NBA Free Agency

We discussed the draft and it’s impact on every team earlier this week, but the other element of the offseason is free agency. Teams are already making moves (signings and trades) but there is still a lot of uncertainty. Today we tackle some of the biggest topics, such as the best fits for some of the remaining players and how teams have done with their trades.

Free Agent Signings

NOTE: Players are listed below with their former team and free agent status. Greg and I will each pick where they fit in best.

Josh Smith, Forward, Atlanta Hawks, Unrestricted

Andrew – Sacramento Kings

Josh Smith is one of the biggest names on the market this year. He’s been heavily linked to Houston and Detroit, along with Atlanta so far this offseason. Despite what many people think, I don’t see him as a SF at all but as a slightly undersized 4. Why? He doesn’t shoot it that well and he’s not good enough to guard quality small forwards in this league. With that said, if he plays at power forward, he needs to be paired with a nice big man to compensate his lack of size. That’s why he makes perfect sense with the Kings (alongside Cousins), especially if they let Tyreke Evans walk. A core of McLemore, Smith, and Cousins makes for a fairly bright future.

Greg – I believe he has visited both the Pistons and the Rockets. Pistons have the most to offer him money-wise, and if Atlanta doesn't end up with Howard he probably ends up back there, but I think the Rockets could be a sneaky team here.

OJ Mayo, Shooting Guard, Dallas Mavericks, Unrestricted

Andrew – Oklahoma City Thunder

Greg – Oklahoma City Thunder

From a scoring shooting guard perspective, you can’t do too much better than Mayo this offseason. He’s still young and possesses a lot of ability key to most teams. Don’t be confused about this though, he’s not a team centerpiece and shouldn’t be treated as one. That’s why OKC makes sense. He could be a third wheel of sorts to Durant and Westbrook, and fill the void left by James Harden and now Kevin Martin. His athleticism is also perfect for their up and down style.

Andre Iguodala, Small Forward, Denver Nuggets, Unrestricted

Andrew – Denver Nuggets

Greg – Denver Nuggets

Iggy is a veteran player that is solid on both sides of the ball. He’s not old, but this is the last real big contract he will likely sign in his career. I think he needs to go to a team that can be a contender. Before the draft, I thought Cleveland made a lot of sense (until they picked multiple small forward prospects). Post-draft I believe he should stay in Denver. Detroit would be another decent fit, but Denver is poised to win more now. He completes a Nuggets roster that could compete for the West crown again next year.

Dwight Howard, Center, Los Angeles Lakers, Unrestricted

Andrew – Houston Rockets

This is the biggest name in free agency this year. But is he worth all the trouble? He brought much more drama to the table than winning in each of his last two seasons. Nonetheless, he can be a dominant big man again, if put into the right situation. The right situation to me includes a different go-to scorer, a power forward that can give Dwight space down low, and a coach that can manage it all. That equals Houston.

Greg – My gut says he stays with the Lakers, my head says he should choose Houston, but I think he ends up in Dallas.

Brandon Jennings, Point Guard, Milwaukee Bucks, Restricted

Andrew – Milwaukee Bucks

Greg – Milwaukee Bucks

Jennings is still extremely young and still trending up. But he also has some flaws in his game. He isn’t a superstar, despite what he thinks, and he will likely not get as much as he wants in free agency. With that said, the Bucks made the playoffs last year with him leading the way, and with Ellis on his way out, the Bucks need Jennings in a big way. I think Jennings also needs the Bucks, as they are the most likely to overpay him what he wants.

Monta Ellis, Guard, Milwaukee Bucks, Unrestricted

Andrew – New York Knicks

Monta Ellis is a pure scorer, a type of guy that doesn’t need plays for him or a pick and roll to get his shot. He just gets it on his own. If you watched the Knicks last year, the offense was essentially designed for Smith and Anthony to create offense and shooters surrounded them. Well, Smith is likely leaving, and Ellis would jump in perfectly and be even better.

Greg – Would be interesting in a clippers uniform, but won't happen. Maybe the Lakers if Dwight Howard doesn't sign. They need help.

JR Smith, Shooting Guard, New York Knicks, Unrestricted

Andrew – Dallas Mavericks

Greg – New York Knicks?

With OJ Mayo on his way out in Dallas, J.R. would provide them with that scoring threat at the shooting guard position. If they can bring on another big time free agent with him, they could have a very competitive core with Dirk and company. It makes sense for both sides. Of course, the Knicks always remain a possibility.

Andrew Bynum, Center, Philadelphia 76ers, Unrestricted

Andrew – Los Angeles Lakers

Bynum is leaving Philly, a team that is clearly in rebuilding mode. So if Bynum is healthy now, he should sign with a team trying to be a real contender. He had success with LA during his healthy years, so why not return there again. He already knows how to win with Gasol and Kobe, something Dwight couldn’t figure out. And if LA can’t resign Howard (which I doubt they will), Bynum could be a cheaper consolation prize, which might still leave them money to address their bench.

Tyreke Evans, Guard/Forward, Sacramento Kings, Restricted

Andrew – New Orleans Pelicans

Greg – New Orleans Pelicans

In my opinion, the Kings haven’t fully utilized Evans and I think it’s time to move on. With a big offer on the table from N.O., that to me would be perfect. They have a young and extremely talented core, and he could add to it. With Jrue Holiday being traded there and Eric Gordon potentially healthy again, they could be a team pushing the playoffs now.

