What Your NBA Team Should Do in the 2011 Offseason
Opinion articles are both hard and easy to write. ย They're easy because anybody can do it since everybody has an opinion and everybody's opinion is always wrong in someone else's eyes. ย They are hard to write because you know going into it that you are bound to get angry replies and people calling you stupid. Luckily for me, I already know that I am stupid so those hateful comments don't bother me.
I also happen to know that except for one team, I don't have a bias for any of the other 29 teams out there. Now granted, if I suggested that every team trade their best player to the Chicago Bulls that would be a little ridiculous, but I'm going to do my best to avoid that situation.
I think sometimes fans need an outside perspective. Someone who watches the NBA, has seen your team play (albeit not as much as a true fan who watches all 82 games) and genuinely wants good basketball to prevail.
I'll do my best to put myself in each team's shoes. ย The players, the organization as well as the fans. Hopefully, it will result in an enjoyable read, and you'll forward it on to the GM of your favorite team. ย You have to keep in mind that some trades will be the complete opposite of one another. ย
For example, I might suggest that the Trail Blazers try to swing a trade for Chris Paul, but that doesn't mean that I think New Orleans should trade Chris Paul to the Trail Blazers. ย But if that was the case, I would write how a fair trade MIGHT be swung if the Hornets were willing to trade Paul.
Okay, from last to first. ย Let's get started.
30. Minnesota Timberwolves
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Get the worst shooters possible so Kevin Love can average 30 rebounds a game. ย No? Not liking that idea? ย Okay, how about they draft Kyrie Irving because they really need a point guard. ย Oh, they have three point guards already (counting Rubio of course). ย Okay, this is going to be harder than I thought.
Beasley had a nice breakout season that was overshadowed by the monster production of Kevin Love. So what do you do with a promising young talent that has a history of being a headcase. Trade him to Memphis of course. ย It worked with Zach Randolph who absolutely destroyed the Spurs in the playoffs.
The problem with Beasley is he would be much better playing the four, and that would require Love to move to the five and as the Thunder quickley learned with Kevin Durant, you can't have your best player playing out of position. (At first the Thunder had Durant at SG then switched him to SF and he started dominating)
Now's the time to trade Beasley since he'll have the most value going forward. ย The T-Wolves could slide Anthony Randolph to the three. ย Why Randolph at the three? ย Love can play both inside and outside so you don't need to have a prototypical three that can hit the outside shot. ย
Randolph also has surprisingly good handles for a big man. ย He's athletic enough to check most threes on defense, crashes the boards and plays with energy. ย He was a beast when Love went down with an injury late in the season (he also has the second highest PER on the team). ย He doesn't need a lot of shots to be effective (like Beasley does) so the offense can run through Love.
As for what to get for Beasley. ย I'd target OJ Mayo as the Grizzlies almost traded him to Indiana for Josh McRoberts at the trade deadline. ย Beasley is definitely better than McRoberts. ย Beasley could slide in as a sixth man and maybe even be mentored by Zach Randolph on how to transform your career from talented headcase to talented beast that dominates in the playoffs. ย I can see it already. ย New Memphis nickname, "Beastly!"
New T-wolves lineup
PG - Ridnour
SG- OJ Mayo
SF - Anthony Randolph
PF Kevin Love
C Dark Milicic
Sixth Man - Johnny Flynnย
Not a championship team. ย But a young, exciting team to watch. ย Take a year to see how the pieces fit together and continue to build on it.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
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Get Baron Davis a nutritionist and a treadmill. Seriously, I think he's ordering from the hot dog vendor in the stands. ย "I'll take one over here." ย Because he can't seriously think the Cavs are number one. Right? So where to go from here? ย The Cavs were so close to the mountaintop only to have "he whose name shan't be spoken" cut the climbing rope and watch them plummet to the base.
The problem with the Cavs over the T-Wolves is that they don't have a franchise player to build around. ย JJ Hickson is a nice piece, but he can't be "the man."ย He'd be a nice No. 3 or No. 4 option. ย Definitely a starter.ย
As for the draft, getting a point guard would be good, but if Baron Davis isn't starting then he is going to balloon up even more and take up three bench seats while dragging down the morale of a young team where energy and hustle are going to be its strongest assets going into most games. ย So you'd be drafting a point guard in the lottery to watch him sit?
You could trade Baron Davis. ย Not going to happen. ย Buy him out? Gilbert has the money. ย If Baron becomes too much of a distraction then that would be a wise move to make. ย But this is all assuming the Cavs draft Kyrie Irving. ย Their other pieces are Antwan Jamison and Anderson Varejao.
They don't have cap room going into next year so trading is the only way to upgrade except for the draft. Now the organization could take the stance that you need some veterans on the team to coach the new guys. Show them the ropes as it were. ย Which might be a wise move, but if you can get a nice young piece out of Jamison or Varejao then you definitely pull the trigger. ย But I don't think you trade either player for a late first round draft pick (because most teams that would want either player are going to be contenders that are looking for that other piece.)
