I think hickson is getting his numbers because Aldridge demands so much attention. This allows hickson to get a jump on the other team for the offensive board. When he goes against teams with rebounding centers, he doesn't get monster rebounds. Look at Chicago and lakers. He was almost non existent. And if there was a deal for Aldridge, I doubt Portland entertains anything unless its for a superstar. And we all know that ain't happening.
Hickson played at the end of last year without LMA and was the focal point of the offense at PF (for 10 games that LMA was out). He didn't have the luxury of Aldridge demanding so much attention. He was the one demanding attention and he did really well. In fact he showed off some range (not LMA range mind you but he wasn't just getting it done on putbacks and dunks). I REALLY doubt LMA is moved. Of course the smart money is to bet that doesn't happen. With that said it is entirely possible that if he was moved we would have the pieces we want much quicker then just moving someone like Hickson.
Taj Gibson signed about a $8M/yr. contract to be a reserve for the Bulls. I think this is about right for Hickson. I would be careful about tinkering with the chemistry the team has going. HCP predicted just 28 wins for the team, and you're approaching that already, and are over .500. That's with a really weak bench. Hickson is clearly a significant contributor. Ideally you'd find a starting C and have a solid 3-man bigs rotation.
I agree that an offer of around 8 mil per isn't a bad choice. I'm worried that offers will be closer to 9-10 mil; which I want to avoid completely. Hickson coming off the bench would be a solid contribution, but we need a starting center. That's a bigger issue than having a solid guy coming off the bench. Is leanord ready to start? Doubtful... I think he needs at least another 2-3 years before he can take up that type of duty. The thing that could make me happy would sign a older center or trade for one before the deadline. We need someone to take on the starting duty for 2-3 years until Leanord is ready.
This is the deal that I think makes the most sense to me. http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d7h3kym I know Varejao is hurt, but he's a center and good one at that. He's not a "OMG, domination" type player; but he's absolutely the best case scenario for what we could offer to Cleveland. They are young enough and still want to build through the draft; plus their fans loved hickson. Varejao will be able to start for at least 2-3 years; while Leanord develops into that starting center we hope for. His contract is around the cap hold; and paying 8-9 mil for a starting quality center is good. Then we could use our Max MLE to grab a back-up combo guard that we would be comfortable coming off the bench. I'm thinking a Reddick type player. Use Vet min to grab a few defensive players and we are set.
Cleveland is still trying to build through draft. All the players sent their way are on 1 year contracts. Varejao just doesn't make sense because of his age. By the time they could become relevant; he will be too old to make a difference.
I think Hickson is actually a real asset, IMO. E Will could be a promising talent as well and probably able to resign for cheap (1.5-2 mil per for 3 seasons).
Varejao is exactly the kind of player Cleveland needs to mentor its younger players. He's on a good (under $10M) contract, too. While sportswriters may have written about possible trades involving him, I don't believe any of it. One rumor was for Bledsoe AND DeAndre Jordan.
I love the trade idea but think CLE can do better than that offer, they can just sign Hickson in the offseason if they want him, they ain't winnin this season in any scenario
They already have plenty. I think they have wo good first rounders already this summer (theirs and from the trade).
Cleveland traded Hickson away for pennies on the dollar. They know what some of us fans know Williams has played in 24 games in 3 seasons. Greg Oden has played in 82 games in 6 seasons. Williams averages 8 games a year while Greg averages 13.6.....Think about that statement
I just don't understand the hate a few posters have for Hickson...we were picked to be one of the worst teams in the West..we're currently 3 games over .500..Lillard's been great, Batum's been great, LA has been his usual consistent self, but Hickson is the guy that brings it all together IMO..the team feeds off his energy. He's made some boneheaded plays, but so have Batum/Lillard//LMA. He's not perfect, but it is my belief that the posters that bash on him have some pre-conceived hatred of him, stemming from before we signed him, and they're letting that belief cloud they're judgement. He's a damn good player, and for what we're paying him, he's a god damn steal!
I don't think I've ever seen any Hickson hate on this board. None. I've seen plenty of LaMarcus hate. Plenty of Batum hate. Not noticed any Hickson hate.
If you reread, most of the posters aren't Hickson Haters, we just don't think he provides long term value to the team. He is a steal on his current contract, but that ends real soon. Hickson brings energy, and that's real nice, but we also need him to bring a couple things that he just doesn't have. He is very undersized on D and just can't protect the paint. He has great leaping ability, so with that ability and the energy, he gets tons of rebounds, but he does little else. He is a black hole on offense, and is the least skilled offensive player on the starting unit. The Blazers have 4 people who are becoming great passers, but if the ball gets to Hickson, it never gets out. Hickson would be a great backup at the PF/C, and that's a very important roll. But I get the idea that JJ would not be happy being a back up. And, more importantly, we don't have a good option for starting C at this point in time. If we sign JJ, we will not have the cap space to get a good starting C. So, the best thing to do is if we can't get him cheap (which I doubt we can since he has proven enough that some team will pay him decently) to let him go and use the money to throw a contract at one of several other options that will be available this summer.
No hate at all from me. He just simply isn't worth what he will command next year to us. So trading him is by far the best option
We pretty much agree on what he brings, I just place a much higher value on Hickson than you. I dont think we'll be able to get anyone better and I just think the guy is a net positive on the basketball court.
We are all speculating on what price Hickson will command this summer. It could just as easily be 6.9 MIL a year average over 3 years vs some people's proclamations of 9 MIL a year. We just don't know. It is fun to speculate but most likely everyone will be wrong no matter the number you throw out.
