So Chicago Tim asks: Can you plug that into the free agency report so the Bulls get credit for a good deal? You can thank him for this post. Oh and go check out my Knicks review on Wages of Wins
Note: A sharp eyed Clipper Fan noticed I had a player missing. I added him (Ryan Gomes), Shaq and Jason Williams. Updated the tables and comments for those three teams.
Did you know that Luther Head failed his physical with New Orleans? Or that Matt Bonner is going to have a lot more meat money? Or that Chris Douglas Roberts is now a deer? I do now. I just spent my entire lunch hour updating the Free Agent Guide (see here). The table included all player options, restricted and unrestricted free agents and all players with ridiculous ETO’s that did not exercise (like Jason Kapono). I’m including Shaq to the Celts as well.
Updated Winners & Losers
Here’s my quick table on winners and losers. Top 10 in green, next ten in yellow and everyone else in red :
Quick Thoughts & Grades by Team :
- Miami: Since my first review their roster actually improved. 14 players for about $76 million per year that netted an average of 78 wins per year for the last three years. Again, wow,just wow. My Grade: Eleventy
- Chicago: The Bulls did not get exactly what they wanted but they still massively upgraded. Chicago went four out of six (Korver is marginal). 6 players for about $30 million per year that netted an average of 29 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: A+
- Detroit: Detroit kept Ben Wallace and four of their current players. That’s real forward looking. 4 players for about $10 million per year that netted an average of 15 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: B for good value but not enough
- Phoenix: Classic Suns pantsing the league on Childress and cutting payroll. Adding Warrick as well more than replaces the value lost when Amare left. The only reason I withhold an A is Frye. Looking at their roster they may not be done yet. 4 players for about $20 million per year that netted an average of 19 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: B+ for now
- Golden State : A forum on whether or not you like David Lee. Dorell Wright is good. Pargo is very,very,very,very bad . 3 players for about $18 million per year that netted an average of 18 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: B-, no selection bias here but really Pargo?!?!?
- Orlando: The Magic keep bringing in average (.100 WP48 players). Great for the regular season not so much for the playoff. 4 players for about $13.6 million per year that netted an average of 15 wins per year for the last three years My Grade: C- for not doing enough to win a title
- Lakers: As a Celtics fan, #$#%% #@%@@!!!! And they stole a guy in the 2nd round of the draft (Caracter). The Kobe deal (not included on the list as it happened in-season) could be the turd in the punch bowl in the future. 4 players for about $11 million per year that netted an average of 13 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: A+
- Houston: Better than it looks. Yao re-upping for one year is worth a hundred million easy to that franchise. 6 players for about $47 million per year that netted an average of 33 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: B Jared Jeffries makes it so
- Boston: Better on paper. I heart Pierce & Allen but they sure are creaky. Love me some pocket kryptonite. Jermaine O’Neal? Just Ugh! The Rondo deal (again not counted in the total as it happened in-season) & Shaq at the veteran Minimum keeps a passing grade. 6 players for about $39 million per year that netted an average of 27 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: C+ for My Creaky Celtics (see here for their new theme song)
- Portland: Matthews is good but they need minutes for him. 2 players for about $14 million per year that netted an average of 10 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: Incomplete pending whatever trade they make.
