I hate to bring this up, but if you go to the 82 games website, and just look at the players listed in their simple rating collumn, Biedrins is dead last amongst those players with a minus 8.8. The simple rating is a rating based on a composite of all the stats kept on the player both offensively and defensively. As a player you don't even want to be on the minus side, much less, at the very bottome.
Big Men via Free Agency or Trade
- Thread starter Jespher
- Start date
I'm not arguing how poor he's been the past 2 years. He's been horrible. I'm thinking more along the line of the Beidrins I saw 06-09. His rating at that time was much better. I aslo think GS's style of play under Nelson really makes a +/- stat harder to gauge, given he's treats defense like DiAntoni treats defense, which is little to none, especially from the perimeter guys.
In no way am I promoting the idea of going after Beidrins, but am just considering all possible trade options if we were to strike out in free agency.
In no way am I promoting the idea of going after Beidrins, but am just considering all possible trade options if we were to strike out in free agency.
Can't block a shot. Can't rebound. If he lost his shooting touch he would be out of the league. That's the player you team WITH Dalembert, not the one you replace him with. He's right down the line everything we do not need and can not have out of that position with Cousins at the other spot. And I happen to think he's a very good offensive player. But very good offensive player inside is irrelvant to us. There are no shots. I'll say it 100 more times this summer as peole sugges tpicking up this offensive player or that offensive player. There are not shots, and the good teams don't win by piling up wasted shooters. Good teams win by once they havge their shots accounted for, piling up defenders, rebounders, glue guys. Not blown up Landrys.
yep dont want him here. I really hope GP has a plan here and it sounds like he does. After the salmons trade he needs to hit a home run in regards to his next aquisition. Something that fits and in the long term is sustainable. Ideally Sammy D is resigned but im very worried now reading into Bajas length previous post. We dont need another scorer and please i hope we dont lose our interior defence. Please give me a capable interior defender
Look, I'm not saying he can bring what Dalembert brings. I'm simply looking for decent alternatives. Lets be honest here, there aren't many great defensive players out there that are available that also fit what the Kings need. And basicly I'm talking about proven players. The Chandlers of the world. Were looking for a player thats basicly a center, but thats athletic enough to chase PF's around. Not many of those guys out there. Its for that reason I believe resigning Dalembert is important. But something in my gut tells me that it might not happen. Of the available PF's, West is one of the best. He's a better defender than Jefferson, Millsap, Landry, Love, etc. Bosh would probably be considered the best well known defender out there, and I doubt he'll be wearing a Kings jersey anytime soon.
If we wanted to go young, maybe we could pry Udoh away from the Warriors. He's still somewhat raw, but he can defend and was one of the best shotblockers in college his senior year. He's a guy that doesn't need the ball, but he's far from being a liability on offense. Something tells me though, that with Jerry West at Golden State, Udoh isn't going anywhere.
If we wanted to go young, maybe we could pry Udoh away from the Warriors. He's still somewhat raw, but he can defend and was one of the best shotblockers in college his senior year. He's a guy that doesn't need the ball, but he's far from being a liability on offense. Something tells me though, that with Jerry West at Golden State, Udoh isn't going anywhere.
Dallas has 5 FAs. I'd go after two of them - Chandler (the big man) and Barea (the little man). I like them both, and I think both would have very positive impacts for the King. Go after both. After feeling the situation out, if you can't get both, then bid up one, with the hope of getting the other because Cuban won't be able to afford both. Put the screws to Cuban. I don't believe in starting from the losing proposition that you have no chance of winning, especially given the unknowns of the new CBA.
Worst case scenario: Let's assume that Dally goes away, and let's assume that Petrie doesn't get his major frontcourt player (who presumably can defend and block shots). What then? Personally, instead of adding another wing, I'd go after a pg who has some major defensive cred. If you don't have a major shot blocker at the 4 or 5, you better have somebody other than Tyreke to guard those quick little point guards - otherwise you're going to sliced and diced all season long.
OK, who would that be? Rondo is already taken. who's next on the list. Who can stay in front of Wall or Rose, or Parker, Paul, Westbrook, etc? As I've stated before, those guys can't even guard each other successfully. I'd sure love to have one of them, but thats not likely. Paul might be someone that could be had, but it would take giving up a major talent. Would you trade Tyreke for Paul?
