1987 Free Agency Preview

[the goat]

With so many great players seeking new deals, this could be an interesting free agency that swings the balance of power in the league. Here are the 21 most intriguing players that could be the missing piece for your team, sorted into tiers:

Tier 1: Get in Line, Pal
If you have cap space and you don't send this guy an offer, what are you even doing as a GM?

Ralph Sampson C 7'4'' 228 27 A- C- C- A- A- B
20/10/2.5/4.4 stocks
All-Star / All-League 3rd Team / All-Defensive 2nd Team / Playoff MVP

The newly minted Champion and Playoff MVP will certainly be looking for a max deal in both the yearly amount and the number of years. Sampson's only 27 and already one of the best all-around centers. Teams will be tripping over themselves to throw the max at him at 12:01 AM on the first day of free agency. Lots of clenched butts in Portland right now.

Tier 2: You're Gonna Need to Break the Piggy Bank:
These guys are great or very good and in their primes, and someone will throw a huge bag of money at them.

Reggie Theus SG 6'6'' 200 30 B C+ A- A C C
14/5/4/2.1 stocks

His scoring numbers aren't too impressive, but that's the sacrifice a player makes on a team with Moses friggin' Malone. Can Reggie put up 20 on a different team? He already did once. But does he want to do it again for a lot of greenbacks? Say a wheelbarrow full?

Larry Nance SF 6'10'' 235 28 A- C C- A B- C
20/8/2/2.3 stocks

After a tough season in Portland where Nance's scoring dipped to a career-low 10.5 point per game, he rebounded in a strong way in his new role with the Celtics. Even in an offense catered to outside shooting, Nance still managed to get to the line nearly 7 times a game. According to Larry's inner circle, he's a loyal guy who just wants a fair deal. But some team desperate for some star power will probably offer him a max.

Larry Smith PF 6'8'' 215 29 B D+ C- A- A C
14/12/2/2.2 stocks

Almost nobody rebounds the ball like Larry Smith, but you have to wonder how many of his own misses he's getting. Is a guy who's shooting 42% from the field as a BIGMAN really worth the senior max? My granny could shoot better, and she's in a wheelchair.

Steve Stipanovich C 6'11'' 245 27 B C C B+ B+ B
14/10/2.5/2.8 stocks

Big Steve is already a steady starter, and his counting stats would be higher if he didn't foul out once every 7 games. Even in limited minutes, Steve is one of the better two-way big men in the league. But do the Rockets even have the cap space to offer this guy a real contract?

Tier 3: Good But Old:
Probably worth their price this season or next, but how many years do you want to commit to?

Dennis Johnson SG 6'4'' 200 33 A- C+ C+ A C C
19/6/5/2.9 stocks
All-Defensive 2nd Team

DJ's scoring took a small step back as he went from playing with Dr. J to Hakeem, but his all-around production remained stellar. With the emergence of dynamic scorers such as Michael Jordan and Byron Scott, teams will need stoppers like Johnson if they want to go deep in the playoffs.

Micheal Ray Richardson SF 6'5'' 189 32 A- C A- A C+ D
16/7/4.5/2.7 stocks

After leading the Knicks in scoring in the first 4 games of the Finals, MRR ran out of gas and proceeded to shoot 17/55 (31%) in the last 3 games. But his defense and other contributions remained strong. Looking forward, some of MRR's offensive game might fall off with age but his defense should hold up. Any team looking to complement a primary scoring threat could do a lot worse.

Mike Mitchell SF 6'7'' 215 32 A- C C B C C
20/5/2/1.4 stocks

Mitchell is one of the most underrated and consistent scorers that flies under the radar, year after year. Chances are that he stays with the team that traded for him, but a team that needs consistent scoring may tempt him with a big juicy offer.

Bernard King SF 6'7'' 205 31 B C C+ B B- D
19/7/4/1.7 stocks

After spending a season in a reduced bench role with the Cavs, King showed that old man still got some game. Even after a midseason trade, he kept up his production as a procient scorer and all-around player. Teams will come calling for his production, sooner or later.

Tier 4: Can Definitely Do A Bang-Up Job
Difference makers, but has some questions about their injury history, age, or monumental greediness.

Mario Gress SF 6'9'' 236 28 B- A- C B+ C- D
17/4/2/1.7 stocks

After only playing 83 games in the last 3 seasons, Gress managed to show up to 62 games for the Jazz last year. He was effective at spacing the floor for Brunamonti and playing Robin to Batman, but will he stay healthy through a long-term deal? And has he already hit his ceiling as a player?

Jim Brogan PG 6'4'' 185 29 C+ B B A- C C
10/3/5/1.6 stocks (25 MPG)

Point guards who can set up the offense and play stingy man-to-man defense are hard to find. Not only does the recently crowned champ check both of those boxes, but he checks the scoring box as well. This is likely Brogan's last chance for a big payday, and he may be looking for a bigger role where he can better showcase his all-around game.

Bill Wingate C 7'0'' 257 27 C+ C- C A- B C
7/4/1/1.1 stocks (14 MPG)

Speaking of loyalty, here's a guy who has none. This greedy sumbitch took a 1-year max to warm the bench, but he can certainly bang down low with the best of them. But if you want his services, you better *Teddy KGB voice* pay that man his money.

