Theo RatliffTomorrow marks the first official day of NBA free agency. Who’s out there that can make your team better (or worse)? We’ll go position by position…
Emeka Okafor (25 y/o, 13.8 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.7 bpg) — He’s not quite the franchise cornerstone the Bobcats expected when they drafted him, but he’s only a notch or so below the League’s top centers and becoming one of the League’s best interior defenders.
Andris Biedrins (22 y/o, 10.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg) — His offense will probably never catch up to his defense and rebounding, but he does those last two things well enough to remain one of the summer’s most coveted free agents.
DeSagana Diop (26 y/o, 2.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 bpg) — Teams looking for an active shot-blocker at an affordable price are going to be lining up for Diop.
Kurt Thomas (35 y/o, 6.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg) — One of those vets who makes any good team that much better, Thomas will only be looking at offers from contenders. Word is the Spurs want him back in a big way.
Alonzo Mourning (38 y/o, 6.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.7 bpg) — He says he wants to play again. Although ‘Zo likely won’t be ready for Opening Night coming off last season’s knee injury, when healthy he’ll provide defense and leadership to whichever team picks him up.
P.J. Brown (38 y/o, 2.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg) — If he doesn’t decide to retire on top, he’ll only be interested in playing for a championship contender.
Dikembe Mutombo (42 y/o, 3.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg) — He can still get it done in spot minutes as a backup or as an emergency starter.
Ronny Turiaf (25 y/o, 6.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg) — Do you really see him leaving Kobe’s side? Didn’t think so.
Theo Ratliff (35 y/o, 4.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.4 bpg) — Now that he’s no longer attached to a monstrous expiring contract, how many teams will want Theo?
Kwame Brown (26 y/o, 4.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg) — He’s not a lost cause yet. Almost. But not quite.
Nenad Krstic (24 y/o, 6.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg) — Doesn’t give you much in terms of defense or toughness, but he can knock down a jumper.
Stromile Swift (28 y/o, 6.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.0 bpg) — One of these days he’ll put it all together, right? Right?
Melvin Ely (30 y/o, 3.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg) — After getting a ring with the Spurs in ‘07, he helped the Hornets almost topple San Antonio a year later.
DJ Mbenga (27 y/o, 2.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg) — Whoever he signs with, their games will be circled on the calendars of any player who likes to dunk on people.
Jamaal Magloire (30 y/o, 1.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg) — Does the NBA’s oldest 30-year-old have anything left?
David Harrison (25 y/o, 4.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.1 bpg) — On the court or appearance-wise, you really can’t tell the difference between Harrison and Michael Olowokandi at this point.
Ryan Hollins (23 y/o, 2.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg) — Still has room to develop into a useful big man, and to put some bulk on that skinny frame.
Chris Andersen (29 y/o, 1.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg) — He looks like a modern-day version of Bill Walton. Unfortunately, he doesn’t play like him.
Adonal Foyle (33 y/o, 1.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg) — Still serviceable at this point in his career on the court, and always a positive locker-room presence.
Patrick O’Bryant (22 y/o, 1.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg) — There’s gotta be some reason he was a Top-10 pick two years ago, right?
Brian Skinner (32 y/o, 3.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg) — His beard can also be had for the veteran minimum.
Francisco Elson (32 y/o, 3.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg) — Although he’s older than he seems and still doesn’t seem to “get it” a lot of times, the fact that Elson has been a starter on a championship team makes him somewhat attractive.
Randolph Morris (22 y/o, 3.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg) — With the right coaching, Morris is still young and raw enough to be molded into something decent.
Robert Swift (22 y/o, 1.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg) — He’s young and cuts a large figure in the paint, but so far hasn’t done anything in the NBA besides spend a ton of time rehabbing from injuries.
Lorenzen Wright (32 y/o, 0.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg) — Only saw action in 18 games this season while splitting time between the Hawks and Kings.
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June 30th, 2008 at 11:07 am
shake&bake says:
I would like to see Patrick O’Bryant and Robert Swift develop into serviceable players. They are both still you (both are 22). I have no idea why I give a shit about these 2 guys. Something must be wrong with me.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Jei says:
Robert Swift at such an early age - IS DONE.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:16 am
marcus the great says:
i’m sorry, but what championship team did Francisco Elson start for?
June 30th, 2008 at 11:20 am
fallinup says:
“Kwame Brown - He’s not a lost cause yet. Almost. But not quite.”
Almost and not quite were exhausted about 2 seasons ago, guys…you guys must be counting the fact that he has two feet or somethin.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:23 am
hahns says:
spurs.
id like to see the knicks go after diop. hed be a nice backup for curry.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:54 am
rodnets says:
Okafor, Thomas and PJ Brown are the only centers I take my chances with.
