I wouldn't make any big trades or sign any more FA. I wouldn't even trade Rice (his contract will pay Francis). The NBA ultimately is a business and with the poor attendance in Houstona and the playing that's not gonna make anyone excited too soon, there isn't a business reason to improve the team more than it is right now. If the Rox can surpise us make some noise this year and get not only in, but maybe the 2nd round of playoffs, then the attendance will rise and Les might be willing to shell out more money. While some might say that we need to add another quality player in order to get to that point, and Les needs to make that investment before expecting dividends, I disagree. This team isn't one player away (unless it's KG or T-Mac), it's a couple of years away. There is no quick fix, especially with a new coach and new chemistries to be built and one of your big 2 not gonna be hear for training camp, the chance of dividends after this year is slim no matter what moves we make. The ultimate deciding factor for this team's future will be how they respond under JVG and I think Les knows that and is playign wait and see.
Better yet, let's tank the season and get #1 Pick!!! Come on, be serious. This team needs to compete right now, and all the time. Compete or get out of the business. Or is Donald Sterling your role model for NBA ownership? BTW - hosting two first round play off games would likely match, and probably beat, any Luxury Tax problems Les might incur.
Given Warriors decide to not compete for the playoff, Rox should be in as at least a 8th seed. So playoff is not a problem. This season is for JVG to work his magic, then we will know which kind of players we will need.
We have a new coach who has yet to manage his roster. We don't know what we have, with Van Gundy as our coach. Why are we in such a rush to change the roster, when we have done a major change already, by adding a new head coach? For all we know, this roster could win 50-55 games with Van Gundy. We won't know whether or not we need to make changes, until we play some games. If we need to make a move come the trade deadline, I am confident we will do that. Some of you guys are way too impatient. Not one game has been played under our new coach, and some of you want to blow the team up?
If I were Les, I wouldn't risk busting the luxury cap either, and that is the reason we didn't match on Posey and the reason we won't move Rice. I'm prepared to wait until midseason for another move, except for signing a couple of vets cheap.
I'm good with that. Oh, can you guarantee our expiring contract won't be in his familiar place on the IL?
Donald Sterling is a owner that's just not willing to compete. Les is different. He's sees the talent on this team can make the playoffs, the improvement is marginal between this team and this team after going into the luxury. There is no reason to tie up further cap space and risk luxury at that point. Donald has to shell out just to meet the league's minimum, Les is approaching luxury, I don't see how you can compare the 2 owners.
This may be what Les is doing and if it is, wow, how exciting! I am really pumped up for the season now! I agree with whoever said, play to win or get out of the business. Winners win and losers don't make adjustments.
...and I wasn't willing to spend at reasonable levels to provide the best supporting players possible to Yao, SF and CM I would sell the darned team.
Les is following Drayton Mclane blueprint on how to get a new arena and promise the public a competitive team rather than a championship team !!!! Van Gundy will make a difference but not enough to make the difference that the top 5 teams have made so far.... Golden State trade is reminiscent of the Portland Pippen trade !!! Way too one sided !!!!!
Perhaps so, but we still won't be able to get them because we'll still be trapped in salary cap hell.
So if we don't win the championship this year, all is lost? What realistic move could Les make that would make us a championship contender this year?
We have made next to nothing as far as moves are concerned and we did not make the playoffs while everyone in the West has made significant changes and are pulling away from the rest of league !!!
I too agree we need to stand pat this season , I mean after all next season we will have playoff experience finally and will look even better after we trade Steve for Kobe and Janero Pargo in the offseason.
Since I am a fan I really could not give a damn about the buisness side of the NBA. If there is a move that will improve the team then it needs to be done, period. If Les was or is not willing to bite the bullet and spend the money to make the team better then he should have never conned the city into spending millions to make him a new money making arena. If you buid it they will come! In this case if you build a winner the fans will spend the money on a ticket and come to the games. It is a proven recipe. The new arena will will wear off as a novelty at some point and the people will demand a winner or Les will continue to see 10 thousand people in his arena instead of 18 thousand.
