Tyson Chandler got a lot of the credit he deserves but Barea was a big part of that team as well.
He is one of the most cost efficient players in the league, with his ability to penetrate, hit shots, use the pick and rolls, and stay in front of the defender.
His penetration creates open shots for the rest of the team, similar to what Harden does without the athleticism, size, and highlights.
He is strong as a rock and pound for pound, is one of the toughest players in the league.
He is instant offense off the bench, can finish games, and play limited roles at times, most importantly, keeping the opponents defense honest.
Stevenson hit some big shots and played great defense as well. Teams always could use players like him while they will never get great $.
Peja and Butler *was injured for the playoffs* were big for them during the regular season as well.
Mahimi is a UFA, which filled in nicely for them this year as well with
Terry *still one of the most clutch shooters in the league, with Billups and Ray Allen as a FA as well*
With players like Barea/Jamal Crawford making the 3.5-4.5m range, i see Terry seeking a contract similar to them. Anthony Parker is not as talented as these guys but he made 2.5m.
It would be interesting to see if they go younger instead and make a pitch for the Spurs, Danny Green/Gary Neil, or even for Novak.
Kidd *he still has gas in the tank but I think they would prefer to go younger*
Delonte West
Cardinal *played little minutes last year in the playoffs as well*
with player options of
Odom *99% gone* they gambled with a 1st round pick to the Lakers for his services but he simply isn't worth his 8.2m contract*
Brandon Wright *a great contract which would probably be kept at 1m*
Vince Carter *i don't know how much is actually guaranteed but he has team options for another 2 years, which would make their decision tough at his price. He might not be the same
Vinsanity in his younger years, but he like Kidd/Terry they still have some gas left, especially for their bench at 3m a year. I think he is guaranteed about 1m each year, but if that cost cuts in to the salary cap, it would depend on how they fill up their roster, and who is going to be available this summer*
PG
SG
Marion
Dirk
Haywood *amnesty possiblity or sending him with the 3m cash to find a taker for him is possible to a team well under the cap*
Rodrigue Beaubois
Vince Carter *team option*
Brandon Wright *team option but at 1m, should be keeper*
Dominique Jones
Kelenna Azubuike *team option, most likely gone*
They have about 42m of salary, with a lot of player options and UFA to decide on, they will most likely try to trade Haywood and is a possible amnesty candidate if not.
He isn't much over payed for a center if he can be productive like he was 2 years ago. But since his last year isn't guaranteed, team option, 3 xtra years + 1 year team option.
Teams that are well under the cap have to have like $50m to on salary anyway, if Dallas throws in 3m cash, and/or picks/players ?Beaubois?, to entice it, he isn't exactly untradable.
OKC probably will match it anyway, but at least you make OKC *a smaller market* limit their cap situation, with 2 max players *Durant/WestBrook* and Perkins making 7-8m.
They will have to decide to keep their athletic young team with Harden *looking like a max player* and Ibaka *shot blocking leader* which they probably will.
With all the talk recently, I actually thought Harden was a RFA this summer, but its actually 2 years later, being the 2nd pick after Blake Griffen.
Dallas can have about $20m-25m to spend if they can get rid of Haywoods contract. They have decent flexibility and will likely have to decide how they will build out their team and the future head coach or stay with Carlise or not. I think it would make much sense to keep him if they play in a the similar role as last year, of course Tom Thibodeau, will get a look if they do roll the dice on Deron. He has a player option of 17.8m, and is turning 28. Spending max on a younger player of Harden's caliber is probably worth the risk rather
than a player at 28, where a possibility that he will be in decline somewhere down his contract is a risk. Of course injuries are always a problem, even with young players like Rose/Brandon Roy but the chances of them going down hill due to age isn't there....
Deron is great but I don't even think he is worth that money. New York is a great example of who you offer 2 max type players, as they hinder the ability to build around your team.
Although Deron and Dirk would probably work much better than Melo and Amare, they are both under average defenders at best.
Nash/Dragic, are 2 PG's with Dragic being able to play some SG with his size as well, that would probably be less than 1 contract of Deron.
Eric Gordon is a RFA as well, it might be a nice test to see if they New Orleans will pay him 10-12m a year.
TC was a big loss for for Dallas, but KG is a similar player that brings the same team defensive intensity that TC does. Imagine Dirk, KG, being able to hit the 3pointer and right inside it as well. Some other targets include Kris Humphries/Dalembert as well, with RFA Hibbert, McGee, and Omar Osik as well.
I would actually prefer Chris Kaman, at about 8-10m after KG. He is a legit center and has all round game.
It would be interesting what KG would seek because of his age but I think he can still play another 2 years at a similar level to this year.
Dragic 5-7m
KG 7m
Nash 6m
Shooter/ 6th man role 4m range
Terry, Ray Allen, Billups, Danny Green, George Hill, Danny Green, Gary Neal, Barbosa
or
just Dragic or Nash 6m
Kaman 8-9m or KG at 5-7m
2 Shooters/ 6th man role 4m range each
Terry, Ray Allen, Billups, Danny Green, George Hill, Danny Green, Gary Neal, Barbosa
or convince 3 players to take slightly less
Deron, KG, and Terry or one of the shooters in FA.
or
Eric Gordon, Nash or Dragic, KG
5/5/2012 10:21 PM
