Free Agency Possibilities

by talonk on Nov 14, 2008 11:34 AM CST Comment 2 comments

Yes, yes .. I know the season just started but I saw this article on ESPN detailing the FAs for 2009 and 2010 seasons

Looks like a lot of possibilities out there in both seasons. According to HoopsHype, here are the $$ we have aligned for those years:

2009 - $71.1M for 10 players. But that includes Z's $11.5M, Andy's $6.2M player options and Jawad Williams. I fully expect Andy to opt out for his big payday. Question is, with his marked improvement this year, do we attempt to sign him? He really fills a role on this team, but if he wants $12M or more per year, is he really worth it?

But let's assume Andy is gone, we really need another inside presence. I think Z will stick for next season as long as he's healthy. But with Andy gone, we'll need a big body down low with Ben and JJ. That also leaves us only 8 players. We'll need to sign 7 more (that includes the 2-3 draft picks).

In 2010 is where it gets tricky. We have $35M allottted for 5 guys (LeBron, Mo, Delonte, Boobie and JJ). Of course LeBron is going to opt out, so that drops it to $18M for 4 guys, plus whoever we sign this offseason of course (or in-season trades)

Out of the guys in the ESPN article, of course I'd love Bosh, but Toronto would be silly not to offer him the same max deal we're gonna give LeBron. Other big guys for 2009 could be Powe (Restricted), Rasheed (yikes!), Artest, Odom, Marion, Joe Smith (probably going to retire), Udoka, Korver, Okur, Boozer (not again).

I don't think Ferry would make a huge splash this offseason but I'd be interested in an Okur, Udoka type to take Z's spot eventually.

As for 2010, names include (not just big guys), Joe Johnson, Pierce, Nowitski, Amir Johnson, Scola (Restricted), McGrady, Yao, Camby, Wade, Haslem, Jefferson, Redd, Chandler, Amare, Aldridge (Restricted), Ginobli, Oberto, Bosh. I'd expect most of those big names to get theose max contracts we'll be giving LeBron, but it is fun to dream.

This is why it soooo important Ferry drafy well these next two offseasons. Yes, we can sign a big name besides LeBron, but I just don't expect too many "superstars" leaving.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on FearTheSword.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff at FearTheSword

0 recs | Comment 2 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Andy will likely opt out, but that doesn’t mean we can’t sign him. Winning cures a lot of ills. I don’t think he’ll get a $12 million offer or anything close to it. The question isn’t whether he’s worth $11 million, it’s whether he’s worth $9 million per year in a long term deal. I believe the answer is no. I think Zydrunas may opt out and sign a three year deal with the Cavs. I don’t think he has any desire to play elsewhere. He is good friends with Ferry and his family has strong roots in Cleveland. He has also made a TON of money in his career. If he doesn’t look to retire, he’ll opt out and sign a multi-year deal for less money per year than he makes now, but more guaranteed than he might get elsewhere at his age.

There is no reason why we won’t compete for non-max unrestricted free agents in 2009 and 2010. One name you didn’t mention was Drew Gooden, who will be a free agent this offseason. I am very curious as to what type of money he’ll command. My guess, is that a natural escalation of his current contract will be in the ballpark — around $8-9 million per year, in a 3 or 4 year deal.

I have a strong feeling Big Ben won’t be playing with the Cavs in 2009-2010. The real question is whether we would be willing to unload him to a team that could go after Lebron in 2010. Otherwise, we’d probably already be looking at Zach Randolph in a Cavs uniform.

by randallhank on Nov 17, 2008 2:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

first, Udoka is 6-5 – and not good – so forget about him. okur is interesting, but probably overpriced, and doesn’t do enough in the post, in my estimation, to make the difference that the cavs need. the big men in the 2009 FA class are atrocious, really, which is a damn shame since $20mm comes off the books b/w wally and e snow (you forgot about that contract didn’t you?).

it’ll be interesting to see if ferry can swing a deal for a legit 4 man using wally’s contract, but w/o handcuffing the team too much in the summer of ’10.

b wallace’s $14mm expires in ‘09-’10, so don’t be surprised when he’s wearing a different uni by March of ‘10. what all this means is ferry’s got 3 bites at the apple to secure a legit PF by the end of next year – wally’s contract, summer ‘09, wallace’s contract. also, no chance we’d be looking at z randolph under any circumstances. the guy plays no d, is a black hole when he gets the ball, and a total disaster in the locker room.

joe johnson would look super-nice in wine and gold, by the way.

by DontCallMeJoey on Nov 25, 2008 7:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs