FA day 1

[CelticsGM]

btw, despite no signing I like how the FA turned out so far.

With Heat and rebuilding Nets we've lost the two top teams in the Atlantic from the list of contenders and it looks like an open race for the #2 seed with Nets, Knicks, Wizards and hopefully our Celtics competing. Sixers might join if they find a backcourt.

And my two first rounders this year both lost big time players. Mavs had 26ppg Keogan move into retirement and Pistons had to watch star PG Brice retire (I missed that initially) and 16/12/4 big man Munson bolt to the Sixers. I feel sorry for bods, he's now watched quite a few FAs turn on him, but as they say: "One man's pain is another man's pleasure" ...
 

[HawksGM]

THANKS TOM!!! Thrilled to get the dream...I guess this means Smits might have to take a back seat for a while.  I can't wait for the season to start now.

[NetsGM]

I feel sorry for bods, he's now watched quite a few FAs turn on him, but as they say: "One man's pain is another man's pleasure" ...

Not really.

Munson made me a 4 year extension offer, which I turned down because it would have taken more over the hard cap with Brice in the fold.  Then Brice retired.  Had I known Brice would have retired, I would have accepted the extension.

I then knew I didn't want to sign Munson for 6 years.  There's no way a 32 year old who declined last year has a B potential, and I expect declines in the next few years. 

I then took a gamble that he would take my 1 year, 19 million offer over a longer term deal, as free agents often do.

Really, had I known Brice would have retired, Munson would have never hit FA.  But once he did hit FA, I took the risk that I could sign him to a short deal as everyone chased the big names.  I was wrong.  But I'd rather be wrong and lose Munson than give him a 6 year deal.  For a team that's not close to contention, that contract's going to come back and bite him in the ass.

[CelticsGM]

that contract is horrible, and no way should you have matched it.

Munson is a very good big man, but I wouldn't call him a franchise player in the Sampson mold. And he's 32. And he's pretty hard to trade now unless a team is desperate enough (but since I'm no real contender, the Nuggets just won a title and the Nets are successfully rebuilding I don't see anyone left ...)

[HawksGM]

Tom approached me with the scenario and I reluctantly said OK, with all the good FA's I figured I have at least some shot, but to get Hakeem...man it worked out well and the Heat lost Jordan and I have their pick next year.  Finally something exciting down in the ATL.

[WizardsGM]

I said to the Nets numerous times as they were trying to hell me how it was the best rebuild anyone has ever seen, that it would in no way be a success if he missed out on signing at least one big FA. And he does it, signing maybe the best of them. Congrats my friend, heck of an offseason for you.

[WizardsGM]

Bailey definitely wasnt option #1 with my MLE, and now that I look at him closer I probably should have waited on him, but nonetheless he will provide some defense off the bench.

Now 4mil away from HardCapVille

[HornetsGM]

Wow, this is the most brutal FA I have seen. That really sucks for the Heat and Blazers -- hang in there guys.
The Nets could be really scary soon.

I'm glad to get George Johnson back.

[SpursGM-old]

I am happy to Sir Charles back.  He didn't offer an extension and I knew he would be chased big time.  I just had to hope that his high loyalty rating and my strong win rating would bring him back.

I could still use a inside scorer to replace Schmaltz after this year but otherwise the core has all returned.

[GrizzliesGM]

Its great to get Brooks and Hobson back! Brooks wanted a 7 year deal starting at 9 mil. or so and i got him to sign for three years. He's still young and it seems like his ratings fluctuate each year, so he may improve back to where he was 2 seasons ago. If not, he's a great 6th man.

Hobson will also be a key guy this year if his ratings stay the same. He's also 6th man caliber!

I still have my MLE and LEE to use so I could make it back to the playoffs for the first time in years.

[MavsGM]

And my two first rounders this year both lost big time players. Mavs had 26ppg Keogan move into retirement

Sorry Tom, you will have to settle for pick #25 and above.  We will miss his scoring but his D was horrible at the SG spot.

[NetsGM]

couldn't agree more. this is a great core to start with.

no idea why he brought up his motivational problems then, I'm sure he doesn't expect MJ to bring a title home this season already, so there's zero pressure on this young team ...

Tom, I'd like to introduce you to the point. Point, this is Tom.   

No motivational problems here, but you gave Mags some additional juice to have a great year questionning his leadership skills. That's all 

[NetsGM]

I said to the Nets numerous times as they were trying to hell me how it was the best rebuild anyone has ever seen, that it would in no way be a success if he missed out on signing at least one big FA. And he does it, signing maybe the best of them. Congrats my friend, heck of an offseason for you.

Thanks, dude. And thanks Rockets, earlier.

The shaping of a team is what I find fun about FBB and SSBA - and have had a good time doing something unlikely (turning that much commited salary and talent into a whole new team). Though dumb luck has played an obviously huge role in how smoothly things have gone, I like to think that my involvement, work, negotiation and planning helped. And I hope it continues on Day Two and beyond, since I'm not quite done yet (which is the point Tom keeps missing  ).

Couple of random points.

No fooling, Tom is one of my favorite opponents in all my leagues. So outspoken, it's good times. I love how he continues to see the trees when others are looking at a forest, and I mean that as a compliment.

My daughter was doing my smileys above. She says hi.

I wish I had the hang of that multiple quote thing, then I wouldn't have to post so many times.

[NetsGM]

Wow, this is the most brutal FA I have seen. That really sucks for the Heat and Blazers -- hang in there guys.
The Nets could be really scary soon.

I'm glad to get George Johnson back.

You said this better than I think I did.

[GoldenStateGM]

Hmmm... Wow, some big changes...

I am a little disapointed that none of the big free agents signed with me, since I had the highest win rating and max money...  But, oh well

Resigning McCray was good...  Glad he came back.  And picking up Joseph Hughes is nice, he has imrpoved every year, and hopefully will continue to do so as a Warriors.