We are trying to get 1 quality big while contenders have a combination of 2 or 3

We need 3 quality rotation bigs. However, we have 3 quality rotation bigs. But they lack length. We've got one of the top 10 defenders in the league in Hayes (if we re-sign him), who is a plus player on both ends of the court, but he lacks length. We've got a great young big in Patterson. He lacks experience but he's got everything else (length, athleticism, intelligence, skills). And we've got Scola who is fantastic on one side of the court but cannot play defense and lacks length on the defensive side of the ball.

We do need an upgrade to our frontcourt, but we don't need 3 new bigs. We need one legitimate center to play alongside what we already have.

 

But, but we have...

Spoiler

 

Step 1: Get a quality big.

Step 2: Get a second quality big.

Step 3: Maybe get a third.

 

Hayes playing alongside a quality center who can play both ends would make us sensational defensively and yes, we would give everybody fits in the playoffs. He is just as disruptive in the playoffs as he is in the regular season. We just haven't been in the playoffs enough. But it's not Hayes' fault we haven't been in the playoffs. We need a center and Hayes needs to be in our big man rotation.

 

Do you remember how well thatworked for us?

Chuck Hayes can defend just fine if he's playing PF and with a defensive big to provide help defense, he would be the "hands-down" best low-post defender in the league. With a defensive big, Scola wouldn't look completely incompetent (maybe just mildly incompetent?). Pattrick Patterson isn't 7'0, but he's got a great wingspan and due to his age, work ethic, and natural talent, we should only expect him to improve.

jopatmc: You are right on the money. We need one bit, tall, defensive-minded center. Now I don't think a defensive bigs will cure allour defenses ills, but it will mask a large portion of them.

 

Is it his fault??....

 

IMO we are set at PF. I think Pat has some all star games and all defensive teams in front of him. At 6'9" and 240lbs with his type of athleticism, the sky's the limit. BTW, he is almost the same size and body shape as Karl Malone, already plays better defense than Dirk and Zach Randolph(who btw is 6'9").

Add Chuck and Hill to the mix and I think we are set at PF. I only leave Scola off because he is 30 and I'm not sure if he will still be a Rocket when the team really matters again.

At center we need some definite help. Bring in Dalembert, draft Kanter, Valanciunas or Biyombo and see if Thabeet can at least turn into someone with rotation potential and suddenly our Center position looks a lot better.

We still need to address our SF position with another rotation player, hopefully with some size and athleticism.

Potential Front Court:
C - Dalembert 6'11", Thabeet 7'3'', Draft Pick (Kanter, Jonas or Biyombo)6'9'' - 6'11'', Yao 7'6"
PF - Luis 6'10'', Pat 6'9", Chuck 6'6", Hill 6'10"
SF - Chase Budinger 6'7"

That front court has plenty of height, size and athleticism, just think we need an additional SF (Chris Singleton 6'9"?)

 

1 > 0

 

I think that's a pipe dream. It's very unlikely the Clipps let Jordan walk, pretty sure they will match anything any other team would be willing to throw at him. No way Portland trades Aldridge... there's just no way. He's only 25 years old and just starting to enter his prime years and he has been an absolute stud this season.

I would take Jordan if we could get him somehow but pending that I think the only big we really have a shot at in free agency that is worth a damn is Dalembert. Cuban is not letting go of Chandler for sure and Chandler likes it in Dallas.

 

Sign and trade Chuck for someone taller. A 6'6 PF who is only good for last minute defense is not worth MLE.

 

^this 2x's!!

 

Hayes as a starting 4 would be excellent paired with a offensive shooting 5 ( Kamen, Okur) If we get an althetic defensive big, Hayes would be better coming off the bench and come in as our shutdown defensive specialist.

 

Getting a Lamarcus Aldrige?? FOR HAYES??? I have two thoughts:
1. Put down the bong dude, its way too early for that stuff. (Getting Your weekend started early?)
2. Can I have some of that?? Cause that must be some seriously strong stuff.

 

Gonna need to pass that bong to Paul Allen too ...

 

Hayes is a valuable defensive backup who has improved enough on offense to not be a liability. I would consider starting him next to a legit big man and trading Scola if the right value can be had but would prefer starting PPat and having Chuck back him up. Chuck is an excellent defensive player but his size is an issue, offensive rebounding and shot blocking are two issues thus needing an excellent defensive center with some offense would be necessary if you want to plug him into the lineup.

 

We should probably draft 3 centers or 2 C's and 1 PF. That's if we keep the picks, of course. If we move up and only have 2 picks then both should definitely be centers. Why? Because Yao isn't coming back, Hayes should not be playing center, we don't know if Thabeet can give us anything next year, Miler is bad, and Hill is not a center. It's much easier to pick up a SG or SF in free agency if needed (though this may not be a need if Lee and Bud are up to it).

Yes, these centers from the draft will be raw and won't help us win much next year. But we're not getting any center who pushes into contention next year anyway. Even if we could get DeAndre he does not make us a contender. Play young next year and try to develop players.