ESPN Insider Article about Next Year's Top Free Agents...

[Bugs']

http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&id=2006919

6. Larry Hughes, G, Wizards

The skinny: Hughes picked a great time to have a career year. He's averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals and was well on his way toward an All-Star berth before suffering a midseason injury. There's no question the Wizards want him back and will be willing to pay him. Hughes just turned 26 and seems to be in the prime of his career. Washington likely will have competition from Milwaukee (if Redd doesn't re-sign), Cleveland and possibly the Clippers. But at the end of the day, the Wizards can offer the most money and seem inclined to do it.




13. Kwame Brown, PF/C, Wizards
(R)

The skinny: It might have taken him all season, but Brown finally is starting to show a glimmer of promise again. After spending most of the year on the injured list, Brown has been more than solid in his last four games, averaging 9.5 ppg and 10.8 rpg. No, those aren't numbers you'd normally associate with No. 1 picks in their fourth year in the league, but the Wizards will take what they can get. The truth is, Brown might be averaging more points per game if Gilbert Arenas or Larry Hughes would ever pass him the ball. Neither Brown nor Antawn Jamison is getting a lot of love lately. If Brown finishes the season strong, there will be teams interested. There aren't a lot of athletic, 7-foot 23-year-olds on the market. A team such as Atlanta, desperate to turn around its fortunes, might just send a significant contract his way. Brown played high school ball in Atlanta and still has a fan base there. Given the load of cash the Hawks have to work with, they might be able to afford him, Dalembert and a point guard such as Earl Watson. Would the Wizards match? Like every other team in the league with a restricted free agent, they claim they'll match any offer. They have to claim that. But with a big payday coming for Hughes, can they afford to keep Brown? If they can keep Hughes' starting salary below $8 million and Brown's around $6 million, they should be all right.

[TheDoyler23]

GOTTA keep Hughes.

Brown? I'm not so sure.

[Warhead36]

We have to keep Hughes. I think we will. Ernie Grunfeld knows what he's doing, unlike past regimes(*cough* Wes Unseld *cough*)

[REDALERT]

Man! we ned to keep both of these guys.

[PapaDRoc]

I would like to keep both, but Hughes is by far 1st priority. Hughes is huge!!!

[TODD]

The CBA makes it very wasy for teams to retain players after a 3-year contract. If you sign a player who's been under your contract for 3 years or over, then they hardly count against the cap. I think we won't have a problem keeping Larry.

[Danny Montana]

No chance we lose Hughes.

And we will keep Kwame, unless some team gives him an absolute huge deal, which I can't see happening. Yeah Atlanta has tons of cap room, but they are going to break the bank on Dalembert before Kwame. And we all know that EG is high on Kwame, even if EJ isn't.

I can't see Abe not spending the money to keep this team together. He finally has a winning team again. And he must know that this is his last chance. And as far as his money goes, Abe knows that you can't take it with you.
:halo::evil:

[BadKarma]

Losing Kwame right now would be a kick in the teeth for the Wizards, I think they resign him out of fear of getting burned.

[Chachie]

Money talks, but a team like Atlanta would have to REALLY up the ante for a guy to want to play there.

[Boy2Der]

I think we need to keep Brown as much as Hughes because the last thing I want is another chris webber episode

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Originally posted by TODD
The CBA makes it very wasy for teams to retain players after a 3-year contract. If you sign a player who's been under your contract for 3 years or over, then they hardly count against the cap. I think we won't have a problem keeping Larry.

But if we give them both big deals, we'll have the luxury tax to potentially worry about, as well as having several long term deals. Who knows if Abe is willing to pay the luxury tax. If we give them both 4+ years, that'll be 6 players with significant 4+ year deals (Arenas, Jamison, Etan, and Haywood being the others). That means you can rule out near-future big free agent signings, as well as making it very tough to re-sign Hayes and Jeffries. I would really like to get both of Hughes and Kwame back, but only if we can keep the average salary of Hughes under 10 and Kwame under 7-7.5. Remember, almost all NBA contracts are structured to have elevated salaries, so 4 years from now, we could have a huge cap number. When you factor in the salary cap and luxury tax increasing by very small amounts, if at all, each year, we could end up in the same situation as the Knicks if guys like Kwame, Haywood, and Etan don't work out and regress. If Abe and Grunfeld are okay with giving them both big deals, I'm all for it. But it'll mean, barring any trades, we'll have mostly the same team for the next 4 years or so, which can be a good or bad thing.