Al Jefferson, Center, Utah Jazz, Unrestricted

Andrew – Dallas Mavericks

Unless they end up getting Howard, Dallas has plenty of money to spend and the need for a star center. Jefferson would be the perfect complement to Dirk inside for the short term, and the centerpiece when Dirk retires. The Mavs need to make one more big push towards a championship, and Al could help them do it.

Paul Millsap, Power Forward, Utah Jazz, Unrestricted

Andrew – Utah Jazz

Greg – Utah Jazz (although Pacers would have been a nice fit until West signed)

Rumors suggest Jefferson is looking elsewhere, so they Jazz would love to keep one of their free agent big men. Plus with Jefferson gone, there will finally be enough minutes available for their loaded frontcourt. Millsap would now be given the chance to anchor them inside, and with Trey Burke there now to run the show, this is suddenly an extremely promising team.

Trade Grades

NOTE: A few trades have already taken place (or agreed upon in principle). Here are the draft grades:

1.         Clippers Get: J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley

Suns Get: Caron Butler and Eric Bledsoe

Bucks Get: Second Rounder from each team

Andrew – Clippers C-, Suns A-, Bucks A-

Greg – Clippers C-, Suns B

Redick to the Clippers makes sense because of his ability to catch and shoot, but he was an unrestricted free agent so why trade for him instead of just signing him? And if you were going to trade Bledsoe, you could have gotten more for him. I liked the deal with Orlando better actually. The Suns get a great young player and the Bucks gave up nothing (cause of the free agent status), yet got dealt two picks. That’s a win for those teams.

2.         Nets Get: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry

Celtics Get: Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Kris Joseph, MarShon Brookes, Keith Bogans, and 3 First Rounders

Andrew – Nets A-, Celtics C

Greg – Nets B+, Celtics B-

The Nets are trying to win now, and get two impact players in this deal to complete a great starting 5. But in the suddenly loaded East, will it make a difference? What I do know is that they are now strongly in the mix. As for the Celtics, they are starting over and just wanted the 3 picks and lots of expiring contracts. It makes sense, but they are trading all their stars for unknown players (money and picks). That’s a little risky, especially since they only have one young star currently, an injured Rajon Rondo.

3.         Knicks Get: Andrea Bargnani

            Raptors Get: Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, and multiple picks

Andrew – Toronto C, Knicks B

I have been reading online and I seem to be in the minority here. They traded replaceable bench players and picks that are years away for a potential starter that averages 13 points a game. The Knicks needed help inside, particularly since Amare is always injured, and they got it. Toronto doesn’t get anything that will help them now outside of cap space for next year. They essentially just parted with a bad contract, but they are going to be woeful this season.

4.         Blazers Get: Thomas Robinson

            Rockets Get: Two Second Rounders and Two “no-name foreigners”

Andrew – Blazers A, Rockets A

Greg – Blazers C+, Rockets – Incomplete (depends on if they get a max player)

Not to poke fun of Kostas Papanikolau and Marko Todorovic, but the Rockets made this deal to clear cap space. And with this trade they have enough cap space to get a max player. I love it. Robinson didn’t do much last year for them but a max free agent would. As for the Blazers, they really didn’t give up much but now have the chance to develop an extremely talented power forward, whom was a Top 5 pick last year. If they end up parting ways with Aldridge, this may be an even better deal.

5.         Pelicans Get: Jrue Holiday

            76ers Get: Nerlens Noel and 2014 First Round Pick

Andrew – Pelicans A, 76ers B+

Greg – Pelicans A, 76ers B+

Jrue is a star, and he is still young. So for an emerging New Orleans team with suddenly a lot of talent, this move was perfect for them. They need to be thankful that Noel fell into their lap. As for the 76ers, you first must understand they are rebuilding. Once you get that, you can see it makes sense picking up a prospect most thought would go #1, and a 2014 first rounder, which is coveted by every team.

Trades We Want to See

Andrew

1. The Pelicans should trade Grievas Vasquez, especially after his great year last season. That acquired Jrue Holiday and Pierre Jackson on draft night, so they don’t need Vasquez anymore at point guard. I’d look to add depth at the forward and center positions. Plus, if they end up signing Tyreke Evans, I’d also look to trade Eric Gordon. With so many other young players in the fold (Austin Rivers is a guy I haven’t mentioned), Gordon becomes expendable and is seemingly always injured anyways. Again, they need better depth at others positions or a star at small forward to complete their team. Maybe Rudy Gay is an option?

2. Speaking of Rudy Gay, his name was mentioned today in relation to a trade to the Pistons. The Pistons reportedly are offering Toronto the expiring contracts of Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva. That would be a great trade. The Raptors (who just traded Bargnani), are attempting to dump money and start over. So it makes sense to me on both sides.

3. If Dwight Howard signs with Houston, Omer Asik should be traded. He’s a very capable player that will be stuck behind Howard, so I’d part with him and bring in another forward. I bet Asik would have some decent value.

4. LaMarcus Aldridge wants out of Portland, so I’d trade him. The Cavs and Bulls have both shown interest. That deal needs to happen.

5. The Pacers need to do something. They have a bad contract in Gerald Green, and a massive deal with Danny Granger, who will be tough to resign next year (with Paul George and Lance Stephenson up for new deals). That creates some options and there are still plenty of holes on that bench…

6. The last thing I’d suggest is for teams in a rebuild, trade your stars to acquire 2014 first rounders or promising young players. Here’s looking at you Boston with Rondo, Atlanta with Horford and Teague, and Phoenix with Dragic (now that you have Bledsoe) and Gortat (since you drafted Len).

Greg

By: The Sports Guys