Backup Center It seems to me that the biggest whole in our lineup now, provided the T-Mac trade goes through, is the backup center position. There are plenty of PG around for us to choose from free agency and using the trade exception. And despite their lack of defense, I think the combo of Howard/Taylor/Weatherspoon is quite adequate at PF. But, can any one of our 3-headed monster at PF play center when Yao's resting? I just don't see it. Howard and Taylor are way too soft and perimeter oriented, while Weatherspoon is undersized even at PF. I can't even begin to imagine what our interior defense would look like when Yao's out of the game. So what should we do? Should we just stick with what we got and see how it works out? Should we use our TE to trade for a likely overpaid backup center?
Clearly the most realistic addition with the best risk/benefit ratio is Skinner. Perhaps a little hometown discount would bring his stats in a cap-friendly way to the Toyota Ctr. Worth a try.
i would put $$ down now that we will use the TE on an overpaid back-up center. its the easiest way to get one. seattle is a likely option, for potapenko or james. the knicks want to move mutombo. pollard is available...but if we do get tmac they might still be sour about it.
Skinner is probably a good target. I'd love to get Stromile Swift, whose game has improved quite a bit, who can be our Eddie Griffin without the issues; but he isn't the wide body that the coaching staff is probably seeking, so I don't know if we could get him.
Boston's Chris Mihm, a restricted FA, might be the best answer because he can play center and power forward. He is not afraid to go after rebounds, and he has a nice shot with range out to 15 to 18 feet.
What about Elden Campbell? With Detroit wanting to resign Okur and Rasheed, and with Darko riding the pine, I think we could pry Campbell away for the TE.
i would trade mo for mihm in a S&T. also campbell would be a great fit. is he a FA? if not what is he making next year?
I like Campbell but I don't like him enough for the TE and a player or draft pick. If we are gonna let Detroit give us Campbell so that they can resign both Okur and Wallace, we should force them to give us Williamson and Darko instead of Campbell.
Sign and Trade T.E. + Pitaowaki + a 2nd For Eric Dampier Sign Carlos Aroyo MLE 2-3 years C-Yao Ming/Eric Dampier PF-Eric Dampier/Juwan Howard/Clerance Weathspoon SF-Jim Jackson/Boki SG-Tracy Macgrady/Adrian Giffin PG-Carlos Aroyo/Ollie
Steven Hunter - Free Agent 7 footer who averaged 13 minutes last year with Orlando. On 48 Minute basis averaged 4.3 Blocks and 10.4 Rebounds. Will also be cheap.
We really need to have the final trade to know for sure our greatest needs. If we lose Cato, but acquire Lue (and maybe Gaines too), then yes I say a defensive presence at the 4/5 or 5 who is good for 15 minutes is the #1 priority. Now if we keep Cato (I don't see why Orlando wants him that much given their youth movement and they could resign Hunter for much cheaper)--than I see PG as priority #1. Guys I would pursue with the full MLE (varying on years) are Swift (RFA, maybe a max 6 year 40+ mil is not matched?), Etan Thomas (RFA maybe a max 4 or 5 year MLE is not matched?), Camby (3-5 year max deal), and Brent Barry (up to 3 years)--but it does depend on the final trade parameters. Other guys perhaps had for the vet minimum or that other (1.5 mil?) exception could include most of the guys you mention (Skinner, Hunter, Clarke, McDyess, Cory Blount, Ostertag). Also, Realgm has Foyle as a FA.. Does have rocks for hands, but is a physical presence and a good team guy who understands his limitations--seems perfect for that slot and what the Rockets need if they lose Cato. To sum, if we lose Cato, my favs are Swift, Thomas, Camby for full MLEs varying by years, or Foyle, Skinner, McDyess or Hunter for their vet min or lower exception levels. If we keep Cato, than I would focus FA dollars to other positions starting. That said if we lose Cato and don't get Gaines (big 1 prospect), yet Brent Barry will sign for a 3 year MLE, I would be tempted to go another route for back-up C/defensive 4 than the MLE and forget Swift, Camby or Thomas--that would be a tough call. OTHER THOUGHTS Dampier or Mark Blount is not realistic. They are pure 5 and will want to start--they don't fit. Sheed is off a dream championship--why would him or Detriot split. Okur does not help our front court quickness or physicality much over Mot/JH even if had for an MLE so he does not make sense either.
If we are talking strictly a back up to Yao Ming the most intriging to me is Steven Hunter. He is still just a pup but is a shot blocking machine. He might even develope into a real comodity over time.
Cambell should have retired years ago. IMO he is absolutely useless. Can't rebound, little defense and not a good option on the offensive end.
Disagree. Cambell looked terrific in his limited roll in the NBA Finals. Rebounded, passed well, knew his role. He can still play decent minutes in a limited capacity.
13 million a year for a backup 4/5 who doesn't have much game left? Probably would have been cheaper to keep Rice & the 1st round pick and pay the <i>penalty</i>. Then Rice would be off the books and they could have drafted a 5/4 a few days ago instead of contemplating Chandler & A Davis. The price of getting Chandler (carrying A Davis for the next two years) is <b>quite expensive</b> and it is very doubtful that the trade will occur.
Where exactly are you coming up with these statements? It seems as if you are pulling them out of a hat.
