Here is what we know: We've got huge needs at SF and C. We've been mandated not to tank. We want a star. Our squad lacks star power. We want cap space for next year's class. What if we offered a once year deal with 2nd year option or a similarly creative deal to Brandon Roy (could play sf), Okur (I remember seeing on clutch fans that we was surprisingly decent defensively), possibly RJ, etc. We would have the cap space to sign Roy for example for 4mil - a number that's not veteran min, which would knock off some competition for him and with an option for the following year. The bait is the above market pay in 2011 and the hook is the option for 2012. A similar deal for Okur - and the dollar amount would vary on what the market is offering these guys. The upside is that if Okur and Roy produce half of prime production coupled with Lowry, Martin, Scola...we would be a playoff team this year and have the cap space/success/supporting cast to lure a true star. Adding those two would also allow us to trade Hill, Bud, twill for value. I think going after an amnesty player coupled with a second year option is a great way to hedge and still stay competitive. Agree? Disagree?
In before mediocrity treadmill reference. As a supporter of the Herm Edwards School of Playing to Win the Game, I'm down with chasing amnesty cuts. Only thing is, we have no more advantage in signing these guys than we have in luring a superstar. We've seen how that is working out. These guys have made their money (obviously, given they're being cut for making too much). They'll flock to the big cities and/or contenders. Rashard Lewis intrigues me, though, given our SF void. Perhaps the Houston connection gives us an in with him that we wouldn't have with Okur, Jefferson, etc.
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-111102/nba-top-amnesty-clause-targets It's possible we could sign some of these guys to long term deals at a discount to what they would normally make and trade some of our guys who are about to get an extension. Courtney Lee vs. Mike Miller Goran Dragic vs. Beno Udrih Chase vs. RJ / Marvin / Lewis Hill/Hayes vs. Okur In theory the counterparts would be close enough or better in production, their contracts over the long run would be cheaper - factoring in pay raises the current Rockets would be expected to receive,and we would also get assets in return for trading our young role players. This would be even savvier if we made a trade for a Granger or Iggy.
I think if we did made a momentum making move once the lockout ended like: Granger (emergence of George, desire to be fiscally conservative) Posey and Dontay Jones - not great contracts for Scola (they want and need a PF and a better contract than if they went after David west or Nene), bud - a Larry bird white boy and good shooter w/ hops and good backup sf for them, Jordan hill, Twill and Flynn - could allow Hill to play more at SG since Jones gets traded....would help them and us. For us, a team with Lowry (starting to gain respect) coupled with Granger and Martin could start creating the momentum we need to get back on the map. And we are a playoff team with that trio for sure. Then you land one or more of these amnesty guys and we are in great shape. With room for a star in 2012.
Disagree - we dont need to fill position needs until we have a legit core. Until that time, cap space is far more important to the team than depth at SF and C.
What I think are probable Amnesty Cuts Atlanta Hawks Josh Smith(12.4, 25.6, 2yrs) or Marvin Williams(7.5, >23.3, 3yrs with 3rd yr PO)...probably Marvin Boston Celtics Rasheed Wallace(<6.8, <6.8, 1yr) or Jermaine O'Neal(>6.2, >6.2, 1yr) Charlotte Bobcats Corey Maggette(<10.3, >20.1, 2yrs) Chicago Bulls Carlos Boozer(13.5, 60.6, 4yrs) Cleveland Cavaliers Baron Davis(13.95, >28.8, 2yrs) Dallas Mavericks Brendan Haywood(>7.6, >34.8, 4yrs with 5th yr TO) Denver Nuggets Al Harrington(>6.2, <27, 4yrs) Detroit Pistons Richard Hamilton(12.65, 25.3, 2yrs) Golden State Warriors Andris Biedrins(9.0, 27.0, 3yrs with 3rd yr PO) Houston Rockets Not Sure...No terrible contracts maybe Thabeet...probably no one Indiana Pacers