This is an article from probasketballnews... ________________________________________________________ Watson deal could signify change in Denver By Travis Heath Sept. 4, 2005 As I sat down to right an article early Thursday morning, I had planned to write about what a surprise it was that no one had scooped up free agent Earl Watson. That’s when I saw a headline come across the wire that indicated Watson had been signed. Upon reading this, I figured that Watson had probably been picked up by a team in desperate need of a point guard -- such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, or Minnesota Timberwolves. Much to my surprise, it was my hometown Denver Nuggets. Watson will reportedly receive $29 million over five years. The contract will utilize Denver’s entire mid-level exception. The Nuggets also announced that guards DerMarr Johnson and Greg Buckner have been re-signed as well. These moves essentially mean that Denver is done shopping for free agents this off-season (unless, of course, the Nuggets sign someone to a deal worth only the league minimum). I’ll admit, I have always been a huge fan of Earl Watson. I love his pass-first mentality, and willingness to defend opposing point guards from baseline to baseline. Watson has exhibited the ability to run a team effectively, and get the ball to the right person at the right time.* He also takes care of the basketball, with better than a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio for his career. Watson has gotten better each year he has been in the league, and one would have to assume that trend will continue. Perhaps most impressive is during the past couple of seasons, Watson was the point guard in Memphis who consistently played when the game was on the line -- while the flashier Jason Williams rode the pine. So, you would think that I’m thrilled Watson is coming to Denver, right? Well, I am excited, but I am also a little confused. With the addition of Watson to a Nuggets’ club featuring point guards Andre Miller and Earl Boykins, you have to wonder how much playing time there will be to go around.* Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe was quoted as saying that coach George Karl could possibly play the three point guards at the same time. He went on to cite some examples of small lineups that former head coach Doug Moe utilized during the 1980s.* Now, I have no idea whether this will ultimately prove to be successful.* What I do know, though, is that the Nuggets' most pressing off-season need of a long distance shooter still has not been addressed. This is not to say that the Nuggets are not a better ball club now than they were earlier this week -- because I think they are. I’m just saying that there are still holes in the roster, and that this move doesn’t quite add up. The only conclusion I can come to is that the signing of Watson is the precursor to a bigger move yet to be made. Vandeweghe has been known for making noise in off-seasons past, and don’t be surprised if trade winds once again start blowing in Denver. With power forward Nene entering the final year of his rookie contract, he is a prime candidate to be moved at some point before this season’s trade deadline. And with the logjam at the point guard position, one has to figure that Boykins or Miller might be packaged with Nene to acquire a big name shooting guard. As reported by PBN's Sam Amico earlier this summer, the Boston Celtics have been shopping Paul Pierce. A package of Miller and Nene might be enough to pry him away from the Celtics. Pierce would no doubt fill Denver’s need for a legitimate outside threat, and the Nuggets would presumably remain strong at the point guard position with a Watson and Boykins tandem. The move would also make sense for Boston, giving Celtics GM Danny Ainge the solid starting point guard he has long been coveting, while also providing the team with some athleticism and bulk down low. Karl has said repeatedly that he really likes his team as is -- presumably this is why the team brought back both Buckner and Johnson. At the same time, Vandeweghe has dropped hints that he is just itching to make a move.* The compromise might very will be that the Nuggets enter the season with the roster as it is currently constructed -- and then if the team continues to lack a consistent outside scoring punch, a player like Pierce could be acquired before the midseason trade deadline.* It’s also possible that Vandeweghe and company already had their sites set on acquiring a shooting guard via trade before ever agreeing to terms with Watson. One thing is for sure, Karl and Vandeweghe are far from conventional. If any GM/coach combo might be willing to consistently play three points guards, it’s this pair -- so I don’t think Vandeweghe was being disingenuous when he said as much. But this pair is also the type that would pull the trigger on a trade for someone like Pierce -- who would almost certainly catapult the team into the realm of championship contention. And just for the record, I would put my money on the latter. So Denverites, if you feel a strong breeze in the coming weeks, don’t be alarmed.* That’s just Kiki and King George generating trade winds to help put your team in a position to bring home the hardware. __________________________________________________________ I think the nuggets with pierce and a healthy camby would surpass Dallas and rank them as a top four team in the West with the Rox, phoenix and the Spurs. I like the trade for both teams, hope it happens as a fan of the game.
