Backup PGs?

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Anybody know who might be a good backup PG to sign for the vet minimum if we get an injury exception or release GRIII or Bud or something?

Off the top of my head (and with an assist from Google), here's who I know is out there and probably available (in no particular order, well, kind of).

A.J. Price (he'll already be familiar with sitting on our bench! and he's been playing with the Pacers so he's warmed up)
John Lucas III (because he's always on the list of backup PGs available)
Bassy Telfair! (just released by OKC, and I kinda miss him)
Jamal Tinsley (nice distributor, though he did have a 1.85 PER last year . . . which is not good even for 5 games)
Mike James (remember when people were actually excited we signed him, how much was that for???)
Earl Watson (saw him play when I lived in Memphis, weird shaped head)
Marquis Teague (not a vet, but he did play at Kentucky, then again he couldn't get any burn in Chicago with Rose out)
Eric Maynor (he went from "hey that guy's solid" to "hey he's on the Sixers" pretty fast, what happened?)
Oscar Bellfield? (yeah, I'd never heard of him either. He apparently passes well and is in the D League)
Boobie Gibson (could help us stretch the floor, but more shooter than distributor, did he and Mo get along?)

Ok, not an impressive list, although AJ seems to make the most sense. Anybody have Chauncey Billups' phone number?

[bleedspeed]

I would be happy to have Bassy back. I think he would be a good fit. He would get us in our offense, put the effort in on defense, and play hard. He might even be a good locker room guy for the young guys. He has been in the hype machine and worked to stay in the league.

I would likely release Turiaf for him. Then turn around offer Budinger to the Clippers for Hawes. They really need a wing and might bite once they can trade him.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Cutting anyone just for a backup PG to get us through December would be the dumbest thing ever. We don't need to win games for anything. We should take advantage of our ability to lose now so we don't drop out of the top 5 come draft time.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Gal Mekel. And I would definitely NOT release GRIII. Not a chance.

[Coolbreeze44]

Not in favor of tanking, but I agree with Khan on how dumb it would be to cut someone for a short term 3rd point guard.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

If Flip decided that getting a PG was our top priority, I would probably look at Will Bynum and Telfair. Both are seasoned NBA PGs who could help out until Ricky is back.

I tend to think center is our biggest issue though, and Flip needs to assess if and when Pek and Ronny will be able to play before he commits to fixing the PG problem. Playing Robbie Hummel at center to me is a bigger problem than playing Corey and Zach at PG.

But before Flip makes any personnel decision, he needs to decide if he is in "win now" or "long-term" mode. I'm not sure why he would be in "win now" mode, but if he was and he wasn't confident that Ronny was coming back soon, I would part ways with Ronny and GR3 (who can't find minutes even with 5-6 guys out) and get a backup center and PG. I would be looking at Aaron Gray and Will Bynum.

But I don't see any reason to try to win more games now. If either Pek or Ronny are expected to be out another 10 days, Flip could get an injury exception and go out and find a backup center. Heck, the big clumsy guy we had in SL would be better than continuing to play Robbie at center. And I would stand pat at PG. Split the minutes between Mo and Zach, and let the losses and ping pong balls add up. I'm not buying the argument that development of our young studs is being hurt because of Zach...they seem to be progressing just fine. And Zach has a set of brass balls...just doesn't appear to get too down despite his lack of success. Let the kid play, and keep GR3 on the roster.

Not great options, but when you lose your best player, your best shooter and scorer, and your starting center and highest paid player, you can't expect much.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I'd be a fan of continuing to develop guys while adding a PG or C. There has to be a team in the league with a backup guard or big that could use a wing. Budinger can be dealt, or Brewer depending on what the return is. Give Robinson minutes--more than he's getting anyway. I can't see GRIII being worse than Bud, especially on defense.

[worldK]

If telfair is available then he will be a good pickup. He is ideal as a 3rd string pg, ready when called upon and wont complain when sitting.

How do we make room for telfair? How about sending bud+ turiaf to cavs for haywood or kirk and their exception+ a 2nd rounder? Turiaf when healthy is better than haywood and can be a legit rotation big. Bud fits well with the cavs as a shooter/cutter. Dont need the ball much, mike miller's body cant handle being a regular rotation guy anymore, bud can and he fits the cavs.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Can't trade a player for an exception. Not how it works.

[bleedspeed]

How long it Mo Williams out? I am fine with Lavine being the backup untl Rubio gets back. I hope would love to see Bud moved for a big.