Eastern Conference Offseason Primer Part One

Cory Hughey and David Wood teamed up to breakdown the Eastern Conference teams’ needs in free agency. Click on the team names to see a detailed break down of their contract situations. Part II will be out later this week.

I often listen to a film or documentary in the background while I write to drown outside noises out. It’s a habit I picked up in LA to ignore police sirens, bums digging through dumpsters for cans, and my neighbor training her dog in Korean (I miss that one ). By chance tonight, I was watching The Men Who Built America, while David and myself took turns putting together this preview. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a terrific miniseries about the unscrupulous titans of industry who created the soot stained ivory tower that is the American empire. They lied. They reneged on deals. They used blackmail. They drowned an entire town. They did anything they needed to, to win.

Atlanta Hawks (Cory Hughey)

Draft Selections: 

Marcus Eriksson (50th), SG Spain

Dimitrios Agravanis (59th) PF Greece

Cap Room: The Hawks will have $25,571,659 million in cap space without their cap holds on Paul Millsap ($12.350 million), DeMarre Carroll ($3.175 million), Elton Brand ($2.6 million), and Pero Antic ($1.560 million). Antic and Brand will probably both be renounced off the rip; however, keeping both Millsap and Carroll could be a challenge.

Interesting factor that negates Atlanta's hometown financial advantage on DeMarre Carroll in free agency: Hawks don't have his Bird Rights.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 25, 2015

Sense I get from latest calls is Marc Gasol, Kevin Love & Millsap are staying put. Aldridge, Monroe & DJ are in play

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 30, 2015

Free Agents to Take Down Cavs: The Hawks traded away their first round pick to add Tim Hardaway Jr. on draft day, possibly as insurance for DeMarre Carroll leaving. With a core of Horford, Korver and Teague already in place, the reigning coach of the year, and Atlanta’s unofficial title of the capital of the South, it’s surprising that the Hawks aren’t anticipated to be a major player in free agency. They were left off LaMarcus Aldridge’s extensive free agent list, and will have intense competition from Utah, Boston and maybe Toronto for Millsap.  The Hawks best case scenario is probably re-signing Carroll, then utilizing Millsap’s Bird Rights, both at hefty raises. At least they haven’t had a race scandal yet this offseason.

Boston Celtics (Cory Hughey)

Draft Selections: 

Terry Rozier (16th), PG Louisville

R.J. Hunter (28th), SG Georgia State

Jordan Mickey (33rd), SF LSU

Marcus Thorton (45th), PG William & Mary

Cap Room: Assuming the Celtics say adios to the nearly $19 million in cap holds on Brandon Bass and Jonas Jerebko, they should have $20,644,254 million available for free agency after including their draft picks and Jae Crowder’s cap hold.

Greg Monroe says he will meet with the Celtics, Knicks, Bucks, Lakers and Trail Blazers http://t.co/ncZrQZTPCr pic.twitter.com/flBtjvkTb7

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 29, 2015

Sources: If Kevin Love goes forward with visits in July, expect Boston to sell him on pursuing group of Love, Robin Lopez and…Paul Pierce.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2015

Free Agents to Take Down Cavs: A time machine back to 1986? Team President Danny Ainge has favored building the team via trade rather than free agency, by circumstance, not choice. Boston has never signed a major free agent, which makes sense given the reputation the city has with racism. On draft night, Ainge offered six draft picks to Charlotte to move up from 16 to 9, but when Michael Jordan falls in love, he’s in love baby. Sometimes, the best trades are the ones you don’t make. It’s easy to lose sight that Ainge was probably months away from being fired, before the planets aligned for him during the summer of 2007. The current Celtics roster doesn’t have a dollar piece like in 2007 with Paul Pierce. The roster is littered with mid-first round talent, that would probably make great 5-8 guys on a contender. I found the Woj tweet above hilarious. I’ll always see through wine and gold tinted shades, but Kevin Love isn’t leaving for THAT. If the Celtics do land Monroe, they’ll at least have the start of a core with Marcus Smart, and they’ll still be armed with four first round picks in the 2016 Draft. While the Kings appear hesitant to deal Boogie Cousins now, come midseason an offer of Monroe and a bounty of draft picks might be too good to pass up.

Detroit Pistons (David Wood)

Look at that Jedi hair style.

