Which shooters do we target in free agency?

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I'd pass on Taj as I think he'd cost too much and we already have Gorgui who is a younger guy with more range. Given the trend towards small ball and 3 point shooting, I'm sure we can find an adequate defensive big in the free agent market that won't cost anywhere near what I think Gibson would want.

[Lipoli390]

Taj Gibson makes a lot of sense provided he isn't looking to break the bank.

I'm not sure he does anymore.....It almost feels like every free agent we go after has to be at least a passable 3-point threat. That's not Taj. Ibaka, Jar Green, Patrick Patterson....

I agree, Q. I like TeamRicky's list as guys that make the most sense.

[Lipoli390]

Yeah, I'd like to see Butler off the ball a bit more now that he has KAT and Wiggins and run sets with him in the corner. He is a career 43% shooter from the corners, but he had the ball on the wing so often in Chicago, initiating the offense, that I don't think he got a ton of looks from the corners the last couple years.

And by the way, guess what Wiggins career % is on the corner 3? 40%.

So I think Thibs needs to find ways to develop sets where one of these two is in the corner and the other is operating on the wing or at the top of the key to break down the defense. They have to find ways to manufacture quality 3-point looks since they don't have a natural sniper on the roster (yet). Getting these guys a larger % of corner looks would help and they can do that now since they have help around them.

I get the value of Butler spotting up in the corner given his 43% average from that location. But I'd much rather have the ball in Butler's hands (if not in Ricky's hands) because Butler is a good ballhandler and very good passer with an excellent feel for the game. I believe he averaged around 5 assists per game last season. I see Butler's presence improving Wiggins offense by creating more slashing and spot-up opportunities for Wig. The more I think about this deal, the more excited I get.

[Lipoli390]

Does Jamychal Green not make a ton of sense now for a 15-20 mil per contract?

Rubio/Wiggins/Butler/Green/Towns starting

I wasn't a huge fan of signing Ibaka, but his shooting makes more sense than ever at this point. But yeah, Ibaka or Ja Green seem like great PF candidates.

I am worried about our depth now, and of course 3pt shooting. We didn't address the PF spot, opened a hole at backup PG, and still lack a bench all with 10 mil less to spend. Not sure how we fill out at backup pg, sg, sf, or PF now as Dieng really should be our 1st big off the bench. Thins must be considering moving forward with Belly starting at PF?

Rubio/?/Tyus
Wiggins/?
Butler/?
Belly/Dieng/Patton
Towns/Dieng/Aldrich/Patton

Any injury is difficult to overcome, but we will really feel it now. Not to mention that Jimmy averages 15 missed games a year. That's tough to overcome in the West. Ricky is likely good for near 10 games missed as well.

I do like our 2 undrafted signings and our invitation to Burton for summer league. Really wished we had bought that pick for Bell..

Actually, based on his history, Ricky will either miss 40+ games or no more than 3-4 games. Ricky's injury history is different from Butler's. Ricky has had two traumatic injuries --- one his knee, the other his ankle -- that kept him out for the better part of a season. Otherwise, he doesn't' have a lot of smaller injuries that keep him out for short stretches. Butler's had a number of smaller issues that have led to more frequent but shorter absences. Butler was an iron man last season for the Bulls and Ricky had a short stretch of missed games with an elbow issue. So the trend with both is good. Let's hope both remain healthy.

[slimcalhoun27 [enjin:6640095]]

I'm looking at guys that are 3 and D types that may be willing to accept a backup role. Moe Harkless, James Johnson, Luke Babbitt, James Ennis, Jonathan Simmons, Mike Muscala, CJ Miles, Mario Chalmers are some names that come to mind.

Best value in the league right now for a 3 and D is Aminu. He can hit that shot, and his defense is a huge reason Blazers made a push when Nurkic came in last season. His salary is nothing....I would call Portland today and trade a protected 1st for him or salary relief.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I'm looking at guys that are 3 and D types that may be willing to accept a backup role. Moe Harkless, James Johnson, Luke Babbitt, James Ennis, Jonathan Simmons, Mike Muscala, CJ Miles, Mario Chalmers are some names that come to mind.

