Let's say that Durant is staying in OKC (personally i'm still not sure about this but well...i'm delusional, i know) and that Howard is out. What duo should the Rockets try to sign (with a max contract) this summer, and why? Notes: i deliberately left out Lebron, Batum and other options like Drummond, Beal, Pau cause for various reasons they won't be available (or that's what it seems for now). Also, i chose the poll options taking into account that we absolutely need at least one front court player, that's why you have at least a center or a power forward in any option. Discuss
Mike Conley to address the need at the 1 Al Horford to address the need at the 4 Horford and Capela would definitely be a good enough front court - could go big with both or small with Horford at the 5 or maybe if they can make the money work, go for: Conley (Max or slightly less than max) Afflalo Ryan Anderson (less than max)
Conley and Horford sound good to me, if Conley is healthy. No to Afflalo and Ryan Anderson. We will be stuck with their contracts.
Again not saying that either Afflalo or Anderson should be getting the max (they shouldn't get the max). If you get them on decent contracts, they'd be good options. Afflalo can play the 2/3 spot is a good shooter and decent defender. Anderson can space the floor, is a good shooter and good on the boards. (I do like Batum as the 3 - but he is definitely getting a max deal and IMO he is not worth that). Add Conley with Afflalo and Anderson and you got yourself a very good team PG: Conley/Bev SG: Harden/KJ SF: Ariza/Afflalo PF: Anderson/Beasley/Dmo (?) C: Capela
A) Conley/Horford B) Conley/Whiteside C) trade for Teague/sign Horford or Whiteside/retain DMo/add Courtney Lee
I a world where KD isn't coming, and Conley isnt coming, some under the radar free agents I'm targeting: Jordan Clarkson - risk being that he's restricted, and they'll have to overpay and bet on improvement. But I think with slight improvement he's fit really well next to Harden. Ian Mahini Evan Fournier - really like the potential here, again you're looking at a non traditional PG lineup if him and Harden are in the backcourt burning ink that's ok. Jon leuer Kent Bazemore Nic Batum - would take a huge contract to pry him from Charlotte I think Sergio Llull Bismak Biyombo Again to be clear is rather have KD obviously. I'd rather have Conley. I'm not sold on Horford at the price he'll want. He'd be a great upgrade... But also has limitations as the playoffs exposed. I'm not paying Harrison Barnes near max money. Sorry. He's he's on a team with crazy elite talent but he's still so often the odd man out there despite hitting big shots occasionally or having big quarters occasionally. One can argue Shaun Livingston is more important for GSW. I need to think more on Whiteside. I like him but think it's not going to work with him getting paid so much. You need his skills just at a lower price and I'd prefer to try and get Capela better. Brandon Jennings is an option and possibly one you could get at a decent rice relative to upside... But he's just such an inefficient scorer and I don't know if I can watch that every game. Lol. Depending on FA outcome I can see DM exploring Ariza trades. He's the only asset at this point that might bring back something legitimate.
if we aren't getting Durant, then we might as well full rebuild. We ain't going to beat GSW or a OKC (w Durant) with Conley, Horford and Harden as the leading guys.
i think the most important duo would be a competent coach and a committed harden. 1) dont waste time on pipe dreams KD, horford, or even conley. 2) avoid older / injury prone players (noah, batum, nene, gasol, etc...). 3) don't spend money on a C, just get a guy who can split minutes with capela. i would make big offers to harrison barnes and jordan clarkson, and if they get matched i'd split the cap among these role players: C - mahinmi / mozgov / hibbert / plumlee PF - sullinger / speights / marvin williams / teletovic SF - bazemore / crabbe PG - dellavedova / chalmers / foye
I can't believe people still want to pay Harrison Barnes 30 million per to play for this team. He has to be the most overrated free agent this year. You ask any Warriors fan and they can't wait to dump him.
