Starting PF: "There's better players available through trade."

And use the MLE for the best SF you can find

 

Matt Barnes for the MLE would be great, he did shine in GS's run and gun up tempo game.

 

Yes, he's a talent. But not a starter. And you'd give up Luther for him?! Ooouch.

 

What is wrong with Magloire?? He can rebound and shoot midrange shots and is tough and physcal

 

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_5828677
(article from 5/6/2007 , during the first round of the playoffs)

Let's start with the biggest minus on Camby's ledger. It's $9 million. That's the big money Denver owes Camby in salary next season.

What's more important, unless they seriously trim payroll, the Nuggets are looking at paying as much as $10 million in luxury tax next season. Billionaires hate to pay taxes as much as you do, maybe more.

And know this: Word on the NBA street was after the Nuggets acquired the hefty contract of point guard Allen Iverson, they were looking to move Earl Boykins or Camby.

Boykins was sent packing to Milwaukee. Camby stayed and played a major role in Denver's stretch drive in two ways, one positive and one negative to the basketball bottom line.

His defense was the foundation that allowed the Nuggets to begin winning games without 100 points being an absolute necessity. And huge bonuses in an incentive-laden contract for the often-injured center kicked in to the tune of more than $2 million, when Camby unexpectedly was on the court for 70 regular-season games.

Kroenke has built a Denver sports empire on economies of scale. For example: The Avalanche and Nuggets call the same arena home.

Neither the hockey nor basketball tenant, however, produced as much playoff revenue as the boss would have liked.

Something or somebody has to give, and unless it's Kroenke digging deeper in his wallet, it might be Camby walking out the arena doors forever.

later in the article...

Even if Kroenke signs for the luxury-tax bill, Denver might be wise to consider swapping Camby for the veteran jump-shooter who could nail a 3-pointer and save George Karl from bending J.R. Smith over the coach's knee and spanking him.

 

This I definitely like. Another local product also, so go after him

 

I think gooden and haslem are both similar players. I would prefer haslem over gooden simple because of the better hair style.

 

Lawrence Roberts would be a nice pickup for the Rockets. The PF I really want is Amir Johnson. in 15 minutes, he averages 6 points, 5 rebounds, around 2 blocks per game. Johnson also shot 54% from the field and is a good free throw shooter. The guy was 6'9 but has grown to 6'11. He can play center when we play the likes of the Suns or Golden State if Yao isn't producing in those games.

Does Amir Johnson in a sign and trade for Sura's contract and one of the Rockets' point guards sound realistic? Detroit seems to really want Grant Hill, signing him could mean no room financially to keep Amir Johnson.

 

I agree with Morey. Everyone seemed to have an issue with the PF names that were mentioned the Rockets going after in free agency, but they are just depth guys. There is no way the would look to sign any of them to be the main 4.

Here are a few teams and players I looked up the other day that might need guard help and could give some of thier depth in the frontcourt. (Some already mentioned)

Miami: Udonis Haslem - Rumored to be on the move as the Heat may want to reduce a little salary. They certainly could use guard help. Te only thing is that they are rumored to be using him as trade bait for a posible sign-and-trade for Rashard.

Charlotte: Sean May - I'm not high on him, but the Bobcats certainly need backcourt help and might part with him.

Washington: Darius Songalia, Etan Thomas - Neither guy would be an ideal fit playing big minutes the the 4 for the Rockets, but could nice depth.

Hornets: Cedric Simmons, Hilton Armstrong - Bobby Jscson keeps getting older and continues to have injury issues and Pargo is a free agent. Perfect time to bring in a young guard to groom to be Paul's backup. Got me thinking as well, I read somewhere that Peja was one person who called Spanoulis to talk him into coming back. Interesting.

Denver: Klieza - Again, not an ideal fit, but someone that differentiates from Hayes and could split time there

Portland: They have guards but maybe could look to cut some salary by ridding themselves of Frye or Pryzbilla.

Sacremento: Sharif Abdur-Rahim - Not sure why his name doesn't get brought up more often. He still can score the ball from the post and perimeter, and is willing to go get some rebounds. I think he would play very well next to a center like Yao.

 

Besides, it would be amusing to have Battie and Battier on the same team. All we need to do is find someone named Battiest to complete the trio.

It's not quite as good as Ray Allen being teammates with Allen Ray, but I'll take it.

 

I'm telling you... Roberts would be an awesome fit, he is a bruiser down low and can rebound. The grizzlies are not matching any offers, so we need to just grab him

 

Amir Johnson is looked upon as a future starter by the Pistons, they've just been developing him slowly. He's a sick athlete, in the Mcdonalds dunk contest he dunked from the free throw line. I doubt you could get him cheap.

 

Please no Drew Gooden. He has some talent, but the guy is just dumb.

It was frustrating watching him commit one dumb foul after another in the Cavs series. Even the commentators said "He has 5 fouls, and not one of them was smart."

Someone like Battie, who can D up Duncan would be nice. Look how Phoenix had some succes using Kurt Thomas on Duncan.

 

I like him too.

But we will still need another taller/bigger PF option, and since GS sent JR away I think they cleared the way to keep Pietrus and Barnes.

It seems to me Sheldon Williams is one of the most logical and I like him best off the list. Atl is loaded in forwards and they would send him West. Alston, Sura, Head and for Williams and Claxton? (One of the main thing we do is take off Claxton's contract for them).

Halsem would be OK, but Mia is already weak at PF, I can't see them trading their most servicable one. We could get Walker from them probably, but that isn't the type of combo forward we are looking for.

Diogu would have made a lot of sense before the Landry trade, but not as much now. With Hayes and Landry we could use more height and someone who can double as 3rd center, not sure if Ike can, maybe, maybe not. Still interested though if the cost is reasonable, Head plus just a little more for instance.

Camby worth exploring, Den would have to be very desperate to trade him to us though.

I would do Cook for Head if the Lakers contribute something else (they have Charlottes 09 2nd rounder or possible require top 20 protected 1st rounder). Cook would at least offer some different attributes than Hayes and Landry, Cook has 3 range and can fill in as a 3rd center.

Gooden--if Cleve is selling sure. I doubt they are. Probably could get Marshall off them though. But Marshall, SAR and Walker all leave us athletically/defense challenged.

Maxiell or Johnson from Det are worth checking out, but they are less proven than Hayes or Cook.

Hunter and Magloire cannot play the PF well. Natural centers. Leave us way to quickness challenged in the front line.

Explore Wilcox and Collison, but I can't see Seattle giving them to us unless we start with Battier. I don't see it.

Battie is OK if it costs us little. But I think I even rather have Cook.

Etan, def not starter material. But if he costs little.

Good thread!

 

well maybe not via trade, but would you use the majority of the MLE to sign him? That would put the Pistons in a bind...especially with Billups signs a huge contract and Hill joins them. Amir Johnson is going to be a stud...he's already producing in the limited time he's been on the floor. besides, Detroit seems to favor Maxiell more than Johnson as their future PF...although he is undersized, he's got LONG arms and seems to have a better bball IQ.

 

What about a sign and trade for gerald wallace? The bobcats are looking for veterans and also just released brevin knight. Battier and alston for gerald wallace?

 

What ever happened to the talks of Shane Battier at the 4?

 

The Rockets abandoned that plan after seeing him struggling at the 4.

 

thats waay too much. were talking about Udonis freaking Haslem of all people.

 

My thoughts exactly Gooden would be a great fit with this team if Shard is not in the picture.