Here are my thoughts on this, but I would like the preface the post with this...
I dont think that we need two way players/defensive stalwarts all that bad when looking at who we want. The whole point to Rudy is that he anchors the defense, makes up for other players deficiencies, and makes everyone look better at defense. But of course its a plus if they are also really good at defense.
We dont need more defense. The Rockets and the Warriors will score no matter what and we need to score with them while holding them down as best as we can with our defense.
Mario Hezonja
I think he is by far and away the most interesting and desirable free agent we should be looking at. Every year its the same thing over and over. Yet, lessons seemingly are never learned. There is always some surprise. A player you didnt expect to make the jump. It seemed to just come out of no where. Except it really didnt. If you use your brain and put 2&2 together. Its actually pretty easy to see coming.
Hezonja is a blue chip quality high draft pick player who got buried on the bench by a dumb franchise. He just barely turned 23. He has good size. Very nice athleticism. Has a super clean shot with deep range. He can put the ball on the floor and create. He can pass. He is a pretty good defender. He has a strong personality. He is tough. We dont know how smart he is, but he can and will probably get smarter after playing for Quin.
This is the perfect opportunity to find money laying on the ground, and pick up a guy that you dont have to max out and overpay. Im not say he becomes a top 15 player, but Im like 99% sure it ends up being a signing you can make profit on. You arent signing the guy as is. You are counting on him getting better, and he will 99% most likely get better. If not he is still petty good. Remember he is 23 years old.
He fits with what we want to do, and with the way the league is going. Lets not forget he fits our international theme as well. Its a more than an obvious choice.
Going after known quantities and over paying for them rarely does you any good. You end up paying for it in one way or the other. You need to be savy and takes risks if you want to get ahead. You cant wait until the whole league knows what the deal is.
Others...
Terry Rozier - Yes, Yes, Yes, I have always liked him. I pimped him early on and even made a trade thread for him in his rookie year. But a few of the board geniuses shot it down and it never gained any traction. Boston probably isnt trading him now though, and you better be ready to pay up to one of the most savy GM's in the league. Even with Rubio Im still interested though. Damn good player. (And Donovan really likes him.)
https://jazzfanz.com/threads/great-trade-idea.44367/
Lebron James - You better at least make the phone call
Paul George - Yes, Yes, Yes. Obvious reasons.
Exum - Try and keep him
Favors - Maybe, depends on his price, and if Hezojna is interested.
Aaron Gordon - Would love him, but he is getting matched.(He better get matched, or Orlando is officially the dumbest franchise out there)
Jabari - Always loved his game, but of course the injuries are worrying. I would consider depending on what he wants. I think whats best for both parties is to give him the yearly amount but shorten the contract. Make him prove he can stay healthy.
Wiggins - No. He is overpaid now. Ive never had faith he would live up to the hype. Id take him if they were dumping for a low cost just to take a gamble, but I wouldnt pay what they want.
Tobias Harris - Meh. Maybe.. It probably doesnt move the needle. We probably dont get any better with him. I probably wont complain and would be intrigued if DL seems to think something is there, but Im not excited. He is young still, but is nobody concerned with him bouncing from team to team? If he ended up here it would be his 5th team by the age of 26. There is something wrong with his impact he makes on your team I bet. Nobody is feeling him.
Will Barton - Maybe, decent player. Depends on his price. Willing to be 6th man.
Michael Beasley - Your favorite player's favorite player? You betcha. Id take that chance on him if my first options fell through. The guy can score the ball. We need more scoring.
