Generally I don't understand teams getting rid of 1st round picks like this (first NO, now Denver)...I mean, you have to be really covered at every position till your 15th injured reserve guy to not hope to find a steal in any draft. But, not knowing the protection on the Bobcats pick, this could make sense. The only risk for Denver is that Larry does sneak the Bobcats into the playoffs in the short term, guaranteeing it to not be a lotto pick...
Are they planning on contending this year, or strictly looking at the future? This seems like a future move... which makes me wonder if they'll start selling off Camby, AI, etc
NBA is just not fair. the rich is getting riches(see LA acquired Gasol, Blazers obtaining endless picks just because their wealthy owner can afford to pay the luxury tax) whereas the poor is getting poorer(Sonics traded away Ray Allen, Grizs gave away Gasol, Nugs/Hornets sold their picks because they cant afford to get over the cap limit). Why dont the NBA just sell the rule that once you reached the cap limit which all teams are set to be equal amount and you are no longer to add extra contracts. I know this will make TRADES even more difficult but at least it is fair to the poorer teams and it actually make David Stern and NBA earn less money which they dont deserve after all these referees biased cases which always benefit the rich teams like lakers and mavs etc!
Well, this isn't a case of the rich getting richer. The bobcats haven't done jack **** ever. And buying a late draft pick is unlikely to change that.
I could see them going either way. Honestly, from what I've heard, there were only 10 players the Nugs front office really liked in the draft. Instead of picking someone who they felt wouldn't contribute, they got a future asset. To be brutally honest, I think the team really wanted Lawson and when he returned to college, they started to explore other options. I do think Camby's a goner though. Although that damn TJ Ford trade really hurt us. I was hoping Marcus would return to Toronto.
Just thought I'd address the article from this thread, which has turned more into a Rockets discussion than Nugs (which is expected here). I have been saying all year that Cassell needs to be the #1 target for the Nugs this off-season. As for Hinrich, I know for a fact the Nugs front office has tried to get him before, so it wouldn't surprise me if they tried again.
Hinrich might help you because he's the type of guy who could play off of AI. I expect him to have a bounce-back year with something to prove. Sam is a better fit for a half-court team.
You don't think Courtney Lee would've helped? a SG that can defend and shoot - that's who the Rockets were targeting, besides Rush. It'll be interesting to see what Denver does - I'm surprised Sam would want to go back there. Most old vets usually want to tag along with championship teams.. I just don't see Denver anywhere near that level next year. Any word on who they target this summer, using Nene as the bait? I can't see him netting you anything significant, but I was surprised to hear some of the names you've mentioned before connected with him. He hasn't played over 64 games in any of the past four years - but then again, maybe people haven't been able to see just how good he can be.
Denver would like to gain something for the longterm rather a short rental. AI is a huge expiring contract and a player that probably won't be happy unless he is on a competitive team. The other team(s) involved in the trade would need to have the right parts and are willing to gamble on making a major deal.<hr> West: Seattle has a youth movement and moved Ray Allen last summer. AI doesn't fit. Utah has Deron Williams and Boozer and AI doesn't fit the Sloan profile. Houston would have to send away too much to make salaries work. New Orleans has Chris Paul and are a team for the future. AI doesn't fit plus they are conservative with their money. Minnesota has a youth movement and likely has made their significant moves for the Offseason. San Antonio is aging and would be foolish to part with Duncan or Manu or Parker for AI. Memphis already has too many Guards and they have been dumping salary. Portland has a young team that should be in the neighborhood of 50 wins next season. AI would take away from the team concept and playing time from Bayless. LA Clippers probably aren't interested in a short rental for AI since they will have to hurdle a few teams to make the playoffs. Sacramento has Artest, but AI doesn't make sense for the Kings. Perhaps a third team would need to be involved with Artest to Denver, other assets to the Kings and AI going to the third team. Phoenix has a huge contract in Shaq, but he isn't a longterm solution for Denver. Diaw and Barbosa combined aren't that much in salary (compared to AI). Nash and AI on the court together makes for a smallish backcourt and both AI & Nash need the ball. Cuban likes to deal and