Looking at our cap situation after Bima's last posting got me to thinking about Kevin Martin quite a bit. He's got one year left, essentially an expiring contract, but obviously he's still young enough that he's gonna want to earn another nice deal. So I would expect him to be motivated to burn it up next season to get another long term deal. With that being said, it appears to me more every day that his days here are numbered. So, assuming Morey is going to move him this offseason, I got to thinking about possible deals: 1. I think we could trade him for cap space. Say Cleveland, or Indy, or Boston, all teams significantly under the cap...with very small opportunities to use that cap, and probably not wanting to use after DWill signs. I think we could get them to take Martin simply for nothing but cap space. You may think he's worth more, perhaps a draft pick or something. Fine. But this is one distinct trade....cap space. 2. I think we could trade him to a team like Washington for Nene, a guy on a long term deal, being paid big money. Now, we may have to include a pick, I don't know. But I can't figure out why Washington wants Nene. He doesn't fit a rebuild. Of course, I don't know about Nene myself anymore. Denver sure came off him FAST! And dropped him on his head in basketball purgatory. So I've got questions about trading for him if possible. So, consider two scenarios: 1. We sign DWill and 2. We don't sign DWill What do you think would be the best thing to do with Martin? 1. If we sign DWill, then obviously Morey has to set the team up in the best way possible to have the cap space to sign Dwight outright after next season and/or trade for Dwight during the season if it becomes obvious to Orlando that Dwight is going to leave and they both agree to trade him. My instincts tell me we are better off trading Martin for cap space in that scenario, re-signing Lee and Dragic with the space and bringing in draft picks or trading our picks this year for picks in next year's draft. 2. If we don't sign DWill, then obviously we should try to re-sign Dragic if the money is reasonable and also Lee if the money is reasonable to match. So then we go to war, assuming a trade of Lowry and Scola for either Gasol or some other available big man. Perhaps the rumored Okafor and lottery pick for an expiring would still be available? Would we be better off to move Martin for another player on a longer term deal, say Nene or Okafor, or somebody similar or would we still be better off to trade him away for cap space? Dragic Lee Parsons Nene or Okafor Gasol with Motie, Camby, Patterson, Morris, possible lottery pick off the bench is an attractive squad provided Nene is back to his 2010-2011 level of play. What do you think Morey should do with Martin?
Try to trade him at the draft, if not, try to trade him at the next opportunity. If necessary and some big name is going to sign her, maybe Amnesty him. DD
I know we could use amnesty. But don't you think either Cleveland, Indy, or Boston would be willing to trade for him for nothing? After all, he would be an expiring contract for them and they aren't going to be able to sign DWill with their cap money. Essentially they could use his services for one season, trade him later in the season if they got a good deal, or let him play out his deal and have their cap space back after next season or if they like him they could try to sign him to an extension. No risk really. Don't you think one of those teams would take him for nothing?
The question essentially is do you trade him for cap space or for a talent with a long term salary. And would signing DWill make a difference on what Morey did with Martin?
If he's willing to accept the 6th man role and be that constant scoring threat off the bench, then you hold on to him until you get a deal you really like. If he's not willing to accept that role, then you do whatever it takes to get rid of him without taking on extra salary in the future.
He is not healthy enough to provide scoring off the bench, or he is faking injuries again... and everyone is covering his crap until he is gone.
Don't think Morey takes that risk. First of all, if you bring him off the bench, you're already losing trade value. Next, if he doesn't respond well, you've lost even more trade value. I think Morey knows this and isn't going to risk it. I think he gets moved on draft night or at least before the start of next season.
1. Martin is worth much more than a cap space on the trade market. Teams might offer less because of his performance this (half) season, but he's a proven veteran and borderline All-Star that can push a lot of teams over the hump (e.g. Chicago). 2. Any talk of amnestying a 20 ppg scorer on a reasonable contract in his prime is nothing short of ludicrous. TL;DR: You guys are hating on Martin WAY TOO MUCH.
1. What is Martin worth that would be more valuable to us than cap space to re-sign both Dragic and Lee?
I don't agree here. Martin won't be as useful even with the CHICAGO BULLS if Thibs is not running plays for him. Thibs is not an offensive coach.. he won't be excelling with offensive... Way to trust Martin to go alone. At this point Martin is a younger Rip Hamilton, might score more, and defend less. Injury prone.
They're not giving up Nene...they took on more money and gave up a young starter for him...i think they just wanted a vet who'd produce and give them some leadership and consistency to build around. A bunch of young guys who dont know better weren't going to develop well on their own. Martin's stock is dropping...might have to wait for a good preseason from him to trade him..the sooner the better.
am i the only one who thinks shooters like martin are really valuable? why not keep him? it's not like were getting lebron guys... rest our kick @ss backcourt of lowry and martin and reload this summer?
IF we could get a Top 5 pick for Lowry and Martin..... at this point I would consider it. Rebuilding over anything else.
