[TRC1991Participant]

Im pouring my heart and soul into this knowing i cant even get points 🙁

just kidding, haha

TOP 5 UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS FOR SUMMER 2011

1) David West

Why? He’s a 2x all-star and has always had the ability to score with that beautiful faceup jumper from 15 feet. However, he will be 31 in August.

Projected Contract: 3 years/$31.6 mil

Possible Destinations: Denver, Phoenix, Washington

2) Tim Duncan

Why? The chance of Duncan leaving the Spurs is highly unlikely especially since he’s 35 years old and he’s been there his entire career. Also, who is going to pick up his 21 million dollar option?

Projected Contract: 1 year/$21.2 mil

Possible Destinations: San Antonio

3) Jamal Crawford

Why? Crawford has grown a lot since joining the Hawks becoming more than just a chucker. He is a useful scorer and can provide a ton of punch off the bench.

Projected Contract: 4 years/$33.7 mil

Possible Destinations: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Indiana

4) Nene

Why? He is the youngest player on this list and has arguably the best years of his career left. He has always been a guy that I’ve believed to be more talented than his numbers depict.

Projected Contract: 5 years/$58.7 mil

Possible Destinations: Denver, Charlotte, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Houston

5) Caron Butler

Why? Caron can still provide a contender with 16 and 6 a game. He has playoff experience and has always been a solid and well-liked teammate.

Projected Contract: 4 years/$34.6 mil

Possible Destinations: Dallas, Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee

[Anton123Participant]

 I think San Antonio will resign Duncan for about 3 years/54 mil. So he can end his career there and not be a huge contract that pulls them behind.

I also wouldn’t sign Crawford and Butler for 4 years, I don’t believe they still will be usefull at 35, I’d rather sign them to a 3 year contract

[paradigmnParticipant]

 18 million a year for Tim Duncan???…..He definitely deserves to end his career in San Antonio with a nice contract but 18 mil a year is a little steep.  I dont think the Spurs would pay that nor do I think Tim would ask for that much.  If he gets a 3 year deal I imagine it would be for around 10 million a year.

[Anton123Participant]

 Yeah, that might have been over the top, you’re right.

[ghrghrParticipant]

Has Duncan said anything about retiring? His play of late hasn’t been as great as it was and he is pretty old. Maybe he’ll retire after this season, who knows.

As for the other players, Indiana has a lot of cap space, so they could be a destination for some of these guys. Milwaukee would love Crawford’s scoring and they have good enough D to make up for his bad D, so to me that would be a great fit.

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

In terms of value considering teams’ most common weaknesses, Nene is the best unrestricted free agent. Let’s not forget that when free agency rolls around, David West will be about 40% done (at most) recovering from an ACL tear, a potentially career-crippling injury, especially for someone that turns 31 in august…

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I think Yao has some value to him if a team wants to take a chance.  I’m hoping the Rockets release him.  Not saying he’s a top 5 free agent, I just wanted to bring him into the conversation.
 

My top 5 unrestricted free agents in 2011 (No particular order)

• Tyson Chandler
• Wilson Chandler
• Marc Gasol
• Nene
• Tim Duncan

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

Toung-Out-Like-23 — Wilson Chandler and Gasol are both restricted.

Can’t believe I forgot about Tyson Chandler. I think he’s going to command the most money of any unrestricted FA this season. ESPN noted that "he’s basically turned into 2008 Kevin Garnett but without a jump shot. Along with Dirk Nowitzki, James Harden, Dwyane Wade, and Zack Randolph, he’s one of the five biggest winners of the 2011 Playoffs."

Chandler’s coming off a 6-year, $63 million deal, and he’s been playing even better than he did when he signed the contract, making an All-Defensive team for the first time this year while averaging double-figures for the second time in his career, keeping his rebounds/36 mins consistent and shooting an inhuman 65% from the floor. As that All-D 2nd team notice goes to show, he’s probably the 2nd best defensive C in the league after Dwight, he’s insanely athletic, not 7-0 but 7-1, and as shown by what he’s done in Dallas, he can change a team’s defensive culture completely. I think the Mavs will try to retain him, but seeing as he’s still just 28 (somehow…feel like he’s beeing the league 12 years), I wouldn’t be surprised if a team offered him a deal somewhere around 6yrs/$70 million. 

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

In terms of other vets…

• Caron Butler, to me, is not worth $9M/yr. He’s very similar to Richard Jefferson, playing style/production-wise, and look how that 4 yr/$38M contract turned out for the Spurs, with Jeff averaging just 11/3.8 in the first yr of that deal. Also very injury prone. His games by year since 06 looks like this: 63, 58, 67, 74, 29. Butler is a MLE guy to me, especially with the new CBA coming around.
• J.J. Barea is an URFA, let’s not forget that. I’m sure the Mavs want to keep him with Kidd having just 1 or 2 years left, but he could be in for a MLE-type payday after these playoffs.
• I think J.R. Smith will have more value than Crawford on the FA market. Crawford was pretty bad this year, scoring dropped by almost 5 ppg and he’s now 31. Also, still, does not play defense. Smith is 25, and explosive scorer with more consistent range (to be honest, there are few players I’m more afraid of than J.R. when he’s on the floor), and he’s an excellent defender.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Oh, did not realize that.  Great call

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

"making an All-Defensive team for the first time this year while averaging double-figures for the second time in his career, keeping his rebounds/36 mins consistent and shooting an inhuman 65% from the floor"

Yeah, not only that, but the fact that he’s actually been healthy this season is remarkable.  This dude is gunna get PAID.

[Stojakovicfor3Participant]

Golden State is a possibility for Nene. And there’s no way the Spurs would offer Tim Duncan $21 million for only one year. That would be ridiculous.

[Bossy13Participant]

 I thought Duncan was still signed through this year?

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/san_antonio.htm

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Bossy13

He has an ETO (Early Termination Option).  Similar to a player option where he can opt out.  So he can become a free agent if he chooses to, which I doubt he will do that

[Bossy13Participant]

 Ohh ok. I figured I was missing something. You never know, he could opt out. If they want to make another run, they’ll need money to bring in some help and Duncan has made enough in his career that leaving even 10 mill on the table isnt out of the realm of possibility. 

[PlatypusParticipant]

 Dalembert, there are going to be many teams that want his defense to either start or come off the bench, possible destinations: MIA, ATL, ORL, NYK, MIN, and DAL

 

Prince, he is a great defensive small forward, possible destinations: DAL, LAC, HOU, MIL, and DET

 

Shane Battier, he is one of the best defenders and is very versatile, possible destinations: MEM, DAL, HOU, and LAC

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