[Fox' Berman] Swift deciding between Rockets, Nets and Sonics

I agree that Swift is a better PF option than Radman. But on the other hand Radman looks better at PF if you have someone like Petro at C. Petro is like a rawer Dalembert, athletic and a shot blocker. To me Evans makes more sense at PF for the Sonics the way he gobbles up rebounds on their missed jumpers. The last 3 Sonic 1st rounder drafts have been centers and PFs so I am not sure why they would look at another PF, especially when they have 2 forwards as RFAs which can be had more cheaply than going outside the organization.

 

Both Petro and Robert Swift are still teenagers. I doubt either one are expected to make any contribution for them next season.

Both Fortson and Collison are very similar to Reggie Evans. They do the dirty work, make the hustle plays, get rebounds, make hard fouls, and get garbage points. So I don't think the loss of Evans would really effect them much.

IMO Swift would be the perfect fit in Seattle. He gives them a big man that they can go to from time to time. In the Western Conference, you need big men that you can give the ball to in the post. A 100% perimeter attack just isn't going to cut it in the playoffs. With the loss of Jerome James, Seattle has absolutely nobody they can give the ball to inside. And with great perimeter shooters like Allen, Lewis, and Ridnour to spread the floor, Swift would have a field day. Dunks galore.

 

Tsalkalidas' extra year doesn't make up for the $6 mil. in extra salary that Memphis would have to pay this year (in Wesley and Baker's contracts minus Tsalkalidas) in order to S&T Swift. They'd save more just letting Swift walk. I think a J-Will/Swift for expiring contracts deal makes more sense given that J-Will will still be owed (educated guess) about $17 million after this next season.

 

If Swift wants to come here, he's not using Seattle as leverage against us. He is using Seattle as leverage against Memphis to get them to do a S&T with us. I think CD would prefer to S&T with Memphis instead of use the MLE on Swift. I think CD wants to use the MLE for perimeter help.

 

Swift is not a "dump it into the post" type guy. Granted he would help them with shot blocking but to me what made that team tough was the grittiness of Evans/Collison/Fortson underneath to match the finesse game of Allen and Lewis from the outside. And the Sonics are pretty high on Petro. There was talk about leaving him overseas for a year or so and the Sonics said they are keeping him here so that tells you how they feel about where he is right now.

 

I do agree with your point about defense and shotblocking, and this is the only thing that would make this remotely conceivable for Seattle.

Still VR is 1 year younger, and as far as I know has a lot less heart/ethic considerations. I also would say most people think his upside is higher than Swift, but this is subjective.

Also his starting status isn't that important. Manu wasn't the starter for the Spurs 2 years, but this was a technicality as he was logging 30 MPG and in at crunch time when healthy, as it is with VR. VR has averaged 30MPG the last 2 years (Swift about 20), including this year on a team much better than Swift's team, and where Swift only had the fairly mediocre Wright keeping him from lots of minutes and the starting C spot.

To spend a lot more on Swift than Radm--even if you kind of like the 4/5 flexibility over the 4/3 flexibility, just isn't a wise move. Unless of course they got an excellent S&T deal for VR.

Hey, I'll take VR is Seattle is selling? Plugging him at the 4 spot would majorly improve our offense and defensively it shouldn't be much worse than with a lot of other guys we talk about (JH, Walker, SAR). Mike James, expiring contract, #1 pick--sure.

But again, I really doubt Seattle is that serious about a big contract to S. Swift given their multitude of their own RFAs and only having two guards under contract.

 

Perhaps they wouldn't dump the ball into him every time down the court like Shaq, but he's capable of a couple of post plays a game. Enough to keep the defense honest. I think the Sonics would use Swift similarly to the way Phoenix uses Amare.

 

Offensively, I don't see them doing anything they can with Swift they can't with Collison. If anything I think Collison has a better understanding of space and position underneath the basket (great Fg% and nack around the rim). And Evans, Collison and Fortson are much better on the glass and much more physical than Swift.

Swift does give them shotblocking better than their current group, but that is it. Is the difference he brings in shot blocking enough better than Collison, Lewis, VRad to warrent giving up VRad and other players it will cost them salary wise? I don't think so.

And this still assumes Petro and R Swift are worthless next year and probably down the line, as I assume they would be talking a 4 year 32 mil to 5 year 37mil type deal with S. Swift (the minimum of what they would need to do to get substantially better than our MLE offer).

