Post by IanBoyd on Apr 14, 2017 10:08:42 GMT -6
1. Eddy Curry C 30 7'1'' 305 A- C- C- A A- D (Timberwolves)
Like most Timberwolves players, Eddy Curry flies under the radar due to ayyoe's lack of shout activity, but there is nothing under the radar about the numbers Eddy Curry has put up the past few seasons. Curry has become one of the best 2-way centers in the entire league, shooting at a plus efficiency level, blocks over 3 shots a game and gives you the added benefit of 1+ steals per game on top of low turnovers, there's virtually no holes in Curry's game. Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, because his current contract is so cheap, ayyoe will not have the advantage of utilizing the 19 mil per year flat veteran max, should Curry hit the open market, expect him to get paid.
Projected Value: 6 year max
2. Benoit Benjamin C 7'0'' 265 31 B+ C C- A+ A D (Kings)
Benoit's efficiency has dipped slightly since being traded from the Jazz but he remains one of, if not the best defensive players in the league. It was revealed by 20s that prior to this TC, Benjamin was 100 in all the relevant big man attributes (Inside, Jump Shot, Shot Blocking, Strength, Rebounding). With a bounce back season and perhaps a slightly lucky TC, Benoit could easily become the best center in the league again next year, the only slight downside is his handling, 1.7 isn't a lot, but for elite big men, most GMs prefer TOs at or below 1 per game. I expect the Kings to resign Benjamin to the flat 19 mil per year veteran max.
Projected Value: 19 mil flat vet max
3. Patrick Ewing C 7'0'' 255 32 B+ C C- A+ A- C (Nets)
With the controversial Ewing
Projected Value: 19 mil flat vet max
4. Alonzo Mourning C 6'10'' 260 36 A- C+ C- B+ A- C (Grizzlies)
Mourning has had a career rejuvenation of sorts since arriving north of the border in Vancouver, the fountain of youth that must have been the Vancouver fall foliage has turned Mourning from a big man that shoots too much with inefficient percentages into a plus offensive player again. Along with the young Chris Kaman, Mourning anchors one of the stoutest front courts in the league defensively and has been a huge part of the Grizzlies winning the Pacific. Though I doubt his newfound youth can be kept up much longer, should Mourning decide to postpone retirement 1 more year and hit the free agency market, I fully expect GM andrewluck to bring him back with a max.
Projected Value: 1 year max
5. Pau Gasol C 7'0'' 250 32 B+ C- C B+ A D (Hornets)
The 5th and final spot of the big men free agency rankings takes a huge dropoff, with the 7 foot Spaniard taking the spot over a plethora of d/r only bigs. Pau isn't nearly efficient offensively as any of his counterparts in the rankings and will likely not return to the Hornets should he test free agency due to cap reasons and the recent trade for the newest DPOY Slava Medvedenko. But teams needing both rebounding and shot blocking help will still find Pau to be a valuable asset. At over 13 rebounds a game and close to 4 blocks, Gasol is as good of a pure d/r as any big in the league, expect those with cap space needing big man help that strike out on the top 4 to possibly throw a short term max at Gasol.
Projected Value: 2 year max
Wings:
1. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist SF 6'8'' 247 27 A- B- B- B+ B- D (Hawks)
All jokes of 31-10SinceSimThree aside, the MKG trade was the definitive turning point of the Hawks' division winning season. Putting up well over 4 penises in his butt (sorry 20s) a game, MKG is by far the best defensive wing in the league not named Lebron James, but with the added benefit of being SG eligible. While his offense hovers between below par and maybe league average on any given year, the impact on the defensive end cannot be overstated enough. Expect MKG to receive a max contract from any team with cap space.
Projected Value: 6 year max
2. Jayson Tatum SF 6'8'' 210 23 B A C- B- C+ B (Lakers)
The first expiring rookie on the free agency rankings. Following a stellar rookie season in LA, Tatum hasn't developed quite as fast as many expected, and after the acquisition of Chauncey Billups via the draft and Marvin Williams via trade, Tatum has found himself squarely in the 3rd option role for a playoff contender instead of being the primary scoring option in his first few years. Despite a horrendous start to his contract season, Tatum has bounced back to slightly above average efficiency scoring wise, and though he's still not a plus defender given his low steals numbers for a shooting guard, Jayson does put up a respectable 0.9 blocks per game and is solid on the boards. As a 23 year old SG eligible wing, should he test free agency, I expect Tatum to be maxed by any team with cap space.
Projected Value: 6 year max
3. Josh Jackson SF 6'8'' 203 23 B A- B- B+ B B (Celtics)
The second expiring rookie for the wing free agency rankings. Following his inexplicable drop to the 10th pick despite an outstanding summit performance, Josh Jackson has developed an outside shooting stroke that many thought would hold him back. Now as a primary scoring option for a solid playoff contender in the Boston Celtics, Josh has had a career season at just the right time to earn the big bucks, scoring close to 27 a game and grabbing over 9 rebounds, Jackson only needs to improve his efficiency by a bit and cut down on a turnovers by about half a game and he'd instantly be in the conversation for elite status amongst the SG eligible wings. Expect him to receive a max contract during free agency.
