Post by Los Angeles Lakers on Nov 23, 2006 12:03:40 GMT -5
Thanksgiving Leftovers
Who's left over out on the free agent market?
Todd MacCulloch
It's very tough to get a decent guy to man the middle. Todd Mac is capable of doing that. He's won a couple championships and has played very well in big games. He would fit more on a team that is more complete but I wouldn't be shocked to see him jump to a rebuilding team if the money is right. The Suns already re-signed Erick Dampier so that may deter Todd Mac from going back to his stomping grounds in Phoenix.
Vitaly Potapenko
Vitaly Potapenko is another guy who would be a decent pick up at center. Potapenko is more of a MLE kind of player though. He would make a nice backup center but as mentioned above, since it is so hard to find a decent guy to man the middle - he could get a little bit more than that. The Suns may sign him back to be their backup to Erick Dampier since he will cost less than Todd Mac.
Jake Tsakalidis
Jake Tsakalidis is probably the best center left on the market. He's got some real talent and has shown it throughout the years despite having to play behind Zydrunas Ilgauskas for such a long time. Jake maybe capable of a breakout year. A team like Toronto or New Jersey could definitely use him and would be a nice compliment to the young guys they have on their squads. He should command around a 5-7 mil starting salary.
Udonis Haslem
Haslem unfortunately did not make the league when he came out of Florida a couple years ago due to some issues with weight. However, Haslem has worked on his game in Europe and is now ready to contribute here in the states. Haslem is a nice power forward - potentially a starter in this league because of his decent inside scoring ability. He's a good rebounder and defender and is still only 25. He'd fit nicely on a contender to round out the bench. Miami would be a nice possibility for Haslem.
Antonio McDyess
Antonio is probably the biggest free agent left on the market this year. Dice has become a major factor over the years and perhaps has only hit his prime recently. That's a good thing if you're team looking to spend top dollar on one of the best power forwards in the game. New Jersey, New Orleans, and Toronto are all teams in the running for him. Detroit has made it clear that they are not going to offer him big money which pretty much puts them out of the equation. If he wants to go to a young and upcoming team with playoff potential - Toronto is the place to go for this man.
Glenn Robinson
Glenn Robinson is one of the better remaining guard/forward combos left in the league. The Lakers however are in good position to re-sign the Big Dog back to L.A. now that they've used the cap room they had on Joe Smith. The Lakers look like a very enticing team to go back to with Joe Smith, Ron Artest, Zydrunas Ilguaskas, and the number one overall pick Chris Bosh in the fold.
Michael Finley
Finley is an intriguing prospect left over in the market. Toronto didn't sign anyone and are still waiting on their offers on guys like Antonio McDyess. It's quite possible that Finley bolts the Raptors for a team like New Jersey or New Orleans just for the money. He knows that he's running out of time to get paid because of the decline in skill over the past couple years. Finley would be an excellent pickup to sign and trade later on in the season for a young rebuilding team.
Doug Christie
Doug Christie is another intriguing prospect because he is so talented on the defensive end. He's a defensive stopper and isn't shy to hit the open jumper as well. It is a possibility for Doug to bounce the Magic since they are 10 million away from the hard cap. Again like Finley- I see a guy like Christie getting attention from teams who'd be looking to sign and trade him.
Raja Bell
Raja Bell is a very capable backup two guard leftover in this free agent market. He's definitely worth the mid-level exception and it's tough to tell whether or not he'll leave Dallas for elsewhere. A lot of teams could use a guy like Raja - especially a championship caliber teams like the Phoenix Suns. Don't be shocked to see Raja take a deal with the Mavericks though to come back to Big D.
Terrell Brandon
TB is definitely passed his prime but is more than capable to run the show for any team that asks. Gone are the days that TB would command a huge salary. Terrell Brandon would be a steal for a team looking for a point guard to not do much else but shoot and dish. He is more of a mid-level exception guy at this point in his career. There are many possibilities for TB - it's just a matter of how much playing time he wants.
Damon Stoudamire
Stoudamire is the last big name free agent available and his price range extends all the way from the MLE to possibly 8 to 10 mil. It is also likely that the Washington Wizards extend a one year max offer for Damon to stay and run the point and let Banks run the two again. Damon's situation is much like TB's. It's a matter of how much playing time he wants and it's very likely that he still wants to be a starter in this league. We'll see what teams are willing to give him that opportunity.
