Top 10 players to inquire before tomarrow When I wrote this I was thinking worse news for Sura. Still, though Sura will be back, he and we need help. Assuming Sura comes back and we get a guy like this, I think we have a legit shot. I looked up salaries and contracts for viable acquisitions and looked at some of their performance this year and last. I generally stayed away from guys on playoff bound or playoff fighting WC teams in particularly, I am sure they won’t do us any favors knowing we may be their competition and knowing our desperate PG situation. I also favor pure PG, but a few other guys would probably do enough other good things to help our line-up with some shifting responsibilities. 1) Mike James. Solid strait PG and solid character; right into his prime (29); 3 range and no obvious flaws defensively or offensively. Serviceable starter--what we need now, and would be a great guy to share the role with Sura the next couple of years. I’d use the TE + this years 1st plus a future 2nd. Makes sense for Milw, reduces their cap figure to make them more comfortable paying Redd and they have Mo Williams--somewhat similar and younger--at a cheaper contract. TJ Ford, if he comes back, as a higher ceiling than all these guys. 2) Carlos Arroyo. Younger with a higher ceiling than James, but more character questions and less polished right now. Detriot is already loaded with experience and skill in Billips and Hunter so he doesn’t get many minutes (Mike James and Chucky A and Sura didn't get many minutes from Brown either last year, and look what they are doing). Detriot can drop 4 mil (16 long term) off the books (TE) and pick up similar compensation as above (this years 1st, or they can delay, and perhaps a 2nd too). They would have gained a lot (better pick(s) and TE) just by getting him from Utah then sending him here--how could they be disappointed with that. 3) Rafer Alston. Fairly refined in most phases of the PG game, but his contract his somewhat big (30 mil) and has some character questions. But Jeff can simply call Stan, if Stan says he would have liked him back, good enough for me. TE and our #1 (22-24ish) for Toronto’s #2 (35-37ish) and RA is fine by me if JVG gives the green light, Toronto has to move their coach or him--not sure who they have more confidence in right now. 4) Eric Williams. Yes I know not a PG. But solid vet who brings length and athleticism to the forwards. Can also allow Tmac to now have to play opponents best wing--e.g., last night versus Rashard or in the playoffs versus a guy like Marion or Manu. Also, means Tmac can picks up more minutes at the 2, and Wesley and Barry at the 1, if necc. Based on rebounding last night, maybe not such a bad idea. EW is OK enough from distance, I don’t think he would disrupt what we have gained offensively by going small the last few weeks and opening up the floor too much. Like for Rafer, TE and our #1 (22-24ish) for Toronto’s #2 (35-37ish) and EW is fine by me. 5) Damon Stoud. I’d give up our #1, MoT, Gaines, plus other filler for him. I would also try to resign him for a reasonable price in the offseason (which now we don’t have to break into the MLE to do), I also think he would make a nice change of pace (fine shooter/very quick) to Sura for a few years. Portland probably won’t do it, but worth asking. 6) NVE. Similar to Stoud, either of whom I want much more than less capable shooter and less capable 1 in DA. If they won’t move Stoud, maybe NVE. Right now there are conflicting sources whether NVE has another year guaranteed on his BIG contract, if so, he might be attainable for MoT and filler. 7) Raja Bell (not sure his availability, would do an 05 our 1st, Utah’s 2nd swap). 8) Speedy Claxton (can’t shoot a 3, but otherwise is solid). 9) Derek Anderson (for MoT only, no 1st round pick exchanged. He has just as many issues as MoT and doesn’t play the 4 spot which is harder to find. Might even make Portland switch 2nd rounders with us to consider this. Like I said, I really want Stoud or NVE much more b/c of what they bring that we don’t have) 10) Doug Christie (similar to DA but maybe a better passer and used to a passing offense. Given Orlando traded us Tmac, a Christie-MoT deal strait up should be offered along with a Ruth Chris dinner to that GM of theirs ) Other thoughts Juan Dixon (no idea on his availability/cost, but Washington has a lot of quality guards) Mo Williams (tough call for our current #1 though (22-24), rather go with someone with a little more track record like his teammate James) Marcus Banks (ditto above but even less proven) Jeff Blake (ditto) Derek Fisher (must include MoT (we swallow Najera) or Spoon, and nothing higher than a 2nd rounder or possible 1st/2nd 05 swap--might be better than the DA deal honestly b/c Fisher is a strait 1 and good character guy) Jeff McInnis (TE but no picks, he is a FA in 05 and I am not sure I want him to stay) Gary Payton (Spoon and swap our 1st, their 2nd , or TE and 2nd. Nothing more because like McInnis it is a 2 month rental because of chemistry and age issues). Donyell Marshall (gives us a lot of flexibility in the forwards, can go big with him at the 3 or small with him at the 4 depending on match-ups) Brandon Knight (the poor mans version of Speedy--less explosive than Speedy, no shot beyond 19 feet, but otherwise provides stability) J Vaughn (the poor mans version of Knight) Anthony Johnson (not really sure if available, contract not expensive but runs through 10. Otherwise a decent option) Jalen Rose (Toronto must take almost as bad contracts in return) Tony Delk (really scraping here, but this washed up ole vet may be better than our washed up old vets, 2nd rounder only) D. Armstrong (ditto) T. Best (ditto) MOOCHI (yes things could get this desperate) That’s all I got, but I think we have options, and enough of them to keep us from getting raked by any one team.
I don't see where Jeff Blake could help us. His arm would probably help our downfield passing but he throws too many interceptions, he's old and his decision making has always been questionable.
