Who is more valuable to the team this summer? Odom? Ariza? Honestly, I think I'd pick Ariza. He'll he cheaper to sign, he's only 23, and his outside shot is more consistent (scary thought) than Odom's. His defensive tenacity and steals are also better. Odom has him in rebounding and passing, though. I prefer Ariza's upside, youth, and market value to Odom's. Also? Do we use the MLE? Ariza should get abour $6 million/year. Do we use the MLE if Odom walks? He said he'd take a reduced salary, but how reduced? Is he willing to sign for $8 million/year? Sheed is going to be available this summer and I know he is getting old, but I love his attitude and his tenacity. His veteran leadership would definitely help, too. I wonder if he could be an option for us this summer if we lose out on Odom, Ariza, or both.
I'd got for Ariza first. He's younger and does have more upside. However, I'd love to find a way to resign both. If we can bring Ariza in for the MLE and Odom takes a paycut to around $8-9mil or so, I'd say do it. We're not going to be players in the 2010 market, so why not get the best we can this summer?
Depends on what I see from them in the playoffs, but my current opinion: Who are we going to get to replace Odom? There are plenty of small forwards that would flourish here, while Odom is more of a unique talent and gives us length. If he asks for too much money we won't have a choice I suppose. Powell has been absolutely dreadful lately, Puke has outplayed him.
The thing I've noticed with Powell's decrease in production and drop off in play is they're running plays for him back to the basket. He isn't that kind of big man. He's a spot up shooter. I don't get why we post him up.
Trevor's one of my favorite players on the team. I love him. With that being said, financially, it would make the most sense to resign him. I actually think that because of the market, we can retain him for 4 - 5 million a year instead of a full 6 million, but I dunno. I like Lamar as well, but I just don't see how he fits into the overall picture. If he takes a paycut, like let's say 7-8 million, maybe we will resign both, I don't know. It's a tough decision. If Drew could stay healthy for once, then give me Trevor no question asked. At 23 years old, and with his level of play, he can be a terrific player in the future for us. But if Drew is going to miss at least 20-30 games a year, as much as I like Josh, I'm not sold on him starting for us. Bottom line is, we're going to need more than Josh as our next primary big. Drew hasn't shown at all that he can stay healthy for the majority of the season, whether the injuries are his fault or not. So honestly I have no idea. I'm pretty sure one of them will be back though, unless we set our sights elsewhere, like Mamba said, and go after someone like Sheed.
Why? Is he still good? He's only shooting 42% from the field this year though. I'd probably take him over Lamar if given the chance, but I haven't really followed him this year.
