With what we know now, what would YOU try to do this summer, if you were CD?

I can't see how we will have enough chips to trade for Brand and T Mac.

 

1. Do away with Van Gundy and all of his New York stale mates. If it means that Les needs to sell the team, then so be it. I am sick and tired of rooting for out of towners.

2. Trade Yao Ming and fetch the best local talent availble. Ewing, Oakfor and Lewis.

3. ?

 

Let's say it was somehow do-able, for some miraculous reason, to get both Elton Brand and T-mac.

Both great players, both who would want the ball in their hands as much as possible. Both who'd arguably, want to be the number one scoring option. Sure, it'd be nice to have both of em, if we wanted to build the team around those two and make em the Rocket's one two punch. But uhm, what becomes of ming? We give up on his diverse skills and talents for good, all because he couldn't fit the popular shaq mold of NBA big men, by being forced to "bang"? And just give em the "next rik smits" label or something? Or just make him a passing big man, who we only allow to shoot jump shots when T-mac and Elton Brand pass it out? T-mac can get you 30pts a game, consistently, while shooting at least 42% from the field. Yao, needs to be our second scoring option next year, as some have put it. Next year is his year to break out, or not and eventually be seen as a bust. He must atleast score 18-22pts a game, and average 8-12 rebounds a game, atleast pull off 5.0 assists per game, along with 2.2 blocks a game. And it can all be achieved, if JVG ceases to force him into that whole "big men must bang" theory. Yao has too many talents to just be another banging big man. And it can also only be achieved, if he is the second offensive option.

I doubt Elton Brand will settle being the third scoring option, of 13pts a game. Not only would he not settle for it, but would be pretty unfair to deny his talents in such a way.

 

Find players that play the Team Game called Basketball. Get rid of all the Glory seakers and seakers of high stats.Find players that can play both ends of the court. Find a Playmaker, this Team has been without one since Kenny Smith retired.Find a strong Power Forward that can clean up arround the basket. Find a taller Small Forward that can do it all. Find a consistant sharp Shooter.Mesh with Yao Ming and we are on our way.

 

I would actually love to see a team featuring Okafor, Lewis and T.J. Ford.

 

Get Rashard Lewis, trade anyone but JJ Yao and Steve to get him.

 

If a Steve for McGrady or Steve for Brand trade becomes available, then we'd have to do it. That's my dream.

 

As far as the PF situation goes, I think Cato can "bang" with just about anyone in the West. I want a guy who can bang and hit an open jumper when they double team Yao.

 

Emphasize the following in trade and FA talks:

1) Athletic and tall perimeter players to compensate for Yao's lack of lateral mobility.

2) Players that can push tempo w/o turning the ball over. We can't be successful with an inside-out game and be dead last in fastbreak points and points off of TO's.

3) "Bargain" players as add-ons to any trade. Players who can't get PT with their current teams and/or aren't household names but have big potential upsides...Reece Gaines, Mikeal Pietrus, Sam Dalembert. Leandro Barbosa, for example. If a two team trade is being discussed, be proactive in involving a third team wanting future picks or expiring contracts (yours or the first trade partners). Chucky Atkins would be a perfect throw in.

4) "Bargain" FA's with upside...Mike James, Ronald Dupree, Bobby Simmons, Speedy Claxton, Rasual Butler, Jamaal Magliore, Manu, Micheal Bradley, Etan Thomas, Lindsey Hunter, Stromile Swift (reportedly happy in MEM but the Rox were his favorite team growing up).

5) Bring in FA Houston resident Antonio McDyess for a serious, serious workout. Pay someone like Oakley big bucks to be McDyess's opponent in a scrimmage. Some of the finest orthopedic surgeons on this planet reside in Houston. That's Antonio's next stop after the scrimmage...a devastatingly complete physical.

If McDyess is only 65% of what he once was, he's a bargain backup for part of the MLE but especially if he'll take a vet minimum for a trial season with MLE $ next season.

6) Make a decison on which type of PF is best next to Yao...a power PF (Brand, Randolph, Malone type) or an athletic PF (Wallace, Gasol type). Given point #1, I opt for the athletic as opposed to the Brand type.

7) Give serious consideration to moving JJax to SG.

8) Play Klevin Cato at primarily C and backing up both C and PF.

9) Find at least one player better than Scott Padgett who can swing between PF and SF. All of our PF's are PF's or C's and all of our SF's are SF's or SG'S.

10) Depth.

