How Many Free Agents Are Actually Worth MAX Contracts?
by sherman r on May 3, 2010 4:49 PM EDT
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This is an important question with the Free Agent Class of 2010 getting ready to cash in at a potentially historic rate. Conventional wisdom says ANY team looking at Dwyane Wade and/or LeBron James knows they’re worth MAX $. After that, things get a little more tricky.
In my opinion a MAX $ guy is one who is a franchise player—not just a guy who serves as the face of a franchise because he’s the best player on a bad team, but a true franchise player. My definition of a true franchise player is a guy who can carry his team and get it to the Playoffs with little to no help. A true franchise player, with a little help, makes his team a threat to advance deep into the Playoffs and possibly contend for a World Championship. In my mind, there’s only a few guys who fit that bill. They are (in no certain order): Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, and Brandon Roy (Yao Ming, provided he returns healthy, is on this list). There are a few guys who may be there in the next few seasons, including: Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, and Tyreke Evans.
Then there’s a set of second-tier All Star Caliber players who are worth MAX $, but only to the team they play for in an effort to keep them. That’s right, they’re not true MAX $ guys, but they’re teams will need to break the bank to keep them from making sub-MAX $ on a better team. This least includes free-agents-to-be Amare Stoudamire, Carlos Boozer, Joe Johnson, and Chris Bosh. These guys are looking to ink the contracts that will set them up for the rest of their lives this summer, and they will have to leverage their financial prospects against winning when making their final decisions.
In the case of the Miami Heat and its hopes of landing one or two big-time free agents, I am hoping the prospect of winning weighs more heavily with the incoming big name(s) than the money because we do have a few other needs to address if we’re going to truly contend.
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The naive part of my brain
is hoping that guys will want to win soooo bad that they’ll be willing to take a little less money in order to build a championship team. And yes, I believe in the Easter Bunny too…
Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community
"My parents would always say, `It doesn't matter if it`s a guy picking up the garbage or the President of the United States, treat everybody as you would want to be treated.'"- Dan Marino
I'm hoping that as well
But if they’re not, the question becomes do you overpay because you can’t afford not to bring a big name?
Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.
That will be the issue
Were going to want one of these guys so bad that we will pay them max $ because if we dont another team like Chicago, or NJ, or NY will. So its not really about are they worth max $, its are they worth max money for them to not go to another team.
Go big or go home
I think Brook Lopez can get there eventually.
2009 NY Phin PhansFantasy League Champion
2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
2010 The Jim Mandich NewsFlash Award Winner.
Lopez will be a solid center throughout his career
but I think the Nets are the only team that will ever offer him MAX $.
Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.
I would LOVE Lopez to come down here!! Kid is a BEAST
Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community
"My parents would always say, `It doesn't matter if it`s a guy picking up the garbage or the President of the United States, treat everybody as you would want to be treated.'"- Dan Marino
I wouldn't mind Riles exploring doing an even swap for Michael Beasley
Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.
pffft
I’d do that in a second.
Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community
"My parents would always say, `It doesn't matter if it`s a guy picking up the garbage or the President of the United States, treat everybody as you would want to be treated.'"- Dan Marino
Durant is currently worth it--only to the Thunder
In a couple of years or so, he’ll be worth it to everyone.
Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.
I disagree
Durant is a max-player now to anyone who has the chance to offer it to him. His improvement has been so strong over the past couple years and he seems to not be anywhere near his ceiling…I don’t think a single team in the league would feel uncomfortable giving this guy MAX money
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
by Max_in_Missouri on May 11, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
If you're talking about making the investment now to see the return in 3-5 years, I'm with you
otherwise Durant just isn’t quite there yet. He currently needs more help to truly Contend for a Title than do the likes of Kobe, LeBron, and D-Wade. Replace Russell Westbrook this season with Carlos Arroyo, Derek Fisher, or even Mo Williams, and the Thunder don’t even make the Playoffs.
Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.
