Except that Hickson is kind of a shitty defender ... at least at the five spot and isn't the choice really Hickson + LaMarcus vs. LaMarcus + Pek?
True that was the original question. (Which I still think think is extremely improbable since Pec is a restricted free agent and Minnie will not let him come here without matching)
If we lose Hickson by gambling on some summer dream, Aldridge will revert to his unscrappy prima donna persona, and Batum will turn his corner kiosk into a permanent storefront. We need Hickson here, to set an example.
Even if it makes us worse short-term, we have to bring Leonard along, because we need a legitimate center (i.e., someone tall who blocks shots and plays a little defense). Hickson can't start at center for us five years, which is how long the contract will need to be for us to get him back. He's also not going to accept a bench role. I've always thought that, even if we can get Hickson back, we won't, and we shouldn't. It's an exceptionally unpopular view, but it's just my hunch. We won't get Pek by offering him the max, either, but we at least hog-tie Kahn in the process. But if we get him, we're in a better position long-term (imho) than if we had Hickson for similar money/time.
No. Don't waste time with Pek. Try to keep Hickson. Go after Jarrett Jack and possibly sign him to the MLE or something in the neighborhood of $5 Million per year. He would help us on the bench as a 1/2 combo player. What would you like to see happen, Rollin?
The way I see it, we actually might get a good deal on Hickson because he happens to be coming due while there is a bunch of bigs and other more attractive free agents. We don't know exactly how mant teams will have significant room under the cap to make 8+/year offers right now it looks like there will be 5-10 teams. link to article about teams and their cap space Jazz-will have money, and will likely spend money on Millsap, and with two other young bigs, they won't be in the market Wizards- will have money but not likely suitors because they want to keep flexability and low salaries. Cavs- will have tons of money and will be willing spenders, but do they want Hickson when they have Triston Thompson? Doubt it. Hawks- they could certainly be players, but I expect them to try and get the best they can, perhaps even Howard. Of course, this also depends on if they are able to keep Smith Bobcats- it's possible, I never can tell what they will do, but they should have between modest and a lot of money to spend Pistons- they will have money and will be spending it. A whole bunch of other teams can have decent money depending on what they do with their current players. Too many moving parts. But, here are some of the bigs on the market this summer Josh Smith David West Paul Millsap JJ Hickson Andray Blatche Dwight Howard Andrew Bynum Al Jefferson And on top of that, this draft is all about big men. So, I think the top bigs like DW will be expensive, and guards might be expensive, but decent bigs, like Hickson, may have a hard time getting high offers.
JJ is from Atlanta and went to school in North Carolina. It shouldn't be a factor, but you never know....
Hickson can't get a 5 year deal from any other team, only we are allowed to give him one that long. He won't get one from us either most likely. I could see him getting 4 from us and starting 1 more year and then doing 3 as a super sub 7th man type. Just don't see the point in trying to screw Kahn back. He isn't going to let Pek go to us. Bad move even bothering.
I would say this example (or close to this) is exactly the kind of thing I would persue. I would first look at trades however. Doubt anything gets done but you always have to look.
I believe the blazers nor any team can give five year any more unless they max the player out and name them their franchise player.
All your good points aside, Hickson's an emotional guy; I just don't see him enjoying coming off the bench for Leonard.
It is not a guarantee that he has to first of all. Leonard would have to have a heck of an improvement in the next year and a half for that to happen. And secondly, Hickson wants stability imo. You give him the 4 year deal for a good chunk of change and I see him rushing to sign it.
Leonard won't be anywhere close to Hickson's 21 PER (leading the league in rebounds) by the end of Leonard's 2nd year. So Hickson would be the starter next season. Beyond that, in 2014-15? The roster will be quite different. One or both will probably be gone. Don't worry about that far into the future. So I say, sign Hickson and stop worrying whether he is unwilling to sub behind Leonard.
If we want to hold on to Sasha Pavlovic, we had better sign Nikola Pekovic as his caddy. They are both from Montenegro.
