As the title suggests, what would be deemed a success/failure? Key targets? What areas of need must we address? Do you forego free agency for a big time trade, maybe? Al Jefferson, Tyreke Evans, Andre Iguoudala in that order, for me. Assuming Dwight/Josh smith don't want to come.
Success will be adding at a minimum one new starter, and one good bench piece that could be a solid 6th man candidate for us.
I think an upgrade at SG would be a priority. If a starting Center can be had for piece parts, then go for it, but I see Leonard developing into the kind of athletic center that will compliment Lillard perfectly. If both could be obtained by trading high on LaMarcus and signing Hickson at a reasonable 4 year deal, then I would say go for it. For better or worse, Batum is the long term answer at SF. Also, bench pieces, bench pieces, bench pieces.
Success for me would be adding the right center, as well as improving our bench. I have no names in particular, but not someone like Jefferson or Pekovic
To me it depends on the draft. To we get the pick? Do we trade the pick to move up? Do we trade the pick to secure an unbalanced trade? I think the #12th pick has value long term. What we do on draft day will determine what position we go after in the FA market and how much money we will have to spend. Maybe we go after a SG in the draft. maybe another center drops to us that has potential bu is not quite ready now. But if we draft a center then I say go after Jermaine O'neal for a year AND a SG. If we draft a SG or SF then I think we put all our money towards a Center and go with Wes, Batum, and Lillard next year at SG, (but make sure we keep Maynor) Lot of options.
These goals I think are incompatible, but here's what I'd like to see happen: 1. Re-sign Maynor and Hickson, or find players of equivalent or better talent at PG, PF/C (backup quality). 2. Find a SG that is good enough to relegate Matthews to the bench, which is the role for which he was signed. 3. Sign a backup veteran center than can be a big body, six fouls and can be a tutor for Leonard. If Matthews and Hickson are coming off the bench due to better players starting in front of them, we can be a playoff team.
Im right there with you on these with the exceptin of Meyers and the confidence that he will be ready next year..Hickson, Matthews, Meyers and Maynor all off the bench would be a good bench
A defensive upgrade over Hickson on the front-line, a decent back-up PG who is a veteran, and a bench scorer who is a wing. I also expect Leonard to be a solid rotation contributor next year behind LMA and whoever replaces Hickson.
Pretty much this. I want a new starter at C, but am not TOO worried about it being a long term fit. A short term fit to ease Leonard's transition to starter.
Maybe also getting lucky in the lottery and adding that scorer. Even drafting at 11 or 12, those players are available. Glenn Robinson III could be available.
Possibly so, but I'd prefer that gunner off the bench to be a vet, personally. Can be a younger vet, but one who knows how to get buckets in the league, preferably.
Yeah, I see your point and agree with it. Maybe, just MAYBE, though, some help can be found in the draft, with the vet bench scorer only getting a 2-year deal. In this NBA, bargains can be had for cheap. Look at JJ Hickson, flawed as he is in terms of being a starter for a contending team. At $4m, his strengths have been a bargain this year at that price.
oh yeah, I agree that there'll be help in the draft potentially, if we don't use the pick to add a vet at C or something.
