This is the worst time of the year to be a sports fan - we go from having the NBA and NHL playoffs on every night to only having midseason baseball to tune in to. Nothing against baseball, but there are much more exciting things than watching game 75 of a team's 162 game schedule. Seinfeld reruns, anyone?
I realize this is somewhat turning into a NBA blog, but this is really the only thing of note that's going on right now (and basketball is my expertise). I could rave about how Chris Davis hits 800 homers every game or how Josh Hamilton is sucking or how the Pirates have the best record in baseball and they only win 63% of their games. But that all is gonna change in the next 2 weeks anyway.
So here we are, the first day of NBA free agency. The next few days will be littered with reports on who's offering what to whom and so on and so on. I'm here to tell you where the top NBA free agents should go and where they'll have the best chance to be successful. If they end up somewhere else, that's on them - and I'll be here to write about it after.
*Note: Official decisions can't be made and contracts can't be signed til July 10*
1) Chris Paul
He's gonna go back to the Clippers. They've offered him a 5-year/$107 million deal to play on a contender, have one of the best coaches in the game, and essentially have partial control on anything that franchise does. Plus, he loves LA. He's not going anywhere (I just included him so Dwight Howard aka Captain Waffle wouldn't be number 1).
2) Dwight Howard
Ideally, D12 would end up in Houston. Jeremy Lin, James Harden, Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik, and Dwight form a starting line-up that would be lethal offensively and respectable defensively under coach Kevin McHale. They would turn into instant title contenders, and he wouldn't have all the pressure and expectations he had in Lakerland. And there's the history of Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming to help lure him. A win-win for all involved.
But we all now how much Dwight loves to flip-flop more than summertime and not make decisions, and then make terrible ones when he does. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in Dallas where everything is flashy and have Mark Cuban constantly coddling him. Hopefully, he ends up a Rocket.
3) Josh Smith
Anyone who has watched Josh Smith play more than once becomes overwhelming frustrated with him. He is one of the most talented players in the league with the ability to do everything - but the one thing he loves more than anything else in the world are long 2-pointers a step inside the line. And he's absolutely terrible at that shot.
Some team will inevitably overpay him (you'd think someone would pick up on the fact that the Hawks have NO desire to resign him), and that team will probably be Detroit. The Pistons have plenty of cap space, and will probably try and pair him up with another second-tier star. The only other team really interested is the Rockets, but they see Smoove as more of a backup plan if they can't get Dwight - unless they made some major sign-and-trade with the Hawks or did something crafty to free up a ton of cap room. You never know what Houston's front office is capable of (I'm pretty sure GM Daryl Morey was behind Inception). For now, I'm saying Detroit.
4) Andre Iguodala
He would still fit nice in Denver, but I think the Nuggets are on the downturn. The have a roster perfect for the up-and-down pace George Karl loved to play, but now Brian Shaw is the head coach. I think Shaw will do a great job, but their going to have to overhaul their roster, and Iggy's getting too old to rebuild. New Orleans is in the mix, as are Dallas and Utah - but is anyone seeing San Antonio?
The Spurs have cap space, and Manu is either gonna retire (which I think he will) or come back at a reduced rate. Iggy would fit perfectly in the Spurs team-first system and contributes in every statistical category. Plus, a defense with Kawhi Leonard and Andre on the wings would stifle opponents.
5) Andrew Bynum
Bynum is everyone's back-up plan if they can't land Captain Waffle. That means Dallas and Atlanta are his main suitors if Houston gets Dwight. He'd probably pick Dallas, but I think he should go Atlanta. The Hawks would pair him with All-Star Al Horford down low, and would still have boatloads of cap space and roster spots to fill out. He would have the option of having a capable second-banana right off the bat and a roster built around him. Not a bad fit.
I realize this is somewhat turning into a NBA blog, but this is really the only thing of note that's going on right now (and basketball is my expertise). I could rave about how Chris Davis hits 800 homers every game or how Josh Hamilton is sucking or how the Pirates have the best record in baseball and they only win 63% of their games. But that all is gonna change in the next 2 weeks anyway.
So here we are, the first day of NBA free agency. The next few days will be littered with reports on who's offering what to whom and so on and so on. I'm here to tell you where the top NBA free agents should go and where they'll have the best chance to be successful. If they end up somewhere else, that's on them - and I'll be here to write about it after.
*Note: Official decisions can't be made and contracts can't be signed til July 10*
1) Chris Paul
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| Captain Waffle can never make up his mind |
2) Dwight Howard
Ideally, D12 would end up in Houston. Jeremy Lin, James Harden, Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik, and Dwight form a starting line-up that would be lethal offensively and respectable defensively under coach Kevin McHale. They would turn into instant title contenders, and he wouldn't have all the pressure and expectations he had in Lakerland. And there's the history of Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming to help lure him. A win-win for all involved.
