My guess for Portland's center next year: Al Horford

I know Whiteside looked good against us statistically, but the more I think about it and looking over this fantastic center stats comparison I bet we make a huge offer to Al Horford at the beginning of free agency.

Whiteside is a great shot blocker, but his lack of mobility on pick and rolls will get exposed, and he kills ball movement on the offensive end. The team that lures Whiteside will be committing themselves to 2001-style basketball, which in the modern NBA is losing basketball. He will not fit in a Stotts offense, and Portland has to know it.

Statistically, Horford is basically a rich man's Plumlee, with some three point range. So you can play him next to Ed Davis as a starter.

It's a classic NO move--nab the secondary name who seems a perfect fit (see Ed Davis and Aminu) by being aggressive out of the chute. It's not a typical move in that he's gone after youth a lot recently, but after fielding the 3rd youngest team in the league I'm guessing the youth movement is over and it's time to maximize the best years of Lillard's career. Horford will be 30 next year, which means on a max deal you get probably 2 years of good value, 1 year as a good backup, and an albatross in that final season that maybe you can unload as an expiring contract.

Will Atlanta let him walk if we throw the kitchen sink? I don't know. But they've got a lot of guys on the wrong side of 30.

 

I think they'll pursue Horford too but Greg Monroe might be more realistic.

 

We can pursue anybody we want. That part is easy..

The question is would he pick us? I say probably hell no


My strategy is do what we always do and find hidden gems..

 

Usually I would agree with focusing on minor free agents but this year is different. We need to get a major talent upgrade at least at center position. Not doing that would stunt the great progress that team has gone through. Free agency is crucial to future success. You can't expect to win consistently in the NBA and not be a player.

 

We could steal a big man from the Lakers for the third season in a row... Used to be a big name, Roy Hibbert. I don't think he will be very expensive and he is a rim protector..

 

Dame/Cj/harkless/aminu/horford with Davis/plum/hend/crabbe(or derozan)...seems legit

 

All the better!

 

I don't think anyone would pass on Horford but I give us a 20% chance of landing him. HOWEVER, if he does leave ATL you have to believe they're blowing it up... There's a guy named Paul Millsap that would be a VERY good trade target. Maybe dealing Vonleh+Aminu+Future first for him could land him? Make a smallish signing for a guy like Sullinger and we could be in business... (Assuming we re-sign Hendo/Crabbe/Hark/Roberts)

Dame / Roberts
CJ / Hendo
Hark / Crabbe
Millsap / Sullinger
Davis / Plumlee

 

I misinterpreted his post. Its late haha

 

I don't think ATL would blow it up. I think they'll go after Howard.

 

I'm fine with Plumlee/Davis as our center going forward. I think that if we brought this exact roster back next season, we'd win 50+ games and get home court advantage. Let's just grow from within.

 

Well I'm sure we'd love to sign Horford. Same as we'd love to sign Durant.

He grabs that fifth year and stays in Atlanta. His agent said that extra year was very important to him at the deadline. He can always request a trade later.

The more important question to me is do we even bother chasing the max free agents? Would it be better to sign another Ed Davis/Aminu first day of free agency than chase some long shot Allstar?

 

Not a bad idea; he might be real cheap. Like $7 million for a year or two. I'd rather have him than Meyers as our third string big. We could bring him in to matchup with big centers that give us problems or if we need a shot blocker. Injury insurance. Cheap enough to leave on the bench for a string of games.

Bismack Biyombo is a center having a great year; only listed as 23. Evan Turner could be a cheap wing. Neil has shown he really values salary cap space and signing undervalued players. Horford is older than our core.

 

Horford is a good suggestion, and I agree entirely that Whiteside, while giving us a glaring need (which Horford doesn't) doesn't fit at all in the Stotts system.

If only we could combine Plumlee, Whiteside and Leonard. Leonard's shooting, Whiteside's shot blocking and Plumlee's passing. A young Sabas!

 

(Not to belabor a point, but) here's a low-key name who I think would shore up our defense: Ian Mahinmi. Check out his DRPM.

 

Wow - Horford is amazing for ast% in the paint. (Whiteside is whatever the opposite of that is.)

 

So you agree with NO's strategy.