Post by IanBoyd on Apr 11, 2021 18:03:54 GMT -5
Centers:
1. Bojan Dubljevic C 6'9'' 254 30 A- A- D C A- C Bulls
In the most loaded FA class of 6.0 thus far, it seems fitting that the first overall creation pick of the league should headline the top spot. After finishing up his 5 year creation contract that has been part of the blockbuster trade that sent him from Knicks to the Bulls, Bojan enters FA as still the only player in the entire league with A- A- scoring. At only 30 years old, age should be no concern to potential suitors, expect every team with max cap space vying for Bojan's attention in FA.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
2. Ralph Sampson C 7'4'' 233 25 B C D+ B A- C Trail Blazers
Despite being viewed as a somewhat controversial pick at the time of his draft selection, the 2nd overall selection in the inaugural rookie draft has been a solid anchor for the steady if unspectacular Portland franchise, being a ready made player from the start, Sampson's production has held steady for all 4 seasons of his rookie contract, being one of the best rebounding big man in the league since day 1 and putting up better than 50% FG every single season. Though his stats has dipped a bit so far after teaming up with Jarvis Lang and Sergei Belov, teams looking to solidify their inside presence should feel no hesitation offering Ralph a full max.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
3. Steve Stipanovich C 6'11'' 245 25 B C C- C B- C Cougars
Considered by many to be the steal of the 3001 draft after slipping all the way to 10th, the big man referred to as Stip has been every bit the bargain the Cougars hoped for and then some over the last 4 years. Although not a strong of rebounding presence as his fellow rookie big man Ralph Sampson, Stip's offensive production is every bit as impressive despite playing on an even more loaded front court with Lloyd Sharrar and Luke Maye. A slight step down from Ralph, Stip should still receive many max offers as an instantly plug and play ready big for any team looking to improving their scoring down low.
Projected FA value: 6 year max
4. Moala Tautuaa C 6'8'' 249 37 B+ C+ B C- B- C Mavericks
Perhaps the most decorated career resume of any 6.0 player, Moala will be 38 years old by the time free agency rolls around and is more likely to be the first player enshrined in 6.0's HoF class rather than fielding free agency offers. Though if Moala decides to stick around for a few more seasons, his advanced age will actually work in his favor as a built in form of cap management. Expect to see either Moala's retirement or a massive 7 year max offer from the Mavericks.
Projected FA value: 7 year max
5. Manute Bol C 7'7'' 205 23 C D+ D A- C B Nets
After infamously being traded for a top 5 pick and spending the last few seasons not improving a lick, a looming contract season coupled with a fresh upgrade reset in his upgrades resulting in a +36 rebounding, Manute Bol is finally starting to show signs of life and perhaps some semblance of his lofty initial expectations being the first true shot blocking prospect in the league, with 100 potential no less. Though his minutes per game have finally cracked 30 for the first time, Bol's rebounding is still nowhere near elite or even above average to warrant the sort of contract Kenny George received last year, he should still be paid well into the 8 figures now that his shot blocking has finally entered DPOY territory, this will be one of the more interesting players to watch in FA.
Projected FA value: 6 years 12 mil per year
Power Forwards:
1. Antoine Carr PF 6'9'' 225 24 A- C+ C- B- B- C 76ers
The reigning 2 time Finals MVP and the best player on 6.0's best franchise to date, Antoine Carr's much discussed build is pretty well known by most active GMs by now. Should he retire today as a 24 year old, Carr is still likely already a shoo in for the HoF. Nothing else need be said, expect a max offer from every team with cap space.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
2. Devin Williams PF 6'9'' 255 30 B C D+ C- A- D Warriors
One of the most underrated superstars of the creation draft that has been living in the shadow of Bojan, Sharrar and Antoine Carr in the east over the past few seasons. Now with a change of scenery after being moved to the West coast, Devin has taken this opportunity and is making the most of it. Boasting career high in points and career low in TOs, "DWill" has started his contract season with a bang and is currently projected to lead all big men in winshares. Even if this level of production doesn't hold and he dips back to his career average level, Devin is one of the best power forwards in the league and should warrant a full max in FA.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
3. Sidney Green PF 6'9'' 220 25 A- C D- C+ B- C Kings
Drafted and promptly ignored by GM iQuit, Green's game has always been about one thing, getting buckets. His downside has always been the concern regarding his TOs but with scoring averages in the 40s, you can learn to live with a few empty possessions via an errant pass every now and then. Though a huge step down from the Carr, Williams of the world, his elite scoring should still get Sid many max offers from teams looking for an immediate boost to their scoring.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
4. James Ray PF 6'8'' 215 24 A- C- D+ C C+ C Chaparrals
The poster boy for the hidden gem 2nd rounder, mentor and +30 inside meta. James Ray's controversial blocked trade to the Clippers have worked to his own benefit, spending the last 3 years instead under the mentorship of the Chaps star big man Tyrese Breshers, along with his hidden gem bonus, James has now received +50 inside and now capped at 100 as well as 5 additional points to strength to boot. Though he hasn't had a chance to shine yet as the #1 option in an offense, Ray is more than capable of putting up the type of production that would warrant a max contract.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
5. Wayne Robinson PF 6'8'' 217 24 B D+ D+ B B- C Raptors
The more defensive version of James Ray with much much poorer offense. Robinson was recently moved to Toronto for a middling 1st round pick and is now leading the rebuilding Raptors on a rather barren roster. Without the scoring efficiency, his volume now serves as a demerit rather than a strength. Having used all available upgrades to him, Robinson's only hope of future improvement is good TC luck to take his offensive efficiency into the above average range.
