ACD - A Look ahead: 2004’s Top Free Agents
Jun 29, 2020 10:16:03 GMT -8
Spencer, Play, and 1 more like this
Post by Galo on Jun 29, 2020 10:16:03 GMT -8
A Look ahead: 2004’s Top Free Agents
This might be the league's most anticipated free agency – probably more so than last year with a large number of significant franchise players testing this off-season. Let’s take a look at some of the big names that might be changing teams in 2004.
1st tier – Elite class/Big Catches
Kobe Bryant - SG
Current team: Sacramento Kings
2003 Stat line: 33.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 5.1 APG, 2.4 SPG, 50% FG, 49% 3PT
Analysis: In a surprising move, the Magic dealt Kobe at the deadline for a slightly worse and smaller version in Allen Iverson to win and reset their Contract Year. Yet, the move didn’t work out, break got the axe unfortunately and the Magic are now under new ownership with @prat . For the Kings, it was a significant win since they gave up Antoine Walker, Theo Ratliff and Marquis Daniels for AI and they flipped him straight up to get Kobe back. Will ashes lose Kobe and/or Nash in free agency and mark a second straight year of losing a big FA after the Camby loss last year? It would be a devastating blow but this team should be in good shape regardless because of their ownership.
Steve Nash - PG
Current team: Sacramento Kings
2003 Stat Line: 29.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 9.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 49% FG, 42% 3PT
Analysis: Perennial All-League Point God Steve Nash is also testing free agency this off-season which has to be throwing the Kings in a loop. Nash just completed his 3rd season in Sacramento and carried them to their first Finals appearance last season. He should have plenty of suitors and max offers this off-season but if the Kings take the title this year, will he really make a move or will he re-up to keep playing with Kobe? Should be a dramatic FA for the Kings this off-season.
Kevin Garnett - PF
Current team: Cleveland Cavaliers
2003 Stat Line: 24.9 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.9 SPG, 2.8 BPG, 45% FG
Analysis: Is there a more complete player in the league than the Big Ticket right now? There’s a few players that dominate more but KG is definitely up there. He’s a 2-time DPOY winner and has several All-League titles to his name as well. It would be a huge loss to the Cavs to lose KG for nothing but this team has their picks moving forward and would be able to rebound eventually. If KG had a resigning offer though, they would be in fine shape moving forward and might still be if he re-inks with them in FA.
Allen Iverson - SG
Current team: Orlando Magic
2003 Stat Line: 34.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.0 APG, 3.0 SPG, 49% FG, 45% 3PT
Analysis: The 03’ Scoring title champ found himself in Orlando after he was in position to go for a title in Sacramento just 20 FBB days ago. Iverson is the league’s best scorer still and in his prime so they’ll be a ton of interest on the open market. Out of the all teams on this list, AI means the most to the Magic in terms of value since they don’t have much assets on their roster aside from Camby and an overpaid Rashard Lewis. If they lose AI and don’t have their picks, they are in a world of hurt.
Ray Allen - SG
Current team: Atlanta Hawks
2003 Stat Line: 28.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, 49% FG, 47% 3 PT
Analysis: Allen wrapped up his first campaign in ATL where he failed to lead them to the playoffs and lost in Styro’s CY. Apparently, the combination of Big Dog and Allen wasn’t enough in a hyper competitive East this season. After taking Dallas to the Finals last season, Allen might be on the move again and looking to play for a winner. New GM footy will be on pins and needles trying to keep his star sharpshooter in a Hawks uni next season during FA.
Shaquille O’Neal - C
Current team: Seattle SuperSonics
2003 Stat Line: 22.8 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 5.7 APG, 3.3 BPG, 50% FG
Analysis: In his first 4 seasons, Shaq hasn’t found significant success in BBS20 yet. After a blockbuster Creation trade that sent him to Denver in exchange for C-Webb and KG, he has not become a dominant force in the league like Duncan or KG. Has he been utilized incorrectly or not been in the right system yet with the right team? Either way, Shaq will garner max contract interest even at 31 years old and the best kept secret is that he still has camps available to improve his handles or free throws. A smart team will snatch him and make him better if he doesn’t stay in Seattle.
2nd Tier – Good but not Elite
Jason Williams - PG
Current team: Phoenix Suns
2003 Stat Line: 21.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 8.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 43% FG
Analysis: J-Will was easily the Suns most valuable player this season and it’s not close. After the Warriors nabbed Williams from the Sonics this past off-season, Andrew quickly moved to secure the former Florida Gator. Now on his second 1 year deal in his career, J-Will is testing again and still at a young-ish age of 27. It will be interesting if he re-ups with Phoenix or what other offers he gets out in the market.
