Post by Contract Year on Dec 5, 2009 14:47:16 GMT -5
Potential Free Agent Class of 2004
Donyell Marshall
Current Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 30
Ratings: B A C B B- C
Statistics: 23.7 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.4 APG
Averaging nearly 24 points and 9 rebounds a game, Donyell Marshall is quietly having his best season as a pro. The nine year veteran has had the luxury of playing on one of the best teams in the past couple of years and it's reflected in his numbers. The attention that players such as Allan Houston, Sam Cassell and Rasheed Wallace demand has allowed Donyell to be a true marksman from outside this year. Donyell will surely feel entitled to a large deal because of his impact on the league's best team so far. Whether the organization can afford to pay him is the question here. The Magic are extremely close to the hard cap and when you factor in yearly contract increases with the assumption that Donyell re-signs, they will surely go over. It may be wise for the Magic to start looking at alternatives to Elton Brand or Theo Ratliff if they want to keep their core intact.
Jalen Rose
Current Team: Washington Bullets
Age: 30
Ratings: B A- B- A C C
Statistics: 18.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 8.5 APG, 1.6 SPG
Upon entering their contract year, the Washington Bullets immediately cashed in on their young players and 1st rounder by bringing in veterans such as Jalen Rose. The Bullets are easily going to make their contract year and Jalen has played a large part in it. The 30 year old has been showing his versatility this year as he's currently playing the 1 and playing it well. To go along with 8.5 assists, Jalen has been contributing to the Bullets' scoring with a very nice 18.2 points a game. Let us not forget that the guy plays some of the best defense that you'll find out of a wing in this league. Despite all of this, I could definitely see him going a bit under the radar this year, especially if the majority of the potential free agents decide to test free agency. The Bullets would love for Rose to offer them a bargain of a deal, but if he does test the waters, they'll probably be able to get him back comfortably.
Tracy McGrady
Current Team: New York Knicks
Age: 23
Ratings: B+ A- C+ B+ C+ A
Statistics: 26.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.3 APG
Between his ball handling, passing, and his ability to score from anywhere on the court, there is nothing that McGrady cannot do on offense. Coupled with great rebounding and above average man defense, Tracy McGrady is already one of the best wing players in the game at 23 years of age. The 4th year wing out of North Carolina will definitely command the max and deservedly so. Should McGrady decide to test the free agent market this off-season, he'll be the most coveted regardless of which other big names decide to test the market as well. The Knicks have not got the credit they deserve for maintaining their winning ways despite Shawn Marion walking. However, should McGrady decide to walk a la Shawn Marion, the Knicks franchise will not survive.
Antonio McDyess
Current Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Age: 28
Ratings: A- C C A- A C
Statistics: 21.4 PPG/12.6 RPG/1.6 BPG
McDyess had a major injury that has kept him sidelined for the majority of the year so far. That won't stop him from getting large deal this off-season though. The 28 year old forward was a pivotal piece in the Bucks championship run last year and he has the 2002 Playoff MVP award to show for it. Unfortunately for the defending champs, this off-season will be a difficult one. As if there weren't enough reason for the Bucks to hate Vin Baker's guts already... Now they may not have the cap flexibility needed to bring back both McDyess and Hill, and it's pretty much Vin's fault. Why was he given that contract anyway? If Ray Allen can't convince McDyess to take a pay cut, this could be a very interesting off-season.
Grant Hill
Current Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Age: 30
Ratings: B+ B C+ A- B C
Statistics: 24.7 PPG/9.2 RPG/4.2 APG/1.6 SPG
If the Bucks don't lose Antonio McDyess, I expect Grant Hill to be gone. Like previously said, this is barring any ridiculous, Ray Allen-like pay cuts that the players may be willing to take of course. Despite McDyess and Allen gone for most of the season, Grant Hill has been playing about the same as he always has. Not that it's bad or anything. The 30 year old has consistently been a top three small forward in the league and averaging nearly 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, he has yet to show any signs of slowing down. If Grant does decide to test the waters, I can see him getting a very large deal. For the sake of their franchise, the Bucks will surely do everything in their power to keep Grant on board.
Hedo Turkoglu
Current Team: Indiana Pacers
Age: 24
Ratings: B- A- C B C+ B
Statistics: 23.4 PPG/7.3 RPG/2.7 APG
The Pacers have recently gone from consistently winning to rebuilding and consequently the hype surround the team is gone as well. I'm willing to wager that most general managers in the league aren't aware of how well Hedo Turkoglu is performing right now. Considering the fact that Hedo averaged just under 15 points last year, this huge burst to 23.4 points per game is giving Pacer fans something to be excited about. Albeit the Pacers are worse than they were last year and that probably inflated his numbers, Hedo is looking very promising to say the least. Hedo is probably the toughest guy on this list to predict as far as a possible contract offer goes. Hedo himself will probably ask for the max, but will the Pacer organization give it to him?