Best value in the league right now for a 3 and D is Aminu. He can hit that shot, and his defense is a huge reason Blazers made a push when Nurkic came in last season. His salary is nothing....I would call Portland today and trade a protected 1st for him or salary relief.

I like Aminu, but I don't want to give up a first round pick to get him. I want to sign a free agent who wants to be here, not give up a pick for someone who may not like being a backup and is a high risk to bolt once his contract is up.

[Monster]

I'm looking at guys that are 3 and D types that may be willing to accept a backup role. Moe Harkless, James Johnson, Luke Babbitt, James Ennis, Jonathan Simmons, Mike Muscala, CJ Miles, Mario Chalmers are some names that come to mind.

Best value in the league right now for a 3 and D is Aminu. He can hit that shot, and his defense is a huge reason Blazers made a push when Nurkic came in last season. His salary is nothing....I would call Portland today and trade a protected 1st for him or salary relief.

I like Aminu, but I don't want to give up a first round pick to get him. I want to sign a free agent who wants to be here, not pay a pick for someone who may not like being a backup and is a high risk to bolt once his contract is up.

Aminu is a terrific contract. On his 3 point shooting...he has only shot over 33% from 3 once.

I'm still firmly believing we need to find our own Crowder Aminu harmkess type guy not pay up to get one from another team.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I'm looking at guys that are 3 and D types that may be willing to accept a backup role. Moe Harkless, James Johnson, Luke Babbitt, James Ennis, Jonathan Simmons, Mike Muscala, CJ Miles, Mario Chalmers are some names that come to mind.

Best value in the league right now for a 3 and D is Aminu. He can hit that shot, and his defense is a huge reason Blazers made a push when Nurkic came in last season. His salary is nothing....I would call Portland today and trade a protected 1st for him or salary relief.

I like Aminu, but I don't want to give up a first round pick to get him. I want to sign a free agent who wants to be here, not pay a pick for someone who may not like being a backup and is a high risk to bolt once his contract is up.

Aminu is a terrific contract. On his 3 point shooting...he has only shot over 33% from 3 once.

I'm still firmly believing we need to find our own Crowder Aminu harmkess type guy not pay up to get one from another team.

I'm all for taking Harkless as Portland may just want to shed salary. Same goes for DeMarre Carroll. Toronto will need to shed salary to resign both Lowry and Ibaka. Not willing to give up a first rounder to get a player when there are lots of useful free agents that won't cost us a pick and they shouldn't break the bank since there aren't nearly as many teams that have capspace to spend.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

I'm looking at guys that are 3 and D types that may be willing to accept a backup role. Moe Harkless, James Johnson, Luke Babbitt, James Ennis, Jonathan Simmons, Mike Muscala, CJ Miles, Mario Chalmers are some names that come to mind.

Best value in the league right now for a 3 and D is Aminu. He can hit that shot, and his defense is a huge reason Blazers made a push when Nurkic came in last season. His salary is nothing....I would call Portland today and trade a protected 1st for him or salary relief.

I like Aminu, but I don't want to give up a first round pick to get him. I want to sign a free agent who wants to be here, not pay a pick for someone who may not like being a backup and is a high risk to bolt once his contract is up.

Aminu is a terrific contract. On his 3 point shooting...he has only shot over 33% from 3 once.

I'm still firmly believing we need to find our own Crowder Aminu harmkess type guy not pay up to get one from another team.

I'm all for taking Harkless as Portland may just want to shed salary. Same goes for DeMarre Carroll. Toronto will need to shed salary to resign both Lowry and Ibaka. Not willing to give up a first rounder to get a player when there are lots of useful free agents that won't cost us a pick and they shouldn't break the bank since there aren't nearly as many teams that have capspace to spend.

I like that approach as well. Carrol would be an outstanding get.

[thedoper]

I don't think Taj would be bad if we coupled that signing with a shooter. Our bigs are still a bit soft. We need a banger along with 3 pt shooting. If a big could give us both that would be great. Reddick would be great if we could afford him. I don't know if we could. Ibaka or Gallanari could cover a lot of points for their versatility. Gallo and Bazz on the cheap would work for me, though that would be tough on D.