[Bugs']

Originally posted by Fatty P For The Pulitzer


But it'll mean, barring any trades, we'll have mostly the same team for the next 4 years or so, which can be a good or bad thing.

Sounds good to me! :D

[hands11]

Originally posted by Fatty P For The Pulitzer


But if we give them both big deals, we'll have the luxury tax to potentially worry about, as well as having several long term deals. Who knows if Abe is willing to pay the luxury tax. If we give them both 4+ years, that'll be 6 players with significant 4+ year deals (Arenas, Jamison, Etan, and Haywood being the others). That means you can rule out near-future big free agent signings, as well as making it very tough to re-sign Hayes and Jeffries. I would really like to get both of Hughes and Kwame back, but only if we can keep the average salary of Hughes under 10 and Kwame under 7-7.5. Remember, almost all NBA contracts are structured to have elevated salaries, so 4 years from now, we could have a huge cap number. When you factor in the salary cap and luxury tax increasing by very small amounts, if at all, each year, we could end up in the same situation as the Knicks if guys like Kwame, Haywood, and Etan don't work out and regress. If Abe and Grunfeld are okay with giving them both big deals, I'm all for it. But it'll mean, barring any trades, we'll have mostly the same team for the next 4 years or so, which can be a good or bad thing.

Im telling you. Watch out for what they do the AJ. He has a huge contract ( top 20 in the league ) and he may not even be a starter next year. If he is, he more likely then not isnt a starter 2 years from now. This is the wild card. We are moving forward, developing talent and begining to have more talent then spaces to play these guys. AJ is a defensive liability and not worth the money he will get next year if our bigs keep developing. The year after is even less likely. With Jefferies, Kwame, Hayes, Etan and Haywood, I dont think Jamison is worth eating up that much cap space. Dont bother telling me Im wrong. Only time will tell.

[Bugs']

Originally posted by hands11


Im telling you. Watch out for what they do the EJ. He has a huge contract ( top 20 in the league ) and he may not even be a starter next year. If he is, he more likely then not isnt a starter 2 years from now. This is the wild card. We are moving forward, developing talent and begining to have more talent then spaces to play these guys. EJ is a defensive liability and not worth the money he will get next year if our bigs keep developing. The year after is even less likely. With Jefferies, Kwame, Hayes, Etan and Haywood, I dont think Jamison is worth eating up that much cap space. Dont bother telling me Im wrong. Only time will tell.

I guess you meant AJ not EJ ;)

I can't believe you want to mess with our "chemistry" and put AJ on the bench as the 6th man. Haven't you been preaching all year not to mess with the "chemistry" of the team? Why change your tune now?

Antwan has earned a starting spot and is an all-star. He averages 20 points a game and 8 rebounds (which lead the team). Those are damn good numbers. He plays well with Gil and Larry and Jared and Brendan.

Who are you going to start instead of Antwan? Kwame? :doh: He hasn't earned a starting spot yet...and he might never. I totally disagree with you and mad4comp on this one....

[TODD]

Originally posted by Fatty P For The Pulitzer


But if we give them both big deals, we'll have the luxury tax to potentially worry about, as well as having several long term deals. Who knows if Abe is willing to pay the luxury tax. If we give them both 4+ years, that'll be 6 players with significant 4+ year deals (Arenas, Jamison, Etan, and Haywood being the others). That means you can rule out near-future big free agent signings, as well as making it very tough to re-sign Hayes and Jeffries. I would really like to get both of Hughes and Kwame back, but only if we can keep the average salary of Hughes under 10 and Kwame under 7-7.5. Remember, almost all NBA contracts are structured to have elevated salaries, so 4 years from now, we could have a huge cap number. When you factor in the salary cap and luxury tax increasing by very small amounts, if at all, each year, we could end up in the same situation as the Knicks if guys like Kwame, Haywood, and Etan don't work out and regress. If Abe and Grunfeld are okay with giving them both big deals, I'm all for it. But it'll mean, barring any trades, we'll have mostly the same team for the next 4 years or so, which can be a good or bad thing.

