This is what I personally prefer I really like CJ Miles if PG never makes it back and Pacers decide to start over. Marcus Thornton is also someone I would really like coming off the bench if we can pry him from the Celtics.
Traded for the GREAT Jordan Hamilton. Drafted-traded-signed-traded-fool me.... Aaron Brooks is not ****ing stupid.
Offensively, the problems with this team are two-fold: 1) Turnovers This team reminds me a lot of the Francis/Mobley/Yao teams that had a ton of talent yet played recklessly. Lots of undisciplined play coupled with poor fundamentals resulting in nearly leading the league in TO's. TO's and points off of TO's tend to be swing factors in deciding close games. I mean, seriously, the only team that turns the ball over more than our current squad is Philly. A team that's not even really trying to win basketball games. 2) Balance and versatility Here's a hypothetical: Harden has to miss a game. What happens? Go... We have one playmaker. Say whatever you want about Lin, but one thing you absolutely cannot take away from him is the way that he stepped up last year in Harden's absence. It wasn't coincidence that we won most of the games Harden missed. That said, Lin is a flake and very much replaceable. We just need to find another player that brings that dynamic to the table. Bottom line: we're far too reliant upon Harden. The playoffs are going to be here before we know it, and chances are he's going to get roughed up for a game or two by a Tony Allen type. The onus is on us to acquire another playmaker between now and the deadline. Whether that player is a 1 or 2 doesn't really concern me, just so long as they know how to run an offense and can ease the burden. At this current rate we're going to run Harden into the ground. All things considered, I like Dragic the most, mainly due to his friendlier contract. Lawson is one hell of a player, though. A backcourt of Lawson/Harden could very well go toe-to-toe with the Splash Brothers or any other stacked backcourt out there. Plus, I like the fact that Lawson was the best player on an NCAA Championship team. The next few weeks are going to be very interesting. Obviously, the more games Phoenix and Denver lose the better. That said, I have a gut feeling Phoenix is going to stand pat, which might mean Lawson is the player more likely to be moved.
Look. Unless we're including Dmo, which would leave us back at a hole for big men and is not likely, we are not landing a dragic or Lawson. We have nothing to offer. The NOP pick is all we've got. The expirings would have to be combined to make it a big expiring, but no team cares about that unless they're dumping an unwanted contract which morey wouldn't want. Tjones couldn't feel his leg most of this season so he's not much value. Why would a team give up a guy like Lawson for the NOP pick, when the best case scenario for that pick would be to draft a guy that would be as good as Lawson in a few years?
I think a package of Canaan/Johnson, Capela, KPap, and the Pelicans pick could be intriguing... Also gotta factor in that TJones could get some burn before the trade deadline to show trade suitors something.
just random thinking before I head off to work: I don't see any of these guys getting traded. Knight is having an awesome season with the Bucks and is their best player on an eastern conference playoff team. He's not likely to seek the max at all so he's going to be cheap. Him, Parker and Giannis are a nice, solid, young core at the moment. Realistically we would probably have to send Canaan, Kostas, and our future draft pick of some random year. I would do that trade in a heartbeat, but the Bucks wouldn't even entertain the offer unless we throw in either Jones or Motiejunas and then maybe they'll stay in the phone for a few minutes. It could happen though and I would be happy. Still doesn't seem likely. Ty Lawson doesn't look like he's going to be traded. He's their best player and right now the way their cap space is set up.... They look to be major players in the 2016 free agency if they play their cards well. No way they trade Lawson away unless it's for a major all-star. He's too good to let go for any of our young players who aren't proven yet. I know a couple posters keep on talking about Rubio, but I don't see that happening either. Pek, Thad, Martin are likely gone obviously. They don't fit the direction the Wolves likely want to go which is young. Basically a full rebuild. Thing is Rubio does fit in. Him and Wiggins will be nice running mates since they both can get up the floor easily and Rubio can handle the ball for Wiggins. Rubio is young and he's getting better. Still can't score for nada though and likely won't become great, but he can help teach Wiggins the game. Someone I've been thinking about is George Hill. He really isn't a secondary playmaker we all have been begging Morey for. He isn't at all actually, but I still think he's solid and an upgrade over Beverley. I feel like he could be had for relatively cheap if the Pacers go full rebuild seeing as they lost a whole season out of PG13, West ageing, and Stephenson bouncing. Also Hibbert not being as dominating as he used to be. Seems like a good time to blow it up. Hill is owed 32 million until '17. That could be a problem. He's a decent guard who can defend the 1 and 2 and knows his role. Obviously not the guy we would want though. Dragic is the guy we want, but Dragic isn't the guy we're going to get. It's not happening. So now that leaves us with random guys who we could take a chance with. I wish the Hawks weren't so good because I would like to spectate more on Schroeder. Young player playing well off the bench. From what I've seen is that he can run an offense. Dunno how good he is on the other side of the ball though. Reggie Jackson? Not happening. Jarrett Jack maybe? Didn't work out in Cleveland, was great in GS, and recently he has been playing well in Brookyln. The Nets still suck though. Could he be our off the bench spark? His contract is sexy. I hate that Codman kept on talking about home coming stuff. Just realized Jack played college ball in ATL 2002-2005. Is there a chance that Jack, Smith and Dwight all became really good friends during that team? Doubt it.
Teams that could use a upgrade at PG. Brooklyn Knicks Pacers Miami It really doesn't take much, all it takes is two other teams to raise the price of a player higher than we should pay. Denver is no fool team, I know Masai doesn't GM there anymore but they are still not going to give up their best player for peanuts. For a team that is against tanking as well, they are trying to get better and be respectable. Lawson is a really good player and my guess is that the Nuggets fire sale isn't about tanking but more about getting assets for players like Chandler and Affalo. The only way they are trading Lawson or Faried is if they are getting back some top 10 pick or a really good young player that has a chance to be an all-star since both Lawson and Faried are all-star lite players if playing on the right team. Dragic is a different case though since he's an expiring. But hey, prove me wrong. I'd love to get Lawson for a 14th overall pick and some players we barely use.
Neither Lawson or Faried would ever be all stars in the West and none of those teams have assets except the Pacers. Their only asset is their own pick, which is actually worse than the NOP pick. Well, the Knicks do have their own pick too, but they're obviously not going to trade the #1 pick in the draft for freakin' Ty Lawson. If Lawson is on the block, the Rockets are far ahead of any team being in a position to acquire him. NOP pick Canaan Jones and/or Capela Filler That's all.
Uh, no. McHale is a lousy coach, but even he was smart enough to immediately end the Smith starting experiment after a mere 4 games. No way does he ever start again for this team barring injuries.
I think they found out pretty quickly in December that Josh Smith can't be relied on to be your starter with this team. If they trade D-Mo (doubtful but its always possible) my guess its because Terrence Jones is going to be relied on to be the starter again. I personally wouldn't lose sleep over Josh Smith being a longterm PF for this team, and I really wouldn't worry about D-Mo and Jones being traded. Look at Smith's contract situation and its pretty obvious that he's really just a cheap one year rental. Morey is smart enough to know that D-Mo & Jones are the future still at the PF spot unless its upgraded longterm. They aren't giving away either guy just to give Smith full time starter duties. Dont worry.
Added Deron Williams to my signature this morning. It's possible. Confirmed it's been discussed internally.
