Oh I know. I was just saying that if we really could come up with 15 million, we would have better options to spend it on. Of course none of us would agree on who that would be, but there would be options. I like Gordon, but 15 mil a year with his health history is awfully risky.
Rice referenced the mini MLE last night during the broadcast too. Can you clarify this? Wouldn't we have to waive all our exceptions to get to that max 13mil capspace?
The mini exception is an exception for teams with cap space, so we wouldn't have to waive that one. It's from the new CBA.
It's absolutely risky; but it's pretty obvious we need that explosive SG that can create his own shot. There aren't many others out there with this type of capability. Monta Ellis is another one.
So the two that are available that we keep coming back to are 6'3" or smaller. Ellis and Gordon. Shit we have a 6'3" guard already that is almost just as good as either of them. Maybe we just go out and land another really good PG. I am told on this board that it is the easiest position to fill.
If Gordon is healthy (big if) he's way better than Ellis. He's a good defender because he's wide and solid, and he's a much more efficient scorer. Ellis is a poor man's Iverson: cult hero but actually inefficient ball-hog. (I was a big Gordon doubter because of his size, but like I said, the difference he makes to teams when he plays is amazing. Not so with Ellis.)
I actually like finding a defensive SF that can post up better. Then I would move Batum to SG. Then our D improves drastically. I could imagine the long arms of Batum creating huge problems for other SGs.
If NO wants to get rid of him (more specifically: his contract) maybe they'd take Freeland back? Along with $3M PAM and our 2020 first rounder?
I am sure we could make it work, but it still comes down to do we want to pay him 15 mil per year. Or do we want to pay someone else 13-15 mil a year. On the plus side he is only 24 years old and is a a very good shooter. (Despite his stats this year) On the negative side he is short, often hurt, and way over paid.
Keep Aldridge, Batum, Lillard, Leonard, Matthews, Barton. Trade everything and everyone else for solid backups at C/PF and PG.
Only keepers I see being worthwhile long term = Lillard, Leonard, Claver & Barton. (plus Hickson & Maynor if we can keep them on the cheap)
