Free Agents in Summer of 2012

[FrDrake]

Ainge's has a strategy.  Make a run at the Finals with the current and aging team for the next two years (or one if there is a lock-out) and then start over with Rondo, Pierce and cap space for the summer of 2012. 

The question that begs asking is, who will be available as a free agent that summer?  Here is the list, courtesy of RealGM...and it really isn't too pretty:

Mike Bibby    Atlanta    Unrestricted F.A.
Ray Allen    Boston    Unrestricted F.A.
Semih Erden    Boston    Restricted F.A.
Kevin Garnett    Boston    Unrestricted F.A.
Jermaine O'Neal    Boston    Unrestricted F.A.
Rasheed Wallace    Boston    Unrestricted F.A.
D.J. Augustin    Charlotte    Restricted F.A.
Boris Diaw    Charlotte    Unrestricted F.A.
Eduardo Najera    Charlotte    Unrestricted F.A.
Omer Asik    Chicago    Restricted F.A.
Derrick Rose    Chicago    Restricted F.A.
J.J. Hickson    Cleveland    Restricted F.A.
Antawn Jamison    Cleveland    Unrestricted F.A.
Alexis Ajinca    Dallas    Restricted F.A.
Jason Kidd    Dallas    Unrestricted F.A.
Ian Mahinmi    Dallas    Unrestricted F.A.
Jason Terry    Dallas    Unrestricted F.A.
Carmelo Anthony    Denver    Unrestricted F.A.
Chauncey Billups    Denver    Unrestricted F.A.
Nene Hilario    Denver    Unrestricted F.A.
Charlie Bell    Golden State    Unrestricted F.A.
David Andersen    Houston    Restricted F.A.
Roy Hibbert    Indiana    Restricted F.A.
A.J. Price    Indiana    Restricted F.A.
Brandon Rush    Indiana    Restricted F.A.
Brian Cook    L.A. Clippers    Unrestricted F.A.
Randy Foye    L.A. Clippers    Unrestricted F.A.
Eric Gordon    L.A. Clippers    Restricted F.A.
Chris Kaman    L.A. Clippers    Unrestricted F.A.
Darrell Arthur    Memphis    Restricted F.A.
O.J. Mayo    Memphis    Restricted F.A.
Sam Young    Memphis    Restricted F.A.
Carlos Delfino    Milwaukee    Unrestricted F.A.
Ersan Ilyasova    Milwaukee    Unrestricted F.A.
Michael Beasley    Minnesota    Restricted F.A.
Ryan Hollins    Minnesota    Unrestricted F.A.
Kosta Koufos    Minnesota    Restricted F.A.
Kevin Love    Minnesota    Restricted F.A.
Courtney Lee    New Jersey    Restricted F.A.
Brook Lopez    New Jersey    Restricted F.A.
James Posey    New Orleans    Unrestricted F.A.
David West    New Orleans    Unrestricted F.A.
Raymond Felton    New York    Unrestricted F.A.
Danilo Gallinari    New York    Restricted F.A.
Anthony Randolph    New York    Restricted F.A.
Ronny Turiaf    New York    Unrestricted F.A.
Bill Walker    New York    Unrestricted F.A.
Kyle Weaver    Oklahoma City    Unrestricted F.A.
Russell Westbrook    Oklahoma City    Restricted F.A.
D.J. White    Oklahoma City    Restricted F.A.
Ryan Anderson    Orlando    Restricted F.A.
Vince Carter    Orlando    Unrestricted F.A.
Mickael Pietrus    Orlando    Unrestricted F.A.
Jodie Meeks    Philadelphia    Restricted F.A.
Marreese Speights    Philadelphia    Restricted F.A.
Goran Dragic    Phoenix    Unrestricted F.A.
Robin Lopez    Phoenix    Restricted F.A.
Steve Nash    Phoenix    Unrestricted F.A.
Nicolas Batum    Portland    Restricted F.A.
Jerryd Bayless    Portland    Restricted F.A.
Marcus Camby    Portland    Unrestricted F.A.
Rudolfo Fernandez    Portland    Restricted F.A.
Andre Miller    Portland    Unrestricted F.A.
Jeff Pendergraph    Portland    Restricted F.A.
Donte Greene    Sacramento    Restricted F.A.
Jason Thompson    Sacramento    Restricted F.A.
Tim Duncan    San Antonio    Unrestricted F.A.
George Hill    San Antonio    Restricted F.A.
Antonio McDyess    San Antonio    Unrestricted F.A.
Leandro Barbosa    Toronto    Unrestricted F.A.
CJ Miles    Utah    Unrestricted F.A.
Mehmet Okur    Utah    Unrestricted F.A.
Andray Blatche    Washington    Unrestricted F.A.
Kirk Hinrich    Washington    Unrestricted F.A.
JaVale McGee    Washington    Restricted F.A


