8/8 ESPN Insider - Next year's Fa's (including Nash)

[OutletPass]

Wait 'till next year?
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford Friday, August 8


Wait until next year.


That's the mantra being pushed in Utah, Denver and Miami now that all of the top free agents have found homes. All three teams had money to burn this summer, but as of Friday, only the Nuggets have anything to show for it.

Sure, the Heat gave an offer sheet to Elton Brand and are flirting with Lamar Odom. The Jazz made a nice offer to Corey Maggette and the Nuggets claimed Andre Miller from purgatory. Do you notice the common denominator in each case?

That's right, all three teams were forced to go after Clippers. Unlike the rest of the free agents out there, Clipper free agents are sure thing. Buy 'em a drink and they'll get into bed with anyone. They'll do anything to get out of L.A.

Will next year be any different?

Assuming the Clippers match the Heat's offer for Odom and the Jazz and Nuggets don't make any more large expenditures, each will have enough cap space next summer to offer a player a major contract.

Assuming the cap stays at $43.8 million next summer, the Jazz actually will have more money next year once Greg Ostertag gets off the books. They could be looking at $30 million in cap room. The Nuggets are looking at $10 million in cap room. That number jumps to $17 million if Marcus Camby exercises his opt out clause. The Heat will also have around $9 million in cap room next year unless they somehow steal Odom away from the Clippers. If he signs, their cap room is basically gone.

And that's it folks. Currently, none of the other 26 teams in the league are projected to be far enough under the cap next season to make a major impact in the free-agent market.

Here's Insider's first sneak peek at the free agent class of 2004. While the names on the board may leave fans breathless, there's little chance most of these guys ever leave home.

Top 10 2004 Free Agents

Key = (R) = Restricted free agent | (PO) = Player Option

Kevin Garnett
Small Forward
Minnesota Timberwolves
Profile


2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
82 23.0 13.4 6.0 .502 .751



1. Kevin Garnett, F, T-Wolves
The skinny: If the T-Wolves stumble in the playoffs again next spring, Garnett could bolt the T-Wolves. The problem is finding a team that can afford him. It's unlikely that Garnett will want to leave Minnesota for a rebuilding situation in Denver or Utah. The Heat frankly can't afford him unless they also clear Eddie Jones or Brian Grant off their books. That means that either Garnett takes one of the biggest pay cuts ever to join a contender or he convinces GM Kevin McHale to do a sign-and-trade. Unless a dark horse emerges this year and clears a considerable amount of cap space, KG has limited options.

2. Kobe Bryant, G, Lakers (PO)
The skinny: Assuming Kobe isn't serving a life sentence in an Eagle County prison, Kobe is in the same dilemma that KG is. There just isn't enough money out there with legit contenders to lure him out of L.A. I can't imagine him playing for the Jazz or Nuggets, and the Heat are stacked at his position. Sign-and-trades are always possible, but the Lakers are in the drivers seat.

3. Allen Iverson, G, Sixers (PO)
The skinny: AI bolt the Sixers? It's not entirely out of the question. If the Glenn Robinson experiment backfires this summer or if Iverson doesn't get along with Randy Ayers, he may be the first guy on the list willing to take a risk on a team like the Nuggets. A combo of Iverson, Andre Miller, Carmelo Anthony and Nene Hilaro could do some damage in the West, assuming Iverson would pass the ball. Still, odds are Iverson re-ups with the Sixers.

Antoine Walker
Forward
Boston Celtics
Profile


2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
78 20.1 7.2 4.8 .388 .615



4. Antoine Walker, F, Celtics (PO)
The skinny: After all the abuse and trade rumors, chances are Walker exercises his player option and looks for a better situation. You have to believe that both the Jazz and Heat (if they could clear another $5 million in cap) would be interested. Walker may also have the best shot at negotiating a sign-and-trade. There has been significant interest in him this summer, and despite Danny Ainge's repeated stand that Walker is not on the trading block, it appears that the Celtics wouldn't mind moving him.

