ESPN's Top 25 FA for 2007

[Mitch Cumsteen]

Wallace would be nice, but I think he's going to be out of the Spurs price range. The guy I'd like to get from Charlotte would be Primoz Brezek. He would be a flyer on a seven footer much like Butler and Elson. I think he'd be worth a look.

I'd take James Posey in a heartbeat if they could get him for cheap. Great long defender who can hit the three. He had a huge contract with Memphis/Miami, so he may be affordable.

[AFBlue]

It doesn't look like Mike is having an off-year to me, with all the ball-eaters in his team.
He's been asked to concentrate on the rebound and did it and continues to defend well from what I've seen.

Agree with this assessment. I also questioned Hollinger when he made that statement about Pietrus. Granted Pietrus is still inconsistent, but like Deshawn Stevenson, I think Mikael has learned to make sound decisions and play within his ability rather than jacking up ill-advised shots and playing soft.

As a possible signing this off-season, I think it could go either way. If the Warriors sign him, it almost certainly means that they'll aggressively shop Jason Richardson, Stephen Jackson, and/or Al Harrington. While Pietrus has the most youth and upside, he is clearly the least effective player. I think Golden State will be willing to do a sign-and-trade, or trade one of the other assets, for an expiring contract and a prospect/pick.

Bottom Line: Someone is on the outs in GS, it will be an interesting situation to follow...

[Mr. Body]

Pietrus is in a bad situation in Golden State. That team will never harness whatever potential he might have.

[AFBlue]

even better news. I just wonder how Wallace's situation will play out with ownership and such.

I know MJ recently sent a letter to the Bobcats season ticket holders stating that the team would be willing to spend whatever to improve their team. However their owner, Bob Johnson, is a notorious cheapskate. I just wonder if he will "ante up" the bucks needed to retain Wallace.

Besides, they've already made an investment in Adam Morrison and I believe those two play the same position. Morrison may be the better shooter, but Wallace is, without question, the better overall player.

It'll be interesting to see who that shakes out.

Bernie Bickerstaff's mantra has been for the Bobcats to build and develop for their future through the draft, so I think it serves that where they go in the 2007 draft will be a big factor in whether or not Gerald Wallace is re-signed.

Ultimately, I think it will be tough to let a guy like Gerald Wallace walk when he's been a big part of their few successes thus far.

And contrary to popular belief, Wallace and Morrison can play together with Wallace defending the SG position, but defering to Morrison on offense.

[mountainballer]

Agree with this assessment. I also questioned Hollinger when he made that statement about Pietrus.

I question Hollinger, when he makes any statement.

even if I would agree, like in the description of Wallce. I read it and think: WTF, Hollinger thinks the same like I do, something must have been wrong about my impression.

[mountainballer]

Bernie Bickerstaff's mantra has been for the Bobcats to build and develop for their future through the draft, so I think it serves that where they go in the 2007 draft will be a big factor in whether or not Gerald Wallace is re-signed.

Ultimately, I think it will be tough to let a guy like Gerald Wallace walk when he's been a big part of their few successes thus far.

And contrary to popular belief, Wallace and Morrison can play together with Wallace defending the SG position, but defering to Morrison on offense.

I think it is less a question about positions and if Wallace and Morrison can co-exist. Bobcats have to resign some of their players to big extensions soon and I'm sure they are still hoping for the big fish in this years lottery. cheap as they are, I just don't think that they want to spend the money on Wallace that they are reserving for Felton; Okafor, probably Morrison and the 2007 pick. Wallace is just the odd man out when thinking of more than MLE contracts. (and if they only offer him the MLE, I think Wallace will prefer to go to a winning situation, because MLE he will get from many teams. like the Spurs)

[AFBlue]

I'd take James Posey in a heartbeat if they could get him for cheap. Great long defender who can hit the three. He had a huge contract with Memphis/Miami, so he may be affordable.

I don't know that Posey will be affordable. Championship contenders are always looking for that defensive-minded guy that won't disrupt chemistry but can knock down a shot when called upon.

Last year, Greg Buckner got a deal from the Mavs for almost the full MLE I believe. If the Heat don't keep him, I think another team will try to add him as a "missing piece". I don't doubt the Spurs will try for him, but I doubt they get desperate enough to give him more than half the MLE.

It is a possibility though...

[AFBlue]

I think it is less a question about positions and if Wallace and Morrison can co-exist. Bobcats have to resign some of their players to big extensions soon and I'm sure they are still hoping for the big fish in this years lottery. cheap as they are, I just don't think that they want to spend the money on Wallace that they are reserving for Felton; Okafor, probably Morrison and the 2007 pick. )

No offense, but the Bobcats have $30 MILLION of cap space to play with this summer. With the way that contracts are formatted (base year a relatively low number with high % increases), the Bobcats could conceivably sign Chuancey, Vince, and Rashard. And the first of those draft picks (Okafor) isn't even eligible for an extension until next year or the year after.

Basically what I'm saying is that the Bobcats can sign Wallace to a Q-Rich type contract and still have plenty of money to work extensions with their young bucks over the next 3-5 years.

Wallace is just the odd man out when thinking of more than MLE contracts. (and if they only offer him the MLE, I think Wallace will prefer to go to a winning situation, because MLE he will get from many teams. like the Spurs)

I do agree on this point, however. Wallace is not a "restricted" FA, so he has a say where he goes. Players don't often sacrafice millions to play in a better situation and Charlotte has been loyal to Wallace, but he could still refuse a larger contract with the Bobcats to sign somewhere else.

I don't think it's likely, but it has happened before (Barry), so I'm not discounting it as a possibility.