Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Gilbert Arenas are just three of over a dozen quality NBA players who will be free agents next year. Teams looking to make a power move towards the championship may want to clear out some salary cap room. Many of these guys—most—don’t come cheap. That makes the free agent market slim for the big time players.NOTE: ALL STATS FROM 2007
The San Antonio Spurs and Duncan will probably sign an extension before things get silly. Duncan (55% FG, 20 PPG, 10.6 RPG. 2.4 BPG), a front man who can score and defend, is a solidifying presence. He had a fine post-season as he helped the Spurs win the title. Salary for 2007 was almost $17.5 million. He’s 31 years old.
The Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (46% FG, 22.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 1.7 BPG) wants out and the Wolves are trying to deal him. His $21 million salary doesn’t make this easy, especially because his free agent year is in 2008. At 31 years of age, Garnett, who has played his entire career in Minnesota, wants to get at least one ring and leaving the Wolves looks like that’s the only way that will happen. Garnett has sure hands and the ability to block shots and steal the ball. Another upside is his foul shooting, which was 84% last season. Stay tuned this summer.
Wizards’ point guard Gilbert Arenas (42% FG, 28.4 PPG, 6 APG, 1.9 SPG) makes a little over $11 million. Which means that he can get a better deal. Arenas is a 35% 3-point shooter and a 84% foul shooter. He’s been in the league six years and at 25 years old is a player of the future whose future is now.
Arenas will not sign an extension because unlike Garnett and Duncan he’s worth a lot more in the free market. He could be the top free agent in 2008 because unlike the other two, he will not sign a contract extension.
Other major players include the Clippers Elton Brand, the Suns Shawn Marion and the Pacers Jermaine O’Neal.
Technorati Tags: Tim Duncan. Kevin Garnett, Gilbert Arenas, Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, Jeremaine O’Neal
The Spurs next year will have only Duncan, Manu, Parker, Bonner, Vaughn signed for next year (as of now). They will have close to 20 million in cap space.
Look for them to push for Garnett or Brand. Garnett, if he opts out, could sign with Spurs.
Good point. And that would probably make the Spurs and Garnett very happy. Also, I know that the salary cap system of the NBA is fairly complex, with a lot of loop holes. So the Spurs, possibly, could even be in better shape than they look on paper as far as money is concerned.
Maybe I’ll go check out the cap a bit more later. I have not reviewed it in about a year. It’s a fairly soft or pliable cap.
Thanks!
Barnabee