5. Stephon Marbury, G, Suns (PO)
The skinny: Marbury's value really rose after a stellar campaign last season. However, it's unlikely he would bolt Phoenix. The Suns are on the rise and Marbury is a big part of what they do. He's not going to find a better situation anywhere else.

6. Rasheed Wallace, F, Blazers
The skinny: It's hard to believe that Wallace will be a Blazer next season. One, for the first time in awhile, it appears that Paul Allen is ready to cut some payroll. Two, for the first time in awhile, the Blazers are emphasizing character again. Neither factor bodes well for Wallace. The question is, where does he go? Not to a young team like Denver or Utah. Not to a veteran team worried about chemistry. And coming off a $17 million a year contract, just how much of a pay cut will he be willing to take? In other words, people will be interested, but at what price?

Steve Nash
Point Guard
Dallas Mavericks
Profile


2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
82 17.7 2.9 7.3 .465 .909



7. Steve Nash, G, Mavs (PO)
The skinny: Nash will likely opt out, but chances are he stays in Dallas. Nash is one of the few guys in the NBA who is actually underpaid at the moment. Surely, Mark Cuban will throw a long-term contract at him to keep in Dallas. If not, the Jazz are in desperate need of a point guard. Nash is one of the few point guards in the NBA who could fill John Stockton's shoes.

8. Kenyon Martin, F, Nets (R)
The skinny: Martin is looking for a six-year, $90 million deal from the Nets. Team president Rod Thorn wants to extend his contract, but for much less money. If the two sides don't work anything out by Oct. 29, Martin becomes a restricted free agent. I can see Denver, Utah and Miami all being interested, but after their experience with restricted free agents this year, will they ever tender an offer sheet knowing that the Nets will match?

9. Antonio McDyess, F, Knicks
The skinny: He's a wild card. If he recovers from knee surgery and rounds back into form, he'll be a hot commodity. If he struggles or suffers another injury, he'll be looking at the mid-level exception somewhere.

10. Vlade Divac, C, Kings
The skinny: There may be better players on the "Best of the Rest" list, but Divac has something on them all. He's a legit all-star center in the West. With the Kings signing of Brad Miller this summer, chances are this is Vlade's last year in Sacramento -- especially if the Kings fail to win it all. With so many contenders looking for a legit big man, Divac, even at age 35, will be flooded with offers.

Best of the rest

Player Option: Marcus Camby, C, Nuggets; Latrell Sprewell, SG, T-Wolves; Erick Dampier, C, Warriors; Gary Payton, G, Lakers; Karl Malone, F, Lakers; Kurt Thomas, F, Knicks; Eric Snow, PG, Sixers

Unrestricted: Keon Clark, F, Jazz; Adonal Foyle, C, Warriors; Brent Barry, G, Sonics; Ron Mercer, G, Spurs; Eric Williams, G/F, Celtics; Greg Ostertag, C, Jazz

Restricted: Mike Miller, G/F, Grizzlies; Jamal Crawford, G, Bulls; Jamaal Magloire, C, Hornets; Mo Peterson, F, Raptors; Stromile Swift, F, Grizzlies; Darius Miles, F, Cavs; Marcus Fizer, F, Bulls; Joel Przybilla, C, Bucks; Keyon Dooling, G, Clippers; Etan Thomas, F, Wizards; Courtney Alexander, G, Hornets; Hedo Turkoglu, G/F, Spurs; Quentin Richardson, G, Clippers; DeShawn Stevenson, G, Jazz; Jake Tsakalidis, C, Suns.

Two year Restricted: Emanuel Ginobili, G, Spurs; Mehmet Okur, F, Pistons; Gordan Giricek, G/F, Magic

Around the League



Odom

As of late Thursday night, Lamar Odom still didn't have an offer sheet from the Miami Heat. What's the hold up? Odom's agent, Jeff Schwartz, told Insider that the Heat are still nervous that the Clippers will match their offer to Odom.