Draft Selections: 

Stanley Johnson (8th), SF Arizona

Darrun Hilliard (38th), SG Villanova

Cap Room: The Pistons currently have $23,630,273 available to them if they renounce the rights to Reggie Jackson ($4,433,683 ), Greg Monroe ($10,411,877 ), Joel Anthony ($7,220,000), and Tayshaun Prince ($11,561,798). Jackson and Monroe will most likely not be renounced, so Detroit will have around $8 million to spend on someone.

Free Agents to Take Down Cavs: Somehow Detroit was better with both Monroe and Andre Drummond on the floor last season, even though both of them are at their best in the paint. Detroit needs to surround those two giants with 3-point gurus like Danny Green. Wes Matthews should also be on their radar if Portland is going into rebuild mode, but there is nothing suggesting Matthews is being targeted as of right now. But what they should really do, is let Monroe walk and start finding a stretch four to recreate the type of team Stan Van Gundy had when the Magic were a successful unit. The Pistons are rumored to be going after Draymond Green. They should throw a big offer at him. Draymond Green could be Rashard Lewis on steroids, only without needing the steroids. However, it should be noted that Green is a restricted free agent and not going anywhere.

DeMarre Carroll could be a nice addition to Detriot’s wing rotation. His ability to nail open 3-pointers and cover opposing teams’ forwards is always helpful. He could also take pressure off of Stanley Johnson to contribute right away. And finally, DeMarre and Cartier Martin could share tips for having outrageous hair.

Cartier Martin also has Jedi hair.

Miami Heat (David Wood)

Draft Selections: 

Justice Winslow (10th), SF Duke

Josh Richardson (40), SG Tennessee

Cap Room: The Heat have $302,515 if they renounce their cap hold on new free agent Dwyane Wade ($20,644,400 ). Otherwise, the Heat have no money whatsoever.

Free Agents to Take Down Cavs: The Heat don’t really have access to any free agents this season because once they sign Goran Dragic to his 5 years/$80 million contract and Wade for anything near the $16 million he desires, they will be riding the Luxury tax train. Unfortunately for the league and the Cavs, the Heat are bringing back two stretch fives (Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts), rim guardian Hassan Whiteside, and Swiss army knife rookie small forward Justice Winslow to compliment Wade (should he re-sign) and Dragic. It’s simply not fair. The Heat are sort of stacked if they stay healthy.

And, Winslow is being compared to Kawhi Leonard. The Heat sure know to have a down season when they are strapped for cash moving forward and need the most from a draft pick. Pat Riley is basically a basketball wizard.

Milwaukee Bucks (David Wood)

NBA Free Agency begins at 9:01PDT. Bucks interested in Tyson Chandler. Wade? Ray Allen? Michael Jordan? We’ll see. pic.twitter.com/yi9Ic6SwTv

— Paul Henning (@brewcitypaul) June 30, 2015

Draft Selections: 

Rashad Vaughn (17th), SG UNLV

Cap Room: The Bucks are expected to let Caron Butler and Shawne Williams go because they have non-guaranteed contracts. They could have $18,531,041 to spend. After factoring in Khris Middleton’s cap hold, they have $15,806,038 available.

Free Agents to Take Down Cavs: The Bucks are bringing back almost their whole roster next season. This team took it to the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs, but eventually their stifling defense couldn’t generate enough easy points for them. The Bucks get back legitimate scorer Jabari Parker from a torn ACL this year, so that will help them generate some offense. They also added lengthy point man Greivis Vasquez from Toronto for two draft picks. Vasquez can see over guys, and help some Bucks get easier shots. The problem is that the Bucks need some true outside threats/scorers, unless Michael Carter Williams and the Greek Freak develop their shots more. Jason Kidd developed a jumper later in his career, so he can lead those two by example.

So what should the Bucks do? They should sign Middleton to a four year contract worth around $50 million, and then use the remaining money to sign Tyson Chandler. Kidd will have to talk Chandler (title buds) into taking a slight discount and play up the chance to develop young kids into young men. Although DeAndre Jordan has been thrown around as a free agent target for Milwaukee, the Bucks need to resist getting younger. Chandler would be able to start and protect the rim just like a mentally sound Larry Sanders anyways. He could also show John Henson how patrol the painted area. Although, little Johnny held opponents to 46.8% at rim last season, which is actually better than what Tyson managed.

