Post by Lakers GM on Nov 9, 2005 15:07:14 GMT -5
Veterans on the market won't be the biggest draw for the biggest spenders. Most of those teams will be in the market to develop a core, and will sign the top youth available. But there's a lot of top veteran talent on the market this year, some with enough time left in their prime to make a GM wonder: max or not? Teams who are year-in, year-out contenders have stars with expiring contracts, and they will have to decide whether or not they should risk bidding for their star or lock him up early.
1. Ray Allen, 35.
Ray looks to be on the decline of late. Last year, his points per game dropped seven points--a substantial decline, but he still averaged 20 ppg. He's an A shooter and a B+ defender is apart of a title contender in Minnesota, albeit one that's going to have to re-sign four starters.
Call: No max. At 35, Allen is still a top scorer. But he did drop off 7 ppg, and the Timberwolves have a lot of money going out to other players. He wouldn't play out the contract, but that doesn't mean he's worth max money. If he matches his numbers from two years ago, he might be a shoe-in max player, no matter his age, but for now, he's not.
2.Richard Hamilton, 32.
Hamilton's a scorer. And a great one. B+ in and out. He did lose 5+ points on his average last year, but he didn't seem to fit in with Phoenix. Similar to Allen's case, though three years younger and with crummy defense.
Call: No max. He might be the piece to bring a title to Detroit, but they have far too many scoring options at the 2/3 to max anyone right now. Malik Hairston was putting up great numbers as a starter, not to mention the 26 ppg Jamal Crawford was putting up. Hamilton's a great scorer, but the Pistons could easily start Peja at the 3 and not lose much.
3. Ron Artest, 30
An all-league defender who puts up major scoring numbers. Down to B in inside scoring, but it won't mean much. Artest's still got a ton of good years left at 30.
Call: Max. One of the best wings in the league, and will be for a good 5+ years more. He deserves the max.
4. Mike Bibby, 32
Bibby's a great point guard. He brings great handles, outside shooting and defense, and controls the tempo of any game he's in. The Lakers have Darius Washington, who they locked up last year envisioning him as the point guard of the future. But Bibby still puts up 20 pts, 8 asts or in that area.
Call: No max. Has a lot to do with the cirucmstances, as the Lakers are much better served spending the money on a young forward. Bibby may have a ton of years left, but he'll see a decline about 3-4 years into a contract, if not sooner. He's a max talent, but is too old, and the Lakers likely wouldn't see much competition in re-signing him; not only do few contenders if any have cap space, but most teams have established point guards and would spend their cap space elsewhere.
5. Kenyon Martin, 32.
Martin had an MVP-caliber season last year, averaging 22 pts, 13 rebs and near 3 blocks. He's got plenty of great years left, is an all-league defender and is a top rebounder. He's a great inside option, too. However, a capable Josh Boone is waiting behind K-Mart, so the Jazz might not be willing to spend the money on K-Mart.
Call: Max. He might be the best player, young or old, to hit the market. The Jazz can't worry about finding Boone minutes if it means moving Martin, one of the best big men in the league. Boone and Martin would be a great frontcourt for years, and Martin's too big of a talent to risk losing in free agency.
6. Michael Redd, 31.
Redd's basically a younger version of Ray Allen. He averaged 25+ ppg last year, and should hang around there. The Kings look like a one-year machine, with a dominant backcourt and big man. They have over 20 mil in expirings, and Shaq's potential retirement would leave them with tons to spend.
Call: No max. Redd's a star, and on another team he might deserve the max. But the Kings aren't looking to contend long-term, and having that contract on the books would kill rebuilding methods. Maybe the Kings will mesh, though, and be a top team. In that case, it might be worth it to lock up Redd, and have Chambers, Francis, Redd as a core.
1. Ray Allen, 35.
Ray looks to be on the decline of late. Last year, his points per game dropped seven points--a substantial decline, but he still averaged 20 ppg. He's an A shooter and a B+ defender is apart of a title contender in Minnesota, albeit one that's going to have to re-sign four starters.
Call: No max. At 35, Allen is still a top scorer. But he did drop off 7 ppg, and the Timberwolves have a lot of money going out to other players. He wouldn't play out the contract, but that doesn't mean he's worth max money. If he matches his numbers from two years ago, he might be a shoe-in max player, no matter his age, but for now, he's not.
2.Richard Hamilton, 32.
Hamilton's a scorer. And a great one. B+ in and out. He did lose 5+ points on his average last year, but he didn't seem to fit in with Phoenix. Similar to Allen's case, though three years younger and with crummy defense.
Call: No max. He might be the piece to bring a title to Detroit, but they have far too many scoring options at the 2/3 to max anyone right now. Malik Hairston was putting up great numbers as a starter, not to mention the 26 ppg Jamal Crawford was putting up. Hamilton's a great scorer, but the Pistons could easily start Peja at the 3 and not lose much.
3. Ron Artest, 30
An all-league defender who puts up major scoring numbers. Down to B in inside scoring, but it won't mean much. Artest's still got a ton of good years left at 30.
Call: Max. One of the best wings in the league, and will be for a good 5+ years more. He deserves the max.
4. Mike Bibby, 32
Bibby's a great point guard. He brings great handles, outside shooting and defense, and controls the tempo of any game he's in. The Lakers have Darius Washington, who they locked up last year envisioning him as the point guard of the future. But Bibby still puts up 20 pts, 8 asts or in that area.
Call: No max. Has a lot to do with the cirucmstances, as the Lakers are much better served spending the money on a young forward. Bibby may have a ton of years left, but he'll see a decline about 3-4 years into a contract, if not sooner. He's a max talent, but is too old, and the Lakers likely wouldn't see much competition in re-signing him; not only do few contenders if any have cap space, but most teams have established point guards and would spend their cap space elsewhere.
5. Kenyon Martin, 32.
Martin had an MVP-caliber season last year, averaging 22 pts, 13 rebs and near 3 blocks. He's got plenty of great years left, is an all-league defender and is a top rebounder. He's a great inside option, too. However, a capable Josh Boone is waiting behind K-Mart, so the Jazz might not be willing to spend the money on K-Mart.
Call: Max. He might be the best player, young or old, to hit the market. The Jazz can't worry about finding Boone minutes if it means moving Martin, one of the best big men in the league. Boone and Martin would be a great frontcourt for years, and Martin's too big of a talent to risk losing in free agency.
6. Michael Redd, 31.
Redd's basically a younger version of Ray Allen. He averaged 25+ ppg last year, and should hang around there. The Kings look like a one-year machine, with a dominant backcourt and big man. They have over 20 mil in expirings, and Shaq's potential retirement would leave them with tons to spend.
Call: No max. Redd's a star, and on another team he might deserve the max. But the Kings aren't looking to contend long-term, and having that contract on the books would kill rebuilding methods. Maybe the Kings will mesh, though, and be a top team. In that case, it might be worth it to lock up Redd, and have Chambers, Francis, Redd as a core.
2012 Western Conference Finals