Projected Value: 6 year max
4. Elgin Baylor SF 6'6'' 230 35 B A- C A- B- C (Rockets)
After leading the league in scoring at 34 years old, Elgin Baylor is showing signs of major decline that many veterans experience before announcing retirement. His drop off is likely the primary reason for the Rockets' slide from having the best record in the league to only a humble 6th seed this year. However, Baylor's greatness has never been just his offensive production, during his peak, Baylor was perhaps the best shooting guard the league had ever seen, putting up over 4.5 penises in his butt. Though his stock production is no longer at MKG level, Elgin is still one of the best in the league at it. Should he return for his lucky 13th season, I expect the Rockets to either 1 year max him to the tune over over 20 mil or receive a 19 mil flat veteran max.
Projected Value: 19 mil flat vet max
5. John Long SG 6'5'' 210 32 B- A B- A- C D (Timberwolves)
Following many years of being relegated to leading a hapless fringe playoff team, the unheralded John Long has finally found elite teammates on the perimeter to chase a title with after the shocking free agency decision of Larry Legend to the land of a thousand lakes. Being demoted to 3rd scoring option hasn't affected Long's efficiency at all, putting up close to 24 points on nearly 48% FG. However, as is the case with Eddy Curry, Long's current contract being below market value could possibly now backfire for ayyoe, with him being able to only offer 18 mil starting salary to John. If the Timberwolves want to keep the newly formed trio of Dame, Bird and Long together, they will likely have to offer him a max with standard increases to fend off the suitors instead of a flat max offer.
Projected Value: 6 year max
Point Guards:
1. Lonzo Ball PG 6'6'' 190 23 C+ A A+ A C+ B (Spurs)
The honor of being the crown jewel of this year's free agency class goes to the son of Big Baller CEO LaVar. Lonzo has grown by a staggering +9 from his already impressive draft grades. Since answering the question of being a volume shooter or not in the summit, Lonzo has improved in just about every statistical category every season, even shaving his TO numbers to only 2 per game in his contract year. At 6'6'' and C+, Ball is one of the tallest and best rebounding point guard in the league, rivaled only by newly crowned MVP Reggie Theus. Any team with cap space that lacks a point guard will trip over themselves to offer the big baller a
Projected value: 6 year max
2. Markelle Fultz PG 6'5'' 195 22 B+ A- B+ A- C B (Raptors)
The former #1 overall pick of the 3043 class finds himself at the 2nd spot on the point guard rankings in free agency. Fultz is perhaps the most intriguing prospect this year. He has had more 50 point outbursts than any of his rookie class, but is also by far the most careless with the ball. After 4 years, it seems unlikely that Markelle will develop the handles necessary to become an elite point guard. However, many in the league suspect that Fultz's future is likely better suited as a shooting guard than point. At 6'5'', Markelle has the size to match up with the wings in the league, and should he cut his turnover numbers down to the low 2s or even in the 1s, Fultz would be a no brainer max worth shooting guard.
Projected value: 6 year max
3. Rafer Alston PG 6'2'' 171 28 B+ A- A B D B (Grizzlies)
One of the most underpaid players in the league, Rafer shocked the world 3 years ago by asking for what was basically an extended MLE over testing free agency for what would have been likely a full max contract. Despite a down year after a stellar 1st season campaign in Vancouver following being traded for lolCornellGreen, Rafer still put up a respectable 25.8 ppg on 45% FG. Should Skip 2 My Lou decide to test free agency this time around, I expect he will be properly compensated for his talents.
Projected value: 6 year max
4. Dennis Smith Jr PG 6'2'' 190 23 B B A- B+ C B (Celtics)
Another intriguing prospect from the 3043 rookie class, DSJr has spent the better part of the last 2 years sitting on the bench behind a franchise PG in Jason Williams. Its unlikely that Smith will play his 5th season in Boston due to roster makeup and cap constraints, but suitors for a point guard in free agency has praised the potential Dennis has shown during starts in the preseason. It will be a gamble that could result in another lolCornellGreen, but expect DSJr to be paid a max by...someone in free agency.
Projected value: 6 year max
5. Roberto Mottola PG 6'2'' 196 34 C- A- C- A- C- D (Bobcats)
The tank commander himself, all other tanking point guards bow to him, he of 6 turnovers a game, securer of top 3 odds. He shall receive another escalated max by the RobertFelines to the tune of 25 million for 1 year. So it is written.
Projected value: 1 year 25 mil
![[Account Deleted] Avatar](http://storage.proboards.com/5589790/avatar/ZhaFVHTxVPwmyuOiOKEd.png)
