So: now that we've used up the MLE on Kaman, what's the thinking on backup PG? Do we have to re-sign Mo now? Are we prepared to gamble on Will and CJ? Are we hoping to pick up somebody who falls through the cracks? Who? Steve Blake? Will he really sign for the minimum? What if Mo really does go to Dallas? Good thing or bad thing?
I like the idea of having Blake. I really don't like Mo that much. If we can think bigger, maybe Olshey could do a trade for Beverly.
Jameer Nelson, Devon Harris and Deron Williams are all available. I'm thinking Nelson might be a good fit. If Jeremy Lin's contract could be restructured he'll probably get interest. I'm not a fan of Blake or Brooks as Blazers. Chauncey Billups could be signed for a stop gap. I'm sure there's a D league pt guard that would work
Deron Williams just got off a huge contract, he's not signing for the BAE. Neither is Nelson. Realistically, it's Steve Blake and that's pretty much it. Mo is going to be gone. He's not signing for the BAE either.
How about an out of left field guy? Rodrigue Beaubois... French so Batum will like him and he is a spark plug (From what I remember when he was a Mav).
Of course I think we should check in on THE MIGHTY PETTERI KOPONEN! Dallas has his rights, but they've got a ton of young PGs already, and in this scenario they have Mo. Maybe we can do a sign-and-trade. [video=youtube;ZjJ8v2arYm0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjJ8v2arYm0[/video]
Whose summer league team is he playing for? Ah yes, the Lakers. He was never really a PG, though, was he?
Dallas want to keep Harris - maybe we could swap Mo for him? Nelson doesn't excite me, and I'd be amazed if he could be had cheap. Lin has to be traded, not waived, to free up cap space for Houston, so we'd have to trade $8M in contracts to get him. No to Brooks, I agree. What makes you say Deron is available? And even if he is he has a fat contract and gimpy ankles. I do hope that we reach out to Billups, but I have a feeling he'll move straight into broadcasting, and it will be in Detroit.
Beaubious might be worth a shot, Terry knows him well though and if we're not interested I assume that means he knows something we don't. I would much prefer Billups to Blake if we're going the old vet route. Bring in the guy who actually won a championship and ran teams rather than the guy whose best attribute was staying out of Roy & Kobe's way. Vasquez seems like he would fit very well, but would require a sign and trade. I wonder if a 1st and Wright or Claver could get him for a MLE type of deal. He would fit well next to our smaller guys, b/c he probably guards 2's better than 1's and knows how to play next to Lowry. Lin could be a good fit off the bench, great shooting and ok size, defense next to Lillard would be horrendous but nothing worse than Mo. Expiring deal, pays him a ton but maybe they could take some of our junk? He probably goes (along with a pick) to a team that can absorb the whole 8M cap hit though to clear cap space. Maybe a three way where we send out Wright/Claver/Freeland to a team for a cap exemption (which goes to Houston), and we get Lin & a pick? Another option might be just to bring in a vet SF who can semi-run the offense, at least along with CJ/Barton. Would Carter fit the description? He's a pretty good ball handler and runs pick n rolls quite well (like Batum). Then CJ can just play the Dame role for the back-ups. Maybe Wright and a future pick?
Not the worst idea to give Sergio a look. (obviously I know you're joking about a trade) He and Aldridge were quite close, and his J has improved considerably. Fits into the whole "us against the world" vibe of this team. I'm just glad no one has brought up Taureen Green yet.
Summer league might bring some light to unknown pt guards. I think Barton will become the backup though and he wants to be a pt guard
We need another PG on the roster for sure. Not sure who though. Who in our price range can we trade for? Houston is not giving up Beverly. The guy only makes 1 million. That works well with what they are trying to accomplish. Billups is done from what I have seen the last two years. Ridnour is still great at running an offense, but not much scoring. Blake plays better D than given credit for and can run an offense and hit the occasional big shot. I don't think Nelson will want to come here. I bet he is thinking someone like Miami. Jahii Carson would be worth looking at in summer league (He is playing for Houston) If we are looking for a defensive PG then I bet we can find one who gets cut late in fall camp. Maybe we sign a Jahii Carson and cut him if we find someone better in October? Unless we can make a trade, I think we will end up going young or old. I would be Ok with Blake or Rid. I know some of you want a defensive specialist, but I can't think of any in that price range. . Maybe we will see some in summer league.
Marshall played well last year for the Lakers. Too well as I think they would prefer to keep him for his 1 million dollar salary.