Even if his values rises, I trust DWill to realize that he's got a home now. He's moved around, had many coaches and systems. Phil has identified a role for him, one that he can better and better at. All of Phil's great teams have had that ballhandling big forward come in. Lamar Odom for the Lakers. Kukoc for those Bulls. He can be in that role, and is given the freedom to do things in the Triangle and this team that he wouldn't in other situations.
If some idiot gives Williams 10 million per, you let him walk. However I think GM's and executives are weary of Williams. He has a track record. While his numbers and impact look good in NY, many won't see beyond his past. I would be surprised if Williams got contract offers in excess of 32 million/4 years. That's the absolute most I see him getting and even that's a stretch. I think 28 million over 4 years, or 22/3 keeps Williams in NY. Question is whether he is worth that investment. The way he has fit in and the way he has played, hard to argue against that. He's only 25 and has so much talent, you think that if he can add a 3 point shot, and keep working on his mental approach to the game, he can peak at 26-27 years old and be a heck of a 6th man.
On the other hand, Afflalo, I can't see get much more than the 8 million a year he is making. He's showing why. He's good on some nights, but not a star or a reliable 2nd or 3rd option. I think at best he gets 20 million/2 years. I think we can keep him at 20/2 or 24/3. I'd stick with a shorter contract because of age.
If say Williams takes 7 million of capspace and Afflalo 10, we still have enough left over to add a quality stater, or sign 2 quality players for the bench. Our biggest weakness is that we don't have players that can sustain a level once starters go out and we're too heavily realiant on old starters like Melo, Afflalo and Calderon. Some depth will go a long way for this team. And I really believe that there's only one way to getting back to the very top, that's draft picks and young players like Porzingis, Williams and Grant improving. We're getting almost nothing from Grant this year (Aside from 2 big games, there hasn't been much). KP's still a foul machine and needs a post game. DWill has to work on his 3 point shot. If we can get these 3 to work on their weaknesses over the summer and come back next season better, that's major value added without even making a change.
If this team had 2 more solid (Not even good or great) guards to work with, I honestly think we'd be top 4 in the East right now. We'd be about 4 wins better which put us at 26-20, and a 45-47 wins type of team. With a young KP and Grant still able to improve. I take this entire team plus 2 quality guards added with capspace next season and trust that they can do far better. If they don't, then I move Melo for longterm assets. It's all about getting to the top, and you won't get to the bottom spending 25 million a year on Batum or DeRozan caliber players.
1/24/2016 7:16 PM
