The Guys We're NOT Talking About

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I guess regardless of the cap jump, $7M is still $7M. That isn't chump change. And since everyone else's spending power goes up too, it's all relative. Small details matter. I think it would be sloppy cap management to pick up his option, unless the front office is very confident in his ability to develop. All indications are Flip didn't like what he saw. If he did, Payne wouldn't be on the roster and the chatter of signing Bjelica wouldn't be happening. So if anything, Flip has validated the impatience exhibited by the fans you are so frustrated with (and my guess is that Cam leads the pack since he has been so vociferous in his animosity toward Bennett).

I do agree with the sentiment that we don't HAVE to do anything now. I'm just trying to present hypotheticals to SJM to see how he would respond.

[mjs34]

I am conflicted with AB. On one hand I see the lack of motivation and focus, and wonder if he will ever be more than Derrick Williams, but I also see a full tool box when it comes to skills.

I think it was really unfair for Flip to expect a 20 year old PF to be putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket. That is something that comes with confidence and experience. Flip's system didn't promote that either, and with Mo Williams consistently freezing out younger players, it made it impossible for Bennett to get touches on the low block (where he was getting position).

I would pickup his option if I was going to still be in the development mode, but unfortunately our coach is our POBO, and he just can't help himself. This is why Flip shouldn't hold both positions. I would like to see them give Bennett big minutes early on and see how he handles it. I think he is more fragile mentally and needs that vote of confidence from the coaching staff. Absent of that, we might as well move him, but he has almost no value to any team without the option. Who wants to put time into a young player who will be a FA.

I have no problem with the money side because we aren't going to be a contender for at least a couple of seasons.

So if you were Flip, would you or wouldn't you pick up his option? And if you did pick up his option, what would you do about KG and Bjelica, because I can pretty much guarantee you those two would be ahead of him in the rotation based on merit. That's an awful lot of money to pay a 3rd string PF. So I guess you would look to trade the rights to Bjelica?

I would pickup his option, but I wouldn't be concerned with KG because his minutes will likely be limited on a game to game basis, and will likely sit out quite a few games. Not sure what merit your speaking of with respect to Bjelica. He was a Euro MVP, which means absolutely nothing in the NBA. I'm excited to see what he has, but I am not penciling him in at this point.

What if Bjelica isn't any better than Bennett or Payne. Isn't the MLE a lot to pay a 3rd or 4th string PF as well. I just don't think we can factor KG into the equation much because this is likely his last year if he re-signs. Bottom line is that Flip put himself in this situation by not playing Bennett more at the start of the year. Instead he somehow failed to see the poor defense and offense being played by Thad, and continued to play him huge minutes.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I guess regardless of the cap jump, $7M is still $7M. That isn't chump change. And since everyone else's spending power goes up too, it's all relative. Small details matter. I think it would be sloppy cap management to pick up his option, unless the front office is very confident in his ability to develop. All indications are Flip didn't like what he saw. If he did, Payne wouldn't be on the roster and the chatter of signing Bjelica wouldn't be happening. So if anything, Flip has validated the impatience exhibited by the fans you are so frustrated with (and my guess is that Cam leads the pack since he has been so vociferous in his animosity toward Bennett).

I do agree with the sentiment that we don't HAVE to do anything now. I'm just trying to present hypotheticals to SJM to see how he would respond.

7 million isn't chump change but you have to have a plan to use it or what's the point of freeing the space over seeing if it clicks with a good prospect? Especially when there is a high likelihood that time will be opening up at his position when KG retires. That's where the cap jump does come in. The 7 million isn't needed space as of now to do anything to make the team better. That will be there regardless if we keep Bennett or not. Money should be a nonfactor for turning down the option because Glenn has plenty of it and keeping Bennett is not restricting us in any way from improving the roster through free agency. There needs to be a higher purpose to dumping him than to just clear cap space and a roster spot because right now both are going to be there with or without Bennett.

[mjs34]

I guess regardless of the cap jump, $7M is still $7M. That isn't chump change. And since everyone else's spending power goes up too, it's all relative. Small details matter. I think it would be sloppy cap management to pick up his option, unless the front office is very confident in his ability to develop. All indications are Flip didn't like what he saw. If he did, Payne wouldn't be on the roster and the chatter of signing Bjelica wouldn't be happening. So if anything, Flip has validated the impatience exhibited by the fans you are so frustrated with (and my guess is that Cam leads the pack since he has been so vociferous in his animosity toward Bennett).

