Roster Improvement: Free Agents Now and Later?

Doc Brown wrote:Dominic Mcguire? TMac? Both?

I cringe at the thought of Morris/Duhon/Blake getting extended minutes at the 2. I cringe even further thinking about how we don't have a backup SF, which is even worse now since Kobe can't shift there anymore. Then there is MWP and Ebanks trying to man down the SF spot.....

Nash / Blake
Meeks
MWP
Clark / Jamison
D12

abeer3 wrote:do you call raja bell and offer him the opportunity to help knock the jazz out of the playoffs, just for the lulz?

Battle Tested20 wrote:

abeer3 wrote:do you call raja bell and offer him the opportunity to help knock the jazz out of the playoffs, just for the lulz?

Raja is not eligible for the playoffs. That's why the Jazz finally realized him because the deadline to be playoff eligible had passed.

abeer3 wrote:as much as mwp can be maddening, he's a useful player. i'm not sure how much better you can do with the mini MLE. the lakers' best bet for upgrading sf is via pau trade.

Kobe8Fan wrote:Metta could be out 6-8 weeks. Can the Lakers sign T-Mac now?

Kobe8Fan wrote:Metta could be out 6-8 weeks. Can the Lakers sign T-Mac now?

therealdeal wrote:

Kobe8Fan wrote:Metta could be out 6-8 weeks. Can the Lakers sign T-Mac now?

For what? He couldn't make our playoff roster anyway.

karacha wrote:T-Mac would break his back in practice right after joining the Lakers. Leave the guy alone.

Battle Tested20 wrote:

karacha wrote:T-Mac would break his back in practice right after joining the Lakers. Leave the guy alone.

no kidding, with our luck he'd get hit by a car crossing the street to get to our practice

Doc Brown wrote:This is for the offseason, but I figured I'd throw it in here anyway....

No regrets says Wright
March, 26, 2013
MAR 26
7:49
AM ET
By Nick Borges | ESPN.com
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When the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Dorell Wright from the Golden State Warriors last July they thought they had their starting small forward, but he's been in-and-out of the rotation for most of the season.

Wright is part of the free agent class in 2013 and he says he won't let this season affect his attitude moving forward.

"I don't worry about what might have been. You can't get caught up in that," Wright told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "You just come to compete every night. That's what I've tried to do."

Wright is averaging 22.1 minutes, 8.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists this season. In March his production has increased to 25.3 minutes, 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Wright earned $4.1 million this season and he will likely only be offered half that amount in the free agent market.

If the bolded is true, we need to hop in there and snatch him up.

Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports wrote: Andre Iguodala is certain of one thing. He wants to represent Team USA again in both the World Cup and the Olympics.

The Denver forward is getting more sure about another thing: Opting out of his contract this summer and signing a long-term deal, possibly with the Nuggets or possibly somewhere else.

As for Iguodala’s NBA future, he doesn’t know where he’ll be playing. But Iguodala, a nine-year veteran who is averaging 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists and is Denver’s perimeter stopper, indicated it’s more likely now he will opt out of his contract by July 1 to sign a long-term deal.

Iguodala is on the books to make $15.9 million next season, likely more than he could get from any team for 2013-14. But he could become a free agent and then sign a multi-year deal that would pay less next season but would provide long-term security.

“Yeah, definitely,’’ Iguodala, 29, said of that being a distinct possibility. “You got to weigh options. Security-wise, a player would opt out, especially with the type of season we’ve had as a team. Teams know what I can bring to them, and I know (the Nuggets) know what I can bring to a team here.

“Players get like $50, $60 or $70 or $80 (million over multiple years), whatever the number was, they gave up a big number (in an option season by opting out). But in the grand scheme of things, pretty much get it back. You got security.’’

Iguodala said it’s no guarantee he would re-sign with Denver if he does the expected and opts out. But he has liked the progress the Nuggets (50-24) have made recently, which has included a 15-game winning streak that ended last Monday.

“My main goal is, if we win here, everything will take care of itself, no matter what,’’ Iguodala said. “I want to play for a team where I have an impact on the game without even scoring ... I feel like if I win (with the Nuggets), I won’t have to worry about having to prove my worth.

“Obviously, it’s a business, so you’re going to look at your options. Here we have some good (prospects). But I’m not making any promises. But I’ve liked the last month and a half, two months, three months or however long (that Denver has been on a roll). It’s important for the future, so I’m just trying to win.’’

Stephen Brotherston of HoopsWorld wrote:A professional basketball player heading into his mid-thirties as a free agent is supposed to be on the downside of his career. However, those who have a special skill that isn’t reliant on uber-athleticism are the exception to the rule and three-point shooting specialist Kyle Korver has only gotten better in his thirties.
At 32 years old, Korver is playing some of the best basketball of his career. He is on pace for the most starts in his career. He’s attempting the second-most three-pointers at 5.7 per game and hitting them at 45.6 percent, the second-highest rate in his career and he has made at least one three-point shot in 65 consecutive games (as of Wednesday night in Toronto). Only Reggie Miller (68), Dennis Scott (78), Michael Adams (79) and Dana Barros (89) have recorded longer consecutive three-point shooting streaks in the NBA.
“To be perfectly honest, when we got him a lot of people didn’t think we could use him in the role that we use him in,” Atlanta Hawks head coach Larry Drew said. “I have started him quite a bit, where his whole career has been coming off the bench, but he has shown his durability in being able to start and come off the bench. I don’t see him slowing down. As long as he can put that right arm in there, I think he is going to be out there.”
Somewhat surprisingly, Korver has brought a lot more to Atlanta than just a deadly three-point threat. A true veteran, Korver has contributed in a variety of ways both on and off the court and has earned the respect of his teammates and his coach.
“[Korver] is definitely a threat every time he is on the floor with his ability to shoot the basketball, but guys underestimate his ability to play defense,” Jeff Teague said. “He is a great team defender and he plays hard every night.
“He played for some great coaches prior to playing for us, so some of things he learned from those guys, he brings to this team. One good thing about Coach Drew is he listens to everyone, so if Kyle makes a suggestion, he listens to him. [Korver] has been on winning teams and he knows what it takes to win.

Korver justifiably believes he still has four or five good years left and like many veterans in their thirties, he wants to spend them with a winning franchise. Based on what he has accomplished this season, Korver has a lot to offer.
“I think I have still got, lord willing and no injuries, four or five good years, but you never know, we’ll see,” Korver said. “At this stage of my career, to be on a bad team, I just don’t want any part of that. It is good to be here. It is always good to be in the playoffs. The playoffs are a whole other world. It is a different game. It is where you make the memories. I want to play in a good culture on a good team.”
Atlanta only has three players under guaranteed contracts next season and Korver is not one of them, but the veteran likes the style of play and how Coach Drew has been using him in the offense, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if he ended up back in Atlanta. With all of the uncertainty surrounding the Hawks, however, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he is helping to effectively stretch defenses in his fifth NBA city next season either. Korver has the proven skills and experience needed by every serious playoff contender; he will be a free agent in demand this July.