One wonders what Nate's working relationship with JK was on team USA ... Nate always speaks very glowingly of him and his smarts and defense -- Kidd is by all definitions a Nate guy and Nate style point guard: big, plays D, can spot up and hit an outside shot (finally) and is nothing but a pass first guy who rebounds like a mad man for his position
We can create more than enough FA money to land them if we renounce Blake, Travis, playboy and Freeland. We could also clear cap space by trading Sergio for nothing, and trading our pick for a future pick. We could potentially have over 13 million in cap space.
Who knows in this economy though? Many teams are saving up for 2010, and Hedo, at age 30, would probably prefer to go to a contender. Nate McMillen could be a coach on the floor as well, but that doesn't change the fact that he's too old to play. Kidd is 36 and very few players even play at that age. And his presence didn't quite put the Mavs over the top. As a reference point, look at some players who had among the longest careers in NBA history. Gary Payton was 36 when he joined Boston. Pippen turned 36 his 3rd year in Portland. And Rod Strickland, another great PG, was 34 when he came back to Portland for his 2nd tour of duty(which lead to the collapse of the franchise) Neither of those players had much impact at that point. Perhaps the only PG in history that you can say was still a good starter that late in his career was John Stockton. So if you had to chose one or the other, I'd chose Hedo, no question. I'd sign Kidd to a modest 1 to 2 year contract. He'd probably still be an upgrade over Blake...but I'm sure that he'll stay in Dallas. Check out this page, it's interesting to see how many ex-Blazers are in the 1000 club (96 players) from the 89-90 championship team are on that list http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/g_career.html
I wouldn't want Kidd. His defense isn't what it used to be and he's going to want too much. His playmaking abilities are not what they used to be either.
Pretty much, but when it comes to point guards you are almost always going to overpay ... just look at Beno Udrih getting that ridiculous full MLE deal last year or Luke Ridnour making 6 million per year. I wouldn't be happy about paying Kidd that much, but if that's what it took I'm guessing KP would bite the bullet, unless he's got a better target in mind.
Get Hedo then trade Blake+Outlaw+Webster for Hinrich and then draft a PF in the draft. PG Hinrich/Bayless SG Roy/Rudy SF Hedo/Batum PF Aldridge/(Blair/Hansbrough/James Johnson/Young/ Lawal/Summers) C Oden/Przybilla Sweet. Okay back to reality, I don't know if we would have enough assets to get Hinrich depending on what we would have to do to get Hedo.
I think the Bulls are more interested in cap room than they are ton of players and salary coming back for Kirk, you could probably offer them Blake, some second round picks and maybe our first round pick and I think it's possible they would bite. Also I think you could add Jeff Pendergraph to your list of 4s, he's likely to be available when we pick at 32 and I think he's got a chance to be a player.
A perfect (and somewhat realistic) off-season to me would be to sign Sessions and draft Blair in the first round (sending out some spare assets like Blake, Sergio, Outlaw/Webster, cash, purchased first-round pick, trade exception, to move up in the first round) and Pendergraph in the second round. Having a power forward rotation of Aldridge/Blair/Pendergraph seems more than solid. It seems pretty spectacular.
I would be sooooooo happy if we got Hedo: 1) He's clutch. Don't make me post all his game winning shots again. 2) He's a seasoned playoff veteran from his days with Orlando as well as Sacramento 3) His scoring rose as the playoffs went on. He's a big game player. 4) He can play all 5 positions, esp PG and SF where we need some help 5) He would give us the legit third option we did not have in 09 If we get him, I expect us to go the Finals next season. Don't forget his clutch D: [video=youtube;rE69d0H9bz0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE69d0H9bz0[/video]
One play doesn't make him a clutch defender. In fact, he is far from a good defender. I've never seen him play center or PF effectively for a decent period of time, so I don't know how you could say he can play all 5 positions. Anyone can play all 5 positions, but few people can play them well.
Kidd. And it's not close. Hedo works for the Magic, but I don't think he'd be good for us. Even some Magic fans are in two minds: Both Ariza and Turkoglu are being overvalued because of their playoff runs. They're sort of opposites: Turkoglu is a poor defender with guard skills at 6'10" (but seriously lacking in athleticism these days) whereas Ariza has few basketball skills but is a very athletic defender who has found a 3 point shot. Both are clutch, this is true. But so were Robert Horry and last year's Ariza, James Posey. Likewise Derek Fisher, who parlayed his clutchness into a ridiculous contract with the GS Warriors, who quickly realised he was much less of a player outside of Jackson's system. (Then, of course, they went and made the same mistake again with Rony Turiaf.) So... no to Turkoglu. Let the Magic be the ones who overspend on him. Or the Pistons - except that I want them to use their cap space to take one of the Lakers' players.
I'm torn with them both. You all make some good arguments for taking them or not taking them. I was very impressed with Hedo in this years playoffs and I have always liked Kidd's game. But...will that translate to our team? Not sure, but I am more concerned with what we would have to spend or give up to get either one of them. I do think that Hedo is going to command a lot of money (10 plus range) and I am not sure if that is the right direction for us.
I understand why people would like Turk better for next year, but I think if we are expecting Bayless, Batum, and Webster to be part of our long-term plans, then I think Kidd is the best fit. Kidd can come in and start for two more years, while grooming Bayless to take over the job. Turk would force us to trade Webster and Outlaw and seriously hamper Batum's minutes.
Same with Turkoglu. In fact, although he's just starting his 30s, I would say there's an even stronger likelihood if we sign Turkoglu. Kidd at least has excelled wherever he went. Turkoglu had to wait for Stan Van Gundy before he excelled. Give up on Turk - let him stay where he fits and they love him.
Oh, I wasn't clear. I'm not enthused about adding either of them. I just chose to focus on Kidd. Odds are the same for Turk.
