If the Knicks match Fields, what is plan B?

[Matt52]

If NY matches Fields, what is your hope for plan B in free agency?

[Matt52]

Personally, I like Brandon Rush.

[Nilanka]

Go all-in on Gay or Iggy

Or worse-case scenario, move DeRozan to SF, and start Ross at SG.

[Matt52]

Go all-in on Gay or Iggy

Or worse-case scenario, move DeRozan to SF, and start Ross at SG.

I should have been more specific on the assumption of a free agent signing/pursuit.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Go all-in on Gay or Iggy

Or worse-case scenario, move DeRozan to SF, and start Ross at SG.

I totally agree that Gay or Iggy would be my 1st choice.

I should have been more specific on the assumption of a free agent signing/pursuit.

There's not many free agents out there that I like for this team. I agree with you that Rush would be a nice complimentary piece, given his 3pt shooting. However, after trading away Wright, I think GSW will sign/match any reasonable offer.

The only other free agents who I have any interest in would be:
- OJ Mayo (Phoenix wants him if NO matches Gordon)
- Courtney Lee (I had heard he was signing with Boston, but haven't heard confirmation)
- CJ Miles (I had heard he was signing with Dallas early on, but nothing recently)

I don't know that Lee or Miles would be much of an upgrade over the wings we already have though. Rush and Mayo are really the only ones that intrigue me, but even they wouldn't have near the impact that Gay/Iggy would, IMO.

[ebrian]

I should have been more specific on the assumption of a free agent signing/pursuit.

I think it's early to be pursuing a guy like Gay, Iguodala, Granger. This team is still about 3 years away from being competitive (as in, competing for a 4th to 6th playoff spot), which means any of those guys will either be starting the downsides of their respective careers, or will have reached a peak in their career where we just can't afford them (Bargnani, DeRozan, Ross, JV will all be looking for extensions by then). I think in 3 years time, we should be looking for a player who is at Rudy Gay's level today.

Thoughts?

[Nilanka]

I think it's early to be pursuing a guy like Gay, Iguodala, Granger. This team is still about 3 years away from being competitive (as in, competing for a 4th to 6th playoff spot), which means any of those guys will either be starting the downsides of their respective careers, or will have reached a peak in their career where we just can't afford them (Bargnani, DeRozan, Ross, JV will all be looking for extensions by then). I think in 3 years time, we should be looking for a player who is at Rudy Gay's level today.

Thoughts?

Gay is only 26. He's still got plenty of years left playing at a high level.

[Matt52]

I think it's early to be pursuing a guy like Gay, Iguodala, Granger. This team is still about 3 years away from being competitive (as in, competing for a 4th to 6th playoff spot), which means any of those guys will either be starting the downsides of their respective careers, or will have reached a peak in their career where we just can't afford them (Bargnani, DeRozan, Ross, JV will all be looking for extensions by then). I think in 3 years time, we should be looking for a player who is at Rudy Gay's level today.

Thoughts?

Did you read the thread? Free agents only!

Granted, most things out of my fingers the last 6 months have been Gay-related but no trades in this thead.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

I think it's early to be pursuing a guy like Gay, Iguodala, Granger. This team is still about 3 years away from being competitive (as in, competing for a 4th to 6th playoff spot), which means any of those guys will either be starting the downsides of their respective careers, or will have reached a peak in their career where we just can't afford them (Bargnani, DeRozan, Ross, JV will all be looking for extensions by then). I think in 3 years time, we should be looking for a player who is at Rudy Gay's level today.

Thoughts?

I understand that line of thinking for Iggy or Granger, given their age. Gay will only be 27 next season, so he should have a solid 5 years left.

Also, depending what happens with Orlando (Howard) and Atlanta, the Raps could have a decent shot at making the playoffs next season with the revamped roster (Valanciunas, Lowry, Ross, Fields, Acy, healthy Bargnani), let alone after the addition of a top-tier starting SF.

Chicago (Rose), Orlando (Howard), Atlanta (Johnson/Williams), Philly (Brand/Iggy?) and Boston (Allen/older) all have big time questions heading into next season, leaving Miami & Indy as the surefire bets for the playoffs. NY and NJ will be competitive, but I would put Toronto into this top-10 discussion, ahead of the rest of the teams in the East. Depending what happens in Orlando, Atlanta and Philly, Toronto could be right in the thick of the playoff race next year, meaning the addition of a veteran starting SF would be extremely beneficial - not only for making the playoffs, but just showing the youngsters how to win.

A guy like Rush (3pt shooting) would help balance the starting lineup. I think a guy like Mayo would be a great 2nd/3rd option after Fields, either to start at SG or play the same '6th man scorer' role he did in Memphis (or possibly even some time at backup PG, since he mentioned he'd like to play some PG at the end of the season).

[ebrian]

I understand that line of thinking for Iggy or Granger, given their age. Gay will only be 27 next season, so he should have a solid 5 years left.

Also, depending what happens with Orlando (Howard) and Atlanta, the Raps could have a decent shot at making the playoffs next season with the revamped roster (Valanciunas, Lowry, Ross, Fields, Acy, healthy Bargnani), let alone after the addition of a top-tier starting SF. Chicago (Rose), Orlando (Howard), Atlanta (Johnson/Williams), Philly (Brand/Iggy?) and Boston (Allen/older) all have bigtime questions heading into next season, leaving Miami & Indy as the surefire bets for the playoffs. NY and NJ will be competitive, but I would put Toronto into the this top-10 discussion, ahead of the rest of the teams in the East. Depending what happens in Orlando, Atlanta and Philly, Toronto could be right in the thick of the playoff race next year, meaning the addition of a veteran start SF would be extremely beneficial - not only for making the playoffs, but just showing the youngsters how to win.