Its sad to see how NBA Teams pay huge amount of money of too many douche bags,
Peace
June 30th, 2008 at 11:54 am
miamiVIS3 says:
I really don’t see ‘ZO playing this season
June 30th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Truth says:
The only people on this list worth sh*t are beidrins and Okafor. f*ck these others losers!
June 30th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
AB_40 says:
Marcus you probably don’t remember but is was the san antonio spurs you know the team that swepped Lebron and the bronnets of the court in the 2007 nba finals.
And rodnets you probably don’t get this but uhm you can’t teach height. If they would’ve made this game for short people they would’ve put the whole in the ground.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
jimmhumm says:
Magloire used to be so good in 2004…What happened? He’s the center version of steve francis. 4 years later both are done.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Big V says:
Best line in here:
“Brian Skinner - His beard can also be had for the veteran minimum.”
June 30th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Big V says:
Elson also accused KG of being gay and hitting him low on purpose. Funny stuff:
“That’s a cheap shot by a low-class type player,” Elson said of the contact, which took place in front of the Nuggets’ bench late in the first quarter of Minnesota’s 84-82 victory, according to Elson and teammates. “You don’t do that. That’s gay on his part. I told him that he was gay, too, for touching me in my private parts.”
June 30th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Celts Fan, "Kobe, Tell me how my @$$ tastes" says:
I’m pretty sure Elson never said that to KG (may’ve said it about him, but the “I told him too” part was definitely BS.) How do I know? He’s still alive.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Big V says:
I don’t know whether he said it to him or not, but that was some funny isht. KG also doesn’t strike me as an Oak/Mase type of guy who would have pounded you into oblivion for saying something like that to him.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Chapman Carruthers says:
Isn’t it lovely how Kevin Garnett’s been turned into some modern day super hero since he was bought by the Boston SellTix to win a championship.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
shake&bake says:
I’d take Elson in a fight over KG anyways.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
dukesman2000 says:
I threw up in my mouth after reading that list. If the NBA had a cesspole those players would be occupiers.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Desrat says:
Elson over KG? Well as they say “ANythings Possiblllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllleeee!!!!!!!!!”
KG in the first 30 sec.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Kobeef says:
@Chapman
Selltix…I like it
@Dime
Get them off the bench: these guys are young and haven’t had enough playing time to prove they suck (or that they are good)
- Robert Swift
- DeSagana Diop
- Patrick O’Bryant
- Andris Biedrins
Keep them on the bench: these guys won’t help you much but they won’t be a waste of money. Bench players.
- Emeka Okafor
- Kurt Thomas
- P.J. Brown
- Ronny Turiaf
- Chris Andersen
- Melvin Ely
Send them home: Please stop giving these guys contracts. I am sick of watching them.
- Alonzo Mourning
- Dikembe Mutombo
- Theo Ratliff
- Kwame Brown
- Nenad Krstic
- Stromile Swift
- DJ Mbenga
- Jamaal Magloire
- David Harrison
- Ryan Hollins
- Adonal Foyle
- Brian Skinner
- Francisco Elson
- Randolph Morris
- Lorenzen Wright
June 30th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Dagomar says:
Killer list; nice work.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
rodnets says:
@AB_40 Sorry man, im not against tall folks, its just NBA manages to pay huge salaries to people who don´t deserve it, especially if they are tall with loads of “upside”.
totally agree with kobeef
July 1st, 2008 at 12:37 am
bill says:
HOw can Kwame not dominate (serious question).
He has the tools. What happened since high school…….
July 1st, 2008 at 12:46 am
GEE...no nose job says:
i dont know what type of package it would take but i am feeling and thinking emeka would be an awesome back up for yao. possible starter when yao gets the annual injury. i thinks that could work
July 1st, 2008 at 8:04 am
Marian says:
dude who said he is sick of watching Zo has no clue whatsoever!
meka is a number to pick possible all defenseive player, why just a backup for yao? crazy. hell be a career starter
July 1st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Dave says:
Francisco Elson looks like a potential steal. He’ll be a very capable backup center on a low paycheck for someone.
Pricing Emeka is very difficult. Bobcats will likely overpay to keep him around.
Biedrins is only a mediocre defensive player. Good rebounder though. His rep is way above his actual impact. He’d be shown up more if the Warriors actually had another big man. Warriors are likely going to overpay him and regret it too.
Zo/Deke/Theo to return to their teams. Possibly Kurt Thomas return to the Spurs too.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
kobeef
I like your list except I disagree about Okafor. Put him at center next to a scoring but somewhat soft PF (like Dirk) or at PF next to a scoring but somewhat soft C (like Yao or Bogut) and you’re good to go.