I suppose you could go for a one demensional player thats great on defense, but that usually doesn't work well at the PG postion unless he as other skills to go along with his defense, like a Rondo. Aren't many of those guys around. You can hide a good defensive player with limited offensive skills at the SG or SF positions, but its hard to do it at the PG position. The truth is, that if we can't resign Dalembert, the player we need just might not be out there. We may have to settle for less out of neccessity. You can't just create what you want out of thin air. Gosh, Whiteside is starting to look better to me all the time.
I went around the league, team by team yesterday, looking at all the possibilities of who I thought might help the team. I paid no attention to their contract status, but I did ignore those that I figured we had little chance to trade for. Even some I listed are probably very long shots. But going on the assumption that everyone has their price, here are the players I came up with.
Josh Smith: Atlanta, 6'9", PF. Atlanta wants to move Horford to his more natural position of PF. I doubt they would trade Smith unless they had already aquired a starting center. One possiblility would be a sign and trade of Dalembert for Smith. This of course is predicated on Dalembert wanting to go to a contender, and only signing with the Kings as a method of getting a max salary and also going to a contender. I'm not a huge fan of Smith's game, but there's no denying that he's a very good defender, and a very good weakside shotblocker averaging 2 blocks a game.
Ekpe Udoh: Warriors, 6'10", PF. Last years number one pick in the draft. Played limited minutes due to recovering from an injury. He was one of the leading shotblockers in college, and averaged 1.5 blocks in 18 minutes for the Warriors last season. He's still raw, but has a lot of potential. Why the Warriors would trade him, since they appear to be stressing defense in the future, is beyond me.
Larry Sanders: Milwaukee, 6'10", PF. Another young player from last years draft. So far he's played better in the NBA than he did in college. He only averaged 15 minutes a game last season as a rookie, but managed to block 1.2 shots per game.
Ed Davis: Toronto, 6'10", PF. The third player listed from last years draft. Davis is a better offensive player than either Sanders or Udoh at this point, but in 25 minutes a game he averaged 1 block a game. Don't know why Toronto would trade him, but as I said, everyone has their price.
JaVale McGee: Washington, 7', Center. Has proved to be a very good shotblocker, in a somewhat troubled career so far. He could be looked at as their center of the future, and therefore untouchable. He's athletic enough to cover PF's, so he would be a similar player to Dalembert, but younger.
DeAndre Jordan: Clippers, 7', Center. He came on strong last season showing that he could be defensive stopper. At least in the shotblocking dept. He seemed to figure out how to guard without averaging a foul every 5 minutes. Since the Clips seem to be shopping Kaman, I doubt that Jordan is obtainable, but who knows.
Kris Humphries: New Jersey, 6'9", PF. He had a breakout year last year. Not a shotblocker in the strict sense of the word, but did average 1.1 blocks in 27 minutes of play. He's a hustle player that battles on defense. He also averaged 10.4 rebounds He could be a player thats just starting to break out. He's only 26 years old.
Robin Lopez: Phoenix, 7', Center. Word is that the Suns are shopping Lopez. So far, he hasn't been able to break out, and I'm not sure he's capable of guarding the PF's of the league. As a center, he's a pretty good defender and rebounder. Something seems to be missing there. He could just be a career backup center.
Ryan Anderson: Orlando, 6'10" PF. A young and improving player. Once again, not known for his shotblocking ability, but when allowed to play in the low post, he's an underrated defender. He's also an underrated rebounder. He has a lot of offensive abilities, and so far, thats what he seems to be known for.
Andrie Kirilenko: Utah, 6'9" PF/SF. Has probably played the SF positon more than the PF position, and probably isn't the answer as a full time PF. He's a good man defender and he's averaged over 2 blocks per game for his career. He's just an average offensive player, but one that has to be respected.
David West: New Orleans, 6'9", PF. Not a shotblocker, but one of the best PF's in the league. He's a good rebounder, but not a great one, averaging around 8 boards a game for his career. He's a much better man defender than he's given credit for.