Decent list, James would be okay, as would Alston, although we wont go for him because of his contract. I would also take Fisher, NVE or Stoudamire. Christie and Arroyo are untradeable right now and DA is not a point, which is probably what we should address. I dont care at this point, someone who can play in the rotation would be valuable and a good insurance policy.
Mike James is a solid option considering the Bucks already have Mo Williams and Erick Strickland as PGs on their roster and TJ Ford waiting in the wings next year. Williams and Ford are their PGs of the future. I think you are asking too much for James (TE, 1st rounder, 2nd rounder). I think there is no question we could get James for a 1st rounder and the TE. The idea would be to try to get him without giving up a 1st rounder or at least not our 2005 1st rounder.
Rumor has it that jvg and carrol dawson are looking hard at getting a few of the following players: #NEW YORK KNICKS 2001-02 ROSTER# Friday, February 22, 12:34 PM NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS DOB COLLEGE == ====== === == == === === ======= 49 Shandon Anderson F 6-6 210 5 12/31/73 Georgia 23 I-Marcus Camby F 6-11 225 5 3/22/74 Massachusetts 4 Howard Eisley G 6-2 180 7 12/4/72 Boston College 32 Othella Harrington F 6-9 235 5 1/31/74 Georgetown 20 Allan Houston G 6-6 200 8 4/20/71 Tennessee 13 Mark Jackson G 6-3 205 14 4/1/65 St. John's (N.Y.) 44 Travis Knight C 7-0 235 5 9/13/74 Connecticut 7 Lavor Postell G 6-5 205 1 2/26/78 St John's (NY) 25 I-Larry Robinson F/G 6-3 180 6 1/11/68 Centenary 50 Felton Spencer C 7-0 265 11 1/5/68 Louisville 8 Latrell Sprewell G 6-5 190 9 9/8/70 Alabama 40 Kurt Thomas F 6-9 230 6 10/4/72 Texas Christian 21 Charlie Ward G 6-2 190 7 10/12/70 Florida State 35 Claren. Weatherspoon F 6-7 265 9 9/8/70 Southern Mississippi
I would pass on James, Arroyo, and Alston. I don't think any of them are the ultimate solution at the 1. James just reminds me too much of Ward and Lue (steady point guards that can knock down the 3, but can't do anything else). Arroyo seems to be another product of the Utah Jazz system. Alston is just a wacko with a ridiculous contract. I think the Rockets should just stand pat. This upcoming summer is the perfect time for the Rockets to find their point guard of the future. The draft is loaded with great point guard prospects and there are quite a few available point guards in free agency (Daniels, Bobby Jackson, McInnis, Stoudamire, NVE, Payton). Why trade something for them when we can have them for free after the season?
Frank Williams. Decent, cheap, young, tough defender, can help stem the tide till Sura gets back, be a decent backup normally.
As for Frank "The Brick" Williams or Goldwire they are in the same ballpark as my reach list with Moochie, Jacque Vaugn and Steve Blake. Someone mentioned James and Ward. Good comparison, it really is, you just need to subtract the 6-7 years or whatever on Ward's age. Mike James is a solid all around PG in his prime. He is much tougher defensively than Lue however--not as good as comparison. I'd certainly give up our #1 and TE for James. I'd be fine with Sura (60% when healthy) and James (40%) handling the point through their contracts, it was too bad we were not able to do that before the season started and had to settle for Ward as the back-up. This is not correct. Ditto. FromL http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#66 In addition, teams cannot trade players under the following circumstances: *For two months after receiving the player in trade, if the player is being traded in combination with other players. However, the team is free to trade the player by himself (not packaged with other players) immediately. This two-month restriction applies only to teams over the salary cap. (Also see question number 71 for a special case where players can be traded together in less than two months.) *There seems to be a lot of confusion about the first bullet item above. A lot of media mistakenly report that a player cannot be re-traded for two months under any circumstances, even by himself. This is not true -- Danny Manning's trade from Phoenix to Orlando, and soon thereafter to Milwaukee is one example of the correct application of this trade rule. Other media reports confuse the sign-and-trade rule with this one, claiming that the player can be re-traded within 48 hours or after 60 days, but not in between.
If we can get James with the TE and our 2nd round pick I would do it. I don't think the Bucks would be willing to trade him or Mo Williams because T.J. Ford is still not well and nobody knows when he will be able to play.
Brandon Knight (the poor mans version of Speedy--less explosive than Speedy, no shot beyond 19 feet, but otherwise provides stability) I think you meant Brevin Knight, but if so, I don't understand how he's a poor man's Speedy Claxton, when anyone in their right mind would want Brevin over Speedy. I'm pretty sure you didn't mean Brandon Knight, because he wouldn't solve anything, as we have tried him out already. And I don't think Christie would solve anything, considering he's the same player as David Wesley and/or Jon Barry.
You are right I meant Brevin Knight, not his little brother. But Speedy is IMO a more explosive player, and I'd rather have him than Brevin. Either would help a lot, probably a 1st rounder is too much for either. Maybe 1st/2nd round swap with those teams. As for Christie, fairly low on my list, but if we are not going to use MoT anyway. He also isn't completely redudent than Barry & Wesley, he can guard bigger players. Plus he could free up Wesley to play the 1 more often. IMO Chrisite could be every bit the PG Derek Anderson is supposed to be. Either way, a guy like Chrisite or DA would help Tmac, Wesley and Barry and perhaps collectively they can do the PG role. Pure PG (James/Arroyo) is my first choice, certainly.
