Free Agent Destinations

[JCSunsfan]

The free agents that are available this summer have the possibility of changing the balance of power in the league (or re-establishing it). It seems to me that a discussion of the most significant of them and where they might go is in order.

Gary Payton
Will not be resigned by Milwaukee. They are trying to dump salary and will let Payton walk.

GP will make a difference wherever he goes. His preference is probably San Antonio, if SA will have him. They may use their $ to go after JO instead.

Chicago would be an interesting place for GP to go. They have loads of young talent and really need a quality veteran presence. Milwaukee might even squeaze out a young player or two in a sign and trade. BTW, because Chicago already has so many young players, they are the most likely of the lottery teams to trade their pick (provided they could get a quality veteran).

Gary would also have to consider the Lakers. A backcourt of Kobe and GP hmmmm.

He could up being the JKidd consolation prize. If Kidd leaves NJ they might sign Payton quick to replace him.


How about some input from the rest of you? Jermaine O'Neal, Jason Kidd, Brad Miller, Alonzo Mourning etc?

 

[Chaplin]

Hmm. Interesting. I heard the opposite, that the Bucks might try to resign Gary Payton, actually--mostly based on his relationship with George Karl.

 

[JCSunsfan]

This is an interesting tidbit I read recently concerning GP. It comes from a message board, so take it for what it is worth.

"FURTHERMORE, once their payroll moves a few million OVER this threshold, they have to start paying a dollar-for-dollar luxury tax penalty for their payroll. This is why teams are so adamant about keeping their payroll under $51-$52 mil. This is why Toronto did not even ATTEMPT to re-sign Keon Clark last summer. This is why Milwaukee traded Ray Allen and a low lottery pick for Desmond Mason (they will let Gary Payton walk this summer, you watch). This is why Orlando traded Don Reid and a future high lottery pick (a 2005 or 2006 Clippers first round pick) for a second round pick. Teams want to avoid the luxury tax DESPERATELY. Teams that are right around the threshold will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get below that threshold. And shrewd teams will take advantage of these desperate teams."

BTW, the whole "article" is an interesting take on the trade value of Terrell Brandon,

http://basketballboards.net/forum/showthread.php?postid=335496#post335496

 

[slinslin]

How about Rafer Alston as backup PG?

He did a good job for the Raptors. He is exciting to watch and I heard that Marbury is travelling with AND1 in the summer so they might know each other already.

 

[BleedRed]

I wouldn't mind seeing "Skip 2 my Lou" in a Suns uniform. His skills would fit in well with our up-tempo style. @ least you'd think they would.