Dalembert an option?

I know Samuel Dalembert will be a free agent this summer. He is making around 6.9 million. How much do you think he will pull this summer? There are a lot of free agent bigs that most likely would be picked before him.

The reason why I think he would be a good fit is he is 31 years old. That means he's got maybe 4-5 more years left in his career. He is good enough to start for 3 years; which gives time to develop Leonard to eventually start.

I think there maybe a chance to not only get Dalembert, but we could even retain Hickson too. Our front line would be really solid with Aldridge, Dalembert, Hickson and Leonard.

EDIT: This is how I think we could land Dalembert and keep Hickson.

Step 1: Retain Hickson and keep the bird rights. The cap hold is 7 million if I remember correctly.
Step 2: Offer Dalembert around 7 million; which is roughly the amount of cap space we will have left with the cap being at 60 mil.
Step 3: Resign Hickson for around 8 million; which puts us over the cap
Step 4: Use Max MLE to obtain JJ reddick or Jarret Jack

Starting line-up of: PG: Lillard, SG: Matthews, SF: Batum, PF: Aldridge, Center: Dalembert
Key Back-ups: PG/SG: Jack, PF/C: Hickson, PF/C Leonard, SG/SF: Clavar

 

BTW... Here is the ESPN Insider scouting report on him.

 

What kind of playing production are you expecting from him, Mags?

 

Well realistically; just being a good big that can rebound, take the occassional shot and block shots.

 

Dalembert wouldn't be bad. He isn't going to really give you anything offensively save for a put back and an open shot now and then. He is a good defender, I wouldn't mind bringing him on board.

 

I'd rather have Meyers Leonard start and Hickson come off the bench.

Dalembert recent stats scream downslide of his career:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dalemsa01.html

 

Looking at his stats, it's more a minutes issue than any sort of slide. Per 36 he is at or above career averages, has th highest per of his career, and the best shooting% of his career.

 

I don't think Leonard is ready yet. I think he's a good 2-3 more years before he can take on that role. Dalembert can suffice until then and I think we could get him cheap enough so we can still obtain Hickson and still have a max MLE to offer another PG/SG type player

 

You're assuming he can maintain that level when given more minutes. He's been sliding down statistically the last 3 seasons and he's played on average 25 mpg over his career. Over the last 3 seasons his average mpg is closer to 20 mpg. Give that time to Meyers instead.

 

I don't think we need him to play that many minutes. We need him to give us productive minutes. Leonard and Hickson can make up for the rest.

Hickson should accept as well because there will be plenty of minutes for him. I'm sure he would average the same amount (25-30) even.

AND Leonard will get 20 minutes a game already. Maybe even 25; with sliding to PF at times.

 

Give me your expected mpg break down for the foursome frontline.

 

Okay let's assume that Aldridge will get at least 35 minutes per game. That leaves about 13 minutes + at PF. That leaves 48 minutes for center + 13 minutes for PF = 61 total minutes.

Dalembert starts and averages around 20 minutes. 20 - 48 = 28 minutes left.

Hickson gets 25 minutes a game; 10 minutes at PF and 15 minutes at center = 3 minutes at PF left and 13 minutes left at center.

Leonard plays around 3 minutes at PF and 10 minutes at center.

Now depending on situation; you could play less Dalembert and give that burn to Leonard if he's having a decent game. You could drop some of ALdridge's minutes if we are blowing teams out; which gives more as well.

 

Dalembert for less then 3 million a year? Sure, where do I sign? For anything above the MLE? Pass.

 

Do you think he would accept that?

 

Probably not to come here. Miami? Maybe.

 

You don't like the scenario? I mean we would still be able to retain Hickson as the back-up PF/C; plus allow for Leonard to learn the game before taking over. Bringing in a legit starting center would have both Leonard and Hickson options you won't have in the future.

 

I don't really think Dalembert is a starting center anymore. He'd be fine as a backup.

EDIT: Counting on Leonard to just develop and become a defensive anchor seems like a long-shot to me. If the Blazers are going to go after a center they need a guy who can play 30+ minutes a night.

 

I'd rather have Meyers playing closer to the 15-20 mpg range. He may not be ready for the starter role, but he'll need playing time to develop his game.

 

a split of 36/24/18/18, Aldridge, Hickson, Dalembert, Leonard. More or less here and there as situations dictate.

 

This I agree with. Dalembert seems like a temporary patch at best.