I think I'm just going to give up on trying to hammer home my own approach, and just accept the fact that Vlade is going to try and use the cap space to win now.
In that case, I think the most important FA signing we could land would be...
Al Farouq-Aminu
For starters, his impact stats have been extremely good for the past 4 seasons:
2018-19
RAPM = 2.55 (34th in league)
RPM = 1.68 (65th in league)
On/Off = +10.0 (3rd on team)
2017-18
RAPM = 2.65 (37th in league)
RPM = 2.00 (53rd in league)
On/Off = +4.6 (2nd on team)
2016-17
RAPM = 1.34 (66th in league)
RPM = 1.27 (80th in league)
On/Off = +3.8 (5th on team)
2015-16
RAPM = 1.21 (80th in league)
RPM = 1.73 (66th in league)
On/Off = +1.8 (4th on team)
He's 28 so he should have at least 3-4 more years in his prime. He's also a legitimate role player who can allow our young guys to step into their offensive roles. Not to mention he's a terrific defender & rebounder. His shooting is also acceptable. He's shot 35% from three the last 4 years (40% from the corner three). His size is also great as a wing 9'0.5" standing reach and a 7'3.25" wingspan.
One of the main reasons I think he would be a terrific fit is the versatility he would bring. For instance, if Bagley develops and becomes a guy that can hold down the C spot, Aminu slides in at PF between Barnes & Bagley very well. He has the size, strength, length to handle PFs, and his rebounding is so good that you're likely not even losing much by playing a lineup that's a little bit smaller.
He also seems like the type of guy that you could probably come off the bench without it being a locker room issue too.
Below is a breakdown of how the offseason could play out.
- Let Cauley-Stein walk
- We have $58.7 mil in cap space
- Resign Barnes to $76.25 mil over 4 years (first year is $16.9 mil with 8% raises)
- We have $42.7 mil in cap space
- Sign Al Farouq-Aminu to $64.65 mil over 4 years (first year is $15 mil with 5% raises)
- Sign Patrick Beverley to $64.65 mil over 4 years (first year is $15 mil with 5% raises)
- Sign Brook Lopez to $64.65 mil over 4 years (first year is $15 mil with 5% raises)
- We have $400K in cap space
PG - Fox / Beverley / Ferrell / Mason
SG - Hield / Bogdan / James
SF - Barnes / Aminu
PF - Bagley / Bjelica / Swanigan
C - Lopez / Giles
The question is if we can get Aminu, Lopez, & Beverley with $16.16 mil per year. Portland is in cap hell and they make not want to go that high with Harkless on the roster. The Bucks made a move to open up more cap space, but I believe this would be more money than the Bucks could offer. The Clippers have SGA, Shamet, Williams, & Robinson at guards, but $16 mil/year may just be higher than what other teams are going to offer.
Lopez gives Bagley that strong, shotblocking, good 3pt shooting C next to him. We also improve our backup PG spot and arguably will have the best 48 minutes of PG defense. Aminu gives us an excellent role player & wing defender who can give us a lethal smallball lineup with Bagley at C (while not sacrificing rebounding).