Free Agency Primer
Here we go with two straight NBA columns. It is what it is and I gotta touch on the hot topics before they cool. I might also disclaim at the outset that the first extended wave of Cleveland (hereafter known as "C-Town") rants/examinations is cresting as you read.
The Cavaliers are the focal point of free agency this season; the axis upon which the landscape of the NBA could change. This is a stunning turn of events as the most significant free agent signing in Cavs history was Gerald Wilkins. The resources (money, respect, locale) have never been in the favor of the swashbuckiling sons of the Cuyahoga River. Can Lebron James and $28 million turn the tide? Cautious optimism abounds as the Cavs try to swipe an off guard from someone's roster. The Cavs max contract offer will be 5 years at about $70 million. The sticking point for many free agents is the extra guaranteed year and slightly more cash that their current team can offer. The best example of the impact of the extra year is Webber re-upping with the Kings after ragging California's capital city for about a year.
Hence, Ray Allen probably won't come to Cleveland. Ray-Ray is 30 years old and the extra year will be important to him as he's probably running on fumes by the end of his deal. Side note, I actually saw Ray in Vegas two days after the Sonics were eliminated from the playoffs. The kind of man who immediately runs off to Sin City likely won't be interested in the Ohio scene. It might be a different story if I saw Ray-Ray hunting deer.
Michael Redd is the best choice (albeit not the best player) to play second fiddle to Basketball Jesuz. Let me count the ways: 1) Ohio native; 2) OSU star; 3) still young with possibility of another max contract in five years; 4) humble guy who won't mind deferring to Lebron; 5) obvious missing piece to Cavs starting lineup; and 6) potential for things heretofore missing in his career, namely endorsements and playoff games.
Is Redd the missing piece? Pippen to Lebron's Jordan? It's an interesting argument and the prospect of such "should" be more enticing than being committed to basketball purgatory in Wisconsin for the next 6 years. The Cavs can offer the likely best player in the world for the next 10 years. The Bucks can offer Rony Seikley and Bobby Hurley, err, I mean Bogut and TJ Ford. So, it's legacy v. cash.
Where does this leave the other prominent free agent guards; Larry Huge, Joe Johnson, and Bobby Simmons. Double J will be back with PHX as the Suns are not playing any games here. They cleared cap space for him and he's restricted. The Wiz would also be remiss to let Huge walk after he finally reached his potential and the team is on the rise. Simmons is the most likely to bolt, mainly given Clipper-think which allows free agents to pursue greener pastures unabated. He "should" get an offer above the mid-level exception but that offer may not be forthcoming. The Hawks have money but won't offer him since they have 13 wing players on the roster already. The Bobcats are apparently squirreling money away for next year's free agent crop. The Bulls need to dump their cap space back into their front court. So, the options may not be commensurate with his abilities. Someone will steal him.
There are two prominent center prospects; the Big Z and Stu's beloved Eddy Curry. Z's suitors are apparently the Cavs, the Hawks, or the veteran exception with the Knicks. This should be a no-brainer. Z is playing the field to drive up his value and it would be shocking if he doesn't return to C-town. Curry is a strange situation what with his two heart conditions (physical and mental). This guy should be the man-beast of the Eastern Conference but there are too many questions to justify a huge contract at this point. Another interesting situation is former Michael Jordan whipping boy, Kwame Brown. Again, huge potential, still very young, and a questionable attitude. He could be a great pickup up on the cheap. Kwame may just need a change of scenery.
So, here's my best guess:
Cavs sign: Z, Redd, and Antonio Daniels.
Ray Allen returns to Seattle.
Kwame Brown to Atlanta, plays well, earns nice paycheck for 2006.
Eddy Curry, Larry Huge, and JJ maintain the status quo.
Sixers keep Dalembert and Korver but let Green walk.
Tractor Traylor signs hilarious offer sheet with the Knicks. Isiah Thomas waxes poetic about a frontcourt manned completely by guys 6'7" and shorter.
Until...