I love your optimism and I don't completely disagree, but if we do make the playoffs next year it'll be one of these eked out berths where we'll be lucky to take 1 game in the series against Miami. Even with a very good veteran SF, there's too much inexperience on the team to do any damage in the first 1-2 years. You're still looking at a lineup of guys whose total experience adds up to barely more than that Vet's experience (JV=0, Ross=0, Acy=0, Fields=2, DeRozan=3, Bargnani=6) to Iguodala=9).

I do agree with learning how to win though, so either you bring in that young potential Rudy Gay type, or you bring in a savvy vet (if you can find one willing to play for this kind of team). Chances are though that same winning guy would prefer to play for a contender. I think we can learn how to win just fine by ourselves though, judging by the many ill-advised wins we pulled off towards the end of last season.

[Mediumcore]

I really hope plan A fails.

I'd like to see a strong pitch made for a trade with OKC for James Harden using a combo of Calderon/DD/ED/Amir/Cap releif.

Lowry
Harden
T. Ross
Bargnani
JV

Since that will never happen I'll throw my hat in for giving JJ another year while searching for a better option. At the least he works hard of D and for the most part you don't have to double team the guy he is defending. IMO his ability to rotate, cover his own man and block shots was a big part of why the Rap's were so good at limiting points in the paint last season.

[draftedraptor]

I really hope plan A fails.

I'd like to see a strong pitch made for a trade with OKC for James Harden using a combo of Calderon/DD/ED/Amir/Cap releif.

Lowry
Harden
T. Ross
Bargnani
JV

Since that will never happen I'll throw my hat in for giving JJ another year while searching for a better option. At the least he works hard of D and for the most part you don't have to double team the guy he is defending. IMO his ability to rotate, cover his own man and block shots was a big part of why the Rap's were so good at limiting points in the paint last season.

if James harden is available I'll throw everything we have got. I will try to make him our franchise player and I suspect he will thrive in that role under Casey. As far as I am concerned everyone is expendable for a player like Harden.

[BallaBalla]

I really hope plan A fails.

I'd like to see a strong pitch made for a trade with OKC for James Harden using a combo of Calderon/DD/ED/Amir/Cap releif.

Lowry
Harden
T. Ross
Bargnani
JV

Since that will never happen I'll throw my hat in for giving JJ another year while searching for a better option. At the least he works hard of D and for the most part you don't have to double team the guy he is defending. IMO his ability to rotate, cover his own man and block shots was a big part of why the Rap's were so good at limiting points in the paint last season.

But its fun to dream....wow I wouldnt mind that at all

[golden]

But its fun to dream....wow I wouldnt mind that at all

It's well documented that OKC will have a tough time holding onto to both Ibaka and Harden. James Harden is great, but he wilted badly against the Heat in the playoffs, when he was supposed to be a huge advantage for OKC. It became obvious that OKC needs to improve at least 2 things: (1) overall bench scoring, (2) PF/C scoring to prevent teams from going small ball.

Continuing with the dreaming theme, here is a trade that at least would get OKC thinking.

OKC receives:
=========
Calderon: $10M expiring
Derozan: $3.5M (1 year left)
Bargnani: $10M/yr (2 yrs left)
Future 1st round pick from TOR

Toronto receives:
===========
Harden: $15M (sign extension & trade)
Thabeet: $5M/yr (basically filler)
+ more filler or TPE
Future 1st round pick from OKC

So, OKC gets 3 superb bench players, who could be starters + a high draft pick + cap flexibility (Calderon/Derozan). Bargnani gives them a legitimate scoring big, so Miami can't go small ball on them without getting punished. AB + Perkins/Ibaka is a nice fit in the front court.

[Phil]

Rudy Gay, if only...

I like the idea of Brandon Rush. Don't know too much about his personality or if he's a good fit in the locker room, but the dude can shoot the lights out and seems competent on D. He could also bring us some experience and consistency when T-Ross is struggling.

Are any solid, pure SF vets still available or even possibly to bring here? Grant Hill, Raja Bell? Matt Barnes would be hilarious/awesome to see on this squad.

Edit: I guess we've already tried the veteran SF thing a few too many times and they've all come up short...

[DaveKim]

I think that would be the best news we could have to get out of this situation. We have too many 2s already, DD, Ross, and Fields and not enough 3s (arguably no real 3s).

With Fields on our roaster what would our starting line be? Do we force DD to play the 3? Or Fields? Or even Ross?

[Matt52]

I think that would be the best news we could have to get out of this situation. We have too many 2s already, DD, Ross, and Fields and not enough 3s (arguably no real 3s).

With Fields on our roaster what would our starting line be? Do we force DD to play the 3? Or Fields? Or even Ross?

Not the point of the thread.

Who would you like to see them pursue in free agency?

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

How about Pietrus?

[Matt52]

How about Pietrus?

I like Pietrus.

I don't like his knee.

[ebrian]

Sorry, I didn't really answer the question. Here's some guys (or types of guys) I'd target:
Thaddeus Young
Michael Beasley (why not.. talent is there)
Brandon Rush
Wes Johnson
Evan Turner

Basically they're guys that might be at a Rudy Gay-ish level in 2-3 years. If they happen to reach close to that, then we are a 4th seed type of team at that point and a perennial playoff team. If not, then we're still a middling 7/8 seed that will be looking to sign a SF free agent.