[Andrew1984Participant]

 We have heard quite about the Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, and Nets in free agency. But will anyone play the role of spoiler for the services of any of the top tier of free agents, outside of the incumbent team? In the top tier I’d place KD, Kawhi, Kyrie, Jimmy Butler, and Tobias Harris.

In light of his injury, Boogie Cousins would probably fall into tier two, but based on his history of productivity, that could change. Additionally, even though Anthony Davis isn’t technically a free agent, his willingness to sign an extension (or lack thereof) will surely be a determining factor as to his next destination, unless the Toronto move for Kawhi has set a new precedent of franchises gambling on how one year in a location can affect a player. 

Darkhorses that are flush with cash are Sacramento, Indiana, and Atlanta, but you never know who could make enough creative roster moves to emerge as a landing spot for a big name. Sometimes it comes down to a player’s relationships in the league, where he or his wife is from, etc. 

[220Participant]

 I’d have Klay Thompson and Kemba Walker in the top tier as well.

I’d add Khris Middleton, Nik Vucevic, and D’Angelo Russell in the second tier. I’dm Tobias to the second tier as well.

[HitsterParticipant]

D’Angelo Russell is an RFA so I’d figure that Brooklyn would likely match any offers.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

Not necessarily. Depends on how much of a chance they think they have to land one of the top guys and how much the offer is.  

[Striver347Participant]

Phoenix would be my choice and the Nets would be my choice.

 

Phoenix because they have some pieces they can move, and I think if they could acquire Julius Randle and any blend of DLo/Rozier/Brogdon, their PG situation gets interesting and they become more fun to watch. Also, they could target Collison/Beverly/Rondo for a more targeted veteran approach. Either way, whoever their lotto pick is paired with whoever they get in free agency will make them an exciting young group. I think Phoenix is actually the closest thing to Sacramento in terms of up and coming teams on the verge of breaking out.

 

I think Brooklyn is also interesting because if they don’t hit on any of their highest tier free agents, I’d love to see them target Randle/Portis, and Oubre. I think Oubre has serious potential as a dynamic two way guy and the team where he signs his next contract plays a huge role into that. Brooklyn can be that place. I also think Randle could become the next Blake Griffin in the right situation, and Brooklyn has unselfish guys who can score and compliment his drive/kickout for open 3s element of his game. Really think those are two underdogs to watch!

[MkadozaParticipant]

 I think Randle would be a DREAM fit for Brooklyn!

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 The Suns,Pacers, Hawks..

The Suns could add Randle or Dangelo Russell

The Pacers need a PG like Russell as well..

The Hawks could add a guy Malcom Brogdon, he’s from the area and he fits the system. 

[XYRYXParticipant]

If the Mavs can manage to create some cap space they might really be a good team next year. Add Kemba, Harris or Middleton and this team has a really nice core. While there will be a good number of teams who will strike out on all the big time free agents, a team like the Mavs could have a B+ kind of summer and this would be a huge success when everyone is talking about the two teams in LA or NY. 

I really don’t know if KD really leaves and if Kawhi is truely LA bound after what THAT season even not over yet and Kyrie and his body along with his strange/questionable antics really are what a franchise brings to the next level. 

If I were Dallas, I would try to somehow get Randle and make a strong run at Middleton or Harris if Randle doesn’t work. With the most recent news that Capela and Paul are available, this should also be a target of the Mavs even if Houston might not be willing to do a texan trade and Paul’s contract is basically untradable. 

[holefillers1Participant]

Sixers have full intentions of signing Butler Harris and Redick.  If this plan falls through I could see them targeting Middleton. Perhaps even making another trade 

[220Participant]

 They may try, but I doubt Middleton leaves Milwaukee unless the Bucks don’t want him.

[holefillers1Participant]

Probably right but it wouldn’t hurt to force the Bucks to max him 

[The GoatParticipant]

 Is there any chance that not only Boogie is offered the max by the King’s, but that he goes back? It’d be a helluva lineup – Boogie Bagley Bogdan/Barnes Buddy and the Fox

[r377Participant]

 Haha funny.  No chance the Kings want that cancer back

[r377Participant]

 No one talking Orlando ?

