Summer 2010 FA Predictions Thread

[BasX]

I don't feel like making a list because I don't care where LeBron goes, Wade is staying, Amare is to Miami and Toronto could get Bosh by default. The real thing to me is Manu is likely to play in Italy or Spain next year. I just see the dollar amount so high.

[Dash]

A lot of people are saying its because it's his hometown, but like you said, that might not necessarily give him a reason to actually want to play there.

 

Some people say it's because the team looks better on paper, you know, playing with Rose, Deng, Noah, and Hinrich. I don't think people realize, but the Heat have Beasley, two first rounders, and Pat Riley has the cap space to build a championship caliber line up, especially with this jaw-dropping list of free agents.

 

 

 

This is the line up that I believe Pat Riley could be envisioning: Steve Blake - Dwyane Wade - Tracy McGrady - Michael Beasley - Amar'e Stoudemire.

 

 

I think Blake will come to Miami for several reasons. 1) His situation with the Clippers will make him decide to explore FA. 2) He went to high school with Haslem, therefore he'll have a good interest in joining the Heat. 3) His skillset fits perfectly for this line up. He's a defensive-minded vet (the type of player Riley LOVES), he's non-ball-dominant and accustomed to playing with a star combo-guard, has a high assist/turnover ratio, and he can shoot threes.

 

Amar'e will come to Miami because he's already expressed that he wants to be here. When he makes himself available in FA, Riles will take him in a heartbeat no questions asked.

 

T-Mac will come because the Heat staff has been quietly keeping tabs on him. I'm not completely certain about him, but if Miami feels they can get him back in shape and care about defense, they'll take him as well. There's also a chance he could take a sixth man role like Antoine Walker did, and the Heat may start a defensive-minded player at the wing. Maybe they'll sign Raja Bell, resign Dorell Wright, or some other free agent to give the Heat more defense in the starting group, but either way, T-Mac would still have a large role.

 

 

 

Now, compare that line up to: Derrick Rose - Dwyane Wade - Luol Deng - Taj Gibson - Joakim Noah.

 

 

Two immediate differences here. 1) Lack of 3 point shooting to compliment Rose, Wade, and even Deng's slashing ability. 2) Lack of overall talent compared to what the Heat can grab in free agency. Rose will be Wade's only other all star talent, whereas in the Heat they could possibly get Amar'e, Beasley as a future all star, and T-Mac as a former all star. The Heat can get all the other defensive role players through their remaining cap space.

 

 

 

So really, I'd like to know why so many people think Wade is just going to bolt to Chicago the moment he's a free agent. The only time he'll decide to go to Chicago is IF Riley isn't able to bring any of these free agents. Only then would he have any reason to leave. Again, he wants to stay.

 

You said it yourself, just because a player has some connections to a team doesn't mean he'll go there.

[Flash]

I don't feel like making a list because I don't care where LeBron goes, Wade is staying, Amare is to Miami and Toronto could get Bosh by default. The real thing to me is Manu is likely to play in Italy or Spain next year. I just see the dollar amount so high.

 

Yeah I had Manu going overseas. I heard he was offered 14 million or something close to that. He'd be crazy not to take that at this stage in his career.

[BasX]

Ya I just don't know what country would be best for him. If that offer stands, he'd be nuts not to take it.

[Flash]

A lot of people are saying its because it's his hometown, but like you said, that might not necessarily give him a reason to actually want to play there.

 

Some people say it's because the team looks better on paper, you know, playing with Rose, Deng, Noah, and Hinrich. I don't think people realize, but the Heat have Beasley, two first rounders, and Pat Riley has the cap space to build a championship caliber line up, especially with this jaw-dropping list of free agents.

 

 

 

This is the line up that I believe Pat Riley could be envisioning: Steve Blake - Dwyane Wade - Tracy McGrady - Michael Beasley - Amar'e Stoudemire.

 

 

I think Blake will come to Miami for several reasons. 1) His situation with the Clippers will make him decide to explore FA. 2) He went to high school with Haslem, therefore he'll have a good interest in joining the Heat. 3) His skillset fits perfectly for this line up. He's a defensive-minded vet (the type of player Riley LOVES), he's non-ball-dominant and accustomed to playing with a star combo-guard, has a high assist/turnover ratio, and he can shoot threes.

 

Amar'e will come to Miami because he's already expressed that he wants to be here. When he makes himself available in FA, Riles will take him in a heartbeat no questions asked.

 

T-Mac will come because the Heat staff has been quietly keeping tabs on him. I'm not completely certain about him, but if Miami feels they can get him back in shape and care about defense, they'll take him as well. There's also a chance he could take a sixth man role like Antoine Walker did, and the Heat may start a defensive-minded player at the wing. Maybe they'll sign Raja Bell, resign Dorell Wright, or some other free agent to give the Heat more defense in the starting group, but either way, T-Mac would still have a large role.

 

 

 

Now, compare that line up to: Derrick Rose - Dwyane Wade - Luol Deng - Taj Gibson - Joakim Noah.

 

 

Two immediate differences here. 1) Lack of 3 point shooting to compliment Rose, Wade, and even Deng's slashing ability. 2) Lack of overall talent compared to what the Heat can grab in free agency. Rose will be Wade's only other all star talent, whereas in the Heat they could possibly get Amar'e, Beasley as a future all star, and T-Mac as a former all star. The Heat can get all the other defensive role players through their remaining cap space.

 

 

 

So really, I'd like to know why so many people think Wade is just going to bolt to Chicago the moment he's a free agent. The only time he'll decide to go to Chicago is IF Riley isn't able to bring any of these free agents. Only then would he have any reason to leave. Again, he wants to stay.

If we do in fact get Amare, I think that would move Beasley to the 3. Our defense at PF and center would be horrid so a guy like Marcus Camby would be a nice option there.

 

Also, point guard needs to be addressed big time unless Riles thinks that Chalmers or Arroyo is our answer there. I really like Raymond Felton for us if we can afford him.

[Poe]

You said it yourself, just because a player has some connections to a team doesn't mean he'll go there.

That's true of course, but it's more convincing when a player says that he actually wants to play here. Amar'e and Boozer have both shown interest. I don't recall Wade ever saying he wants to play in Chicago.

Edited March 31, 2010 by Poe

[Jammin]

Not sure about Amare but both Stein and Wojnorowski from Yahoo say Miami is his first choice if he leaves PHX so I'm assuming he'd be okay playing with Wade and being the number 2 guy.

Marion was traded because Amare wanted to be #1. He was the reason behind a near-championship team's demise because he wanted to be #1 and didn't want to share it with Marion. I don't think he'll be jumping for joy if someone tells him he's not the #1 option.

[NomarFachix]

I can't see Bron enjoying the idea of playing in Newark for the next two seasons until the BK arena is finished.