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Is this a deal that would interest any of you. Zaza's contract is only 1 year longer and he is a youngish center with some (very little) upside. I remember when he got starter minutes last year, he did pretty well.

Anyways, just a thought.

ATL wouldn't do it though

They're hardly using him and they have plenty of bigs. I could see it happening, especially with the news breaking that he got suspended.

I figured it would be a stretch....I would be up for adding cookie, but I don't think he would fit well in their lineup unless they move josh smith to SF.

TheFranchise21 wrote:They're hardly using him and they have plenty of bigs. I could see it happening, especially with the news breaking that he got suspended.

he is essentially horfords main back up. Doleac could fill the same role...but they would probably need more of an incentive.

prefuse73 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



he is essentially horfords main back up. Doleac could fill the same role...but they would probably need more of an incentive.

My first thoughts were that this deal needed more incentive too, but at least one ATL fan seems to think differently.

http://realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=752801

Yeah..I saw that too. one guy did say they should unload him for an expiring. I think, considering the current state of our center position, it would be worth it to take a flyer on this kid. worst case scenario, he would be an expiring next year.

^Exactly.

Does anyone have any figures on the MIN salaries? Zaza is making around $800k more than Doleac and I'm not sure how far away we are from lux tax territory.

All Day wrote:^Exactly.

Does anyone have any figures on the MIN salaries? Zaza is making around $800k more than Doleac and I'm not sure how far away we are from lux tax territory.

We've got room this year, since we're at about $64.5 mil. I'd be more concerned about Zaza's $4 mil next year, since we have about $11 mil after draft picks to use to bring back players or sign free agents.

I knew Zaza had slipped, but the ATL thread surprised me how far. Perhaps he'd do better with a different coach, but then again, I'm not sure how good a fit he'd be next to Al if he really is soft. I'm on the fence, and need to look a lot more closely at Pachulia before I'd agree.

Why?


What would Zaza bring? Two more wins? What's the point there? He obviously wouldn't be a long term solution. How do I know? Atlanta just went through the rebuilding process and Zaza hasn't brought them anything.

The only reason would be to please die hard fans who just want to see a more competitive team, but that only hurts are future draft prospects and hurts us in the long run.

Why?

Zaza is just an option. The best? No. Long term? Likely not.

The point is that if he could be had for cheap (Doleac's exp), then it would be worth a gamble.

Two more wins you say? That could be an accurate statement, but that still puts us at the bottom of the league, so the Wolves still have their shot at future draft prospects.

Who will the Wolves have at C next year? Madsen, Jefferson (not a C), and maybe Richard? It's not a lock that the Wolves will get a C in FA (a decent one might I add) or that we even use the MLE (Gomes/Smith resigning would not touch the MLE due to their 2nd round Bird right status, correct?). I've stated that I would rather have a guy like Diop but not at a steep price.

And plus, if 'Dre Jordan decides to stay another year (which I think is likely unless he explodes in the tourney) and enters the 2009 draft, then Zaza will just fill the C void for next season and then expire.

There might be some big men who slip to the early 2nd round this year, but would they be long term solutions?

I don't know if Zaza would even be an improvement over Doleac. From reading the Atl boards, it seems he's one of the worst players in the league. I think they would probably do Zaza and Lue for Buckner and Doleac, which is more in our interest financially.

I think Zaza is just down on himself knowing that Horford has taken such a large role on the team. And I wouldn't always rely on what posters have to say regarding a players lackluster play. I can remember times when people made Marko Jaric out to be the worst basketball player to grace this earth, but he has since improved his play.

As for Zaza and Lue for Buckner and Doleac, I agree that it puts us in a more cap friendly situation and I like that deal (ATL fans might not). But if I remember correctly, ATL has the multiple owners and any large/complicated deals (this one really isn't) aren't likely to go through which is why I originally just thought of Doleac for Zaza and called it a day.

Doleac for Zaza, yes do that please. A face up center would mesh well with Al, + he can defensive rebound, a weakness of the Wolves. Good size too.

I was shocked when I looked at how far Zaza has fallen this year:

LAST YEAR: 28.1 MPG, FG 47.4%, FT 78.6%, 6.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 12.2 PPG

THIS YEAR: 14.4 MPG, FG 35.2%, FT 71.9%. 3.4 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 4.6 PPG

I projected his first half would be even better than last year, though clearly Al Horford was ready for the NBA immediately.

he's a confidence player, we could give him the minutes to rehabilitate his confidence

Devil, you and I were talking about zaza during the draft. I think he would be a very good fit with Al and we should do this deal if we are able.