Milwaukee is definitely the most improved by adding Simmons (free agency) and Bogut (draft). They also kept Redd from walking (max contract) and they get TJ Ford back from injury.
They are looking like the most improved...but they also win the "worst off season moves" award because they have tied themselves into mediocracy for many years to come.
They are looking like the most improved...but they also win the "worst off season moves" award because they have tied themselves into mediocracy for many years to come.
Journeyman said:
I am shocked at how little they are doing to upgrade the position. Granted, Phil's triangle doesn't necessarily need a big time point guard, but he usually likes bigger guards that can defend. I don't see anyone available that fits his normal mode.
I think Antonio Daniels realizes that he would be a huge waste in that system. He is the best point guard available (although I think Jaric will have a better year than he will next season), but is not a good fit for the Lakers. If it would have been a good fit, he would have signed there without hesitation because he would start. He is actually considering going back to Portland or heading to Utah to be a back up instead of starting for the Lakers.
I am really scratching my head at why they are not heavily interested in Marco Jaric from the Clippers. He is 6'7" and a great defender. He doesn't require a lot of shots. He seems to be the perfect fit yet I haven't even once heard a mention of them contacting him. To me, he is the perfect fit. But that doesn't look like it will happen.
I don't know where they go next. There really isn't anyone available. But I don't think they need much since Kobe will always be the primary ball handler and everything will run through him.
I agree about Kobe, very similar to MJ when the need was there, Jordan could just as easily bring it up....they have more room to bring someone in now though, and I am sure they will bring in a point guard, I figured you would have a good idea if anyone would....the Lakers did address their lack of size problem...they've really bulked up .
It has been extremely quiet in Lakerland as far as bringing in a point guard. It is making me wonder what they are planning to do. Like I said, they don't need a big time player in that position in their offense, but they definitely need more than what they currently have on the roster.
Kupchak keeps saying they aren't going to cut Brian Grant which I think would be a HUGE mistake. They have the opportunity to get out from under the worst contract in the NBA with the new CBA agreement. He is scheduled to make:
next season: $14,500,000
2006/2007: $15,570,000
WOW! If they don't cut him, Kupchak needs to step down. That is the biggest waste of money imaginable.
I am interested to see if Phil Jackson can get Lamar Odom to play at an elite level. It would be huge if he could turn him into the Scottie Pippen mold to compliment Kobe. I can't see it happening, but we will see. There is no doubt Odom has had the potential, but he is far from tapping into most of it so far.
Odom is also a guy that could take some of the ball handling role (a la Pippen). I remember there was talk amongst the Clippers front office personnel after his rookie season that they were going to use the summer leagues to make him a point guard. In Jackson's system, Odom could play a much bigger role in a lot of areas.
Kupchak keeps saying they aren't going to cut Brian Grant which I think would be a HUGE mistake. They have the opportunity to get out from under the worst contract in the NBA with the new CBA agreement. He is scheduled to make:
next season: $14,500,000
2006/2007: $15,570,000
WOW! If they don't cut him, Kupchak needs to step down. That is the biggest waste of money imaginable.
I am interested to see if Phil Jackson can get Lamar Odom to play at an elite level. It would be huge if he could turn him into the Scottie Pippen mold to compliment Kobe. I can't see it happening, but we will see. There is no doubt Odom has had the potential, but he is far from tapping into most of it so far.
Odom is also a guy that could take some of the ball handling role (a la Pippen). I remember there was talk amongst the Clippers front office personnel after his rookie season that they were going to use the summer leagues to make him a point guard. In Jackson's system, Odom could play a much bigger role in a lot of areas.
Atlanta is another team that really helped themselves and they did it just through the draft.
They are similar to the Clippers in that no one wants to play for them so they are having a hard time in free agency, but they are going after a lot of players that could help. I still think they will land one of the two RFA big men from Chicago (Chandler or Curry).
But their future looks really bright. The problem is they have a TON of 6'9" SF type players. I think they have a lot of trade value and could swing a deal at some point with one or two of these young talents with potential:
Josh Childress 6'8" (22)
Al Harrington 6'9" (25)
Josh Smith 6'9" (20)
Marvin Williams 6'9" (19)
They brought in Salim Stoudamire who could turn into a great point guard. He might be the best shooter in last years draft.
They still need some bulk and rebounding, but I think they will address that with Curry/Chandler. But they need a lot more than that. I'd like to see them package Childress and Smith/Harrington (either of those 2) for a big time post player.
They are similar to the Clippers in that no one wants to play for them so they are having a hard time in free agency, but they are going after a lot of players that could help. I still think they will land one of the two RFA big men from Chicago (Chandler or Curry).
But their future looks really bright. The problem is they have a TON of 6'9" SF type players. I think they have a lot of trade value and could swing a deal at some point with one or two of these young talents with potential:
Josh Childress 6'8" (22)
Al Harrington 6'9" (25)
Josh Smith 6'9" (20)
Marvin Williams 6'9" (19)
They brought in Salim Stoudamire who could turn into a great point guard. He might be the best shooter in last years draft.
They still need some bulk and rebounding, but I think they will address that with Curry/Chandler. But they need a lot more than that. I'd like to see them package Childress and Smith/Harrington (either of those 2) for a big time post player.
CJ, what would you think about the Suns' changes if they land Finley? To keep JJ, sign Stat to a max deal, trade for Thomas, sign Bell and then sign Finley? I think that is a very nice improvement to an already top notch team. Still have to figure out how to beat the Spurs just like everyone else though...
WildBill said:
I think Finley is over priced. But I think he is a huge upgrade from Q last season. I don't know the financial aspect of their team very well, but it would seem tough to accomplish all of that, isn't it? They have Nash's contract, Finley won't come cheap, and I am sure they want to do everything possible to sign Stoudamire to a max deal...that on top of having to match the max offer for Joe Johnson.
But I think he is a great player and obviously played well with Nash when they were running and gunning in Dallas.
You guys talk about upgrades by considering guys like Finley...we are out trying to work a sign and trade deal for Bonzi Wells.
:sad3:
Finley is likely to get cut by the Mavs as part of a new wrinkle in the CBA. The Mavs would have to pay him the guaranteed amount, but they won't have to pay the luxury tax on it as well. The Suns could sign him for the mid-level exception and Mike wouldn't care because he gets I think $16 mil per year from Mark Cuban. Word I heard on a talk show is Dallas is trying to trade him, but obviously no takers at his salary. If they do go ahead and cut him then he is very likely to either return to Phoenix with heading to Chicago to play in his hometown only a secondary consideration.
WildBill said:
I would think he would get a ton of offers for the mid-level exception...but I would even think teams would be willing to offer above that.
There is no doubt in my mind he won't be in Dallas next year. They would be stupid not to take advantage of the new CBA agreement option. The same goes for the Lakers with Brian Grant.
Phoenix would be a great situation for him.
I wonder what kind of trade offers Dallas will make because it would obviously be better for them if they can get something in return even if they just pay him the guaranteed amount to cover that for another team in the trade.
