Post by IanBoyd on Mar 24, 2021 18:30:59 GMT -5
Centers:
1. Kenny George C 7'8'' 375 27 B- C- F C C C Hawks
The top spot among FA center goes to one of 6.0's true stalwart defensive bigs and the reigning DPOY. Since being moved in the highly discussed trade for a top 4 pick, Kenny George has doubled his shot blocking production and anchors one of the best defensive lineups in a league filled with high powered inside based offenses. At only 27 soon to be 28 years old, age isn't a concern for teams looking to pry away the flyswatter of the Hawks and with his starting salary projecting to only be 12.5 mil, it opens the door for even more potential suitors. Expect every team with cap space to offer Kenny a max.
Projected FA value: 6 year max
2. Winfred King C 6'10'' 250 24 B+ D C- C+ B C Mavericks
As we're approaching the era of actual created rooks hitting the FA market, Winfred King gives us a first glance at this year's market that will headlined by multiple expiring extended 2nd rounders that have been under the tutelage of active GMs willing to immediately upgrade them as well as giving them mentorship help from an established star capable of giving these players an additional upwards of 15 extra attributes. King takes over the minutes left by the retiring Bob Kurland in Dallas and hasn't missed a beat, matching and even exceeding Kurland's 3002 stats. Those will may balk at the idea of paying a 2nd rounder a full max should get comfortable with the idea and accept it as an eventuality, this FA will be full of those players.
Projected FA value: 6 year max
3. Ron Crevier C 7'0'' 235 27 C+ D+ D B C+ D Magic
Another expiring 2nd rounder that was once famously shopped for a top 5 pick and hasn't nearly lived up to the window asking price. Crevier enters the FA market as the more defensive oriented version of Winfred King but with much less refined offense, which leaves him in sort of a limbo situation between teams that want their scoring bigs to shoot over 50% and the emerging outside oriented teams that want their defensive bigs to take as few shots as possible. Creiver isn't worth a top 5 pick nor a full max, but a shorter term max deal wouldn't be surprising.
Projected FA value: 3 year max
4. Jim Lampley C 6'10'' 230 24 C D D+ B C+ C Pipers
The first overall pick of the 2nd round for the inaugural rookie class, Lampley hasn't been as fortunate as some of his other 2nd round counterparts that were able to receive mentorship and full upgrades. But despite all those obstacles, Jim has developed into a decently well rounded big that can be developed either as a scoring big with a +30 inside or perhaps a d/r big by maxing out his shot blocking and rebounding. Had he immediately received his full upgrades and been shot blocking capped right after his initial TC, Lampley might have become one of the better defensive players in the league with a few more good TCs, who knows if that window of development is still open?
Projected FA value: 1 year 7 mil
Power Forwards:
1. Kennedy Meeks PF 6'9'' 265 28 A- C C- C C+ C Chaparrals
The #1 PF spot and best scoring big man in FA undoubtedly is also the most gangsta. Meeks was initially viewed as perhaps a questionable pick during creation draft because of his perceived handling and efficiency grades in the test sim files but has erased all those questions over the past 3 seasons. Though he's taken a backseat to Breshers as the #1 scoring option on the Chaps, Meeks remain one of the best scoring bigs in the league and will be receiving max offers from everyone.
Projected FA value: 6 year max
2. Jarvis Lang PF 6'7'' 240 27 A C- F+ C- C F Grizzlies
Ranked just slightly behind Meeks due to his initial F potential likely still giving people pause about the long term future for Jarvis, I'm sure most people, including druce are surprised at how well Jarvis has maintained his elite production despite now undergoing 3 TCs with a F potential. While his short term future looks like it will be no issue, GMs looking to shell out a 6 year contract are still bearish on that dreaded -3/-4 TC once Lang's age hits 30+. But Regardless of what Jarvis of the 3008 season might look like, the player we see now is still a no brainer max in FA.
Projected FA value: 6 year max
3. Kimberly Belton PF 6'7'' 225 23 C+ C- C- C C+ D Magic
Pretty huge drop off from 2 full maxes to the last PF worth a mention in FA. Belton is currently playing for a rebuilding Orlando roster devoid of any real scoring talent and still averaging less than 15 points a game, but he's young enough and has all his upgrades and camp available to him should a team want to take a chance with him and max out his inside to turn him into a possible B+ inside scoring big that can put up 20 a game on 50% FG.
Projected FA value: 1 year 7 mil
Small Forwards:
1. Luke Maye SF 6'8'' 240 25 A- B+ C C B B Cougars
The cream of the FA crop and by far the best player in the league that has been traded more than once. Luke Maye was and remains a top 5 player from the creation file and can fit any style of offense, at 6'8'' and SG eligible, Maye is basically Wayne Estes with a 3 point shot and better handles (at the expense of slightly less points and rebounds). Maye should receive a max offer from any and everyone, even those that already have their starting wing rotations set.
Projected FA value: 6 year max
2. Josh Peppers SF 6'6'' 205 27 A- C D- C- C D Trail Blazers
A poor man's version of Wayne Estes, without the elite rebounding but still elite enough on the offensive end to warrant a full 6 year max. Unlike Maye, Peppers can't really be plugged into an outside offense as a #1 option and his rebounding is closer to sub-par than good for a SF with a C displayed grade. However, SG eligible SFs that can put up points will always be a commodity in sim league, Peppers should likely sign for a full max, but probably won't get close to as many suitors as Luke Maye will.
Projected FA value: 6 year max
3. John Pinone SF 6'8'' 240 24 B+ C+ D C C D Warriors
Traded for Winfred King in a 2nd rounder for 2nd rounder swap before the season between the Clippers and Mavericks and has since changed teams yet again, John Pinone will be heading into his contract year with what appears to be a breakout season so far and being a SG eligible wing that can put up points will always be a selling point.
