Post by Dragon Sleeper on Jul 5, 2005 8:27:34 GMT -5
Top Free Agents :
Guards
Ray Allen, Unrestricted
After a division title and an appearance in the Western Conference semifinals, Allen has put the pressure on Seattle to step up and offer more than they did in midseason negotiations. Who else will get in on the bidding? Cleveland is one possibility, if they can't land local boy Michael Redd, and the Clippers are another. Given Ray Ray's monster season, and the presence of other high-scoring players in Cleveland and Los Angeles, Seattle is the best of all worlds for Allen's fantasy value.
Larry Hughes, Unrestricted
Do you think Larry made himself some cash? Just in time, Hughes enjoyed a breakout season, setting career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and of course, steals—a category he led the league in. The Wizards, fresh off their first playoff berth since the Chris Webber-Juwan Howard era, have serious incentive to re-sign their cornerstone and can offer more money than the other teams looking for an off guard (the Cavs, Bucks, and Clippers). Even if it works out that way, be wary of the contract year up tick.
Joe Johnson, Restricted
Johnson may be the least flashy player in the Suns' explosive lineup, but don't think the Phoenix front office is underrating him. They've said all season that they'll match any offer for J.J., noting how critical his three-point shooting (second in the league), ball-handling skills, and defensive prowess is for their up-tempo attack. Johnson would have upside as one of the top options on his own team, but we'll gladly settle for more of the same (17 points, five boards, almost four assists per game).
Other noteworthy free agent guards: Michael Redd (player option), Damon Stoudamire (unrestricted), Cuttino Mobley (player option), Jalen Rose (player option), Gary Payton (unrestricted), Damon Jones (player option), Bonzi Wells (unrestricted), Eddie Jones (player option), Latrell Sprewell (unrestricted), Marko Jaric (restricted), Earl Watson (unrestricted), Willie Green (restricted), Bobby Jackson (team option), Tyronn Lue (unrestricted), Dan thingyau (unrestricted)
Forwards
Antoine Walker, Unrestricted
Walker's numbers may hurt his team more than they help it, but fantasy owners aren't real concerned about his squad's fortunes. Few teams will be willing to pony up for a 29-year-old whose best days appear to be behind him, so it's looking like Walker will either be back in Boston or signing somewhere for the veteran exception. While his shot selection and field goal percentage certainly improved in Beantown, the rest of his numbers looked a lot like his lackluster season in Dallas. Beware.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Unrestricted
Not unlike Walker, Shareef's lack of success on the team level belies his ability to put up digits. His days in Portland are all but over, after witnessing a little over one season of turmoil, selfishness, and local law enforcement. Don't overlook the fact that he put up 17.5 points and 7.4 boards as a starter; he can still produce if he gets the minutes.
Stromile Swift, Unrestricted
Swift played out his contract in Memphis and has enough athletic ability and upside that someone will swoop in and price him out of the Music City. Swift was born in Shreveport and went to LSU…might the rebuilding Hornets come calling? Swift isn't particularly effective with his back to the basket, but in the right system and with enough minutes, he has enough talent to produce—especially in leagues where he also qualifies at center.
Other noteworthy free agent forwards: Tyson Chandler (restricted), Bobby Simmons (unrestricted), Kwame Brown (restricted), Vladimir Radmanovic (restricted), Kyle Korver (restricted), Donyell Marshall (unrestricted), Keith Van Horn (player option), Austin Croshere (player option), Udonis Haslem (restricted), Gerald Wallace (restricted), Glenn Robinson (unrestricted), Darius Songalia (player option)
Centers
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Unrestricted
A 7-3 center with scoring and shot-blocking ability just might be of interest to some general managers. Of course, Z isn't exactly a spring chicken nor injury-free, so a max deal isn't in the cards. If he can post 17 points, nearly nine boards, and two blocks per night in an offense with LeBron, he can do so anywhere. Still, a return to Cleveland is the safest avenue for fantasy stability.
Eddy Curry, Restricted
Unfortunately, Curry has lost quite a few greenbacks after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat very late in his contract year. Several teams in need of a post presence would have certainly overlooked his defensive deficiencies to make him a max offer that Jon Paxson would have had to think twice about matching. Now, it appears the Bulls will have the best information on his condition, seeing as they've put him through extensive testing. If he returns to Chicago, Curry will have to prove Scott Skiles wrong before earning enough minutes to maximize his potential.
Samuel Dalembert, Restricted
Any fantasy owner with Slammin' Sammy on their roster this past season knows that he had problems jiving with coach Jim O' Brien. Now that O'Brien took the fall, there's little question that Dalembert will be back in Philly. He'll earn big bucks to be sure, and the Sixers will have every reason to desire serious return on their investment. Dalembert disappointed as one of our favorite sleepers of the preseason, but after the coaching change and an imminent long-term contract, guess who will be back on that sleeper list again this fall.
