Official: Free Agency and MLE options thread

Rather have Nurk than whiteside.

 

But would you rather have Nurk (with no commitment) and Turner over Whiteside and Winslow?

 

Interesting that Blazers haven’t sent an offer to pat or Napier yet. They just tweeted about Nurks QO. Wonder if the decision is already made or they’re waiting on other possible moves the next few days.

 

Yes. I’ve been turned off by Whiteside the last couple years. There’s a reason Miami doesn’t trust him any more.

 

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q48

Layman was signed for above the minimum using caproom. Pat, however was signed using the minimum so this isn't very clear to me (maybe because he was drafted in 15 and was the previous CBA?). The Bobby Marks article I quoted in the OP also mentions this two season thing.

 

Whiteside still put up 14/10 on a down year, I think Miami’s core is just not there for him to be successful. He’d be a better player in Portland.

 

If an organization like Miami and a coach like Spoelstra can’t get Whiteside to buy into being a team player, no one else can either. Hard pass.

 

It’s not always the coach, it’s players. Dame has a leadership trait that few players have, Whiteside was at his best when he had a still good Wade leading the team. He’s not built to be the head of the snake like Miami tried to make him be after the departure of Wade. (Yes I know Wade is on the Heat now too but he isn’t good anymore)

 

Main things I want out of the center position are scoring as the roll man and defending the rim and the perimeter.

Hard to argue that Whiteside isn't the much better defender.

As the roll man (NBA.com)

Nurkic: 4.5 pts/game; 1.02 ppp; 27% of his scoring is as a roll man;
Whiteside: 3.2 pts/game; 1.07 ppp; 22% of his scoring is as a roll man;

Whiteside is a bit more efficient, but gets less opportunity than Nurkic. Neither one though is remotely in the top tier with players like Adams, Robert, Jordan, etc. who have ppp efficiencies in the 1.2-1.4 range. The eye test tells you Nurkic needs to work on finishing as the roll man.

For me it is a tough call because Nurkic is the better passer, but our current offense doesn't seem to use him that way. If Nurkic could improve his finishing around the rim and on the roll then he takes the lead. As they are right now, I think I'd take Whiteside. Tough call.

 

Why do you say that? Rim protection stats are nearly identical, and skewing in Nurk's favor. He was one of the best defenders from the C position last year.

 

Yup, you are correct. Last year within 6 feet their defensive FG% was almost identical (54%). Interesting to note that Harkless was 52% and Zach lead the league (players more than 23 games played) with 47%. A. Davis was 51% and Gobert was 52%. I wonder what would happen to Collins numbers if he played more center.

 

Also keep an eye on the FGA. Nurk's defensive usage (if there is such a thing) was also among the tops in the league. It's a wonder he wasn't in even more foul trouble with our guards' inability to keep anyone in front of them. He was the direct reason why our defense improved so much last year.

 

He just declined $7.9M second season offer from Spurs. Unless we offer him tax exception for three years ($16M) he’s not coming.

I like Bjelica as a target but he will get full MLE from someone and Timberwolves might even match that (he’s a better fit next to Towns than Gibson these days).

 

Isn’t that literally what I said?

 

The problem with the MLE is that all the other playoff teams have the same tool. I highly doubt we’re getting anyone with it unless we use it to overpay someone that doesn’t deserve it, like a Vince carter. That better not happen.

 

I have a feeling we're gonna make a run at Will Barton. And I have mixed feelings about that.

 

He’s been open about wanting to get paid, start, and be a focal point. I’d highly doubt Portland being in the mix.

 

Correct.

The downside is that you can only control his rights for 2 years without using the MLE.

 

Tyreke, (I refereed him) is the one I like. He could play SF and a bit of point.