The Cavaliers are the focal point of free agency this season; the axis upon which the landscape of the NBA could change. This is a stunning turn of events as the most significant free agent signing in Cavs history was Gerald Wilkins. The resources (money, respect, locale) have never been in the favor of the swashbuckiling sons of the Cuyahoga River. Can Lebron James and $28 million turn the tide? Cautious optimism abounds as the Cavs try to swipe an off guard from someone's roster. The Cavs max contract offer will be 5 years at about $70 million. The sticking point for many free agents is the extra guaranteed year and slightly more cash that their current team can offer. The best example of the impact of the extra year is Webber re-upping with the Kings after ragging California's capital city for about a year.
Hence, Ray Allen probably won't come to Cleveland. Ray-Ray is 30 years old and the extra year will be important to him as he's probably running on fumes by the end of his deal. Side note, I actually saw Ray in Vegas two days after the Sonics were eliminated from the playoffs. The kind of man who immediately runs off to Sin City likely won't be interested in the Ohio scene. It might be a different story if I saw Ray-Ray hunting deer.
Michael Redd is the best choice (albeit not the best player) to play second fiddle to Basketball Jesuz. Let me count the ways: 1) Ohio native; 2) OSU star; 3) still young with possibility of another max contract in five years; 4) humble guy who won't mind deferring to Lebron; 5) obvious missing piece to Cavs starting lineup; and 6) potential for things heretofore missing in his career, namely endorsements and playoff games.
Is Redd the missing piece? Pippen to Lebron's Jordan? It's an interesting argument and the prospect of such "should" be more enticing than being committed to basketball purgatory in Wisconsin for the next 6 years. The Cavs can offer the likely best player in the world for the next 10 years. The Bucks can offer Rony Seikley and Bobby Hurley, err, I mean Bogut and TJ Ford. So, it's legacy v. cash.
Where does this leave the other prominent free agent guards; Larry Huge, Joe Johnson, and Bobby Simmons. Double J will be back with PHX as the Suns are not playing any games here. They cleared cap space for him and he's restricted. The Wiz would also be remiss to let Huge walk after he finally reached his potential and the team is on the rise. Simmons is the most likely to bolt, mainly given Clipper-think which allows free agents to pursue greener pastures unabated. He "should" get an offer above the mid-level exception but that offer may not be forthcoming. The Hawks have money but won't offer him since they have 13 wing players on the roster already. The Bobcats are apparently squirreling money away for next year's free agent crop. The Bulls need to dump their cap space back into their front court. So, the options may not be commensurate with his abilities. Someone will steal him.
There are two prominent center prospects; the Big Z and Stu's beloved Eddy Curry. Z's suitors are apparently the Cavs, the Hawks, or the veteran exception with the Knicks. This should be a no-brainer. Z is playing the field to drive up his value and it would be shocking if he doesn't return to C-town. Curry is a strange situation what with his two heart conditions (physical and mental). This guy should be the man-beast of the Eastern Conference but there are too many questions to justify a huge contract at this point. Another interesting situation is former Michael Jordan whipping boy, Kwame Brown. Again, huge potential, still very young, and a questionable attitude. He could be a great pickup up on the cheap. Kwame may just need a change of scenery.
So, here's my best guess:
Cavs sign: Z, Redd, and Antonio Daniels.
Ray Allen returns to Seattle.
Kwame Brown to Atlanta, plays well, earns nice paycheck for 2006.
Eddy Curry, Larry Huge, and JJ maintain the status quo.
Sixers keep Dalembert and Korver but let Green walk.
Tractor Traylor signs hilarious offer sheet with the Knicks. Isiah Thomas waxes poetic about a frontcourt manned completely by guys 6'7" and shorter.
Until...
posted by Mister Cleveland Sports at 9:51 AM
2 Comments:
solid work joel. although i think you have severely devalued eddy curry. he is the greatest.
my james earl jones impersonation is going well. i like yelling at the kids to not eat and work harder.
keep up the good work joel. stu will be back soon
The Stu lives! Viva la resistance.
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