It's easy to say he's injury prone and can't be depended on. Everyone is kind of injury prone when you get down to it. The reality is though would it be easier for them to replace Ariza or replace Beverely? Not to mention Terry is running on fumes at this point. I'm not saying I wouldn't do it, I'm just skeptical that Houston would. I'd do it for sure. Dig into our cap space a little bit, but leave about 12 million to spend. I'm fine with that.
Gotcha. This past year he missed the entire PO's, and played in 56 games in the regular season. The year before he played in only 56 games. Sure, everybody is at risk for an injury. Some get injured more than others; Beverly gets injured more than others so far throughout his career. I don't think Houston would do it ultimately. It sure would be nice, though...
Yeah I mean I love Trevor. I was sad to see him go. If we could do it, I definitely would. I just think Trevor is a pretty big piece for them. Moving him here would be a surprising move and would ultimately make Morey look like an idiot for dumping a guy WITH a pick and then going back after him again afterwards. I know he thought he was getting Bosh, but that's also his fault for not closing the deal. I'll have to look into some more SF options that are still on other teams... The fact that most FAs this year at SF are Restricted makes me think we're going to look at guys like Wade instead and make Kobe play SF, but we'll see.
15m for Matthews? Did he forget he got hurt? I'd be shocked if he got $10m this summer. $7m this year and let him get paid next summer if he looks like his old self.
If the $15 million market does dry up for Wes and your scenario plays out, I'd like our chances to nab him, especially if Aldridge bolts. We'd provide him a huge platform to prove he can hold down a $15 million workload with the lack of depth we have on the perimeter.
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...o-trade-monta-ellis-if-he-opts-in-for-2015-16 I know a good amount of LBers like Ellis. It looks like he will be on the trading block if he opts into his contract.
Lakers essentially have Ellis already in Jordan Clarkson. A starting lineup of JC/Ellis/Kobe/Randle/Okafor would be a little light on shooting, defense, and rim protection...plenty of scoring though.
I like Monta as a FA signing. I don't like trading for him & having to bid to keep him next summer with the huge contracts that will be given out.
oh, and I'm really warming to this deng idea...he's moved to the top of my charts, should he opt out. nice piece for a team in the lakers' position. set a tone, professionally in the locker room and on the court defensively. position of need. lower cost than younger options.
Always been a fan of deng the only thing im afraid of is his injuries, and as he ages he might miss even more games. An incentive rich contract would be ideal but very rare he would accept that
Actually I am too. I like it especially since mocks have Justin Anderson falling to us now at the #27 pick... Deng is a perfect short-term addition to this team. I really like Justin Anderson, but I'm not sold he's ready to contribute on Day One. Instead you have him cooking on the back burner and if/when Deng gets banged up you can have Justin step in for short periods of time. Deng would also presumably leave us with enough room to add another piece or two as well.
As long as Deng is a shorter term deal like 2 years. I don't want him hanging around in 4 years taking up cap room.
yeah, short-term deals for mo Williams (2 years 12 mil?) and a thad young (3 years, 25 mill) type to round out the rotation. that's a team that could be competitive without mortgaging the future: okafor/black/Christmas? randle or thad/randle or thad/Kelly deng/nick/remaining space or vet min kobe/mo/joe young? (really, I just want three youngs) Clarkson/mo/ronnie grit if deng's deal is non-guaranteed in the 4th year, you have a bridge squad while the young guys develop, space for a max when kobe leaves...I think it works.
I don't see us starting Okafor and Randle at the beginning of the season. Possibly Randle. Also, Black started 12-14 games last year for Houston, I'd start him until Okafor is ready to be thrown into the fire... Clarkson/Chalmers/Brown Kobe/Ellington/Brown Deng/Nick/J. Anderson Randle/Kelly/Black Black/Okafor/Kelly
I was thinking I'd start okafor and use randle off the bench at first, but yeah, either way. my plan hinged on signing a vet who could play the 4, though.
I liked your team, though. Very possible we see something like that. I'd also go for a Deng/Koufos offseason. Sign someone like Brooks, C.J. Watson, and call it an offseason.