Their best move is to not try and do too much this offseason. ย They have a lot of money coming off the books in 2012-2013. And even more coming off the year after that. ย So they need to build through the draft, hope they get lucky in drafting a superstar or at least an all-star, and then start using their cap space to acquire draft picks from teams that need to dump a player to avoid the luxury tax. ย A lot like what OKC did.
28. Toronto Raptors
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At least when Cavs' fans were falling from the mountain top, they passed by Raptor fans on the way down. Granted the Raptors didn't have as steep of a fall as Clevelandiers did, but it's always nice to be able to have a buddy to commiserate with.
For my first bold move of the offseason, hire Jerry Sloan. ย Maybe it can't be done this year as he is "retired" and might wait it out for a year, but the Raptors need to get a disciplined head coach that will be able to develop some of the nice pieces that they have in Jeryd Bayless, Andrea Bargnani, and Amir Johnson. ย If the Raptors learned how to play defense, hustle, play smart disciplined basketball, they could at least be a fringe playoff contender.
The second priority would be to grab Marc Gasol in free agency. ย Overpay him if you have to. Don't make him a max player, but make him an offer that the Grizzlies will have to refuse to match. ย Gasol would be PERFECT on this team. He would bring a toughness to this team that it desperately needs and he would be a great front court partner with Bargnani. ย Allowing him to be a stretch four.
Depending on where the cap lands next year, assuming there is a next year, the Raptors should be about $10 million-13 million under the cap. ย More than enough to potentially lure Gasol away from the Grizzlies.
The third priority on their list, and stop me if you've heard this before, they should trade Jose Calderon. I know, crazy right? ย Calderon is a good point guard. ย Great at getting teammates involved, but he shouldn't be the Raptors highest paid player. ย He shouldn't be anybody's highest paid player.
The biggest reason why I think the Raptors haven't been able to trade Calderon, besides his bad contract, is that point guards are becoming a dime a dozen in this league. Two of the past three No. 1 draft picks have been point guards. ย Before that, it was Allen Iverson as the last No. 1 pick. ย Before that I believe it was Magic Johnson.
The point is that while Calderon is a good, serviceable point guard, he isn't going to bring a whole lot back. If the Raptors could've gotten to Atlanta for Mike Bibby before the Wizards did, that would've been the most likely scenario. ย Maybe they did offer, and the Hawks wisely choose Hinrich so their point guard was no longer a huge defensive liability.
27. Sacramento Kings
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Ask David Stern to go all LA Dodgers on the Kings and strip the Maloofs of their ownership duties.
Then you can start to focus on free agency.ย Though you aren't going to be making any big splashes since the Maloofs are bankrupt and will again be spending the league minimum on their team.ย Which, with the new CBA might be even less then they currently have on the payroll after this season, and Slammin Sammy is coming off the books at $13 million per.
26. Washington Wizards
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Tom Petty sung that the waiting is the hardest part, and unfortunately for Wizard fans, they are going to have to keep on living through hard times.ย They have to build around John Wall, but first, they have to find out what they have in John Wall.ย What kind of player is he going to be?
Does he have the drive of a superstar? He definitely has the athletic ability, but when I look at John Wall I see a player who hasn't yet mastered his physical abilities.ย By that I mean, too many times his blazing speed gets him into trouble and he blows a layup because he doesn't have total control over his body.
The keepers on the Wizards team seem to be Wall, McGee and Young.ย I think Blatche is too much of a headcase to ever truly help out a team, but people said that about Zach Randolph as well so maybe it's not too late for Blatche.
I think Young could be a Ben Gordon type of player, but you don't want to pay him Ben Gordon type of money.ย Young could be a great sixth man in the vein of Jamaal Crawford and Jason Terry, which is the role Ben Gordon would've been perfect in.ย The problem is they are all overpaid so that makes Young's price tag high as well.ย Perhaps too high for the Wizards to tie up cap space in him.
The Wizards have three years to figure out Wall and the identity of the team they need to create for him or perhaps another superstar if Wall turns out to be Robin more than Batman.
25. L.A. Clippers
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The Clips have two great building blocks in Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin.ย A nice inside/outside combo that could be lethal for years to come.ย The first thing they need to do is fire Vinny Del Negro, seriously, how does this guy keep getting work?ย Ok, that's kind of harsh, he's not horrible, but he's also not going to be able to take the Clippers or any of his players to that "next level".
The Clips have some cap room for next year, assuming the cap remains around the same figure as it does now, though some reports have the owners asking for it to drop to $45 million and be a hard cap. But let's not talk about such depressing things.
The main priority would seem to be to sign DeAndre Jordan to a reasonable contract.ย Then look for a taker for Chris Kaman.ย They also have a team option on Jamario Moon that I think would be wise to pass on and let him enter free agency.
