Though I realize that we are only 12 games into the NBA season, there is one clear point that we do have a lack of athleticism and true depth. We have very few tradeable commodities that we would give up. Sura/Ward/Lue/Barrett/Bown/Nachbar/Padgett/Weatherspoon : Garbage that nobody would trade for. Maybe Sura if he shows promise but we need the backcourt depth McGrady/Yao: Untouchable Mutombo/Jackson: Underpaid Overperformers that gel the team together MoTaylor/Howard: Virtually the same player. Both are good scorers, mediocre rebounders and average to below average defenders. MoTaylor is the better scorer and passer, versus Howard is the better rebounder and defender, though neither difference is extreme. This is not even based on our record but on the fact that neither does that much more than the other and they are our only real trading commodities. In order to add depth to our backcourt we need more shooters and athletism in our swing positions. Currently we have in the 2-3 swing: McGrady/Jackson/Nachbar/Bowen If we were to add at the 3-spot, Jackson and McGrady could spend more time at the guard positions. Or we could pick up a tough defending/rebounding 4 that is different and will help offensive rebounding and defense. What I propose is moving Juwon Howard (or MoTaylor if needed to make the deal work) to these possible situations. Teams that could use Howard or Taylor: All these deals do not reflect Salary so could be a few throw ins on either side: Seattle: This team is a doughnut with no real frontcourt scoring. They made a run at MoTaylor a few years back and may still be interested. They are loaded at the 2-3 and I think Rashard Lewis or even Vladmir Radmonovic could be a great help. One of these players would give them a low post option and would limit their 2/3 glut. Cleveland: The Cavs have Zydrunas up front along with Gooden, but Gooden is very inconsistent and is a very weak passer. They need depth at the four and would maybe give him up for Jeff McInnis, whose minutes are falling fast. NYK: Oh No! Another dreaded Knick Deal? All I know is that they have Kurt Thomas/Sweetney up front, but tooooo much on the perimeter in Marbury/Crawford/TimThomas/Penny. I think Tim Thomas could be a reasonable fit and would add athleticism and a good three point shooter. LA Lakers: They were after Juwon a few years ago but instead got Malone even cheaper. They've been playing Mihm at center and Grant at PF. They Have Odom/Butler/Kobe in the 2-3 spot plus viable backups. Rudy loves those scoring 4's and he loved MoTaylor (even mentioned it in his speech). I think getting Caron Butler would be possible as his minutes keep falling.
This thread is ironic. Other than that, the team we should be looking to trade with is Denver. They have Martin and Nene, redundant power fowards, who are the opposite of our redundant powerforwards. And they need more scorers.
Thanks for the delightful commentary you idiot. I've been posting about the Rockets here for years so if you don't have anything to say, don't waste a post. Pgabriel. That is a good point about Denver. Howard also played with Denver and they LOVED him there. I think that team needs some veteran leadership and actually a post scorer. Martin can't create his own shot at all and isn't a strong post up player. Nene is a tough defensive rebounder, but can't score much. His contract is also up after next year. I'm worried about his injuries though and how serious they are.
Thanks for calling me an idiot. Good morning to you too! Anyways, how many trade thread topics to we need? Couldn't you just make your proposal in that thread?
I could see Jeff Van Gundy literally falling in love with Martin if we could pry him away from Denver, but I don't see how that could happen considering he was their big free agent acquisition in the offseason. That would basically amount to management saying, "******* we're idiots," but I guess if Denver doesn't do something it won't need to be said, anyway. Nay-Nay is an intriguing option. This team really could use a guy to snag rebounds and toss in some garbage buckets. I would think Denver would rather have Mo for him, but maybe they'd like Juwan's "veteran leadership" better. This topic sort of has been done to death, but Kudos to F.D. for at least dredging up some options to consider.
new thread unnecessary..but to address the new things brought up seattle isn't dealing those guys for a supposed big man. They need a rebounder if they want help down low, and they could probably get one for those guys given how well they're all playing up there. Cleveland...Gooden is playing pretty darn well of late. They're gonna make a deal because their *4* is a weak passer? I don't think that'll happen. McInnis is still the future at point--Snow can only hold up for so long. He's guaranteed to get hurt at some point in the year. Knicks: I think this trade could go through (barring some salary cap restrictions), BUT I would never endorse it. Tim Thomas has been overrated from the moment he got drafted. He's long but not a very good defender. Doesn't put forth the effort, doesn't have good work ethic. In short, wouldn't fit in here...and not the kinda guy I would want around. I'll agree that his athleticism would be welcomed...but I don't think the rest of him would be. --Still, I guess it's something to think about considering that we can't get a whole lot more, and it would address a need, although it would weaken us in other areas due to his shortcomings. Butler has been playing extremely well lately. Odom mans the 4 spot often enough over there, and rebounds better than anything we could give them. (and so does Grant) They obviously don't like Walton after giving him a few looks at the 3, and Rush is gonna be outta there after this year. Butler is their future at the 3 spot...I don't think he's going anywhere.
The only remote possibility that I see is Mo Taylor being traded for P.J.Brown but even that is doubtful. If the Sonics were willing to trade J.Howard plus a first 1st round pick for Radmanovic it would be a good deal for us. Fortson is a good rebounder and Howard can still score but Collison might become a good backup PF for them so I doubt if we can make a deal with them.
Mo and Weatherspoon for Brian Grant. Lakers would do this in a second since it takes Grant's final year off the books. The Lakers might have to give the Rockets the max $3 million to even it out. Mo is a skilled offensive player. He has great body control close to the basket. However, the Rockets don't need more close to the basket scorers. Juwan scores close to the basket. BTW, Vlade Divac is back from injury. Rudy T likes Mo.
If we could somehow get Nene for anyone outside of Yao and Tmac then of course you do it. Denver is not that stupid though. If he really is available, think of what all the other teams will offer compared to our Taylor -Howard - Boki scenarios.
What about Nazr Mohammed? There are always more Knicks we could trade for! They are shopping him... Houston trades: PF Juwan Howard (8.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.5 apg in 20.4 minutes) Houston receives: C Nazr Mohammed (10.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 0.2 apg in 26.0 minutes) Change in team outlook: +2.3 ppg, +4.4 rpg, and -0.3 apg. New York trades: C Nazr Mohammed (10.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 0.2 apg in 26.0 minutes) New York receives: PF Juwan Howard (8.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.5 apg in 20.4 minutes) Change in team outlook: -2.3 ppg, -4.4 rpg, and +0.3 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED Due to Houston and New York being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Houston and New York had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Howard is playing about like he played last year in Orlando. He's an OK player at this stage of his career. I hate to point this out (again) but this situation should have been obvious from the start because Taylor and Howard are basically the same player and both possess physical limitations playing the PF position in the West. But our genius GM saw something doing this that no one else did and now you have the problems with poor play and nonexistant rebounding from the 4 spot that we have seen. At this point, there really isn't a quick fix trade or pickup that can correct this situation. I have sort of resigned myself to the belief that the PF position will be a major weakness thoughout this entire season.
Just need some enlightenment... How often (minutes per game) do we have both howard and moT on the floor? If not too often, IMHO being redundant is not bad as long as they are not playing at the same time. I am not saying that they are my ideal power forwards but I don't get why we are a weaker team due to this redundancy. If these 2 are great players, I feel that folks would not be bringing up this issue. I mean, if we had a team with Vince Carter backing up Tmac from the bench, or Yao/Ilgauskas,we would be elated. my 5 cents