But we all now how much Dwight loves to flip-flop more than summertime and not make decisions, and then make terrible ones when he does. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in Dallas where everything is flashy and have Mark Cuban constantly coddling him. Hopefully, he ends up a Rocket.
3) Josh Smith
Anyone who has watched Josh Smith play more than once becomes overwhelming frustrated with him. He is one of the most talented players in the league with the ability to do everything - but the one thing he loves more than anything else in the world are long 2-pointers a step inside the line. And he's absolutely terrible at that shot.
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| No more jumpers Josh!! |
Some team will inevitably overpay him (you'd think someone would pick up on the fact that the Hawks have NO desire to resign him), and that team will probably be Detroit. The Pistons have plenty of cap space, and will probably try and pair him up with another second-tier star. The only other team really interested is the Rockets, but they see Smoove as more of a backup plan if they can't get Dwight - unless they made some major sign-and-trade with the Hawks or did something crafty to free up a ton of cap room. You never know what Houston's front office is capable of (I'm pretty sure GM Daryl Morey was behind Inception). For now, I'm saying Detroit.
4) Andre Iguodala
He would still fit nice in Denver, but I think the Nuggets are on the downturn. The have a roster perfect for the up-and-down pace George Karl loved to play, but now Brian Shaw is the head coach. I think Shaw will do a great job, but their going to have to overhaul their roster, and Iggy's getting too old to rebuild. New Orleans is in the mix, as are Dallas and Utah - but is anyone seeing San Antonio?
The Spurs have cap space, and Manu is either gonna retire (which I think he will) or come back at a reduced rate. Iggy would fit perfectly in the Spurs team-first system and contributes in every statistical category. Plus, a defense with Kawhi Leonard and Andre on the wings would stifle opponents.
5) Andrew Bynum
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| Bynum's hair was the Sixers biggest storyline last season - that and him not playing a game in 2012-13 |
6) Monta Ellis
Monta just seemed to hate Milwaukee - he turned down a one-year player option and a 3-year/$36 million extension (which is much more than he'll get in free agency). The best place for him? Chicago! Couldn't be a more perfect fit. Ellis can score however he wants on offense, but plays no D. The Bull are all about defense, but struggle to score 80. Bringing him off the bench in a Manu Ginobili-esqe role would make the Bulls that much more of a threat to knock off the Heat.
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| Evans needs to get out of Sac-town |
7) Tyreke Evans
Evans has been mostly an afterthought since his 20-5-5 Rookie of the Year campaign, but he's still an above-average starter who continues to develop his game. The Pistons, Mavs, and Kings (resigning) are all interested, but I think he'll end up a Pelican in New Orleans. They've already offered him a 4-year/$44 million deal, and have put the full court press on to sign him. With him, Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, and Anthony Davis, this team might be playoff bound next season.
Evans is a restricted free agent, so the Kings can match any offer another team gives him.
Evans is a restricted free agent, so the Kings can match any offer another team gives him.
8) David West
West was the heart and soul of this up-and-coming Pacer team. He'll get offers from everyone with cap space, but he'll be back in Indiana.
9) Al Jefferson & Paul Millsap
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| Al Jefferson has been stuck on bad teams his whole career |
A 2-for-1 special! Both Jazz big men are on the market, but I ultimately think one will resign with the team to fill out their 3-man big rotation featuring young studs Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. That person will likely be Millsap, who will demand a lot less than Jefferson will.
Charlotte was noted as the first big suitor for Jefferson, but there's not a big chance he ends up a Bobcat/Hornet (if he does, there's hope for 2014!! Kemba, Gerald/MKG, Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker, Cody Zeller, and Big Al - that's a very solid starting line up if you ask me...the lottery just has to agree). My guess he ends up in Detroit with Josh Smith as they try and bring the Pistons back to the playoffs with current players Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond, and the corpse of Brandon Knight.
10) O.J. Mayo
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| Mayo had a very forgettable year for Dallas in 2012-13 |
Mayo's stock has been dropping ever since he was the top high school prospect in the country, but he is beginning to settle into his role as a key role player either in the starting line-up or coming off the bench. My guess for him would be to end up on the Clippers, a team that needs shooting guard - and shooting, Mayo's specialty - help. Doc Rivers is the perfect coach to help reign in Mayo's loose cannon personality and get the most out of him. I think it's another perfect fit, but they probably won't pay him as much as another team who will overpay, desperate for talent.
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