Paul Pierce - SF
Current team: Minnesota Timberwolves
2003 Stat Line: 23.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 45% FG, 40% 3PT
Analysis: Paul Pierce landed in New Orleans this off-season in the blockbuster trade that also netted them Elton Brand and Allan Houston in exchange for the projected #1 pick in 2003. Pierce struggled on defense in New Orleans and was flipped near the deadline to Dallas for AK47 along with draft picks. Dallas then went into tank mode and moved Pierce to Minnesota in order to help their last ditch playoff run. While Pierce is not regarded as a defender, he’s still an above average scorer and should garner max contract interest at only 26 years old.
Elton Brand - PF
Current team: New Orleans Hornets
2003 Stat Line: 18.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.6 BPG, 46% FG
Analysis: NOH GM Von recently declined EB’s resign offer so he’ll be on the market as well. Brand quietly had a nice season in New Orleans putting up 18/10 on good percentages but still not the player he was 2-3 seasons ago. Can he bounce back from that with a nice TC and at only 24 years old? It’s possible and they’ll be some suitors in FA especially if many strike out with the elite players.
Baron Davis
Current Team: Denver Nuggets
2003 Stat Line: 12.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, 44% FG, 43% 3 PT
Analysis: Phoenix finally moved on from Baron this season cashing out on the former UCLA star for a coveted 2006 ATL 1st rounder and filler to Dallas. After spending a couple weeks with the Mavs, Baron then landed in Denver at the deadline. At 24, Davis still has 1 camp to get better but really needs a nice TC in order to become an above average PG. As of now, he’s a suitable SG that gets a good amount of steals so it will be interesting to see what offers he gets in FA.
Damon Stoudamire - PG
Current team: Cleveland Cavaliers
2003 Stat Line: 14.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 50% FG, 45% 3 PT
Analysis: Stoudamire makes this list on the strength of carrying the Cavs to a #2 seed and because the league is starved for effective point guards. As soon as the Cavs got Stoudamire, they took off after moving on from the declining Gary Payton. Mighty Mouse shoots great percentages, takes care of the ball pretty well and does enough on defense to be effective. This is another guy that should see some nice offers since there’s a lot PG needy teams out there.
This might be the league's most anticipated free agency – probably more so than last year with a large number of significant franchise players testing this off-season. Let’s take a look at some of the big names that might be changing teams in 2004.
1st tier – Elite class/Big Catches
Kobe Bryant - SG
Current team: Sacramento Kings
2003 Stat line: 33.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 5.1 APG, 2.4 SPG, 50% FG, 49% 3PT
Analysis: In a surprising move, the Magic dealt Kobe at the deadline for a slightly worse and smaller version in Allen Iverson to win and reset their Contract Year. Yet, the move didn’t work out, break got the axe unfortunately and the Magic are now under new ownership with @prat . For the Kings, it was a significant win since they gave up Antoine Walker, Theo Ratliff and Marquis Daniels for AI and they flipped him straight up to get Kobe back. Will ashes lose Kobe and/or Nash in free agency and mark a second straight year of losing a big FA after the Camby loss last year? It would be a devastating blow but this team should be in good shape regardless because of their ownership.
Steve Nash - PG
Current team: Sacramento Kings
2003 Stat Line: 29.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 9.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 49% FG, 42% 3PT
Analysis: Perennial All-League Point God Steve Nash is also testing free agency this off-season which has to be throwing the Kings in a loop. Nash just completed his 3rd season in Sacramento and carried them to their first Finals appearance last season. He should have plenty of suitors and max offers this off-season but if the Kings take the title this year, will he really make a move or will he re-up to keep playing with Kobe? Should be a dramatic FA for the Kings this off-season.
Kevin Garnett - PF
Current team: Cleveland Cavaliers
2003 Stat Line: 24.9 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.9 SPG, 2.8 BPG, 45% FG
Analysis: Is there a more complete player in the league than the Big Ticket right now? There’s a few players that dominate more but KG is definitely up there. He’s a 2-time DPOY winner and has several All-League titles to his name as well. It would be a huge loss to the Cavs to lose KG for nothing but this team has their picks moving forward and would be able to rebound eventually. If KG had a resigning offer though, they would be in fine shape moving forward and might still be if he re-inks with them in FA.
