ESPN's Top 25 FA for 2007

[AFBlue]

Saw this article on ESPN about the top 25 potential free agents for 2007. This is John Hollinger's prospective list of players. I have shortened the article by taking away some of the "descriptions" for players not likely to be had by the Spurs. Some of these players are out of the Spurs reach and some are definite possibilities.

1. Chauncey Billups, Pistons (p)

2. Vince Carter, Nets (p)

3. Rashard Lewis, Sonics (p)
The gap between spots No. 3 and 4 is longer than Yao Ming's inseam. Lewis potentially will get a max contract in the $100-million neighborhood; the next three players on this list might not get half of that.

As with Carter, he has the option to sign an extension with his team between now and the end of the June, but it wouldn't seem to be in either player's interests to do so when they could get a new, long-term deal this summer.

4. Gerald Wallace, Bobcats (p)
Wallace is perhaps the game's most unheralded star, using his tremendous athleticism to block shots, crash the boards and throw down transition jams. He's also effective enough off the bounce that he averages 16.2 points per game despite a hideous outside shot.

Considering he's only 24 and seems to have considerable upside left to explore, he might be the most undervalued commodity on this year's market.

5. Mo Williams, Bucks

6. Grant Hill, Magic
This is where the rankings get less defined. Hill is clearly the best player left on the list. But we don't how many games he'll be available to play, which is why nobody is going to offer Hill a deal longer than two or three years.

That said, he's still a star when healthy and easily could be the piece that puts a contending team over the top, plus he's a class act who won't ruffle feathers wherever he goes.

7. Darko Milicic, Magic (r)

8. Anderson Varejao, Cavs (r)
I'm not sure how high to put Varejao. On the one hand, scouts and execs absolutely love the guy because he plays hard all the time and never needs the ball. But on the other hand, you have to wonder if he's already pretty close to his ceiling as far as productivity and, if so, whether that output is worth anything more than the midlevel exception.


I'm not ruling out future improvement, but I'd sure as heck be wondering this if I was about to pay him.

9. Andres Nocioni, Bulls (r)
The Wild Bull of the Pampas is putting together his second straight solid season and, at 27, figures to have plenty left in the tank.


The one complication at the moment is the plantar fasciitis in his foot, which could make teams skittish if he can't come back this season and show his usual form.

10. Chris Webber, Pistons

11. Ruben Patterson, Bucks
People are going to stay away from this guy because of his reputation, but that might be a mistake. He's playing the best basketball of his career right now, averaging 14.4 points per game and shooting 54.5 percent from the floor. Plus, he's mellowed considerably off the floor and hasn't gotten into trouble in years.

He's 31, he's only 6-5 and he can't shoot, so if he loses a step he's finished. But he doesn't seem to have lost a thing athletically, and could be a big value this summer if teams don't get too crazy with the years.

12. Travis Outlaw, Blazers (r)
Outlaw hasn't played a ton of minutes this year, but when he's played, the 22-year-old forward has been effective. With his length and athleticism he has more potential than any other player outside the top 7, and after four years it looks like he's finally starting to put it together as a real basketball player.

At this point in the list, the gamble on that potential might be a better bet than a known quan y with a lower ceiling.

13. Luke Walton, Lakers
He chose the right time to have a breakout year. The fourth-year forward has improved tremendously as a scorer, which in turn has made his devastating passing skills even more of a threat.

On the downside, he's a better fit in a read-and-react system like L.A.'s than on a one-on-one team, so not every club will be a good match. Plus, he's only had one good season so teams shouldn't get too giddy with the bidding.

14. Jerry Stackhouse, Mavericks

15. Mo Peterson, Raptors
Of the three long-range specialists (Peterson, Matt Carroll and Jason Kapono) who figure to get paid this summer, Peterson is the worst shooter and the best basketball player. I can't provide a good explanation for why he lost his starting job in Toronto, but his performance hasn't fallen off one iota and, at 29, he figures to stick around for a while.

He could be a good value on a three-year deal around the midlevel.