Not Sure...No terrible contracts maybe James Posey(>6.9, >6.9, 1yr) LA Clippers Maurice Williams(8.5, 17.0, 2yrs with 2nd yr PO) LA Lakers Metta World Peace(<6.8, <21.8, 3yrs with 2nd yr PO) or Luke Walton(5.68, 11.78, 2yrs) Memphis Grizzlies Not sure...Rudy Gay is going to make a killing and isn't worth it...Mike Conley as well but doubt they cut either Miami Heat Mike Miller(5.4, 24.0, 4yrs with 4th yr PO) Milwaukee Bucks Drew Gooden(6.2, >26.2, 4yrs) Minnesota Timberwolves Brad Miller(>4.75, >9.8, 2yrs) New Jersey Nets Travis Outlaw(7.0, 28, 4yrs) New Orleans Hornets Not sure...maybe Emeka Okafor or Trevor Ariza but their team is depleted New York Knicks Chauncey Billups(14.2, 14.2, 1yr) Oklahoma City Thunder Not sure...probably no one Orlando Magic Gilbert Arenas(<19.3, >62.3, 3yrs with 2nd yr PO) Philadelphia Sixers Elton Brand(>17.05, >25.2, 2yrs) Phoenix Suns Josh Childress(6.0, <27.0, 4yrs with 4th yr PO) Portland Trail Blazers Brandon Roy(>14.9, <49.0, 3yrs with 3rd PO and 4th yr TO) Sacramento Kings Not sure...John Salmons or Francisco Garcia...probably no one San Antonio Spurs Richard Jefferson(<9.3, 30.4, 3yrs with 3rd yr PO) Toronto Raptors Jose Calderon(<9.8, >20.2, 2yrs) Utah Jazz Mehmet Okur(10.89, 10.89, 1yr) Washington Wizards Rashard Lewis(<22.2, >45.9, 2yrs) We should look at Brendan Haywood, Andris Biedrins, Emeka Okafor, and Rashard Lewis. That's about it. You aren't going to get a star unless it's Brandon Roy but I don't think we should get him. I don't think he will recover from his knee problems. He should try what Kobe is doing which I believe is PRP(Platelet Rich Plasma) injections. We just need someone servicible. Rashard Lewis I think is a good fit. He is long, can spread the floor, and as someone said a Houston connection. Chase Budinger is not a starter but I would like to put him with the 2nd unit. Marcus Morris needs to outplay the other SFs before I can consider even given him PT that is garbage. Haywood or Biedris for cheap would be ideal. Okafor probably is going anywhere. Get Lewis/Haywood or Lewis/Biedris on the cheap and short term, make some trades for cap space come 2012 Free Agency and ...Championship...somewhere down the line. If none don't want to come here...just go in with the same team and let the youngsters develop. If we don't make the playoffs then we get to keep our 2012 pick for the deep draft coming up. C Haywood, Thabeet, Hayes PF Scola, Patterson, Hill SF Lewis, Budinger, Morris SG Martin, Lee, Williams PG Lowry, Dragic, Flynn
The only thing wrong with Emeka Okafor is his contract. His skillset and overall game would be the best answer to the center problem (less Howard - and that's not happening) for years to come. I think EO can still grow as a player, too. Home town kid on the cheap; WOW. win-win. (IMO we should trade for him even though he is overpaid if he is not cut, it is after all Les's money) Okafor and Patterson = SOLID for years to come.
What hole at SF? In addition to Chase and Williams you have Morris? and Blakely who is a defensive specialist.
Please stop it, Chase is one dimensional, T-Will's head isn't on straight and Morris is an unknown. And who the heck is Blakely? If we can upgrade the SF, we should do it.
Well given there ownership situation and West's health - he won't be resigned. And if Landry gets a 5+ yr offer I could see him going to Portland or Indiana. Maybe scola and hill for okafor could get it done. Then bring in Lewis if we are on that local train. That's a playoff team in the west.
I think we should target African American players. Most top players in the league seem to be African American. Morey also has a good track record with African American players like Lowry, Kevin Martin and Chuck Hayes.
According to him - Thabeet and Hill are our answers at the 5. And we dont need to upgrade the 5 either.
The man's job is to sell tickets. The McHale hire suggests they are going to tank. Everything else is keeping up appearances.
I don't think so. Remember they also hired Finch whose offense is similar to the one the team has been playing in the past 4 years or so. To me this is the most important new hire.