Josh McRoberts: Indiana, 6'11" PF/C. He's a pretty good defender, but not a great shotblocker. Good athlete, but not a great one. Good but not great is a good description of McRoberts. I don't see him as a starter, but he would be a nice addition to the bench.
Emeka Okafor: New Orleans: 6'10", C/PF. Very good defender, and a pretty good shotblocker. He's played center most of his career, but he has the athleticism to guard PF's, and he's a player that doesn't need the ball to be effective. I've always liked Okafor, and I'd like him better in this sort of role, rather than as a starting center.
Nene Hilario: Denver, 6'10", C/PF. Good all around defender, but not a great shotblocker. He averaged 1 per game last season. Nene is one of those guys thats good at a lot of things and not great at anything. He's certainly athletic enough to guard PF's, and wouldn't be a bad replacement. While he did average more points per game than Dalembert, he only took around that same amount of shots per game. He's shot right at 60% from the floor for the last three years.
Joel Przybilla: Portland, 7', Center. Not the player he used to be after all the injuries he's been through. I think he'd be a good guy to have on the bench, but doubt his body would stand up to being a starter in the NBA. He's still a good defender, but he's definitely lost some of his athleticism.
Thats what I've come up with, and the reality is that the majority of these guys are probably unobtainable. But hey, we do have some assests, and we have money. Add in, that the new CBA may cause some teams to think differently, and who knows whats possible.
I suppose you could go for a one demensional player thats great on defense, but that usually doesn't work well at the PG postion unless he as other skills to go along with his defense, like a Rondo. Aren't many of those guys around. You can hide a good defensive player with limited offensive skills at the SG or SF positions, but its hard to do it at the PG position. The truth is, that if we can't resign Dalembert, the player we need just might not be out there. We may have to settle for less out of neccessity. You can't just create what you want out of thin air. Gosh, Whiteside is starting to look better to me all the time.
I went around the league, team by team yesterday, looking at all the possibilities of who I thought might help the team. I paid no attention to their contract status, but I did ignore those that I figured we had little chance to trade for. Even some I listed are probably very long shots. But going on the assumption that everyone has their price, here are the players I came up with.
Josh Smith: Atlanta, 6'9", PF. Atlanta wants to move Horford to his more natural position of PF. I doubt they would trade Smith unless they had already aquired a starting center. One possiblility would be a sign and trade of Dalembert for Smith. This of course is predicated on Dalembert wanting to go to a contender, and only signing with the Kings as a method of getting a max salary and also going to a contender. I'm not a huge fan of Smith's game, but there's no denying that he's a very good defender, and a very good weakside shotblocker averaging 2 blocks a game.
Ekpe Udoh: Warriors, 6'10", PF. Last years number one pick in the draft. Played limited minutes due to recovering from an injury. He was one of the leading shotblockers in college, and averaged 1.5 blocks in 18 minutes for the Warriors last season. He's still raw, but has a lot of potential. Why the Warriors would trade him, since they appear to be stressing defense in the future, is beyond me.
Larry Sanders: Milwaukee, 6'10", PF. Another young player from last years draft. So far he's played better in the NBA than he did in college. He only averaged 15 minutes a game last season as a rookie, but managed to block 1.2 shots per game.
Ed Davis: Toronto, 6'10", PF. The third player listed from last years draft. Davis is a better offensive player than either Sanders or Udoh at this point, but in 25 minutes a game he averaged 1 block a game. Don't know why Toronto would trade him, but as I said, everyone has their price.
JaVale McGee: Washington, 7', Center. Has proved to be a very good shotblocker, in a somewhat troubled career so far. He could be looked at as their center of the future, and therefore untouchable. He's athletic enough to cover PF's, so he would be a similar player to Dalembert, but younger.
DeAndre Jordan: Clippers, 7', Center. He came on strong last season showing that he could be defensive stopper. At least in the shotblocking dept. He seemed to figure out how to guard without averaging a foul every 5 minutes. Since the Clips seem to be shopping Kaman, I doubt that Jordan is obtainable, but who knows.
Kris Humphries: New Jersey, 6'9", PF. He had a breakout year last year. Not a shotblocker in the strict sense of the word, but did average 1.1 blocks in 27 minutes of play. He's a hustle player that battles on defense. He also averaged 10.4 rebounds He could be a player thats just starting to break out. He's only 26 years old.