Projected FA value: 5 years 8 mil per year
Small Forwards:
1. Dale Ellis SF 6'7'' 205 25 A- C+ D- C C+ C 76ers
The first hidden gem rookie drafted 6.0, Ellis has outshone his counterpart Clyde Drexler over the last few seasons to take the #1 spot among FA small forwards. With a much more refined offensive game entering the league than Drexler, Ellis has been one of the most efficient wing scorers in the league since joining the loaded 76ers roster with his fellow classmate Antoine Carr. At only 25 years old and having SG eligibility, Ellis makes a compelling case for even the #1 overall spot in this year's loaded free agency class. No brainer full max.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
2. Clyde Drexler SF 6'7'' 215 24 B+ B B B- B+ B Pacers
The first rookie selected in the league checks in at #2 being slightly edged out by Dale Ellis. Drexler's initial build when observed by GMs not quite used to the defensive landscape of 6.0 raised enough concern from the Clippers front office to move the pick to Indiana where it infamously sat on the clock for hours days weeks months before a selection was made. Now entering his contract season, Drexler boasts perhaps the most well rounded grade set of any player in the league, with nearly straight B/B+ grades across the board. With SG eligibility and his best seasons coming at the 2 guard, Drexler should receive a slew of max offers from anyone needing with cap space.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
3. Hank Gathers SF 6'7'' 230 29 A C C C+ C+ C Bulls
The second creation file player of the Chicago Bulls that will be receiving max offers this free agency. With the all in move that brought in Bojan and Gathers, GM Mike will be sweating out the offseason with an eye glued to the re-signings news in the next few weeks. Gathers' age makes him a slight tier below the super rooks but his production takes a backseat to nobody. Gather's only downside offensively is his lack of a consistent 3 point shot, but with most of the league running the inside meta, Hank's A inside should appear insanely attractive to just about every single team.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
4. Rodney McCray SF 6'7'' 220 24 B+ C+ C+ B+ B+ C Spurs
McCray is perhaps the litmus test of this year's free agency. His production is obviously a tier below the Bojan, Carr, Ellis, Drexlers but he is good and young enough that a full max is likely needed to keep him. The Spurs doesn't have the most active front office in the league and will be facing perhaps the toughest player decision in free agency this year, I hope for his sake, pointyegg has some experienced voices in his corner to keep him engaged in how best to approach his expiring rookie's free agency.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
5. Le'Bryan Nash SF 6'7'' 235 32 A- C C- C D+ D Mavericks
The yearly acquisition from the aging Mavericks comes from the tear down of the Hawks. Nash is an efficiency inside scorer whose rebounding would barely pass as acceptable from a point guard keeps him from ever approaching max territory. But with no additional draft capital, maintaining their current talent of the upmost importance to Dallas, I expect soup will not be hesitant to overpay to keep Nash in the fold while he figures out a long term exist strategy from his current aging roster.
Projected FA value: 4 years 10 mil per year
Shooting Guards:
1. Bootsy Thornton SG 6'4'' 195 33 C+ A- C B D C Bobcats
The man once jokingly dubbed "Shootsy Poorton" is getting the last laugh nowadays after developing into the league's deadliest outside shooting 2 guard. At age 34 entering FA, Bootsy doesn't offer enough upside to warrant a long term commitment but should remain invaluable as a potential mentor to teams looking to perhaps develop their 2nd rounders into better jump shooters rather than the standard inside meta.
