Philadelphia 76ers
Free Agency Preview Write-up for Teams with Cap Space
May 21, 2019 7:29:55 GMT -5
billy, Allan Houston, and 3 more like this
Post by Scott Pilgrim on May 21, 2019 7:29:55 GMT -5
Here's a write up of some of the teams with cap space this coming off-season, and their potential free agent targets.
Charlotte Hornets - $55,000,551 Cap Space
NEED: PG, FC
D'Angelo Russell, BKN - RFA
Justise Winslow, NOP - RFA
Malcolm Brogdon, DEN - RFA
Willie Cauley-Stein, GSW - RFA
John Wall, MEM - UFA
Charlotte is an interesting team going into free agency, their young core of Lavine/Collins/Knox desperately need a true point guard to lead their team. There is one on the market, John Wall... but he's out for the whole/majority of next season. Charlotte could take a chance on the injured star, but could just settle on of the RFA combo guards on the market, D'Angelo Russell and Malcolm Brogdon could both be great fits. Charlotte could price out one of out of the Brooklyn Nets or Denver Nuggets, with an overpaid, bloated contract in order for them to not match. This could also be done to one of the surprising improved players in the latter half of the NBA season Justise Winslow, who became the NBA Heat's point forward. NOP may be hunting their own free agent targets, so Winslow could be let go as collateral.
Dallas Mavericks - $52,906,898 Cap Space
NEED: Star FC/GF
Pascal Siakam, SAS - RFA
Klay Thompson, CLE - UFA
Nikola Vucevic, CLE - UFA
Paul George GSW - UFA
Jimmy Butler ORL - PO - UFA
With a core of Doncic/Zion/Oubre, it may be quite tantalising for a D720 top free agent to come to Dallas, a team overloaded with assets including the 2020 raptors pick. These assets can ensure that further trades can be processed to accelerate into a WIN now mode for the Mavericks if one of these top free agents join. Despite the $52,906,898 in cap space they still have to re-sign Kelly Oubre Jr, (an RFA). Yeezy though may decide to go against this free agency class in favour of 2020, initialising another year of tanking and trading cap space for more and more assets.
Houston Rockets - $25,068,148 Cap Space
NEED: Star SF/SG
Paul George, GSW - UFA
Jimmy Butler, ORL - PO - UFA
Klay Thompson, CLE - UFA
Rockets cap space can increase through declining QOs and further trades, creating enough space for a max contract. This team is probably top 3 in terms of a free agent destination this off-season with their established duo of Irving/Aldridge. If GSW are unable to pay Paul George due to cap concerns, I think Houston would be the perfect destination for him rather than these other options who are non-playoff teams. If they were to fail or if GSW finds a way to resolve their situation, Jimmy Butler or Klay Thompson would still be a great consolation prize. This is their last chance for a big free agent, as Sabonis's QO and Kyrie's contract is up in 20/21.
Miami Heat - $32,394,529 Cap Space
NEED: Take on bad contracts, SF, SG
I hear GSW and CLE need some help?
Justise Winslow, NOP - RFA
Putting all jokes aside, with only Ayton and the #7 pick in a poor draft, Miami's future and present isn't looking too good. They should just set up shop and use their cap space to gain more assets as they try to tank another year in hopes of a Lamelo Ball to guide them into the sunset. They could also put in an offer for Justise Winslow as well I guess.
Milwaukee Bucks - $40,820,414 Cap Space
NEED: PF, FC
Nikola Vucevic, CLE - UFA
Willie Cauley-Stein, GSW - RFA
Nikola Mirotic, PHI - UFA
DeMarcus Cousins, MIN - UFA
Montrezl Harrell, MEM - RFA
Pascal Siakam, SAS - RFA
With Trae Young and Donovan Mitchell as your backcourt, alongside Josh Richardson as the small forward, and even Gary Harris as your sixth man, the Bucks are set for the guard/sf position for years to come. But they lack a proper front court, getting a player like Siakam would be the best possible option but looking at realistic terms, getting an all-star center could easily be done. Paying Vucevic or Cousins max money or near to it, alongside pairing one of them with a player like Willie Cauley-Stein or Montrezl Harrell would be quite a success for Milwaukee. Who's prior front court consisted of Timofey Mozgov and Marcin Gortat, with a combined age of 67.