Robin Lopez: Phoenix, 7', Center. Word is that the Suns are shopping Lopez. So far, he hasn't been able to break out, and I'm not sure he's capable of guarding the PF's of the league. As a center, he's a pretty good defender and rebounder. Something seems to be missing there. He could just be a career backup center.
Ryan Anderson: Orlando, 6'10" PF. A young and improving player. Once again, not known for his shotblocking ability, but when allowed to play in the low post, he's an underrated defender. He's also an underrated rebounder. He has a lot of offensive abilities, and so far, thats what he seems to be known for.
Andrie Kirilenko: Utah, 6'9" PF/SF. Has probably played the SF positon more than the PF position, and probably isn't the answer as a full time PF. He's a good man defender and he's averaged over 2 blocks per game for his career. He's just an average offensive player, but one that has to be respected.
David West: New Orleans, 6'9", PF. Not a shotblocker, but one of the best PF's in the league. He's a good rebounder, but not a great one, averaging around 8 boards a game for his career. He's a much better man defender than he's given credit for.
Josh McRoberts: Indiana, 6'11" PF/C. He's a pretty good defender, but not a great shotblocker. Good athlete, but not a great one. Good but not great is a good description of McRoberts. I don't see him as a starter, but he would be a nice addition to the bench.
Emeka Okafor: New Orleans: 6'10", C/PF. Very good defender, and a pretty good shotblocker. He's played center most of his career, but he has the athleticism to guard PF's, and he's a player that doesn't need the ball to be effective. I've always liked Okafor, and I'd like him better in this sort of role, rather than as a starting center.
Nene Hilario: Denver, 6'10", C/PF. Good all around defender, but not a great shotblocker. He averaged 1 per game last season. Nene is one of those guys thats good at a lot of things and not great at anything. He's certainly athletic enough to guard PF's, and wouldn't be a bad replacement. While he did average more points per game than Dalembert, he only took around that same amount of shots per game. He's shot right at 60% from the floor for the last three years.
Joel Przybilla: Portland, 7', Center. Not the player he used to be after all the injuries he's been through. I think he'd be a good guy to have on the bench, but doubt his body would stand up to being a starter in the NBA. He's still a good defender, but he's definitely lost some of his athleticism.
Thats what I've come up with, and the reality is that the majority of these guys are probably unobtainable. But hey, we do have some assests, and we have money. Add in, that the new CBA may cause some teams to think differently, and who knows whats possible.
Good list. Sanders, McGee, Jordan, Okafor, Nene all look interesting. At least they can cover some ground. I don't see GS giving up on Udoh either (though I'd like it if they did). If the Kings wanted to go old, they should have gone for Kirilinko over Salmons. Kirilinko seems a remote possibility now that Salmons is in the picture.
Maybe there is no pg that would be the defensive stopper. I dunno. Like you said, you can't stop the top pgs in the league. Probably can't stop the top 15 pgs in the league; it's just a question of slowing them down. We need more pgs that can be "slower downers". A guy like Barea isn't a stopper, but he's a feisty quick dude on defense, and he puts pressure on your defense on offense. I'd be very happy with him.
Had the Nets drafted Cousins like they should have he would have averaged 15+ rebounds for them, it's called the "Brook Lopez Effect".
I really, really like McRoberts. I think he has pretty much all the qualities you want in a player next to Cousins. He's a jack of all trades type with surprising athletic ability and skills to run the high post effectively. He's going to be a steal for whoever signs him.
Very nice list Bajaden. I would add a few more names to the list to make it truly comprehensive. I'll try to add a one word catch phrase for each candidate in CAPITALS. This list is in no particular order of preference...
1) Dwight Howard: The prize of any championship aspiring team this offseason, and the tragic aftermath of the multi-star syndrome in the NBA. DOMINANT but expensive.
2) Greg Oden: Injury prone, and very risky, but in one word...UPSIDE (especially defensively in a long playoff series when you need to defend that 6 feet closest to the basket). Early Andrew Bynum or Zydrunas Ilgauskas comparisons fit at this point in his career...
