I feel like Neil is really rolling the dice here. The majority of our core is about to go onto the free agent market, completely unrestricted. What is the end game? Add a third superstar? Make a "big three?" This could blow up in our face. Who are we realistically going to get? Gasol? Hibbert? A lot of the RFA names like Thompson and Rubio are gone. We could easily lose Wes, Lopez, and even Aldridge (although that's looking highly unlikely at this point.) I wasn't thrilled with them picking up the option on Leonard but not Robinson. I thought TRob showed a lot of promise last year, and I thought he played really well in the summer league before the injury. It doesn't make sense to me. Someone is going to pay him. if Neil rolls the dice and we lose Lopez and Wes without getting Gasol or Hibbert.... this could set us back significantly. If the end game is to try to get Hibbert, just do it now. Make the trade. The Pacers are horrible and I'm sure they'd be willing to blow it up to improve their draft position.
What should Neil have done different? Matthews, Lopez and LMA's contracts were done and signed long before he got here. He's playing the hand he was dealt. I think your concerns should be put on the back burner until the season is over.
Some of the better names available next summer: Rondo Greg Monroe Roy Hibbert Marc Gasol DeAndre Jordan Thad Young Omer Asik Goran Dragic Rudy Gay These guys are all UFA, but who would you go after with all our cap space? I'm assuming LA will get extended first.
I think you lock up RoLo and choose between Wes and Nic. Wes and Nic are very similar - shooters who can't create their own shot that well. But I think Wes is turning into a dynamic SG - his post game is money. Nic is passive, rarely aggressive and really pads his assist numbers. Game 6 he was a total no show against Houston. Really a frustrating player to watch. I'd much rather keep Wes/Lopez and deal Nic - Jimmy Butler anyone?
He could have extended those guys, no? Aldridge is the only one who, to my knowledge, was offered a deal and turned it down.
I tend to agree. We need another scorer who can create his own shot. Wes and Nic are too much alike, but I tend to lean towards keeping Nic. There are very few guys who can do all the things he does. I like Wes a lot, but I would trade him for the right deal.
Like I said in a different thread, if this team goes to the WCF or beyond you pay your players, go reasonably over the cap and keep the team intact. If this team loses in the 1st or 2nd round, while I love our starters, you have to look at making changes.
He's more talented and younger but he doesn't have the motor of Wes. His lack of grit has really held him back from being an All-Star level player - a 14/5/5 guy with a 15 PER. His numbers from his contract year to now are relatively the same.
They're unrestricted free agents. You can make them an offer, but that doesn't mean they're going to take it. If Neil goes after someone like Gasol, another team could pounce on Wes or Rolo and we would be shit out of luck. You're acting like they're restricted.
I really think some of you are making a bigger deal out of the TRob vs. Leonard extensions than necessary. If TRob has that great of a year then we will pay him. I like him too, but I think it is debatable if he is starter material. And if it is debatable then I am not going to worry that much about it. Back up PF's can easily be found for 5 million. Probably more so than any other position.
If the goal is to bolster the lineup by acquiring someone like Hibbert, I would rather do it now. Not at the trade deadline. Give the team some time to gel.
Oh, I forgot, we don't talk about the long term here... sorry, I forgot to set a timer on this thread to post in July. My point is that we should take action NOW. Not in July.
That's tricky - the guy I want (Jimmy Butler) makes a fraction of what Nic makes and will be a RFA this summer.
I was thinking about this yesterday in terms of logical upgrades. Upgrades usually cost more than just the player being upgraded, so I question the cost of upgrading Rolo or Wes would actually equate to a team upgrade. Gasol is an upgrade over Robin... But at the expense of having to let Wes walk? I don't think so.
You mentioned Gasol, I doubt he's available. The team is in a great position if we don't take that next step to make huge roster moves/changes. I think we should stick with that plan. Making a trade or trades that will take away our offseason cap flexibility doesn't make sense.
