I think we can find someone cheaper to play 24 minutes a game at center than what Whiteside is going to demand. I would prefer a center by committee. Mozgov might come cheaper and he could split time with Plumlee. SF is where the money should go IMO. If we get the right SF, then the other pieces will fall into place. You can always find vets to add as backups (i.e back up PG) if they think we have a shot at winning. But to get to that point we need to upgrade the SF position in order to make us contenders IMO.
Thanks for all the feedback, I've really only seen Whiteside highlights. I should start watching some of their games!
The problem is that you really only have half of a scenario, here. We have 4 quality bigs, but none are difference makers. If you add a big, you need to move another big. IMO, if you want to go after Whiteside this summer and you think you can get him, then you trade Biebs and some combo of draft pick/Hendo/Kaman for a strong rotation player at the deadline. So, my question to you is... who is this other player you want to bring in? Because as you have it the roster is pretty unbalanced.
Well, 1. We will have a shitload of money 2. We really need to improve our defense 3. Especially "rim protection" 4. Whiteside is a UFA, and due a huge payday 5. He's a great shotblocker. Sounds like a match made in heaven. I have two caveats: 1. He's known as a headcase. That's why he had to take a detour through the D-League, despite being a prime physical specimen in college. Who knows what he'd be like (a) without Pat Riley around to glower at him, and (b) with a massive guaranteed contract. 2. He is historically awful at passing.
The only right answer to your questions is this. Unknown... I think it would taked more than just Vonleh. Crabbe has to become a legit 6th man, Leonard needs to be more consistent with his outside shooting and screening and Harkless needs to take over Hendersons output as of late. So in other words if Crabbe can get up to about 18ppg, 4 ast as our 6th man, Harkless gets up to about 12ppg and 6 rpg, then we would have a shot at contending. I dont think these numbers are too far out of reach either if given the minutes.
Kaman doesn't play... Someone like Vonleh (and maybe even Ed Davis) probably need more minutes next year not less. If we get Whiteside then I am fine with moving one of our other bigs due to the minute crunch.
To add to what Rasta posted above: 1. We will have a shitload of money - Yes but so will about 25 other teams as the cap skyrockets this summer. 2. We really need to improve our defense - Yes but Hassan Chop's Defensive #'s aren't great, just his shot-blocking. 3. Especially "rim protection" - See above. For all his blocks, his rim protection isn't that good. 4. Whiteside is a UFA, and due a huge payday - Exactly and I think he gets that offer from a number of teams. 5. He's a great shotblocker. - Absolutely...and finishes very strong around the rim but has very few offensive moves.
I would love to get this guy, I just want to make sure a center is our 2nd priority for our cap space and not our first. If this guy was Drummond or Cousins I would say use all our cap space. But in retrospect using it on players like Hibbert or Kanter is probably not the best use of our cap space. Use most of our money for a SF playing 30 + minutes a game, not a center who plays half the game. Fill a center roster spot with one of your big Euros you keep coming up with who can play 20 minutes a game. (That is all Kanter is playing)
I guess I'm in the minority, because I'm not on the Whiteside bandwagon. He can block shots, but I don't think he's the savior some people seem to.
We threw serious $$$ to Kanter and to Monroe. Serious Question: How does a young Whiteside compare to those in your estimation?
Excellent question. My unscientific opinion is, I didn't want Kanter for what the Blazers offered, and was relieved he stayed with OKC. I was disappointed we didn't get Monroe, because I thought adding Monroe to the core of our playoff team would have been great. I guess it's a matter of how much he costs. I wouldn't break the bank for him, that's all. He could be a piece, but I think we need more pieces than just Whiteside to make a big splash.
FWIW Whiteside is 9th in the league in defensive real +/-. That stat should be taken with a grain of salt, though: Pau Gasol is #10. Also, I would rather go for Ian Mahinmi, who is #5 and will be a lot cheaper (and doesn't have the bad rep).
Gasol's best years are pretty much behind him I think regardless of the fact he is having a good year this year. He is too old to fit the mold of this team. Horford and Paul George? Horfords an UFA next year right? Sign him and trade for George. Harkless/Kaman/Plums(or Davis), cash and 2018 pick for George?
I haven't seen him play enough to validate this opinion, but I will say that the reasoning behind the opinion is solid and I agree with it. The name Javale McGee springs to mind. Blocked shots are crowd-pleasing, but they do not represent good defense - many times they're a result of being late to the play or out of position.
