NBA Free Agency

Even though I am going through a slight withdrawl from the lack of basketball on TV (the WNBA clearly does not count) but the draft and free agency are holding me over. The fun is whether the guys getting 9 or 10 million a year either because the market is weak or they had one good season are going to blossom or bust. Here are some quick thoughts as the negotiation period is underway.

I really don't think there will be many star players from this draft (Marvin Williams and Gerald Green seem to have the best chance), but there are going to be a lot of quality players. The issue I have, which I have expressed before, is the fact that toward the end of the draft there were more than a few good college players who got passed over for some overrated Euro player. Maybe the clubs picking did not want to sign anyone and knew the player they picked was going to stay in Europe. I do think a larger percentage of second round and undrafted players will make some type of impact down the road for an NBA team than most drafts. We will also look back and realize what a steal Gerald Green was at 18.

The Bucks got lucky when Redd decided to take the money and stay in Milwaukee. Whether it was purely for the money or for the team it was good to see he was going to stay and help the team become a playoff contender. What i don't understand is why they decided to then give Bobby Simmons 9 million a year to play when they already have Mason and Redd. Either they are trading Mason, going to split time between Mason and Simmons (since they can't split time with Redd), or play one of them at the 4. They clearly needed a power foward. If TJ Ford is healthy and plays like he did his rookie season they have their point guard of the future with a solid Mo Williams backing up. Bogut only needs to put up 15 and 10 and this team will compete next year. I also love the Cavs signing Larry Hughes. Joe Johnson in my mind was the best guard out there but he was made untouchable by the Suns. Hughes and Redd is a toss-up for me, but the Cavs wanted Redd since he is a good three point shooter. Hughes is a scorer who is not a great three point shooter, but is a fantastic defender and can play the point when needed. Also congratulations to Dwayne Jones. Clearly the T-Wolves see something in him to sign him to a guaranteed contract, and it also helps me out because Penn has to play SJU next year.

On the Sixer front other than the Marbury for Dalembert rumor (which ESPN has again made up a crazy rumor and got called out on it) there has been no talk on what their plans are this offseason other than re-signing Dalembert, Korver, and Willie Green. I hope they can get a shut down defender who can come off the bench (which we gave up in releasing Buckner) and a guy like Jeff McGinnis who can play both guard spots and contribute on offense.