I've been looking at the list of free agents available this year and have decided to list some FA players that would work well for us. I think our main objectives are PF's and PG's and any pure shooter. I got no idea about what sort of salaries these players my ask for, so if you'd like to comment on whether they'd go for our MLE, then feel fee to do so. <u>Big Men:</u> Chandler (CHI) - who HASN'T mentioned him in the forums? A young prospect who is probably the best player we can find. Stromile Swift (MEM) - Another player we've all been buzzing about. He's more gettable than Chandler. Udonis Haslem (MIA) - Good potential; Can be a good complimentary player to Yao. Eddie Griffin (MIN) I'd just like to see him back in the Rockets reds lol. He probably wouldn't work in our system anymore, but he's a prolific shot blocker. Reggie Evans (SEA) - Rebounding Machine. Might make Yao's rebounding numbers dip, but its great for the team;s sake. Jerome James (SEA) - Been a solid role player his entire career. Radmanovic (SEA) - Both a big man and a shooter. Nice, nice!!! Donyell Marshall (TOR) - We've mentioned him alot earlier in the season. Unrestricted, heres our chance to get him. Kwame Brown (WAS) - Purely potential and nothing else. <u>Little men:</u> Brevin Knight (CHA) - Abit old, but has much experience yet still doesn't suffer from Ward and Strickland syndrome. Tavis Best (NJ) - another experienced guard who isn't useless. Dan Dickau (NO) - I put him in here purely baseed on potential rather than how he has actually performed. He is also a pass first PG. Damon Stoudamire (POR) - Probably couldn't afford him, but he'd be AWESOME for us. Howard Eisley (UTA) - If you've backed up Stockton, you can back up anyone. <u>Shooters:</u> Wes Person (DEN) - We always like shooters playing with Yao. Here's an experienced one. Korver (PHI) - Doubt we could pay whath e wants, but here's a young talent for ya.
damon stoudamire plans to go to the knicks next season. him and isiah thomas are good friends and they have discussed it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Donyell Marshall (TOR) - We've mentioned him alot earlier in the season. Unrestricted, heres our chance to get him.</div> Philadelphia I heard is trying to get him too and I think they have a better chance. Its his home town and from what I've heard, he really wants to go back. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Korver (PHI) - Doubt we could pay whath e wants, but here's a young talent for ya.</div> His contract would be huge because of his fan base and his stock has risen a lot. Plus Philadelphia can and will match any offer Houston makes. He means way too much to Philadelphia to let him go. The main players I would probably go for are Swift, Chandler, and probably Travis Best. Swift and Chandler are huge defensive prescenses that can also contribute a lot to the offensive end so you know it would helps us. Travis Best is a pass first point guard that has the potential to be a good playmaker for us. Plus Sura's getting old. Oh yeah, and by the way, some of the players above probably wouldn't fit into our system such as Stoudemire.
Yes, i want chandler so bad. Hes had like 14+ rebounds his last 5 games. I also would like to see us go after Radmonovic, we need another big man that can stretch the defense.
seattle has a bunch of free agents after this season. im not sure if rashard lewis is one of them but if he is wouldnt hurt to let him come back as a matter of fact it would be great.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting cheen0:</div><div class="quote_post">seattle has a bunch of free agents after this season. im not sure if rashard lewis is one of them but if he is wouldnt hurt to let him come back as a matter of fact it would be great.</div> I dont think Rashard is a FA until next year, Ray Allen is a FA, James, and Radmanovic among others on Seattle.
I would think twice about signing Best, James, Eisley, Radmanovic and Person. Best, Eisley and Person are good veterans who know their role but I have fears that they might turn into Charlie Wards. Their lack of speed and stamina might not fit well with our defensive scheme, and our fast paced offense of now. James has been out of shape his whole career and isn't a strong rebounder or defender. He might be a good replacement for the aging Mutombo, but I think that's all he can do. Radmanovic has skills, but I feel he doesn't have any defensive game, and no rebounding skills. He won't fit in our system. The guys I think we should make look at making competitive offers to are Chandler, Evans, Haslem, Marshall and Swift, in order of preference. The first four are all great rebounders, and Swift uses his athleticism to make up for his average rebounding game. It'll be great to have one of them, but I think all five, with the exception of maybe Evans, will receive more than what we can offer, which is the MLE. If we can somehow convince one of the veterans such as Marshall and Evans to take less money to join us in exchange for winning basketball, it'll be great. If not, I doubt we'll end up with any of them.
Isnt Gary Payton becoming a free agent as well? Hes been a good shooter all of his career, and hes not nicknamed the glove for nothing.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting chineseafro:</div><div class="quote_post">Isnt Gary Payton becoming a free agent as well? Hes been a good shooter all of his career, and hes not nicknamed the glove for nothing.</div> I believe he got a longer contract since signing back with Boston after the trade to Atlanta.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dakeem1:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Evans could be a shot. Would he really demand much money?</div> Doubt it, we won't pay him a lot anyway with Collison emerging. Daniels is an unrestricted FA too, and Houston have had a long standing interest in him.