Schwartz and Heat president Pat Riley are negotiating in Los Angeles with an eye toward putting an offer sheet together that will scare away Donald Sterling. That may include up-front bonuses and yearly payments, trade kickers and anything else the two sides can throw in there to make the Clips life so difficult.

Odom, on Thursday, publicly bashed the Clippers and told the Miami Herald that he doesn't want his old team to match an offer from the Heat. Schwartz told Insider that Odom's stance has more to do with the Heat than it does with the Clippers.

"Lamar believes very strongly that he's never going to realize his full potential in Los Angeles," Schwartz said. "He doesn't want to play for a team that won't give him the support he needs. He does feel that Riley is the type of coach that would bring out the best in him."

With a six-year deal for roughly $60 million on the table, would the Clippers really match and risk having a depressed, unmotivated Odom? It's already a big risk to pay Odom that much money. It's an even bigger one if Odom's heart isn't in it.

"It isn't about the money," Schwartz told Insider. "It's about Lamar being the best he can be. If the Clippers match, it will be bad. Lamar's a very emotional player and I don't think he'll respond well."

One option that the Heat and Clippers continue to explore is a sign-and-trade. Perhaps if the Clippers got something of value back in return, both sides wouldn't have to go through this process. The problem is figuring out what that might be. The Clippers have no interest in the two guys the Heat are trying to dump -- Brian Grant and Eddie Jones. They would be interested in either Dwyane Wade or Caron Butler. Wade still hasn't signed a rookie contract with the Heat, meaning he can still be traded. Are the Heat willing to go that far to secure Odom?

Several smaller free agents got contracts on Thursday. The Clippers signed Eddie House to a two-year deal for $1.6 million, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein. The Heat responded by giving a contract to veteran forward John Wallace. The Heat are also expected to sign free-agent center Loren Woods today. The Rockets signed swingman Adrian Griffin to a two-year, $1.5 million contract.

Voshon Lenard is in serious talks with the Nuggets. "There have been talks with his agent," coach Jeff Bzdelik told the Rocky Mountain news. "He fits what's we're looking for in a two guard, and that's shooting." The Nuggets are also looking at Stephen Jackson and Dion Glover as possible fits at the two guard position.

The number of quality free agents left on the board continues to dwindle, but there are still a few surprising names out there who need to get their faces on a milk carton before it's too late. Start with veteran forward Tyrone Hill? Hill is the type of tough, rebounding machine that many teams covet. Why hasn't a team like the Mavs, Sonics or the Pacers jumped all over him? Other players who seem to have fallen off the earth include the Hawks' Dion Glover and Darvin Ham, the Nuggets' Donnell Harvey and Shammond Williams, the Heat's Vladimir Stepania and LaPhonso Ellis, the Magic's Jacque Vaughn and Chris Whitney and the Wizards' Bryon Russell.

For those of you who still want to insist stubbornly that the foreign invasion theme of the past two years is overstated, take a look at what happened to the U.S. men at the Pan Am Games this week. Team USA fielded a team of some of the top 2004 draft prospects, including UConn's Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon, Missouri's Rickey Paulding and Arthur Johnson, Arizona State's Ike Diogu and Stanford's Josh Childress. The U.S. didn't even medal. The U.S. team was destroyed by a Brazilian youth team led by Anderson Varejao and Tiago Splitter, 92-80. Puerto Rico, led by Daniel Santiago, beat the U.S. twice. And the team narrowly escaped another loss to Uruguay. Can you imagine what Serbia, Greece or Spain would've done to them?

On a sad note, Spurs sharp shooter, Steve Kerr, announced on Thursday that he's retiring from the NBA. Kerr was one of the NBA's classiest players and a true leader on and off the court. Kerr will take a job at TNT, doing play-by-play commentary. He should be awesome. Kerr has a flair for words and is one of the smartest players in the game

[MFFL]

Start with veteran forward Tyrone Hill? Hill is the type of tough, rebounding machine that many teams covet. Why hasn't a team like the Mavs, Sonics or the Pacers jumped all over him?

Isn't he the guy who gave us the Heisman last year and went to Philly?