Allen Iverson - SG
Current team: Orlando Magic
2003 Stat Line: 34.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.0 APG, 3.0 SPG, 49% FG, 45% 3PT
Analysis: The 03’ Scoring title champ found himself in Orlando after he was in position to go for a title in Sacramento just 20 FBB days ago. Iverson is the league’s best scorer still and in his prime so they’ll be a ton of interest on the open market. Out of the all teams on this list, AI means the most to the Magic in terms of value since they don’t have much assets on their roster aside from Camby and an overpaid Rashard Lewis. If they lose AI and don’t have their picks, they are in a world of hurt.
Ray Allen - SG
Current team: Atlanta Hawks
2003 Stat Line: 28.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, 49% FG, 47% 3 PT
Analysis: Allen wrapped up his first campaign in ATL where he failed to lead them to the playoffs and lost in Styro’s CY. Apparently, the combination of Big Dog and Allen wasn’t enough in a hyper competitive East this season. After taking Dallas to the Finals last season, Allen might be on the move again and looking to play for a winner. New GM footy will be on pins and needles trying to keep his star sharpshooter in a Hawks uni next season during FA.
Shaquille O’Neal - C
Current team: Seattle SuperSonics
2003 Stat Line: 22.8 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 5.7 APG, 3.3 BPG, 50% FG
Analysis: In his first 4 seasons, Shaq hasn’t found significant success in BBS20 yet. After a blockbuster Creation trade that sent him to Denver in exchange for C-Webb and KG, he has not become a dominant force in the league like Duncan or KG. Has he been utilized incorrectly or not been in the right system yet with the right team? Either way, Shaq will garner max contract interest even at 31 years old and the best kept secret is that he still has camps available to improve his handles or free throws. A smart team will snatch him and make him better if he doesn’t stay in Seattle.
2nd Tier – Good but not Elite
Jason Williams - PG
Current team: Phoenix Suns
2003 Stat Line: 21.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 8.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 43% FG
Analysis: J-Will was easily the Suns most valuable player this season and it’s not close. After the Warriors nabbed Williams from the Sonics this past off-season, Andrew quickly moved to secure the former Florida Gator. Now on his second 1 year deal in his career, J-Will is testing again and still at a young-ish age of 27. It will be interesting if he re-ups with Phoenix or what other offers he gets out in the market.
Paul Pierce - SF
Current team: Minnesota Timberwolves
2003 Stat Line: 23.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 45% FG, 40% 3PT
Analysis: Paul Pierce landed in New Orleans this off-season in the blockbuster trade that also netted them Elton Brand and Allan Houston in exchange for the projected #1 pick in 2003. Pierce struggled on defense in New Orleans and was flipped near the deadline to Dallas for AK47 along with draft picks. Dallas then went into tank mode and moved Pierce to Minnesota in order to help their last ditch playoff run. While Pierce is not regarded as a defender, he’s still an above average scorer and should garner max contract interest at only 26 years old.
Elton Brand - PF
Current team: New Orleans Hornets
2003 Stat Line: 18.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.6 BPG, 46% FG
Analysis: NOH GM Von recently declined EB’s resign offer so he’ll be on the market as well. Brand quietly had a nice season in New Orleans putting up 18/10 on good percentages but still not the player he was 2-3 seasons ago. Can he bounce back from that with a nice TC and at only 24 years old? It’s possible and they’ll be some suitors in FA especially if many strike out with the elite players.
Baron Davis
Current Team: Denver Nuggets
2003 Stat Line: 12.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, 44% FG, 43% 3 PT
Analysis: Phoenix finally moved on from Baron this season cashing out on the former UCLA star for a coveted 2006 ATL 1st rounder and filler to Dallas. After spending a couple weeks with the Mavs, Baron then landed in Denver at the deadline. At 24, Davis still has 1 camp to get better but really needs a nice TC in order to become an above average PG. As of now, he’s a suitable SG that gets a good amount of steals so it will be interesting to see what offers he gets in FA.
Damon Stoudamire - PG
Current team: Cleveland Cavaliers
2003 Stat Line: 14.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 50% FG, 45% 3 PT
Analysis: Stoudamire makes this list on the strength of carrying the Cavs to a #2 seed and because the league is starved for effective point guards. As soon as the Cavs got Stoudamire, they took off after moving on from the declining Gary Payton. Mighty Mouse shoots great percentages, takes care of the ball pretty well and does enough on defense to be effective. This is another guy that should see some nice offers since there’s a lot PG needy teams out there.
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