"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[East Bay Sports]

This thread lol

I checked the standings and we still have the best record in the league. I checked the schedule and we have about 15 home games in January. Let's simmer the f down.

[turk3d]

Please select one of the above.

[californiadude]

I'd just like to throw this out their...
Our starting Center has missed key playoff series for us and we've lost them.
He's currently injured and their has been a clear decline in the W's play, maybe not in the wins column but the quality of play has dropped. Get your head out of the sand, We are not world beaters and we are certainly not invincible. There is a very real possibility that we face the Thunder in THE FIRST ROUND...

The OP is not suggesting that we go out and trade Stephen Curry tomorrow...
But I see posters say things like "Oh we shouldn't touch Josh Smith because he could destroy our "Chemistry"....
Dallas is on pace for the best offense in nba history...Did that stop them from completely overhauling their offensive system/chemistry for Rondo? No it didn't...

Houston has been on a roll as of late. They also have two of the more volatile personalities in the league, Did that stop them from going out and getting "cancerous" Josh Smith...No it didn't...
Even the Grizz wanted Smith...

The OP is not suggesting that we compromise the fidelity of this roster just to make a move...
But it seems silly to just say, "Oh we have a great record and even though there's a clear achilles heal with the current roster. We shouldn't touch it for fear of us messing it up"...

The west is a high stakes arms race and those who rest on their laurels fall behind...

This isn't panicking, this is some of us wanting management to value talent and not play it safe for fear of messing up what we have already. You can't afford that when you're a title contender.
I am not saying we should make some crazy trade just to switch things up. But we should be testing the waters seriously as the op suggested.

[turk3d]

I'd just like to throw this out their...
Our starting Center has missed key playoff series for us and we've lost them.
He's currently injured and their has been a clear decline in the W's play, maybe not in the wins column but the quality of play has dropped. Get your head out of the sand, We are not world beaters and we are certainly not invincible. There is a very real possibility that we face the Thunder in THE FIRST ROUND...

The OP is not suggesting that we go out and trade Stephen Curry tomorrow...
But I see posters say things like "Oh we shouldn't touch Josh Smith because he could destroy our "Chemistry"....
Dallas is on pace for the best offense in nba history...Did that stop them from completely overhauling their offensive system/chemistry for Rondo? No it didn't...

Houston has been on a roll as of late. They also have two of the more volatile personalities in the league, Did that stop them from going out and getting "cancerous" Josh Smith...No it didn't...
Even the Grizz wanted Smith...

The OP is not suggesting that we compromise the fidelity of this roster just to make a move...
But it seems silly to just say, "Oh we have a great record and even though there's a clear achilles heal with the current roster. We shouldn't touch it for fear of us messing it up"...

The west is a high stakes arms race and those who rest on their laurels fall behind...

This isn't panicking, this is some of us wanting management to value talent and not play it safe for fear of messing up what we have already. You can't afford that when you're a title contender.
I am not saying we should make some crazy trade just to switch things up. But we should be testing the waters seriously as the op suggested.

Not really addressing what I think is the "jist" of what you're saying here, but let me comment on a few points you made if I can:

The two players you specifically mentioned, Smith and Rondo, who in fact are "impact" players in both cases the teams you mentioned (Houston and Dallas) were in dire need of someone who was available at a position of need (and btw Houston didn't trade for Smith, it just happens that he wanted to play for them over ever other team out there who was interested in him).

In the case of Rondo, they were in dire need of a quality PG and had the pieces to give up without damaging their core. Perhaps the two most available players out there, in the case of Smith, we couldn't use him as we were satsifed with Dray and Speights as his backup along with Barnes so no point in bringing him over (not to mention that his style of play isn't a good fit with us anyways). Furthermore, Smith IS in fact tight with Dwight and Dwight was lobbying for him to come over to Houston where he knew he'd be getting minutes, something I doubt we could promise him.

And as for Rondo, with Curry and Klay, what would be the point of bringing him over, to play backup PG, no way. And what would we be willing to give to either of those teams that they'd be willing to take for either one of those guys. Keep in mind that Smith was claimed off waivers I believe by Houston so they probably don't even have to absorb his ridiculous salary.

What other players that are out there that we can afford that would make a definite impact for us? JO maybe? Really nothing to get too excited about. And any players that might be available from other Western teams are going to be off limits unless we allow them to gauge us. There's not much we can do at this point, other than hope that Bogut gets well. Sure we can look, but I doubt there's anything that makes real sense for us. I'm sure that our FO is doing just that and will move if they find something that looks worthwhile.

[Mylie10]

I go with Clone Self

[BayWarrior]

Lee and Iggy for Amare and Dalembert. To me Lee = Amare with Salaries taken into account as a wash since Amare is expiring. Now Iggy > Daly no doubt but some want another backup 5 and Daly would do well for 15-20 minutes a game. So basically Dump two large contracts for useful expiring now.