Looking into trades for Kaman nothing comes to mind as a workable option for either the Clippers or another trade partner.ย So it looks as if the Clippers best bet, as is the case with most lottery teams, is to wait for their team to continue to grow together.ย They get a lot more cap space in 2012, where I am sure the Dwight Howard rumors will persist.ย
They'd have enough to sign him outright to a max contract, but is he really the player that the Clippers need?ย Wouldn't it be better for them to go after a Chris Paul or Deron Williams.ย Imagine that? Chris Paul to Blake Griffin?
In order to lure Paul though they'd need to take a major jump next year and make the playoffs.
24. New Jersey Nets
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Figure out how to keep Deron Williams smiling.ย Overpaying for Kris Humphries for performing well during the second half of a contract year, isn't going to get it done.ย Not when you're already locked into an awful contract with Travis Outlaw.
The obvious answer, as will be a major theme in this piece, is Dwight Howard.ย I'll give more insight into Howard during the Orlando Magic section, but his name has to be brought up with teams interested in him.
However, if you are New Jersey, can you really hinge your future on the CHANCE repeat CHANCE that Howard wants to play in Brooklyn with Deron Williams?ย If you can't get Howard in a trade this season, then you have to look elsewhere because if Howard signs somewhere else then there is no way Deron Williams is staying in Brooklyn to ball with Brook Lopez and Travis Outlaw for the rest of his career.
Now, other free agents will be drawn to the Nets.ย But they need those free agents to be big names or players that will make Deron Williams happy.ย Players that he is perhaps familiar with?
Enter the Chicago Bulls.ย With his recent poor play in the playoffs if the Bulls fall short of making the Finals or winning a championship, Boozer will be the fall man.ย Bringing Boozer, a proven All-Star that has chemistry with Deron Williams and Ronnie Brewer, Williams good friend so much so that Williams was reportedly furious at Jazz management for trading him away.
A trade of Brook Lopez, Anthony Morrow for Boozer, Brewer and a first-round pick (the pick acquired from Charlotte in the Tyrus Thomas trade) would seem to make sense for both sides. Nets fans may be thinking Lopez is too much to give up, but he has regressed this past year, especially on the boards, and Lopez isn't the most important piece on the team.ย Williams is.
The trade wouldn't be enough to push the Nets into true title contention, but hopefully, it would be enough for Williams to sign off on the future and hope for more free agents to be lured to the new-look Nets.
23. Golden State Warriors
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The Dorell Wright signing has to have Warrior fans smiling, but then thinking of three more years and $27 million of Andris Biedrins quickly makes that smile disappear.
The Warriors have about $10 million to work with in cap room, but honestly, this team isn't going anywhere with both Ellis and Curry in the backcourt.ย And I don't think Curry is the problem.ย There have been rumors already of Ellis being traded. The smart thing to do would be to trade him out of the conference, but that will definitely limit some options.
Perhaps signing Kirlenko to bring some defense to the team or Tayshaun Prince could have this team possibly making a playoff push next year.
22. Detroit Pistons
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Invent a time machine so you can go back to the 2003 draft and get Dwyane Wade over Darko Milicic.ย Then, make sure you don't sign Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva to cap-killing contracts. Aside from that, the future looks very bleak in Detroit.
Greg Monroe is a nice young piece and much better than expected.ย A solid building block.ย But with their ownership in flux and the city itself in financial trouble, I wouldn't expect a major trade or free-agency upgrades in Mo-Town.
21. Utah Jazz
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Ok, not every team can make a blockbuster trade this offseason and a team that just made one last year probably isn't going to do much this coming offseason.ย The main problem is that the Jazz seem to have a logjam in the frontcourt with Derrick Favors, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson.ย
The glass half full approach is that Favors is raw and needs time to develop so it's good that the Jazz don't have to lean on him to play heavy minutes.ย The half empty thinking is that Favors won't get the needed playing time to improve his game and allow the Jazz to find out what exactly they have in him.
For now, the Jazz need to sit tight. Draft smart and see how their team develops.
20. Charlotte Bobcats
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"Fire sale" are the two words I think of when thinking of the Charlotte Bobcats.ย Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw seem to be the two likeliest contracts to be jettisoned.ย Jackson would seem to have a lot of value to a title contention team looking for that other scorer.ย Teams like the Bulls, Magic, Spurs, Lakers, a whole host of teams would seemingly covet Jackson.ย The trick is, what can the Bobcats get back?ย Hopefully more than they got for Gerald Wallace.
Would the Bulls be willing to give up Joakim Noah now that Omer Asik showed some promise in the playoffs? I'm sure it would take a little more than Stephen Jackson to get that to happen, but it's not totally far fetched.ย What about J.J. Reddick from the Magic?ย The Lakers don't have any trade bait they'd be willing to part with so if he was sent there, it would require a multiple team deal.