Projected FA value: 3 year max
4. Ken Austin SF 6'9'' 205 23 B+ C D+ D+ C C SuperSonics
Here we'll see our first test of how stock GMs put into these expiring 2nd rounders, Austin's production is without question worthy of being paid like a max player, but as a D potential 2nd rounder that can't play SG or consistently hit a 3 pointer to save his life, how many GMs are willing to commit max cap space for a player that can only play 1 position and finished #17th at that one position in winshares last year?
Projected FA value: 3 year max
Shooting Guards:
1. Oscar Schmidt SG 6'9'' 230 33 B B+ D- D- D- F Timberwolves
Shooting guard is by far the weakest position in FA this year and Oscar defaults as the best option despite being one of the oldest and possessing 0 defensive or rebounding skills. Those offering a contract to Schmidt will be doing so for his ability to put the ball in the basket as well as using his 6'9'' size to overcome some of his shortcomings in the d/r attributes department.
Projected FA value: 1 year max
2. Raymond Lewis SG 6'1'' 180 28 B C D- D+ D- D SuperSonics
2. Raymond Lewis SG 6'1'' 180 28 B C D- D+ D- D SuperSonics
Though his death in TC might be exaggerated, nobody will be wanting to take a long term chance with a creation player that just went -4 in TC. Raymond might not look terrible in very limited minutes so far this season as the *checks notes* 6th? wing option for the Sonics, he's largely still living off his creation season reputation as a theoretical 20 ppg scorer. Teams with max cap space that strike out in the first day of free agency desperate for a SG in day 2 could likely offer a 1 year contract to Raymond.
Projected FA value: 1 year max
3. Jon Diebler SG 6'6'' 197 33 C+ B B C C- D Warriors
3. Jon Diebler SG 6'6'' 197 33 C+ B B C C- D Warriors
Currently riding out an injury that will have robbed him a third of his contract year, Jon appears to be a tier above the typical MLE players based on his previous seasons' productions. Though I doubt he's capable of putting up 20+ anymore, Diebler should likely have no problem finding a landing spot as a 3rd wing for most teams in the league.
Projected FA value: 1 year 7 mil
Point Guards:
1. Demetrius Mitchell PG 5'10'' 185 35 A C C+ D+ D- D Grizzlies
No longer the offensive juggernaut like he was during creation season, Demetrius Mitchell remain one of the best players at a position sorely lacking in elite talent. With a displayed A inside, Mitchell is a perfect fit for the current preferred inside based offense most teams are running. Retirement remains a high likelihood due to his age and expiring contract, but should Mitchell decide to stick around in 6.0 for a few more years, he'll have no shortage of suitors.
Projected FA value: 6 year max
2. Stewart Granger PG 6'3'' 200 23 C A- A- C- D- C Bobcats
Though not the prototypical 2.0/4.0 max PG by any means, Stewart Granger has been mentored carefully in the Bobcats system for the last 3 years and has finally been handed the keys to the offense this year as the Bobcats pivot to a full scale 4.0 outside offense. Though his efficiency and rebounding leave much to be desired, positional scarcity as well as being one of the few outside capable players means Granger will likely receive many max offers.
Projected FA value: 6 year max
3. Rod Foster PG 6'1'' 160 24 C B+ C+ C D C Stags
The lesser known version of Stewart Granger that traded 30 points of passing for higher efficiency, an argument could even be made for Foster as the #1 point guard in the class until you consider Foster's lack of talent around him inflating his own stats. Regardless of how "real" his 24 ppg might be, if those efficiency numbers hold up, Foster is definitely worth a max contract even if his production dips to 18 ppg or so.
Projected FA value: 6 year max
4. Drew Neitzel PG 6'1'' 200 22 C B- B C- D B Cougars
Best comped to the current floor general of the defending champion 76ers, Neitzel has found his niche (ayylmao good pun boyd) as a low turnover low usage floor general that puts the rest of his team, especially the bigs in prime scoring positions. At only 22 years old, its safe to assume Drew is far from reaching his prime, with the right situation, Neitzel could very well be among the league leader in assist/to for many years to come.
Projected FA value: 3 years 8 mil per year
Best comped to the current floor general of the defending champion 76ers, Neitzel has found his niche (ayylmao good pun boyd) as a low turnover low usage floor general that puts the rest of his team, especially the bigs in prime scoring positions. At only 22 years old, its safe to assume Drew is far from reaching his prime, with the right situation, Neitzel could very well be among the league leader in assist/to for many years to come.
Projected FA value: 3 years 8 mil per year
5. Sidney Lowe PG 6'0'' 195 25 C+ C+ B- C D+ B Grizzlies
Once the project of the Grizzlies, drafted in the second round due to his displayed strength of "potential", Sidney Lowe has mostly spent his entire 3 seasons as an underwhelming backup first to some no name floor general named Pierluigi Marzorati and the last few years to a bonafide superstar at the position in Demetrius Mitchell. With Mitchell also being an expiring contract alongside Lang, its unlikely druce will put any priority in bringing Lowe back on anything more than a min contract, teams looking to take a chance on Lowe could very well have the opportunity to pry him away.
Projected FA value: 2 years 6 mil per year
1. Luke Maye SF 6'8'' 240 25 A- B+ C C B B Cougars
2. Kennedy Meeks PF 6'9'' 265 28 A- C C- C C+ C Chaparrals
3. Kenny George C 7'8'' 375 27 B- C- F C C C Hawks
4. Jarvis Lang PF 6'7'' 240 27 A C- F+ C- C F Grizzlies
5. Demetrius Mitchell PG 5'10'' 185 35 A C C+ D+ D- D Grizzlies
