Free Agency Thread

[Indy]

If we’re keeping Nader and have one more roster spot, there are two directions we could go that I like:

Taj Gibson - veteran big man (we don’t have any)
Bruno Caboclo - another development piece with some upside

That is a really good point. I think you want someone at the 4/5 that you can trust, even for spot minutes and practice (like Baynes last year).

[specialsauce]

Jones has built a filthy good shooting roster on the cheap. Lots of redundant but NBA level talent. Other than Jones, I like the moves

[Oatmeal]

I just like that he goes after guys with viable NBA skills and not like the other guy who thought drafted based on tools and how could they could be if they ever figured anything out. This team is potentially the most complete team we've had in 10 years.

[iLLmatic]

Okobo's death warrant was signed when we got Moore. Bit of a bummer because I like Elie.

Me too

[Shabazz]

Taj would be a real nice pickup. It's tricky because you need someone who can produce but not be unhappy about a bench role. Are we committing minutes to Smith early on? Would we want Taj taking backup 4/5 minutes away from Smith? Taj also can't shoot 3s so there's the question of fit.

Well, roster spots are filling up so if Taj is unwilling to join a team in the mentor role, he may be out of a job.

I don’t mind giving him some minutes even if he can’t shoot. You can survive with 4 shooters. Sometimes even 3.

I think he’d be great if he’s willing to accept the Udonis role plus spot minutes throughout the year.

[INFORMER]

Jones is 6 fouls when we need to throw a body out there. I don't expect him to average more than 5 min per game.

But is it the year 2000 again? Is Shaq dominating the league? I feel like the school of thought that says you have a big man to go out and foul is very antiquated.

You're right that this isn't a move made for role that is going to see time. I just wish we were calculating and purposeful with our roster spots. I think you can get something out of all 13-15 roster spots, especially when you are building towards contention. I don't believe in throwing spots away when you haven't even had a winning season.

[INFORMER]

Yea pretty solid. Added depth at the 1/2.

Moore really doesn't have any business playing the 1.

[INFORMER]

Jones has 193 FG in his career, 128 of them are dunks, which would explain his 67% career FG%

"Hey Ayton - watch what this guy does when he gets the ball near the basket."

I hope he embarrasses Ayton in practice by dunking on him repeatedly. Or at least attempting to.

I'm not even sure Ayton would care. I wouldn't be happy. If Jones constantly dunks on Ayton in practice, I think I would just cry.

[INFORMER]

I was fine keeping Diallo, Jones is whatever. Probably not an nba player, but I’m not gonna care that much about what could likely be our 15th man.

You guys will be eating crow when he becomes the breakout NBA player of the year.

Probably not.

[Superbone]

If we’re keeping Nader and have one more roster spot, there are two directions we could go that I like:

Taj Gibson - veteran big man (we don’t have any)
Bruno Caboclo - another development piece with some upside

Is Caboclo no longer two years from being two years away from making an impact?

[INFORMER]

I'd have preferred Boucher to Jones, but certainly not at that price.

I'm fine with that contract. I would have loved to have Boucher. Has 3-point range, blocks shots, rebounds, athletic. Could have given us a lot that we don't currently have at the 4.

[Superbone]

Jones has 193 FG in his career, 128 of them are dunks, which would explain his 67% career FG%

"Hey Ayton - watch what this guy does when he gets the ball near the basket."

I hope he embarrasses Ayton in practice by dunking on him repeatedly. Or at least attempting to.

I'm not even sure Ayton would care. I wouldn't be happy. If Jones constantly dunks on Ayton in practice, I think I would just cry.

That would be a problem and the beginning of the end.

[INFORMER]

Unless these deals have team options in year 3, we seem to have pivoted away from cap space in 2022.

Yeah, we're locked in with this team for awhile. No wiggle room. We have the 2021 1st rounder, which will probably be in the 18-24 range, but with Jones drafting strategy of high floor/head-bashing low-ceiling, that may not move the needle.

[INFORMER]

Yay, Dario is returning! Everything is looking good for the new season. Glad he decided to come back, and that's a pretty fair contract.

Considering what others were getting, I think it’s a reasonable deal.

I didn't want him back after the Bubble concluded because I didn't feel we could trust his 12 game performance to warrant making a long-term commitment.

But after the other moves made this offseason, I think you have to bring him back.

I don't love it, but it is what it is.

[INFORMER]

That was fast.

Galloway is decent, but why do we have an army of undersized shooting guards all of a sudden?

[INFORMER]

One concern I have with this roster is that it seems like we don't really have any rebounders other than Ayton.

Jimmy Jones doesn't really value rebounding or athleticism.

Another reason I would have signed Thompson instead of Crowder.

I would have liked his defense, passing, rebounding, and emerging 3-point shot.

[INFORMER]

I liked the idea of Elie, but I couldn't tell you how he improved over his time here.

Because he hasn't. It was a miss. I was in favor of drafting him too. But he just didn't develop. Not saying he'll never find a place in the league, but there wasn't a point in keeping him around.

[Superbone]

I liked the idea of Elie, but I couldn't tell you how he improved over his time here.

Because he hasn't. It was a miss. I was in favor of drafting him too. But he just didn't develop. Not saying he'll never find a place in the league, but there wasn't a point in keeping him around.

All this.

[Shabazz]

One concern I have with this roster is that it seems like we don't really have any rebounders other than Ayton.

Jimmy Jones doesn't really value rebounding or athleticism.

Another reason I would have signed Thompson instead of Crowder.

I would have liked his defense, passing, rebounding, and emerging 3-point shot.

Inf, we often see eye-to-eye, but liking the Portis and Gordon deals while hating on the Crowder move has me a bit puzzled.

[INFORMER]

One concern I have with this roster is that it seems like we don't really have any rebounders other than Ayton.

Jimmy Jones doesn't really value rebounding or athleticism.

Another reason I would have signed Thompson instead of Crowder.

I would have liked his defense, passing, rebounding, and emerging 3-point shot.

Inf, we often see eye-to-eye, but liking the Portis and Gordon deals while hating on the Crowder move has me a bit puzzled.

Gordon?

Portis signed a 2-year deal where he makes $4 million a year. That's pennies. Milwaukee knows what they're doing.