Top Free Agents

[Bayliss]

<< NBA Free Agent Watch
by Chad Ford
Friday, June 14 Updated 10:16 AM EST


Cap room. Let's just put it this way. If this were a MasterCard commercial, it wouldn't be under the category: priceless.

Unfortunately, to make a real splash in the free-agent market, there actually have to be free agents worth taking. This year? There's nothing. Nada.

What about Michael Olowokandi or Mike Bibby? Both players are restricted free agents. The team that holds their rights can match any offer. Given the replacements out there, would you let them get away?

Of the unrestricted variety, there's Rashard Lewis, the second-round draft pick that Houston passed up three times in the first round. The Sonics would like to believe that he could be the next Scottie Pippen. He's not Pippen. Not yet, but he'll be expecting Pippen-like dollars this summer. With Lewis openly pining to return to Houston, the Sonics have little choice but to fork over some major cash.

After that, everything gets sketchy.

Bonzi Wells. How much do you pay him to insult your fan base?

Keon Clark. Looks like Kevin Garnett. Plays like Kevin Garnet approximately 55% percent of the time. The other 45% of the time he bears a striking resemblence to Joe Smith.

Ricky Davis. Is he really the next Michael Jordan or is John Lucas officially off his rocker? Lean heavily toward the latter.

Here's the good news, there isn't any money to spend anyway. You won't have to cringe like we all did last year when the Sonics gave a boatload at Calvin Booth and the Knicks threw the bank at Shandon Anderson.

This summer, only three teams, the Clippers, Bulls and Pistons, are expected to have cap room to sign free agents outright. Everyone else will be limited to their mid-level exception ($4.5 million this year) or sign-and-trades. With limited cap room and the luxury tax definitely looming next season, most teams are banking on the fact that no one else will be able to offer their free agents an offer he can't refuse. Considering that many teams have already determined that they won't use their mid-level exceptions this year, the money just isn't going to be there for most of these guys.

Here's our look at the top 20 free agents for next season.

Complete 2002 free-agent list

Key: (P) = player option to opt out | (R) = restricted free agent

Top 2002 Free Agents

1. Michael Olowokandi, C, L.A. Clippers (R)
The Kandi-man will be the test case that should settle the debate once and for all: has Clippers owner Donald Sterling changed his ways? GM Elgin Baylor has assured several of the top Clippers players that Sterling understands he's going to have to write some very big checks to keep this team together. It will start with Olowokandi, who despite some uneven production, is still considered to be one of the best pure centers in the league. Olowokandi is asking for the max. If the Clippers don't give it to him, he'll likely grab their one-year tender offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. That would be a disaster for the Clippers. And that's saying something.

2. Mike Bibby, G, Sacramento (R)
Bibby made at least an extra $30 million in the playoffs this year. With his clutch shooting and timely leadership, the Kings know they have the real deal at point guard. It will likely cost them the max. Normally, giving it to Bibby would be a no-brainer, but adding another max contract to the books would put the Maloofs firmly in luxury-tax land. Apparently, that's the price it takes to keep up with the Cubans.

3. Rashard Lewis, F, Seattle (P)
The hope of the entire city of Seattle used to rest on this guy re-signing. But after another so-so year, the Sonics aren't so sure anymore that Lewis is their franchise player. They want him back, but at what price? Lewis has been pushing to land with the Rockets. To get to Houston, he'd have to sign for its mid-level exception. The Sonics can offer him a lot more, but they might be better off working out a sign-and-trade.

4. Raef LaFrentz, C, Dallas (R)
He never got a chance to to pull Shaq away from the basket so the rest of the Mavs could make a run at the Lakers. Don't expect them to trash the plan so quickly. Mark Cuban can afford to keep LaFrentz and has given every indication that he will.

5. Keon Clark, F/C, Toronto (R)
The Raptors are in a tight spot. They love Clark, but are perilously close to the luxury tax after last summer's spending spree. Can they afford to throw a lot of cash at Clark, who still is an inconsistent role player with the team? Clark's potential is tantalizing. But his inconsistency on the court and his commitment off the court raise serious questions. Don't be shocked if the Suns rekindle talks with the Raptors and try to work out a Clark-for-Penny Hardaway sign-and-trade. The Raptors are still in desperate need of some backcourt help.

6. Bonzi Wells, G, Blazers (R)
He's made lots of enemies in Portland, but since when has that ever bothered the Blazers? Wells' scoring ability is off the charts, but his defense and ability to share with his teammates is a big question mark. The word around the league is that Wells is on the trading block. He may be better off taking a team's full mid-level exception somewhere else. If the Blazers tried to match the offer, Wells couldn't be traded for one year without his permission.

7. Donyell Marshall, F, Utah
There isn't an overwhelming push to re-sign him in Utah and if Marshall had his way, he'd be playing somewhere else. Can he get anyone to pony up a contract even remotely close to what he was making in Utah? It doesn't look like it.

8. Ricky Davis, G, Cleveland (R)
If John Lucas would've just kept his mouth shut and Davis stayed on the bench, the Cavs could have gotten Davis on the cheap. Instead, they played him extensively toward the end of the season with most of the team injured. Davis put up big numbers and Lucas compared him to Michael Jordan. Suddenly, Davis wants MJ-type numbers. The Cavs will tender him an offer, but they won't give up the bank to re-sign him. Neither will anyone else.

