Scola, Bud, Thabeet (expiring), Miller (mostly expiring), Hill, TWill, Dragic, draft picks are the trade assets that we should be willing to move in order to upgrade. We should only be willing to move Lowry/Martin/Patterson/Lee/Hayes if it nets us a superstar difference maker.
Well aside from the friend factor, if we get a SF we have one of the best supporting casts for him, so if the "Stars joining together" experiment fails he will want a full team, No state income tax (even though Florida has that too), and If he did like his work outs with Hakeem he can get many more here. His problems in Orlando are, he's almost a one man team, and he doesn't have another big man. He does everything, we could give him a great supporting cast. If we keep Martin he has a deadly scorer, if not with Lee starting our D will be pretty legit all the way down, if we get a SF. As for a big man if Thabeet can turn into decent backup thats a thing of the past. Anyways he still would have the Chuckwagon coming in behind him or playing with him and that paint defense would be great. I just say out of the FA get Wilson Chandler... if it's possible. We need a SF.
I have been for making a run at Gasol and that hasn't changed. One would assume Morey's timeframe remains flexible depending on who becomes available and at what price. We have plenty of options .......Morey continues to be patient.
Trade luis scola+Bud+fillers for Kamen and Deandre Jordan? It would fill our needs at center...just a thought
So for THIS offseason, given a really weak draft and a weak free agent class, what would you do? No one is looking to dump superstars or rising young players. That leaves FAs or trades with teams with "duplicate parts" in areas where we need help (i.e. Clippers with Kaman and Jordan at the '5'). Neither player would put us over the top, but would make us incrementally better. IMHO the team first needs to figure out if Morey and Adelman are back. Many of these players are better in Adelman's offense that in more ISO systems. I really hope both Morey and Adelman are back. As far as a 5 was concerned, I was hoping we would have packaged Jared Jeffries + Miller + draft choice for Kaman at the deadline. The Clippers would have saved over $7M next year, and still have Miller to backup and mentor Jordan. We would have been able to 'rent' Kaman for one year to have a legit above average center. That trade wouldn't have made us a contender, but it would have continued to make us better. Miller + Thabeet + TWill would match salaries. I'd do that deal too. Miller + Thabeet + TWill (or JHill) would also match Okafor's salary. I think our realistic options for center next year are Kaman or Okafor via trade, (and I'd rather have Kaman versus 3 years of Okafor at $41M), OR Dalembert or Yao yet again via free agency. Not exciting, but what else is really available?
I like the idea of acquiring Chris Kaman. He is truly available, however I do not believe we have the assets to acquire him although they really could use a guy like Chase on their team and may consider taking Jordan Hill as a back up 5 and this deal would likely need to include Thabet to even be entertained. From a talent to salary perspective at the center position I think we have no choice but to give Yao another try and instead of try to replace him try to acquire someone as a good fill in ex. Robin Lopez. Semih Erden is likely pretty attainable as well and is now likely a good guy to buy low. As far as small forwards go I would love to steal Paul George for Indiana using Granger as a decoy. Omri Casspi from Sacramento is also another guy that is attainable, can play and could probably be had for the 14th pick. He's likely better than what could be had in this draft at that point.
What do you guys think about getting Earl Clark and Alexis Ajinca? If Both could be had for $2-3 mil each for two years with team option on 2nd? Im not saying they are the answers - but just as projects. Earl Clark former 14th pick and Ajinca being former 20th pick. They havent received any consistent playing time to display or develop their talents. Theyhave both shown splashes of their potential when given some time after being traded last season.
