They can re-sign Afflalo, Wes and Lopez with the understanding that Batum only has one year left. Can't see him getting a similar contract next time around. If Paul Allen gives him that he's crazy.
Honestly, I love Wes, but I believe that hes going to want to much. Which is why we got AA. With AA here, and his skills, I believe we're set. AA can plug in and replace Wes no problem. I'd love to keep both, but I just don't see it happening. I mean, unless Wes doesn't get any good offers on good teams. I don't see him leaving for more money to a shitty team.... Well, unless he wants more sneakers for his collection.
He really shouldn't, anyway. He'll get so much bigger a contract playing out his existing one than trying to get a new one this summer. Honestly, the more I look at it, I think he'll get barely more MLE if he opts out.
If I was him, I would wait until next summer when Durant is a free agent. There should be more than a couple teams that miss out on KD and have some cash left over to spend.
I have a better idea. If Afflalo ends up looking like a keeper here, how about we keep he and Wes and find a new home for Batum? We'd still need a new small forward, since I don't think you'd want either of those guys at 3 full time, but based on what we've seen from Nic this year he doesn't look irreplaceable.
A lot of you ripping BGD for this, but it is honestly a very valid question and could quite possibly end up playing out like that. It could possibly even been a factor in why the front office valued Afflalo over anyone else. I mean think about it, how similar he and Matthews are. Down to the fact they are 2 of the best post up 2 guards, and better defenders at their position. Somebody has to ask the questions too real for most.
I think Afflalo would be more consistent than Wes if we moved on but Afflalo won't have those nights where he hits 6-7 threes.
He's had a couple in the past. 8-11 from three against Milwaukee 11/13/13; 7-9 from 3 against Miami a week later. But it's really not a fair comparison, because he's never been in an offense that encourages the 3 ball like this one. Wes shoots 8 threes per 36 minutes; Arron's never averaged more than 5. If the volumes were comparable--and they definitely could be--Afflalo absolutely could have multiple games like that.
Its more luck than anything Neil planned. They didn't know the terms of the new TV deal years ago so there isn't any way he could've completely orchestrated this. I do think he avoided long term contracts which does give us more flexibility than most GMs would have done.
I remember hearing a little rumor that the raptors might be interested in Batum & would still be thrilled to get Terrence Ross here!
If they have to, Would you be upset if Olshey & Allen choose to go with Arron Afflalo over Wes Mathews? Which is a possibility they will have to decide.