I would say Bosh is not a MAX-caliber player
but I’m pretty sure that he is going to get MAX money. Somebody will offer it to him, but I think Wade and LBJ are the only guys who are without a doubt MAX-caliber FA’s this summer
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
by Max_in_Missouri on May 11, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree Totally
If he was a MAX guy, he could have willed Toronto into the Playoffs in at least one of the past two seasons. But you are also right when you say, regardless of if he’s worth it or not, he’ll get it.
Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.
I actually disagree
I’ve seen Bosh play enough to know how talented he is, and if he was playing on a team where he didn’t garner all the attention he’d be an even bigger difference maker. I don’t blame the Raptors not making the playoffs on Bosh’s inability to carry the team, I blame moves like signing Hedo Turkoglu and not utilizing Andrea Bargnani in a way that he could be more useful to his team, not his own stats.
Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community
"My parents would always say, `It doesn't matter if it`s a guy picking up the garbage or the President of the United States, treat everybody as you would want to be treated.'"- Dan Marino
Good points
I hope you’re right, particularly if he’s brought on board our Heat.
Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.
Me too...
Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community
"My parents would always say, `It doesn't matter if it`s a guy picking up the garbage or the President of the United States, treat everybody as you would want to be treated.'"- Dan Marino
The only max guys are Wade and Lebron
Bosh is not a max guy. Max guys carry their team to playoffs. Bosh is a very good player, no superstar
"Who Wants some pudding pops?, delicious and nutritious!
and before you argue think?
Could Bosh carry the heat into the playoffs
"Who Wants some pudding pops?, delicious and nutritious!
Probably not – but to be honest there have not been very many PF’s or C’s who could do it on their own. Thinking back to all the best bigs and there is always a great guard alongside them – otherwise they would never get the ball.
I disagree
The greats have always been able to at least get their teams to the Second Season
Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.
What Bosh is on his own is irrelevant
the bottom line what he will be if he comes down here to play with D-Wade. THAT player is worth a max contract. Bosh was pretty damn good in Toronto with nothing around him, and I truly believe that he will be amazing down here with what the Heat will be bringing to the table. Bosh will average a double double easily and control the paint better then he did in Toronto due to the supporting cast he’ll have down in the 305.
Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community
"My parents would always say, `It doesn't matter if it`s a guy picking up the garbage or the President of the United States, treat everybody as you would want to be treated.'"- Dan Marino
yeah and another thing is that Bosh is no leader
Toronto has a lot of guys who are good, but underachieve. Bosh never pushed them to play hard.
"Who Wants some pudding pops?, delicious and nutritious!
thats what Wade is for he would be the leader.
But I would love to have Bosh and Bell maybe even Johnson. How possible would it be to get all of them and work everything else through the draft?
Draft Laron Byrd now!!!
Master Phinja, accepting anybody to the clan!!!
IT SIMPLY IS ALL ABOUT THE U!!!
"You wanna get high man? Does howdy doody have wooden balls?"
- Cheech & Chong - Up in Smoke -
Bosh as a max contract and Johnson near the max (about 12-14mill) would be very doable and my preferred outcome. We need to ensure there is money left for some quality role players like Raja Bell etc. The rest of the squad will have as much impact as the top 2-3 players on our season…
so who else besides LBJ is available?
Thats worth going after.
Draft Laron Byrd now!!!
Master Phinja, accepting anybody to the clan!!!
IT SIMPLY IS ALL ABOUT THE U!!!
"You wanna get high man? Does howdy doody have wooden balls?"
- Cheech & Chong - Up in Smoke -
I think adding Bosh/Amare + a decent swingman (Gay/Johnson) – resigning Haslem – Keeping Beasley and adding guys like Raja Bell and Anthony Morrow (outside shooting!) would make the heat more than formidable and give flexibility with the cap for the next few seasons. It’d be nice to upgrade the point guard over Mario but the offense really runs through Wade anyway…
You think that is a likely scenario?
Draft Laron Byrd now!!!
Master Phinja, accepting anybody to the clan!!!
IT SIMPLY IS ALL ABOUT THE U!!!
"You wanna get high man? Does howdy doody have wooden balls?"
- Cheech & Chong - Up in Smoke -
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