Other noteworthy free agent centers: Shaquille O'Neal (player option), Predrag Drobnjak (team option), Cliff Robinson (team option), Jerome James (unrestricted), Jahidi White (unrestricted), Ervin Johnson (unrestricted), Dan Gadzuric (restricted), Zaza Pachulia (restricted), Dale Davis (unrestricted)
O ano, pili na para sa team mo
Guards
Ray Allen, Unrestricted
After a division title and an appearance in the Western Conference semifinals, Allen has put the pressure on Seattle to step up and offer more than they did in midseason negotiations. Who else will get in on the bidding? Cleveland is one possibility, if they can't land local boy Michael Redd, and the Clippers are another. Given Ray Ray's monster season, and the presence of other high-scoring players in Cleveland and Los Angeles, Seattle is the best of all worlds for Allen's fantasy value.
Larry Hughes, Unrestricted
Do you think Larry made himself some cash? Just in time, Hughes enjoyed a breakout season, setting career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and of course, steals—a category he led the league in. The Wizards, fresh off their first playoff berth since the Chris Webber-Juwan Howard era, have serious incentive to re-sign their cornerstone and can offer more money than the other teams looking for an off guard (the Cavs, Bucks, and Clippers). Even if it works out that way, be wary of the contract year up tick.
Joe Johnson, Restricted
Johnson may be the least flashy player in the Suns' explosive lineup, but don't think the Phoenix front office is underrating him. They've said all season that they'll match any offer for J.J., noting how critical his three-point shooting (second in the league), ball-handling skills, and defensive prowess is for their up-tempo attack. Johnson would have upside as one of the top options on his own team, but we'll gladly settle for more of the same (17 points, five boards, almost four assists per game).
Other noteworthy free agent guards: Michael Redd (player option), Damon Stoudamire (unrestricted), Cuttino Mobley (player option), Jalen Rose (player option), Gary Payton (unrestricted), Damon Jones (player option), Bonzi Wells (unrestricted), Eddie Jones (player option), Latrell Sprewell (unrestricted), Marko Jaric (restricted), Earl Watson (unrestricted), Willie Green (restricted), Bobby Jackson (team option), Tyronn Lue (unrestricted), Dan thingyau (unrestricted)
Forwards
Antoine Walker, Unrestricted
Walker's numbers may hurt his team more than they help it, but fantasy owners aren't real concerned about his squad's fortunes. Few teams will be willing to pony up for a 29-year-old whose best days appear to be behind him, so it's looking like Walker will either be back in Boston or signing somewhere for the veteran exception. While his shot selection and field goal percentage certainly improved in Beantown, the rest of his numbers looked a lot like his lackluster season in Dallas. Beware.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Unrestricted
Not unlike Walker, Shareef's lack of success on the team level belies his ability to put up digits. His days in Portland are all but over, after witnessing a little over one season of turmoil, selfishness, and local law enforcement. Don't overlook the fact that he put up 17.5 points and 7.4 boards as a starter; he can still produce if he gets the minutes.
Stromile Swift, Unrestricted
Swift played out his contract in Memphis and has enough athletic ability and upside that someone will swoop in and price him out of the Music City. Swift was born in Shreveport and went to LSU…might the rebuilding Hornets come calling? Swift isn't particularly effective with his back to the basket, but in the right system and with enough minutes, he has enough talent to produce—especially in leagues where he also qualifies at center.
Other noteworthy free agent forwards: Tyson Chandler (restricted), Bobby Simmons (unrestricted), Kwame Brown (restricted), Vladimir Radmanovic (restricted), Kyle Korver (restricted), Donyell Marshall (unrestricted), Keith Van Horn (player option), Austin Croshere (player option), Udonis Haslem (restricted), Gerald Wallace (restricted), Glenn Robinson (unrestricted), Darius Songalia (player option)
Centers
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Unrestricted
A 7-3 center with scoring and shot-blocking ability just might be of interest to some general managers. Of course, Z isn't exactly a spring chicken nor injury-free, so a max deal isn't in the cards. If he can post 17 points, nearly nine boards, and two blocks per night in an offense with LeBron, he can do so anywhere. Still, a return to Cleveland is the safest avenue for fantasy stability.
Eddy Curry, Restricted
Unfortunately, Curry has lost quite a few greenbacks after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat very late in his contract year. Several teams in need of a post presence would have certainly overlooked his defensive deficiencies to make him a max offer that Jon Paxson would have had to think twice about matching. Now, it appears the Bulls will have the best information on his condition, seeing as they've put him through extensive testing. If he returns to Chicago, Curry will have to prove Scott Skiles wrong before earning enough minutes to maximize his potential.
Samuel Dalembert, Restricted
Any fantasy owner with Slammin' Sammy on their roster this past season knows that he had problems jiving with coach Jim O' Brien. Now that O'Brien took the fall, there's little question that Dalembert will be back in Philly. He'll earn big bucks to be sure, and the Sixers will have every reason to desire serious return on their investment. Dalembert disappointed as one of our favorite sleepers of the preseason, but after the coaching change and an imminent long-term contract, guess who will be back on that sleeper list again this fall.
Other noteworthy free agent centers: Shaquille O'Neal (player option), Predrag Drobnjak (team option), Cliff Robinson (team option), Jerome James (unrestricted), Jahidi White (unrestricted), Ervin Johnson (unrestricted), Dan Gadzuric (restricted), Zaza Pachulia (restricted), Dale Davis (unrestricted)
O ano, pili na para sa team mo
