Lol well good because that was stated in the 2nd to last paragraph . If you had continued on with it you would've realized what I was trying to say was package our end of the bench guys/rooks, for anything even a 2nd, to open up a roster spot and clear more cap.
I like Andray Blatche, but I think the big priority and what we need out of the backup 5 is rim protection. That is not one of Blatches strong suits. Now if we were to somehow lose DMO, then their is a niche for Blatche to fill.
I agree I don't think Morey is going after "superstars" anymore. I think spending 20 million on a superstar player is a bad way to allocate resources. That superstar wont get the same amount of touches/looks/and opportunities. I'd be much happier spending said 20 million on 2 star level guys. Thus balancing the roster and allocating money efficiently. But I don't think Morey will try for that during the season. If he waits until the offseason he'll have maximum flexibility and be able to retain his assets for further moves down the line.
Right now, he shouldn't do anything except look at cheap options at backup center (Okafor, O'Neal, etc). But if there was a good time to push for a title, it would be this year. The two teams that give us the most trouble, Thunder and Clippers, are not contenders at the moment. And who knows how long Dwight has left past this season. Not saying we put all our chips right now but that NOP pick is losing value everyday and it would be a waste to let Lin's TPE expire. The Rockets are so close to being full contenders right now, I think. Add a player like Millsap for Jones and the NOP pick and shore up the bench slightly and we are as good as anybody.
1) i think we lose the TPE if we decide to operate under the salary cap. maybe Bima can confirm? 2) forget millsap, the window is closed. he signed with ATL back when he was looking for a starting spot, he would've been happy to be our starting PF and 4th option on offense. now he's the #1 player on a playoff team. he's worth more to the hawks than he is to us, and the hawks will overpay to keep him. 3) morey is a vulture -- look at the teams on the bottom of the conference standings in the east and west. those are the teams who will want the NOP pick (our most valuable asset), and those are the teams who will be willing to part ways with talent for picks and salary savings. PHX - dragic DEN - lawson, faried, mozgov, hickson, arthur, foye MIN - rubio, young BOS - rondo, faverani DET - monroe, josh smith NYK - dalembert
One problem I have now about any roster upgrades is, well, Papanikolaou. Clearly he was given a trade-friendly contract: more than Morey wanted to give the rookie initially, but just enough to help us in a trade for That Player, while being essentially an expiring contract of a value that some GM could convince his owner, "Look, it doesn't suck." Now the young man has showed us hustle, defense, excellent passing, and the occssional hot-from-the-three-point-line shooting. He still has his growing pains, but I'd much rather keep him. So hopefully Morey can keep the promising rookie and his sexy $4.8 million out of any future trade discussions. UNLESS we get someone out-muhf***ing-standing in return.