The league has always overpaid for centers.... Dudley, Jerome James, Jim McIlvaine, etc. Doesn't mean they're "worth" a max though. On our team there are three guys with big contracts. Aldridge, Batum, Lillard. Is Hickson a max guy? Many of us are balking at the idea of giving him 8 or 9 million. Edited: meant to say "worth big contracts"
list of people that play center (including f/c and c/f) averaging at least 9ppg/8rpg/2.5 blocks http://www.basketball-reference.com...tat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=ws
The thing is, if we had Hibbert on that max deal, he'd be slightly overpaid, while we'd be underpaying Lillard. And Hibbert's deal, as well as Batum's and Aldridge's would be gone by the time Lillard was being extended.
You mean that Nic's, LMA's and Hibbert's would all become even more expensive by the time we extend Lillard...
Well, it's pretty obvious to me that if Hibbert is a max guy, Hickson will be getting paid a lot more than he's worth. Hopefully we can do a sign-and-trade.
Hibbert was also a great defender when up for his contract, and is a legit 7 foot C, not a PF moonlighting as a C out of need. What teams with cap space are likely to overpay Hickson, do you think?
I think, if we had Hibbert, that both Nic and Hibbert would be retained - and that pretty much means their salaries would increase. I know mags will just chalk this up to me having "personal issues" with LMA, but I think he's the most likely "core" player to be gone by the time his contract is up.
Who has cap space this summer? I think it really all depends on what will happen with Milsap, Jefferson, and Howard. Will D12 stay in LA? Will Utah keep Milsap, Jefferson or both? If all three of those guys are off the market, I think Hickson could get a very hefty contract.
I am not sure I understand the Freeland issue from people right now. He has been bad but the whole bench has been garbage. He has arguably been better than Babbitt (look it up - It is crazy). Only players that are easily to argue that have truly been playing better than he off the bench are Leonard and Barton. Of course I want him to get better but he already has the last month vs the first.
I think the problem that most people have with Freeland is that we thought he'd at least be a solid player off the bench. Nothing spectacular, but at least solid. He has been horrible. A complete disappointment, and he's not making bad money. I think around $3 million a year. The guy is 25 so it's highly unlikely that he'll suddenly get better.
id rather have the 3 million in cap space is all, a minimum salary 2nd rounder could give us what he has thus far
It is not skills that are needing to get better it is acclimation to the pace and style of the league at least. Next year at this time he would be a solid bench gun but I think our bench will be deeper next year so you may not tell.
I'm surprised the Freeland even made it to the NBA. Despite all of his awfulness, I've actually been moderately impressed with a couple aspects of his game - I can't remember what it was, but I think maybe he had good awareness and coordination around the hoop?
If Freeland could give us this season's Haslem numbers; then I would be pleasantly surprised. That is a very low ceiling to ask for. He has failed to even get to that point. Our bench besides Leonard is utter trash. There is no exception for any of them. I wish we could just trade all of them for 1 decent bench player.
I haven't paid attention to Haslem in several years. But during that Wade/Shaq championship, Haslem was the epitome of what a PF should be. I'm sure he's probably deteriorated quite a bit, but even if he doesn't have the ability he still knows HOW to play.
OH I wasn't asking for Freeland to be like Hasleem then. I'm talking now. Hasleem is a bit slow, but is still a good position defender. He seems to help out a lot on the defensive end; which helps the team gamble for steals. He's a good role player (not great right now); which is all I ask of Freeland. Set picks, grab a decent rebound or two for a put back and set some mean picks.
