<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">AUBURN HILLS -- The Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat squared off in the NBA playoffs in June to determine the best team in the Eastern Conference. Now, they're battling for Michael Finley, arguably the best available unsigned free agent. Although several media reports indicated that Detroit and Miami are joined by San Antonio and Phoenix in trying to woo Finley, three NBA officials contacted on Tuesday said that Finley will decide between Miami or Detroit. "It only makes sense that he would play for either Miami or Detroit," said a league source whose team was among those who contacted Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, after the 32-year-old became a free agent late Monday night. "They (Pistons and Heat) have the most money to offer him, and they provide him with the best chance at playing time while competing for a championship. " </div> Read More: MLive.com I still believe that he'll end up in Miami for the reasons that the article already stated (connections/relationships, PT). Some people might suggest that we'll have too much talent and what not, but at the end of the day if we're playing in the conference finals in game 7, and Wade gets injured, we have a legit player that can help fill in his void.
I don't understand why it's just Detroit or Miami he's interested in playing with. Both great teams, but if I'm Finley I get back at Mark Cuban by signing with a Western Conference contender. He should sign with the Spurs or Rockets and stick it to the Mavs four times a year, or join up with his buddy Steve Nash in Phoenix.
I would choose the Heat if I were Finley. It's a great place to end your career in Miami, and make a run at your title at the same time. I do think Finley will stay west though, Phoenix seems to be the front runner in my mind. Not only does he get to start but he gets to be a great player on a great team with a great point guard and big man. Jersey switch from WCR forum... Can it be?
i agree C.K., i think phoenix are the front runners. Not only is he going to be a starter, but he will be playing with nash who will make him better, who is also a close friend and i think suns would suit him.
Suns don't have anything to offer Finley and there is a big rumour going around that Cuban has told Finley that he will get his money sooner from Dallas If he signs with a team in the east. Miami are said to be the favourites for Finley but It is still 50/50 to me. Pistons can offer him alot as can Miami. I do feel that the Pistons need him more than Miami does. Pistons need a scorer off the bench, Miami already has their starting 5 set and I don't see that much playing time for him. He will not get many shots at all in the Miami offense. Shaq and Wade will dominate the ball then you have guys like Walker and Williams who will throw up shots. So It is tough to see where his shots will come from. In Detroit he would back-up both Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince so there are plenty of minutes to be had there. Due to the balence of the Pistons offense, Finley will get his points and shots. Something I believe he wants. He wants to be part of a title team where he can help them a big deal. So either will be good options.
^ Miami could start him at the 3 and move Posey to the bench, and they also need a solid backup at the 2 and 3. Right now they have Walker backing up the 3 and 4, and Wright and Emmett backing up the 2 and 3.
The Suns will have a trade exception to offer Finley, once the JJ trade goes through with the Hawks. Who cares what Cuban promised, Finley is getting paid no matter, and I doubt he's any financial difficulties to get the money right away. I'm sure there are deadlines for the teams to pay the players as well, otherwise Cuban is going to face the wrath of NBA Players Union. The JJ deal should be official today or tomorrow, so the Heat and Pistons better get something done, before the Suns enter the Finley sweepstakes.
Suns can only offer the vet min, you can't offer players trade exceptions. It only works in a deal. For example the Suns may get James Jones from Indy with their trade exception. It's not like they can spend the trade exception in the open market like cap space.
It would be great for the Heat to get Finley, and he just might be our perimeter shooter if Damon Jones doesn't resign. However, with Finley signing and Posey and Walker waiting for minutes, where do the minutes intended for younger players like Wayne Simien go?
he will probably like the way Miami's freakin stacked line up looks and join them but as the pistons keep doing we'll show thats not what matters
