Yahoo (citing the Boston Globe) suggests that Boston may want to move Gerald Wallace based on the length of his contract and lack of fit on the roster moving forward. What about Wallace for Thornton and Outlaw?
Why Boston does it?
It converts Wallace's 3 years/$30M to Thornton/Outlaw at 2 years/$22 million. So, you free that $10M a year earlier. Plus, Thornton makes sense as a third guard in a rotation with Rondo and Bradley, since he brings a stretch the floor/shooting/scoring element that Rondo and Bradley don't provide, and that isn't on the roster now that Pierce and KG are gone. Outlaw provides a big body at forward to fill the dearth of bodies at forward.
Why the Kings do it?
Because it converts $11M a year of useless (Outlaw) or redundant (Thornton) salaries into a player who would actually have a role on the team. Wallace's best days are probably behind him, and he is not a shooter, but he brings elite defense, great rebounding, and above average shot blocking to the SF position. Plus, he is another guy who doesn't want to be ball dominant on offense. Reke/McLemore/Wallace starting at the 1-3 positions provides great length , athleticism, and defensive chops. it ties up you cap for an extra year, but it actually turns Thornton and Outlaw into a piece we would use. Plus, it puts less immediate pressure on finding a rim protecting 4.
You then amnesty Salmons, and use that money to sign an elite shooting backup SF (someone in the Korver, Budinger mold). It is sort of the Miami mold. Collect athletic players and surround them with elite shooters.
You could lineup as follows
PG: Reke (28 min)/IT (20 Min)
SG: McLemore (28 min)/Jimmer (12 min)/Reke (8 min)
SF: Wallace (24 min)/Budinger (24 min)
PF: PPat (24 min)/JT (16 min)/Wallace (8 min)
C: Cousins (36 min)/JT (12 min)
It lets you do Reke/McLemore, Reke/Jimmer, IT/MClemore, and IT/Reke backcourts. You can play Wallace some at 4 to get Budinger more time on the floor to help spacing. PPat starts (for more starting lineup shooting), but JT plays more backing up both 4 and 5. The rotation has 9 players. You find another big defensive body, another shooter, and McCallum, and Hayes, and you have your 13 players.
You trot that lineup out in 2013-2014 and win 35-40 games. Good talent, and with some good coaching and defined roles, you could be a fringe contender for the 8 seed. You then devote your your 2014 offseason to finding the big man that will partner alongside Boogie in the future.
Why Boston does it?
It converts Wallace's 3 years/$30M to Thornton/Outlaw at 2 years/$22 million. So, you free that $10M a year earlier. Plus, Thornton makes sense as a third guard in a rotation with Rondo and Bradley, since he brings a stretch the floor/shooting/scoring element that Rondo and Bradley don't provide, and that isn't on the roster now that Pierce and KG are gone. Outlaw provides a big body at forward to fill the dearth of bodies at forward.
Why the Kings do it?
Because it converts $11M a year of useless (Outlaw) or redundant (Thornton) salaries into a player who would actually have a role on the team. Wallace's best days are probably behind him, and he is not a shooter, but he brings elite defense, great rebounding, and above average shot blocking to the SF position. Plus, he is another guy who doesn't want to be ball dominant on offense. Reke/McLemore/Wallace starting at the 1-3 positions provides great length , athleticism, and defensive chops. it ties up you cap for an extra year, but it actually turns Thornton and Outlaw into a piece we would use. Plus, it puts less immediate pressure on finding a rim protecting 4.
You then amnesty Salmons, and use that money to sign an elite shooting backup SF (someone in the Korver, Budinger mold). It is sort of the Miami mold. Collect athletic players and surround them with elite shooters.
You could lineup as follows
PG: Reke (28 min)/IT (20 Min)
SG: McLemore (28 min)/Jimmer (12 min)/Reke (8 min)
SF: Wallace (24 min)/Budinger (24 min)
PF: PPat (24 min)/JT (16 min)/Wallace (8 min)
C: Cousins (36 min)/JT (12 min)
It lets you do Reke/McLemore, Reke/Jimmer, IT/MClemore, and IT/Reke backcourts. You can play Wallace some at 4 to get Budinger more time on the floor to help spacing. PPat starts (for more starting lineup shooting), but JT plays more backing up both 4 and 5. The rotation has 9 players. You find another big defensive body, another shooter, and McCallum, and Hayes, and you have your 13 players.
You trot that lineup out in 2013-2014 and win 35-40 games. Good talent, and with some good coaching and defined roles, you could be a fringe contender for the 8 seed. You then devote your your 2014 offseason to finding the big man that will partner alongside Boogie in the future.
