John Hollinger's ESPN Insider Top 25 Free Agent List for this summer

[ball junkie]

I was just glancing back over this list and I noticed Deshawn Stevenson at No.19 Remember him? He used to play for the Magic(lol).

 

Go figure, the man leaves the Magic with a reputation as a defensive specialist with no shot. I don't follow the Wizards that much but my eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw he was shooting 46.5% from 3-point land! That's gotta be a misprint.(lol)

 

I guess everyone noticed Hollinger's comments about Darko. Like an elevator, up and down. Man, his contract negotiations will be totally un-predictable.

[The Ghost of John Gabriel]

A few observations:

 

I personally don't believe the gap between Vince Carter/Rashard Lewis & Gerald Wallace is that great when considering the value of the players over the remainder of their careers. Basketball is played on both ends of the floor & Wallace has upside on the offensive end.

 

One could easily argue both VC & Lewis have peaked. Lewis also loses value for the Magic because he's strictly a small forward where the other two have the flexibility of being natural swing players.

 

In addition, championship basketball is played on both ends of the floor. Players like VC & Lewis haven't won for a reason. Thinking one dimensional players are the key to taking a team over the hump is flawed thinking IMO.

 

 

Mo Williams is #5 & Milwakee is considered the team most interested in Chauncey Billups. Draw your own conclusions. I would also rate Mike Bibby higher than Mo Williams, although he's not included in these rankings.

 

Grant Hill #6 is at the very least very questionable. There's nothing to suggest Hill plays more than 1 season and anybody who's seen him play this season has to seriously question his value even when healthy.

 

Darko Milicic #7 is ranked too low. His age, potential, & size alone make him more valuable. One has to seriously consider his lack of playing time when attempting to gauge his value moving forward. His play and consistency has improved dramatically as a starter with more consistent minutes. Criticisms are valid regarding consistency and effort, but also appear directly tied to lack of consistent PT. Depending on how you interpret that, you can draw multiple conclusions.

 

Pietrus has holes in his game, but he's also suffered with a lack of PT, and defined role as Darko has. His defensive ability combined with his natural ability to play both wing positions make him more valuable than Mo Pete and Kapono IMO. Put Pietrus on an established team with a defined role and he'll contribute.

 

I know I'm in the minority, but I also feel DeShawn has a better all around team game than either of these players as well. Magic fans should consider that Stephenson played injured through all of last season. I'm not trying to build the guy up into something he's not, but he is a solid role player who more importantly understands his role and plays within himself as well as the team.

 

DeShawn came into the league as an offensive player and is currently considered a defensive role player. That combined with his age should indicate he has room to grow into a very solid all around role player.

[DarkoHero]

I think that G Wallace is our guy. Get a cheap player who is young and defensive minded, resign Darko, get JJ playing every game, and we are playoff bound!

[nbr]

Nocioni thank you very much. Is he restricted?

[God hates Magic fans]

Botom line is this, we need to get our PG/SG situations straightened out, but first let me say, with the reputation Brian Hill is getting, whos' to say Top FA's will wanna be here.

 

IF we could ship Jameer+picks or a SG to get a young SG via trade that may be best, because Chauncey Billups would be a great fit!

 

but Jameer won't be traded..no matter how badly he sucks, so that means we MUST sign Shard/Carter...i'd rather have Shard, more versataile, younger, good 3 pt and foul shooter, and gets to the basket. A lesser TMAC.

 

Gerald Wallace is basically an Ariza clone IMO..Just more established.

[The Solution]

quote:

Originally posted by The Ghost of John Gabriel:

I know I'm in the minority, but I also feel DeShawn has a better all around team game than either of these players as well. Magic fans should consider that Stephenson played injured through all of last season. I'm not trying to build the guy up into something he's not, but he is a solid role player who more importantly understands his role and plays within himself as well as the team.

 

DeShawn came into the league as an offensive player and is currently considered a defensive role player. That combined with his age should indicate he has room to grow into a very solid all around role player.

 

I agree. Also - Stevenson is good at taking the ball to the basket.

[CRAZY SERB]

chauncey would be definitly my first pick cause he has EVERTHING we need. the SG problem could be solved with JJ or by drafting somebody.

 

my 2nd pick would be pietrus and vince would be 3rd. pietrus plays better D, has a nice shoot and hes NOT A BALLHOG.

....and btw, hes younger

 

wallace and lewis aren't teamneeds, but if we can't get anybody else, what the hell...take gerald. gerald plays better D and he'd be pretty cheap, while we'd have to overpay lewis. i don't think that there is anybody who'll sign him, hes not worth it. i think he'll be involved in a sign and trade (hope not to the magic for hedo)

[FENDI]

quote:

6. Grant Hill, Magic

This is where the rankings get less defined. Hill is clearly the best player left on the list. But we don't how many games he'll be available to play, which is why nobody is going to offer Hill a deal longer than two or three years.

 

That said, he's still a star when healthy and easily could be the piece that puts a contending team over the top, plus he's a class act who won't ruffle feathers wherever he goes.

I love the respect on Grant Hill.

[Adam_Magic]

quote:

Originally posted by FENDI:

quote:

6. Grant Hill, Magic

This is where the rankings get less defined. Hill is clearly the best player left on the list. But we don't how many games he'll be available to play, which is why nobody is going to offer Hill a deal longer than two or three years.

 

That said, he's still a star when healthy and easily could be the piece that puts a contending team over the top, plus he's a class act who won't ruffle feathers wherever he goes.

I love the respect on Grant Hill.

 

Just a shame he cant be that "star" here!