It's officially summer, the dog-days. Not only is the weather hot, but the NBA Free Agent market is heating up as well - July 11th is when players can officially sign. Discussions have begun for what is anticipated to be a busy free agent season. Here are the players that NBA GM's will be sweating over.
---------------------- Blazing, Blistering Hot ----------------------
Chauncey Billups - Stats: 17.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 42.7 FG%, 34.5 3FG%
Analysis: Just like Vince Carter, Billups is expected to re-sign with the team he opted out from. Billups is a solid veteran leader and should be worthy of a max dollars, but will settle for something like $12-14 million a year. He opted out of a contract that would have paid him $6.8 million next year. Milwaukee will be the Pistons toughest competition in signing Billups.
Rashard Lewis - Stats: 22.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 spg, 46.1 FG%, 39 3FG%
Analysis: Rashard Lewis opted to become a free agent because he feels that he's worth more than $21 million over the next 2 years. The question is, is Lewis worth $75 million over the next 5 years? With the Sonics drafting Kevin Durant and trading for Jeff Green - both play similar positions as Lewis - Seattle could consider saving $15 million and use it later to keep their younger players. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Orlando Magic land Lewis to complement Dwight Howard.
---------------------- Scorching, Scalding Hot ----------------------
Gerald Wallace - Stats: 18.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 spg, 1.0 bpg, 50.2 FG%
Analysis: Gerald Wallace's biggest attribute is often his biggest flaw. With no regard for the safety of his own body, Wallace constantly sacrifices himself for every rebound and every possession. Diving around didn't hurt him as much last season as it hurt him more in 2006 when he missed nearly 30 games, but his style of play could hinder the amount of money a team is willing to offer him. When Wallace can control himself and stay healthy he's a stat stuffer - steals, rebounds, blocks, percentage. The Bobcats should match any offer made for Wallace.
Mo Williams - Stats: 17.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 44.6 FG%, 34.6 3FG%
Analysis: Limited point guard's in the NBA draft made Mike Conley Jr.'s stock skyrocket. Limited guards in the free agent market could boost Mo William's stock also. The Bucks might have to pony up a pretty penny to keep Williams in Wisconsin - but it would be well worth it.
---------------------- Humid Hot ----------------------
Andres Nocioni - Analysis: Nocioni was a key contributor for the Bulls last season. His poor showing in the playoffs could turn out to be a good thing for Chicago. Since they are able to match any offer made for Nocioni, some teams might undervalue his skills and not attempt to outbid the Bulls. Chicago could end up re-signing him for a bargain.
Darko Milicic - Analysis: If Orlando is a true contender in the Lewis running, they might chose to let Milicic go. His value might be higher than his skills because of his draft position (between James and Melo before Wade) and potential, as one East scout said, "Considering his age (22), his development and his potential -- and when you factor in what a lot of big men make -- $50 million for Milicic could be a bargain". Darko wants $8 million per season and because the Magic will only have around $10 million to spend, signing both Milicic and Lewis will be an impossibility.
Mickael Pietrus - Analysis: Pietrus is a restricted free agent which means that Golden State can match any offer for him, but it feels like Pietrus might be done in the Bay area. The Warriors are going to try to re-sign Matt Barnes and they might also be interested in signing a bigger name than Pietrus - which could cost more money. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Warriors are in the market for players like Darko Milicic, Andres Nocioni, Anderson Varajeo and Gerald Wallace. The Raptors and Bulls have shown interest in Pietrus and Chicago could sign Pietrus as a cheap replacement if the don't sign Nocioni.
---------------------- Warm ----------------------
Jerry Stackhouse - Analysis: The Maverick's are trying to sign their sixth man and the Dallas Morning News has proposed that the Mavericks will also land another player. The Mavs are interested in Mikki Moore, and it was reported on Rotowire.com that they have contacted Gerald Wallce, P.J. Brown, James Posey and Devean George.
Anderson Varejao - Analysis: It's my understanding that Varejao will remain in Cleveland because GM Danny Ferry can match any offer to keep the floppy haired Brazilian.
Matt Barnes - Analysis: Barnes was one of the NBA's best bargains last season. Barnes was paid the league minimum $771,331. Not next year!
Matt Carroll - Analysis: A young up and coming talent will make a great addition to any line-up. Michael Jordan should do his best to keep Carroll in Charlotte.
---------------------- Mild ----------------------
Desmond Mason - Analysis: Desmond Mason won the Dunk Contest in 2001.
Grant Hill - Analysis: Reports are that Hill will chase a Championship and could sign in Phoenix or San Antonio.
Chris Webber - Analysis: The Fab 5 is now old school. The new Fab 5 will be the Freshman of '04 (Gator Boys).
Mikki Moore - Analysis: With Carter signed, New Jersey will turn its focus on signing Mikki Moore. Moore had a break-out season last year - most of protrade knows who Moore is because his stock price got a lot of attention (see definition: Moored). The Nets think Moore is worth between $10 million and $12 million over three years. If Moore is offered midlevel money from another team (more than $5 million per year) the Nets may let him leave much like when they let Brian Scalabrine go after Boston offered him $15 million for five years back in 2005.
Ruben Patterson - Analysis: Patterson had a great season last year and with no serious small forwards on the Bucks roster, they should re-sign him.
DeShawn Stevenson - Analysis: Stevenson benefited from the Gilbert Arenas injury and it has been reported that the Wizards will offer Stevenson a 3 year contract worth $9 million.
Andray Blatche - Analysis: Andray Blatche played well filling in for the injured Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. New Jersey is interested in Blatche and it has been reported that they will offer a contract that pays around $4 million a year.
Earl Boykins - Analysis: Boykins might end up being the number 1 option at point guard in Milwaukee.
Fabricio Oberto - Analysis: On the cover of Sports Illustrated in the place where Horry should have been. Should re-sign.
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