I was very dissapointed last night, but only because I get so wrapped up in the draft and excited when the picks are made. I was ecstatic that we drafted Rondo, but it was because I was at work and didn't know it was for a trade. Next year's draft is a very good one, and we need to pray that Atlanta is the fourth worst team in the NBA on lottery night.
Some (not all - leaving out the RFA's and those with team/player options) options in free agency:
PG:
Milt Palacio - Solid defender, not a great passer, a safe passer, plays defense, can hit an open shot most of the time but can't really create one, overall a solid backup point. A deal similar to Brian Grant's could probably land him ($1.7mil, second year player option).
Speedy Claxton - Will be out of our price range, but one of the best backup PG's in the NBA, probably wants to start or at least get more minutes than we could give. Not really possible. I'll just put
Chucky Atkins here too.
Lindsay Hunter - Defensive guard, would be great backing up Nash, would not run the point but would guard PG's.
Ton Delk - Same as Hunter, but less of a consistent shooter. Still in great shape.
Darrell Armstrong - This guy's getting old, but still in great physical shape and is a good defender.
Anthony Carter - Too old, can't shoot at all, good passer, good defender, will be probably be resigned by Minnesota.
Jay Williams - Workouts evidently haven't been impressive if teams with PG needs worked him out but said no thanks, has worked hard to gain another opportunity, skills are a crapshoot at this point.
SG/SF:
Jumaine Jones - If Tim Thomas is out of our price range, this guy is just as streaky. He rebounds, he likes to run, he's a long 6'8. Just as bad a defender as Tim Thomas, or maybe slightly better. His %'s are weak, but they will go up on the Suns.
Rasual Butler - Great shooter, tall and long, can get some rebounds, average perimeter defender but struggles to defend smaller players, confidence issues.
Qyntel Woods - Hasn't shown anything but flashes, but he could be a good athletic wing player for the Suns. Versatile, can shoot sometimes, can handle the ball but not great at penetrating from what I've seen, attitude problems in the past, several other teams have taken a chance on him and not liked what they've seen. Worth another shot?
Matt Harpring - Solid player on both ends, but will likely be out of our range. Injuries.
Trevor Ariza - Good peremiter defender, can affect shots with his long arms, great athleticism, dumb on offense, can throw it down, doesn't really fit the "skilled ball" mentality.
Linton Johnson III - Other teams couldn't find time for him, doubt we can either. Good defender and rebounder.
PF/C:
Reggie Evans - Not big, but can help with our rebounding woes. Will probably command the full MLE, which means he could be out of our range. Not good on offense, which will hurt our system. Could make up for it with hustle though.
Jake Voskuhl - Hustle, not a good offensive player, good defense but fouls all the time, can get some rebounds, not a shot blocking thread, 6 fouls.
Loren Woods - Size but not strength, can rebound and block/disrupt shots, has slowly gotten a little better in Toronto, can he give productive minutes?, are his hands good enough to catch passes in the lane?, might like an Arizona return after playing in Canada. Not yet a smart basketball player.
Scot Pollard - Getting old, can't really block shots anymore, better offensive rebounder than defensive rebounder, has played man defense off the bench for a number of years now and might give us something in that role, has already made his money, size (6'11 250).
Aaron Williams - Getting old, rebounds and plays D but has fallen off in both departments, has a knack on offense for slipping through the defense, but not a good offensive player, plays with heart, can pop an 8-14 foot jumper on occasion
Jarron Collins - Not a good rebounder for his size, little offense, can play some D.
Anyways, we'll probably sign...noone.
After all was said and done, Yesterday...