I don't think Kwame has the right to ask for such a lavish contract. If he wants 7-7.5, he's going to have to find it elsewhere. Remember, we have GM in Grunfeld and I don't think he'll jeopardize our payroll by pay someone who's underchieved for as long as Kwame that kind of money. I think this especially comes in light of the fact that

a)We gave Etan a hefty contract last season.

b)We have depth with Jamison, Ruffin, and Thomas

c)We're more likely to pay more money to someone like Haywood, a true center who has flashed more skill the Kwame to this point

d)We have the mid-level exception at our luxury that we can spend on a quality forward who can give as much production as Kwame with a significantly lower financial risk

[Bugs']

Originally posted by TODD


I don't think Kwame has the right to ask for such a lavish contract. If he wants 7-7.5, he's going to have to find it elsewhere. Remember, we have GM in Grunfeld and I don't think he'll jeopardize our payroll by pay someone who's underchieved for as long as Kwame that kind of money. I think this especially comes in light of the fact that

a)We gave Etan a hefty contract last season.

b)We have depth with Jamison, Ruffin, and Thomas

c)We're more likely to pay more money to someone like Haywood, a true center who has flashed more skill the Kwame to this point

d)We have the mid-level exception at our luxury that we can spend on a quality forward who can give as much production as Kwame with a significantly lower financial risk

I agree that I would not want us to jeapordize the payroll just to keep Kwame. But, I would still love to keep him. He has been through so much in the NBA when he should be finishing his last year at Florida right now. So essentially, he would be a rookie next year. He has so much untapped potential and at 7'0 with his athletic ability.....wow.

Honestly, I am afraid that we are going to let him sign elsewhere and he is going to turn into a star.....that will just send me over the edge for good.:insane:

[TODD]

Originally posted by hands11


Im telling you. Watch out for what they do the EJ. He has a huge contract ( top 20 in the league ) and he may not even be a starter next year. If he is, he more likely then not isnt a starter 2 years from now. This is the wild card. We are moving forward, developing talent and begining to have more talent then spaces to play these guys. EJ is a defensive liability and not worth the money he will get next year if our bigs keep developing. The year after is even less likely. With Jefferies, Kwame, Hayes, Etan and Haywood, I dont think Jamison is worth eating up that much cap space. Dont bother telling me Im wrong. Only time will tell.

I'm not quite sure why you can't grasp the fact that in the last two weeks Antawn has

-Not been healthy

-Re-adjusting to Hughes coming back into the offense making him the 2A instead of the solid #2 guy

If you weren't so persistent and fervent about this point I would say you are being foolish, but it's downright dumb to insinuate that Jared Jeffries or Kwame is going to develop into a valuable player that's comparable to Antawn. The biggest misconception that you have is that Jeffries and Brown are developing alarmingly well. They're not. Both are wildly inconsistent and neither have found their offensive game in the least. I find it hard to believe that either are going to "develop" their way out of their offensive atrocities because they've had ample time.

[TODD]

Originally posted by Bugs'

Honestly, I am afraid that we are going to let him sign elsewhere and he is going to turn into a star.....that will just send me over the edge for good.:insane:

I'm willing to take that risk instead of taking on a bad contract for four to five years. With that being said, I don't think we know what kind of money he'll be asking for, but I don't like the idea of giving him as much as we gave Etan.

[chrisavery72]

Ernie will find a way to keep both and they will have a spot every season for the playoffs in the East. And Todd..are you ok?

[TODD]

Originally posted by chrisavery72
Ernie will find a way to keep both and they will have a spot every season for the playoffs in the East. And Todd..are you ok?

:cloud9:

[hands11]

Originally posted by Bugs'


I guess you meant AJ not EJ ;)

I can't believe you want to mess with our "chemistry" and put AJ on the bench as the 6th man. Haven't you been preaching all year not to mess with the "chemistry" of the team? Why change your tune now?

Antwan has earned a starting spot and is an all-star. He averages 20 points a game and 8 rebounds (which lead the team). Those are damn good numbers. He plays well with Gil and Larry and Jared and Brendan.

Who are you going to start instead of Antwan? Kwame? :doh: He hasn't earned a starting spot yet...and he might never. I totally disagree with you and mad4comp on this one....

Yeah. AJ, Thanks.
I fixed it.