New Orleans Pelicans - $32,747,574 Cap Space
NEED: G/SF
Resign Justise Winslow, NOP - RFA
Paul George, GSW - UFA
Jimmy Butler, ORL - UFA
Klay Thompson, CLE - UFA
D'Angelo Russell, BKN - RFA
Alongside of Dallas and Houston, they are also one of the best destinations for a D720 free agent, with a superstar in Anthony Davis and either Ja Morant or RJ Barrett coming to New Orleans through the draft, they're a very viable option for a star wanting to move teams. They missed the playoffs in a stacked west by 8 games, but they lacked a true second option behind Davis, a problem which can be solved if one joins through free agency this off-season. They have Winslow and Hollis-Jefferson as RFAs, but if they manage to dump some other contracts/sign their desired free agent quickly, they could retain their services.
Sacramento Kings - $31,953,746 Cap Space
NEED: Save their cap space and buyout those long-term dead contracts
GET RID OF THESE?
Joakim Noah $5,541,667 $5,541,667 $5,541,667 $5,541,667 $5,541,667 $5,541,666 $5,541,666 $5,541,666
Meyers Leonard $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111
As long as those contracts exist, I doubt they get any big time free agents, simply put they should continue to tank and manoeuvre ways into having the ability to buy out one of those horrible contracts this year or next year.
San Antonio Spurs - $32,007,838 Cap Space ($45,887,838 if Ariza team option is declined.)
NEED: Re-sign Pascal Siakam, SF, G
Jimmy Butler, ORL - PO - UFA
Klay Thompson, CLE - UFA
Justise Winslow, NOP - RFA
Malcolm Brogdon, DEN - RFA
D'Angelo Russell, BKN - RFA
Resign Pascal Siakam, SAS - RFA
The Spurs could play their off-season cards into a variety of different ways, with hopefully all accepting any offer sheet given to Pascal Siakam. They could decide to tank, after finally owning their pick in 2020, and use their remaining space for absorb contracts for assets. Or alternately they could chase one of the RFAs in addition to Siakam if they want to make the play-offs right now. There's also potential for the spurs to create another max slot by dumping one of their contracts that are due to expire in 2020, there's potential for a play for Jimmy Butler or Klay Thompson to be done.
Toronto Raptors - $23,110,740 Cap Space
NEED: Star player to pair with Beal - SF, PG
Jimmy Butler, ORL - PO - UFA
Klay Thompson, CLE - UFA
Nikola Vucevic, CLE - UFA
D'Angelo Russell, BKN - RFA
Justise Winslow, NOP - RFA
Without their pick in the 2020 season, it's certainly going to be a fascinating speculating on what they're going to do this off-season. Due to their trade they did late into the D720 season for Bradley Beal, many would think they'll be in WIN now mode, there are certainly some good free agents that could fit in their young core of Beal/Markkanen/SGA/Bamba, particularly a SF. One of Winslow, Butler or Thompson would be perfect for Toronto, but they would need to open up a bit more cap space for that max contract. It may be better to wait and save their cap space/assets for next season... but how many losing seasons is Toronto willing to take? What kind of impression would this give to a top free agent getting a offer from a raptors team who haven't made the playoffs in a whole long while?
Utah Jazz - $39,773,305 Cap Space
NEED: FC, PG, SG
D'Angelo Russell, BKN - RFA
Malcolm Brogdon, DEN - RFA
Montrezl Harrell, MEM - RFA
Willie Cauley-Stein, GSW - RFA
Brook Lopez, HOU - UFA
DeAndre Jordan, NYK - UFA
It'll be intriguing to see how the Jazz approach free agency this off-season, they're without their 1st round pick in the 2020 season and they were very far from being a playoff team this season, with only the 4th pick to show for it. Unlike Toronto, they don't have a star player they can build around, the Jazz sorta have to do something this off-season in order to make the 2020 season fulfilling, but they also probably need to tank in 2021 when they do finally get their pick... They're probably gonna end up chasing some young RFAs or/alongside signing frontcourt player to pair with Bagley on a 1 year deal such as Brook Lopez or DeAndre Jordan. They could also wait until 2020 off-season and convert this years available cap space into more picks/young players.
