Any of these guys look promising or are we full? http://www.nba.com/features/freeagents_030908.html Sept. 8 -- They belong to an exclusive club that's becoming more exclusive by the day. When teams were allowed to sign free agents on July 15, there were 138 of them. As of Sept. 8, only 66 remain. Intriguing names remain among those 66 free agents who wait like nervous seventh graders waiting for someone to ask them to dance at a junior-high social. Someday, their GMs will arrive to sweep them away. Here's a look at some who may be signed sooner rather than later. Jason Terry, 6-1, guard, restricted free agent The Hawks, who can match any offer for Terry, need him more than ever now that Glenn Robinson is with the 76ers. Don't expect Terry's situation to be settled before the Hawks' situation regarding the sale of the team is settled. Stephen Jackson, 6-8, forward, free agent With Hedo Turkoglu's and Ron Mercer's arrivals combined with Manu Ginobili's emergence, Jackson seems to be the odd man out in San Antonio. He averaged 12.8 points in the Spurs' championship run and was the team's third-leading scorer in the regular season. Jim Jackson, 6-6, forward, free agent Had the lowest scoring average for his career (7.7), yet filled in admirably for an injury-riddled Kings team in 2002-03 season. After seeing Keon Clark traded to Utah for cap purposes, Jackon could be wearing his 10th NBA uniform when the season begins. Predrag Drobnjak, 7-0, center, restricted free agent He's restricted, which means the Sonics have the right to match any offer another team may make. Drobnjak is the rare player who can spot up and shot from the perimeter as his 35.3 percent shooting from three will attest. Plus, what other player will let you "click his face?" Vladimir Stepania, 7-1, center, free agent Someone should be able to use a 7-1 center who set a career-high for rebounds per game (7.0) by grabbing three more per game than ever had before. An unusually low career shooting percentage for a big man (42.6 percent) may make teams shy away, however. Stepania's team, the Heat, made an attempt to resign him earlier in the summer and he rebuffed them. They will probably try again. Raja Bell, 6-5, guard, free agent Defense is Bell's strong suit, as indicated by his career scoring average (3.2 points per game). Has never averaged more than 15.6 minutes per game in his three-year career. Kenny Anderson, 6-2, guard, free agent Anyone need a seasoned veteran point guard? Anyone? Anderson last played for the Hornets and he'll be entering his 13th season in 2003-04. Assist to turnover ratio is decent (3 to 1) for a backup who averages almost 20 minutes per game. Tyrone Hill, 6-9, forward, free agent Anyone need a seasoned veteran power forward? Hill last played for the Sixers and he has an 8.6 rebounds per game average for his career, but he has only played 82 games in a season once, and that was during the 1991-92 season with the Warriors. Mark Jackson, 6-3, point guard, free agent Made his NBA debut when Ronald Reagan was still president. Last season with Utah, Jackson passed Magic Johnson for second place on the all-time assists list and now has 10,215 for his career. As recently as the 2001-02 season, when he was with the Knicks, he averaged 7.4 dimes per game. Dion Glover, 6-5, guard/forward, free agent Glover is in the same boat as Terry. The Hawks' fourth leading scorer last season at 9.7 per game has seen his scoring average increase each season. He entered the league as a 19-year-old. He has the bulk to play limited minutes small forward if need be.
We should get Jim Jackson. He could start for us at SF and allow Adrian Griffin to be moved to the bench. That would give us two very solid units at every position except PG. Steve, Cat, and Pike should be able to cover the guard positions with a three man rotation anyway. Francis/Mobley/Norris Mobley/Piatkowski/Hawkins Jackson/Griffin/Nachbar Griffin/Taylor Yao/Cato
Of this list S Jack (rest of MLE) and Hill (vet min) most interest me. I'd rather go with Mooch than Mark J and J Jack could create more chemistry problems than is worth his solid skill. Two other players I'd like to consider--Demarr Johnson and Donnell Harvey. Young players with potential and who can bring some athleticism to our amazingly unathletic small forward position.
I second that! Isn't Dermarr still available? I believe last year was his last contract year at Atlanta, and he played pretty well for the Grizz in the summer leagues. He could be a good 2-3 swingman with a decent touch from just about anywhere on the court with some penetrating ability. Playing him alongside SF and Mobley gives a very good, young 1-2-3 combo. As for Donnell Harvey, I thought he was a 4, but I'd like that acquisition as well. He brings hard-nosed rebounding (which is, from what I remember, basically all he can do). Everyone on this board is looking for an enforcer, but Harvey is a decent rebounding 4 to complement Mo's offensive prowess. Good players to bring up, Desert.
Thanks, I am just looking for young guys who can provide some energy, athleticsm or different looks (length) to our otherwise pitifully unathletic forwards. Right now not only are our forwards probably the worst in the league, they are the most physically overmatched to boot. One of these guys has a chance to grow into a role player who can help us in athletic mis-match department--they surely have to be worth a shot given we have no idea who our pair future starting forwards are.