What about Stephen Jackson and DJ Augustin for Tony Parker?ย Been reading that there might be trouble in SA with Tony Parker.ย Not just for his comments saying the Spurs were done competing for a title, but his overall attitude doesn't seem to have been fitting well with management.
19. Phoenix Suns
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I believe Steve Nash is shouting to Suns management, "Get me the hell out of here!!!!!"
And he deserves to be out of there.ย Even Suns fans want him to be traded.ย He has been extremely loyal. Never asking out even though Robert Sarver is the cheapest owner out there and completely destroyed what could've been a dynasty in Phoenix.ย Can you imagine if the Suns were run by Jerry Buss, Paul Allen or Mark Cuban.ย Here's their team.
Steve Nash, Joe Johnson, Luol Deng (they traded the pick to Chicago for a conditional first round pick and the immense talents of Jackson Vroman), Amar'e Stoudemire, Shawn Marion.ย What about their bench?ย How does Rajon Rondo(pick traded), Rudy Fernandez(pick traded), Channing Frye sound?ย Sounds like a pretty amazing team right?ย No one would blame Steve for asking to be traded when management screwed up his chances for a ring.
Okay, that's being too harsh on the Suns.ย They had their chances.ย Amare's suspension in the playoffs didn't help, they did have some great teams but just couldn't deliver in the playoffs. I get that.ย But the time is now to trade Nash.ย Just one year left on his contract.ย Unless you think he can give it one more go?ย If that's that case then look into prying away Monta Ellis from Golden State.ย Maybe dangle Vince Carters expiring contract and take back Biedris bad contract.ย Would take a little more than that.ย Definitely Gortat.ย
But if you've accepted that the teams window has closed. And the noble thing to do would be trade Steve Nash.ย Then here are your options.ย First off, eliminate any team that isn't in title contention.ย That would defeat the purpose.ย Second, get rid of all teams that have a legit point guard that is either better than Nash or almost as good but a decade younger.
That leaves you with the Lakers, Magic, Heat, Hawks, Knicks and Blazers.ย Let's get rid of the Lakers as they won't trade Nash to a rival. Heat don't have trade assets unless they are willing to part with Bosh. Knicks are an interesting option, while they have Billups, it would be fun to see Amare, Nash and D'Antoni reunite in NYC with Carmelo playing along side them.ย But really, what do they have to offer the Suns back?
That leaves you with the Hawks, Magic and Blazers. The best you can get from the Hawks would be Jeff Teague (who played great in the playoffs) and Marvin Williams for Nash.ย Okay, but nothing great. No franchise players in the trade.ย Same with Orlando, Reddick and Nelson for Nash and maybe Childress?ย Not sure Magic would even want to trade for an aging Nash but I put them in here because they are a desperate team.
Finally we are left with the Blazers.ย Here's the trade. Steve Nash, Josh Childress' bad contract for Brandon Roy and Andre Miller.ย The Blazers are trying to get Roy to retire.ย His career in Portland is done.ย The Blazers need a facilitator. Someone who can maximize the potential of all their young athletes. Guys like Fernandez and Batum.ย A point guard that can knock down a three when Aldridge gets doubled in the post.ย If it doesn't work, then Nash is gone after next year.
For the Suns.ย Sure, Brandon Roy is a huge injury risk.ย But look at what the Suns' training staff has been able to do with Grant Hill, they made Shaq an all-star again, Roy has immense talent.ย He is a former All-Star and former face of the franchise.ย Roll the dice.ย Worst case scenario he sucks.ย But really, what do you have to lose? Getting rid of Nash is basically saying you are going to rebuild, unless you get extremely lucky in the draft, there's not a better building block for the Suns than Roy.
If Nash leaves after this year, it will take a long time for Phoenix to get back to a playoff or title contender.ย However, if Roy is able to get his swagger back. If the training staff can work with him.ย Then perhaps the rebuilding phase wouldn't have to last that long.
18. Milwaukee Bucks
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No, Brandon. You make a triangle with your hands to catch a ball.
I think the Scott Skiles effect has come full circle.ย He gets the most out of his team, they overachieve, make the playoffs, lose, then regress the following year because they can't handle him yelling at them every two minutes.
It's time for Skiles to go.ย Bring in another head coach that can hopefully develop Brandon Jennings and construct an offensive scheme that utilizes Andrew Bogut's skills better.
17. Houston Rockets
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Yao's contract comes off the books, and if he doesn't retire, they should be able to bring him back on the cheap.ย Hopefully for the veteran's minimum as Yao owes them one for getting paid all those years and not playing.
Outside of that, they need to re-sign Chuck Hayes. And then figure out how to flip their many young assets into an All-Star or near All-Star.ย They'll have enough money to make a run at Nene should he decide to test free agency.ย And he seems to be the kind of player the Rockets like.ย A high efficiency player with no ego and a strong work ethic.