I do agree with the sentiment that we don't HAVE to do anything now. I'm just trying to present hypotheticals to SJM to see how he would respond.

Why would you expect anything other than that from our FO. They re-signed both Pek and Bud to long deals at over priced salaries while both were coming off injuries. Why start worrying about the cap now?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I guess regardless of the cap jump, $7M is still $7M. That isn't chump change. And since everyone else's spending power goes up too, it's all relative. Small details matter. I think it would be sloppy cap management to pick up his option, unless the front office is very confident in his ability to develop. All indications are Flip didn't like what he saw. If he did, Payne wouldn't be on the roster and the chatter of signing Bjelica wouldn't be happening. So if anything, Flip has validated the impatience exhibited by the fans you are so frustrated with (and my guess is that Cam leads the pack since he has been so vociferous in his animosity toward Bennett).

I do agree with the sentiment that we don't HAVE to do anything now. I'm just trying to present hypotheticals to SJM to see how he would respond.

Why would you expect anything other than that from our FO. They re-signed both Pek and Bud to long deals at over priced salaries while both were coming off injuries. Why start worrying about the cap now?

Because two wrongs don't make a right? And three wrongs really don't make a right! Also, we were in a "win now" mode when those signings took place.

[mjs34]

I guess regardless of the cap jump, $7M is still $7M. That isn't chump change. And since everyone else's spending power goes up too, it's all relative. Small details matter. I think it would be sloppy cap management to pick up his option, unless the front office is very confident in his ability to develop. All indications are Flip didn't like what he saw. If he did, Payne wouldn't be on the roster and the chatter of signing Bjelica wouldn't be happening. So if anything, Flip has validated the impatience exhibited by the fans you are so frustrated with (and my guess is that Cam leads the pack since he has been so vociferous in his animosity toward Bennett).

I do agree with the sentiment that we don't HAVE to do anything now. I'm just trying to present hypotheticals to SJM to see how he would respond.

Why would you expect anything other than that from our FO. They re-signed both Pek and Bud to long deals at over priced salaries while both were coming off injuries. Why start worrying about the cap now?

Because two wrongs don't make a right? And three wrongs really don't make a right! Also, we were in a "win now" mode when those signings took place.

That makes it worse, doesn't it?

We aren't really worried about the cap for the next couple of seasons in my estimation.

[60WinTim]

Ugh! Free agency hasn't even begun and the best we can come up with is debating the merits of Anthony Bennett. It's gonna be a LOOOONG summer... :-(

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

It makes it worse in hindsight because we didn't actually win. So now their contracts crossed over into a yet another re-re-re-build. Yes, of course it looks bad now that we have the benefit of having witnessed the future!

We should almost always be worried about the cap. It's imprudent not to be worried.

(and if you were to talk to the real "bulls" on this forum, such as LST and 60WinTim, they may convince you that we WILL be competing for a playoff spot within the next year or two).

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Ugh! Free agency hasn't even begun and the best we can come up with is debating the merits of Anthony Bennett. It's gonna be a LOOOONG summer... :-(

Someone has to stir the pot on AB now that Cam has left the board!

(besides, I'm just assisting Gymrat. He's the real problem!)

[mjs34]

Ugh! Free agency hasn't even begun and the best we can come up with is debating the merits of Anthony Bennett. It's gonna be a LOOOONG summer... :-(

Someone has to stir the pot on AB now that Cam has left the board!

(besides, I'm just assisting Gymrat. He's the real problem!)

Come on Q, step up and actually take a stand! :)

I agree about being prudent with regard to the cap, but Flip doesn't seem to know which direction the team is going in. He never should have made the deal for Thad, and then compounded it with the Payne trade. It's like he isn't even looking two months into the future. Shouldn't he have known last season that Bjelica was coming over? And if he did, why make the move for Payne at all. The season was already gone at that point. He should have just rolled with Jeff Adrien.

With KG's age and Pek's history, I would have no problem rolling with seven bigs to start the season. Bjelica may be getting time at the 3 as well. Maybe we send AB down to the D league as others have suggested (not that I even know what team that is anymore).