after guys like Deng, Afflalo, Noah, Horford, Parsons, DeRozan, Batum, etc.

 

...the rub is that while we're waiting on the BIG names...the solid second tier pieces could be off and gone. I really think the James and Durant scenarios could be just to gauge their interest not full blown pitches like we did with Anthony and Aldridge. I just don't want to see us scrambling again.

What could really play out is the Howard-Noah situation now with a void in New York at the 5 spot. I would not be surprised if Noah goes there as they already have the veteran core set-up. That leaves Biyombo and Whiteside...

 

Marvin Williams and Mo Speights should be used as a comparison. One is a 4/5 and the other is a 2/3/4. They both can shoot the 3, but Marvin can also put the ball on the floor and drive. Lastly, if we're talking about a person that plays defense you can put Marvin in that category, but not Speights.

As far as us going after Marvin Williams, I'm not really a fan of his. He just responds me of an older Wesley Johnson with a little more polish. Way too inconsistent and espcially in the playoffs. I don't remember his exact shooting percentages in the playoffs this year compared to the regular season but they were disappointing to say the least.

 

I like those free agent options, maybe not in that order but the list is good IMO.

 

Yeah...waste resources on individuals just to inflate their ego even further.

 

My thing is that we don't need to get just the big fish. We've got plenty of money to go after veterans AND a big fish. If I'm Mitch at 9 o'clock I'm at Durant's door but I've got Ryan West on the phone with Noah's people saying "don't sign anything yet we might have a ton of cash to throw your way."

We've got the resources. This can be a big splash even with a medium sized fish.

 

I'd really rather sign a SG, let DA, JC, and the new signee take all 96 minutes at the 1 and 2 spots. I hope our big C plays more than 25 a night. I'd really like a floor of 28 from whomever we sign. So what you're seeing as a priority move (Marvin) I see as far less important as your third move (getting a 3 and D SG).

 

So where do you see Lou Williams in all of this? He has the 3 but less of a D... If this is the case and he is to be moved, I'd vouch for Afflalo. He is 30 but still a capable player.

 

Lou is reserve offense. I don't see much of a regular role for him. And that's good for us. There are always injuries and slumps, and I trust Lou to be ready to fire when called upon.

 

Then that means we didn't add a decent FA at the 1 or 2. And we're in some trouble.

If he could only manage 28 on one of the worst teams in the NBA, coupled with some injuries, how's he going to get 25 a night?

 

Can you clarify who you see playing what position for us? I'm assuming that Russ is starting PG (we re-sign Huertas or better backup), JC is starting SG (Lou is backup SG), we either sign a starting SF or start Ingram and sign a backup (Brown being 3rd string), have Randle and Nance plus a other backup signing at PF, sign a starting C, keep Black or sign another backup, draft a new Sacre at 33. That's 13 players I believe, leaves room for another PG, SG, whatever. Are you seeing Ingram starting or being a backup at the 2 with JC, thus taking all the minutes from Lou?

 

Afflalo is another SG option.

It all depends on what we add.

Ideally, DA is PG and JC backs him up. Both are better initiating the offense. JC can back up the 2. Ingram starting. Spend the $ at 5 and 2.