http://www.realgm.com/src_freeagents/2012/

[Bankshot]

Maybe it's not the 2012 free agency, but the 2012 draft that he's looking at?  Maybe some high schoolers?  Who knows?  Other than Carmelo, there really isn't anyone out there in free agency that you could build your team around.

[Moranis]

that list doesn't have guys on player options that could opt out like Dwight Howard and has guys like Carmelo Anthony that could opt out next summer.

[wdleehi]

Maybe it's not the 2012 free agency, but the 2012 draft that he's looking at?  Maybe some high schoolers?  Who knows?  Other than Carmelo, there really isn't anyone out there in free agency that you could build your team around.

Cap room is rarely about getting a big FA.  It is usually about flexibility to make trades.

[Eddie20]

that list doesn't have guys on player options that could opt out like Dwight Howard and has guys like Carmelo Anthony that could opt out next summer.

Also doesn't have Greg Oden, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams,

[JBcat]

Maybe it's not the 2012 free agency, but the 2012 draft that he's looking at?  Maybe some high schoolers?  Who knows?  Other than Carmelo, there really isn't anyone out there in free agency that you could build your team around.

Cap room is rarely about getting a big FA.  It is usually about flexibility to make trades.

I agree 100%.   This summer is not the norm where you see big stars changing teams.   Ainge may use some expiring contracts not this season but next to try to aquire a star player.   We could have a hard cap as well so clearing cap space for that summer and beyond is probably a smart move. 

[nickagneta]

that list doesn't have guys on player options that could opt out like Dwight Howard and has guys like Carmelo Anthony that could opt out next summer.

Also doesn't have Greg Oden, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams,

Howard will make over $19 million in 2012-13 if he doesn't take his early termination. Chris Paul and Deron Williams will make $17.8 million in 2012-13. Other significant players that are not listed on that RealGM list that have ETOs and player options are in similar positions of making over $17.5 million in that 2012-13 season if they stay with their current team.

But what happens if after the lockout the max salaries for players with their tenure are reduced by $4-$5 million per year? Are these guys going to opt out or terminate their contract and lose $4-$5 million that next year? It's possible, especially for a guy like Paul that hates being on a losing team and his current situation in New Orleans. But I doubt most of these guys being young players become free agents and decide to just walk away from millions.

All that said, I concur with wdleehi. Danny's wanting cap space won't necessarily be for free agents. He is fighting a lot of negatives here in Boston. The state income taxes are a huge negative. So is the Boston nightlife which is more geared towards college students and ends very early compared to many cities(1:00-2:00AM depending on where you are). Now throw in the harsh winter climate during the season, the bad traffic commuting in from the desirable living areas in the suburbs and the reputation as a city that doesn't exactly embrace the African-American community and it makes it difficult to attract the best of the best young free agents.

Danny needs to have the cap flexibility but it's probably going to be to secure star players via trade rather than via free agency signings.

[manl_lui]

isn't the lockout soon? so if the big fa next year do opt out, they will not make that much money so

if we bring banner 18 this coming season, im sure with our cap space and a championship will attract big name free agents

if we can land Melo and Dwight (im dreaming right here) and keep the big 3...

the Super Heat can wait another 2-3 years before winning their championship =)

but I'm more interested in bringing Howard cuz I want to see him just dunk and own the Lakers in the paint...