Not sure where you getting that I want to mess with the Chem. Maybe your confusing something someone else posted. You arent posting anything different that what I have.

As for who is going to start while AJ is hurt. In summary. The same players that played in the LA game plus Dixon. To bad Hayes is totally out. I have a huge post on this in, Blessing in Disquise. BAD did some write ups also.

Jamison was a blessing this year. What I keep saying is, Im not so sure where his place is with us next year or even more so, the year after. If everything works out we keep Hughes.

Gil and Hughes are the Super Stars.

So we have Gil and Hughes. All Stars, comeplete games, young, create own shots. EVERYTHING.

The LA bigs.
Haywood is becoming a stud and can now be trusted with the ball in the post.

Lets see what Jefferies, Etan , and Kwame do with the void Jamison has left because of injury. I think they will fill the gap of rebounds and pts while playing better total D.

If they do, there is less of a need for AJ at 40min, 20 shots from the SF possition at 10-12M a year. Specially with Hayes coming back.

Let see if we end up with a better +/- in pts. Id rather have better D and less points. D win in the playoffs.


All Im saying is, I can see a POSSIBLE senario where many players fill in the pts and rebounds that AJ gives while giving us better D. That makes him not the right fit LONGER TERM because of his contract. Since he cant play D, I would want a guy ( like AJ. kind of big, good/ok ball handling, great outside shotter ) to play 10-20 minutes off the bench. I think this is what Dallas found out. His contract is to big. On a good team that wants to play good D, he should not play so many minutes so he isnt worth that kind of money. Thats what I keep saying. Not what he did this year for us or if he will star again this year.

[hands11]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TODD


I'm not quite sure why you can't grasp the fact that in the last two weeks Antawn has

-Not been healthy

-Re-adjusting to Hughes coming back into the offense making him the 2A instead of the solid #2 guy

If you weren't so persistent and fervent about this point I would say you are being foolish, but it's downright dumb to insinuate that Jared Jeffries or Kwame is going to develop into a valuable player that's comparable to Antawn. The biggest misconception that you have is that Jeffries and Brown are developing alarmingly well. They're not. Both are wildly inconsistent and neither have found their offensive game in the least. I find it hard to believe that either are going to "develop" their way out of their offensive atrocities because they've had ample time. [/QUOTE


Drop the insaults. These facts your claiming are in no way hard to grasp, they are totally obvious. Read what Im actually write. Your assigning views to me that arent accurate so Im not going to defend points you assign to me that arent mine.

Most of us try to have an elevated polite and fun interchange here. If you dont want to that fine, just please dont reply to my posts. Specially if you dont read and represent my view accurately to start with.

Goodday Sir.

[TODD]

Originally posted by hands11
Drop the insaults. These facts your claiming are in no way hard to grasp, they are totally obvious. Read what Im actually write. Your assigning views to me that arent accurate so Im not going to defend points you assign to me that arent mine.

Most of us try to have an elevated polite and fun interchange here. If you dont want to that fine, just please dont reply to my posts. Specially if you dont read and represent my view accurately to start with.

Goodday Sir. [/B]

I'm not insulting you, I just said that the point itself was stupid that Jamison isn't worthy of a starting job based on his one month play after the ASB. Sorry if you took it that way.

[mad4comp]

I think Jamison is worthy of a Starting job, but should not be used in that fashion. Even though he is capable, i believe he would be a bigger threat if we had him coming off the bench, that way he would get enough rest, and still contribute. If we use him in that role, like Dallas did last year, i believe he could work out for us in the long haul, and we could end up keeping him for more than 2 years. I think Jamison is too slim and fragile for the type of ball he plays, if we use him as a Spark off the bench, he can still contribute and rest him knees, therefore we could keep him around for longer.

[bulldog]

The Wizards have the makings of a championship backcourt.

What is left to be determined is who is going to be starting up front in 2006 and 2007 when Arenas and Hughes are near their peak as NBA players.

Jeffries, Thomas, Brown, Haywood.

There is a lot of young talent here. Not necessarily one guy you can point to as having star-power but together they give you a lot of flexibility.

One thing we do know:

If Larry Hughes is resigned by Washington that cinches it for Brendan Haywood to be a star in the NBA :laugh:

Hughes is Haywood's rabbit foot............... :cheers: