Bledsoe will get $10+m/per, no way they trade him. I'm as big a CJ fan as there is on this board but I'd dangle him to Sacramento with other pieces for Isaiah Thomas.
I really like Thomas, and they seem to have their man in McCallum. Thomas is exactly the kind of instant-offense guy you want off the bench, and he's a point guard. The problem is, he's so short and not a great defender. I actually like Livingston. He could play next to Dame REALLY easily.
yeah, I see lot of names thrown out here that are simply unrealistic for us to obtain unless we are willing to give up a starter, we will have virtually no capspace so we will have the MLE and BAE and then vet min stuff. Lets try to keep that in mind when considering "realistic" players we might get
That's why I've been trying to throw out names like Chalmers, Livingston, and maybe even Gasol if he's serious about playing on a winner.
How much do you think our playoff run will help our chances with vet FAs? Do guys actually realize that we are a few small (albeit, important) pieces away or do they just see as a flash in the pan who got real lucky? TBH, I don't think the respect (?) is there yet
Out of the top ten on this list, I think everyone is a pipe dream but maybe Deng. In the 10-20 bracket, I think there are some real possibilities if you throw your whole MLE or whatever cap space we have at them. Ariza, Gasol, Pierce, Gortat, and Bradley. In the 20-30 bracket, I like Livingston, Hawes, Nick Young, and Stuckey. Not sure what those guys are going to get though. Hawes would be the perfect backup big in Stotts system, and Young/Stuckey would be a great first guard off the bench. They can both score in bunches. In the 30-40 bracket I like Chalmers and Vasquez. Chalmers is a UFA and I think he's exactly the kind of backup point guard we need. He can shoot, he plays defense, and he can pass. Sounds like Greg Anthony to me. I guess it all depends on how much we have and how much some of these guys are going to get. I think we've basically put the NBA on notice that we have a really great core, but we need some supporting cast. A lot of veterans are going to look at our team and think they can help get us over the wall.
I can't say I've watched much of Chalmers, but he strikes me as Greg Anthony type. Not really amazing, but does a lot of little things. He's an ideal backup to Dame, in my opinion.
I have not watched any of the Brooklyn-Miami series. How is Livingston moving on the defensive end? I agree that it is best that we sign a PG that can play with Damian and to a lesser degree CJ. not many good realistic options. Livingston is currently starting for Brooklyn, will Portland be a better option if they give him a raise? Can Stuckey run the point any better than CJ? Probably not. But if he could then he may be the best option. One thing he can do is attack the basket. How much is Hawes going to get? He is the one big out there that intrigues me. (That is somewhat attainable)
I haven't watched a ton of Livingston, but when I have he seems to be playing really well. For the Heat series he's averaging 12, 4, and 3. Shooting over 55% from the field. Can't really tell about his defense though.
I would think that as well. He would really want to move back to the NW for us to get him on the cheap. The more I think about it, the more I am leaning towards Stuckey. (from a realistic standpoint) But Livingston would be a decent option as well,
Here's the the thing, to get a Stuckey, or Hawes, or Deng, we would have to blow our whole wad. Supposedly if Mo opts out we could have a little chunk of cap space. So the question is, do we blow it all on one piece and then try to develop our guys or make a trade, or do we try to space it out on a couple guys? I like Livingston and I don't think he'd be too expensive. I'd also try to make a pitch to Paul Pierce. The guy still has game, I think he'd be okay with coming off the bench, and I don't think he's expecting a huge payday. I'd also try to move some of our young guys for a big. I don't see a viable option at center in free agency. Hawes is nice, but he'll probably get a chunk of cash. We have too many holes. Maybe Cleveland would do a sign-and-trade.
If Stuckey has the ball handling skills to play the point....I would blow it all on him. (Deng and Hawes are no brainers for me-but probably out of our range) So if we use it all on one player that only gives us what......a veterans minimum for the other position of need? Not ideal, but I would try that route first.
I'm wondering if Neil might do something similar to what he did last summer. There are teams that will be trying to create cap space to sign Melo. Houston is supposedly targeting Anthony. I'm wondering if we could do another lopsided trade.
Melo and Harden on the same team would be interesting. (From a reality TV standpoint) Wouldn't NY offer to take Asik off their hands in that scenario? But you are right there are other teams who want to make room for possible FA's, but I didn't think we had the cap space to absorb much?
I think the NBA has changed so radically in the past few years away from Post oriented players being able to dominate to "Ballers" who have great drive, quickness, and can finish. We need more of that!! Stuckey, CJ Miles, would be my goal-players to get.
I remember during the regular season this was a hot topic. Is it still? I couldn't tell if it was just mid-season doldrums, or if there's some teeth to the idea that LBJ might leave MIA. If so, dangle LMA and see what happens. LBJ playing PPF (Point Power Forward) would be amazing, with Nic, Wes, Lillard and Lopez. Get a good defensive coach and we'd be able to clamp down on the defensive end and score the hell out of the ball on the offensive end.
LeBron is going to go where LeBron wants to go, but I would honestly offer any and everything to get him here with Dame and LA.