Charlotte Hornets - $55,000,551 Cap Space
NEED: PG, FC
D'Angelo Russell, BKN - RFA
Justise Winslow, NOP - RFA
Malcolm Brogdon, DEN - RFA
Willie Cauley-Stein, GSW - RFA
John Wall, MEM - UFA
Charlotte is an interesting team going into free agency, their young core of Lavine/Collins/Knox desperately need a true point guard to lead their team. There is one on the market, John Wall... but he's out for the whole/majority of next season. Charlotte could take a chance on the injured star, but could just settle on of the RFA combo guards on the market, D'Angelo Russell and Malcolm Brogdon could both be great fits. Charlotte could price out one of out of the Brooklyn Nets or Denver Nuggets, with an overpaid, bloated contract in order for them to not match. This could also be done to one of the surprising improved players in the latter half of the NBA season Justise Winslow, who became the NBA Heat's point forward. NOP may be hunting their own free agent targets, so Winslow could be let go as collateral.
Dallas Mavericks - $52,906,898 Cap Space
NEED: Star FC/GF
Pascal Siakam, SAS - RFA
Klay Thompson, CLE - UFA
Nikola Vucevic, CLE - UFA
Paul George GSW - UFA
Jimmy Butler ORL - PO - UFA
With a core of Doncic/Zion/Oubre, it may be quite tantalising for a D720 top free agent to come to Dallas, a team overloaded with assets including the 2020 raptors pick. These assets can ensure that further trades can be processed to accelerate into a WIN now mode for the Mavericks if one of these top free agents join. Despite the $52,906,898 in cap space they still have to re-sign Kelly Oubre Jr, (an RFA). Yeezy though may decide to go against this free agency class in favour of 2020, initialising another year of tanking and trading cap space for more and more assets.
Houston Rockets - $25,068,148 Cap Space
NEED: Star SF/SG
Paul George, GSW - UFA
Jimmy Butler, ORL - PO - UFA
Klay Thompson, CLE - UFA
Rockets cap space can increase through declining QOs and further trades, creating enough space for a max contract. This team is probably top 3 in terms of a free agent destination this off-season with their established duo of Irving/Aldridge. If GSW are unable to pay Paul George due to cap concerns, I think Houston would be the perfect destination for him rather than these other options who are non-playoff teams. If they were to fail or if GSW finds a way to resolve their situation, Jimmy Butler or Klay Thompson would still be a great consolation prize. This is their last chance for a big free agent, as Sabonis's QO and Kyrie's contract is up in 20/21.
Miami Heat - $32,394,529 Cap Space
NEED: Take on bad contracts, SF, SG
I hear GSW and CLE need some help?
Justise Winslow, NOP - RFA
Putting all jokes aside, with only Ayton and the #7 pick in a poor draft, Miami's future and present isn't looking too good. They should just set up shop and use their cap space to gain more assets as they try to tank another year in hopes of a Lamelo Ball to guide them into the sunset. They could also put in an offer for Justise Winslow as well I guess.
Milwaukee Bucks - $40,820,414 Cap Space
NEED: PF, FC
Nikola Vucevic, CLE - UFA
Willie Cauley-Stein, GSW - RFA
Nikola Mirotic, PHI - UFA
DeMarcus Cousins, MIN - UFA
Montrezl Harrell, MEM - RFA
Pascal Siakam, SAS - RFA
With Trae Young and Donovan Mitchell as your backcourt, alongside Josh Richardson as the small forward, and even Gary Harris as your sixth man, the Bucks are set for the guard/sf position for years to come. But they lack a proper front court, getting a player like Siakam would be the best possible option but looking at realistic terms, getting an all-star center could easily be done. Paying Vucevic or Cousins max money or near to it, alongside pairing one of them with a player like Willie Cauley-Stein or Montrezl Harrell would be quite a success for Milwaukee. Who's prior front court consisted of Timofey Mozgov and Marcin Gortat, with a combined age of 67.
