I keep on hearing how we should get Webber next year. Well what happens if we dont get Webber or even Finley. We will have like a billion dollars to spend next year but the free agent class is not that great. When the hell are players like KG, Shaq, Zo, and Raheem free agents. If not next year, is the year after that a great free agent class? ------------------ In Rudy I trust.
I could be wrong but I think this info is pretty accurate. KG has 4 years left. Shaq has 3 years left. Zo has 3 years left. Shareef has 5 years left. Yes, next years class of free agents is pretty thin. Other notables besides Webber and Finley are Sabonis and Schrempf. As for 2002: Paul Pierce Raef Lafrentz Olawokandi Larry Hughes Gugliotta Rodney Rodgers Jason Williams VINCE CARTER Dickerson Bibby Rod Strickland ------------------ "Play that funky music white boy." Six West
Yep Cougar, I am pretty sure you are right. In the mid 90's before the collective bargaining agreement, most of the big name players such as Shaq and Garnett were signed to huge contracts which will end in a few years. Scary thing is Garnett will be only 26 or 27 when his current contract ends, and he will have already made more than 126 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!, and he still will have about 10 more years left in his career to make even MORE money!!!
Unfortunately, next years crop of FA pretty much sucks with the exception of Webber. Seems to be plenty of maneuvering going on right now, though, all for the sake of landing Webber. The three big players right now look to be a) The Rockets- with a little work the Rockets should have enough room to sign Webber for the max and b)Miami- Miami is poised to have a lot of cap space next year and if RIley cant work any good trades this summer you can be sure the team will almost certainly be dismantaled or shaken up a bit to add Webber the following year. WHile Miami is located in FLorida, the Heat will most likely have to lose the image of aging playoff losers on the downside to land Webber as he is showing more and more signs that he seriously cares about winning. c)The Knicks-like Miam, the Knicks current roster can only take them so far and with the power in the east showing signs of shifting (read Orlando), the Knicks must make some moves. They were already poised to have good room under the cap and are presently trading away players for others wiht only one year remaining on their contracts (such as the Harvey for Erik Strickland thing). The Kings, of course, will also be in that fold, but if their building process continues to advance no further, I do see Webber growing increasingly disaapointed with his situation their. TO me, as of now the Rockets seem to have the upper hand. Why? I cant see Miami turning things around and starting over quickly enough to entice Webber there. NY will be a major hassle, as it is an enormous market and the side money Webber could get (endorsement,etc) could be staggering. But, like Miami, they are having to rebuild and have a quickly aging roster who never could win the big one. The Rockets, on the other hand, are obviously up and coming. Next year, they should be challenging the Kings (along with the MAvericks and possibly the Grizzlies?#@!@?) for the final playoff spot. They will have either 1 really good draft pick or many solid picks in a deep draft. They have an exciting, explosive, young backcourt. Steve Francis has over twice teh athleticism and great-play making ability as Jason Williams and Webber likes playing in that system. Plus, nearly every player appreciates Rudy and the staff he has put together (an interesting question is-Is Webber on the Olympic team that Rudy is coaching??). The race for Webber is on. I really hope we get him as I dont see holding our money and not using it or using it on 1 yr players to get or go after VInce Carter 2 years down the road a possibility. All things seem to be turning towards a very exciting offseason next year. ------------------ When I die I want to go peacefully like my grandfather. Not screaming like the passengers in the back seat! [This message has been edited by JayZ750 (edited July 05, 2000).]
Don't forget Detroit, Webber has said time and time again that he would like to play in Detroit. ------------------ You ain't gotta like me, you just mad cause I tell it how it is, and you tell it how it might be.
Detroit could also be abig player if htey manage to sign Rose this offseason and can do a sign and trade next year for Webber. That makes Detroit a strong possiblity as the connections with Rose are obvious and with Stackhouse and Williams the Pistons would be a strong team (ironically strogner than when Hill was there--kinda like the whole Ken Griffey Jr/Mainers thing--boy they sure are good this year--id give anything to undo that Randy Johnson trade seeing we got nowhere with him in the playoffs--oops, sidetracked) ------------------ When I die I want to go peacefully like my grandfather. Not screaming like the passengers in the back seat!