Made the playoffs and have some free cap space

[r377Participant]

 If Broken Lopez doesn’t resign with the Bucks, I have read they would target Frank Kaminsky

[MkadozaParticipant]

 Boogie in ATL could be fun. He and Collins in the frontcourt would be fun.

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

 Assuming some cap room is made or used right:

Suns Target: Best availble PF, Sf or PG that fits current roster this assuming they don’t trade for any of CP3,Lonzo and Mike C.

So D angelo,K.D,Tobias will probably all be in the mix for this slot however wild cards for the slot: Demarcus cousins playing PF like he did in NOLA making up for Aytons lack of Range and Ayton covering Cousins average defense could be an interesting fit. Players I would stay away from: Kyrie as he wouldn’t really fit with Booker+ their defense would suck and Julius Randle as he doesn’t really space the floor meaning their bigs would clog the paint for their guards…

Pacers: Need an upgrade at alot of positions except maybe SG(assuming V.O comes back to same level player): They target: Cousins,Kemba,Paul Millsap and Nikola Vukevic. Basically Bigs that could space the floor or bang down low if Turner stays on perimeter..Also maybe best available SF due to Evans drug ban…So Butler or Harris may get looks here…Players to stay away from: Deandre Jordan as he doesn’t really completment Turner due to lack of post moves and Brogdan as he seems like a slight better version of Collison..

Orlando targets: Best available PG so Kemba,Beverley Brogdan all get looks here…But this is under the premise that Futlz isn’t even close to coming back or that they don’t want to try start him first before going after these guys..Players they should keep away from PF’s or being careful what the pay Nik V..

Could go into Lakers,Clippers Knicks but most people know who they will chase: K.D,Butler,Klay,Kawhi and Irving who they will end up with though is all dependent on what happens in GSW series and if 76ers are willing to go into cap hell with this current team..

Wild card somehow Presti makes enough room for Al horford(back loaded deal?)…Which would be a low key nice pick up if we can keep Adams,Schroder,Wesbrook and PG out of any trades…Could see Horford doing something different like this if he believes Boston is going full youth or trading for A.D sort of move..

[festar35Participant]

Sorry got to way in on the Pacers stuff here, not trying to be a dick but did you watch any games of theirs?

We do not need another C! We have Turner (led lead in blocks) & Sabonis (14-9-3 in 24mpg) Sabonis is that banger down low with Turner on the perimeter if they choose to play Turner at PF, which I hope they do.

Tyreke Evans was an absolute disaster in Indiana & he certainly doesn’t need replacing, besides our SF was Bojan Bogdanovic who put up 18ppg (averaged 20ppg+ when Vis went down). I do agree with the Tobias Harris target, in fact of realistic gets I have him at #1 on my wishlist ahead of Kemba.

 

As for Phoenix I agree they need a PG & PF, but they dont need a SF as much as they need to make a decision on which one they want to go with long-term. They have 4 young prospects at that spot in TJ Warren, Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges & Kelly Oubre (RFA). I’d ride with Bridges as he is a very nice 3 & D player who compliments Booker nicely as he doesn’t need the ball all the time. I probably keep TJ Warren around as a hybrid forward off the bench, a very nice role for him as a scoring bunch & leader of 2nd unit.

I feel they will address their PG situation in the draft with Garland or White & that just leaves the PF spot where Harris is not the answer. They need a defensive kind of guy here, a guy like Al Farouq-Aminu or Thaddeus Young. Phoenix has plenty of scorers, they need some swiss army knife kind of guys who can do a bit of everything well.

[220Participant]

The biggest needs the Pacers had whenever I watched them was more playmakers and scoring. They did an amazing job competing without Oladipo, but they just couldn’t score enough against the better teams. It may be unrealistic, but Kemba Walker would solve a lot of the Pacers scoring limitations. As you said Tobias Harris would be a nice addition  who could continue to grow his game as the clear cut second option offensively. My only concern with that would be that I don’t know how far a team could truly go with Harris as the second option offensively now and in the future.

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