Forwards Joe Harris and Jae Crowder are free agents the Bucks might pursue with their mid-level exception, Eric Nehm of The Athletic speculates. Harris would provide another offensive threat, while Crowder is a defensive stalwart. If the Bucks pursue cheaper options, Josh Jackson, Wesley Iwundu, Gary Clark and Glenn Robinson are considerations with their biannual exception or minimum deals.
We have more from around the Central Division:
- The Pistons are putting a premium on conditioning and weight training but they’ll look to balance that with offensive improvements, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. Coach Dwane Casey looks at the Heat as a model of a team with toughness and shooting. “You’ve got to have a good mixture of hard-hat guys and shooters – guys who can put the ball in the hole,” he said. “The game is leaning that way. We all have to evolve from that standpoint.”
- Israeli forward Deni Avdija could be an ideal complement to last year’s first-round pick, Sekou Doumbouya, Langlois writes in a separate story. Avdija has similar size and positional flexibility as Doumbouya, which could allow the Pistons to exploit mismatches. His offensive skills would add another playmaker at Casey’s disposal. However, Avdija would have to slide to the Pistons’ pick at No. 7 or they’d have to trade up to land him.
- The Bulls won’t be making major roster changes this offseason but they could pursue a wing in free agency, Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago opines. They would be wise not to hand out a long-term contract, as future cap space should be preserved until they show real improvement, Schaefer adds.
Casey trying to recreate Bad Boys 2.0…Dwane, Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn are not walking through that door. Neither is Isaiah Thomas, Vinnie Johnson and so on and so on. Rodman might come back though.
As for Bucks, Harris – yes, Crowder – No…They already have enough mediocre 3 pt shooters.
Crowder has long had one of the best team-friendly contracts in the NBA ……. he’d want to get paid this offseason.
It will be a very interesting offseason for the Riley and the HEAT.
Crowder probably will be back, at either day 1 Yr deal or 2 yr with a team option on 2nd year, but won’t be atop their wish list.
I’d want Crowder back with the HEAT, seems to have finally found his home.
On a recent interview, Crowder said he’s looking for a long-term contract …….. just like his old one, albeit with bigger money.
Very curious to see what Riles does ……. add a mid-tier player (Gallo) ……. run-it-back with more or less the same crew, preserve cap space for next offseason.
He might want to get paid, but he won’t get paid much. His offensive game consists of being a below-average three-point threat who can’t create his own shot.
If anyone pays him it should be the Heat. Or a team with similar need who can contend. Crowder made 7.8 mill last yr. At 30 yrs old. It would be wise for Heat to offer him 40-45 mill 4yrs. With team option on fith yr. He’s a big part of Heat. They should show him respect. He’s worth more than ME to them.
Don’t forget Heat have to decide on Drajic too.
Miami is not going to offer Crowder a Knicks type deal at 4 yrs and 40 mill. The Heat will prioritize big whales when considering long term contracts. Not a decent 3-D 30 yr old.
Knicks should go all in with crowder
Joe Harris and Crowder want 4 years contract
Bulls and Pistons want draft picks next year？
Advija and Doomtuya play the same position. That is good how?— Because it will confuse a defense? The offense too. Someone will not like being the 4 with CWood a 5. Whoever they draft will be thrown out there.
Avdija should be in the top 3 with Ball & Wiseman, so no way he falls to #7 to DET, they will have to trade up for him.
The Pistons need a small forward pretty bad.
So do the Bulls and they pick three spots before the Pistons. Those two teams are arguably the most in need of SFs this year. Deni is likely the highest drafted SF by far this year. Either Pistons will have to trade up to 3 or higher or they would be better off trading down if possible. Perhaps to 13 or 14 where they could likely get one of Devin Vassell, Patrick Williams, or Saddiq Bey. Drafting any of those three at 7 would be too much of a reach. If they don’t get one of them, they might as well try their luck buying a 2nd round pick because that is about it for the 3 position in the 1st.