Oh yes i left out Daniels. He's a solid player. At the moment our number one priority is the PF position though now that we have James and Sura has emerged.
Daniels, good versatility and quickness, I don't see anything bad about getting him, although we have to do something to get rid of either Ward or Norris.
We should try to go for a real good PF if he is going to replace howard, who hasnt been that bad, so i would look for a sign and trade because guys like swift and chandler will be tough to lure with our little money but either one would be perfect
I like Chandler the most for Houston. He gives a strong defensive presence, and he also is 7 feet tall! Imagine Ming, and Chandler...The Twin Towers Jr. He can run the floor well and he plays with heart. The paint will pretty much be locked up for opponents, especially with Mutombo still around! Realisitically, Korver probably won't sign so Person is good. Having a post up and shooting threat is a killer on the floor at the same time. Brevin Knight is a nice PG who is underrated. He will add a lot of depth to the PG slot. I don't want you guys to have Eisley. You'll almost be able to fill up the entire roster with former Knicks!
originally posted by Trip <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Daniels, good versatility and quickness, I don't see anything bad about getting him, although we have to do something to get rid of either Ward or Norris.</div> <div align="right"></div> we dont have to pay ward if his injury is serious do we ? if his condition is too serious next season we wont have to pay the rest of his contract do we?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh yes i left out Daniels. He's a solid player. At the moment our number one priority is the PF position though now that we have James and Sura has emerged.</div> Yeah, but Sura's going to be pretty old in one or two years and wouldn't nearly be as effective. Plus he has those bunch of injuries with the knee and back so I really don't think it would be too wise to keep him that long. Thats why it would definitely be ideal to bring in a point guard like Antonio Daniels to keep the position strong for years to come. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont know why we havent bought out his contract yet, or let him go.</div> I thought his contract was like for two or three years and plus it was a bit expensive. Probably why we can't let him go right now unless his condition continues to be worse and the reason why we haven't bought his contract out yet.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">I like Chandler the most for Houston. He gives a strong defensive presence, and he also is 7 feet tall! Imagine Ming, and Chandler...The Twin Towers Jr. He can run the floor well and he plays with heart. The paint will pretty much be locked up for opponents, especially with Mutombo still around! Realisitically, Korver probably won't sign so Person is good. Having a post up and shooting threat is a killer on the floor at the same time. Brevin Knight is a nice PG who is underrated. He will add a lot of depth to the PG slot. I don't want you guys to have Eisley. You'll almost be able to fill up the entire roster with former Knicks!</div> Chandler is the best option. He would be great to guard a power forward like Duncan, and will also take pressure off Yao to be the guy at the back defending in case of penetration. Chandler's rebounding and shotblocking are also huge pluses. Howard can come off the bench and give us 12 points every game and Chandler actually replaces Mutombo as well since he could also slide over to center when Yao goes out and Howard comes in at the four. Person would be good, but would he be effective with his age and lack of speed to play in our defense. He doesn't give us much more than a three pointer every game. Barry easily does more. Also, are you saying that Person is a post up threat? Or is it Chandler? Neither are. Chandler is more of a scrapper on offense right now and gets his points off alleys and put backs. Person...nothing whatsoever. Brevin Knight would be great, but I think he is a hot commodity on the free agent market because he has shown he can pass exceptionally well and also has a nice mid range J to boot. If we do get him, great, but I doubt if we can get away with starting him at point guard with Wesley at shooting guard. It would create a huge defensive mismatch backcourt wise. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting cheen0:</div><div class="quote_post"> we dont have to pay ward if his injury is serious do we ? if his condition is too serious next season we wont have to pay the rest of his contract do we?</div>I think we have to pay Ward. Hakeem Olajuwon actually retired from playing here in Toronto, but he was still on the Raptors payroll and was actually a tradeable player. I guess we're stuck with him unless he agrees to a buyout for less money. Aznxballer: I think we shouldn't need to sign a PG. If anything, not Daniels if we plan on starting him for the future. He is actually 30 this year, a year or two younger than Sura and around the same as James. He won't keep the position strong for years to come.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Aznxballer: I think we shouldn't need to sign a PG. If anything, not Daniels if we plan on starting him for the future. He is actually 30 this year, a year or two younger than Sura and around the same as James. He won't keep the position strong for years to come.</div> Oh my bad. I thought he was like around McGrady's age or something around 26. If he really is 30, then well I'm definitely not behind it. I would just draft a rookie in the coming years and go for a powerforward this year.
