That 5 is too soft defensively and no, i don't buy in to that all "Batum is a great defender" nonsense.
Aminu coming off the bench at both positions is ideal. However I kind of would like my wing to attack the basket, and Batum rarely would. Aminu likes to but doesn't do it very well. So if we keep Henderson I would prefer we add Parsons. We lose Hendo...then I would not mind getting DeRosan. But honestly I would be surprised if Parson's gave us any consideration. Here is the list of team we would have to beat out" "The list of teams interested in Parsons will be long, with sources expecting theMiami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Magic to be among Parsons' suitors. If Durant leaves Oklahoma City, add the Thunder to the list, with a potential reunion with Parsons' coach at Florida, Billy Donovan."
I mean...... how much money is going to actually be left after Dame's new contract kicks in and we re-sign Crabbe/Meyers/Harkless and possibly Hendo? I don't think we can push to next offseason.
Really don't get the fascination with bringing in a wing player who would take away from Dame and CJ creating up top. For better geometry and versatility on offense (and defense), I'd go after a big man. A skilled player who can be effective with low usage. Someone like Paul Millsap who can operate from multiple spaces on the floor, or Horford who can do that AND protect the rim. I'd be all over Dwight if we can get him for a 3yr deal. Maybe 4, with a team option on the 3rd year. Think it was Zach Lowe who floated the idea of waiting to go after Ibaka in 2017. Going back and forth on Whiteside. He is exactly what we need on the bball court, but he's got some maturity issues.
Parsons isn't really a guy who has to have the ball in his hands though. I just think we need another scorer in the starting lineup. Someone who can consistently get you 15-18 ppg. Parsons is definitely that guy.
He's not but Derozan sure is. My problems with Parsons have to do with his injury history, that he's floated around a 15-16 PER over his career (aka "mediocre"), and that he does nothing to add variability for our floor geometry. He does his work starting from the perimeter much like Dame and CJ. If we want to maximize our capspace, we need to use that $ to get something that isn't already our biggest strength.
No....he has a player option which he is likely to exercise so he will be an Unrestricted Free Agent this summer.
I don't want someone that HAS to have the ball to be effective, but I also want someone who has the ABILITY. We are severely lacking in having a 3rd ball handler.
Didn't we just watch Derozan take like 25 free throws? The guy is an iso player with fairly limited range. You need shooters to surround Dame and CJ, I would prefer Harrison Barnes over either of these guys, but one of the other I'm going with Parsons.
With Millsap and Horford both 30+ by next season, they might be more attainable than the bigger FA's. Hoepfully we don't over pay by too much. Ibaka is a little overrated IMO, if he can't help Durant and Westbrook win a championship, then how is he going to make a difference here? I do believe he is a solid player, but I think we can find someone who duplicates his defense and energy.
Add Barnes and Gasol at or near the price it would be to sign Derozan. You add two guys that can stretch the floor at the price it would cost to add one guy that can't.
So who's going to show up at Dame's camp next week with a big cardboard mock-up of Parsons in a Blazers Uni, and the caption: Welcome to Portland!
I'd take Parsons he fits the team better. Although he's also more injury prone. If not I'd be OK with Derozan though.
How so? Parsons had one significant injury, and he missed 16 games. Derozan missed 22 games last year. He's not injury prone, but Parsons is?