Sly Williams SF 6'7'' 210 29 B C- C A- C+ C
13/5/2/1.2 stocks

Solid player who can keep up with the carousel of star wings around the league. He's right in his prime and would be a nice get for any team with playoff hopes.

Tier 5: Old But Good Enough
These guys are on the wrong side of 30, but they still got some gas left in the tank.

Robert Reid SF 6'8'' 205 32 B C B- B+ B B
13/8/4/2.1 stocks

He scores a bit less than he used to, but Reid's all-around production remains just as good. He posted a career-best in rebounds and assists the past season, and his jack-of-all-trades game makes him a versatile player that can slot in on many teams.

James Edwards C 7'0'' 252 32 B- C- C+ B+ B+ C
11/9/2/2.2 stocks

The 1-one all-star may not have the patience to see through the Clippers' rebuild and may want to play a team contending now. Will he take a discount elsewhere or look to be rewarded for his loyalty?

Dave Corzine C 6'11'' 255 31 B- D+ C- B B+ C
14/8/2/1.3 stocks

Dave didn't get the long-term contract last offseason, so will he take another short term deal? Man's getting old, but man's still gotta eat. And it's not like he's a scrub, Dave gets all those buckets in only 27 minutes a night.

George Johnson SF 6'7'' 210 31 B- C C B+ B C
12/8/2/1.3

As far as players named Johnson goes, George is definitely one of the better ones. He's just a solid player that offers a well-rounded game and versatility on the wings. A competent player that makes improves any team.

John Drew SG 6'6'' 205 33 B+ C C A- C C
9/3/1/1.3 stocks

Drew transitioned from a starter to a bench guy on the Raptors, but he still be a valuable contributor for a team needing good two-way players. At his age, he might be more open to taking a discount to be on a contending team, but will his body hold up over a whole season?

Freeman Williams SG 6'4'' 190 31 B- B C B+ D+ B
12/3/3/1.7 stocks

After becoming practically an afterthought in New York, Freeman played a key role in helping the Blazers secure their first title. One can only imagine him going at it in practice against Michael Jordan.

Reggie King SF 6'6'' 240 30 B- C- D+ B+ B+ D
9/7/2/1.2 stocks

He's not the double-double machine and all-star that he was on the Bullets, but King remains one of the better rebounders at his position. He's one of those players that can start or anchor the bench or play multiple positions.

Eddie Johnson (SG) SG 6'2'' 180 32 B- C B+ B+ C- D
8/3/2/1.3 stocks

Not to be confused with the other Eddie Johnson. Like Drew, Johnson saw his role reduced last season, but he can still be a valuable player in the rotation. I mean, this guy was on the team that took down defending champion Moses Malone, so he has to be pretty good.

[Cellar-door]

Lol... Eddie Johnson saw his role reduced because he was absolute trash shot 37% from the floor, got worse in every category....
there's a reason he didn't see a single minute in the 76ers upset (or the rest of the playoffs).

[lukeyrid13]

Good stuff

[jibbajabba614]

Yeah very helpful. I haven’t look at the free agent page yet and don’t think I’ll need too. Sampson will definitely be the big fish in this FA class

[lukeyrid13]

Yeah very helpful. I haven’t look at the free agent page yet and don’t think I’ll need too. Sampson will definitely be the big fish in this FA class

I've heard he's overrated. Probably a Mid level type of guy

[the goat]

Johnny Davis should probably be on that list over the last few guys, not sure how I overlooked him.

[Oregon Ownage]

Yeah very helpful. I haven’t look at the free agent page yet and don’t think I’ll need too. Sampson will definitely be the big fish in this FA class

The teams who have a shot at him are:

Celtics
Nets
Magic
Bucks
Mavericks
Suns?
Clippers
Trailblazers

Not many teams can offer max so that helps the Blazers

[lukeyrid13]

Yeah very helpful. I haven’t look at the free agent page yet and don’t think I’ll need too. Sampson will definitely be the big fish in this FA class

The teams who have a shot at him are:

Celtics
Nets
Magic
Bucks
Mavericks
Suns?
Clippers
Trailblazers

Not many teams can offer max so that helps the Blazers

Everyone has their mid level. That’s his value

[offtheheezy]

Everyone has their mid level. That’s his value

I'm fully expecting him to be a Grizzly next season

[Oregon Ownage]

There are rumblings of a Euro import coming over and being immediately eligible in free agency. More news tomorrow as a press conference is scheduled in New Jersey.

[Zyme]

There are rumblings of a Euro import coming over and being immediately eligible in free agency. More news tomorrow as a press conference is scheduled in New Jersey.

Congrats to the 8 teams that have full max room.

[Craig]

Perhaps a certain spiky-haired, German gunner? Exciting...

[Cellar-door]

It's gonna be Vlade isn't it?

[Oregon Ownage]

Perhaps a certain spiky-haired, German gunner? Exciting...

Who?

[Oregon Ownage]

There are rumblings of a Euro import coming over and being immediately eligible in free agency. More news tomorrow as a press conference is scheduled in New Jersey.

Congrats to the 8 teams that have full max room.

Imo, wont be a max player