That's probably a good idea on their part. Don't waste time and effort on players that have no intentions of coming to your team. Focus on the players that you have a realistic chance of getting.
You think it is a coincidence that Durant hasn't returned to the WCF since Harden left, yet Harden has been back?
KD>Horford/Barnes>getting nothing to help the team because of pie in the sky chases for players that aren't coming here. Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh says hi.
I am certainly not saying that they are better than KD, just that they seem more realistically attainable to me. I don't want another Lowry situation where we were waiting on Bosh and missed out on Lowry. Lowry would have kept Harden in line or murdered him with his tough alpha bulldog mentality. With Harford and Barnes we would be strong contenders for the ring and deal with one less player capable of slowing down Harden.
To me plan B should be Horford and Conley. Barnes is a product of that system... But it's a quick plan B. Offer all three of them the max, the first two to accept get it. Period, end of story. This is assuming that those three would like to come here of course.
No you're not. KD won't come here just like Bosh didn't and we will miss out on good talent with Ahab Morley chasing another whale.
They've been back to the WCF. They lost to the Spurs in 6 .... Principally because Ibaka was united the first 2 games.
I think Barnes is a product of the system and slightly overhyped. I mean he's good, but better because of GS. However id take a TEAM over a star at this point. Bev/Harden/Ariza/Barnes/Horford is okay. I dont think Barnes can bang long term with AD/LMA/TD/Blake and a few others who I think would just overpower him at the 4. Plus PG position still very iffy. I think Bev/Harden/Ariza/Barnes/Whiteside is also serviceable if Horford were not available. Whiteside plays to how Morey wants a center to play, remember how Morey said if we had Deandre we would win it all? Whiteside seems similar but can hit the elbow jumper if needed. I dont know, I dont think there is a sexy option at pf available. Ryan Anderson? I dont know about his athleticism. He probably fits Morey's philosophy but how many years have we been saying that and hes still not on the roster? Want to put more of KD and Harden's friends together snag yourself a Jeff Green. I recall them being called the superfriends, don't honestly know how close they are though. Again though he's small for a power forward. He has played half his career minutes at the 4 though. I dont know. I absolutely prefer twin towers. I just dont see a tower twin out there. I understand small ball is hot right now but man im just too old school and don't like it. Beasley also has played half his career minutes at the 4 but he is no tower. I want a damn Serge Ibaka type. Someone who could lock down the paint. I'd settle for a Pau Gasol type who can run pick n pop with Harden and brings in a high bbiq. Here's who's coming up: http://hoopshype.com/2016/01/16/nba-free-agency-2016-the-top-players/
I think if we can get Horford + one other player, it should perhaps be Howard. If Harden doesn't let Conley handle the rock, whats the point? Is Barnes THAT big of a upgrade over Ariza? Will we be any better just replacing Howard with Horford, a lesser player on defense? Beverley Harden Ariza / Dekker Horford / Dmo / Harrell Howard / Capela Is a roster that works under the new cap, add some vet min player, a new defensive coaching staff and perhaps we can become contenders again.
I'm wary of Horford because the Hawks at their best were pretenders. Barnes is the 4th/5th best player on the Warriors.
Thats pretty much the same team with Horford.. no thanks. We need to say goodbye to everyone but Harden and maybe Ariza. Dwight's game is based on his physical abilities and he's just not the same. He may be a big liability soon.
Harford(some version of Haren?) I would but the dices fall with Durant who is the better player, then Horford, then Barnes
Can't we get both Durant and Horford if we lose Dwight? The likelihood of them both joining is higher than the likelihood of one of them joining IMO. The possibility of 3 stars on one team plus choosing your coach makes it a better proposition for Durant at least. However if I'm honest I think that with the right head coach and organizational culture, this team can re-sign Howard and sign Horford and be good enough to win it all. Howard/Capela Horford/Harrell/(D-Mo for cheap? Nene?) Ariza/Unfortunately Brewer/McDaniels/Dekker Harden/(Eric Gordon or Courtney Lee?) Beverley/(Brandon Jennings?)/(Dellavedova?) Just need some depth at PG/SG.
We should have our little talk to KD, but first go after a guy like Horford and make him our priority. We definitely should not wait like with Melo. That was the lowest Morey & Leslie went. Make or break for our organisation this off-season. If I were Durant, I'd go to the Celtics or Blazers.
