With a crushing loss to New Jersey, there's not much left to do but play out the season, and let the front office scout and scour others for our big upcoming offseason loaded with picks and cap room. Let us suppose CWebb shuns us, Hakeem retires, and Mo, angry over CWebb, leaves. We are left with a wad of cap room that makes us a target of trades everywhere, but who's available? In this thread, the goal is to take a look at opposing players who have a fair chance of being available via trade, and discuss pros and cons of them. 1. Rasheed Wallace-Let's suppose Portland blows another fuse in the playoffs, and its because Sheed blows up at a bad time. Portland certainly will be taking offers, and probably wouldn't mind lightening their cap load. They could use a center with Sabonis aching, and maybe Cato back to his former territory on a team where his contract is the norm will restore the sense of a pulse. With Dale Davis and Shawn Kemp at PF, Wallace isn't that big of a loss in terms of depth. Perhaps Walt, Kelvin, and KT would suffice in their minds for Wallace. Rumor has it we almost got him straight up for Pippen. Would the Rockets deal with Sheed? Would Sheed calm down on this team? 2. Dale Davis-Doesn't fit into us long term, but nevertheless is a fit right now as a consumate roleplayer. If Portland doesn't win now, I really think the team could be broken up, or at least downsized. 3. Keith Van Horn-Was clutch in causing our downfall last night. a 3/4 tweener, where we'd need a tough C to help him at times regardless of where he plays. Fits the offense very well. Injury bug often bites him. 4. Shareef Abdur-Rahim-He's not sticking around in Vancouver, or Memphis. He's probably the most likely star to be traded this offseason. Do we want him? 5. Antoine Walker-With the rising of the Celtics, he probably won't be traded. Known as a cancer/blackhole, it'd be nice to have a Mo Taylor with 3 point range and better rebounding skills. 6. Raef Lafrentz-Would fit our team great, contract and skill wise. But price will be the question. Should be a bunch of suitors for his services. 7. Marcus Fizer/Elton Brand-I'm pretty sure the Bulls have figured Fizer and Brand can't play together, or at least I'd hope they'd realize it. Unless some weird twist has Brand a good possibility, Fizer should be the one on the block. 8. Austin Croshere-Zeke isn't happy with him, as he was more from the Larry Bird era. Pure speculation tells me Walt was a Zeke guy back in Toronto, and since his contract ends next year, would make him attractive to Indiana. Anyone else worth adding? ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure.
The only players off that list I'd want would be Wallace and Raef', and I don't think Portland would trade Rasheed. I would love to have Raef on this team. ------------------
Nikestrap, Nice post, agree with most your analysis, but not sure Sheed and Cat could play on the floor together unless the NBA gets all refs to wear ear muffs. What about Antonio Davis, think i prefer him to Dale, agree raef would be a perfect fit but would probably require a muscle man at the 4 spot, say we got raef and kept Mo, would would be great offensively, but defensively we would the worst all time, that would appear to be the problem with whoever we pick up. That is Rudy is looking for big guys who like to play offense facing the basket and outside of the key, thus spreading the floor and leaving plenty of space for the driving Cat and Steve. The problem with these big guys is they are often soft defensively and certainly not intimidators. Probably why Sheed does attract me, i could live with the Ts, well at least some. Smeg PS Moe go and troll somewhere else ------------------ "Repression never did me any harm (I finally ceased to include "stop masturbating" as one of my guilt ridden New Year's resolutions, but that's a different topic)." Achebe - programmer by day, Mrs Palmers Husband by night [This message has been edited by SmeggySmeg (edited April 02, 2001).]
I think the Nugs might be willing to deal LaFrentz. He's still under his rookie contract right? So if you traded Cato for him, there would have to be some kind of filler from the Nugs. Maybe Wahad since he's been a disappointment. The only problem I have with Antonio Davis is that he wants the max. ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited April 02, 2001).]
If we don't land Webber, Mo will be back. Rudy likes what he brings to the offense. We should go after Croshere this offseason. He has a lot to offer and is being wasted in Isaih's system. Croshere is a banger. Other than KT, we don't have anyone else to do the dirty work. Granted he (Croshere) has a big contract, he is a better offensive player than he has shown this season. Also a good team defensive player. Huge upside. ------------------ "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."- (Aldous Huxley)
Bob, agree on Austin, plus he has stepped up lately Smeg ------------------ "Repression never did me any harm (I finally ceased to include "stop masturbating" as one of my guilt ridden New Year's resolutions, but that's a different topic)." Achebe - programmer by day, Mrs Palmers Husband by night
I jumped on the Croshere bandwagon last summer, and while I wouldn't mind having him, he's a bit overpaid. If we can't do anything else... maybe. But I'm not sure he's ever going to be more than a great energy guy who can play some spot defense... sort of a Shandon Anderson at the PF spot. As for Walker, I still think he sucks. He's just awful on the Celtics, and they're still WAY under .500 despite playing in the Leastern Conference. I can't see that his supporting caste is any worse than Francis'... Paul Pierce, Kenny Anderson, Tony Battie, etc... yet Francis has won MUCH more. I like the idea of getting Wallace. he could score 25 for a team with fewer weapons than Portland. Problem is, they probably realize that too. If (when) they downsize, I'm guessing it'll be the others that get shipped out at the 4. Van Horn is an excellent idea. he's a bit of a gamble, due to his injury problems... but when he's healthy, he's elite. Jumpers, rebounding... defense can't be worse th an Williams'. LaFrenz... decent pick-up, but hardly something to jump for joy over. A few boards a few points... we'd be in the playoffs with him on our team this year, but he's not going to make us a contender. Dale Davis: Nah, just doesn't add anything in the long-term. His offensive game is nasty. ------------------ Boston College - Big East -East Division Regular Season Champs Worst to First in 2001! [This message has been edited by haven (edited April 02, 2001).]
Wow, I can't believe you guys like Croshere. He played well in last year's playoffs, and the end of this year, and never any other time. His contract is bigger than his skill level. I would like to see the Rockets find a big man who can play D against centers and stretch the defense. Raef or Doleac would be nice. ------------------