There of course is Dwight Howard should he be available via trade. They could see if OKC is willing to part with Westbrook after much speculation over how he and Durant will co-exist going forward. Though I doubt, if OKC did decide to trade Westbrook, that they would trade him within their own conference.
I think Houston will have to wait it out till the season starts to unfold and then take advantage of a desperate team like they did with Sacramento two years ago and Memphis this past year.ย Though Shane Battier seemed to work out pretty well for the Grizz.
16. Indiana Pacers
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Now we get to the fun part. The playoff teams.ย Instead of just going by record I'll go by what round they got knocked out in and then by record.
The Pacers seemed to establish an identity this postseason.ย They are going to play hard and rough.ย I wonder if it will carry over into next season or if that was just the strategy used against the Bulls.ย It will also depend on whether or not they bring back their head coach Frank Vogel.
The Pacers are one of the teams with the most cap space this offseason.ย So they could throw a max contract at Nene.ย Or if David West decided to become a free agent, they could pursue him.
They should revisit talks with Memphis for OJ Mayo's services.ย If the Grizz really are set on paying Gasol and keeping Rudy Gay then they'll need to shed salary other places.ย Mayo for a first round pick would seem to make sense for both sides.
They could also take advantage of their cap space and try to absorb a bad contract from a team bleeding money.ย Maybe take on Boris Diaw's contract and a second-round pick from the Bobcats?ย Or a lottery protected first-rounder?
They need to be creative with their cap space because they are more than a piece or two away from contending.ย They are also a small market team so can't afford to make a mistake on a contract and overpay for someone.
15. Philadelphia 76ers
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Priority No. 1 would be to re-sign Thadeus Young, though they may not be able to should another team overpay and make him out of their price range.
Actually scratch that. Priority No. 1 is figure out where you are and where you want to be.ย Do the Sixers think that they are just a piece or two away from contending for a title?ย If they do, then they need to resign Young and we can go from there.ย If not, then they need to re-sign Young, but only for a reasonable price, and then trade Evan Turner.
There's the two options.ย Play for the now and trade Turner or play for the future and trade Iguodala along with Brand.ย If they were to trade Iguodala.ย The aforementioned Indiana Pacers would seem like the best landing spot.ย They have the cap space to take on both contracts.ย 24 million below the cap.ย And also have the nice young pieces to rebuild in Philly.
Iguodala and Brand for James Posey, Roy Hibbert and Paul George might make sense for both sides.ย The Pacers would have a starting lineup of Collison, Iguodala, Granger, Psycho T and Brand.ย As well as $7 million to spend in free agency to round out the team.ย Maybe pick up a Nick Young as an explosive sixth man off the bench.
The Sixers would have a young nucleus of Holiday, Paul George, Evan Turner, Thadeus Young and Roy Hibert to build around with Louis Williams being their sixth man.
Now if the Sixers want to win now.ย Then trading Turner and Nocioni to the Bobcats for Stephen Jackson, Eduardo Najera and a conditional first-round pick might be the best solution.ย Get a proven scorer/playmaker in Jackson.ย Or they could ask for DJ White instead of Najera and use the extra money to spend on Thadeus Young.
14. New Orleans Hornets
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Contract yourselves. I kid. I kid.
But the Chris Paul situation needs to sort itself out.ย I don't think he is sticking around.ย But there is no way to get fair value for him.ย Or is there?ย What about Westbrook?ย If Westbrook wants to be the man, then he can do it NOLA.ย Chris Paul can go to OKC and be the facilitator that they need.ย I'm sure he'd be willing to sign up with them long term.
Blazer fans will of course demand you trade him to Portland.ย They'd even be willing to give you Luke Babbitt and a second-round pick.ย But you can't touch ANY of their other players. The rest of their team is untouchable.
What about San Antonio?ย Chris Paul for Tony Parker, Dejuan Blair and Gary Neal? Though would Chris Paul sign off on a trade to the Spurs?ย Would he see them as an aging team whose window is closing and two years from now he'd be no better off than he is now but locked into a long term contract?ย Then again, San Antonio has proven that it can build a championship team.
Would Jeff Teague, Josh Smith and a first-rounder from Atlanta be a good enough deal for New Orleans?ย I truly think that the best they could hope for would be to convince OKC and Westbrook that they need to make a trade.ย That is, if they can't convince Chris Paul to stay.
13. New York Knicks
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Cross your fingers there isn't a hard cap. That the cap isn't lowered significantly.ย And then sign Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Dwight Howard when they become free agents.
Is there really any other plan they need?
12. Portland Tralblazers
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I know Brandon. I can't believe they are going to ask you to retire either.ย
I had already talked about the Steve Nash trade from the Suns perspective, but what about the Blazers?ย Not many teams, if any, are going to take on Brandon Roy's contract with his injury history.ย You have to target a team willing to roll the dice and maybe take on a bad contract.