With this emphasis, you persue the following:

* Field offers for Steve Francis.

* Field offers for Cuttino Mobley and Mo Taylor.

* Tell Nachbar that he's playing summer league and you expect a major improvement in 2004-05. Otherwise, he'd better fear the "Ides of February".

* Don't let the trade exception expire.

* Don't start the season with the idea of adding vets later. I don't care if they are ex-Knicks or not...if they are not in training camp forget about it. (Probalby more JVG than CD but a valid point).

* Bring in Badiane, Braggs and Ford for a battle royal and tell them the winner is the only one invited to training camp. Let them scrimmage Dice if needed.

* Call Brent Barry at 12:01 AM the day FA signing season begins.

 

Nice work, Sherlock. Here are my thoughts:

I agree completely with 1-4 here. #5's not something I really thought about; it's a good idea, but I'm thinking hard to implement because it's essentially the equivalent of pulling off a huge multi-player trade and those don't happen too often for a reason.

I agree with your assessment.

I don't think this would happen. Toronto's primary needs are a center and a PG. If Mobley were a PG, they might listen if we sweetened it, but as it is, I don't think they do this. I think they'd go for Cato and Cuttino for Jalen Rose/#8 or Cat & Cato for Alvin Williams/quality rotation player (not Marshall)/#8. (i.e. - we still have to take on a bad contract.

Possible. Certainly something Sterling would do. However, I think Brand's contract was really designed to penalize Sterling from doing something like this. Maybe someone else can comment on this. On the other hand, if Sterling were to go for this, I would think a three-way trade involving Clippers, a team with a top-three pick like Orlando, and a team with capspace like Utah, Phoenix, Denver (or us with the TE) would be more likely, similar to the Brad Miller trade last year where San Antonio picked up Turkoglu and Ron Mercer for nothing.

I think Duhon will go pretty high in the second round, possibly even late in the first. Given that both 2nd-round picks aren't likely to be very high, I think it will be difficult for us to get high enough to acquire him. I'd like to see something like this happen, but if not, I'd be interested in signing Charlie Ward to be our backup PG, who will likely not be resigned by San Antonio.

I think I would do this, but I am a little concerned that Barry isn't worth a four-year contract. And I don't see him seriously considering Houston otherwise, seeing as how Denver or Seattle will probably give him that.

Seattle's not going to give up both Lewis AND Flip Murray for Chandler. One or the other, yes, but not both. I'm not as high on Murray, but I haven't seen him play much. He seems to have the same strengths and weaknesses as our current backcourt.

I think the Magic can do better. They only do this if T-Mac refuses to sign an extension, Grant Hill injures something else, and they can get Okafor. Even then, it's hard to ask fans to accept a completely different team with no recognized star to replace the one you're losing. What if we traded Steve, Cat, Yao, and Cato for something like Lewis, Okafor, and no-name garbage? I think that's how Magic fans would feel about this trade.

I disagree with Hmm that a team of Yao, Brand and T-Mac would be too star-crowded. I think all three guys are currently disposed to sharing the burden of carrying a team's offense, and more importantly that their skills complement each other. I agree, however, that there's little margin for error in chemistry. T-Mac would have to become comfortable taking less shots, but winning cures everything.

If we could get the #8 pick, I'd be interested in picking up Devin Harris. He sounds like a good fit at PG, someone like Sam Cassell or Mike Bibby who can run the offense, but also take over when necessary. I'm not necessarily advocating that we need a star or sub-star at PG, but I do think we need at least one other star or sub-star to go with Yao.

 

GATER, see my post in this thread. It's my vision of a doable and pretty good offseason. I think the key player you seek to acquire this summer is Al Harrington.

http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76825

 

GATER- Interesting assessment.

I definitely agree on McDyess- a healthy Dice might be just what the doctor ordered for the 4 slot. Looking at his numbers, he averaged 9-8 as a starter in 29 minutes for 20 games this past year. To close out the year in April, he shot 50% over 7 games and around 31 mpg, putting up close to 9-9 a game, with over 1.5 steals, and just under 1.5 blocks a game. It looks like his rebounding and defensive skills may be close to being back, but I wonder about his scoring ability. There's almost no chance he'll be back in Phoenix next year; he's a guy with Houston ties (has a house here, iirc) that could be persuaded to come here and play next to Yao.