9. Jeff McInnis, G, L.A. Clippers
The Clippers' financial issues, along with the emergence of 2000 draft pick Marko Jaric, means that McInnis is gone. With several teams like the Hawks, Warriors, Wizards, T-Wolves, Lakers, Raptors and Magic looking for a point guard, he'll probably get close to the full mid-level exception somewhere.

10. Rodney Rogers, F, Boston
GM Chris Wallace loves him, but isn't sure he can afford him. The Celtics would love to sign Rogers for a deal in the $1 to $2 million range. If they spend anymore than that, they'll have to pay the luxury tax, something the Celtics insist they won't do. Rogers has said he wants to remain in Boston, but he'll go to the highest bidder. When he's focused and in good shape, he has a lethal combination of power and outside shooting touch. Rogers should be able to get something better from someone else.

11. Rasho Nesterovic, C, Minnesota (R)
Centers come at a premium and Nesterovic will get a look from several teams in desperate need of a big man. Denver, Memphis, New York, Portland, San Antonio and Utah could all make a bid for him. If Nesterovic gets a full mid-level exception, will the Wolves match? With Marc Jackson coming off a disappointing season, it looks they won't have much of a choice.

12. Bryon Russell, F, Utah
Russell couldn't work out an extension with the Jazz. He has the veteran savvy and shooting touch teams like. In all likelihood, he'll get a decent mid-level offer from a team like the Heat, Nets, Sixers or Spurs.

13. Devean George, F, L.A. Lakers
Before you start laughing, remember this one fact. Last year we put Eddie Robinson in this slot. The year before that, Rashard Lewis. Our point? Every year there is a young, athletic scorer who will get paid on sheer upside alone. George had an inconsistent year, but his performance in Game 4 of the Finals showed his potential. The Lakers made a major mistake not tendering him an offer last summer. Now George wants to spread his wings a little and get away from the shadow of Shaq and Kobe. With his tough defense and three-point shooting, a team like the Sixers, Heat or Nuggets could make him an offer.

14. Michael Redd, G, Milwaukee (R)
Again, stop with the laughter. Redd's unbelievable play this year in the absence of Ray Allen has a lot of teams buzzing. He's a good long-range shooter and can put the ball on the floor. Still, the Bucks are determined to match just about any offer.

15. Travis Best, G, Chicago
The Bulls won't need to re-sign the diminutive point guard if they draft Duke's Jay Williams. Several teams like the Hawks, Warriors, Wizards, Lakers, Raptors and Magic are looking for a point guard. Even a return trip to Indiana isn't out of the question.

16. Matt Harpring, F, Philadelphia (R)
Larry Brown has a love-hate relationship with his small forwards, but the Sixers will probably make an attempt to re-sign him this summer. There aren't a lot of teams in need of a small forward and those that are will probably opt for George, Russell or Ricky Davis. In other words, Harpring will probably take whatever he gets from Philly.

17. Larry Hughes, G, Golden State (R)
Oh, how the mighty fall. Hughes's inability to play point guard and poor shot selection have destroyed his stock. Larry Brown mentioned last season that he wished Hughes would be back. Don't be shocked if Hughes is part of the deal for the Sixers' first-round draft pick.

18.Bruce Bowen, G, San Antonio (P)
Probably played it smart by taking a one-year deal with the Spurs. Things will be much less crowded next year after he's had a chance to start and showcase his talent with a good team. His defense alone will get him a look somewhere.

19. Chauncey Billups, G, Timberwolves (P)
The T-Wolves will have a point guard crisis on their hands if Billups decides to bolt. That's great news for Chauncey. If Terrell Brandon wasn't healthy, the T-Wolves would probably let him go. Now . . . he should make some nice change unless Minnesota figures out a way to package Wally Szczerbiak for a starting point guard.

20. Malik Rose, F, San Antonio
Rose has been a valiant backup for Tim Duncan these last few years. Is he ready for a more serious starting role? Despite his love for the Spurs, he'll test the market and hope to find a place where he'll get a more serious shot at starting. Look for the Lakers to be near the front of the line. He's given them fits in the past.

Best of the Rest:
Pat Garrity, F, ORL (R)
Rod Strickland, MIA
Charles Oakley, CHI
Tyrone Nesby, WAS
Troy Hudson, ORL
Darvin Ham, MIL
Scott Williams, MIL
Popeye Jones, WAS
Othella Harrington, NY (P) >>

[Hoopsmeister]

oops.

[Bayliss]

No problem Hoops....

[Murphy3]

can you two get it together..fight through it

[FilthyFinMavs]

The guyz I like on the list are Redd, Harping, Ricky Davis who as they say wants Michael Jordan numbers, Rashard Lewis and Malik Rose. All could help us out at the 3 spot tremoundsly well except for Redd.

[Drbio]

First they fight over the icon...now over threads...

[Hoopsmeister]

<< First they fight over the icon...now over threads... >>



Who's fighting? I admit that for once Bayliss beat me to an interesting post :-)

[Drbio]

It was sarcas....oh nevermind....


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