Make your Free Agent Pick: Who you got?

[Coolbreeze44]

I'd happily welcome Horford to the squad, as he would surely be a big asset and advance our development. I wouldn't so happily pay him max $$, but it's probably what you have to do. But given that, I'd at least kick the tires on Durant. I mean if you're going to spend max money on a free agent, why not give it the guy who can make the biggest impact? Is it realistic? Maybe, maybe not. I have to believe Durant is most interested in winning a title at this point in his career. And make no mistake about it, with Durant we are an instant contender. We wouldn't win it next year because there is still a process to becoming a champion, but would anyone bet against us winning it within 3 years? KD is THE perfect fit for us: Veteran, 3 point shooter extraordinaire, in his prime years. He would dwarf what Horford's potential impact would be. Maybe Thibs can do some schmoozing in RIO this summer, stranger things have happened.

[Duke13]

News flash, Horford would also be unplayable against GS.

[thedoper]

I'd happily welcome Horford to the squad, as he would surely be a big asset and advance our development. I wouldn't so happily pay him max $$, but it's probably what you have to do. But given that, I'd at least kick the tires on Durant. I mean if you're going to spend max money on a free agent, why not give it the guy who can make the biggest impact? Is it realistic? Maybe, maybe not. I have to believe Durant is most interested in winning a title at this point in his career. And make no mistake about it, with Durant we are an instant contender. We wouldn't win it next year because there is still a process to becoming a champion, but would anyone bet against us winning it within 3 years? KD is THE perfect fit for us: Veteran, 3 point shooter extraordinaire, in his prime years. He would dwarf what Horford's potential impact would be. Maybe Thibs can do some schmoozing in RIO this summer, stranger things have happened.

I left Durant off my list only because I assumed it was unrealistic. The first step is the Math. If they can afford it, now is the year as I see if for a big Max deal, the cap is going up it is advantageous to get in now. I agree if we have decided that we can afford a max, Durant would be the first ask. I just assumed we would be nowhere in the running there.

My point is more that I want to hear our name in the conversation for real free agents this summer. If we don't get them fine, but there is no reason we shouldn't be seeking an audience with these top name guys. If the economics don't work for a max deal fine, but I don't see how we can't or shouldn't be more aggressive this summer. Strike while the iron is hot. We just got universally recognized for making some bold moves. Let's not settle.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

Not the same thing. I would have stood by Rubio even without the "hot" shooting to end the season because of all the other things he does really well. There's years of evidence on that, not just 36 games. I wouldn't let 36 games alter my decision making when you could get an All-Star player that fits perfectly with the rest of the team. That's super risky, IMO.

And you have to realize that that starting lineup that included Dieng was awful defensively, and not effective against teams with bigger frontcourts or teams that had a play-making PF. Dieng was unplayable against Golden State when we beat them. Horford/Towns would be really hard to stop, but still be able to match up with any frontcourt in the league. That's ideal.

I understand your point about defense, but Thibs has a great track record of building great defenses. I think he can improve what we have. I also think Deng's ability to play the 4 is what makes him intruiging to me. I think he will do well against the small ball 4 teams like Golden State. We can agree to disagree. It's an exciting time to be a fan, that's for sure.

[Coolbreeze44]

I'd happily welcome Horford to the squad, as he would surely be a big asset and advance our development. I wouldn't so happily pay him max $$, but it's probably what you have to do. But given that, I'd at least kick the tires on Durant. I mean if you're going to spend max money on a free agent, why not give it the guy who can make the biggest impact? Is it realistic? Maybe, maybe not. I have to believe Durant is most interested in winning a title at this point in his career. And make no mistake about it, with Durant we are an instant contender. We wouldn't win it next year because there is still a process to becoming a champion, but would anyone bet against us winning it within 3 years? KD is THE perfect fit for us: Veteran, 3 point shooter extraordinaire, in his prime years. He would dwarf what Horford's potential impact would be. Maybe Thibs can do some schmoozing in RIO this summer, stranger things have happened.

I left Durant off my list only because I assumed it was unrealistic. The first step is the Math. If they can afford it, now is the year as I see if for a big Max deal, the cap is going up it is advantageous to get in now. I agree if we have decided that we can afford a max, Durant would be the first ask. I just assumed we would be nowhere in the running there.

My point is more that I want to hear our name in the conversation for real free agents this summer. If we don't get them fine, but there is no reason we shouldn't be seeking an audience with these top name guys. If the economics don't work for a max deal fine, but I don't see how we can't or shouldn't be more aggressive this summer. Strike while the iron is hot. We just got universally recognized for making some bold moves. Let's not settle.

Yeah Doper I agree, my point is we should at least kick the tires before we throw the same contract at Horford.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

News flash, Horford would also be unplayable against GS.

He played two games against them this year. Averaged 20.0 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 4.5 APG in 40.5 MPG. Not exactly unplayable... Nice try, though.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I would not be opposed at all at kicking the tires on Durant. My God, are you kidding me!? That would rank right up there with KAT and Thibs, if not higher, in terms of awesome things this franchise has done in the past year.

However....guess whose career trajectory gets a stiff arm on that move? Andrew Wiggins. Frankly, I'd be shopping Wiggins for an upgrade somewhere else on the roster if we landed Durant. Not because I don't like Wiggins, simply because his full value as a player would not be fulfilled with Durant added to the team. He needs to go to a place where he is either the 1A or 1B scorer.

[Duke13]

You would go that route, point is two bigs get ran off the court against GS more times than not.

[Coolbreeze44]

I would not be opposed at all at kicking the tires on Durant. My God, are you kidding me!? That would rank right up there with KAT and Thibs, if not higher, in terms of awesome things this franchise has done in the past year.

However....guess whose career trajectory gets a stiff arm on that move? Andrew Wiggins. Frankly, I'd be shopping Wiggins for an upgrade somewhere else on the roster if we landed Durant. Not because I don't like Wiggins, simply because his full value as a player would not be fulfilled with Durant added to the team. He needs to go to a place where he is either the 1A or 1B scorer.

Wiggins starts at the 2 where he has a huge advantage, and with KD, Wig, and Zach we have by far the best wing rotation in the league. No reason to trade Wig because he might get a few less shots.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I would not be opposed at all at kicking the tires on Durant. My God, are you kidding me!? That would rank right up there with KAT and Thibs, if not higher, in terms of awesome things this franchise has done in the past year.

However....guess whose career trajectory gets a stiff arm on that move? Andrew Wiggins. Frankly, I'd be shopping Wiggins for an upgrade somewhere else on the roster if we landed Durant. Not because I don't like Wiggins, simply because his full value as a player would not be fulfilled with Durant added to the team. He needs to go to a place where he is either the 1A or 1B scorer.

Wiggins starts at the 2 where he has a huge advantage, and with KD, Wig, and Zach we have by far the best wing rotation in the league. No reason to trade Wig because he might get a few less shots.

I hear you, but let's think about this from his agent's perspective. Now suddenly it's all about KAT and Durant. Wiggins becomes a 3rd or 4th wheel in that scenario along with LaVine. Yes, these guys are good team players and want to win, but they are still on their rookie contracts and trying to establish themselves in the league. If we add Durant, one or both of these guys would be unhappy in my opinion and likely request a trade. It's too many guys whose greatest strength is scoring. Wiggins isn't an Iggy, Marion, Pippen, Draymond jack-of-all trades type of player that can fill in all the gaps around multiple scorers. He needs to be one of those scorers. Same with LaVine. Same with Shabazz.