NBA Finishing Touches
By Christopher Plain / Sept 10, 2004
The NBA free agent frenzy is over. Most of the contract holdouts are finished. (Stromile Swift is about it). But with Training Camp less than a month away, and at least 15 serviceable free agents still looking for deals, what might still happen? Here’s a team-by-team analysis of the Western Conference. Included are guaranteed contract totals, team needs, likely moves and a random thought or two.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Golden State Warriors: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 13
Needs: A veteran center once Adonal Foyle gets injured. A young center project behind Foyle and Dale Davis
Most Likely Moves: Probably stand pat and see which young guys step up, and who twists an ankle first.
Thoughts: When the old guys up front start getting injured they could add a guy like Keon Clark. Then if (when) he gets hurt, Foyle, Davis, Troy Murphy and Christian Laettner will have a fifth for poker.
L.A. Clippers: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 13
Needs: A veteran two-guard to back up Kittles. Johnny Cochran and a Time Machine to go back and bribe Kobe’s accuser to add signing with the Clippers to her list of settlement demands.
Most Likely Moves: The signing of rookie Shaun Livingston will make it 14 total contracts. If neither player gets an offer from a playoff team, Baylor might convince Jon Barry or Steve Smith to back-up Kittles while living at the beach and knowing that you’ll have the entire postseason to work on your tan.
Thoughts: Move to Anaheim and create your own Identity. I bet they would’ve landed Kobe if they had already been there. Ever driven from Newport Beach to Staples?
L.A. Lakers: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 14
Needs: Karl Malone to make a decision.
Most Likely Moves: If Malone bolts for Miami, GM Mitch Kupjack has hinted he’ll stand pat. They’ll probably keep that last roster spot open in case they have an injury at the guard spot where they only have youngster Kareem Rush and Rookie Sasha Vujacic on the bench.
Thoughts: Hang a picture of the new-slimmer Shaq in the locker room with his explanatory quote about “always doing what I’m told” underneath. Give the ball to Kobe.
Phoenix Suns: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 13
Needs: Veteran big man to complement all of the youth up front.
Most Likely Moves: Ultimately they will have to move one of their starter-caliber swingmen (Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Quentin Richardson) to keep everyone happy.
Thoughts: If the trade route fails, there’s not much left in the way of veteran bangers in free agency. A FA like Gary Trent is probably the best remaining veteran to mentor the young power forwards.
Sacramento Kings: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 10
Needs: Legitimate Back-up for Peja. Insurance for Chris Webber.
Most Likely Moves: The Vlade/Ostertag switch says it all. The Maloofs are trying to trim costs. Look for them to add a couple minimum contracts to fill out the roster and pray for no injuries.
Thoughts: Be Bold! While critics keep saying the window is closing, everyone in the starting lineup is in their “Jerry West” Prime of 27-32. Bring in a shooter like Jon Barry to spell Stojakovic. All could be had for at or near the minimum, and would round out nicely a bench that currently has Bobby Jackson, Ostertag, Olympian Darius Songalia, and promising rookie Kevin Martin.
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Dallas Mavericks: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 17
Needs: None. Well, players who like defense. But that's it.
Most Likely Moves: Figuring out which three players will be paid to get mystery injuries, and which two will be paid to go away.
Thoughts: With five players being paid NOT to play, a card table and some Bicycle Classics might be a good idea.
Houston Rockets: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 13
Needs: Dikemebe fills main need. A veteran shooter to replace Piatkowski is next need.
Most Likely Moves: Re-sign Scott Padgett.
Thoughts: Someone will have to bring some sharp shooting to keep ‘em off Yao’s back. A Jon Barry or Hubert Davis would help.
Memphis Grizzlies: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 15
Needs: A real center.
Most Likely Moves: Jerry and Hubie have been flirting with Eddy Curry all off-season. Is it any surprise that he started dropping lbs once he got wind of the Logo’s interest? They’ve also scared off the potential Stromile suitors, meaning he’ll probably be back one way or another.
Thoughts: Get the Curry deal done! Nothing motivates a guy to get hiss butt in shape like a trade. Anyone see Shaq at the VMA’s?
New Orleans Hornets: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 13
Needs: A healthy Jamal Mashburn. And a Flying Pig.
Most Likely Moves: Probably none.
Thoughts: Baron is frustrated, and after looking at the rosters in the West, who can blame him? Maybe re-sign Courtney Alexander who has shown flashes offensively.
San Antonio Spurs: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 14
Needs: A time machine to skip forward to the Finals with Detroit. Food cop for Malik.
Most Likely Moves: Play Defense; Pass it to Timmy; Play Defense; Call Timeout; Listen to Pop yell about Playing Defense; Brent Barry for Three; Play Defense; Win Title. Yawn.
Thoughts: Remind each other to play defense.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
Denver Nuggets: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 9
Needs: Depth at the 2, 3, & 4 positions.
Most Likely Moves: Re-sign Jon Barry and Rodney White (If he stays out of Jail). Add some beef to a strong-but-lean frontline.
Thoughts: The Nug’s found the perfect match for they’re up and down style in Kenyon Martin. Unfortunately Nene is the only Heavyweight on the frontline and he could be filling in for Marcus Camby the minute the starter decides to spend some time on the IR admiring his new contract. Players like Marcus Fizer and Lonny Baxter might make for a poor-mans Corliss Williamson backing up K-Mart, and are getting cheaper by the minute.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 11
Needs: Injury insurance at point guard and center.
Most Likely Moves: Re-sign some bench help.
Thoughts: Bring in Kevin Willis. Everyone loves Kevin Willis.
Portland Trail Blazers: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 15
Needs: To sort out their lineup.
Most Likely Moves: A good trade that includes Abdur-Rahim.
Thoughts: Just about any team in the East could use a potential 20-10 guy who can score in the paint and is still in his prime. Shareef deserves to finally play for a playoff team.
Seattle Sonics: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 12
Needs: A Pulse from anyone besides Ray and Rashard.
Most Likely Moves: Your guess is as good as mine.
Thoughts: Give tons of playing time to the kids (Collison and Swift) and see what they can do. Finally figure out what to do with Vladimir Radmanovic.
Utah Jazz: Current Guaranteed Contracts – 12
Needs: Keep the 12 they have healthy.
Most Likely Moves: Play Defense; Execute Offense; Call Timeout; Listen to other team crying; Make Playoffs; Watch Jerry Sloan Get Technical; Restrain Jerry; Sell no Jerseys; Confound Critics; Send thank you letters to Cleveland & Russia.
Thoughts: The Jazz probably had the best off-season in the franchise’s history. After watching the team-oriented no-name Pistons win it all, there may be no limit to what Jerry can do with this much team talent.
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