I'm really digging Mo Speights as a 3rd big or starting Pf. Or someone like Brand or Jefferson who can smash dudes around in the paint and grabs some boards.Quote:
white men can't jump wrote:
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I'm really digging Mo Speights as a 3rd big or starting Pf. Or someone like Brand or Jefferson who can smash dudes around in the paint and grabs some boards.Quote:
white men can't jump wrote:
Yeah I doubt thatQuote:
NoPropsneeded wrote:
What is your idea than big guy? signing forbes to a $20 million dollar contract?Quote:
ceez wrote:
Sorry, im not saying that wouldnt be fantastic, I'm just saying no ones giving up pics and/or cash for that stiff.
I think Speights has a team option...Cleveland will pick it up I'm sure, given Varejao could be out for awhile. Brand is high on my list, but he likes being in Dallas and they like having him. He will have many offers I'd think, but will stay in Dallas if he can.Quote:
NoPropsneeded wrote:
I saw a rumor (a tweet on hoopshype, I think) out there that Orlando will start shopping Big Baby this summer as they go into tank mode next season. Bargs = the best player to have for tank mode. I don't particularly like Davis, but he could be an option. He certainly scores inside and rebounds.Quote:
ceez wrote:
Davis sucks. Pass.
I agree, but feel there should nevertheless at least be some discussion presented for any trade that could involve Bargs and not be in exchange for some extra towels and Bengay.Quote:
ceez wrote:
My suggestion would be to trade Andrea Bargnani + DeMar DeRozan to the Lakers for Pau Gasol + filler or pick.
From a talent perspective, I think the Raptors will end up losing this trade. DeRozan is an emerging player in his own right, Bargnani is still a 7 footer with range, while Gasol is an aging player who has had his fair share of injuries.
In terms of long-term flexibility, the Raptors are saving $40.5 M in salaries. Gasol is a massive expiring contract @ $19M and he is set to expire at the end of next season. This leaves the Raptors with approximately $66 M in committed salary next season assuming Kleiza gets amnestied, Gray and Lucas pick up their player options & the Raptors pick up Lowry's option.
You can further round out the roster with complimentary & consistent role players, but essentially, our rotation will look like:
Lowry / (back up PG) / Lucas
Fields / Ross
Gay / (back up wing)
Gasol / Johnson / Acy
Valanciunas / Gray
Fields will not produce the same #'s as DeRozan, but he does however bring defense, IQ, passing & some shot creating. If he can work with the Raptors shooting coach in the off season & improve his shooting to a level that is deemed respectable, we have ourselves a pretty good role player.
This will also open up the roster for Ross & I can only hope that he puts in the work in the off season. In Gasol, Valanciunas has a veteran mentor with championship pedigree and not to mention, Gasol is a very skilled player. Gasol will also allow the Raptors to have somewhat of an inside game.
Barring injuries & assuming the coaching situation improves (whether it's Casey or another coach), this roster is good enough to compete for a playoff spot somewhere between the 5-8 range.
The most important value this trade presents is the ability to get out of our financial situation created by Colangelo handing out massive contracts to average NBA players.
If all else fails ....
- Disappointing season (no playoffs)
- Lowry walks
- Gasol expires
- Gray and Lucas gone
... You can picture our situation NEXT summer. We have a lottery pick, a massive expiring contract in Rudy Gay, Valanciunas and Ross in rookie deals & a TON of cap room. Suddenly, there is a light at the end of the tunnel as insurance should we fall victims of yet another disappointing season.
Elton Brand??? You guys are being serious???
DeRozan isnt going anywhere fellas so relax there and MLSE has already given the ok about paying luxury if the team is winning. Grabbing Pau Gasol would be an awful move, mr Ga-Soft no thanks. mr in 10 games out 20? no thanks. Mr Poster No thanks. Mr Tendenitis? no thanks. Mr Flop? no thanks. Mr 3 time champion sure but this isnt Gasol from some years ago this is mr Retiring in a couple of years knees slightly stronger than Yao Ming Ga-soft yaaaa no thanks.
