http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/06/16/3322816/building-the-bobcats-study-shows.html Might be an interesting read to spark up some good conversation
From the article in OP. I'm pretty sure that LeBron James was a UFA when he signed with the Heat, as was Chris Bosh. Were James and Bosh not franchise players on the previous teams? If I'm missing something, someone let me know and I might finish reading the article. What about Melo, Amare, Carlos? Go Blazers
In fairness to the writer, those players really aren't available on the open market since they usually have 1 or 2 specific destinations in mind. Like all the players you mentioned
Interesting read. What does this say about Batum's ability to reach stardom? Also, should we more seriously consider trading up from #6?
Technically Lebron, Bosh and Melo were all traded. Also the argument could be made that Amare (Nash) and Boozer (Williams) were not franchise players.
Really interesting, not that people were thinking Dragic was going to be a franchise player but almost all players break out before they reach free agency.
Deron Williams will be a free agent this year . . . is he the first? Oldguy showed some big franchise names that were out there to be bought on the free agent market. I don't get the point of the writer saying there are few impactful players on the open market and no franchise players. In fact, if things are the same with the new CBA, franchise players (and some impact players) will likely to demand a trade away from a small market team if they aren't competitive. So for small market teams, become a championship contender in the short time you draft a franchise player and no free agent franchise players will come to small market teams unless you are a championship contender. Basically sucks for small market teams.
This is why I've been praying all year for small market Portland to somehow get three lottery, or at least good first round, picks. Our only hope is the draft and trades. First, amass talent. Then, trade up. The best use of our imaginary cap space could well be in a trade.
