<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With roughly $48.5 million committed in players' salaries next season, the Sonics can use the mid-level exception, which is projected at $5.5 million, on not just one, but several players. They also can use the million-dollar (actually $1.7 million) exception. Sonics coach Nate McMillan identified three objectives which he'd like to accomplish through free agency. He hopes to retain Brent Barry, a fixture in the Sonics' starting lineup in four of the past five seasons, and add a perimeter defender. McMillan would also like to pick up a veteran post player who can improve the team's rebounding and provide leadership for Nick Collison, who was a rookie last year. "I think I'm more looking at a perimeter defender more than anything else," McMillan said. "We have to be better defensively, and sometimes one guy can set the tone and make your defense better.</div> <font size="1">Full Story courtesy of Percy Allen and the Seattle Times.</font> With only a few days until teams are able to sign free agents, I thought I'd start up a thread and get some thoughts on who is available, who you'd like to see in green and gold next season etc. With only the exception available, who we are able to target will depend entirely on what happens with Brent Barry. And Seattle isn't exactly well known for attracting free agents, anyway. Some guys who will probably be around the mark that the Sonics can spend, if Barry leaves: Big men: Keon Clark Antonio McDyess Etan Thomas Chris Andersen Perimeter defenders: Dion Glover Bob Sura Eric Williams Jon Barry Kendall Gill Early thoughts?
Eric Williams would bring some good toughness. I'd start to worry about his age/conditioning though..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tradebark:</div><div class="quote_post">Eric Williams would bring some good toughness. I'd start to worry about his age/conditioning though..</div> I agree. If Barry leaves as expected, and we could get Eric Williams for a similar price as Daniels, then I wouldn't be against it, as he would give us some real perimeter toughness and a super locker room presence. However, I wouldn't pay too much.
McDyess would be great, I actually wouldn't mind signing any of the big men. I don't know about the perimeter guys... if we're rebuilding I can only see Dion Glover contributing the rebuilding effort.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If the team makes no moves, it is difficult to gauge what it can do in free agency because of its full roster. Even though Richie Frahm was taken by the Charlotte Bobcats in the expansion draft and Brent Barry and Ansu Sesay are unlikely to return, the roster stands at 13 with draft picks Robert Swift and David Young. In recent years, the team has never carried 15 players, has been reluctant to carry 14 and has been most comfortable with 13. That means the Sonics would be hard-pressed to sign two free agents, even though coach Nate McMillan says the team needs a defensive perimeter player and rebounding help. The team will pursue a swing player with a defensive mind-set. That would describe Sacramento guard Doug Christie (Seattle's first-round pick in 1992), a player McMillan thinks sets the tone for his team. Other players who fit that description and are unrestricted free agents include Atlanta's Stephen Jackson, the Lakers' Derek Fisher and San Antonio's Bruce Bowen. Bowen, a good 3-point shooter, may be the best fit, though he and Allen had a run-in last season when Allen accused Bowen of playing dirty.</div> <font size="1">Full Story courtesy of Frank Hughes and the News Tribune.</font> Bowen will get more from San Antonio than he'd be able to get from Seattle, one would think. Even if Jackson is offered a contract from the Spurs, one would wonder why exactly Bowen would leave there for Seattle, considering we can only offer the exception, and that's if Barry leaves.
It would be nice to resign Brent Barry, his leadership and all around game would be helpful to the young bucs. I also thought Stromile Swift was a free agent, can anyone confirm this? If so, he would be a great addition to the team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting pk1:</div><div class="quote_post">It would be nice to resign Brent Barry, his leadership and all around game would be helpful to the young bucs. I also thought Stromile Swift was a free agent, can anyone confirm this? If so, he would be a great addition to the team.</div> I wouldn't mind him, but he'd probably get better offers than he would here. Same goes for Mehmet Okur.
More on Eric Williams though.. I followed the Cavs (and Sonics) religiously last season, and Williams was a guy who completely changed the makeup of the Cavaliers as soon as he was put on the floor. He isn't the BEST defender but he doesn't give up on his man. He isn't the most skilled offensive player but he always finds ways to score (he can and does get to the foul line).. I feel that he would be a very solid pickup if only so the younger Sonics can see what it takes to be a winner in the league. Again, the problem is that it doesn't seem like he will be effective for much longer..
Bob Sura would be a good replacement for Barry if we can't resign him. He is good enough offensively and defensively to play/guard both the one and the two and he is known to be a good team guy (despite the triple double fiasco). The fact that he had three straight triple doubles last year shows that he has some good ball left in him.
With perimeter defenders, Dion Glover is good, but I don't know if he's that good a defender, the all mighty defensive coach Kevin O'neil didn't seem to like playing him
I think the Sonics need to focus on making whatever trades they're going to make as soon as possible, so they can sign the correct free agents and get the team complete.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Bob Sura would be a good replacement for Barry if we can't resign him. He is good enough offensively and defensively to play/guard both the one and the two and he is known to be a good team guy (despite the triple double fiasco). The fact that he had three straight triple doubles last year shows that he has some good ball left in him.</div> I agree, the only thing that worries me with Bobby is he doesn't seem to be able to stay out of injury troubles. I can't remember the last time he played a full season, or even the majority of a season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Bob Sura would be a good replacement for Barry if we can't resign him. He is good enough offensively and defensively to play/guard both the one and the two and he is known to be a good team guy (despite the triple double fiasco). The fact that he had three straight triple doubles last year shows that he has some good ball left in him.</div> I agree, Bob Sura would be a very nice replacement for Brent, we need guys who are willing to do whatever it takes to win.. He's one of my favorite players..