3) Andrew Bynum: I know the first 3 rules of GMing the Kings are "Don't trade with LA" but the Lakers have been shopping Bynum and Odom for a month now since the Dallas series aftermath. Bynum is another injury risk, was a punk in his last game, and has a large contract, but once again, he can protect those 6 feet close to the rim with his shear LENGTH.
4) Lamar Odom: Mr. Versatility, or Mr. Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs. Odom has been shopped by LA in a number of rumored deals. They are trying to make changes and he is versatile enough to play a 2-5 position for spot minutes with 4 perhaps his strongest position. He is highly distractable and takes plays off, but he is also a threat offensively and defensively while rebounding and passing well. POINT-FORWARD.
5) Kendrick Perkins: The trade turned out to be a bit sour for both the Celtics and the Thunder last season as the Cs fell apart and lost their Ubuntu, and Perkins got paid and underperformed. It could be the injuries, or it could be a trend that Perkins lost a step. A Dalembert sign and trade for Perkins would look good for both sides, giving the thunder more length, more speed, save some $$, and give them a versatile frontcourt to run with Westbrook and Durant. On the Kings front Perkins is youger, has championship pedigree that everyone is so hot for, and is one TOUGH mudder in the paint so he could play high low with Cousins and cover up defensively somewhat.
6) Al Horford: One can dream right...Damn nigh untouchable, and he's up there with Howard as true quality franchise big men. in a word, he's a BEAST.
7) Tyson Chandler: DEFENSIVE ace, but once Cuban has his favorites can anyone pry them away?
8) Paul Milsap/Al Jefferson/Mehmet Okur/Derek Favors/Enes Kanter/Kyrylo Fesenko: Utah has so many big men that they don't have enough minutes for them. To save them some cap room it may help to take one of them off their hands by offering Casspi + draft pick. Okur would be cheapest (free agent currently), but Favors or Kanter would be the best long term fits (and most expensive to obtain). PRESENT vs. FUTURE.
9) Tim Duncan: Sure it would be blasphemous for the Spurs to trade him at this stage of his career, and how much does he have left in the tank anyway? But what would Geoffe say if the Spurs called offering him? How much would he be worth to have for the next 2-4 years?...INTERESTING...
10) Anthony Randolph/Michael Beasley/Derrick Williams: The T-wolves finally have some talent, but it is all in the 3-4 man spots and there just aren't enough minutes to go around there. Dalembert would look very promising there as well, if not resigned with us, so maybe we could pry some YOUNG TALENT away in return for a sign/trade.
11) Brook Lopez: He was on the short list of untouchables a few years ago, but perennial losing, decreased rebounding numbers, and the need to resign Deron Williams after the midseason trade may press the Nets hands to look for an upgrade here. Would he be worth a Tyreke? I'd say no, but it would be interesting to pair Brook Lopez with Cousins for the next 8-10 years. Cousins can do all the rebounding, Lopez can block shots, clog the lane with his BIGNESS, and they would both score in droves. Marcus Thornton would fill in the star 2 spot, and the back court would be rebuilt around a dominant twin towers frontcourt...Don't laugh, it could happen...
12) Rudy Gay: Sure more of a 3 than a 4, but he has some length and speed that could make him a tweener in the Donte sense. He's owed a ridiculous amount of money and the Grizzlies are looking to cut costs. Expensive, but WIN/WIN?
13) Rashard Lewis: Speaking of EXPENSIVE. Lewis has one of the most ludicrous contracts in the history of the NBA. He only had a PER around 12 last season, and he isn't known for any amount of interior tenacity. But boy can he shoot. He would give Tyreke a couple more assists every game from drive and kicks and maybe he could teach JT how to make a free throw. Cousins + Lewis would be an interesting Inside/Outside duo, and Lewis brings length, even though he doesn't block shots much. Lewis has the veteran savy, and Paul Westphal ties, and if we could also pry JaVale McGee away to "free up" the Lewis (formerly Gilbert Arenas) contract, then it could also be a win/win for both clubs. A front court of Cousins, McGee, Thompson, Lewis, and Whiteside is intriguing no...I said no laughing!
