Official 2014 Free Agency Thread

[Richie]

Okafor for the minimum would be a great signing, only problem is the 15 man roster limit

[ElNono]

I don't mind the Spurs waiting out until February, surveying what the league looks like, and what the Spurs themselves look like before looking to perhaps make a trade.

The Spurs actually have some contracts that add up nicely (Joseph + Ayres + Daye = $5m... Beli another $2.8m), some of them expiring. They would make nice trade bait for mid-season dealings.

[littlecoyotecoin]

I blow a gasket on the regular watching Ayres play, BUT, he's on the team as a minute burner/filler. He doesn't pout about the role, and all in all, he's on a decent deal ($1.8m, even Corey Joseph will make more money than him this season). He already fits in the locker room and has some "corporate knowledge". The Spurs won't buy out that contract to spend more money signing somebody else for such a secondary role, I don't think.

He's also an expiring contract now, so he can be some salary to be used for a mid-season trade if the Spurs need to touch up the roster a bit.

NoNo w/ the goods on why Ayres stays, no matter what peanut gallery wants.

[Mr. Body]

Yea kind of disappointed we couldn't add a single player to help this team.. not surprised though. And KA doesn't count. He's a 19 y/o kid who won't play much, if at all in the playoffs.

But can't complain too much since we re-signed all our guys and are bringing back the gang. It basically all hinges on our health now, which is a big question mark this season.

The roster is stacked, to be honest. It's hard to get established vets onto a team where there is no playing time, much less younger players still trying to make an impact in this league.

[TD 21]

I disagree on that point. Its not like his contract is an albatross. Its $21 million over the next 3 seasons. Of the 29 players that averaged 19 ppg he had the 3rd cheapest salary (Thomas & Lilard). He is cheap & productive while only 30 years old. With the continuing rise of the salary cap (it could jump to $67 million after next season) his contract will look like more and more of a value.

To Minny, he was brought in to add a scoring punch and to appease Love who wanted to make the postseason. Now that Love is being moved, he is nothing more than a stop gap until they find a younger and cheaper replacement (that maybe Wiggins if they see him as a SG). Moving a veteran for a 1st round pick and clearing the books would be ideal (like how PHX got 1st rounders for Scola and Gortat)

If the Knicks are serious about making the playoffs (especially with the East being the way it is) acquiring Martin would be a great get because of his scoring efficiency (career average of 18 ppg and only 12.5 FGA)

The Knicks could take Brewer off Minnys hands to replace Shumpert. Jackson may like Shumpert but he isn't very productive, a poor shooter and a overrated defender.

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=lqfaww2

Knicks Get
Corey Brewer
Kevin Martin

Minnesota Gets:
Andrea Bargnani (1 year, expiring $11.5 million deal)
Iman Shumpert
1st round pick

Caulderon-Martin-Anthony-Stoudimire-Dalembert with a bench of Prigoni-Smith/Hardaway Jr.-Brewer/Early-Smith

or a bigger trade of:

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=mqqhp7f


Knicks Get
Corey Brewer
Kevin Martin
J.J Barea

Minnesota Gets:
Andrea Bargnani (1 year, expiring $11.5 million deal)
Iman Shumpert
Pablo Prigioni
1st round pick

Minnesota would clear the books of $19.2 million over the 15-16 and 16-17 season. The Wolves probably aren't going to want long term deals after dealing Love unless its to Pekovic, Rubio and Wiggins and maybe Thad Young. They'd move both of their non essential personnel in one move. They have been exploring the possibility of getting rid of all 3 players and would allow them to take a step back next year and potentially improve their draft position.

I could also see OKC potentially looking to reacquire Martin (especially if Jackson continues to start alongside Westbrook and Durant)

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=kqozwa8

the could ship out Perkins (expiring deal) and a 1st round pick. I would think OKC would be more willing to due so; in addition to ridding themselves of Perkins they also have 5 first round picks currently on rookie scale deals on roster with Huestis being the 6th playing the D-League and probably coming on after next season)

http://www.sportsworldreport.com/art...kevin-love.htm

all of the above could be a moot point if Martin is indeed included in the deal (probably to Cleveland if it is still only a 3 team deal)

I agree that Martin's contract is not an albatross, especially with the cap going up. But despite what we think, it's been perceived as such since almost the moment the deal was reported. Plus the value of draft picks and particularly 1sts has never been higher.

Offense isn't the issue with the Knicks (11th last season) though; defense is (24th last season). Between Anthony, Smith and Hardaway, they don't lack for firepower on the wings.

This would also kill their flexibility going forward and ruin whatever minute chance they have at adding a significant player next off season, such as Gasol.

The Thunder just signed Morrow to be their third guard, whether he ends up starting or not. Given that and the fact that Jackson is a year away from a contract in that neighborhood, there's no chance they'd be interested in Martin.

[FireMicoHalili]

Okafor seems like one of those guys fans would like on their team before the season starts, and then end up breathing a sigh of relief once the injuries start pouring in e.g. Oden, Bynum

[Dex]

Okafor has never lived up to his potential. There is a reason he can't stick with any team.

Pass.

[cd021]

I agree that Martin's contract is not an albatross, especially with the cap going up. But despite what we think, it's been perceived as such since almost the moment the deal was reported. Plus the value of draft picks and particularly 1sts has never been higher.

Offense isn't the issue with the Knicks (11th last season) though; defense is (24th last season). Between Anthony, Smith and Hardaway, they don't lack for firepower on the wings.

This would also kill their flexibility going forward and ruin whatever minute chance they have at adding a significant player next off season, such as Gasol.