Jason Kidd
Current Team: Sacramento Kings
Age: 30
Ratings: B- B+ A+ A C- D
Statistics: 20.4 PPG/4.3 RPG/9.9 APG/2.3 SPG
Kidd will be on the wrong side of 30 next season, but considering the fact that he'll still one of the best players in the league, he'll get paid. The Kings have a solid team all around, but they'll need to make a power move if they really want Kidd to stick around. Even though they had a great run last year, I'm not sure if Jason will take kindly to getting swept by the Rockets again. There is a chance that he'll take a pay cut in yearly salary in order to gain more years on his deal. If he decides to test free agency however, a team will probably over pay for him and force the Kings hand as far as money goes. Time will tell.
DeShawn Stevenson
Current Team: Denver Nuggets
Age: 21
Ratings: B B+ A- A- C A
Statistics: 17.6 PPG/5.1 RPG/4.4 APG
After Tracy McGrady, DeShawn Stevenson is definitely the 2nd most desired (potential) free agent. He isn't putting numbers as impressive as the many others on this list, but his combination of youth and potential is matched by very few. On top of that, DeShawn Stevenson already "gets it" at the tender age of 21 n/h and can pretty do anything on the court. I personally expect DeShawn Stevenson to break out scoring wise and become a full fledge star as early as next season. As the prize of the Denver Nugget franchise, he will receive any contract that he chooses to ask for.
Shaquille O'Neal
Current Team: San Antonio Spurs
Age: 31
Ratings: A D+ C+ A A C
Statistics: 24.9 PPG/13 RPG/4.4 APG/2 BPG
At 31, the Diesel is still one of the most dominant forces in the league. Considering his season averages, it would seem that Shaq has not missed a step. Despite Shaq's gaudy numbers however, the San Antonio Spurs have only managed 18 wins out of 47 games thus far. To Shaq's defense, the Spurs are rebuilding and their cast is nothing to look at talent wise. The one time champion would probably be wise to leave the Spurs this off-season as they are currently wasting his abilities. Signing with a team that is either in or near their contract year would probably be the best choice seeing as that franchise would be desperate to win now. The general manager of the Toronto Raptors has already been quoted on his coveting of the 10 year veteran. Either way, Shaq will most likely command the max starting salary.
Michael Redd
Current Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Age: 23
Ratings: C+ A C- C+ C B
Statistics: 24.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG
Redd wasn't looking like much in his first couple of years in the league, but that changed when the Wolves gave him the keys to the offense. Redd more than doubled his production from 2001 to 2002 as he averaged a whomping 27 points a game last year. Fluke season you say? Well... Not only is Redd averaging well over 20 points again (24.6 a game), but thanks to the off-season addition of Shawn Marion, Redd is now putting up his numbers on a top 10 scoring team. The 23 year old looks like a young Allan Houston right now and it's ironic considering they were involved in the same trade. Should he decide against testing free agency this year, Michael Redd will probably want a max contract or something close to it. Whether or not he gets it will depend on how much the organization values his automatic outside game, as well as if they can look past Redd's poor defensive abilities.
Other Notable Potential Free Agents:
Brent Barry (Seattle Supersonics) - I would be surprised if Barry wanted to return to the Sonics. He'll be 32 next season and the fact that he has yet to win a ring is probably wearing on him. The Sonics organization will probably offer a decent sized deal in order to get some value for him later, but Barry would be wise to take a pay cut and play for a better team.
Bonzi Wells (Seattle Supersonics) - Bonzi will only be 27 next year and probably isn't thinking too much about championships considering he walked from the Bucks. Fuck it... He'll probably leave Seattle as well.
Pat Burke/Ben Wallace/Joel Pryzbilla (76ers/Hawks/Rockets respectively) - I put these three guys together because they are very similar to each other. Sure... their ratings are underwhelming, and they are absolutely atrocious as far as scoring goes, but these guys are some of the best shot blockers in the league. Burke and Wallace are both averaging 3.5 blocks a game (tied for first), while Pryzbilla is further down the list at 2.4 (nineth). Should they decide to test free agency, they will all receive many offers for the sole reason that defensive minded big men are tough to come by in this league.
Clifford Rozier (Dallas Mavericks) - Clifford can't block a shot to save his life and that has definitely hurt his value over the years. However, he's consistently been one of the better rebounders in the league. Sporting a very nice looking 'A' rating in rebounding, as well as the fact that he's a legitimate double double threat will land him offers if he decides to test free agency.
Baron Davis (Milwaukee Bucks) - Safe to say that he's a bust, but someone always takes a flyer on a these types of players.
And then of course there a bunch of other scrubs who I felt didn't deserve mentions. Let me know if I missed a guy though. The end.[/center]