While the Childress contract is bad, it's not a crippling one.ย Plus, you get at least one year with Steve Nash, and if Greg Oden can come back. And that is a big seven foot "if," if he comes back, then maybe you get past the first round and more with Nash running the show.ย Worst case scenario, you just swapped a bad $13.5 million dollars a year contract with a $6 million dollar a year contract.
I know Blazer fans are use to getting something for nothing.ย Gerald Wallace anyone?ย But the law of averages says that's not always going to be the case.ย I don't see many other options for the Blazers and keeping Roy is definitely not one of them. Not after the way he's been treated.
Blazer fans might ask, why can't we get Chris Paul for the same trade? It's the same logic with the Nash trade, right? Wrong. Chris Paul, being young and awesome, will bring in a lot more than Steve Nash, being old and awesome.ย Chris Paul will bring 29 other teams to the table. With the Bulls being the only team not wanting to swap their point guard.
11. Denver Nuggets
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Re-sign Nene.ย Try and find a taker for Al Harrington.ย The Cavs were willing to take on Rip Hamilton's contract and buy him out.ย Perhaps, they'd be willing to do the same with Al Harrington. Would cost the Nuggets a first round pick, but it's worth asking.
The Nuggets also have to make decisions on Wilson Chandler and Aaron Afflalo. Both restricted free agents. I don't think they'll be able to keep both of them. Or better yet, I don't think they should pay to keep both of them.ย Between the two I would keep Afflalo.ย Chandler seemed to have bad ankles and that could be a reoccurring problem.
Finally, the Nuggets could use Raymond Felton's expiring contract to maybe net them something back at the trade deadline.
10. Orlando Magic
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If you're a Magic fan. That is not the face you want to see. A face of total dejection. A face that says everything without saying one word.
This will be interesting. Who blinks first. Dwight Howard or GM Otis Smith?ย Dwight doesn't want to be hated like LeBron is. He doesn't want the season long drama that came with Carmelo.ย He doesn't want to be thought of as a Shaq wannabe. So he won't ask for a trade.ย He's hoping that the Magic will see what happened with Toronto and the Cavs.ย They stubbornly thought that their guy was going to re-sign with them, and then got left high and dry.ย To be fair, Cleveland had more of a legitimate reason to think LeBron was staying then the Raptors did with Bosh.ย It seemed like everyone knew Bosh was gone.
For Otis Smith. He doesn't want to be known as the guy that traded Dwight Howard.ย Especially when Dwight never pushed him into a corner and said, "Trade me or else."ย For Otis Smith, this is about pride. He'd rather look like an idealistic fool than an idiot.ย If Dwight leaves for free agency he can say, "See. See! He left us! I tried everything. Everything! To get him to stay.ย But it's Shaq all over again.ย He's the bad guy! Not me! Not Gilbert Arenas! Not Hedo! Not all the bad trades I made. It's Dwight."
Otis Smith is hoping that Dwight's need to be loved by the public, will force him to stay in Orlando. Even if it's not in his best interest.ย And I think that's how it plays out.ย Dwight will not be traded.ย It's just a matter of if he leaves for free agency or not.ย If he does, what are his options?
LA? The Lakers already have $56 million committed in salary not including Ron Artest and Derek Fisher exercising their player options which they most certainly will. So is Dwight Playing for the Mid Level Exception? If there even is one.
Ditto for Chicago. They have $57 million committed. Dallas only has $41 million.ย But that's assuming they don't resign Tyson Chandler after this year.ย Plus, once Dirk Retires, what will Dwight have in Dallas?
The Knicks, Nets and Clippers all seem to be the teams with salary cap space that might be able to lure Dwight away from Orlando.ย But Dwight isn't being traded.ย So unless you have salary cap space in 2012, Superman isn't coming to save you.
9. San Antonio Spurs
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Tony Parker, "Sacre bleu! What I do?"ย Well Tony, you said the Spurs were done. They couldn't compete for a title anymore.ย And you're right.ย Which is why you must now go, Bon Voyage!
They could use Tony to try and make a play for Chris Paul. Worth a shot.ย The Bobcats trade for Stephen Jackson and Dj Augustin isn't bad, but the reason the Spurs can trade Parker is because they have someone capable of stepping in with George Hill.ย So you'd hope to get a scorer like Stephen Jackson but another piece better than DJ Augustin.ย Some front line help would be nice.ย Maybe Parker for Stephen Jackson and Tyrus Thomas. Get more athletic up front.
Point Guards are starting to become a dime a dozen as I pointed out with the Raptors and Jose Calderon. While Parker has more appeal than Calderon, it will still be tough to get a lot for him as the options will be limited.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
23 of 30
This is by far the most interesting team going in to the offseason.ย Will they re-sign Gasol? No matter what the cost?ย Does it mean they'll trade Rudy Gay with the success they had during the playoffs while he rode the bench in street clothes?ย How will a small market team like the Grizzlies continue to build towards a championship team?ย If they keep Gasol and Gay, they'll lose Battier, right? A big piece for them in the playoffs.
