Nets in cost cutting mode

I don't see why not. Devin is the type of player that can push us over that hump. He's a perfect complement to Roy.

 

"No", to trading Rudy. He's the real deal and I think we can substantially upgrade the PG position without having to give him up, so I say do that.

 

I would give up any player on our roster not named Brandon, Greg or LaMarcus. Batum and Rudy are both good players that will be very good possibly, but Devin Harris is already considered one of the top PG's in the league.

Most people say the most important possition on the floor is PG. I thin kit is a toss up between that and center, but I digress. If you look at FA's for example, look who they are.....mostly wing players. How many top FA PG's come on the market?

While it would suck to lose Rudy or Batum, KP would be an idiot to say no.

 

Rudy would be great as a starter. He's never going to start in Portland. Ever.

Devin Harris is the real deal. He's developed into a Tony Parker clone and, with Roy, would form that best starting backcourt in the League.

I like both players but neither Rudy/Batum would be deal breakers for a PG like Harris.

Maybe we can squeeze NJ for Courtney Lee, as they would be stacked at the 2 with Rudy/Williams, and maybe bringing over Victor Claver to provide depth at the three. There's a lot of possibilities here.

 

I honestly and truly believe that Rudy Fernandez would have to do less work to become a serviceable PG than Bayless does. He is now the most imaginative passer on our roster. Can he guard PGs? No. But probably as well as, say, Stephen Curry or Mike Bibby.

 

Claver won't come over for a year at least... Isn't Cunningham a tweener?

 

That's true. I totally forgot about Cunningham.

 

Who can't guard an opposing PG as good as Mike Bibby. I can stand there and do nothing on defense too.

 

I'd happily give up any combination of Bayless, Fernandez, Outlaw, Webster, rights to Claver/Freeland/Koponen, taking back a bad contract. I'd less happily include Batum or Przybilla, but I would depending on how the deal shook out.

Consolidating decent young players into an excellent young player at a big need position would be a big boost to the team's title chances. To be frank, great benches don't win titles. Great starting fives do.

 

If we are able to trade for Devin Harris, would that determine our FA signing?

With three potent offensive weapons (Harris, Roy, Aldridge) wouldn't it make more sense to go for a more defensive oriented player like Ron Artest?

 

If Harris is available you do it. While it would suck to lose a talent like Rudy that one is a no brainer with Roy on our team. Batum is a bit more valuable to us as he is our starting and long term SF. I would trade anyone other then Brandon or Greg for Harris. I would consider an LMA for Harris straight up deal.

So I would offer:

A) LMA straight up (don't like this but would test the waters, we would need a follow up PF signing or trade clearly)

or

B) Offer any combo of Blake, Outlaw, Martell, resigned Frye, Bayless and one of Batum, Rudy or Przybilla + picks and cash. Batum would be the last player on that list I would be willing to part with due to my vision of this team being either an offensive juggernaut or a defensive wall. With Batum and Harris you have incredible perimeter defensive capabilities.

If you trade LMA you immediately need to use some form of the second package to net a starting banger PF. Or sign Brandon Bass for instance to a huge contract.

Harris would put this team over the top.

 

If Harris is indeed available, KP better do all he can to get him without giving away Roy, LA and Greg. You don't get a chance at 26-year-old All-Star PGs often.

 

No to an Aldridge/Harris swap. Aldridge is younger and more talented.

 

A) Is he really a tier 2 star? He was 3rd in the league in PER for point guards this season. Just a tick behind tony parker and just ahead of Deron Williams. I mean, I guess if you consider Chris Paul as the only tier 1 pg...then guess I have to agree that he's tier 2...but I think it's kind of a rough assessment that anybody who isn't among the all time greats at a position is 'tier 2'.

B) It's not gutting the team to trade Fernandez OR Bayless OR Batum for a guy who will immediately start and give you 36 minutes per game at your weakest position. And can play that position for the next 8 years. Fernandez is maybe a top 20 SG right now. Perhaps someday he'll evolve into a top 10 SG...but i don't see him as the type of player you tag as untouchable when there's a big upgrade that can be made by getting an equal or better player at a position of greated need. And as pointed out above, Rudy is not going to be a starter on this team as long as Brandon Roy is on the roster.

Personally, I think a deal on Blake and Outlaw (cheap/ending contracts) and Fernandez (cheap rookie contract) and a pick or a couple prospects like Claver, would be a really nice offer for a team that wants to cut costs to make a run at a big name free agent next offseason.

Especially since that would still keep us well under the cap to make a run at a free agent like, for example, Paul Millsap. So nothing gets gutted. Our roster would look something like:

Harris, Bayless
Roy, Bayless/Webster
Batum/Webster
Aldridge, free agent PF
Oden, Przybilla

That's a solid 9 deep rotation.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/holl...inger/statistics?sort=per&pos=pg&seasonType=2

 

Are you fucking kiding me? Why don't we throw in Oden too.

Jesus Christ.

 

Not if you trade 4 good bench players to get him.

I would do...

Blake, Outlaw and Rudy

for

Harris and Lee

Harris\Bayless
Roy\Lee
Batum\Webster\Cunningham
LMA\Pendergraph
Oden\Joel

I would part with Rudy to get Lee with Harris. I think Lee is money.

 

What? are you people crazy I wouldn't even think about offering LMA for Harris. We could get more for LMA if we wanted to trade him which I don't want to do anyway.

I wouldn't mind trading Rudy for Harris though. I love Rudy but we need Harris more IMO.