New Orleans Pelicans - $32,747,574 Cap Space
NEED: G/SF
Resign Justise Winslow, NOP - RFA
Paul George, GSW - UFA
Jimmy Butler, ORL - UFA
Klay Thompson, CLE - UFA
D'Angelo Russell, BKN - RFA
Alongside of Dallas and Houston, they are also one of the best destinations for a D720 free agent, with a superstar in Anthony Davis and either Ja Morant or RJ Barrett coming to New Orleans through the draft, they're a very viable option for a star wanting to move teams. They missed the playoffs in a stacked west by 8 games, but they lacked a true second option behind Davis, a problem which can be solved if one joins through free agency this off-season. They have Winslow and Hollis-Jefferson as RFAs, but if they manage to dump some other contracts/sign their desired free agent quickly, they could retain their services.
Sacramento Kings - $31,953,746 Cap Space
NEED: Save their cap space and buyout those long-term dead contracts
GET RID OF THESE?
Joakim Noah $5,541,667 $5,541,667 $5,541,667 $5,541,667 $5,541,667 $5,541,666 $5,541,666 $5,541,666
Meyers Leonard $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111 $6,861,111
As long as those contracts exist, I doubt they get any big time free agents, simply put they should continue to tank and manoeuvre ways into having the ability to buy out one of those horrible contracts this year or next year.
San Antonio Spurs - $32,007,838 Cap Space ($45,887,838 if Ariza team option is declined.)
NEED: Re-sign Pascal Siakam, SF, G
Jimmy Butler, ORL - PO - UFA
Klay Thompson, CLE - UFA
Justise Winslow, NOP - RFA
Malcolm Brogdon, DEN - RFA
D'Angelo Russell, BKN - RFA
Resign Pascal Siakam, SAS - RFA
The Spurs could play their off-season cards into a variety of different ways, with hopefully all accepting any offer sheet given to Pascal Siakam. They could decide to tank, after finally owning their pick in 2020, and use their remaining space for absorb contracts for assets. Or alternately they could chase one of the RFAs in addition to Siakam if they want to make the play-offs right now. There's also potential for the spurs to create another max slot by dumping one of their contracts that are due to expire in 2020, there's potential for a play for Jimmy Butler or Klay Thompson to be done.
Toronto Raptors - $23,110,740 Cap Space
NEED: Star player to pair with Beal - SF, PG
Jimmy Butler, ORL - PO - UFA
Klay Thompson, CLE - UFA
Nikola Vucevic, CLE - UFA
D'Angelo Russell, BKN - RFA
Justise Winslow, NOP - RFA
Without their pick in the 2020 season, it's certainly going to be a fascinating speculating on what they're going to do this off-season. Due to their trade they did late into the D720 season for Bradley Beal, many would think they'll be in WIN now mode, there are certainly some good free agents that could fit in their young core of Beal/Markkanen/SGA/Bamba, particularly a SF. One of Winslow, Butler or Thompson would be perfect for Toronto, but they would need to open up a bit more cap space for that max contract. It may be better to wait and save their cap space/assets for next season... but how many losing seasons is Toronto willing to take? What kind of impression would this give to a top free agent getting a offer from a raptors team who haven't made the playoffs in a whole long while?
Utah Jazz - $39,773,305 Cap Space
NEED: FC, PG, SG
D'Angelo Russell, BKN - RFA
Malcolm Brogdon, DEN - RFA
Montrezl Harrell, MEM - RFA
Willie Cauley-Stein, GSW - RFA
Brook Lopez, HOU - UFA
DeAndre Jordan, NYK - UFA
It'll be intriguing to see how the Jazz approach free agency this off-season, they're without their 1st round pick in the 2020 season and they were very far from being a playoff team this season, with only the 4th pick to show for it. Unlike Toronto, they don't have a star player they can build around, the Jazz sorta have to do something this off-season in order to make the 2020 season fulfilling, but they also probably need to tank in 2021 when they do finally get their pick... They're probably gonna end up chasing some young RFAs or/alongside signing frontcourt player to pair with Bagley on a 1 year deal such as Brook Lopez or DeAndre Jordan. They could also wait until 2020 off-season and convert this years available cap space into more picks/young players.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Miami Heat
LA Clippers
Dallas Mavericks
Chicago Bulls
Orlando Magic
