Even at that discount level for Hawes, the four would combine for around $40M. IMO, there wouldn't be enough minutes to justify that kind of outlay.
Hawes makes more sense if the Blazers are absolutely sure that Aldridge is committed to the team. Monroe makes more sense if the Blazers feel they need insurance in case Aldridge decides he wants out.
Good point. I might also suggest that based on the same logic, bringing Monroe in might indicate to Aldridge that the Blazers aren't totally committed to him, and increase the likelihood of his eventual departure.
Oh, I meant to bring this up when I first saw this thread. It really puts the Olshey/Allen/LMA meeting into perspective. With LMA's history of hurt feelings they knew he'd be going into a depression spiral when he heard about who they were going after, so they preemptively assuaged his feelings.
I don't know Monroe's game enough, does he have an outside shot? I would think that what would assure LA staying around more than anything is $$$ and hopes of winning a title. If anything, if Blazers bring in Monroe and maybe Hawes, it would be Lopez and all the chemistry he brings that would be at risk. Is Monroe a PF or only playing PF because of Drummonds?
You're probably right. I can almost picture it: "Now Lamarcus, you're going to hear a lot of rumors in about a week about us going after another big guy: Monroe, Hawes, even your old teammate Channing Frye. Just remember that just because we like them doesn't mean we love you any less..."
"Your Coach and I are thinking about trading you Meyers, but that doesn't mean it's your fault or that we don't love you."
He didn't just mean that Hawes is just a Republican. Hawes is a pushy one. Whenever he arrives on a new team, he informs the media that he seeks Democrat teammates willing to debate him. He aggressively invites teammates to argue with him. While he was in Sacramento, and when he arrived in Philadelphia, articles said that he hungers for such interaction, and that he had told the media to put out the word. The journeyman has been in the league 7 years and we would be his 4th team. Similarly, Dwight Howard kept saying, right before he was drafted, that he would evangelize a lot to his teammates. Once in the NBA, he learned to shut up, but Hawes hasn't.
Worrying that trading for Monroe would signal LaMarcus problems is worrying over nothing, IMO. Upgrading talent is not usually based on a sinister motive. The idea is to have the best players who play best together. Monroe would replace both Trob and Freeland, he's ready to contribute consistently, now, and he would be a nice upgrade. Plus, the lefty Monroe works the other side of the court from LaMarcus, and he's good at it. Playing Monroe with LaMarcus could be very, very good. Monroe with Lopez, IDK. Hawes with Lopez, also good. The "Lopez Effect" would be very very good for Hawes' next contract. Finding a way to get both Monroe and Hawes would be amazing, if we still have adequate guards and wings after the moves. And I don't care how much of Paul Allen's money I have to spend to do it.
Spencer is Divac without the post-game who, IMO, is at his ceiling. A great outside shooter with an above average high-post game. Monroe could blowup in the right situation where he's not the #1 option. He has untapped potential. The question is are you willing to give up a lot for a Monroe.
We desperately need an inside presence. Hawes would be great as a backup to Aldridge, but he wouldn't fix that problem in the post. Monroe would give us a legit third option.
Aldridge and Monroe just isn't a great duo imo Offensively, sure Defensively? May as well being back Hickson.
What's "a lot"? (Different things to different people.) I'd probably give up two of our backup big projects and one of our backup guard/wing projects. Is that a lot? (Edit: I'd definitely include Claver, Wright, or Crabbe. Don't need any of them.)
Hickson is 6'9 and 242 lbs. Monroe is 6'11 and 253 lbs. Hickson is a power forward. Plain and simple. Monroe can play center. He has the mass to actually man that position.
