Another thing to point out... this FA class is awful. Really glad that Ant is an RFA. I can't imagine what Norm or GTJ would have gotten this summer if they were free agents.
I do think the Pistons will offer him that if he continues to play the way he has and we continue to win. That's one thing that might not be factoring into the conversation around if Dame and Ant will fit together going forward. If we have to match something like that for Ant and we need to give Dame that extension... tying up what would be around 85M on your back court when neither is a good defender at the time that you spend that future money is fucking stupid.
Detroit will have less than 30M in space once their draft pick is factored. But that will be essentially wiped out by Bagley's cap-hold unless they renounce his rights. I really doubt they'd be willing to do that
Well then if Ant keeps doing what he's been doing and unless the Thunder are going to try something crazy, I am hoping that he gets a four year deal that starts out around 25 for next season and ends up around 30. That being said we'll still likely be spending close to 80M on our back court in a few seasons but if we're contending and it's the best back court in the league then I have no problem with that. I won't be fine with it if they are a hole that compromises our defense.
in 2017-18, the Blazers ranked 8th in the league in defense, and that's with Dame & Cj as the back court, and this was the supporting cast: Al-Farouq Aminu Jusuf Nurkić Evan Turner Maurice Harkless Shabazz Napier Ed Davis Pat Connaughton Zach Collins Noah Vonleh there is no DPOY there, just a couple of big who played defense and solid to good defenders on the perimeter. And this was accomplished in the Stotts defense with his heavy drop scheme. Portland will have Nurk-Hart-Nas-Winslow which is a good start on solid defenders. I think Watford is solid as well; so is Dennis Smith. and Billups will be the coach. I have some concern about a Dame/Ant back court, but Dame/CJ never had a 3rd guard like Hart, or a coach like Billups it probably won't happen but I'd much rather Simons was in the 20-25M range than the 25-30M range
kinda offhand comment, but CJ on his podcast today said he saw Ant in the locker room before the game and joked with him about how "I know he's got his deal in place so it's good that he gets some rest and be fresh for next season." Probably the worst kept secret in the NBA that both Ant and Nurk already have agreed to new contracts.
probably but this will be another test of Cronin. I think both Ant and Nurk have caps on how much they could expect on the free agent market. Combined, I think it would be in the 35-40M range in first year salary
notice that I said "in the free agent market". I just don't think any team, that has the space, is going to come anywhere close to maxing Simons or paying Nurk much more that 15M/year which is why I said it's a test of Cronin. Yeah, I'm setting an arbitrary gauge