[turk3d]

Lee and Iggy for Amare and Dalembert. To me Lee = Amare with Salaries taken into account as a wash since Amare is expiring. Now Iggy > Daly no doubt but some want another backup 5 and Daly would do well for 15-20 minutes a game. So basically Dump two large contracts for useful expiring now.

Actually, one of the more realistic deals I've seen. Amare and Kerr have a history and the Knicks would have a shot at the playoffs in the East with Lee and Iggy which they really could use. Knicks might actually do it although the loss of Iggy could hurt (could give Dray some minutes @ the 3 as his replacement though).

This could actually be a good counter move to the two Texas teams Plus Kerr and Jackson are buds.

[Kuya]

Something that's broke that i'd like us to fix is how unselfish Steph is. Our superstar needs to be a little bit more selfish.

[Mylie10]

I might be ready to add a guy like Andray Blatche. Who normally I wouldn't touch based on teams shying away from him. I just think he thought he was gonna get paid significantly and didn't. But at a lower cost that it would work out to at this point, it would be hard pressed to find a big man more offensively skilled than him.

His averages have been extremely consistent over his career and he actually averages and assist and a half. Not bad. He's a good rebounder and we know he can score. If the price is right, I'm ready to take a chance on him as a skilled big who can add depth there.

Livingston knows him from Brooklyn and may be able to shed light on whether or not he could fit in.

[East Bay Sports]

I think JO is the perfect solution to our 3rd string center issue. He can keep us afloat during regular season stretches that Bogut misses. That said, without Bogut in the playoffs there is no fix. We have to have a healthy Bogut.

[Mac1958]

Lee and Iggy for Amare and Dalembert. To me Lee = Amare with Salaries taken into account as a wash since Amare is expiring. Now Iggy > Daly no doubt but some want another backup 5 and Daly would do well for 15-20 minutes a game. So basically Dump two large contracts for useful expiring now.

Actually, one of the more realistic deals I've seen. Amare and Kerr have a history and the Knicks would have a shot at the playoffs in the East with Lee and Iggy which they really could use. Knicks might actually do it although the loss of Iggy could hurt (could give Dray some minutes @ the 3 as his replacement though).

This could actually be a good counter move to the two Texas teams Plus Kerr and Jackson are buds.

Yeah, this one ain't bad.

I'm still not so sure that Iggy isn't valuable as an all-around player, but this would give us the bigs we need and they're expirings.

[PowerSteele]

Knicks are in full tank mode - no way they take on Lee's & Iggy's contracts.

[Left*My*Heart]

Blatche is a reasonable pick up. I don't see a trade happening, unless it is extremely minor in nature. Comparing Rondo to Smith...Rondo can run a team and there aren't a lot of true PGs who can do that. He fits really well with Monta. Smith doesn't play smart basketball and throwing up 21 shots in his first game is why we didn't need him. Also, the knock that he was playing out of position at SF for Detroit, he is playing SF for Houston as well. I don't think any coach can get through to him either.

[californiadude]

I'd just like to throw this out their...
Our starting Center has missed key playoff series for us and we've lost them.
He's currently injured and their has been a clear decline in the W's play, maybe not in the wins column but the quality of play has dropped. Get your head out of the sand, We are not world beaters and we are certainly not invincible. There is a very real possibility that we face the Thunder in THE FIRST ROUND...

The OP is not suggesting that we go out and trade Stephen Curry tomorrow...
But I see posters say things like "Oh we shouldn't touch Josh Smith because he could destroy our "Chemistry"....
Dallas is on pace for the best offense in nba history...Did that stop them from completely overhauling their offensive system/chemistry for Rondo? No it didn't...

Houston has been on a roll as of late. They also have two of the more volatile personalities in the league, Did that stop them from going out and getting "cancerous" Josh Smith...No it didn't...
Even the Grizz wanted Smith...

The OP is not suggesting that we compromise the fidelity of this roster just to make a move...
But it seems silly to just say, "Oh we have a great record and even though there's a clear achilles heal with the current roster. We shouldn't touch it for fear of us messing it up"...

The west is a high stakes arms race and those who rest on their laurels fall behind...

This isn't panicking, this is some of us wanting management to value talent and not play it safe for fear of messing up what we have already. You can't afford that when you're a title contender.
I am not saying we should make some crazy trade just to switch things up. But we should be testing the waters seriously as the op suggested.

Not really addressing what I think is the "jist" of what you're saying here, but let me comment on a few points you made if I can:

The two players you specifically mentioned, Smith and Rondo, who in fact are "impact" players in both cases the teams you mentioned (Houston and Dallas) were in dire need of someone who was available at a position of need (and btw Houston didn't trade for Smith, it just happens that he wanted to play for them over ever other team out there who was interested in him).

In the case of Rondo, they were in dire need of a quality PG and had the pieces to give up without damaging their core. Perhaps the two most available players out there, in the case of Smith, we couldn't use him as we were satsifed with Dray and Speights as his backup along with Barnes so no point in bringing him over (not to mention that his style of play isn't a good fit with us anyways). Furthermore, Smith IS in fact tight with Dwight and Dwight was lobbying for him to come over to Houston where he knew he'd be getting minutes, something I doubt we could promise him.

