Aaron Gray just declined his option and is becoming a free agent. He was pretty effective in limited minutes for the Hornets (only played 13 mpg a game in 41 games, but averaged 8.7 pts and 11.6 rebounds, 0.8 blks and, well, 6.5 fouls per 36 minutes). He's a good rebounder, interior space eater, and is effective in guarding jumbo-sized bigs. Certainly seems more useful than the average big man Morey has found by dumpster diving in free agency(hello David Andersen) or in the reclamation market (looking at you, Hasheem Thabeet). On top of this, Aaron Gray has played with Chris Paul (photo evidence below) and can only help us in recruiting CP. Whenever free agency starts, Morey, McHale or one of their minions need to show up at his door with a decent offer (say, $2.5 mil a year for 4 years?), an Ipad and some BBQ ribs. This team needs Aaron Gray.
Aaron Gray would probably back-up Chuck Hayes, but he's certainly better than Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet. I'd take him on the Rockets.
From what I've seen, he's good enough to be our starting center considering what we have. Not that he's necessarily better than Chuck, just better suited for the position. I'd take him and ship Hill/Thabeet out in a heartbeat. We would still need to find a long-term solution at center, but this guy can be a legitimate backup if not solid starter.
NO WAY JOSE!!! I would rather have Fesenko. At least post one center that is worth signing such as pzybilla or kwane brown who are also free agents.
Betty White could beat Aaron Gray in a vertical jump contest but I guess that doesn't matter when you're a seven footer. Bringing him in is an interesting thought. I'd group him in the same category as the Fesenko types (which should be at the top of nobody's list), but like CH was alluding too -- he's big and serviceable. Conditioning and lack of speed are definite limitations but for an 8-10th man to bring off of the bench and provide six fouls you could do a lot worse.
The other day I thought about this. I love his rebounding numbers, but without having seen him in much playing time, .8 blocks per 36 minutes scares me away from him. I think at this point, anyone the FO is looking to add to our bloated roster should display strong rim protection abilities.
I think I'm the only one that isn't ready to give up on Thabeet and Hill. Both were very raw coming out of College with limited experience. They're projects
I think of Gray's possible role as being similar to Jerome James back in Seattle-- only good for about 16 mpg, whether he was a starter or coming off the bench. Probably not in good enough shape to play more minutes than that without getting gassed. In any case, I certainly think he can play more than the minutes that the Hornets gave him. By the way, he's better than Fesenko. For example, Gray averaged 11.6 rebs per 36 minutes, Fesenko only averaged 8.7.
Worth a shot. He never had a chance to start and show what he can really do. He would be a good 1-2 punch teaming up with another big.
We need size, period. Can't be picky, looking for a "starter quality" C. There aren't many of those around that we can afford.
Agreed. I just meant I group them in the same category regarding my overall inclination to acquire them. Would either player help? Yep. I just tend to set my standards a little higher (which means I'm likely in store for major disappointment).
Look he is not going to help us get Paul, or anybody else, but he is a big we can target and actually get. Is he a starter, no not really but he could start for us to contend the jump ball if nothing else. Almost every team that went anywhere in the playoffs had multiple 7 footers of varied quality. His numbers career stats are bla, but he only averages ~ 11min a game. 3.5 rebounds, 3.6 points. With us that would hopefully go to 20 min, and potentially 7 and 7..... maybe, sure thats not going to change the world but we need size If you look at him, he runs the floor without significant issues and he doesnt have stick arms and legs