So many questions.ย First off. I think the Grizz could resign Gasol. Keep Gay, and try and make a push this year.ย But what if they fail? What if they regress?ย What if they don't win the championship?ย If it blows up in their face then they are a small market team with one of the biggest payrolls in the NBA and they'll need to blow up their team anyways for money purposes and get 10 cents on the dollar for their players.
It's a huge gamble.ย But perhaps one that the Grizz don't have to make.ย What if they could flip two of their stars into one GIGANTIC star.ย Yes, I am talking about Dwight Howard. I know I said that he wouldn't be traded. But what if someone makes the Magic an offer they shouldn't refuse. A team outside their conference that's not the Lakers or another powerhouse.
Could the Magic find a better offer than Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay for Dwight Howard?ย Maybe throw in an Xavier Henry or OJ Mayo?ย The Grizz, already a tough team, would have the best low post defender to go alongside the best perimeter defender in Tony Allen.ย Dwight wouldn't have to play defense against all five players like he does in Orlando.ย He'd be "the man" in Memphis.ย Sure, it's another small market team, but a team that he could win with. Now and for the future.ย
He would look better than LeBron because he wouldn't be saying, "I need another superstars help to win".ย He would just be saying, "I need another all-stars help to win." (Zach Randolph)ย It's a big difference between the two.ย He wouldn't be Carmelo and saying that he needs to be in the bright lights to feed his ego.ย No.ย He'd say, I am putting this franchise on my back and they are better constructed for the present and the future to bring me what I want. A championship.
If I'm the Grizzlies, I at least ask.
7. Atlanta Hawks
24 of 30
Poor Kirk Hinrich. He gets traded to a team that seemingly needs his steady hand to guide their offense and tough defense to inspire his teammates.ย Only to get injured and see Jeff Teague turn into a legit starting point guard and the main reason the Hawks stayed with the Bulls in the playoffs.ย Teague is the future in Atlanta.ย The Hawks need to find someone to take on Hinrich so they can resign Jamal Crawford.
Again, I would look towards Cleveland. Take advantage of Gilbert's money.ย Send them your first-round pick and Hinrich for a second-rounder.ย The Lakers might want Kirk, but then you have to take on some bad contracts, and that would defeat the purpose because the Hawks wouldn't be able to resign Jamal Crawford.
Trading Josh Smith is another option.ย He is so good. So talented. But such a head case. He could dominate. If he just played smart.ย Maybe there is still hope for him.ย But if you can find a good trade out there. Make it.
6. Boston Celtics
25 of 30
The Celtics sort of made their bed, and now, they need to lie in it.ย They dealt Perkins in consideration for "the future." Which now lies with Jeff Green and Rajon Rondo apparently.ย They'll bring back essentially the same team they had last year.ย They don't have much room to do anything in Free Agency and don't have any trade assets outside of Jeff Green.
So it's looking like one more year with their core group of Rondo, Garnett, Allen and Pierce to try and see if they can get Bean Town another ring.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
26 of 30
I think someone just asked Kobe if he thought LeBron was better than him.ย Or maybe they told him that his machismo attitude cost the Lakers.ย That instead of trying to prove to everyone what a "warrior" he was and that he could play through anything, he should've taken the time off to rest up, get healed and be as close to 100 percent for the playoff run.
Hopefully Kobe can come back next year and be Kobe.ย But he has a lot of miles on those legs.ย You know he'll be motivated because people will be doubting him.ย However, at some point father time overcomes stubbornness.
So where do the Lakers go?ย Dwight Howard?ย Not happening.ย Let's say the Lakers actually had the salary cap space in 2012 to go after Dwight Howard. Or better yet, let's say that the Magic were interested in trading Dwight to LA because their biggest concern is making sure Dwight goes someplace where he is happy.
The Lakers are cool with trading Bynum.ย The deal is all setup.ย But then Bynum says, "I don't want to play in Orlando."ย Deal dead.ย Because the Magic don't want to go through the same ordeal with Bynum that they are going through with Howard.ย Bynum could say, I'm not going to Orlando. I'm going to the Clippers to team up with Blake Griffin and try and destroy the Lakers.ย Or he could go to Brooklyn and team up with D-Will.
The Lakers have no salary cap space so no free agents are coming. They can either hope that Kobe bounces back next year and hope their core can make another run at the title.ย Or, they can look to Memphis and do a similar trade that I proposed for the Grizz getting Howard.
Trade Bynum and Artest for Gasol and Rudy Gay.ย For the Grizzlies, you now have the most feared defensive lineup.ย Tony Allen, Shane Battier, Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum.ย (playing Artest at the four when Zach needs a breather).ย You have a lot of headcases on your team, but somehow that works in Memphis.ย The more they have the better they play.