And as for Rondo, with Curry and Klay, what would be the point of bringing him over, to play backup PG, no way. And what would we be willing to give to either of those teams that they'd be willing to take for either one of those guys. Keep in mind that Smith was claimed off waivers I believe by Houston so they probably don't even have to absorb his ridiculous salary.

What other players that are out there that we can afford that would make a definite impact for us? JO maybe? Really nothing to get too excited about. And any players that might be available from other Western teams are going to be off limits unless we allow them to gauge us. There's not much we can do at this point, other than hope that Bogut gets well. Sure we can look, but I doubt there's anything that makes real sense for us. I'm sure that our FO is doing just that and will move if they find something that looks worthwhile.

You make a fair point that we probably never had a shot at Smith and Rondo obviously made no sense, Where as for Dallas he made a lot.
And I'll admit I did cherry pick the two biggest names that have changed teams so far...With that said.

I don't think it's crazy to say that maybe 60-75% of the people who posted about Smith were against him signing for a minimum deal even if he wanted to come here...That's crazy. You're getting potential high impact player with pretty much no risk attached. Yet a lot of posters were against it because they were worried about chemistry.

I just feel like I've seen quite a few post that have made fun of the fact that the OP thinks we should try and make a move...
And usually, not all the time. When a trade comes up that has a key cog or is a little risky, the "I don't want to touch what we already have" posts come zooming. I personally am kind of probably too far on the other end of the spectrum. I'm more of a "hey let's live dangerously and make a gamble". Which honestly is probably not a great attitude.

I really don't know who's available but I do think we should be aggressive along the line that Dallas and Houston are and really push to improve this roster not stand pat. I think that's all the OP is suggesting. Hence why I'm confused that so many of you are giving this thread a hard time.

[turk3d]

Knicks are in full tank mode - no way they take on Lee's & Iggy's contracts.

They might. They don't have a pick so I think a shot at the POs is something they might feel is worth pursuing. Plus Iggy and Lee would give them something to add to their core. PJ is all about winning, not tanking and what would be the point if the pick is going to someone else? Both Lee & Iggy are PJ type players, high IQ vets.

[californiadude]

Lee and Iggy for Amare and Dalembert. To me Lee = Amare with Salaries taken into account as a wash since Amare is expiring. Now Iggy > Daly no doubt but some want another backup 5 and Daly would do well for 15-20 minutes a game. So basically Dump two large contracts for useful expiring now.

I'm kind of shocked that so many people like this...I mean I get the logic and all.
But many have said that we shouldn't look to dump salary until this offseason. Unless we are that desperate for a center then I don't think I'd consider this. Lee straight up for Amare is intriguing but giving up on of our best parameter defenders for a expiring rim protector feels like it weakens our team. If NY was willing to throw in Shumpert I'd like it a lot more...
The one thing I'll say is this does move us into Marc Gasol territory. Which you at least have to think about.
I think we might be a little too good to plan a trade around next years free agency but that definitely is a plus.
At first I hated this but I can kind of see it now. If we could get Shumpert than yeah I'd go for it. I don't think it makes sense for NY though since they've been this bad.

[PowerSteele]

They have a pick.

[turk3d]

I don't think it's crazy to say that maybe 60-75% of the people who posted about Smith were against him signing for a minimum deal even if he wanted to come here...That's crazy. You're getting potential high impact player with pretty much no risk attached. Yet a lot of posters were against it because they were worried about chemistry.

I think maybe the biggest issue with Smith is chemistry and the way we were playing to start the season, it made no sense to make any moves that would upset the applecart. Keep in mind that Smith signed with the Rockets for only $2M (it was reported early on that the Pistons were trying to trade him and his 3 yr 13.5M contract).

Houston used their biannual exception and waived Tarik Black to make it work. We had no biannual since we used our when we signed Livingston using our midlevel exception. That and Smith wouldn'T want to sign with us anyways. Also consider that we would have wound up with a real glut @PF if we brought him in and didn't move anyone.

The other part of it is (as you've pointed out) that many of the posters here hate the dude regardless of the circumstances which is quite common when it comes to certain players. I'm sure Amare would get the same type of reaction but at least that seems a bit more feasible. The other aspect (now) is we've lost a few games so the idea of making a move becomes a bit more of a consideration, however it's not when you're on the top of the world as we were up until recently.

The title of the thread "If it aint broke don't fix it", is quite appropriate imo, but now it may be slightly broke with all the injuries to our bigs. Smith still wouldn't solve our big man problem although Amare might help.

[turk3d]

They have a pick.

No they don't if you're referring to the Knicks:

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/ ... s/detailed

They traded it to Denver in the Anthony deal:
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks ... iss-out-on

[PowerSteele]

They have no additional pick incoming but they have their own.