Projected FA value: 4 year max
2. James Blackmon Jr. SG 6'4'' 190 29 B+ A- B+ D+ C- C Chaparrals
2. James Blackmon Jr. SG 6'4'' 190 29 B+ A- B+ D+ C- C Chaparrals
Famously exchanged for Darrell Griffith in a player/pick swap this previous offseason between the Chaps and Pacers, Blackmon is proving that efficient scorers get buckets no matter what their surrounding environment or their team's preferred offensive system is. Being the only starter with higher than C+ outside on the Chaparrals roster, James is giving his team some much needed infusion of 21st century mindset on how to score a basketball. Though he can't play a lick of defense or do much in terms of contribution to grabbing rebounds or loose balls, Blackmon is very efficient at taking care of the ball despite having likely pretty high passing. Should be a day 2 favorite target of many who strike out on the mega stars in day 1.
Projected FA value: 5 year max
3. Micah Downs SG 6'8'' 195 29 B- A- D C- D B Suns
3. Micah Downs SG 6'8'' 195 29 B- A- D C- D B Suns
After a breakout performance last year, Micah is taking a backseat this year to incoming rookie big man Andrew Bogut and the new inside approach of the Suns that features Bogut and Splitter. Downs is a less efficient poor man's version of Bootsy Thornton. Likely a day 2-3 target
Projected FA value: 4 years 9 mil per year
4. Lenny Cooke SG 6'6'' 205 28 B C C- C C+ C Timberwolves
Capable 3rd/4th banana with high efficiency and plus rebounding from the 2 guard, Lenny Cooke is a good role player for teams that already have their scoring options established and are looking for someone that can either backup multiple positions or be left alone as a starting non option that can put up double digit points without needing to shoulder the primary scoring load.
Projected FA value: 4 years 8 mil per year
Point Guards:
1. Sergio Llull PG 6'3'' 195 25 C B+ A C D+ C Pipers
A favorite player of yours truly and has been brought up over the last few seasons so many times to the annoyance of other GMs in the league that he is now considered over rated by many. Llull remains one of the better PGs in a league that has very few and is still one of perhaps only a handful of players capable of running the show in an outside focused offense. At only 26 years old in a talent poor position, Sergio should likely see at least a few max offers, if from no one else than the Knicks, who seems intent on fielding a team comprised entirely of outside shooting point guards.
Projected FA value: 6-7 year max
2. Sergei Belov PG 6'3'' 180 37 B C+ C+ D D F Trail Blazers
Another retirement candidate that seem more likely to be preparing for a HoF marketing campaign than the upcoming free agency. Though Sergei is no longer the superstar MVP caliber player during the first couple of years in the league, he remains one of the most efficient scorers and caretakers of the ball from the point guard position and should be an upgrade for teams that are exclusively trotting out "game managers" at the position.
Projected FA value: 2 year max
3. Kelvin Sampson PG 6'3'' 190 22 C A- B+ C D+ B Bucks
The better of the pair of expiring point guards for the defending Western Conference champion Bucks, Sampson was the youngest player in the creation file at 18 years old and has had the luxury of TC working out for him unlike his teammate Cletrel Pope, now a veteran in the league despite only being 22, Kelvin should see many long term deals on day 2 from teams that want to upgrade their point guard position.
Projected FA value: 6 years 10 mil per year
4. Byron Scott PG 6'3'' 200 25 C+ C+ B+ C- D+ B Warriors
After a meteoric freshman campaign as the class' best point guard, Scott has had a disappointing 3 follow up seasons that has seen his minutes and role reduced, moved teams several times before finding his way back home to the Bay area. As one of the first outside focused rookie point guards in 6.0, Byron's outside game hasn't quite developed enough to warrant an 8 figure contract to teams that want to start dabbling in outside focus. But with still B displayed potential, there might be a few teams willing to gamble on a slightly longer deal to see if future TCs are kinder to Scott.
Projected FA value: 5 years 9 mil per year
1. Bojan Dubljevic C 6'9'' 254 30 A- A- D C A- C Bulls
2. Antoine Carr PF 6'9'' 225 24 A- C+ C- B- B- C 76ers
3. Dale Ellis SF 6'7'' 205 25 A- C+ D- C C+ C 76ers
4. Clyde Drexler SF 6'7'' 215 24 B+ B B B- B+ B Pacers
5. Hank Gathers SF 6'7'' 230 29 A C C C+ C+ C Bulls