The Thunder just signed Morrow to be their third guard, whether he ends up starting or not. Given that and the fact that Jackson is a year away from a contract in that neighborhood, there's no chance they'd be interested in Martin.

Good points. I didn't realize that the knicks could have about $24 million in cap space. I would go after Jordan and Milsap though (more realistic imo)they would have to try and unload Smith to get both. They would probably have to overpay for Jordan (4yrs /$60 would push LAC into the luxury tax to retain him and would need to sign to other vets to fill out the roster.



I forgot that Jackson was up for an extension. They would be vulnerable to a poison pill deal if they took on K Mart contract. Great that our top 4 players are making only about $34 million and not have to worry about the luxury tax.

[TD 21]

Good points. I didn't realize that the knicks could have about $24 million in cap space. I would go after Jordan and Milsap though (more realistic imo)they would have to try and unload Smith to get both. They would probably have to overpay for Jordan (4yrs /$60 would push LAC into the luxury tax to retain him and would need to sign to other vets to fill out the roster.



I forgot that Jackson was up for an extension. They would be vulnerable to a poison pill deal if they took on K Mart contract. Great that our top 4 players are making only about $34 million and not have to worry about the luxury tax.

It's rare to come across a person on this board who doesn't throw a hissy fit, pretend you're trying to be argumentative or ignore you, when you either disagree with them and/or enlighten them.

[xmas1997]

It's rare to come across a person on this board who doesn't throw a hissy fit, pretend you're trying to be argumentative or ignore you, when you either disagree with them and/or enlighten them.

To be fair, there are many of us on here who have open minds and arewilling to accede that someone else may have more up to date information than we do.
Granted, closed minded, opinionated, and childish immature individuals dominate this forum, along with the ignorant trolls as well, still there are plenty of us on here who gain, share, and discuss information.
Thank goodness for that.

[ace3g]

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
ESPN sources say Shawn Marion has committed this weekend to sign with the Cavaliers


Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
Cavs can only offer minimum deal to Shawn Marion but sources say chance to play with LeBron and play for a le trumped all other offers

[Shastafarian]

Yeah good luck with that Shawn.

[Ice009]

You guys think the Spurs were interested in him at all?

[xmas1997]

You guys think the Spurs were interested in him at all?

Not really.

[exstatic]

Okafor has never lived up to his potential. There is a reason he can't stick with any team.

Pass.

He played for the Charlotte/ NO Hornets for 8 years.

The word is that he isn't completely healed/healthy, and will miss a couple of months this season. He's 31, and his best basketball is behind him, and on his worst playing day, he's better than Baynes or Ayres will ever be. As a cheap, late season pickup, he'd be a steal if Baynes decides to not play here next year.

[Chinook]

He played for the Charlotte/ NO Hornets for 8 years.

He never played for the Charlotte Hornets. He got drafted by the Bobcats in 2004 and traded to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler in 2009. Four teams in 10 years.

[DPG21920]

I am stunned no one has made a play for Blatche. He has behaved pretty well since his move to BKY and more importantly, played well.

I really wouldn't mind nabbing him for part of the MLE.

[Chinook]

I am stunned no one has made a play for Blatche. He has behaved pretty well since his move to BKY and more importantly, played well.

I really wouldn't mind nabbing him for part of the MLE.

I'd be fine with using the whole thing on him. He's still pretty young, and he'd be a fine compliment to either Splitter or Diaw.

[exstatic]

He never played for the Charlotte Hornets. He got drafted by the Bobcats in 2004 and traded to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler in 2009. Four teams in 10 years.

My bad. Too many Charlotte NBA incarnations.

To be fair, it was really just 3 in 9. His last 'team' only wanted him as an expiring contract flip. He never played one minute for PHO, nor did they ever intend for him to. I'm not sure he ever even moved there.

If he's never lived up to expectations and moved around a lot, well, so what? So did Diaw. I'm not talking throwing big money at him, just signing him if maybe Baynes falls through.

[xmas1997]

I'd be fine with using the whole thing on him. He's still pretty young, and he'd be a fine compliment to either Splitter or Diaw.

I think Blatche would be an upgrade over what we have at the end of the bench, and if he developed some maturity while here, more power to the Spurs.

[exstatic]

I think Blatche would be an upgrade over what we have at the end of the bench, and if he developed some maturity while here, more power to the Spurs.

I think he wanted a bigger role than that, which is why he bolted the Nets.

[Chinook]

My bad. Too many Charlotte NBA incarnations.

To be fair, it was really just 3 in 9. His last 'team' only wanted him as an expiring contract flip. He never played one minute for PHO, nor did they ever intend for him to. I'm not sure he ever even moved there.

If he's never lived up to expectations and moved around a lot, well, so what? So did Diaw. I'm not talking throwing big money at him, just signing him if maybe Baynes falls through.

Agree. I'd like it a lot better than the potential Oden signing last year. Also, nothing wrong with being on lot of teams. Just means you have a highly valued skill-set.

[xmas1997]

I think he wanted a bigger role than that, which is why he bolted the Nets.

I'm pretty sure he would get one here, but he would have to show it on the court first.
Has Blatche even been signed yet?

[exstatic]

I'm pretty sure he would get one here, but he would have to show it on the court first.
Has Blatche even been signed yet?

Blatche has talent, but almost no BBIQ. I can't even see the Spurs signing him, let alone giving him a role other than bench player.

[ABC]

Blatche is playing for the Philippines in the World Cup. Wasn't sure if people knew.