2013 Free Agency - Guards Galore

[GVC]

GVC, I don't think $58mm will be the number in 13-14 but could be wrong. From what I've read, 4% raises to the BRI calc. should be in. Do you think they aren't for some reason?

Also, meeting the minimum wage is as easy is calling Ostertag up for a max one year deal. I think at minimum Jazz could take a terrible expiring along with a first and a young gamble to meet the minimum. They would still have the cap room you're looking at. That's scary room with The Four (HT Numberica), and why I think a guy like Howard should take a damn hard look.

1. I stuck with this year's cap figure to be as conservative as possible. If the cap goes up, the Jazz only have more cap space to work with.

2. The minimum I was talking about was the roster size minimum (there's a charge equal to the minimum salary for a 1st year player charged to a team's cap for every player fewer than 12 they have under contract). The Jazz can renounce cap holds of their own free agents when they're ready to sign a free agent. Again, I'm being conservative here, and using the highest possible number for the Jazz salary (assuming the Jazz renounce all their own free agents).

 

[GVC]

I like Harden but he isn't worth $11 million. I think he is more of an 7-9 million player.

Yikes. 17 4 and 4 on great percentages. He may be better as a second option, but even then should be getting more than 7-9 per.

 

[Darkwing Duck]

It's no secret that the Jazz, financially, are looking to the the summer of '13 to make a splash. I doubt the Jazz offer multiyear contracts to their current expirings (Miles and Howard). I would think the only way the Jazz take on a contract that's goes past next year is if it's a deal in their favor, for instance taking on a bad contract with Okur's TPE to get a high draft pick, prospect, etc. Teams also have to make quicker decisions on RFAs. It's down to two or three days instead of the seven it used to me, and the fourteen before that. Jazz can ruin a lot of teams financial flexibility by offering contracts to players like Curry and Harden that their teams would be unhappy to match.

The problem is, the Jazz are lacking one pretty substantial thing, a star player. Doesn't matter how flexible and how great a team is financially, until it gets a star player, the team won't be very good. The positive is that the Jazz have more chances to get a star player. A financially crippled team has less of a chance to land a star player than one that has bunches of cap room.

 

[GVC]

It's no secret that the Jazz, financially, are looking to the the summer of '13 to make a splash. I doubt the Jazz offer multiyear contracts to their current expirings (Miles and Howard). I would think the only way the Jazz take on a contract that's goes past next year is if it's a deal in their favor, for instance taking on a bad contract with Okur's TPE to get a high draft pick, prospect, etc. Teams also have to make quicker decisions on RFAs. It's down to two or three days instead of the seven it used to me, and the fourteen before that. Jazz can ruin a lot of teams financial flexibility by offering contracts to players like Curry and Harden that their teams would be unhappy to match.

The problem is, the Jazz are lacking one pretty substantial thing, a star player. Doesn't matter how flexible and how great a team is financially, until it gets a star player, the team won't be very good. The positive is that the Jazz have more chances to get a star player. A financially crippled team has less of a chance to land a star player than one that has bunches of cap room.

Before starting this thread, I considered posting the 2013 specifics in less detail in the Rondo thread. While I'm no fan of acquiring Rondo, if the FO/coaches think he can be the Jazz starting PG longterm, there'd still be plenty of cap space to sign a max free agent in 2013 with Rondo on board. With the new LT coming into effect for the 2013/14 season, it's entirely possible that the Jazz can land a pretty good player for expiring contracts next season. I would still prefer for Al to be dealt ASAP, but holding onto him might be a better play, as there could be some pretty desperate teams at next season's trade deadline. There's very little incentive to move Harris early, with no one needing minutes behind him. If anyone is willing to give the Jazz logterm pieces, half decent players who expire in 2013 or picks for CJ, he should be jettisoned. I'd be very surprised if he's back next season.

 

[orangello]

I am surprised that I am not hearing more people that want Curry. To me he is the best prospect from that list hands down. I get made fun of for liking Harden as much as I do, but if it was either Curry or Harden it is not even a choice, Curry every time.

 

[Bodhi]

This is a great thread, GVC. Rep'd.

 

[GVC]

I am surprised that I am not hearing more people that want Curry. To me he is the best prospect from that list hands down. I get made fun of for liking Harden as much as I do, but if it was either Curry or Harden it is not even a choice, Curry every time.

I would expect Ellis to exercise his ETO and become a free agent. At that point, the W's should have plenty of financial flexibility to match any offer for Curry. Same goes for Holliday in Philly. With Harden, though, OKC is going to have to make some tough choices. I imagine they'll still probably match any offer for Harden and most offers for Ibaka, and then start shedding their role players for pennies on the dollar, but you never know. If they decide against matching a max offer for Harden (which would likely be for less than 16 per over 4 years), I hope it's the Jazz making the offer.

 

[Jazz4ever]

Only a max offer can pry Harden away, and even then OKC might match. I would like to see some east team make him that offer though, otherwise the road to get out of the west will be near impossible for the next 5+ years.

 

[Favors Flave]

GVC took the words out of my mouth, offer Harden max!!

 

[Justys]

OKC will have to save some money for Ibaka. So I think Harden might be oobtainable, make it "toxic" and roll the dice. I to like Holiday or Curry.

 

[BluesRocker]

Harden is a freaking stud. Yes you offer him a lot. I think the guy could play point guard. He could be our next point. If he wanted to do that. But you all are forgeting something. Stars dont want to play here. And we are afraid of having them. Thats why we traded Dwill right?

What a more important question is what other teams are going to have space to sign him to a max. Probably a few, or at least a few will make room. Thats the game. Other teams are going to be eyeing him as well. And he'll probably choose somewhere else.

Our best chance to get the best players is to do it through the draft. Thats why we should be holding auctions right now for all our vets to bring in as many draft picks as we can. This is a small window we have right now to do what OKC did. If we could manage to get lucky and get 2-3 really good players together all similar ages, and locked up for a similar amount of time, then maybe we could convince them to stay because they are playing with good players and have a chance to win a championship. We cant hang our hopes on attracting top free agents. Aint happening.

We think we have four really good young players now, but we cant be sure. So thats why it is important to hit a homerun in this years draft, and next years too. To increases our chances we get lucky like OKC. Thats if you want some rings around here. But if you are ok with just making the playoffs then do it your way.

 

[Stifle Tower]

I can't believe I'm agreeing with BluesRocker. Better look out because I think I just saw swine overhead. And I think the weather channel just reported that Utah has frozen over!

Yep, let's pull a Portland on OKC. We've done it before in pursuing a couple of FA's before finally getting Boozer and Memo. Didn't Utah have signed offer sheets for Maggette and Brand and one other player that were matched by their respective teams? WE may not be able to attract "stars," but KOC has been able to attract lesser FA's who have a lot of upside and are looking for more playing time or solid vets like a Watson to fill out the bench.

I agree, though, Utah's best chance is to build through the draft. Since Harris, Jefferson, Bell, Miles and Howard aren't in the long-term plans, KOC needs to get whatever he can for them. Perhaps AL and Devin aren't tradeable until they have expiring contracts. But you have to think Miles and Howard would be worth a second-rounder, maybe even a late 1st to a contender. Get as many draft picks as possible. Then use the Memo TPE to pick up a starting wing.