16. Matt Carroll , Bobcats
Carroll has a rep as a shooter and he certainly can stroke it, but unlike a lot of shooters he has a real knack for getting to the line. That helps him get points even when the jumper isn't falling, which is why he scores so much (19.3 points per 40 minutes) for a shooting specialist.


He's 26 and his numbers this season aren't too far off his career norms, so he should be able to do this for quite a bit longer.

17. Mikki Moore, Nets

18. Jason Kapono, Heat
A non-en y before the season, Kapono worked his way into the Heat's starting lineup by ditching the high-difficulty Larry Bird fadeaways and sticking to spot-up shooting.


He's hitting a sizzling 52.5 percent on 3-pointers as a result and has the fourth-best true shooting percentage in basketball; that should earn him a nice payday over the summer.

19. DeShawn Stevenson, Wizards (p)
Stevenson had to settle for the minimum after opting out of his contract with Orlando a year ago; I have a feeling he'll do better this time.

The 25-year-old defensive specialist finally is beginning to blossom at the offensive end, shooting 46.5 percent on 3-pointers while reducing the 20-foot fadeaways off the dribble that had been his previous calling card.

20. Bonzi Wells, Rockets (p)
Wells' season mostly has been a lost cause, but he's had a few nice games recently. Moreover, everybody in the league still understands how he physically can overwhelm smaller guards with his power inside.

Wells won't get anything close to the 5-year, $36 million deal he turned down from Sacramento a year ago, but his off-year in Houston won't shut off the market completely.

21. Earl Boykins, Bucks (p)
What happens to a 5-5 guard with a shaky jumper when he gets into his 30s? I think more than a few teams are reluctant to find the answer to that question, which is why the bidding for Boykins might be less enthusiastic than one might expect just by looking at his stats.

The Hawks' experience with Speedy Claxton this year probably won't help Earl's case any.

22. Ime Udoka, Trail Blazers
After emerging from nowhere to become Portland's defensive ace and a surprisingly effective 3-point shooter from the corners (39.1 percent), Udoka looks to be in line for a nice payday.

Unfortunately for him, there are a lot of wing-defender types on the market this summer (Wallace, Patterson, Stevenson, Mickael Pietrus, Desmond Mason, Dahntay Jones, etc.), so that's likely to keep the bidding from getting too crazy.

23. Mickael Pietrus, Warriors (r)
Despite a second consecutive off-year, Pietrus remains intriguing because of his combination of defensive talent and 3-point shooting.

He's still only 25 and has scored at a decent clip his entire career, but his inability to put the pieces together is leaving a lot of people bewildered.

24. Charlie Bell, Bucks (r)
The fourth key Milwaukee player who will become a free agent after the season, Bell should be a desirable commodity because he's still fairly young (27), he plays solid defense on the wings despite his small stature (6-3), and he can shoot the rock (36.9 percent on 3s for his career).

25. Desmond Mason, Hornets
A great athlete with a hideous jumper, Mason's offensive limitations keep him from climbing higher up this list in spite of his undeniable physical skills.

The worry is that those crazy hops will diminish as he gets into his 30s -- he hits the big 3-0 in October -- while the offensive struggles will persist.

Best of the rest: The next 10, in no particular order -- Chucky Atkins, Grizzlies; Kelenna Azubuike, Warriors (r); Matt Barnes, Warriors; Travis Diener, Magic (r); Chuck Hayes, Rockets (r); Dahntay Jones, Grizzlies; Jamaal Magloire, Trail Blazers; Chris Mihm, Lakers; Smush Parker, Lakers; James Posey, Heat.

[Mr. Body]

Somehow I think Grant Hill will manage to be a Spur next year for $3 million a year, two years.

[AFBlue]

Somehow I think Grant Hill will manage to be a Spur next year for $3 million a year, two years.

With the second year being a team option and/or partially guaranteed contract. Wouldn't want to take up cap space for the summer of 08 right? Somehow I don't doubt it...