I think the PF we may be watching is Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Randolph is Portland's PF; SAR was pretty worthless there, averaging 10 pts and 4.5 boards. Personally, I think he's a pretty good fit for what we need- he can certainly help relieve scoring pressure, has a solid enough outside game, and rebounds. We could probably get him for much cheaper talent-wise than ever before, it's a question of what Portland wants however.

Sherlock- I don't expect us to see anywhere near as much wheeling and dealing as that.

As much as I'd love to get McGrady, I see the Rockets wanting to make this Yao's team. I think they surround him with all-star talents, but the not the showstealing types, more along the lines of Abdur-Rahim, Brand, Ray Allen, etc.

 

Wow, Sherlock. That's some major retooling. Unfortunately, trades #3 & 6 won't work as you proposed them. The Clippers might be interested if you sent the #2/Mobley/TE to them for Brand. Or, perhaps they'd be interested in the #2/Cato/TE for Brand. However, if I'm their GM, I want Houston's #1 pick next year, as well. Would you be willing to pay that price?

The net effect for us would be: Francis/Mobley or Cato/#1 pick for Brand/Chandler. If we could sign Barry or Payton (assuming he opts out of his contract) with the MLE, I'd have to say, hmmmmm.

To further my hmmmmm, I'd send Chandler/Piatkowski to Seattle for Rashard Lewis/Ridnour. Making my new lineup look like this:

C: Yao/Cato?/FA (Jason Collier, N'Diaye, Rebracca, Doleac, Zhizhi, Jabari Smith, Ostertag)
PF: Brand/Taylor/Spoon/Padgett
SF: Lewis/Nachbar/ERob
SG: JJ/Mobley?/ERob
PG: Payton or Barry/Ridnour/Wilks

That's not a bad starting 5, with some offensive punch off the bench.

 

The questions during this off-season are enormous.

Will these players get traded: McGrady; Iverson; Francis; Show-be; Brand; Lewis; Allen; Harrington; Marion; Jason Terry; Turkoglu (to make room for a big free agent). Which other players will change address due to ending contracts or free agency (Nash, Walker, Rasheed Wallace, Shareef Abdur-Rahim).

So we look at our wish list and see what we need or would like (or, anyway, what JVG would search for, although he always seems to defer pending roster changes to CD).

Forwards that don't suck.
A point guard who doesn't suck.

OK. Cato is not a starting power forward. JVG brought something out in him, and we no longer bashed him this year, because Cato seemed to play with a fire, even limping his way back into games whenever possible. A year ago, Cato would have taken a week off over a small bruise. This year, he had that "f***-it, tape it up and put me back in" look on his face.

But he might be a valuable trade asset given the fact that there are about two real centers in the East, and none of them are named Yao or Shaq.

Steve? Given free rein he could be an Allen Iverson with a better shooting percentage. He showed his mettle in the playoffs. His trade value is not at an all-time low, as many point out here; rather, certain coaches known for absolute discipline and defense might not want to trade for him (see also: Carlisle, Rick).

Cat? For his paycheck we can't complain too much. Decent defense, good 3 point shooting (usually). You almost hate to harp on him too much because, hey, he's The Cat. But he's, uh, intellectually challenged on the court. He probably chafes, too, under the JVG thumb, and we could stand some actual height at the 2 spot.

Mo? Overpaid backup. Decent player, instant offense (usually). But not the answer at the power forward spot. Yet another of those players whose quotes never strayed from, "We need to get better, we need to be more consistent, that's how you win is by consistency (skip) that's how you win is by consistency (skip) that's how you (skrrrriiiiiiiich) need to get it in to the big fella more...."

Yao? Mental fatigue. I don't know how we're gonna get the most out of the big fella. Mental fatigue, I tell you. Not to mention that he needs to shake off that Chinese politeness and JUST SACK UP. Throw a 'bow, Yao. When those b****es triple-team you, just f***ing HIT THEM. A man will think twice about giving you a reacharound for the basketball if, in the back of his mind, he is picturing himself Kurt-Washington'ed by an elbow.

Any solutions?

The forward spots are our biggest need. JVG realizes that he needs real size at the 3, he has indicated so during the course of the season. Our greatest needs? Power forward and point guard.

You can make little changes here and there or you can think big. I honestly believe that any trade involving Steve would likely send him to the Eastern Conference; it would be doing right by Steve and also keeping him out of the West, where he could get all smug on us every time he torches us for having the audacity for saying he isn't what we need (see also, Not good enough). Not to mention an undersized 2 has more leeway in the Least than the Best.

