RealGM

This is probably putting the cart before the horse, but let's discuss what our hopes and goals are for next season. What do you think is needed for us to be championship contenders?

Different lineups:

Yao/Alabi
Bosh/Scola/Hayes
Battier/Budd
K-mart/JT
Aaron/Lowry

I think this lineup (without big injuries) would make us Championship contenders. Though in reality who knows if Bosh would put us over the top...

Yao/Alabi/hayes
Scola/Hill/Jeffries
Ariza/Battier/Budd
K-mart/JT
Aaron/Lowry

+MLE/Trade

Would also give us a good chance but we would need quite some luck for everything to click.

Brooks/Lowry/Llull
Martin/MLE/Taylor
Battier/Budinger
Bosh/Scola/Hayes
Yao/Draft/Andersen

MLE would like a SG (in case Martin misses time) who can play the SF spot as well.
Looking for a C in the draft (Whiteside, Udoh or Alabi). Could trade that pick for a quality role player.
Ariza/Hill/Jeffries, a pick heading to Toronto. If we had to take Turk..I probably would do it. I think he can be a servicable role player once again.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who likes Ariza.

Moreyball wrote:Brooks/Lowry/Llull
Martin/MLE/Taylor
Battier/Budinger
Bosh/Scola/Hayes
Yao/Draft/Andersen

MLE would like a SG (in case Martin misses time) who can play the SF spot as well.
Looking for a C in the draft (Whiteside, Udoh or Alabi). Could trade that pick for a quality role player.
Ariza/Hill/Jeffries, a pick heading to Toronto. If we had to take Turk..I probably would do it. I think he can be a servicable role player once again.

I would rather keep Ariza and trade Battier. I like Battier, but to be honest he just doesn't bring as much to the table as Ariza. Ariza can defend just as well, runs the floor much better, is a good slasher to the basket, rebounds just as well, three point shooting is only slightly worse and is six years younger. I think the Ariza we are going to get is the same one that we saw after the Martin trade, which was pretty darn good once he was in his natural position. Besides, it would be much easier to get Battier back because he is on the last year of his deal. He isn't going to stay in Toronto, and he knows he would be welcomed back with open arms, and he'll fit right back into his role.