Josh Howard is probably available, but somebody else would have to be added in to make salaries work. The Lakers have some journeyman forwards that might be on the market, but AI isn't the Answer for what LA needs. Golden State has Baron Davis who might be available, but have doubts if there are enough shots available there for AI. They already have S Jackson. It would be really surprising if Nellie traded for AI. <hr> East Atlanta is a young team on the rise. AI would take shots & playing time away from players who need the experience. Joe Johnson serves their needs while it is doubtful that AI would. Boston isn't going to breakup their winning core to obtain AI. Washington has Arenas, no need for AI. A swap of those two would be interesting, but what is the longterm motivation for Washington? Miami has Wade which would make AI redundant. Marion is an expensive contract to keep around, but he has a longer future ahead of him than AI does. Marion would solve some of Denver's problems. Charlotte has Larry Brown and just picked Augustin. No need for AI. Orlando doesn't have that much in assets beyond Hedo, Rashard and Howard. Nets have Vince as the last major contract available since Kidd and Jefferson have already been moved in the past six months. Thorn can likely get a bit more for Vince than AI's expiring plus AI wouldn't be happy on the Nets Lottery Bound team. Vince replaces AI's offense and makes Denver bigger, but doesn't increase the defensive intensity significantly. Still an option worth exploring if a third team is involved that has short term contracts that would appeal to the Nets in lieu of AI going there. Philly ................on a sentimental basis it would be nice, but can't see any motivation for Philly to do it. Didn't check on the salary issues involved. The Knicks have some big contracts on the market. NY would likely go for a Zach - AI swap, not sure if that would be in Denver's best interest to do that. Curry - AI swap? Nuggets fans complain about Camby, doubtful that Curry will impress them. AI - Marbury swap? Makes no sense at all for Denver. Crawford or Q and other considerations? Chicago is probably going to forge a new direction and reshuffle the roster a bit. Since they probably aren't close to contender status, pass on gambling on AI. Since they have been known to make some puzzling trades over the years, it wouldn't surprise. Cleveland might be interested, but not sure if they have the assets that would interest Denver. Toronto appears to have already made its significant move for this Offseason. Still might be open to more change. Indianapolis appears to have already made its significant move for this Offseason. Milwaukee appears to have already made its significant move for this Offseason. Detroit already said no, but the Pistons might revisit if they strikeout on other deals. <hr> <hr> Summary of possible destinations for AI. Possible Dallas Lakers Cavs Detroit Knicks (not a contender, but it would be a spotlight situation for AI) Remotely Possible Miami Golden State Chicago Very Remotely Possible Toronto Phoenix Nets Washington Sacramento The other teams in the league are probably extreme longshots to be a destination for AI in the 2008 - 2009 season.
Mango, Great summary, but I can guarantee there are a few teams that have placed a bid for AI (and I mean a legit bid, not a "2nd rounder & cap filler for AI" offer) that you left off any of your lists. I really like Courtney Lee, but I don't work for the Nugs. They weren't sold on him. They found out the player that they liked the most (realistically) was going to be gone by 20 on the day before the draft. That's when they dealt the pick. As for Nene -- he's a talented big. There's always a market for them. That said, I'm not sure we trade Nene this off-season.
That means a minimum of two teams. I think Portland has a decent sized expiring and plenty of players & picks to add to the package. Trading for AI means that they would be shifting into a Fast Forward mode. Trading with a team on the rise like Portland is risky for Denver in regards to gaining a Playoff slot. Perhaps somebody else will take a shot at it.
FYI - Anthony Carter is expected to take a one year contract for the minimum to return to the Nugs according to the Rocky Mountain News. Also, I'm firmly convinced that the Nugs had a trade worked out to get Mike Miller before the draft, but Memphis' owner nixed it to get OJ Mayo.
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If Denver signs Chris Lofton after the Summer League, I think he will enter their PG rotation within 2 yrs. Carter is a very good pt guard, but his shooting was a liability all year.
I think getting Carter at the minimum would be an absolute steal. I believe he is very underrated. I actually had him ranked as the 89th best player in the NBA last year. Ahead of PG's like Arenas (PG or SG?), Ford, and Felton. I wish the Rockets could get him for that! Pugs
