2013 Official NBA Off-season Movement & Rumors (Merged threads)

I wonder what Phoenix is trying to do. Are they trying to tank for the season?
If so you would think that they would try to move Gortat for a young player. They drafted Len, but maybe they would like either Leonard or Withey?

I assume they are holding out for the best deal and are in no hurry.

 

Yeah I likewise see a lot of promise with our squad. We were an above .500 team half way through the season, then everything just fell apart. We had no bench and Batum playing injured. When our starters were in we had as good a squad as any in the league. We beat the Heat in a game they played very well. There will likely always be an injury or two but this year I think we can whether that storm and give our starters more rest.

Regarding Gortat, I think he may be a better overall center than Asik. They are very different skill sets though; Gortat is not a rim protector, he is much better on the offensive side of the ball. Outside of Matthews all our players are better on offense. At a point there is diminishing returns of adding offense to the lineup. Maybe it would work to add Gortat if we can get a defensive wing and defensive PG with our final roster spots. If the price is reasonable for Gortat or Dalembert they would still be valuable additions to the roster so I’d be interested in doing a deal.

I’d for sure trade Meyers for Gortat; Meyers is a long way from panning out which I think is a long shot chance. But even if you project he will become a good rotational player that probably won’t happen for a number of years when Meyers becomes a free agent. So if he does realize his potential we have to pay a ton of money to keep him. If he doesn’t we’ve wasted an asset. I’d rather just cash in the asset now if another team is willing to pay.

 

You make a good point; but we don't need asik to be a focal point on offense. He just needs to set good picks, rebound and block shots. I think he's the best player available that can do that.

As far as free throws; we can still go with a stretch 4 at the end of games. Our biggest problem last season was the terrible first halves and playing catch up for almost the entire game. Adding asik will definitely solve that problem:

 

@EricPincus
Portland Trail Blazers have the rights to Marcelo Nicola (1993-50th) - 42 years old - older than I am.

 

I think our perimeter defense might be fine with the combination of a (fingers crossed) improvement in Lillard and less minutes played by Matthews or Batum. Plus if Aldridge doesn't have to shoulder as much of the offense he is a good defender, especially 1 on 1.

I think we need a physical presence more than a rim protector IMO. Gortat provides a lot of beef and is a good defender. Aldridge can be a decent help defender and does great defending pick n rolls, but last year he had to help on post guys so much when Hickson or Leonard lost them.

 

Kurt Helin ‏@basketballtalk 41m
Manu Ginobili reaches two-year deal to stay with Spurs http://dlvr.it/3c3dHL

Everyone knew that would happen but it is still news

 

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 14s
Portland is a possible destination for center Robin Lopez, with Indiana and others on a short list in pursuit, league sources tell Y!

 

I actually somewhat agree with this guy.

I think our team could potentially be more than a 6th team, IF McCollum is as advertised, IF T-Rob gets an actual shot, and IF we address the bench. I am not sure how Crabbe will play out in the long run, but great shooters always find a way to play. I'm not sure how his D is but:

An improved Lillard (decisions, defense)
You know what you're getting with Matthews, Aldridge.
Batum is somewhat of a toss up. He tends to improve one area, but seemingly has a one track mind. But here is where the real improvements lie:

Freeland won't be playing in the beginning.
Leonard is bound to take the rookie-sophomore big man leap. He is bound to bebetter than last year, at least.
Whoever our starting center is, will be better offensively/defensively than JJ Hickson, which means we won't be down 20 at half time and have to use every ounce of energy we have to comeback daily.
Claver actually started to show he could play.
Hopefully injuries don't screw us over - and with improved depth, it should allow those players to heal.

Our top 8 was terrible last year:

Lillard
Wesley
Batum
Aldridge
Hickson

Meyers
Maynor
Barton
Babbitt
(Claver only played in 49 games).

Our potential top 8 would be

Lillard
Wes
Batum
Aldridge
(Some defensive big)

McCollum
Claver (who looked better)
T-Rob (who is an actual backup PF)
Meyers (who should be better)

I see no reason Barton should play, if Crabbe and McCollum have the slightest bit of BBIQ and play under control.

*I didn't add Crabbe - last time we drafted a shooter, Babbitt, he couldn't shoot. So, yeah.

 

Lillard is in China with Adidas NBA players. They watched a game yesterday.

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2013/07/yao-mings-team-america-vs-team-china/

 

Wessy and Leonard might be our only trade-able contracts. We have like no moveable pieces.

 

I would say everyone outside of Lillard is available for the right price.

 

I'd say Lillard is available for the right price, too. It's just unrealistic those players are offered up.

 

What would you think Wes and batum can get us? Maybe melo?

 

Adrian Wojnarowski@WojYahooNBAabout 5 minutes ago


It is possible Tyreke Evans never signs the proposed $44M offer sheet with Pelicans, sources tell Y! Sports. Still a fluid scenario.



A wrinkle in our Lopez plan...

 

Time to just tune out until July 10th!

 

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 2m
Still teams interested in further making their cases to Dwight Howard, but appears he's shutting it all down to decide now, sources tell Y!

 

Kurt Helin ‏@basketballtalk 18s
Rockets GM Morey says he’s not trying to trade Lin, Asik http://dlvr.it/3c4sdz

 

Lol.

 

I say, fuck it, save cap room for

2014. LEBRON

Lillard/LeBron/Aldridge.

CHAMPS