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SH Blog: Surprising Deals Steal Headlines on July 7

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Chris_Bosh_cropToday was a good day to be a power forward.

In an era in which the big man is supposedly dead, the NBA rewarded a trio of interior players with big-money contract offers. Some were low-profile players who made more money than expected, while others received offers that were somewhat expected.

No player’s proposed deal caused as many waves as Chris Bosh’s from the Houston Rockets.

Broussard quickly updated the price tag.

That’s a domino.

Bosh, 30, is a nine-time All-Star who, even with a dip in production, continues to be recognized as one of the best players in the league. He’s the definition of clutch and, with a dynamic skill set, offers every team in the association the potential for a game-changing two-way player.

Finances aside, the Houston Rockets would be the best fit of all.

By signing with the Rockets, Bosh would move back to his natural position of power forward. He’d then be able to use his outside-in attack, including underrated dribble-penetration skills, to exploit the opposition with Dwight Howard protecting the rim at center.

With Howard serving as the best center in the league and shouldering the defensive workload, Bosh can get back to being a dominant offensive presence.

With all of that being said, don’t write Miami off as a possibility. Or as the most probable location for him to end up.

Adrian Wojnarowski told FOX Sports Live that Bosh responded to the Rockets’ offer by saying something clear and concise: “I want to be in Miami. I want to play with LeBron.”

It’s hard to blame a guy for wanting to return to a team that’s made four consecutive NBA Finals appearances.

Regardless of where Bosh ends up, he’s going to receive a hefty salary and the unquestioned opportunity to start. He’s one of the best in the world and, according to this recent contract offer, enough of the association agrees to pay him as such.

Bosh isn’t the only floor-spacing big man who received a hefty contract offer.

 

Frye, McRoberts Cash In One of the most valued commodities in the NBA today is the stretch 4. Having a big man who can space the floor has always been valuable, but a jumper has become something of a prerequisite for success at power forward.

Channing Frye and Josh McRoberts can tell you just how valuable it is to embrace the European style of big man basketball.

Frye and McRoberts are two of the most respected, yet under-appreciated role players in the league, each providing their respective teams with valuable contributions. Frye is a three-point marksman with 6’11” size, while McRoberts is an energy player who can shoot from distance, defend the post and pass the rock.

In one day, the two went from unheralded role players to highly-paid contributors.It started with McBob.

That’s a hefty contract, but it’s also one that utilizes the midlevel exception.

McRoberts, 27, averaged 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 30.3 minutes during the 2013-14 regular season. He also shot 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and saw his league-wide respect amplify with displays of physicality, energy and team play in the 2014 NBA Playoffs.

If nothing else, McRoberts offers Miami a more reliable secondary big man than it had in 2013-14.

Joining McRoberts in Miami will be free agent small forward Danny Granger, who agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth $4.2 million. Granger was an All-Star, but his health has limited his availability over the past two seasons.

The assumption for both players is that they’ll be playing with LeBron James in 2014-15.

One can only imagine Pat Riley planted that idea in their minds.

Mere hours later, news broke that Frye was getting a big deal of his own. Not only was he making the move from the Phoenix Suns to the Orlando Magic, but the 31-year-old earned himself a raise.

$8.0 million per season.

It’s a hefty salary, but it makes sense.

The Magic have a young core that includes Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon, Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic. The common theme for all of those players is that none of them are reliable shooters, and all of them need the floor to be spaced for their offensive attack to work.

Frye is a respected veteran who can serve in something of a Ryan Anderson role. He’s fresh off of a season in which he played all 82 games and averaged 11.1 points and 5.1 rebounds on 37.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc in 28.2 minutes.

Versatile big men are getting paid.

 

STAT and Shump to Philadelphia?

The Philadelphia 76ers have quietly built a team with one of the highest ceilings in the league. Michael Carter-Williams, K.J. McDaniels, Jerami Grant, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid all have elite defensive potential, while Thaddeus Young is a two-way menace already.

Philadelphia could be adding a bit of offense and another player with elite defensive upside in the near future.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, the Sixers and New York Knicks are discussing a potential trade. The deal would be centered around power forward Amar’e Stoudemire and defensive specialist Iman Shumpert.

The return hasn’t been established, but the purpose of the rumored deal is clear.

Knicks president Phil Jackson is still trying to clear this year’s payroll and has looked at avenues to try and trade Amar’e Stoudemire’s expiring contract, already having contacted the obvious team, the 76ers.

The Sixers have $30 million in cap space and have made it known they’d be willing to accept an undesirable expiring contract if a pawn is thrown in. That extra pawn likely would be Iman Shumpert — something the Knicks prefer not to do.

The idea is, at the least, reduce payroll so the Knicks can make a sign-and-trade to obtain a free agent and be able to wield the full mid-level exception of $5 million instead of mini-midlevel $3.27 million. Currently, the Knicks are above the luxury-tax apron and are forbidden to obtain a free agent through a sign-and-trade or use the full mid-level to try to lure free agent Pau Gasol.

There’s a whole lot of ifs, but it’s all realistic.

Shumpert has fallen somewhat out of favor in New York, but his skill set would fit well in Philadelphia. The 76ers are committed to defense, and Shump is capable of locking his man down when his energy and effort are consistent.

For Stoudemire, his hefty contract is expiring and his veteran status makes him something of a mentor. STAT can be a leader in the locker room and a guiding force for both Noel and Embiid, all the while receiving the opportunity to prove his worth in a contract year.

As for the Knicks, it’s all about cap space.

It’s hard to believe Pau Gasol would accept a $5 million mid-level exception when many other teams are willing to pay him over $10 million per season. Fortunately, he’s not the only option for a Knicks squad that continues to build a roster with athletes who fit favorably in the Triangle Offense.

Nothing is imminent, but this deal could be beneficial to all parties involved.

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