I seriously doubt that Pierce could be had that cheaply, and the C's are happy with setting up a cutthroat competition between 3 decent PGs in Dickau, Delonte West, and Marcus Banks. Nene would also not be an upgrade over promising Al Jefferson at the 4.
I actually think talent wise, Pierce could be had for that kind of return. I agree with you though, in that those are positions that the Celtics may not necessarily be interested in. That said, they may envision playing Nene at center.
It was immediately obvious to me Miller and his contract were on the block as soon as Watson was signed. But don't Pierce and Melo play the same position? I can see the idea of packaging Nene+Miller for their missing SG, but I don't think Pierce necessarily fits that bill. Whatever happens, my guess is Kiki does a deal before the season because Miller will not react well to being on the block from Day 1.
I think they'd put P2 at shooting guard, Melo at the 3, wats at the point, kmart at power with camby as the center - which is a great lineup. I've always thought Pierce was a shooting guard anyway.
I actually think Miller+Nene for Pierce makes sense (maybe Ainge can squeeze a 1st rounder out of Denver too). It clearly makes sense for the Nuggets. I know the Nugs are holding onto Nene as a security blanket due to Camby's injury past but I really think Nene needs to be moved. He is getting restless. And if the Nuggets can get another All-Star caliber wing player to take some of the pressure off of Carmello in the scoring department that would be big for them. Watson/Pierce/Carmello/Martin/Camby is a pretty good lineup. It improves them. But as a Rockets fan I still am not scared by that team in the long run. I dont think there is a leader among their 3 best players. And that team will rise and fall with the health of Camby. BUT, adding Pierce would still make the team better, and they would win more games. They would get closer. Just need to add more size and hope Carmello develops into a leader. Those two things are easier to acomplish than adding an all-star player like Pierce, so that's why would you do the deal. As for the Celtics, I think Pierce is one of those All Star caliber players that can be "had" this upcoming season. He is a veteran in a sea of young players on that team. Pierce is in the prime of his career and yet that team is a JV team right now. Lots of GREAT prospects, but it might be years down the road before that team gels. I think Pierce will want "out" and I think Ainge is willing to move him if he gets the right package. The Nene+Miller package is one of the more sensible packages I have seen thrown out for Pierce. The Celtics need a PG and Miller could bring them that. And everyone wants Bigs. Clearly Jefferson is their 4 of the future but Nene can get quality 5 minutes with an up and down team. Eventually the C's could put out a lineup of Miller/Allen/Green/Jefferson/Nene. Not a bad lineup if Green blows up and Allen becomes that lockdown swingman defender they think he will be. Nene at the 5 allows that team to run.
Pierce can't play SG and neither can Anthony. Neither of them can chase the Iversons and the Wades around
That's where I was coming from. Neither of them can chase an average SG around, much less the great ones. Also, Pierce doesn't seem like one of George Karl's type of players. That relationship has nothing but conflict written all over it. Lastly, the team chemistry of a Watson, Pierce, Melo, K-Mart, Camby lineup seems questionable, especially with Karl as coach.
The Pierce rumor has been going for a while. That said, I think you'll see Boykins on the block, not Miller. Neither Watson nor Boykins should be a starter at PG. Miller is proven. Boykins, Nene and Vo (expiring contract) are our main trade bait.
I could really see the Nugs making some noise this year, but I doubt that they can get past the first round especially without any leadership, other than Camby.
Then back to my earlier point: The Nugs way overpaid by signing a backup PG to the full MLE. Watson is better than Boykins but gimme a break! For 15-20 minutes a game? For them to make this signing without the intention of pushing Watson into the starting lineup isn't logical. You know your team & GM better than I do, but Miller will be gone, IMO.
Does it seem to anyone that 2 guards around the league are getting smaller and quicker?, with the move for alot of players from point to shooting guard like iverson, wade and francis, and most likely marbury this season..are we seeing an evolution in the position? I've always considered the shooting guard to be your 6'6, 220-230 lb player like kobe and MJ. Hence the reason i had Pierce slotted at 2 guard, but i agree with you guys that in todays game he is more suited to the 3 spot because the shooting guards are getting alot quicker, so my bad. It'd still be a pretty decent line up tho, there are heaps of teams that will have chemistry issues, they'd just be another.
He might be overpaid. Not really sure. I view it more of a value signing though. IMO, he's worth it because he gives us flexibility to make a deal. Before that, if we were to deal Boykins, Nene & Vo, we would have had a serious hole at PG. Now, we have some versatility. Plus, we tried to run the 2 PG offense a few times last year but had to do it in limited minutes because we had no other backups. Kiki's building a team that is VERY flexible and fluid. We could go big (Miller, Melo, K-Mart, Nene, Camby), we can go small (Boykins, Miller, Watson, Melo, K-Mart/Camby). We have numerous guys who can play multiple positions. Miller can play SG for short periods of time. Julius Hodge can play the 1 through the 3. Melo can go 2 through 4. We're not ready for big time yet, but if a Pierce-type deal comes through, we'll be making the leap.
They won't be the first team to do so. Anyway, Watson can play. Aggressive defender with courtvision. And, for what it's worth, we signed a career backup at PF for the full MLE... From the same team, no less.
Watson is young and had been steadily improving. He is an excellent defender, good leader, and is solid in most elements of what is required of an NBA PG. If Watson has reached his peak (maybe 40% chance) he is a career excellent back-up. So then they somewhat overpayed at 5 years 29 mil. If Watson is still getting better (60% chance) he is on his way to be a servicable to solid starting quality PG, who they got at a very good value. I like the move by Denver, worst case they somewhat overpayed a solid young player, best case if they got a great value of a very good young player. Particularly seeing the contracts layed out for other PG's like Dooling (much inferior player), DS (much older, no defense), and AD (older and also part time starter), I think it was a good move value/upside wise by Denver. If I were them I think I would try to move Dre and have Boykins back up Watson if I could get good value for Dre, but that is me. That Nene/Dre for Pierce deal makes a lot of sense to me from both teams actually. Dre is a better player than Watson in general, but Watson may prove just as good or better for Denver. Watson is a better defender, probably the equal distributor, and potentially is the better spot up shooter. Where Dre is better--more physical presence, individual penetration versus his man, and finishing--not what the loaded Nugs most need out of their PG spot to join the elite, as it showed in the playoffs when they had to play half court offense and Dre was kind of hit or miss in getting his teammates organized and involved.
yeah, from a celtics perspective i'd rather not do the miller + nene package. miller reminds me of kenny anderson - not to say he's not a bad player, but he's not what boston needs. and nene is a poor rebounder for his size and has never averaged 2 blocks a game, and lord knows the c's need more rebounders and shot-blockers than scorers. now pierce for k-mart, straight-up, is something that i'd consider. would denver do it, nuggets4?
unless the nuggets are going to deal watson this is the worst signing of the offseason simply because you don't want to use your entire MLE on someone who's going to be your 3rd string PG. face it boykins is better than watson. he could be a good fit somewhere else but not in denver unless one of the others is dealt (miller or boykins).
A few Nuggets fans have speculated that. I'm not sure I would personally though. I just know that supposedly the Nugs have discussed Pierce. No idea what we've offered, or if we've offered.
I wouldn't be shocked at a Miller + Nene for Pierce deal. The part that's irrational is the thought that this would make Denver a championship contender. It wouldn't. Not even close. They'd be a playoff lock, but that's it. They'd have great, if somewhat redundant, swingmen...but lack offensive punch in the front court.
