MVN - Most Valuable Network

Season Recap Part II: Free Agency (UFAs)

Here are a look at some of the unrestricted free agents that I think the Grizzlies should take a look at:

UFAs:

Matt Barnes (PF): Barnes is a small PF who has really come out of nowhere to put up very good numbers for Don Nelson and the Warriors the last two seasons.  Averaged 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1 steal and .5 blocks in 06-07 while starting 23 games, while he dipped to 6.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, .7 steals, and .5 blocks this past season.  He would be a great addition off the Grizzlies bench and his athleticism and fairly good defense would be welcome additions for Memphis.  He could also easily play either the PF or SF spots for the Grizzlies.

Bostjan Nachbar (SF): He’s been a very good bench player for the Nets these last two seasons, averaging 9.2 points in 06-07 and 9.8 points in 07-08.  He is pretty much a carbon copy of Hakim Warrick though in the sense that he is pretty much one-dimensional, as he is not that good of a defender or rebounder, as he’s averaged only 3.4 rebounds over the last two seasons.  Since Grizzlies owner wants to see some defense next season, Nachbar is probably not the wisest choice, offensively I would feel very comfortable with Nachbar sharing time with Warrick at the SF spot for the next few seasons.

Mickael Pietrus (SF): A solid player for the Warriors over the last few seasons, he is an above average defender and jump shot shooter.  While the Grizzlies really don’t need any more of the latter they could definitely use some more of the former.  He dropped off a little bit this season from his career year of 06-07, where he averaged 11 points, 4.5 rebounds, .7 steals and .8 blocks for Golden State.  Last season he averaged 7.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1 steal, and .7 blocks.  He would bring some depth at the SF position off the bench and would bring some added defense as well, but he is another outside shooter who doesn’t attack the basket much.  His value would be increased if the Grizzlies decided to trade Mike Miller and/or not resign Juan Carlos Navarro.

Kareem Rush (SG): He averaged 8.3 points for the Pacers last season and even started in 15 games while averaging over 20 minutes/game for Indiana.  He’s very much in the Mike Miller mold and is a streaky shooter, but when he’s on, he’s on as evidenced by his five 20+ point performances last season.  I don’t think he’s been given a fair shot to showcase his talents in the league yet and he could be a perfect fit off the bench for the Grizzlies, especially if they decide to trade Mike Miller and/or not resign Juan Carlos Navarro, as he can sort of step into that shooter role vacated by either or both.  He is also athletic enough to get some drives to the basket and would really fill a need for this team as a SG/SF player who can come off the bench and produce, especially if the team lets Navarro go or trades Miller.  He also could possibly be had on the cheap.

Maurice Evans (SG): He had a pretty good season for the Magic last season, starting 47 of 68 games for the Magic last season while averaging 9 points in both the regular season and playoffs.  He a veteran player and, like Rush, would be a good option to consider if the Grizzlies trade Mike Miller and/or don’t resign Juan Carlos Navarro.

Juan Dixon (SG): Could potentially be a very good 6th/7th man off the bench for the Grizzlies and he plays a position where the Grizzlies are really lacking in.  He put up very good numbers a couple of years ago for rebuilding Portland (averaged 12.3 points in starting 42 games in 05-06) and was buried on the bench this last season in Toronto where he really didn’t get a chance to shine.  He could also be looking to sign with a contender, and  his small stature for a SG (6′3″) is also worrisome with our smaller PGs in Conley, Lowry, and Navarro, but he would be a very solid addition to the Grizzlies depleted bench.

Fred Jones (SG): He is very much like Dixon, an undersized SG who would be a very good contributor off the Grizzlies bench, only he is a little more athletic.  He’s put up decent numbers, averaging 7.6 points in 07-08 for the Knicks, while putting up the same last season in 39 games for the Raptors in 06-07.  He has the ability to get to the foul line and his athleticism would be a very welcome addition to the team.

Austin Croshere (PF): Veteran PF in the mold of Najera(see below) who is a good hustler and defender.  The long-time Pacer played only 44 games last season for the Warriors, but put up decent numbers off the bench (3.9 points, 2.4 rebounds)  He would be a good veteran influence and could provide some valuable minutes off the bench for Memphis while giving them a bigger PF option other than Warrick.

Eduardo Najera (PF): Really a great hustler and defender, two things the Grizzlies really could need.  He would be a fan favorite and also has great playoff experience with Dallas and Denver, but given his veteran status I really don’t think he would sign with this young, rebuilding Grizzlies team.  Also, I’m not sure what kind of contract he’ll get, but his salary of close to $5 million last season would be way too high.

Next week, I’ll bring you coverage on the NBA draft and the lottery drawing on the 20th as well as some potential restricted free agents I think the Grizzlies should pursue.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 17th, 2008 at 11:52 pm and is filed under Grizzlies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.