Milwaukee is made to stop opposing ball movement by disrupting passing lanes. Then they funnel guys into pick and roll play and isolation play, while relying on their super long arms to cause chaos at the point of attack. This team stops what the Cavs are best at with LeBron, passing to the easy shot. The Bucks have taken the idea that size matters down low and extended it to every part of the basketball unit. They’re only getting better moving forward.

New York Knicks (David Wood)

Draft Selections: 

Kristaps Porzingis (4th), PF Latvia

Jerian Grant (19th, via Washington), PG Notre Dame

Guillermo Hernangomez (35th, via Philadelphia), C Spain

Cap Room: The Knicks have $28,480,714 to play with if they renounce the rights to all their guys. They have zero if they keep the rights to all of them. New York will probably end up somewhere between those two numbers, but ESPN is saying they’re likely to have $27.7 million to use.

Free Agents to Take Down Cavs: The Knicks are going into free agency with Carmelo Anthony and Jose Calderon as their only players making more than $5 million a season. It’s a known fact that the Knicks want to win now, and they’ll need some lucky signings to do so. They are rumored to be targeting Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge, Aaron Affalo, David West, Wes Matthews, Al-Farouq Aminu, and pretty much any one with a known name that will meet with them. The Knicks need to win while still developing their young guys, so they can create something sustainable.

If the Knicks slide Carmelo back to the 3-spot, play Porzingis at the four, and sign Monroe to play the five, Porzingis would be given a chance to take lots of uncontested shots as teams focused on Melo and Monroe. Defensively, Porzingis could help by switching on pick and rolls and hunting for weak side blocks. The Knicks could then play Jerian Grant at point and hope Affalo or Matthews signed to play at the 2-spot. That starting five would be competitive in the Eastern conference. Bringing Calderon off the bench to run a hodge podge of second-unit veterans could be interesting.

Notice I didn’t mention the Triangle offense at all until now. It’s irrelevant if the Knicks want to be successful next year. They need talent more than any system and need to pick an offensive system that fits the talent they actually get. If the Knicks are trying to ruin the franchise, Coach Derek should say, “I’m all about the Triangle offense because it’s the bomb diggity.” The use of the 90s slang will further confuse the rookies and new players, which can help the Knicks to forever remain a joke.

Toronto Raptors (Cory Hughey)

Draft Selections: 

Delon Wright (20th), PG Utah

Norman Powell (46th, via Milwaukee), SG UCLA

Cap Room: The Raptors have one of the largest variances in the league for their cap situation with and without their cap holds. If they renounce everyone, they’ll have $23,141,566 in cap space. Landry Fields, Chuck Hayes, Lou Williams, and Tyler Hansborough are probably all toast. Amir Johnson and his $10.5 million cap hold could be renounced as well to make room for a big fish.

Sources confirm report from @shamscharania that the Raptors are now in line to get a sitdown with LaMarcus Aldridge. As for the Rockets …

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 29, 2015

ICYMI last night: pic.twitter.com/qQRqKLIr8q

— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) June 26, 2015

Free Agents to Take Down Cavs: 

It’s easy to dismiss the Raptors after they went out in the first round like a lamb, but this might be the best long term option for Aldridge other than the Spurs. They sport a developing center in Jonas Valanciunas, to save Aldridge’s body from banging in the paint. And, they have a topflight point guard in Lowry for pick and pop action along with a pair of talented wings in DeRozan and Ross. If he’s leaving Portland because Damian Lillard has passed him in popularity and because he wants to be “the man,” he could be that in Toronto. The surrounding cast is talented, young and even suits him, but he’d still be the star of the show. He’ll always be in Pop, Duncan and Leonard’s shadow in San Antonio. The Lakers probably won’t make the playoffs next year with Aldridge, and he’d have to deal with old ordinary Kobe for a year. The Raptors also own all of their own first round picks going forward, as well as the less favorable of the Nuggets and Knicks selection next year. That could easily be a late lottery pick. I doubt Aldridge signs in the Great White North, but the Raptors would become the early favorite to play the Cavs in the Conference Finals next season if he did. Other options include trying to pry Paul Millsap away from the Hawks, or Tobias Harris from the Magic. Both of which would be upgrades, but neither probably moves the team past the second round.