There may not be that superstar player we all want so bad (not that we could afford him) but there are players in this FA class that can help anad add depth to our team. Here are some names I havent seen mentioned here. Nick Fazekas Lot of people wanted us to draft this guy. James Posey (P) Would of came in handy against Utah. Eduardo Najera Never hurts to have this kind of player. Kareem Rush Another Guard with range wouldnt hurt 39% 3's Chris Mihm If Deke retires Ricky Davis Has been discussed here. Jason Williams Familar with coach Jake Voskuhl Decnt backup C DeSagana Diop Young decent backup C Bostjan Nachbar Really improved since he left. Carlos Arroyo Could be a fit for Adelmans system Lorenzen Wright Very cheap backup C Kurt Thomas Veteran tough guy, think Hayes with offense Roger Mason Young 6'5" SG with good range Antawn Jamison Third scorer we need so bad.
I can't see Posey leaving the world champion Celtics after the season. He didn't want to stick around the first time, and he ditched us for Memphis, so I can't see it happening. Chris Mihm I would love if he didn't make our roster look like a collection of iron men. He was drafted in what 2000? He still has a rookie unknown feel to him. He's not a bad player, he just never has the PT to show it bc his foots always in a cast. Diop would rule but he deserves to make more the the MLE. I wonder if he stays in NJ, or whether he takes max MLE from a contender? Nachbar I can see going to NY to play for D'Antoni. Arroyo is usually impressive. Does he have attitude problems or is he just difficient in a way I don't know about? Jason Williams... bleeech. No tanx.
They better learn to win on the road in the playoffs if they want to beat the Wests rep and be World champions.
Jamison and Ricky Davis would fit the biggest need this team has which is a wing who can create his own shot. I am assuming Jamison would play at the 3 spot. The Ricky Davis idea seems like the best move for the money IMO.
It all depends on Landry. If he signs for the LLE, we're good. If not, and he waits to see what other teams will offer, we might have to use most of the MLE to sign him. I AM curious about us matching offers. If we used up our MLE, could we still match anyone else's offer? If we have our whole MLE, we'll probably wait until most of them sign, and see if there's someone good left who's a good deal. You never know how it'll shake out. But, I don't see us as early players in the FA pool.
Unfortunately not. Landry really is the key to our FA success this year. Hell, it's even possible we lose him - say if a team offers him the full MLE. With the names on the market (Maggette, Jamison, Josh Childress, Josh Smith, Okafor, Deng, Ben Gordon, Daniel Gibson, Jr Smith, AI, Monta Ellis, Baron Davis, Pietrus, Elton Brand, Turiaf, Juan Carlos Navarro, Ricky Davis, Shawn Marion, etc etc etc) - I'm not sure I wouldn't let Landry go and snatch up one of the big names above. Let's not forget Landry is a solid player, but he's not an all-star by any means. He's good at hustling and finishing strong - but that's only when OTHERS create for him. He hasn't shown the ability to create his own shots or have a solid post up game. His jumpshot was inconsistent this year, though I'll admit that can always improve. Point being, he's a solid player - but if we have a chance at a Maggette type player - bye Carl. (assuming he wants more than the LLE)
We can match any team if they offer Landry the entire MLE,but like LTF said if we use up our MLE on any other player then we can't match any offer made to Landry.The only way to get a decent FA without a trade and to keep Landry is if the latter agrees to the LLE. Unfortunately both of these things seem unlikely.
Nick Fazekas - Can he play center reliably? James Posey (P) - not likely to leave Boston Eduardo Najera - Redundant if we have Battier, but I agree Kareem Rush - Taller Luther Head with a rep for being a poor team guy Chris Mihm - May be on his way out (injuries) Ricky Davis - Headcase that can sour the locker room in a hurry Jason Williams - Washed up Jake Voskuhl - Minor upgrade over Woods DeSagana Diop - Will command decent money, but worth chasing Bostjan Nachbar - Okay if Novak and Hayes are both moved Carlos Arroyo - reasonable option Lorenzen Wright - not bad as a reserve Kurt Thomas - I like him a lot, and could be useful if Yao is out Roger Mason - not "the" answer, but wouldn't be bad as a backup Antawn Jamison - I like him, but it would cost a lot (players, salary)
Fazekas sure is intriguing as a backup shooting big to contrast with Yao. Got a little experience this year. He's long. Bring him out top ala Brad Miller and Vlade and run all that backdoor stuff when Yao goes out for a breather. Combine him with a guy like Maggette coming off the bench. I'd be interested in Fazekas for a minimum salary type signing. Low risk and potential.
After reading this thread, I think a better option would be get michael jordan's dna, and clone him would be better than any other alternatives listed above. I mean, almost everyone on the list has a big "L" on their forehead.
Let's not forget Landry is a solid player, but he's not an all-star by any means. He's good at hustling and finishing strong - but that's only when OTHERS create for him. He hasn't shown the ability to create his own shots or have a solid post up game. His jumpshot was inconsistent this year, though I'll admit that can always improve. Point being, he's a solid player - but if we have a chance at a Maggette type player - bye Carl. (assuming he wants more than the LLE)[/QUOTE] We can't just keep getting rid of our young players! I like Landry, but if we move him and say Brooks it's like when we moved Cassell and Horry. To try and win now...not build for the future. Young guys are winning in this league not old veterns
This is so typical of most posters here now. You cant have an allstar at every position. This isnt a video game. There are players available that would be an improvement over some of the current players. Also their are players available that could add depth where we currently need it.
It'd be a bad assumption about Jamison. He can't really play the 3 - defensively he gets burned. I don't think he's even remotely an option since he's a power forward and that's one position where (I think) we should aim to stand pat. If we can tie up Landry with the LLE for 2 years then we have his bird rights and can pay whatever. Having done that, I'd throw 4mill per season (3-4 seasons) at Ricky Davis. Then bring in Chris Mihm for the rest of the MLE. Bring in DerMarr Johnson for summer league to have a good look, and possibly Fazekas too if we can manage it. Wouldn't hurt to see them up close for a time. We'd still be short that 'backup banger' at the C position, but maybe we could address either that, or another wingman in the draft.
Diop, Thomas, or maybe Mihm. None come in as impact players in my opinion. We desperately need another scorer. I'd hate to lose Battier, but he's the one player who can command some kind of scorer in return.
With Mutombo possibly retiring and Yao's injury woes we definatley have get a backup Center this offseason. Kurt Thomas would be a solid grab. Once we have a solid backup center then one can focus on the other positions like the SG to back up TMac
