Pitch-a-free-agent: Sending Serge Ibaka our best offers
Free agency is when everything is possible. No matter how small your market is, all it takes is one sensational pitch. Because we’re helpful people here at The Step Back, we’re each picking teams and penning our best offers to the free agents we think those teams should chase. Here’s what we have for Serge Ibaka.
Los Angeles Clippers
Hey, Serge. We know you don’t like Blake Griffin. Neither do we anymore. So we share that in common. More importantly, the best way to hurt Griffin’s feelings, other than hitting him below the belt, is to sign with the team that drafted him first overall and go on to take that franchise to its first ever Conference Finals with him in another jersey. We won’t lie. Of course, Chris Paul will first and foremost be the star around here. We believe he’s earned that designation. However, we would like you to help form our new Big Three. You’re the same age as Griffin, much less injury-prone, the far superior shot blocker and you’ve been shooting NBA 3s for years now; he just started. We envision your 3-point attempts increasing even more, as you’ll be counted on to space the floor and will be playing alongside assist magician Paul. Our power forward routinely hitting from the outside coupled with those unstoppable CP3-DeAndre Jordan lobs will keep our offense performing at an optimal levels. But you’ll also be able to solidify the defense, pairing with Jordan, who also loves to reject attempts near the rim.
In Orlando and Toronto, the glut of big men left you unappreciated at times. In Los Angeles, you will always start and play big minutes. Finally, we’ll be able to bolster our bench depth given the money we’ve saved from losing Griffin. What do you say, Sir Chewbacca? Come over to the Dark Side. We would make a better Star Wars reference if we ever saw any of those movies.
Our offer: Four years, $82 million
— Aaron Fischman (@byaaronfisch)
Minnesota Timberwolves
Serge, you were once the defensive anchor of an elite NBA team. Join us and let Thibodeau rediscover that Defensive Player of the Year potential. Look at all the open mid-range jumpers we got Gorgui Dieng! You would be asked to protect the paint (WITH KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS!) and make open jump shots. Life would be like a game of NBA 2k. The Golden State Warriors will likely repeat as Western Conference champions next year, but with the youth and talent on our roster we serve as a prime threat for that “super team” down the line. You’ve been part of an emerging young core that became a championship contender. We need you to help show our young guys the way.
Our offer: Four years, $68 million ($17 million a year)
— Brandon Jefferson (@Jefferson_Hoops)
Oklahoma City Thunder
Hey Serge, time to do what we talked about when we traded you at last year’s draft. Thanks for agreeing to that deal last year. Sorry LeBron spun the ball in your face. Anyway, you already know the drill. We’re going to trade Enes Kanter, just like we talked about, and give you his money. You’ll be back in your starter role, playing alongside Steven and Russell again. Russell is passing more than ever now, so you’ll get plenty of opportunities to take that mid-range jumper you love. Why are we still discussing this deal? This has been our master plan for a year now. Let’s get it done.
Our offer: Two years, $36 million ($18 million per year)
— Jeremy Lambert (@jeremylambert88)
Next: Pitch-a-free-agent: Sending Paul Millsap our best offers
Phoenix Suns
Listen Serge. These other teams are offering you things like lots of money, and playing for a contender, and playing with star players. But how much is that really worth if the weather sucks, am I right?
Do you know how nice it is in Arizona, Serge? You can wear shorts all the time. It’s amazing. And since we don’t get star free agents, you won’t have to deal with divas like Kevin Durant taking your water ever again.
We just need you to come here, make a ton of money, let us show our fans we’re at least trying to do something, and teach Dragan Bender how to play defense and shoot and all that cool stuff you do. Cool? Cool. Okay, here’s a boatload of money.
Our Offer: Four years, $80 million.
— Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch)