SameOldNudityDrew wrote:If We Thought We Had a Chance
Millsap-Just a very good all-around player, but he'd be expensive.
Ibaka-Great fit, but do we want to spend that much money?
Defenders
PJ Tucker-I really love that guy.
Tony Allen-Doubt he'd leave Memphis.
Thabo Sefalosha-A little too one-dimensional for me.
Versatile Two Way Players
James Johnson-Brings passing and defense and we need both.
Joe Ingles-Really versatile glue guy, but he's a restricted free agent, so he's probably expensive.
Reliable PF Depth
Ilyasova-Pretty underrated player IMO. Solid stretch 4.
Gibson-Solid two-way player, like his hustle, history with Thibs.
I like your breakdown, Drew.
Regarding the two top-tier names, I don't think we have a realistic chance of signing either Millsap or Ibaka. But I'd definitely like to see us sign one of them.
Among the defenders, I wouldn't want Tony Allen even if he was intersted in leaving Memphis. His age and injury history seem to be catching up with him. I like both Tucker and Thabo, but I'd lean forwards Thabo because I think he'd come much cheaper. But I'm not sure I'd want any of the three you listed in the defender group. We already have two offensively-challenged players in Ricky and Kris Dunn. Ideally, if we're going to spend a lot of money on a FA and give that player a lot of minutes, he should be a two-way player. Admittedly, both Tucker nad Thabo can hit threes in the mid-30% range, but they are both mainly one-way defensive players.
Regarding the two-ways players, I agree that Ingles would likely be too expensive as a restricted FA. Jame Johnson had a good season, but I quesiton his motor. So I'd pass on him as well. I think you should have included Redick in this group. We need three-point shooting and he's one of the bettter ones in the League, but he's also a decent defender. I think he'll be very expensive -- perhaps too expensive for what he would bring.
As for the reliable PF category, I'd opt for Ilyasova. I agree he's underrated and he fits the modern stretch-4 that is so important to winning in today's NBA. I suppose he could be considered redundant given Belly's presence. But I'm worried that Belly's foot issue might be a problem. I guess I'd be OK with Gibson, but I wouldn't be thrilled. My guess is we'll end up with him.
I agree with the original post and a lot of what Lip said here. I like Illyasova. I worry about Belly's foot also. Regardless havinf both Belly and Illyasova healthy would be a great problem to have. If the Raps go all in on Ibaka Patterson would be looking for a new team. He doesn't thrill me but I think he would be really quality depth giving this team a true perimeter oriented PF that can play D and shoot 3's. he isn't as dynamic offensively but it seems he is considered a better defender than say Illyasova.
If OKC doesn't sign Gibson I would think the Wolves have a very good shot at him. In other words we will probably have to throw money at him than OKC is willing to do. Depending on the number and length of contract I may be up for that. I think Gibson brings so much this team needs as a vet etc plus has history with Thibs. If the Wolves overpay for a vet I would be more excited about Gibson than some of the other non top tier guys. I've been a fan of his since researching him that year in the draft so I'm biased.
TheFuture wrote:I can't find the article, but it detailed about there being far less money this summer vs. last summer. Take into account teams seeing the affect of those bad deals last year and I wouldn't be surprised to see more palatable contracts than what has been expected. The top tier guys will surely get paid (we won't get one), the rest should be manageable.
if ATL doesn't bring back Milsap I see us in the driver's seat
2 year max and Id love it. 3 would be okay. 4+ is a bit worrisome.
I'd say 2 good players may make more sense for us instead of one star - unless that star is a younger type like Hayward.The 2 contracts would be easier to move as well if they don't work out.
SameOldNudityDrew wrote:If We Thought We Had a Chance
Millsap-Just a very good all-around player, but he'd be expensive.
Ibaka-Great fit, but do we want to spend that much money?
Defenders
PJ Tucker-I really love that guy.
Tony Allen-Doubt he'd leave Memphis.
Thabo Sefalosha-A little too one-dimensional for me.
Versatile Two Way Players
James Johnson-Brings passing and defense and we need both.
Joe Ingles-Really versatile glue guy, but he's a restricted free agent, so he's probably expensive.
Reliable PF Depth
Ilyasova-Pretty underrated player IMO. Solid stretch 4.
Gibson-Solid two-way player, like his hustle, history with Thibs.
I like your breakdown, Drew.
Regarding the two top-tier names, I don't think we have a realistic chance of signing either Millsap or Ibaka. But I'd definitely like to see us sign one of them.
Among the defenders, I wouldn't want Tony Allen even if he was intersted in leaving Memphis. His age and injury history seem to be catching up with him. I like both Tucker and Thabo, but I'd lean forwards Thabo because I think he'd come much cheaper. But I'm not sure I'd want any of the three you listed in the defender group. We already have two offensively-challenged players in Ricky and Kris Dunn. Ideally, if we're going to spend a lot of money on a FA and give that player a lot of minutes, he should be a two-way player. Admittedly, both Tucker nad Thabo can hit threes in the mid-30% range, but they are both mainly one-way defensive players.
Regarding the two-ways players, I agree that Ingles would likely be too expensive as a restricted FA. Jame Johnson had a good season, but I quesiton his motor. So I'd pass on him as well. I think you should have included Redick in this group. We need three-point shooting and he's one of the bettter ones in the League, but he's also a decent defender. I think he'll be very expensive -- perhaps too expensive for what he would bring.
As for the reliable PF category, I'd opt for Ilyasova. I agree he's underrated and he fits the modern stretch-4 that is so important to winning in today's NBA. I suppose he could be considered redundant given Belly's presence. But I'm worried that Belly's foot issue might be a problem. I guess I'd be OK with Gibson, but I wouldn't be thrilled. My guess is we'll end up with him.
I agree with the original post and a lot of what Lip said here. I like Illyasova. I worry about Belly's foot also. Regardless havinf both Belly and Illyasova healthy would be a great problem to have. If the Raps go all in on Ibaka Patterson would be looking for a new team. He doesn't thrill me but I think he would be really quality depth giving this team a true perimeter oriented PF that can play D and shoot 3's. he isn't as dynamic offensively but it seems he is considered a better defender than say Illyasova.
If OKC doesn't sign Gibson I would think the Wolves have a very good shot at him. In other words we will probably have to throw money at him than OKC is willing to do. Depending on the number and length of contract I may be up for that. I think Gibson brings so much this team needs as a vet etc plus has history with Thibs. If the Wolves overpay for a vet I would be more excited about Gibson than some of the other non top tier guys. I've been a fan of his since researching him that year in the draft so I'm biased.
I'm not a fan of signing Gibson. At this point he has very marginal impact on either end. He does nothing very well, and has no outside game. If we sign a PF it should be to supplant Gorgui (Millsap, ibaka), otherwise I'd opt for a 3/4 type who can give us options like James johnson.
Last year the majority (not me) seemed to be jonesing for Horford and Deng. Well Deng was a bust even earllier than i predicted, and Horford can't keep his team within 40 points of the Cavaliers. My point is I'm not in love with giving anyone max years and money, including Milsap and Ibaka. Neither can take you from a good team to a great team and they haven't lifted their current teams to anything special. I'd rather find lower cost guys who can give you a certain skill or intangible. Guys who you don't have to give more than 2-3 years. Shooting and toughness are the skill and intangible i'd most be looking for.
CoolBreeze44 wrote:Last year the majority (not me) seemed to be jonesing for Horford and Deng. Well Deng was a bust even earllier than i predicted, and Horford can't keep his team within 40 points of the Cavaliers. My point is I'm not in love with giving anyone max years and money, including Milsap and Ibaka. Neither can take you from a good team to a great team and they haven't lifted their current teams to anything special. I'd rather find lower cost guys who can give you a certain skill or intangible. Guys who you don't have to give more than 2-3 years. Shooting and toughness are the skill and intangible i'd most be looking for.
This is pretty much where I'm at, Cool. As I've probably repeated too often, this team will only go as far as its young core. If we can't count on at least two of them to become the elite players they were expected to eventually be when drafted, then we're not going to become a championship contender andI don't see a free agent savior who can change that. We should draft the player with the highest upside at #7 as another potential all-star caliber player. And we should use free agency to add non-max players who add toughness and shooting.
60WinTim---Hey! Don't sleep on Luc Mbah a Moute, who will surely decline his player option and become a FA. He would be a solid addition (again!).
Serious question - I have a man crush on OG Anunoby, because we are so challenged defensively. Is OG better than LUC, or should we take this post seriously and sign Luc. I read where OG can guard 5 positions, and I have visions of Kawai dancing in my head. Perhaps I'm not being realistic.
CoolBreeze44 wrote:Last year the majority (not me) seemed to be jonesing for Horford and Deng. Well Deng was a bust even earllier than i predicted, and Horford can't keep his team within 40 points of the Cavaliers. My point is I'm not in love with giving anyone max years and money, including Milsap and Ibaka. Neither can take you from a good team to a great team and they haven't lifted their current teams to anything special. I'd rather find lower cost guys who can give you a certain skill or intangible. Guys who you don't have to give more than 2-3 years. Shooting and toughness are the skill and intangible i'd most be looking for.
This is pretty much where I'm at, Cool. As I've probably repeated too often, this team will only go as far as its young core. If we can't count on at least two of them to become the elite players they were expected to eventually be when drafted, then we're not going to become a championship contender andI don't see a free agent savior who can change that. We should draft the player with the highest upside at #7 as another potential all-star caliber player. And we should use free agency to add non-max players who add toughness and shooting.
Yeah we're on the same page Lip. For a market like ours, you just have to hit on your draft picks. The pick this year is huge. And I think the good news is you can find a very good player at #7, maybe even the best player in the draft if you're smart and get a little lucky.
CoolBreeze44 wrote:Last year the majority (not me) seemed to be jonesing for Horford and Deng. Well Deng was a bust even earllier than i predicted, and Horford can't keep his team within 40 points of the Cavaliers. My point is I'm not in love with giving anyone max years and money, including Milsap and Ibaka. Neither can take you from a good team to a great team and they haven't lifted their current teams to anything special. I'd rather find lower cost guys who can give you a certain skill or intangible. Guys who you don't have to give more than 2-3 years. Shooting and toughness are the skill and intangible i'd most be looking for.
I think the Horford signing was great. It's only that they still needed one more star at that point. Horford brought them from a mid level playoff team to the conference finals and the top seed in the east. They have the top pick this year and maybe next. There is nothing wrong with Boston's trajectory or what we can learn from it. Always acquire as much of the best talent as you can. If the best talent is cheaper younger guys fine. But settling for lower level talent is not a good plan for this offseason in my mind. The Deng issue was more because his talent is gone. Horford was great this season for what he added to that team.
CoolBreeze44 wrote:Last year the majority (not me) seemed to be jonesing for Horford and Deng. Well Deng was a bust even earllier than i predicted, and Horford can't keep his team within 40 points of the Cavaliers. My point is I'm not in love with giving anyone max years and money, including Milsap and Ibaka. Neither can take you from a good team to a great team and they haven't lifted their current teams to anything special. I'd rather find lower cost guys who can give you a certain skill or intangible. Guys who you don't have to give more than 2-3 years. Shooting and toughness are the skill and intangible i'd most be looking for.
I think the Horford signing was great. It's only that they still needed one more star at that point. Horford brought them from a mid level playoff team to the conference finals and the top seed in the east. They have the top pick this year and maybe next. There is nothing wrong with Boston's trajectory or what we can learn from it. Always acquire as much of the best talent as you can. If the best talent is cheaper younger guys fine. But settling for lower level talent is not a good plan for this offseason in my mind. The Deng issue was more because his talent is gone. Horford was great this season for what he added to that team.
Horford's a good player and that's about it. And the C's are still light years away from the top 3 teams in the league. How great of a signing could it have been?