[MFFL]

Other players who seem to have fallen off the earth include the Nuggets' Donnell Harvey

I thought he signed with Orlando (or was going to)

[Dirk41= konsesjonen]

Nash is the 7th best FA, wow, big class.

[Drbio]

Originally posted by: MFFL

I thought he signed with Orlando (or was going to)

He signed with Orlando. You are correct.

[Dirk41= konsesjonen]

I heard Harvey is going to, but not official yet.

[Nicky31]

I could see the Heat going for Martin or Wallace they would fit in really nice there.

[MFFL]

Originally posted by: Drbio

He signed with Orlando. You are correct.

I went to the Magic home site and there isn't a mention of it. Every other FA that they have signed is listed though.

[one long blue sock]

Well actually Wallace will fit in really no where. BUT he does like to play the SF, which is currently occupied by the Heat's best young player. Who is probably going to be the center of their whole team in a few years, and Grant will like to play PF alot, since he is undersized, which is another spot that Wallace plays, so I don't expect him to like having to compete with Grant and Butler.

Martin likes the fast style, alley-oop, blow by bigger players for the dunk, etc. AND thats not what he will get at Miami, with them desperate for a PG, he won't get the set ups he wants, he won't be able to slash and get the easy buckets like he wants. He won't be happy.

Money might attract him, but Miami won't.

[seelenjaeger]

Sorry, but Nash is WAY too low on that list. He´s a top 3 FA next year only behind Garnett and Kobe. Maybe not even Kobe if he gets convicted.

[one long blue sock]

Well I agree all the way that he is more talented then Walker.

But he is not better then Steph, or AI

Ecspecially Steph, Steph is a young player, with alot of potential, who score at will, make any pass, and rip any player.

Nash will always be a great passer, but he isn't that great of a scorer, he wouldn't get nearly as many points if defenders had to worry about 2 other great scorers out on the perimeter.

[steponhens]

Originally posted by: one long blue sock


Nash will always be a great passer, but he isn't that great of a scorer, he wouldn't get nearly as many points if defenders had to worry about 2 other great scorers out on the perimeter.

My thoughts exactly, I can't wait to see how many more points he'd get on the Suns.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

[jayC]

You guys are nuts hes a great scorer he shoots at a 47 percent clip hes got ice cold veins, and hes one of our better defenders. What are you smoking, he could be a top scorer in this league if he avg 20 shots a game but when you have three other great scorers on the team you have to pass the rock. Try again Stephons.

[Mandyahl]

i don't want to get into it, but nash is one of our better defenders? i can buy that he is an offensive threat, but you lost me at the defense part.

[steponhens]

Excuse me Mandy, but "you can buy that he is an offensive threat"? Nash is a great offensive leader. He is the best jump shooting PG in the league, and he scores 18 points a game with 7 assists. If he was the second scoring option on a team he would average 20+ a game.

[one long blue sock]

Originally posted by: Mandyahl
i don't want to get into it, but nash is one of our better defenders? i can buy that he is an offensive threat, but you lost me at the defense part.

To say that he is one of are best defenders, well that doesn't say much. And I don't even think that.

[Dirk41= konsesjonen]

Nash is not a good defender, guy's like McInnis and Hudson torch him.

[Fah Q]

Originally posted by: Dirk41= konsesjonen
Nash is not a good defender, guy's like McInnis and Hudson torch him.

What starting PG can't beat him one on one? I honestly can't think of one off the top of my head.

[Mandyahl]

Originally posted by: steponhens
Excuse me Mandy, but "you can buy that he is an offensive threat"? Nash is a great offensive leader. He is the best jump shooting PG in the league, and he scores 18 points a game with 7 assists. If he was the second scoring option on a team he would average 20+ a game.

dude, slow down....my point was that nash is not much of a defender. i didn't really want to get in to the whole offensive argument because y'all already seemed to have covered it. i really didn't want to get in to the whole argument at all, but then someone was talking like nash was a great defender, and i really couldn't just sit and let that go.