He's played extremely well in a reduced role in Dallas. I think he'd be great as the backup C (ok, he's more PF than C, but in this day and age, he's definitely strong enough and definitely supplies help D and rebounding), who could also slide to PF for some matchups (like playing Memphis). Again, I think this would be a great option if the PF we get is someone like Carl Landry, who you do not want to rely on for interior presence or defending bruisers.Quote:
charlesnba23 wrote:
+1. And amnestying Kleiza + trade Bargnani for someone expiring still leaves us over the cap. MLE is the only way we can acquire these players. $5 million dollars isn't well enough to sign all but one of those insurance wings, and insurance guards.Quote:
ceez wrote:
interested to see how colangelo talks his way out of this one.....who knows. It will be fun watching him squirm that's for sure. probably lose hair and have bags under his eyes and stuff, LOL.
hahahaha for sure...I love hearing the web of crap he spins every time he addresses the media. It's great. It might actually be the best part about him having the job.Quote:
akashsingh wrote:
First of all, the Raptors need a new head coach. I like Casey, he seems like a real nice guy i just don't think he's an NBA caliber coach.
Second, they need a starting 4. Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson should be their #1 target this offseason. Backup plan, Elton Brand.
Third, they need a backup PG and a backup C. Lucas and Gray are not good enough.
Finally, they need to surround these guys with veteran players. Bring in some leadership because leadership i think is lacking on this team.
Don't know what to say about BC right now, poor guy probably hitting his head on the wall starting from the Wizards match up last week, there should be a massive hole in MLSE's office by now.Quote:
akashsingh wrote:
Sign-and-trade for the Utah bigs could work
I personally like Millsap because of his versatility. He can score on the low block with his back to the basket, or can face-up from 15 feet and in. Good rebounder, banger defensively and offensively. Under-sized, but from that list, he's the one with room still left to grow, and benefits us for the future as well.Quote:
enlightenment wrote:
Ilyasova is a wild card, who knows, he's more of a face-up player and a while he's a good rebounder, and team defender, doesn't really address the need of inside presence.
Toronto needs more of a inside presence than a player to fill the 4 position. Preferably though, it be a power forward because while Amir is a solid starting power forward, he's better suited off the bench, and doesn't provide much inside scoring other than off rolls, or put-backs to the rim.
For a variety of reasons that (which I posted in a different thread but will repeat here), an acquisition of a Pau Gasol will benefit the Raptors in a lot of ways. In the other thread, I suggested a trade of Andrea Bargnani + DeMar DeRozan for Pau Gasol + filler or pick, say perhaps, Jodie Meeks.Quote:
enlightenment wrote:
#1 - He is a skilled big man [rebounds, can pass, can hit 15 - 18 ft shots, has size, low post and high post threat]
#2 - He automatically becomes Valanciunas' mentor even for just 1 year (but can definitely extend beyond that)
#3 - Moving DeMar DeRozan (promising player - but will no longer be in his rookie deal) clears up some space for Terrence Ross' development.
#4 - This would probably mean Fields becomes the starting 2. He doesn't score like DeMar, but he is a very smart player especially on defense and he is capable of rebounding.
#5 - Lowry is on a contract year. He can compensate for DeRozan's offensive production.
# 6 - Massive $19 M expiring contract. This clears up our financial situation long-term. By removing Bargnani's dead weight & DeRozan's long term contract and replacing it with an expiring, the Raptors can save $40 M in salaries over the next 4 years.
#7 - If all else fails and the Raptors don't make the playoffs next year, this deal leaves us with a 2014 lottery pick, a sh!t load of cap space & a couple of massive expiring contracts in Rudy Gay and Landry Fields. Terrence Ross and Valanciunas remain as foundation pieces & you can rebuild as early as NEXT off season.
#8 - If things do work, we have a primary scorer in Gay, a secondary scorer in Lowry, inside presence in Gasol, Amir as a 3rd big [what luxury], good wing defender in Fields & prospects in Ross & Valanciunas.