I think I have altered my view on free agency this summer. There is no way they can keep everyone...here is my take based on the season and the post season... #1 Nate - He proved he can coach in this league, and this early in his career he is already brushing up against a rep as coaching at an elite level in this league. I won't go there yet. I think he still has a lot to learn. The key criteria for me is that he seems willing to do just that. He put his foot down this year and picked a style he felt comfortable with. He got the Sonics playing solid pick and roll basketball, intelligently used roster specific mismatches, seemed to know which role player was needed to make the difference in big wins. He focused on defense with an offensive minded team and they went from being pure offense with the worst D in the league to being offensive minded with great ball pressure and tough rebounding. Team defense has been inconsistent, but when it is present it has been strong. That is something that requires time, intelligence and hard work. They need to put a solid offer on the table the day after the Sonics end their post season. They want to preempt any tantalizing offers from Cleveland or Charlotte which are the only teams I think have a chance. #2 Ray Allen - Sign him. Give him the $75M over 5 years and give in to the extra $5M in performance contigent bonuses. He is the heart and soul of the team and the focal point of all the intangibles that made this a 52 win season team that has gone undefeated at home in the playoffs. He elevates his game when they need him to, he is consistent, versatile and a solid member of the community. He is everything you want in a superstar player, except that he isn't 7' tall with an unstoppable post game. If he had the last two qualities I would give him the max contract and have the GM bowing down in homage after every game. Be quick to the table with the offer and show that he has answered your questions with his post-season performance. He may still walk, but that may depend on the other FA decisions. #3 AD - He is the only defensive minded guard on the team with the hard nosed, fearless attitude to take the ball to the rim and get the foul every time. Ray does it when his shot isn't falling. AD gets sent to floor EVERY game. He is the perfect foil for Luke and with his combo guard ability to play either the 1 or the 2 he gives the coach lineup flexibility and earns starter minutes even when he comes off the bench. With the three guard lineup he allows the Sonics to play improvisational basketball with three solid ball handlers, passers, penetrators and shooters on the floor ready to leave the defense guessing on every play. I worry about San Antonio and Dallas for backup jobs and Cleveland, Boston and Portland for starting jobs. #4 Radman - Not so critical anymore, but his ability to shoot the three creates valuable mismatches at PF but he can also play SF giving solid backup for Lewis. Like AD this lets him get starters minutes. Worst case is to arrange a sign and trade so we don't end up with nothing for him. #5 James - If his rennaissance is real...and his play when not scoring seems to indicate it may be...we could use a solid defensive big down low who can score when needed and just rebound, block and set good picks when they need that. He may get overpaid by someone else though and he just isn't worth overpaying. If Swift is the future, it would be nice to have a solid big for 2-3 more years. #6 Wilkens - It would be nice to sign him. I just think we have time to resolve the others first. He is a great option for the Sonics because of his perimeter defense first and his ability to score within the offense second. He should attract attention from other teams, but I don't see anyone offering him big dollars so the Sonics should be able to get him for a reasonable contract like they did with Reggie a couple of years ago. There will be another player like him in training camp next year, though, if the Sonics can't sign him. Guards and forwards are the most abundant role players available. #7 Flip - He goes up on this list to #3 behind AD if they fail to sign Ray. He is a good player who will get even better with minutes. They won't be able to sign him though if he isn't going to get minutes. He has been a model citizen this year, but he won't choose to stay where he can't play. If they have the other three guards and Wilkens he is expendable, and guards are the easiest positions to fill with role players. Flip is better as a versatile starter or a 6th man than as a role player. He is good at a number of things, but only REALLY good at creating his own shot. #8 Reggie - He is my favorite Sonic. I love how hard he plays. I love the way he gets under other players skin. His solid rebounding numbers this year have finally earned him attention from other teams. He is able to frustrate without fouling, since he doesn't come with Danny's reputation. With Nick and Danny signed, however, Reggie becomes expendable if anyone offers him decent money, and I think someone will. #9 Vitaly - I like him. He is serviceable. He is not needed. If they can't sign JJ, they should look for another 7' center in the midrange market...not commit to an undersized veteran who doesn't offer anything special. Nick, Reggie and Danny are all undersized but each offers something unique. Vitaly belongs on the bench on the east coast where the centers are either smaller OR softer unless their name is Shaq. The centers out west are just too tall for Vitaly to provide consistent value. Outside Free Agents in Play These are the one's I think matter to the Sonics. If they can't sign Ray my list changes completely...but I don't want to think about that. PG - I don't like anyone on the market next year to fill in for AD if we can't get him...so GET HIM. Earl Watson is a good choice, but there is bad blood in the franchise. SG - If we don't get AD, Wilkens is the right choice if you get a defensive PG as well. Don't bother looking. SF - If we lose Radman, Wilkens and one more combo forward is important. Devin Brown could be a good choice, but won't help much with the 3 ball. Kapono would be a good shooting role player. Devean George could fill the bill as well. PF - Keon Clark would be a good role player here and could backup the 4 or the 5 and provide rebounding/blocked shots. I like Croshere. He can play defense, post up and hit the 3. There are some nice mid-level players available here...Brian Grant, Darius Songalia, and others depending on what you need. Good pickings at the 4 this year. C - You know this is the hardest position to fill when Jerome James, Dan Gadzuric and Peja Drobnjak are in the top 10. The best options are overpriced like Ilgauskas, Dalembert and Curry (who may be out for good). A veteran at a reasonable price may be the best option with Swifty in training. Mutumbo and Zo may have raised their pay with post season performances. Dale Davis would be perfect, though.
