Official 2006 NBA Free Agency Thread (Discuss Signings Here)

[iKe7in]

Banks is known for his defense, not his playmaking skills, so I think he will often look lost in the Phoenix offense. Yeah he's fast, but I don't think he'll be able to handle running an offense at that speed. I thought he was a better fit in Minny, but clearly they had other ideas. Not a bad signing overall, just not a great fit, and yes, he is overpaid considering the role he will play.

[Axel]

Actually, I dont think he will have much trouble in the Phoenix offense. Diaw will probably play alongside him, so he wont have to make all the plays.

[Its_asdf]

Barbosa and Banks teamed up in the backcourt is going to be ridiculous in terms of speed. It would definitely be interesting to see what those two can do.

[Dro]

I'm glad that the Suns finally solved this backup PG problem. Is Banks the heir to Steve Nash? Hell no. Is he good for 18 solid minutes per game? Definitely.

I don't believe the Suns overpaid at all. John Salmons, who the Suns were targetting, ended up with a very similar deal. And Banks is a true PG unlike Salmons who would have had to adjust to playing PG part time.

I haven't seen Banks play much, but I've heard that he's a decent passer and a good defensive player. That's all that's needed. The Suns don't need 15ppg from this guy. Another thing this signing does is make Barbosa exclusively a backup SG. The Suns now have 4 players who could be starters on other teams holding down guard spots. Having Banks allows Steve Nash to play 30mpg, meaning he'll be fresh come playoff time.

[Jackal]

They had a backup PG problem? Isn't Barbosa their backup PG?

[Jugs]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stor ... 3c608.html

Spurs sign Jackie Butler! WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Abctest123]

They had a backup PG problem? Isn't Barbosa their backup PG?

Barbosa is not a pure point, more of a scoring guard, despite having the size of a point guard. Though the Suns play him at point, he plays better as the off-guard.

EDIT ON July 23: Fred Jones close to signing with Raptors?
LINK

TSN - According to a report in the Toronto Sun, the Raptors are closing in on a deal with shooting guard Fred Jones.

A little lower in the article:

Because Jones is a restricted free agent, the Pacers have the right to match any offer he receives.

Indy, I hope you read this thread because I want to ask for your view on Fred Jones.[/quote]

[havasufalls]

Kings grab John Salmons

http://www.nba.com/kings/news/Kings_Sign_John_Salmons.html

[zmac]

I find it pretty strange that the Kings wanna take Salmons over Wells (According to RealGM, they are now gonna let Wells walk).
Wells played brilliantly alongside Artest and Bibby and they looked like a contender at stages. What has Salmons done??

[[L3]1101]

Bozi is better than Salmons, but he'll be asking almost if not twice the money. Kings probably didn't want give that much. They'll want to resign Artest, Martin, and other players in future years. But i agree that Bozi fitted well as a King.

[iKe7in]

Bonzi's screwed. It seems like he outpriced himself, and now there aren't amny options left for him. But wherever he goes, I'm sure he will still be overpaid.

[jerry]

i was shocked to find that the kings took salmons.. i didnt think any team was going to take him after he backed out of the raptors deal

[funk99]

bonzi is quite a fool to want that much and many teams might not want him. Hope Charlotte get him cuz they need a decient SG

[---]

i dont really think that would work very well coz they already have Morrison and Wallace

[Anthony15]

Nuggets sign Diawara - http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... d_diawara/

I think its a nice pick up, he's a good shooter(67% from 3-PT line in Euroleague) and a solid defender

[Blasphemy]

Phoenix signs unrestricted free agent Sean Marks

The X is Happy!

[nzspurs]

Ok Sean Marks stop ruining my life, first u leave the new zealand national team, and then u leave the spurs, my nba team. GEEZZ

[Joycean Summons]

Maybe your Spurs should've just given him some more playing time, then.

[cklitsie]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/l ... -headlines

Fuck.

[Dan's Brain]

Smart deal by the magic, they could have overpaid, as a lot of other teams might have done, but they've kept it reasonable and it'll give him a chance to develop into a key role player down the road.

[The X]

Phoenix signs unrestricted free agent Sean Marks

The X is Happy!

that I am....move over Pat Burke, Sean Marks is in town

Ok Sean Marks stop ruining my life, first u leave the new zealand national team, and then u leave the spurs, my nba team. GEEZZ

stop complaining....he's been great for the game of bball in NZ....he did his service....whilst I'd like for him to be still playing for NZ, I think guys like Bradshaw can fill the void a little....as for leaving the Spurs, it's the best thing that he could've done....they didn't play him at all, even though when they did, he showed he could contribute....good riddance to the Spurs, I have no reason to like them at all now

Maybe your Spurs should've just given him some more playing time, then.

touche

[iKe7in]

Apparently the Knicks don't have enough undersized backup power forwards, so they've signed Jared Jeffries to a 5 year/$21 million offer sheet.

[Joycean Summons]

Jeffries is 6-11, he's not undersized. On top of that, he's also able to play SF.

[iKe7in]

By that I meant that he's not strong enough to be an effective post player. When he does play PF at the defensive end he gets dominated. He averages almost 6 fouls per 48 minutes, and only about half a block a game. He does have potential, but he needs to find a situation where he can develop. If he's fighting four other guys for playing time, is that really a situation he's going to thrive in?

And now apparently the deal is more like 5 years/$32 million, so now its even worse.

And his versatilty of being able to play the 3 is irrevelant in NY. They're already having trouble finding time (and shots) for Jalen Rose, Quentin Richardson, David Lee, their seventeen other shooting guards disguised as point guards, and of course both their first rounders, Balkman and Collins.

That's not abundance or depth, it's just a boatload of mediocrity.

[[Q]]

a few days ago, some tall white dude comes into my work and buys a CD from me. he must have been over 7' tall. so I charged his credit card without even looking at the card and on my computer screen it says "eric chenowith" . I asked him if he played on any summer league teams and he said he played for the nuggets. sad part is he'll never be nothing more than a 15th man in the NBA.