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Who to target in Free Agency
Before I get started, I should thank some of our fellow GMs for podcasting their thoughts and feelings about the upcoming free agency. Without their positive attitude to the Grizzlies free agency chances we may never have taken the approach of investigating the teams options fuller. Prior to the Grizz getting a "player" rating from GM Nels, the Grizz were probably going to sit on their hands and just work at retaining their own talent. With the boost of confidence the team has taken immediate steps to create roster space in the attempt to pick up a quality veteran player. Of course priority number 1 is retaining impact big man Mitchell Robinson, and the calculators are out to figure exactly how much needs to be spent to retain his services on a reasonable contract over the next four years. Now nothing is ever a given in this league and as a cautious bank manager for many years, I am more than comfortable spending more money than needed to reduce the teams risk for an important piece like Mitch.
Now back to the roster spots. Promising forward Greg Brown III was sent for a LATE 2nd in 2024, while it is well below what he is worth to the team, the opportunity cost of having a spare roster spot for free agency helped balance the scales. Greg brought energy length and athletism to the team, but unfortunately he is in the doghouse in the NBA and can't get more than 15mins a game in summer league and is 77th man off the bench in preseason. This is probably because the team knows what it has and is looking to test some more unknown talent, before letting him loose on the NBA in the regular season. Or he's just another player overrated by his NSL GM.
So as I've covered already, step 1, retain Robinson. Step 2, add veteran talent. What are the options?
Well to start with there is the curious case of Kemba Walker sitting on the roster. Kinda sorta bought out by his NBA team, but kinda sorta not he sits in limbo until the end of the preseason trying to latch onto another NBA franchise to finalise his buyout figure. Holding a solid 15 badges he'd be a valuable player to retain as the season wears on, especially with Conley sitting in Utah wondering when he will be traded away to a contender or told to rest his legs more often than not to give way to the younger players on the Jazz.
Well to start with there is the curious case of Kemba Walker sitting on the roster. Kinda sorta bought out by his NBA team, but kinda sorta not he sits in limbo until the end of the preseason trying to latch onto another NBA franchise to finalise his buyout figure. Holding a solid 15 badges he'd be a valuable player to retain as the season wears on, especially with Conley sitting in Utah wondering when he will be traded away to a contender or told to rest his legs more often than not to give way to the younger players on the Jazz.
Then there is the offensive rebounding 21 year old who sat out Summer league and preseason so far due to injury in Justin Champagnie. He's hoping to hold on as the 15th man in Toronto, and while undrafted last year, he has adequate building blocks in his ratings to see him develop into a rotation piece down the line. In the same way Greg Brown was moved for a roster spot for a win now piece, we will probably see Justin hit the open market for someone who has a roster spot to nuture his development.
Now there is one thing many of you may have noticed about the way I build and retain players on the Grizz, I am overly sentimental about certain players who have passed through the doors here or in the Nuggets in the league that will not be mentioned. Why do I bring that up, well there are two free agents who were big cogs in some Nuggets playoff runs back then. John Wall and Otto Porter. Both are very different players than what they were so many years ago, but I just want those guys to win, and I want them to be on the journey with me, so don't be surprised if you see some bids flying around trying to nab them. Wall would fit into a back up PG spot with the potential to take over the starter position if he shows glimpses of his former glory. While Porter is a guy who could slip into shooting guard to power forward as depth when the team eventually faces injury.
Another player on the sentimental list is Slo Mo. I'm sorry Klemm, but Kyle Anderson is my boi. I enjoy watching him play and he just has some really useful 2kness that helps make the team work. Plus he's big and he's quick and he's and ex-Grizz player in NBA and NSL. A few sly GMs might get calculated to try and steal him away.
Common sense also says I should throw the house at any big man with a pulse, but if Mitch is retained, Jaren Jackson Jnr returns earlier than expected or the Klebtomaniacs come out in force, or we see a few healthy games out of Udoka Azubuike, or even the most talked about man in Milwaukee with a difficult name to spell (no not Antetokounmpo), a big man probably isn't the highest need for the team.
Well friends, if you want to make a deal and steal away my youth, you know my number. Until then I'll be with my calculator.
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