Rondo (15) / Clarkson (1) Kobe (25) / Ellington (1.7 BAE) Young (5.2) / Houston 1st (1.5) Randle (3.1) / Kelly (1.7) Hill (8) / Okafor (Top 5 pick - 5 million) / Sacre (1) Total - 67 million (Not counting Ellington d/t BAE) Couple of vet min players to round out the roster and we got a nice young team. Move Kobe to SF and slide Young to the bench, put a shooter at the SG spot.
A big who can score and pass is almost certainly going to get the max or close to it. How many players does that accurately describe? Then of those guys who is available in the next two summers? Then of those who will fit a rebuild? The only is Monroe and you don't want him!! After watching Rondo last night I'm convinced. I give him what it takes to get him here. He's a special play maker.
There are different ways to build. I'd take Spence Hawes or Bismack Biyombo - either at their market values - before Monroe at max.
I agree about that being his market value, but that's not what i think we'll offer him. Players know we offered Kobe WAY over his market value and they are going to expect that as well. I'm sure Rondo feels as though he's worth the max, so anything less might be insulting to him. I completely understand the lakers take care of their star players AFTER they have proven themselves as lakers, NOT as incoming FAs, but will the incoming FAs understand that? Mitch: "Rajon, we're willing to pay you $15mil/yr." Rondo: "Um, my max is $20mil." Mitch: "We understand that, but with your injury history, age, and what the market has dictated, we feel $15 is fair." Rondo: *jaw agape, pointing at Kobe who's in the meeting* "INJURY?! AGE?!?! This dude just got how much?!?" Mitch: "You're right Rajon. We take care of our stars. Sign with us and we'll show you that." Rondo: "Take care of me now and prove it."
I know you're a big Biyombo guy, but he's not a passer. He's a pure rim protector/rebounder. Any offense is a plus. Hawes has been pretty disappointing across the hall. I get your side though and since we're likely to at least offer the max to Rondo, then I'm more inclined to settle for those types of players. I don't know if it'll take the max to get Monroe, but it's likely.
Rondo's jumper is still broken but he finds other ways to be effective...aside from Kobe, I believe Randle could benefit the most with Rondo's potential addition. Please, if anything get a decent 5 through FA or the draft. We need size on the worst way...
There's a difference beteen a PG that makes the right passes and gets guys open shots, and a PG that makes plays and gets guys wide open or really good shots. Rondo puts his guys in position to succeed, he gets them wide open with so much time to shoot the 3 that if they miss it's on them, not any defensive pressure. He hits them in stride to the hoop for easy layups, or passes backwards to them for easy little floaters 3 feet from the hoop. It's a thing of beauty watching him run his team, I'd love to have that here. Yes, his health is a concern, and no I wouldn't give max, but I agree with Doc, I would go $15 mil.
Agreed. Also, Stevens, the head coach for the C Bags should get some credit. The systems that he runs on offense has a lot ball and man movement. The ball don't stick in one players hands.
There are just different ways to build a good team, and if I could have Biyombo and an extra $8-10M, I'd rather have that over Monroe. I don't know that Hawes is best utilized on the Clippers, but he's still stretching the floor and can pass.
Yeah, but what do you do with that extra 8-10 million? This team has shown they're not going to spend it on any of the tertiary guys. They want to get the 2nd All-Star before they start getting their other pieces. I think we all have to realize that this team is about hitting the home run. They showed that with Nash and Howard and Chris Paul and I think they showed it last summer with Carmelo over every other player. I agree with you about how to build a team and honestly I tend to agree with the people who say spend conservatively on growable assets, but I find it highly unlikely that Mitch and Jim agree. I think it's much more likely we spend too much on Rondo then spend conservatively on Biyombo or even Dragic.
I think, unfortunately, that you're right. We could field a pretty ridiculously good team though - one that is cheap, young, and ready, even ripe for a superstar to come along. I'll write up one in a bit; I have some shopping to do. Mitch et al. seem to want to have the big dog before they build around that player. I'd rather make a hospitable team that can attract the big name.
I'd do a few things slightly differently: Rondo/Clarkson Danny Green (spend a bit more $ here)/Ellington Kobe/Young Randle/Kelly Biyombo (save $ here)/Sacre -Best player available in draft, hoping for Okafor.
If we do get Rondo we need a sharpshooter on the wing...... this team needs a lot of help and I'm not sure if we can cover all the needs in one off season. Thankfully, Mitch and crew have been doing a very good job finding solid players for cheap.
While I'd love to get Okafor, Mudiay, Towns or even Turner, I still think we'll end up losing that pick.
I agree. I just don't think we will intentionally tank, and will be out of 2nd place and just out of 5th pick.
I'd definitely max rondo. he, m. gasol, and Aldridge are the three players in FA next year that I think I'd max. now that Monroe's going to be unrestricted, I think he could be had for a bit less. if he'd take 12, I'd consider it.
still praying for a couple tank trades at the deadline. move hill and lin for picks (1st if possible). I might even take on a bit of salary to do it, so long as it didn't screw up a potential max offer to m. gasol or rondo.
Rondo with another triple double today. A guy that is good enough to take the ball out of Kobe's hands and has the set of stones to tell Kobe to go stand in the corner when necessary. He might be the best bet this offseason in terms of getting a playmaker and a PG who won't bow down to Kobe every time down the court. Not to mention if we get into the playoffs and he steps it up another level.