 

I have a question - comparing Swift and Cato, what does Swift do better than Cato?

 

Swift is a more explosive offensive player than any big man the Sonics have. He's a player capable of +20 points on any given night. His scoring average the past couple of seasons when given playing time or starting has hovered around 18 points a game.

Collison is more like Doleac. I doubt he'll ever average double digits in scoring at any point in his career.

 

1) They dont need scoring per se from the PF spot. They have Allen/Lewis to score for them. They need someone to be a physical rebounder and I think they get that with Evans/Collison.

2) Not sure how much of Collison you have seen, but he is a pretty darn good player. He was hurt his first year and played well last year. He is much more physical than Doleac and to me is a nice role player on the Sonics. I agree with DS that Collison pretty much does everything Swift can do offensively for what the Sonics do in their offense.

SJC, in terms of Cato and Swift. What Swift brings is the quickness on the floor. That's something Cato never had. Swift also has better hands. JVG is trying to put together a QUICK team and Swift at PF is a better fit next to Yao than someone like Cato who is more of a space eater.

 

...then why not go after a guy who has averaged better than 18 ppg for his career, happens to be a free agent, and is closer in age to their star?

 

They may not need a ton of scoring from their big men, but they need more than they're getting.

During that Spurs-Sonics series in the playoffs, Duncan averaged more points by himself (25.2) than Collison, Jerome James, Reggie Evans, Fortson, and Potapenko averaged combined (24.6).

 

Because he's someone that's not going to rock the boat too much or take the ball away from Allen or Lewis. I'm wouldn't expect him to average 18 points a game. More like 13-15 a game as the 3rd option, which is really all Seattle needs from it's 3rd option.

And he helps Seattle out more defensively.

 

Very good point.

I wasn't completely sold on SS but if JVG, T-Mac and Mike James want him, who am I to argue.

 

I think he can jump higher...

Bring back the Taurus.

 

I can't wait until we get Swift. It's going to be awesome! He's perfect for this team: talented, but not a franchise player, we already have one of those; high-energy; young.

A perfect fit. I can't wait.

 

On the money. VR is the kind of guy who's "potential" is very exciting. If it's a choice between him and SS for the same money, give me VR. He could evolve into a game changing player, IMO. He doesn't improve our rebounding or defense, but with the open looks he would get from playing on our team, the sky is the limit. He would be a great fit into our offense and would represent a decent compliment to JH (except for rebounding). If other teams decide to guard him, T-Mac and Yao would break down single coverage. He could be the perfect player to lock up for 5-6 years because his offensive numbers and shooting pct would improve.

If losing SS to the Sonics means we end up with VR, let it happen! . Merry Christmas in July.

 

In an archive check of the Seattle Times, the only mention of S Swift on any day is a footnote: 'preliminary contact has been made with'. That would/should/could read, he hasn't even made a visit out there yet. We have not already wined, dined, courted, but all that's left is to bring him to the big dance every night with his date and new best friend - T McGrady.....so put Swift down as a Rocket and take the rest of the weekend off. Leave the details and fine print to the guys in the front office. Start saving your loose change for tickets of the second round of the playoffs.

Seattle has way too much other biz and priorities on the table to take of at this time. Dawson has already indicated we are setting 'pretty' 'cause he already has a good idea who'll be doing some fancy footwork at our homie downs.

 

No offense New Jack, but if Swift was anywhere near as sure thing as you say he is NO and Atl would be licking their chops.

Swift optimistically is a 13-7-2 type player on 26-28PPG. He is not a third scorer, he is not a guy who will competing for all-star games. He even has questions about his toughness and commitment (and look how similar concerns with Jerome James turned out).

But seeing as how for us he would be sandwiched between Yao and Tmac, and we have Howard to share the PF load almost 50/50, he could really work out well as a role player. But he really isn't more than that.

If Seattle was expected what you think he can do he would in all probability dissappoint. He is not a cog. In fact I doubt he could have had the impact James did as far as a low post option (when James decides to play that is).

And yes I think you very much underestimate Collison (last year was really like his rookie year b/c of injury in year 1). He isn't as athletic as Swift, but he is no slug like Doleac, and has a much better feel for the game and is much more physical than Swift.

Like I said, I stop pursuit of Swift or anyone else if I thought we had a shot at VRad, but Swift is a lot more probable and I'd be happy to give him a try. Houston is the ideal situation for Swift to thrive, I think there is a good chance he could be a good role player for us. But there are questions.