Sam ( Denver, Co ): DA, Im a huge nuggets fan and now that the Nuggets have acquired Kenyon Martin do you think they are done this offseason? If not which other free agents do they have a shot at? David Aldridge: You hear Trenton Hassell, but if I were Denver, I'd try to deal for a guy like Eric Piatkowski or Casey Jacobsen, a deadeye shooter who can loosen things up inside for Melo and K Mart. http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=5577
Denver has about 2.5 mil left in cap space, which is about what Pike makes. I'd be pretty much willing to give Pike away for a 2nd rounder. And if they want to go after Hassel, I would take Skita off their hands for our trade exception. That should give them enough money to go after Hassel.
I'd rather keep Pike than trade him for a 2nd rounder and I doubt we would get a 1st rounder since they just traded 3 of them for Kenyon. Maybe Pike/2nd rounder for Jon Barry (S&T)?
Would something like Rodney White for Pike work in a sign-and-trade? Or maybe Tskitisvilli for Pike, seems like they are trying to move him? Or better yet: Pike for Earl Boykins! Imagine having nearly the tallest player and the shortest player on the same team
Why would they want Pike when they have Leonard and can easily resign Jon Barry. They do what Pike does (spot up shoot) and have some additional game to them. Now Miami, Pike could make sense for them, but seeing how little he did for a team with Yao Ming drawing the defense I just don't see who would be much interested in him. AP is still available via FA as well. A team could sign him for half the MLE and also get more of a player than Pike. Wes Person or Hoiberg could be had for the min too. In short I see little interest in Pike unless it is for another dissappointing player like Ollie.
I think just as we overrated Pike when we signed him, we're underestimating him now. He was hurt all year and still hasn't shown us what he can do. If we could get Tskita for him, that'd be great. It's not like he's a vital part of our team at the moment but he's not worthless. He has value obviously. I'm just a huge sucker for prospects. Seing players develop into their potential is one of the most fun parts of basketball I think. Tskita would be our new Nachbar.
We shouldn't abandon Pike just yet because of an injury ladden bad season. Also, we need some defensive stopper on the perimeter in A. Griffin. Remember a couple years ago he was a starter for the Mavs.
If I was Kiki I wouldn't deal Skita especially given the fact that he's performing extremely well in the summer league, but how are they going to use him? That is what I don't understand. Camby/K-Mart/Nene/Melo, where will he play? Not saying this is the best move for the Nuggets: but if the Nuggets really want Pike I would offer him along with a first rounder for Skita. Think about it..... Skita may be a bust up until this point but he is only 21 years old still. 7'0" 245 pounds with long arms and the shooting touch we need from the PF position. He may be a defensive liability but I would like to see what a defensive coach like JVG could do for him before I label him as a liability. Many of us probably didn't even notice him considering we had the #1 pick that year and the only name we cared about was "YAO MING," but many in Europe were saying he would likely be better than Gasol and was certainly a star in the making. If we did this that obviously leaves us with too many PF's. Skita's addition would mean that we could then deal Taylor for a PG and/or C (or perhaps a cost cutting deal--Kittles?) to potential suitors: Cleveland, Seattle, New Jersey, etc. Then we could watch this guy blossum under the coaching of JVG and the veteran leadership of Juwan Howard. Another aspect I like about this deal is it gives us YOUTH at every position. Not only are we currently a near championship contender team as it is, but with the addition of Skita and how our roster looked after the T-Mac deal---the possiblities are endless for what this team could not only do this year but also 2-3 years from now as well. PG Gaines (23) plus Spannoulis SG McGrady (25) SF Nachbar (24) PF Skita (21) C Yao (23) plus Badiane A good GM not only plans for the present but also for the future.
They do have alot of frontcourt players on the Nuggets now with K-Mart and Camby. But, I don't see them trading their project to their competitors. Maybe out east. Pike and a 2nd rounder for Skita I'd do in a minute, but not likely. He'd be a good backup 5 , although he can play like 3 positions.
Yes, but a deal like Mo/Griffin for Kittles works. Works for us to get rid of Taylor's contract and get a good shooter/fast break player and works for the Nets to get the PF they need and a servicable G/F to fill the vacancy left by Kittles.
I'd like Skita. They can have Pike and whatever else they want. Yeah even Boki, Gaines, whatever. Dude is 7 feet tall and can shoot. Put that at the 3 spot and let him dump it down to Yao or Tmac. He could at least take on a Bob Horry role. It might cover up having a craptastic point guard, if we've got a big three to make that entry.
If Denver is willing to part with him for Pike...... no brainer! Skita to the rockets done deal! The twin towers part 2.