For the Lakers.ย They still have the size advantage with the two Gasols. Maybe their brothers will have some great on-court chemistry. Plus they add another perimeter scorer in Gay to ease the burden on Kobe.
4. Oklahma City Thunder
27 of 30
Here's the deal with Westbrook.ย He has both skill and an ego.ย This can be a good thing, but only if you are the best player on your team. Which Westbrook isn't.ย
He trains with D-Rose so I think it killed him to see Rose get so much love. Win the MVP. And be considered the best point guard.ย I swear, every time Rose had a good game, Westbrook would try and outdo him in the playoffs.ย If Rose took 30 shots. Westbrook was going to take 35.ย If Rose got 11 assists. Westbrook was going to try and get 14.
It seems like Westbrook wants to be the man. And on a big stage too.ย This will not end well if the Thunder don't act fast.ย So here are the four trade options from worst to best case scenarios.
4. San Antonio Spurs
Sign and trading Westbrook and Nate Robinson for Tony Parker and Dejuan Blair or Gary Neal.ย The Spurs need to get younger and add more of a scoring threat.ย The Thunder need Parker's championship experience.ย Parker doesn't have the ego that Westbrook has but is still a capable scorer so teams can't leave him completely alone and focus everything on Durant.
3. Boston Celtics
Westbrook for Rondo and a first-rounder.ย Rondo can be the facilitator the Thunder need. Both are good rebounders at the PG position, and they both play similar defense. Playing the passing lanes well.ย The Celtics would get another scorer and a better building block with Westbrook.ย Rondo would be reunited with Perkins and hopefully get his mojo back.ย
2. New Orleans Hornets
Westbrook for Paul.ย The main hurdle to this would be convincing Westbrook to sign a long-term deal with the Hornets.ย But as I stated earlier, I think Paul would feel great about signing on long term with the Thunder.
1. New Jersey Nets
This is the one that makes the most sense to me.ย Again, the Nets are hoping to convince Deron Williams to stay, but what are they going to use to lure him? Dwight Howard? There's no sure thing, so why not get a young, hungry point guard that wants the bright lights, the big stage of playing in New York and putting an entire franchise on his shoulders.ย
This would be everything that Westbrook wants.ย And the Thunder would be getting one of the best facilitators in the game in Deron Williams. A proven all-star. A guy that can average 20-10.ย Can hit the big shot if asked, but doesn't have to hit the big shot.ย Is accustomed to a smaller market and apparently doesn't like a ton of attention.ย Someone who just wants to win.ย ย Westbrook for D-Will makes the most sense to me out of any trade I have proposed thus far.
3. Chicago Bulls
28 of 30
"Hey thanks for all the screaming in the playoffs Boozer. That's why we brought you here." Derrick Rose.
As an outsider.ย The Bulls didn't get beat down by the Heat. All the games were close except the one game they actually won and blew the Heat out by 20-plus. I wrote an article already on what they should do which you can read here.
Plus, their team didn't get to play together for more than 15 games probably during the regular season. A lot of injuries and shuffling of the lineup.ย They brought in a new head coach and nine new players. They overachieved but showed that with some experience under their belts they could win the title next year.ย So don't panic.
As a Bulls fan.ย I'm panicked. TRADE BOOZER FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!ย ย He doesn't belong on this team. He is selfish. Injury Prone. Soft. A front runner.ย Get him out of here.ย Getting Dwight would also be on my list.ย But in order to do that, we would have to dump Boozer's contract for practically nothing. Clear him off the books and take nothing back past 2011-2012 season.ย That way you'd have enough cap space to go after Howard legitimately.
Now you could say that's a big risk to take. Whose to say Howard would sign here?ย Ask D-Rose. They're friends.ย D-Rose asks Dwight, "Hey we should play together. If I can get Garpax to clear some salary cap space, would you sign with us?"ย Isn't that how Miami was constructed?ย It's not tampering apparently. So go for it.
2. Miami Heat
29 of 30
Don't get injured.ย They just need to stay the course.ย Re-sign Chalmers, hope that some younger free agents will want to sign with them.ย They really really really need the mid-level exception to stay.ย If it leaves, then they will most likely need to trade Mike Miller or more realistically, Udonis Haslem to bring in a few younger pieces that cost less.
Don't panic. You guys still have two of the top five players in the league.ย Arguably No. 1 and No. 2.
1. Dallas Mavericks
30 of 30
Give that man a raise. Damn Terry was cold blooded in that closeout game.ย Dude backed up his talk.ย Gotta hand it to him.
Resigning Caron Butler, JJ Barea and Tyson Chandler is the smart thing to do.ย Using Roddy Beaubois to get someone take Brendan Haywoods' awful contract is another thing to consider.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
