Insider: Peering into the pool of free agents
by Geoffrey C. Arnold, The Oregonian
Monday July 13, 2009, 8:56 PM
A wave of free agent contracts has been signed since July 8 and a number of
trades have been completed. These transactions have strengthened many of the
league's top teams and left a dwindling number of highly talented players for
others to pursue.
Here's a look at the winners and losers so far this summer.
WINNERS
Cleveland: The question is how motivated Shaquille O'Neal will be when he
begins his 18th season. He has said all the right things, but he usually does
when he joins a new team. O'Neal, 37, is capable of solid production -- he
was selected to his 15th All-Star team last season -- to take some pressure
off LeBron James. The potential problem is O'Neal hasn't always been
interested in sharing the spotlight with another star -- remember Anfernee
Hardaway, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade? The Cavaliers also re-signed forward
Anderson Varejao.
San Antonio: The trade for Richard Jefferson will help the Spurs remain a
championship contender. Jefferson, who averaged 19.6 points last season for
Milwaukee, brings the Spurs much-needed athleticism and serves as insurance
if Manu Ginobili's ankle hasn't fully healed. Free agent newcomer Antonio
McDyess fills the hole created by the departure of Kurt Thomas, who was
traded to Milwaukee. McDyess averaged 9.6 points and 9.8 rebounds in his 14th
NBA season and he will be a solid complement to Tim Duncan.
Boston: Lost in Rasheed Wallace's technical fouls and on-court antics is his
versatility. The 6-foot-11 Wallace, a free agent signee, is one of the
league's few big men that can post-up and shoot effectively from the
three-point line. And he can defend at any front line position. The Celtics,
with an eye on Orlando and the Lakers, needed to get longer on the front
line. As for Wallace's inevitable eruptions (a league-leading 19 technical
fouls last season), the Celtics have strong personalities in coach Doc
Rivers, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to keep Wallace in check.
Orlando: The jury is out on how much of an upgrade Vince Carter represents
compared with Hedo Turkoglu, but the Magic had to replace Turkoglu. Carter,
acquired in a trade with New Jersey, isn't the "Vin-sanity" player he was --
high-flying penetration to the basket -- and he spends more time on the
perimeter. However, he is a solid scorer (career average of 23.5 points) and
will see more open looks as opposing teams focus on Dwight Howard. Brandon
Bass, a free agent acquisition, should produce a slew of double doubles as
teams try to neutralize Howard.
Dallas: Trading to acquire Shawn Marion is a big plus. Marion will likely
play at small forward, helping with rebounding and defense. Marion's arrival
will allow Josh Howard to move to shooting guard, where he'll present matchup
problems for opponents. And the Mavericks re-signed Jason Kidd, who, along
with his on-court leadership and steadiness, will make Marion look good on
fast breaks with his passing ability.
LOSERS
L.A. Lakers: Ron Artest, a potential head case, is not as good a fit as the
departed Trevor Ariza. Artest, who defected from Houston as a free agent, is
a strong defender and capable of scoring, but he's going to cause some
problems in the locker room after realizing he's the third or fourth option
on offense. The Lakers' possess the personalities --Bryant, Phil Jackson,
Derek Fisher -- to prevent Artest from constantly erupting, but he is a major
gamble.
Portland: The pursuit of Turkoglu didn't work out and the chase wasted
precious time that prevented the Blazers from signing other top free agents.
The Blazers signed forward Paul Millsap to an offer sheet Friday and Utah has
seven days to match. If the Jazz decline to match, the addition of Millsap
does help at the power forward position and gives the Blazers some toughness,
but he's not a difference-maker. And if the Jazz do match, the Blazers are
right back where they started. Nowhere.
Detroit: The Pistons produced one of the earliest splashes of the free agent
period by signing Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Gordon had a sensational
playoff series against Boston (24.3 points), but he displays a willingness to
shoot from anywhere at any time and isn't particularly interested in defense.
Villanueva had a good season (16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds), but is he capable
of duplicating those numbers as a full-season starter?
Miami: Wade and Pat Riley have clashed regarding Wade re-signing with the
Heat. Wade wants to see what Riley is doing to improve the team before
agreeing to a new deal. Riley said the improvements would only occur after
Wade signs a new deal. So far, the Heat haven't done anything to improve as
Wade has watched other teams -- particularly Orlando -- upgrade. There's talk
of Miami working a trade with Utah to acquire Carlos Boozer, but that's
speculation at this point. The Heat is in discussion with Allen Iverson, but
that might cause more harm than good.
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insider_peering_into_the_pool.html
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