- Cleveland :Pretty much no one is walking through that door. Blow it up and build through the draft. 2 players for about $2 million per year that netted an average of 3 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: E for bad times on Lake Erie
- Washington : Same as Cleveland,pretty much no one is walking through that door. Dan Gilbert take note, this team has already blown it up and is building through the draft. 1 players for about $4 million per year that netted an average of 3 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: B because the first step is to accept that we are powerless
- Toronto:Meh. 3 players for about $12 million per year that netted an average of 8 wins per year for the last three years My Grade: D for doubt they’ll make the playoffs
- Milwakee: Sneaky. Makes a good team, slightly better and deeper. Fell some Anxiety about the Deer! 3 players for about $15 million per year that netted an average of 9 wins per year for the last three years My Grade: B- for Bucks
- Knicks: New York deserves and will get their own post. I will say that by breaking even they lapped the regime of Lord Thomas. 3 players for about $29 million per year that netted an average of 17 wins per year for the last three years My Grade: C they passed. Go here for the full review
- San Antonio: Love the Splitter deal at a minimum it gives them flexibility and saves Duncan for the playoffs at a maximum it sets them up for a dogfight with OKC and the Lakers for the West crown for the next few years. Don’t like the Jefferson deal.3 players for about $17 million per year that netted an average of 10 wins per year for the last three years My Grade: B for split returns
- Clippers : A lot of sound and fury signifying nothing. 4 players for about $11.6 million per year that netted an average of 6 wins per year for the last three years My Grade: C- for same old Clippers
- Utah : Didn’t this team move to Chicago? 2 players for about $2 million per year that netted an average of 0 wins per year for the last three years My Grade: F for abseentism
- OKC : Not a lot done. Presti thinks he has a good hand. Flipped players for picks.1 players for about $1 million per year that netted an average of 0 wins per year for the last three years My Grade: We will C about Cole
- Pacers : Anytime you can overpay for a point guard you gotta do it right? (and to offset any possible bad karma, Larry Bird is the greatest player ever) . 1 players for about $8.5 million per year that netted an average of 4 wins per year for the last three years My Grade: F for F$%^ if I know what he’s thinking
- Kings : Anytime you can bring in a defensive stopper from one of the worst defensive teams in the league you gotta do it right? 1 players for about $1 million per year that netted an average of -1 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: MalooF
- Nets: Throwing some good money after bad. They’re getting a new GM though 7 players for about $25 million per year that netted an average of 12 wins per year for the last three years.My Grade: C- comrade
- Charlotte: Sneaky. Young above average PF on the cheap (Thomas). Could be good but they need to start him. Shaun Livingston gives them an A for me. 3 players for about $18 million per year that netted an average of 8 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: A for Air
- Atlanta : Question, what Free Agent contracts were signed that were immediately untradeable? Answer: Joe Johnson & Rudy Gay. 3 players for about $23 million per year that netted an average of 11 wins per year for the last three years. Grade: Z for Zombie franchise killer contracts.
- Dallas: Cuban seem to delight at paying full price on day old cheese. Yes it tastes good now but pretty they’re past the expiration date. 4 players for about $43 million per year that netted an average of 22 wins per year for the last three years. Grade: D for Dirk is Dissapoint
- Denver: Meh again. 4 players for about $25 million per year that netted an average of 11 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: D
- Memphis: At least Atlanta got some wins out of the deal. 2 players for about $20 million per year that netted an average of 3 wins per year for the last three years. Grade: Omega
- Minnesota:KHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 players for about $28 million per year that netted an average of 6 wins per year for the last three years. Grade: F-
- 76ers : The Sixers payed good money to get worse. 3 players for about $12 million per year that netted an average of -4 wins per year for the last three years. My Grade: Divide by zero
- Hornets: I’m registering the URL Free Chris Paul as we speak. 3 players for about $22 million per year that netted an average of 2 wins per year for the last three years My Grade: H for Hopeless Hornets
Posted in: Uncategorized
bduran
08/03/2010
I like Hollinger’s take on the Richard Jefferson deal. He was going to make 15 mil and cost us a lot in luxury tax. So if you look at it like an extension, the Spurs signed him to 3 more years for $14 mil, and are paying him $8 mil this year. So over 4 years he costs $22 mil. So now instead of getting Bonner, Splitter, and RJ for $17 mil a year it’s about $12. Puts the Spurs in the green in your chart.
Of course, if there wasn’t some sort of hidden agreement before the opt out then it kind of looks like RJ took them for a ride. As a Spurs fan I’m going to assume FO genius.
arturogalletti
08/03/2010
bduran,
I love Splitter and like the Bonner deal. The problem is that the Jefferson deal is atrocious. He let the Spurs out his contract and they went back for more. They have players like Blair who need more minutes and they could have another SF at that price (say for example Matt Barnes). I think Pop got it mostly right.
Chicago Tim
08/04/2010
Thank you!
Yes, Chicago massively upgraded, but I’m afraid that they might be better in the regular season than the playoffs. Lots of quality players, decent depth, not enough superstars — unless Rose finally blossoms. But there weren’t many superstars available in free agency, and it seems like Miami got most of them (and decent back-ups as well!). At least the Bulls got Boozer.
Once again, I’m banking on Miami playing the wrong people at center and point guard. Well, maybe I’m desperately hoping!
arturogalletti
08/04/2010
Tim,
I think expecting the Heat (and Riley) not to realize that they need to use Lebron like Magic is a bit of Fool’s gold.
I totally agree on Chicago and Rose.
Chicago Tim
08/05/2010
I don’t know, as far as I can tell from scanning the web, the Miami Heat sportswriters and fans are talking about who will start at center and point guard, and none of them are talking about Bosh at center or James (or Wade) at point guard. Maybe they talk about Haslem at center, but only against teams with similarly-undersized centers.
As a Chicago fan, it’s very heartening.
