G9.
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Quick peek into the upcoming Free Agency class.
Centers
Malik Rose
B C D- A A
27 yo
Career Stats:
28.5MPG 15.2PPG 10.7RPG 1.3APG 0.8SPG 1.5BPG 1.3TOPG
45% FG, 77% FT, 50% 3PT
Last Season Stats:
31.8MPG 21.7PPG 13.8RPG 1.4APG 0.8SPG 1.7BPG 1.7TOPG
45% FG, 78% FT
Headlining the potential big man class is Chicago Bull Malik Rose. Rose has developed tremendously since coming to Chicago in the deal that sent the infamous R.J. Barrett to Washington. He's found himself on the All-League Second Team x3 years in a row now, finishing just behind C Mark Williams in voting each year. Last season, Rose finished the year 2nd in RPG and only a few PPG away from being top 10. It is worth noting that the Chicago Bulls don't often feature Malik on offense - a roster that is instead headlined by flashy guard play from PG Steve Nash and developing SG Michael Snaer. It seems pretty likely that Malik will return to Chicago on a full-max, but if he does hit Free Agency, you should be prepared to throw everything you have at him.
DeShawn Sims
B- C+ D- A- B+
30 yo
Career Stats:
26.6MPG 9.7PPG 8.1RPG 1.3APG 0.7SPG 1.3BPG 1.4TOPG
43% FG, 72% FT, 33% 3PT
Last Season Stats:
26.5MPG 11.2PPG 8.7RPG 1.5APG 0.8SPG 1.3BPG 1.9TOPG
43% FG, 76% FT, 30% 3PT
DeShawn Sims quietly fell past players such as Michael Washington and Lee Dort on draft night. DeShawn Sims quietly snuck to Denver on a trade that sent Len Chappell to Portland. DeShawn Sims has quietly averaged >10/10 per 36 for 10 consecutive seasons. Expect DeShawn Sims to loudly sign an expensive contract this Free Agency as teams around the league continue to struggle to find a consistent big man. He's been rotating in behind Cliff Omoruyi and C.J. Walker the past few seasons in Denver, but with C.J. recently leaving in FA, expect Sims to be a bit more featured this year. Keep an eye out on his offensive production/efficiency and his defensive presence in the box scores -- Sims might come at a cost in Free Agency, but that cost may just be worth it.
Cliff Omoruyi
C C- F+ A- A-
33 yo
Career Stats:
29.8MPG 9.9PPG 11.7RPG 1.7APG 1.1SPG 3.0BPG 2.5TOPG
42% FG, 62% FT
Last Season Stats:
31.6MPG 8.7PPG 12.3RPG 1.8APG 1.2SPG 3.2BPG 2.6TOPG
47% FG, 70% FT
As I mentioned previously, a lot of teams around the league are struggling to find a consistent big man. Thanks to this, Omoruyi may sign a bit bigger check than he is worth in the coming off-season. Our 2nd Denver big man to find himself in this article, Omoruyi was the other half of the insane rebounding/blocking duo. Of course, C.J. recently left Denver in Free Agency -- can we expect Cliff to do the same? Denver has done an excellent job filling in their backcourt for the next few seasons, bringing in guys such as juiced Bronny James, elite Dylan Andrews, and literally-the-steal-of-BSL(??) Aleksandar Vlahovic. Signings such as these may afford Denver the chance to retain Cliff, but lets not forget they also have to bring Sims back. If the two do offer to re-sign this off-season, expect Denver to prioritize Omoruyi. Be wary next year, as he did just go -2 in TC.
Dain Dainja
C+ C+ D+ B+ A-
34 yo
Career Stats:
28.9MPG 10.7PPG 10.7RPG 1.3APG 0.7SPG 1.7BPG 2.3TOPG
44% FG, 67% FT, 31% 3PT
Last Season Stats:
32.3MPG 9.8PG 12.4RPG 1.8APG 0.6SPG 2.5BPG 2.3TOPG
44% FG, 68% FT, 23% 3PT
Dain Dainja can bring you a mix of DeShawn Sims and Cliff Omoruyi at what I expect to be a cheaper cost. At 34 years old (during FA), Dainja may attract some hefty 2 year offers -- but he has yet to show signs of slowing down, so a smaller 3 or 4(!) year contract might win him over. He can rebound and defend like Omoruyi, while spreading the floor more like Sims. Dainja has spent the last 3 years playing next to the recently traded PF Karl Malone. This season Dainja will be called upon to be the cornerstone of the Washington frontcourt. The Wizards always compete at a high level, and they are trusting Dainja to meet the challenge. While he isn't likely to play at a high level for the duration of his contract, you may be able to squeeze at least one more year of championship-level production out of this guy.
Richard Howell
B D+ F+ B- B
26 yo
Career Stats:
31.9MPG 19.2PPG 9.8RPG 2.2APG 0.8SPG 0.7BPG 1.8TOPG
43% FG, 67% FT
Last Season Stats:
31.7MPG 18.4PG 9.5RPG 2.2APG 0.8SPG 0.8BPG 1.9TOPG
43% FG, 65% FT
Say hello to the 2nd most exciting offensive center of the upcoming FA (1st: Malik Rose (also the most exciting defensive center)). Although, it is hard to tell... Tyfreak has been running Howell as the first option in a slow, inside offense x3 years. With B inside, isn't it expected that he will put up 17+? Howell has successfully averaged nearly 20/10 since entering the league, but at what cost? 20 FGAPG? A 25 win season? In Pre-Season we will see Howell take the backseat for the first time in his NBA career. It will be interesting to see how he performs as a non-option bench player in an outside offense. If Howell is truly capable of making an impact on a championship team, he should still be able to make an impact on this tanking San Antonio Spurs squad. But hell, even if he's actually not that good, he may be worth taking a chance on in Free Agency. At the very least you'll get to have some fun with DC's (cough, tyfreak).
See Also:
Bol Bol
Franck Kepnang
Day'Ron Sharpe
Walker Kessler
Michael Washington
Michael Olowokandi
Raef LaFrentz
DeAndre Ayton
Mohamed Bamba
Erik Copes
Hunter Dickinson
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Ben Wallace
Xavier Tillman
Hamady Ndiaye
Maik Zirbes
Wendell Carter Jr.
June Mar Fajardo
Elmedin Kikanovic
Jarrett Allen
