Minnesota Sports Forum

Hicks123 wrote:Hey Q,
I know we have discussed those couple players. Was more interested in hearing how people would go about it.
But I will disagree that JaMychal Green is a starter for us. No way he is better suited to start over Dieng. He is actually precisely the guy I stay away from. He will likely get $15MM+, and is a mediocre at best 26 year old player. He is not upside....he is simply an average player. That's exactly my pointnin original thread. He simply doesn't move the needle, so why spend the money? Yeah, Ibaka and Milsap would both be great, but I am not convinced we can get either.

Hicks, I agree that JaMychal Green isn't the most sexy of free agents out there. But that might just be what makes him attractive to a lot of folks here. He's a blue-collar guy that cut his teeth in the Memphis culture, which is all about defense, toughness, and grinding things out. He's a good rebounder and can hit the 3-point shot. He also has a nice combination of size and mobility, such that he can mix it up in the paint while also guarding guys in space. He's also still reasonably young.

The other thing you have to consider when acquiring guys like Green, Tucker, Thabo, etc. is the domino effect to our bench. Let's say we add Green and Tucker to our starting lineup. Now you've got Dieng and Lavine coming off the bench and potentially playing more than just token bench minutes. We become a much deeper team.

Also, if a guy like Tucker or Thabo can take the opposing team's best wing and crash the defensive glass, does that have an effect on Wiggins' energy level on offense and defense? May be he finally scores more efficiently and hustles back in transition defense more often. May be we even see him make his first chase-down block of his career! (I'm still amazed that I have never seen him to this).

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.

Solid list Drew.

BloopOracle wrote:1-Milsap
2-Ibaka
3-Green
4-PJ Tucker
5-Gallinari

really like to get one of those 5 at least

then JJ reddick, taj j, Mirotic I guess

I figured are need for 3 point shooting is big, JJ should be at the top of the list IMO.

I'd stay away from James Johnson. This year reeks of a contract year bump in performance. He finally lost the weight he always needed to lose just in time for a new contract. Funny how that timing worked out.

khans2k5 wrote:I'd stay away from James Johnson. This year reeks of a contract year bump in performance. He finally lost the weight he always needed to lose just in time for a new contract. Funny how that timing worked out.

You have valid concerns. I'll say most of his stats (per 36) are in line with what he has done in his career except he hit his 3's this year. That's kind of a big deal whether he can hit them or not. He also stayed healthy which is a bit ironic considering all the injuries the Heat had. Maybe he got DNP'd some of his previous seasons but before this year his high of games played was 70 although he may have played most of the games of the lockout season he yeah that should be a concern if he missed most of those games due to injury. For me it comes down to what kind of money and length we are talking about.

I can't link to the twitter link because I'm at work but anyways it sounds like Serge Ibaka returning to the Raptors is as good as done

BloopOracle wrote:I can't link to the twitter link because I'm at work but anyways it sounds like Serge Ibaka returning to the Raptors is as good as done

It's not all bad if some of these guys stay with their teams especially if they get paid a bunch of money. That means one spot that is filled and likely means another player available.

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.

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

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.