I completely understand all that. My only problem is it leaves a huge hole at PG. I don't keep up on all the rules and in's and out's of the CBA. But, from what I understand we can't just go signing another guy over the cap. YOu can really only go out and spend up to the cap, and have certain rules about how much per contract. Now you can trade and be above the cap, that I understand. But if we traded Miller, Bibby and a pick, who else are we going to trade now to get a PG?? I mean are we going to get a really good quality point guard for KT and hart??
I mean it looks good for the other team they are getting big for small, but are we really going to get a quality PG?? If you don't have a quality PG you have squat as demonstrated by many teams INCLUDING the timberwolves. KG did a whole lot for that franchise this last year didn't he?? I mean they made a strong run in the playofffs. Oh, wait, they weren't in the playoffs! You see what I'm saying?
If you look at the PGs who have won the title in the past 15 years, here are the names:
BJ Armstrong/John Paxson
Kenny Smith
Ron Harper
Avery Johnson
Ron Harper
Derek Fisher
Tony Parker (young -- 15.5ppg 5.3apg)
Chauncey Billups (16.9pts 5.7ast)
Tony Parker (16.6pts 6.1ast)
Jason Williams or Jason Terry
Not one of those guys was an All-Star in the year he won the title. Onyl a handful have ever been All-Stars. If Terry wins this year he might have the most impressive stats for any championship PG since Zeke.
None of which is to make the expansive argument that you CAN'T win with a top PG, but simply the proven one that you don't NEED a top PG if you have the rest. A solid guy is enough. Heck in 01-02, the closest we ever came, Bibby himself was a 13.7pt 5.0ast guy all season until the big series.
So let's say the trade was made, and its Bibby, Brad, KT, and the #19.
here are the possibilities:
1) a Minny guy comes back as well -- Hudson or Jaric.
2) FAs -- who's out there? Cassel, Banks, Claxton, Terry, Fred Jones, Bobby Jackson.
3) trade -- on the assumption that you absolutely resign Bonzi in that case, we have ending contracts (Corliss, Potapenko) and likely an expendable kid in the overcrowded 2/3 positions. Brevin Knight is supposedly available for instance. Others as well I'm sure. You could also theoretically try to sign and trade Bonzi for a PG.
Out of all that:
Hudson -- not a fan. Soft. But started for the Wolves int he past and put up 14.2pts and 5.7ast as a starter -- better numbers than Bibby in 01-02 actually.
Jaric -- 6'7" and quite possibly cut from the Ron Harper mold of pseudo--"PGs". Liek Harper would be on a team where all he'd have to do is bring it up, defened, spot up. Harper has 4 rings.
Cassel -- ancient and creaky obviously. And completely obnoxious. What a personality timebomb that team would be! On the other hand led the Wolves to the WCF two years back, took the Clippers to a Game 7 in the semi's this year, and wears two rings on his fingers. Has always had a game somewhat like an older Bibby, except with psot game.
Banks -- too young probably
Claxton -- 13.1pts 6.2ast for Golden State two years ago before the Baron trade. Again = to Bibby in 01-02. Doesn't mean he's as good. But does mean he might be good enough given the rest of the team.
Terry -- obviously solid gold, but also not going anywhere, least of all to us. No way Cuban let's that happen.
Jones -- restricted unfortunately. Because on a team loaded up with KG, Artest, Bonzi, SAR etc., Jones's creativity limitations might not be that significant. Defends, hits threes. But Indy will keep him I would think.
Jackson -- could he still do it at his age? Has the right spirit for that lineup.
Knight -- reminscient of the Little General when he won a title. Smart, runs the team. It can be enough given other horses.
Its amazing how mediocre PGs can become champions if you pair them with real talent. We wouldn't get an All Star back, but then again, history says you don't need an All Star (nor, for that matter, have we ever had an All Star PG in the Sacramento era so far as I recall). But we might just get a guy who's good enough.