14) Samuel Dalembert: The elephant in the room. Resigning Sammy was stated as one of the top priorities of the team. He brings a calmness, DEFENSIVE VERSATILITY and length, and is by all accounts a good teammate, humble, charitable, and classy. Why fix what isn't broken? Price may be a factor here depending on the CBA, as well as his desire to be closer to home on a proven winner (like Miami?).
1) Dwight Howard: The prize of any championship aspiring team this offseason, and the tragic aftermath of the multi-star syndrome in the NBA. DOMINANT but expensive.
2) Greg Oden: Injury prone, and very risky, but in one word...UPSIDE (especially defensively in a long playoff series when you need to defend that 6 feet closest to the basket). Early Andrew Bynum or Zydrunas Ilgauskas comparisons fit at this point in his career...
3) Andrew Bynum: I know the first 3 rules of GMing the Kings are "Don't trade with LA" but the Lakers have been shopping Bynum and Odom for a month now since the Dallas series aftermath. Bynum is another injury risk, was a punk in his last game, and has a large contract, but once again, he can protect those 6 feet close to the rim with his shear LENGTH.
4) Lamar Odom: Mr. Versatility, or Mr. Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs. Odom has been shopped by LA in a number of rumored deals. They are trying to make changes and he is versatile enough to play a 2-5 position for spot minutes with 4 perhaps his strongest position. He is highly distractable and takes plays off, but he is also a threat offensively and defensively while rebounding and passing well. POINT-FORWARD.
5) Kendrick Perkins: The trade turned out to be a bit sour for both the Celtics and the Thunder last season as the Cs fell apart and lost their Ubuntu, and Perkins got paid and underperformed. It could be the injuries, or it could be a trend that Perkins lost a step. A Dalembert sign and trade for Perkins would look good for both sides, giving the thunder more length, more speed, save some $$, and give them a versatile frontcourt to run with Westbrook and Durant. On the Kings front Perkins is youger, has championship pedigree that everyone is so hot for, and is one TOUGH mudder in the paint so he could play high low with Cousins and cover up defensively somewhat.
6) Al Horford: One can dream right...Damn nigh untouchable, and he's up there with Howard as true quality franchise big men. in a word, he's a BEAST.
7) Tyson Chandler: DEFENSIVE ace, but once Cuban has his favorites can anyone pry them away?
8) Paul Milsap/Al Jefferson/Mehmet Okur/Derek Favors/Enes Kanter/Kyrylo Fesenko: Utah has so many big men that they don't have enough minutes for them. To save them some cap room it may help to take one of them off their hands by offering Casspi + draft pick. Okur would be cheapest (free agent currently), but Favors or Kanter would be the best long term fits (and most expensive to obtain). PRESENT vs. FUTURE.
9) Tim Duncan: Sure it would be blasphemous for the Spurs to trade him at this stage of his career, and how much does he have left in the tank anyway? But what would Geoffe say if the Spurs called offering him? How much would he be worth to have for the next 2-4 years?...INTERESTING...
10) Anthony Randolph/Michael Beasley/Derrick Williams: The T-wolves finally have some talent, but it is all in the 3-4 man spots and there just aren't enough minutes to go around there. Dalembert would look very promising there as well, if not resigned with us, so maybe we could pry some YOUNG TALENT away in return for a sign/trade.
11) Brook Lopez: He was on the short list of untouchables a few years ago, but perennial losing, decreased rebounding numbers, and the need to resign Deron Williams after the midseason trade may press the Nets hands to look for an upgrade here. Would he be worth a Tyreke? I'd say no, but it would be interesting to pair Brook Lopez with Cousins for the next 8-10 years. Cousins can do all the rebounding, Lopez can block shots, clog the lane with his BIGNESS, and they would both score in droves. Marcus Thornton would fill in the star 2 spot, and the back court would be rebuilt around a dominant twin towers frontcourt...Don't laugh, it could happen...
12) Rudy Gay: Sure more of a 3 than a 4, but he has some length and speed that could make him a tweener in the Donte sense. He's owed a ridiculous amount of money and the Grizzlies are looking to cut costs. Expensive, but WIN/WIN?