Who's left over out on the free agent market?
Todd MacCulloch
It's very tough to get a decent guy to man the middle. Todd Mac is capable of doing that. He's won a couple championships and has played very well in big games. He would fit more on a team that is more complete but I wouldn't be shocked to see him jump to a rebuilding team if the money is right. The Suns already re-signed Erick Dampier so that may deter Todd Mac from going back to his stomping grounds in Phoenix.
Vitaly Potapenko
Vitaly Potapenko is another guy who would be a decent pick up at center. Potapenko is more of a MLE kind of player though. He would make a nice backup center but as mentioned above, since it is so hard to find a decent guy to man the middle - he could get a little bit more than that. The Suns may sign him back to be their backup to Erick Dampier since he will cost less than Todd Mac.
Jake Tsakalidis
Jake Tsakalidis is probably the best center left on the market. He's got some real talent and has shown it throughout the years despite having to play behind Zydrunas Ilgauskas for such a long time. Jake maybe capable of a breakout year. A team like Toronto or New Jersey could definitely use him and would be a nice compliment to the young guys they have on their squads. He should command around a 5-7 mil starting salary.
Udonis Haslem
Haslem unfortunately did not make the league when he came out of Florida a couple years ago due to some issues with weight. However, Haslem has worked on his game in Europe and is now ready to contribute here in the states. Haslem is a nice power forward - potentially a starter in this league because of his decent inside scoring ability. He's a good rebounder and defender and is still only 25. He'd fit nicely on a contender to round out the bench. Miami would be a nice possibility for Haslem.
Antonio McDyess
Antonio is probably the biggest free agent left on the market this year. Dice has become a major factor over the years and perhaps has only hit his prime recently. That's a good thing if you're team looking to spend top dollar on one of the best power forwards in the game. New Jersey, New Orleans, and Toronto are all teams in the running for him. Detroit has made it clear that they are not going to offer him big money which pretty much puts them out of the equation. If he wants to go to a young and upcoming team with playoff potential - Toronto is the place to go for this man.
Glenn Robinson
Glenn Robinson is one of the better remaining guard/forward combos left in the league. The Lakers however are in good position to re-sign the Big Dog back to L.A. now that they've used the cap room they had on Joe Smith. The Lakers look like a very enticing team to go back to with Joe Smith, Ron Artest, Zydrunas Ilguaskas, and the number one overall pick Chris Bosh in the fold.
Michael Finley
Finley is an intriguing prospect left over in the market. Toronto didn't sign anyone and are still waiting on their offers on guys like Antonio McDyess. It's quite possible that Finley bolts the Raptors for a team like New Jersey or New Orleans just for the money. He knows that he's running out of time to get paid because of the decline in skill over the past couple years. Finley would be an excellent pickup to sign and trade later on in the season for a young rebuilding team.
Doug Christie
Doug Christie is another intriguing prospect because he is so talented on the defensive end. He's a defensive stopper and isn't shy to hit the open jumper as well. It is a possibility for Doug to bounce the Magic since they are 10 million away from the hard cap. Again like Finley- I see a guy like Christie getting attention from teams who'd be looking to sign and trade him.
Raja Bell
Raja Bell is a very capable backup two guard leftover in this free agent market. He's definitely worth the mid-level exception and it's tough to tell whether or not he'll leave Dallas for elsewhere. A lot of teams could use a guy like Raja - especially a championship caliber teams like the Phoenix Suns. Don't be shocked to see Raja take a deal with the Mavericks though to come back to Big D.
Terrell Brandon
TB is definitely passed his prime but is more than capable to run the show for any team that asks. Gone are the days that TB would command a huge salary. Terrell Brandon would be a steal for a team looking for a point guard to not do much else but shoot and dish. He is more of a mid-level exception guy at this point in his career. There are many possibilities for TB - it's just a matter of how much playing time he wants.
Damon Stoudamire
Stoudamire is the last big name free agent available and his price range extends all the way from the MLE to possibly 8 to 10 mil. It is also likely that the Washington Wizards extend a one year max offer for Damon to stay and run the point and let Banks run the two again. Damon's situation is much like TB's. It's a matter of how much playing time he wants and it's very likely that he still wants to be a starter in this league. We'll see what teams are willing to give him that opportunity.