[ggoose25]

lets go after charlie bell so we can finally have a solid backup PG

[AFBlue]

Deshawn Stevenson is interesting, but I don't know if he's big enough to play and guard the SF spot....

[pad300]

I sincerely hope someone gets Luke Walton away from the Lakers (not necessarily us, although he might be quite good at the 3 spot).

I can't see us actually paying for Rashard Lewis.

Which player we chase will very much depend on what we do in the draft. I anticipate needing a minimum of one big (Ely and Bonner Expire) and a backup PG (Vaughn expires). The other open roster slot will likely go to a wing player (SF). It is likely we will resign Vaughn, who has played well this year. I am unsure if we will be able to resign Bonner. Bonner will not be offered more than 1 guaranteed year (with others as team options/unguaranteed), and may well want more security elsewhere.

We may need considerably more bodies, as I can see Udrih and Oberto moved, and Horry retiring. Potentially another backup PG, and 2 more bigs.

I also expect us to do not very much business in Free Agency, looking solely for 1 year contracts ( or with later years as team options). I think the Spurs will be looking for useful draft choices...

Examples of immediately useful Draft picks who might be available - Nick Fazekas (PF/C), Herbert Hill(PF/C), Demetris Nichols(SF), Reyshawn Terry(SF), Jared Dudley(SF/PF), Rudy Fernandez (SG, Longshot to be available at our pick), Mustafa Shakur (PG), Glen Davis(PF/C), Sean Singletary (PG)

[spurschick]

9. Andres Nocioni, Bulls (r)
The Wild Bull of the Pampas is putting together his second straight solid season and, at 27, figures to have plenty left in the tank.
The one complication at the moment is the plantar fasciitis in his foot, which could make teams skittish if he can't come back this season and show his usual form.

We can rebuild him. We have the technology.

[dg7md]

Somehow I think Grant Hill will manage to be a Spur next year for $3 million a year, two years.

God, I'd want anybody on that list over him. Not to say he isn't a class act and a great player but we need to address athleticism and youth for our future.

I say we push hard to get Rashard Lewis. He'd be our answer at our 3 spot.

[Kori Ellis]

Here's a complete list of FA's by team:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2654216

and more information:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/featur...freeagency2007

[Rick Von Braun]

We can rebuild him. We have the technology.

What we don't have are the six million dollars!

[AFBlue]

God, I'd want anybody on that list over him. Not to say he isn't a class act and a great player but we need to address athleticism and youth for our future.

I say we push hard to get Rashard Lewis. He'd be our answer at our 3 spot.

He's opting out of a guaranteed $20M+ over the next two years because he thinks he can get more on the open market, and chances are he might be right. Rashard could get a 5yr deal for somewhere around $15M per year....the Spurs don't have that kind of cash or level of trade assets outside of the big 3.

[Axl Van Dam]

Saw this article on ESPN about the top 25 potential free agents for 2007. This is John Hollinger's prospective list of players. I have shortened the article by taking away some of the "descriptions" for players not likely to be had by the Spurs. Some of these players are out of the Spurs reach and some are definite possibilities.

The FO should PRIORITIZE these 3:

1. Luke Walton - This dude's basketball IQ is above average and will definitely be a big plus to the team.

2. Mickael Pietrus - Quite possibly the one to take Bruce Bowen's spot when Bruce hangs up his sneakers.

3. Gerald Wallace - Possibly the long athletic 3 we've been yearning.

[ginobili fan]

can we have pietrus or it is a dream?

[Borosai]

"I am Gerald Wallace!"

How realistic is that?

[JPB]

Mickael Pietrus, Warriors (r)
Despite a second consecutive off-year, Pietrus remains intriguing because of his combination of defensive talent and 3-point shooting.

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.

[Bruno]

Spurs will have more than $22M in tradable expirings (Barry, Horry, Elson, Finley, Oberto, Butler, Udrih and White) next summer : Spurs FO should be aggressive on the trade market with that.

[romain.star]

pietrus, decent scorer, athletic, young.....
he might be a good sign

[BALLZ & MY WORD]

Without question the FA we should be targeting this summer is Gerald Wallace. He definitively answers our need for a long athletic 3 and heir apparent to Bruce Bowen. They need to go Balls to the Wall to pick up this guy. His style of play would flourish in the Spurs system.

[mountainballer]

even if I'm repeating myself again.
Spurs should focus on Gerald Wallace. I do think that there is a chance that he end up as a Spur if they really try.
I don't think that the teams with cap space will go for him and offer him significantly more than the MLE. the teams that have the cap space are all well eqiped at the SF spot with young and athletic wings. (Hawks, Bulls, Magic, Grizzlies, Bucks).
so I can't see any of this teams throw their cap space at Wallace.
so he either has to sign for the MLE (btw. a 5 years/30 million $ contract isn't exactly underpaying) or a S&T.
considering all the expiring contracts, Spurs could offer a package with such a contract, add cash, add young players (Butler, Beno) who might flourish on another team, add rights (Ian, Scola) and/or picks.
not a mind-boggling offer, I know, but also not as bad as sometimes described.

[VaSpursFan]

Without question the FA we should be targeting this summer is Gerald Wallace. He definitively answers our need for a long athletic 3 and heir apparent to Bruce Bowen. They need to go Balls to the Wall to pick up this guy. His style of play would flourish in the Spurs system.

i'd rather see us go after him too. he's the most intriguing prospect for the 3 spot being that he gets after it on d, rebounds and can score the ball. he may not be the lock down defender like bowen but he can offset that with his rebounding.

[BALLZ & MY WORD]

i'd rather see us go after him too. he's the most intriguing prospect for the 3 spot being that he gets after it on d, rebounds and can score the ball. he may not be the lock down defender like bowen but he can offset that with his rebounding.

True you may lose a little bit on D, but all the other facets of his game more than make up for that. Who knows within the Spurs system, his overall defensive play might even improve. It is definitely somewhat of a security blanket on the perimeter when the Spurs are playing optimum help defense. It would allow anyone to be a little more agressive than they would be on a marginal defensive team.

[SenorSpur]

i'd rather see us go after him too. he's the most intriguing prospect for the 3 spot being that he gets after it on d, rebounds and can score the ball. he may not be the lock down defender like bowen but he can offset that with his rebounding.

Count me onboard also.

Gerald Wallace is and can be such a tremendous difference-maker in ways that the Spurs do not have currently. Blocking shots, rebounding, steals, scoring in transition. The best part is he's still a young cat.

I'm not so worried about his defense as he can learn to be a better defender once he gets into our system. Especially getting a chance to observe a pro like Bowen.

I hope the FO aggressively goes after him.

[BALLZ & MY WORD]

Count me onboard also.

Gerald Wallace is and can be such a tremendous difference-maker in ways that the Spurs do not have currently. Blocking shots, rebounding, steals, scoring in transition. The best part is he's still a young cat.

I'm not so worried about his defense as he can learn to be a better defender once he gets into our system. Especially getting a chance to observe a pro like Bowen.

I hope the FO aggressively goes after him.

WALLACE OR BUST!!!!!!!

[mountainballer]

I'm not so worried about his defense as he can learn to be a better defender once he gets into our system. Especially getting a chance to observe a pro like Bowen.

his defense is already one of the better in the NBA at his position and is at a much higher level than Bowen's was at the same age.
the best case scenario of Wallace in a Spurs system is, that his defense becomes as great as Bowen at his best but his offense and rebounding at 2 levels higher than Bowen has ever been. (not that this would mean much)
the only downgrade is, that he can't hit the 3.
but if he could he would be out of our reach and ask for a max contract theses days.

[SenorSpur]

his defense is already one of the better in the NBA at his position and is at a much higher level than Bowen's was at the same age.
the best case scenario of Wallace in a Spurs system is, that his defense becomes as great as Bowen at his best but his offense and rebounding at 2 levels higher than Bowen has ever been. (not that this would mean much)
the only downgrade is, that he can't hit the 3.
but if he could he would be out of our reach and ask for a max contract theses days.

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.