Here are some samples:
http://www.peninsulaismightier.com/2010/8/5/1606429/who-will-be-the-center-of
http://www.peninsulaismightier.com/2010/8/2/1594991/daily-poll-who-should-start-at-pg
arturogalletti
08/05/2010
Sportwriters, what do they know? Chalmers,Wade,Lebron,Haslem, Bosh to start, Arroyo,House,Miller,and two out of four of Howard, Randolph,Anthony or Z as the second unit. Book it. Done.
Chicago Tim
08/05/2010
At least you don’t have James or Wade at point and Miller as a starter. That’s something, since there is quite a difference between Chalmers or Arroyo and Miller.
How many minutes is Miller going to get backing up James and Wade? How many in the playoffs, if the games are still in doubt?
But I’m still not sure they’ll have the guts to put Haslem out there against tall centers, or that Bosh is willing to switch to center.
arturogalletti
08/05/2010
Miller will be the Posey of this team, he’ll get as many minutes as possible (and a whole bunch in crunch time). We’ve already established that Bosh will do whatever Wade and Lebron tell him.
Chicago Tim
08/06/2010
Then Miller may be playing out of position at small forward, and Haslem may be sitting. They can’t sit Wade and King in crunch time, and for the money they paid I doubt they will sit Bosh. If they don’t sit Chalmers and Arroyo at the same time, that leaves Miller out of position at small forward and Haslem sitting. And if they don’t play Bosh at center, there’s no way Miller can play center.
If you believe Wade (and I’m not sure I do), he was truly torn, and Bosh was the one who insisted on Miami over Chicago. So maybe Wade and King do what Bosh wants!
Now you have me eager to watch the Heat, just to see who gets the minutes.
Chicago Tim
08/06/2010
Correction: Miller may be playing out of position at power forward.
Chicago Tim
08/06/2010
Another correction. I must be sleepy this morning. For “King” read “James.”
Maybe I should start over.
Miller may be playing out of position at power forward, and Haslem may be sitting. They can’t sit Wade and James in crunch time, and for the money they paid I doubt they will sit Bosh. If they don’t sit Chalmers and Arroyo at the same time, that leaves Miller out of position at power forward and Haslem sitting. And if they don’t play Bosh at center, there’s no way Miller can play center.
Chicago Tim
08/06/2010
LeBron could screw up my hopes in two ways. He could focus on assists and play point guard like Magic, or he could focus on post moves and rebounding and play power forward or center. Like Magic, he can really play all five positions, but he seems most interested in the small forward position. It will be interesting to see if he plays the positions that allow for the best line up, and if so, whether he takes his alleged position seriously, or just plays the same regardless.
arturogalletti
08/06/2010
Tim,
Crunch time five:
Lebron,Wade,Miller,Haslem & Bosh (Lebron guards the inbound pass & him and Wade pressure/bring up the ball the ball,Miller’s the designated three point threat). It so obvious that they can’t screw it up.
Shawn Ryan
08/04/2010
“My Grade: Divide by zero”
LOLed
Chicago Tim
08/04/2010
About Tyrus Thomas, when he played for the Bulls he always wowed the audience and statisticians, but the coaches and sportwriters were always down on him. He apparently has a huge attitude problem that keeps him from starting, despite his obvious ability.
Maybe his new contract and coach will settle him down, but I don’t blame the Bulls for trading him. Plus, I like the odds that Jordan will turn Charlotte into a lottery team by the time the draft pick traded to the Bulls becomes unprotected (2016).
ClipFan
08/04/2010
Hey, I don’t mean to be a douchebag but you didn’t include Ryan Gomes contract with the Clippers.
arturogalletti
08/04/2010
Missed it. I’ll add it in a few.
arturogalletti
08/04/2010
Fixed. Do you have any requests for a post?
Tony
08/05/2010
Yao extension? I haven’t heard any such news.
arturogalletti
08/05/2010
Sorry about the confusion. He chose not to opt out and re-upped for 2010-11. I cleared it up in the post.
Chicago Tim
08/06/2010
I just noticed that you haven’t included free agents from Europe, presumably because they have no track record in the U.S. I think the Bulls got a good deal when they signed Omer Asik for three years for $3,578,500.
In the immediate future Asik’s minutes may take away from Kurt Thomas, who is probably still the better player. But Asik will, I hope, learn from Kurt Thomas. Although Asik just turned 24, he hasn’t trained or played in the NBA and I’m hoping he can still improve a great deal.
At any rate, it’s a great deal less than other teams have payed for European transfers with no more stellar records.
arturogalletti
08/06/2010
Tim,
It’s really hard to project European players unless they have a prior track record. Asik is a good bench addition with experience and upside. We’ll see.