Minnesota Sports Forum

bleedspeed177 wrote:I wiukd also see how cheap brandon jennings goes as a free agent. Could be a good backup pg

Jennings might be able to push Ricky for the starting spot. Slightly better shooter, much better scorer, and close in assists and rebounds with slightly less turnovers.

I think Brandon Jennings will be this off-season's Jeremy Lin. Overlooked and can be had at a fair value.

TeamRicky wrote:

Camden wrote:If you look at his past, it's pretty clear that last year was an anomaly for Batum. Career lows in practically every category going back to his rookie year.

Batum was playing hurt and his shooting suffered. He is a complete player that I'd love to have on the team.

I am not exactly a huge fan of bringing in a big ticket FA because they will end up being overpaid but Batum would fit here really well with his overall game and turned 27 a few weeks ago so he is young enough. I do still worry about his health that's been a problem for him.

monsterpile wrote:

TeamRicky wrote:

Camden wrote:If you look at his past, it's pretty clear that last year was an anomaly for Batum. Career lows in practically every category going back to his rookie year.

Batum was playing hurt and his shooting suffered. He is a complete player that I'd love to have on the team.

I am not exactly a huge fan of bringing in a big ticket FA because they will end up being overpaid but Batum would fit here really well with his overall game and turned 27 a few weeks ago so he is young enough. I do still worry about his health that's been a problem for him.

I don't remember that Batum would have had that much injury issues last year but I remember that he had pretty bad divorce ongoing and there were rumours that it was affecting his play. That worries me little because I would rather have players whom are mentally so strong that off court issues won't affect their performance on court.

Mikkeman wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

TeamRicky wrote:

Camden wrote:If you look at his past, it's pretty clear that last year was an anomaly for Batum. Career lows in practically every category going back to his rookie year.

Batum was playing hurt and his shooting suffered. He is a complete player that I'd love to have on the team.

I am not exactly a huge fan of bringing in a big ticket FA because they will end up being overpaid but Batum would fit here really well with his overall game and turned 27 a few weeks ago so he is young enough. I do still worry about his health that's been a problem for him.

I don't remember that Batum would have had that much injury issues last year but I remember that he had pretty bad divorce ongoing and there were rumours that it was affecting his play. That worries me little because I would rather have players whom are mentally so strong that off court issues won't affect their performance on court.

Batum suffered from lower back pain off and on last year. At one point, I remember him saying it was tough to even stand up. That looks to be behind him now. He has a pretty good durability history, though.

I just read an article from SB Nation about going after Barnes. Not sure I agree with offering a max contract, but I would be willing to go after one of the three following players:

Mike Conley age 28, UFA this summer
He's going to give us 15 points, 6 assists, 1 steal game.
Memphis will have the following others that will FA this summer: Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, Matt Barnes, Mario Chalmers
Earning $9.3M this year, new contract cost around $18M per year.

Al Horford age 29. UFA this summer
He's going to give us: 18 points, 8 boards.
Atlanta FA this year: Kent Bazemore
Earning $12M this year, new contract cost around $20-22M

Harrison Barnes age 23. RFA this summer
More difficult to project numbers due to years in and not being a top option for GS, but with Wolves: 16 points, 6 boards, 3pt threat.
GS FA this summer: Marreese Speights, Festus Ezeli, Leandro Barbosa, Brandon Rush, James McAdoo, Ian Clark
Earning $3.9M, cost because he's restricted we would have to over price (now) his contract perhaps $19M per year????? And hope that GS does not match, the thing to do with this option is to jump out right away and offer the numbers forcing GS hand.

http://www.canishoopus.com/2016/1/22/10813064/a-few-too-many-thoughts-the-wolves-free-agency-and-harrison-barnes

When I saw "Barnes" and "max contract" early in that last post, I thought for a horrible half-second that you meant Matt Barnes. I almost had a heart attack.

SameOldDrew wrote:When I saw "Barnes" and "max contract" early in that last post, I thought for a horrible half-second that you meant Matt Barnes. I almost had a heart attack.

Me too I guess we will just call that having a Sam Mitchell moment like when he seemed to forget it was Matt Bonner that played for him with the Raps not Matt Barnes. Lol

bleedspeed177 wrote:I think Brandon Jennings will be this off-season's Jeremy Lin. Overlooked and can be had at a fair value.

I agree. Frankly so thought his current deal was pretty reasonable I thought some team would be dumb and pay a lot more. His value is likely lower now. Of course he still has half a season to up his value but coming back from a significant injury could hamper that. It will be interesting.

Someone else thinking like I was thinking.

http://www.canishoopus.com/2016/1/22/10813064/a-few-too-many-thoughts-the-wolves-free-agency-and-harrison-barnes

I would go after him. Offer the Max.