Center Alternatives

[Klomp]

I know that everyone around here is Bogut/Varejao/Bynum/Gasol or bust when it comes to veteran centers, however, I'm wondering if there aren't any other options that night be more obtainable than those listed.



Brendan Haywood - I've stated my case on him already, but I feel like he could be a good fit here. If only he was a little cheaper and younger...

Andris Biedrins - It wasn't too long ago that Biedrins averaged a double-double in back-to-back seasons, and he's still only 25. Injuries worry me a little...

Robin Lopez - Has showed promise early in career, but Gortat trade limits his available minutes.

Cole Aldrich - Was drafted as the center of the future for OKC, but did that all change with the Perkins trade/extension? Only a rookie last year, but has potential and would put butts in the seats.

[younggunsmn]

Only one I would bite on is Aldrich, but I doubt OKC makes him available. Kind of disappointed he couldn't get any minutes this year.

I'd add a big overpay for Oden to the list. Don't think I'd risk that one either.

[cpfsf]

Fran Vazquez

If I wasn't so sleepy, I would have discussed if there was any desire to play in the NBA, his experience, and versatility in more detail, but again I'm bloody tired.

[shangrila]

Lopez maybe, or Aldrich. But these are the clear 2nd/3rd tier guys, so I wouldn't be rushing to try and trade for them.

[Foye]

I would settle on the center we like most in this draft. Not many good C's available unless we can trade our pick for Bogut.

[Esohny]

If all efforts failed to pull in an actual center from this list:

Gasol
Bogut
Nene
D. Jordan

Then I would still rather draft Kanter or Biyombo, but I could handle picking up Aldrich or Lopez if the Wolves also dumped Darko or Pekovic (preferably Darko since he'll bitch when he's not featured any more).

[Worm Guts]

Yeah, I think there's a good chance we draft a center so we probably won't be looking at these 2nd tier guys.

[Krapinsky]

Yeah, I think there's a good chance we draft a center so we probably won't be looking at these 2nd tier guys.

Agreed. Not sure any of these guys would be much of an upgrade anyway.

[Devilzsidewalk]

in this order of priority

I'd give our best offer for Bynum (ie #2, Wes Johnson, #20)
try to free up space for Deandre Jordan/Nene/Chandler/Oden in that order
check into trades for #2/filler for M Gasol/Horford/Bogut in that order
see if Denver prefers Bird Man's production or being free of his contract
sign Yao/Turiaf if not prohibitive in that order
check into trade for Haddadi/Pachulia trade in that order

if all that fails, still trade Darko. Keep Pekovic, he's the better player.

[horaceworthy]

I'm staunchly against dealing the #2 for Bogut or Bynum. I don't trust Bynum's ability to stay healthy and I don't trust Bogut's ability to be a top notch defensive presence sans Skiles.

The ideal scenario for me (outside of the draft) would probably be finding a way to get Gortat from Phoenix, but I don't know how interested they'd be in dealing for him.

[GopherIt!]

in this order of priority

I'd give our best offer for Bynum (ie #2, Wes Johnson, #20)
try to free up space for Deandre Jordan/Nene/Chandler/Oden in that order
check into trades for #2/filler for M Gasol/Horford/Bogut in that order
see if Denver prefers Bird Man's production or being free of his contract
sign Yao/Turiaf if not prohibitive in that order
check into trade for Haddadi/Pachulia trade in that order

if all that fails, still trade Darko. Keep Pekovic, he's the better player.

I don't trust bynum's health but otherwise I like this plan. would we need to offer Memphis the #2 to s/t Gasol? can't we just free up some capspace and bait him with little Ricky?

[urinesane]

I know that everyone around here is Bogut/Varejao/Bynum/Gasol or bust when it comes to veteran centers, however, I'm wondering if there aren't any other options that night be more obtainable than those listed.



Brendan Haywood - I've stated my case on him already, but I feel like he could be a good fit here. If only he was a little cheaper and younger...

Andris Biedrins - It wasn't too long ago that Biedrins averaged a double-double in back-to-back seasons, and he's still only 25. Injuries worry me a little...

Robin Lopez - Has showed promise early in career, but Gortat trade limits his available minutes.

Cole Aldrich - Was drafted as the center of the future for OKC, but did that all change with the Perkins trade/extension? Only a rookie last year, but has potential and would put butts in the seats.

I'd honestly take motivated Darko in a different system over any of the centers mentioned.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Darko can't be motivated though. Not over an extended period of time anyways

[urinesane]

Darko can't be motivated though. Not over an extended period of time anyways

I'm guessing if the team won more he'd stay motivated. Pretty easy to shut it down when playing on a 17 win team.

[pumunga]

Darko can't be motivated though. Not over an extended period of time anyways

I'm guessing if the team won more he'd stay motivated. Pretty easy to shut it down when playing on a 17 win team.

Thats arguable. I think playing on a crap team would make one more motivated. I'd really like to know who alot of you think the top 5 centers in the league are.

[Breakdown777]

I think Kaman is another alternative nobody has mentioned lately.

I'm not sure I'd move the 2nd pick for anyone but Horford or Bogut.

After that, Draft the best C available.

I'm sick of having hope and faith in Darko. There has been way too much of it. He's a decent player, and he'd be a great backup if his mind could take it....but his mind can't take a little girl telling him he's soft, so I don't see the point in wasting anymore time on him.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Darko can't be motivated though. Not over an extended period of time anyways

I'm guessing if the team won more he'd stay motivated. Pretty easy to shut it down when playing on a 17 win team.

Thats arguable. I think playing on a crap team would make one more motivated. I'd really like to know who alot of you think the top 5 centers in the league are.

by talent and current production, I'd go:

Dwight Howard
Bynum
Noah
Nene
Chandler

the last 3 in that group are interchangeable, but I think Howard and Bynum are 1 and 2. If you start talking about age/potential/health, then I think you have to start talking Deandre Jordan, M Gasol, and Gortat

The big omission here is Bogut. Maybe it's because of injury, but with his post game declining and his free throw shooting being an absolute abomination, his offense is getting dangerously close to the level of offensive liability.

I said earlier Bynum trade would be my personal #1 choice, but after reconsidering the difference in durability, I think freeing up the cap to make a run at Deandre Jordan would be my first choice. The negative w/ him is that free throw shooting, but his potential to be a dominating finisher and shot blocker while being physically put together enough to hopefully keep injuries to a minimum is just way too tempting.

[Esohny]

I put Marc Gasol in that group with the last 3, and probably at the top of it with Noah, considering his age and history of good health and improvement.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Gasol is solid both ways, he might be top 5 as soon as next year, but for last season I give Nene more credit for being a way more efficient offensive player. Chandler was also very efficient, but in less shot attempts, but made up for it being so dominant rebounding and such a great defender covering so much ground. Noah compares closest to Gasol, but he's a bigger force on the glass and has Chandler's quick feet on defense to cover a lot of ground from 3 point line to the rim.

The good points of Gasol is his durability, he can create his own shot w/ his back to the basket, and he's increasingly getting in better shape each year which enables him to use his length on defense to alter shots. He's right in there

[pumunga]

Yeah, I'd probably go something like Dwight, Bynum, Bogut, Nene..... Pau? Big Al if he counts.
Looking around the league alot of teams dont really have a center, it seems that the center position is usually addressed last-or only there for defensive purposes.