G9.
Pistons GM
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Quick peek into the upcoming Free Agency class.
Centers
Ben Wallace
C+ D D- A- B
28 yo
Career Stats:
22.8MPG 5.7PPG 7.7RPG 1.3APG 0.8SPG 1.5BPG 1.5TOPG
42% FG, 53% FT
Current Season Stats:
27.5MPG 7.0PPG 9.7RPG 1.5APG 1.2SPG 1.6BPG 1.9TOPG
41% FG, 52% FT
Some say Ben Wallace has been rotting away in Denver as a yearly backup. Others say backup is what suits him best. It is hard to justify starting minutes for a 50% free throw shooter. The Denver Nuggets and "prospective free agent big man" have found themselves together once again. Last season we saw DeShawn Sims, Cliff Omoruyi, and Ben Wallace potentially test the market - with all 3 ultimately resigning in Denver before the Free Agency period began. I'm not sure the story will repeat itself, as the Nuggets have already shipped Omoruyi out, and have been "shopping" nearly their whole team during recent weeks. Ben Wallace leaves a lot to be desired offensively but little negative can be said about his defensive presence. He can block, he can steal, and he can shut down nearly any 4 or 5 in the league. If he doesn't re-up with Denver again expect Wallace to seek a multi-year, >$10 million dollar contract.
Walt Wesley
B C- D C B+
21 yo
Career Stats:
23.5MPG 8.3PPG 8.4RPG 1.2APG 0.5SPG 0.7BPG 1.1TOPG
45% FG, 70% FT
Current Season Stats:
31.6MPG 12.6PPG 11.3RPG 1.4APG 0.6SPG 0.8BPG 1.5TOPG
45% FG, 72% FT
Walt Wesley is essentially the opposite of Ben Wallace. He's 4 inches taller, 20 pounds lighter, and man can he score. Defensively though? Luckily for Walt, it is likely he still has some potential in the tank to keep improving on the defensive end. The young big will start next season at only 21 years old after being one of the first 17-year-old BSL draftees. He's already one of the league's premier rebounders, only 0.3RPG short of finding himself in the Top 10 for RPG. Expect Cleveland to try and retain Walt on a long-term deal. I would say it is tough to gauge his value, but when other young big-men like Romero Osby and Jerry Lucas are signing hefty long-term deals - I'd say it is safe to expect Wesley to do the same.
Cliff Omoruyi
C C- F A- A-
34 yo
Career Stats:
29.8MPG 9.9PPG 11.7RPG 1.7APG 1.1SPG 3.0BPG 2.5TOPG
42% FG, 62% FT
Current Season Stats:
31.7MPG 4.3PPG 11.9RPG 1.1APG 0.9SPG 3.4BPG 1.8TOPG
38% FG, 74% FT
Cliff Omoruyi was on this list last season, and after signing a 1-year extension and being bounced around the league via trade, he finds himself here again. Cliff re-upped on a one-year deal last year with Denver before being traded to Washington, then to Brooklyn, and then having his contract used as a cutback in another trade for the Nets. This leaves Omoruyi without birds as it seems almost certain that he will test the market in the coming offseason. Cliff has seen a decline in offensive production for 5 consecutive seasons and you can expect a similar decline next year, but defensively and on the boards Omoruyi has held strong - consistently bringing in 12 to 13 rebounds per game and blocking 3 shots per game. At 34 years old we can expect Cliff to sign a two-three year $10-$15 million dollar contract.
Dain Dainja
C+ C+ D B A-
35 yo
Career Stats:
28.9MPG 10.7PPG 10.7RPG 1.3APG 0.7SPG 1.7BPG 2.3TOPG
44% FG, 67% FT, 31% 3PT
Current Season Stats:
28.1MPG 9.0PG 11.3RPG 1.2APG 0.8SPG 1.7BPG 2.4TOPG
43% FG, 71% FT, 28% 3PT
Dainja entered the league only one season after Cliff Omoruyi and they've shared very similar career trajectories. Dain Dainja has always lapsed behind Cliff a bit defensively and slightly exceeded his value offensively - and those trends continue to this day. Dainja hasn't seen the steady offensive decline that Cliff has seen (yet) but his defense has begun to fade (from B+ to B last TC). I'd expect his offense to hold strong for a couple more seasons at C+ C+ or something similar and his defense to continue lapsing. Certainly, Dainja can be good for 10+ RPG for >2 seasons and I'd expect him to sign a hefty 2 year deal for an up and coming contending team. There are not many big men in the league with A- rebounding!
Raef LaFrentz
C C+ D B B+
31 yo
Career Stats:
23.8MPG 5.9PPG 7.5RPG 1.1APG 0.5SPG 0.8BPG 1.3TOPG
42% FG, 71% FT, 35% 3PT
Current Season Stats:
30.3MPG 6.7PPG 10.4RPG 1.6APG 0.7SPG 0.8BPG 1.8TOPG
43% FG, 68% FT, 32% 3PT
Raef LaFrentz is what you'd get if you mixed a knock-off Ben Wallace with a knock-off Dain Dainja and a knock-off Cliff Omoruyi. Offensively he's only a few steps behind Dain Dainja. Defensively he's a similar multi-tool to Ben Wallace, but like, a rusty slower-to-open version. And on the boards he's about as effective as a hungover Cliff Omoruyi. Put it all together and you've honestly got a pretty decent big man. LaFrentz has quietly spent the last few seasons playing big minutes in the L.A. Clippers front-court rotations and after a recent contract cutback he is expected to test the Free Agent market heavily. Expect the reigning Sixth Man of the Year to sign a multi-year MLE-type contract with a contending team.
See Also:
Zion Williamson
Brandon Clarke
Paolo Banchero
Barry Nelson
Bill McGill
Day'Ron Sharpe
Isaiah Austin
Walker Kessler
N'Faly Dante
Michael Washington
Clyde Lee
Derrick Nix
Garrick Sherman
John Salley
Jim Chones
Curtis Kitchen
John Beasley
John Florveus
Davion Bradford
Erwin Mueller
Mike Dabich
Dorde Gagic
Roberto Duenas
Chad Calcaterra
Jarrett Allen
Johannes Voigtmann
