I'm up for trading any combination of our 09ers. I'm starting to grow weary of Patterson, why does he only shoot jump shots now? I'd rather keep him for now, hopefully he'll improve.
I've seen him nail some shots in the paint, off of simple/quick post moves and putbacks. I think it's been a long road for him recovering from injury. He's starting to get his hops and strength back finally. I would like to see him commit harder to rebounding.
Not sure how many games you have watched this season, but Patterson has been one of the most efficient offensive players on the floor this year, and his post game has developed dramatically. I would say that he still needs to work on his positioning better, but when he gets his positioning and a good entry pass he has been very effective in the post. I wouldnt worry too much about Morey giving away Patterson for peanuts. I know the front office raves about him and have had high hopes for him for years. -Of course you are up for trading the 09ers, but you have to understand that New Orleans isnt just going to trade Expiring contracts for Expiring contracts. You MUST give them something in return. Like I mentioned before, I actually think it would reasonable to offer one or both of Houston's 2012 second round picks, or the rights to Sergio Llull with a combination of 09 Draftees. -Keep in mind that if the Rockets are to be bringing over Montiejunas, possibly Llull, 1 or 2 first round picks, and then 2 second round picks then there is no way the Rockets could take on that many roster spots and also look at free agents. More than likely the Rockets would end up being sellers of one or more of their 2nd round picks anyways. Given the Hornets ownership and front office(Stern) has been cost cutting for years, I doubt they have the limited vision to value Sergio Llull as a top prospect. If they have done their homework, then I dont see why they wouldn't value him in a trade. However, as just mentioned they probably dont think very highly of him. I wouldnt doubt that one or more of the 2012 2nd round picks are what Morey is offering with some 09 expirings.
A league source indicated that the Pacers "could, in fact be the leading candidate" for Chris Kaman. "This disputes a Sports Illustrated report that the Rockets had taken the lead on Wednesday, and the Pacers are in the market for a backup to Roy Hibbert. Indiana makes a lot of sense for Kaman as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, but it's clear that no deal is imminent and there are still a number of teams involved in the discussion." Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune Feb 2 - 7:20 AM
Thought of some other appropriate nicks- "Rasputin" "Albino Gorilla" would be a decent pickup, though.
Who would Indiana offer? Outside of their starters (Collison,George,Granger,West,Hibbert) plus Tyler Hansbrough & George Hill, they have no one better than our "lottery 09ers".
Getting a space-eater that plays hard is a value. Look at the difference just getting Dalembert has made defensively. And as I recall it wasn't too long ago that Kaman was getting mentions for all star. Getting a Marc Gasol or Bogut is a pipe dream... and increasingly players like McGhee, Jordan, and even Asik seems unrealistic now. Getting someone like Kaman or (or even Pryzbella) seems to be a realistic direction to go. At the very least they take up room in the paint and give you five more fouls.
They have more cap space and can offer the NBA owners who are paying the Hornet expenses, more cap relief.
But that doesn't answer his question.... what's the deal? Jones/Amundson/Hill for Kaman? Is that more attractive to Stern than getting expiring young players? So maybe the best question is: Would the Pacers move on from Hansborough any quicker than we would part ways from Patterson?
So this is what it has come to, Kaman is a splash, the big acquistion. A back up center, to push into the playoffs? Unlikely. Morey is quickly running out of chips, not far from "game over."
My guess is that this is something coming out of NOH. I can't believe that Chris Kaman is our big target this year.
Kaman is in the news because he is the one being shopped publicly by his team right now. Not sure why you take it to mean that there is nothing else possible. Remember when McGrady to NYK was all we heard about in 2009 (inspiring such classic as DD's Morey and the Art of Negotiations thread when Mprey was holding out), and then the KMart trade came out of nowhere? Let's not act like publicly rumored trades are the only things being discussed in the NBA.
Hill and Thabeet, maybe another player, that's fine with me. Any current or future draft pick, no unless it is a 2nd rounder.
Maybe Handsborough. Indy has plenty of cap room so they can actually offer no salary coming back to the Hornets and saving the league a ton of money. If that is better for the Hornets, so be it.
Not just mentions, he WAS an all-star in 2010. I have no idea if he can still play at that level with injury problems, however.