The players we receive in return would not necessarily come from the EC. There are those multi-team trades. Those get complicated, although Hottoddie and others, like myself, usually don't hesitate to throw them out there (especially during the loooooong off-season).

Players I would like to get? Elton Brand at the 4 (scoring, rebounding, passing, blocked shots, good citizen, can back up the 5 as well with those long arms). Rashard Lewis at the 3 (outside shooting, can back his guy down, can run the break, and WOULD PUT HOUSTON FANS IN THE SEATS). At the point guard? Depends. Eric Snow? Antonio Daniels? I don't know who'll be available.

Ideally (since we might have to take back some suckwad players in order to get the good ones):

Yao Ming/Calvin Booth
Elton Brand/Clarence Weatherspoon
Rashard Lewis/Bostjan Nachbar
Jim Jackson/Eric Piatkowski
Eric Snow/Damon Jones

Snow is on the block. Can't shoot the outside shot, you say? But he can defend, run the break, and get the ball to a 7'6" Chinese guy.

Lewis is somewhat expendable and could be had for a power forward (Radmanovic plays the same spot: tall jump-shooting 3).

Brand puts up good numbers but is on a sorry team, and probably doesn't sell tickets like an Iverson, whom Sterling covets.

Booth? I include just to have a backup center, because to get the other players, Cato and Mo would probably be traded. Along with everyone else not named Yao, I suppose.

Steve/Cat/Mo to Philly.
Iverson to LAC.
Kenny Thomas and Kelvin Cato to Seattle.
Eric Snow, Elton Brand, Rashard Lewis, and Calvin Booth to Houston.

OK, not gonna happen.

But IDEALLY, a real PF (Brand?) and a tall 3 pt shooter at the SF (Rashard).

 

I think we could get Lewis without trading Francis or Mobley.

I think Cato/Nachbar or Taylor/Nachbar could get Lewis here in Houston to honest they need a big man and a backup sf, they have to many starting SF's and SG's they need size and we need atletic SF's who can shoot the three and defend and we need TALL guys, so I would try to swing a deal for Lewis w/out using Francis,Cat,Yao. And then I would try to get a atletic pf (stromile swift or Rasheed Wallace with the Trade Exception) who ever we don't trade to get Lewis we could trade to the pf. ex: Jerry West wanted a big Center he is stacked with players on that team who all play the same position and Cato would be there big DEFENSIVE GUY. the SONICS wanted Mo Taylor for a long time now he could be there Starting pf along with RAD and Allen they could have a offesive squad.

Francis/ sign Brent Barry
Jim Jackson/Mobley
Rashard Lewis/Jim Jackson/A Griffin
Stromile Swift/Free Agent (Etan Thomas)
Yao Ming/Calvin Booth

thats how we get atletic Lewis/Swift with Francis and Barry/Mobley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Man stop dreaming about these type of trades, it ain't going to happen. At least try to come up with reasonable trades. Not the impossible ones.

 

Thats why i wish there was an option to just block a reply with a trade in it.

 

I think this is a good trade for both teams it's trading for needs. the sonics have 2 starting sf's and they would trade Lewis before they trade Rad. Cato or Mo would be good assets to that team, they would fit what the soncis are trying to do, they don't need Mobley or Steve or Jim (there not gonna get Yao Ming) so Cato/Mo/Nachbar/Eric Pike/A Griffin are all expendble to aquire a player like Rashard Lewis, and Lewis is from Houston that has a lot to do with it also, They (Seatle) would grant him his wishes if he is being shopped around the nba I'm sure he would suggest Houston or Dallas as a destination for him, but saying all of that Chicago would make a offer for him also, but him being a Houstoian makes it interesting. COME ON YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE!!! it's not like I said Cato/Nachbar/Mobley for T-Mac. The Lewis trade was a reasonable offer.

 

that's where you're wrong:

1. they have WAY OVERPAID big men on their roster already so taking in Mo wouldn't be smart. and they have a slew of big men...Collison..Booth...Potapenko...Jerome James...Mo scores you might say but i doubt they'll absorb his contract AND trade away Lewis AND just settle for his avg-but-overpaid production.

2. Rashard being from Houston won't do much. You don't expect a guy to have a lot of love for a city after they told him they'll pick him in the draft but then goes around and draft 3 other guys.

3. Lewis is only more Reasonable than Tmac is b/c their two players at two different levels--one is a top 10 player easily and the other is just an all star.