13) Rashard Lewis: Speaking of EXPENSIVE. Lewis has one of the most ludicrous contracts in the history of the NBA. He only had a PER around 12 last season, and he isn't known for any amount of interior tenacity. But boy can he shoot. He would give Tyreke a couple more assists every game from drive and kicks and maybe he could teach JT how to make a free throw. Cousins + Lewis would be an interesting Inside/Outside duo, and Lewis brings length, even though he doesn't block shots much. Lewis has the veteran savy, and Paul Westphal ties, and if we could also pry JaVale McGee away to "free up" the Lewis (formerly Gilbert Arenas) contract, then it could also be a win/win for both clubs. A front court of Cousins, McGee, Thompson, Lewis, and Whiteside is intriguing no...I said no laughing!
14) Samuel Dalembert: The elephant in the room. Resigning Sammy was stated as one of the top priorities of the team. He brings a calmness, DEFENSIVE VERSATILITY and length, and is by all accounts a good teammate, humble, charitable, and classy. Why fix what isn't broken? Price may be a factor here depending on the CBA, as well as his desire to be closer to home on a proven winner (like Miami?).
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Surprised no one's mentioned Varejao yet. Yes, I know he has a reputation for flopping, but he's actually a pretty strong defender if you can look past that (and I seem to remember hearing that the advanced stats love him). Still young and reasonably paid, but on a Cleveland team that's bottoming out, he might be expendable or attainable for a Casspi + ? deal.
Rather than signing a FA, how about a trade with a team that needs SFs and SG for most populated position. I could think of Atlanta for example.
A trade for Josh Smith for Garcia and Casspi
Atlanta can save around 7M and we can solve our SF log jam as Smith is more of a SF/PF tweener. If paired with Cuz, Smith can also guard big men, block shots, and actually a much better offensive player than Sammy D. But if we can get Dally and Smith at the same time, it's playoffs time, baby!
A trade for Josh Smith for Garcia and Casspi
Atlanta can save around 7M and we can solve our SF log jam as Smith is more of a SF/PF tweener. If paired with Cuz, Smith can also guard big men, block shots, and actually a much better offensive player than Sammy D. But if we can get Dally and Smith at the same time, it's playoffs time, baby!
The list I made included freeagents, and players that we would have to trade for. And I believe I had Josh Smith at the top of that list. There are some things about Smiths game that I don't like, but there's no denying his defensive capabilities. The new CBA could have serious influence on Atlanta's future decisions. If we can't resign Dalembert, and I'm more and more leaning in the direction that its not going to happen, then someone like Smith would be a nice player along side Cousins. Maybe not the perfect answer, but a damm side better than Troy Murphy.
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Well thats a fun list. I intentionally left players off my list that logic suggested wouldn't be available. I seriously doubt that the Thunder would trade Perkins after signing him to a new 5 year deal. Some of the other guys I just don't see as a good fit. I see Gay as a SF, and if traded for, then we should trade Salmons for him and just use him at the SF position. Unfortunately Salmons can't be traded again until Dec. Tim Duncan would retire before agreeing to a trade to another team. Brook Lopez is a center and doesn't have the athletic ability to guard PF's like Dalembert could. He'd be a good rotation guy with Cousins though.
I want nothing to do with Bynum, but I do like Odom. Problem is the Lakers would want Cousins, or Evans etc. Not going to happen.
Well thats a fun list. I intentionally left players off my list that logic suggested wouldn't be available. I seriously doubt that the Thunder would trade Perkins after signing him to a new 5 year deal. Some of the other guys I just don't see as a good fit. I see Gay as a SF, and if traded for, then we should trade Salmons for him and just use him at the SF position. Unfortunately Salmons can't be traded again until Dec. Tim Duncan would retire before agreeing to a trade to another team. Brook Lopez is a center and doesn't have the athletic ability to guard PF's like Dalembert could. He'd be a good rotation guy with Cousins though.
I want nothing to do with Bynum, but I do like Odom. Problem is the Lakers would want Cousins, or Evans etc. Not going to happen.
He played PF in college next to his brother, and, as you know, college PFs are even more perimeter-oriented than they are in the pros. And he did fine, if I recall correctly. He'd be a perfect fit with Cousins (who'd cover Brook's recent rebounding woes). Doubt the Nets give up on him, however. He's still their Center of the Future (or key Dwight Howard trade bait).