RealGM

So with the way Amare is playing since acquiring Shaquille O'neal does this pretty much verify the need to go out and sign an All-Star caliber center in the 2010 offseason? Instead of signing a Point Guard. Say for example we go out and sign Andrew Bynum (He'll be great by then and very capable of playing next to STAT). So after that we could really focus on developing DJ Strawberry into the Rajon Rondo type player I have a feeling that he is going to become.

That would give us a roster of:

Starting 5:

C: Andrew Bynum (Will be more developed and complete player)
PF: Amare Stoudemire (Will be in his prime)
SF: Boris Diaw (I expect him to embrace this role as a secondary playmaker and occasional scoring option)
SG: Leandro Barbosa (Regardless of his play now he will get better)
PG: DJ Strawberry

This starting lineup here would cost about 52,800,000 If you figure you ink DJ for about 4,000,000 and sign Bynum for about 14-16.

Bench:

Thats 19.6 million dollars less compared to what we have on the books now.So we can use some of that money we will have left over to sign guys like Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller, Rafer Alston, and Al Harrington to fill our bench out.

Doesn't anyone think that thats enough to be competing again by the 2010-2011 season?

Thoughts and ideas for getting us back into contention for a Championship as soon as possible? Please lets keep these ideas into perspective and the realm of reality.

It's easier said than done but it's obviously a good idea, yes.

My whole point here was shouldn't we go after an all-star center rather than an all star pg like Chris Paul.

Well, what we have to do is either draft a center or PG now, develop the player, then acquire either a all-star center or PG in 2010.

My guess we will go for acquiring a center now and buy a top level PG later when cap space permits (unless we strike gold with a 2nd round pick).

Mr. Sun wrote:Well, what we have to do is either draft a center or PG now, develop the player, then acquire either a all-star center or PG in 2010.

My guess we will go for acquiring a center now and buy a top level PG later when cap space permits (unless we strike gold with a 2nd round pick).

No, I say you draft as best you can but for the most part you develope DJ Strawberry, and sign a player like Bynum later. There is no reason DJ cannot become a Rajon type player if not better. we have seen his defensive prowess and his scoring ability is definently there. Next season's focus should be on improving players like DJ Diaw and Leandro

Thabeet would be the obvious choice for us in this draft. Great size and potential, and there's a decent chance he'll be there with the hawk's position. It would be nice to get an all-star Center, but there isn't much we can offer in a trade to get one. The Diaw for Hinrich was suggested only because Chicago is loaded with high paid guards they don't use. Most teams tend not to compalin about having too many bigs.

Honestly... let's sign LeBron James.

i agree that we need to keep amare at PF and therefor aquire a good C, but the need for a PG is just as glaring

my thoughts would be to get a C through this draft (hibbert / thabeet) and try to acquire a PG who is already at his peak through free agency (paul, williams etc a long shot, but a chance with our team and history)

PG play takes longer to develop, so get one thats already there and the C can learn from amare shaq now

PG is more important.

Shaq is so distracting/huge that Amare is really tearing it up, but he was still doing that before, even as an undersized center. Just surround him with a rebounder/defender and he's golden at PF.


Nash is going to leave a GAPING hole when he slows down/retires. Imagine having Barbosa at the point with this squad, there would be turnovers galore and very shaky ball movement.

Barbosa for S&T of Calderon to similar contract

Diaw and the ATL for Dalembert

Backup center and backup PG taken care of

Nash/Calderon
Bell/DJ
Hill/Giricek/Tucker
Amare/Skinner
Shaq/Dalembert


Then when shaq and nash's contracts are up

Sign Lebron James to a Shaqlike contract 22+/yr

Outbid portland for Brandon Roy to a Nashlike contract 15+

Calderon/Roy
Roy/DJ
Lebron/Tucker
Amare/doesnt matter
Dalembert/stiff

=win

WTFsunsFTW wrote:Barbosa for S&T of Calderon to similar contract

Diaw and the ATL for Dalembert

Two nice pipe dreams there, but definitely two proposals neither Toronto nor Philly would actually consider, and with good reason.

phxfanatbirth wrote:My whole point here was shouldn't we go after an all-star center rather than an all star pg like Chris Paul.

Are you kidding? I mean...only the thought of having CP3 for the after-nash era makes me drool. How old will he be? 23? 23 and already an established elite player. He will run our team for at least 10 years. And, be sure, those 10 years we would always be contenders. No matter what team he will have. Just Cp3+Amar

Yeah, the Raps aren't giving up Calderon. Maybe Ford if you made a really nice offer...

Is Chris Paul a restricted FA when he expires?

To do it in a trade.. it would take an Amare Stoudemire to bring in a Chris Paul.... Chris is set to be a top 3 player... play maker... thats Nash-prime but with more defense.


So the only way to realistically get Chris Paul, who is my fave player... would be through a MASSIVE contract offer...err... Max contract... obviously...and him telling Hornets not to match...

He loves New Orleans... you'd have to, after doing that dance for that commerical for Louisiana

I don't see how CP3 could be enticed, either. They're as high on him as we would be, but are in the luxurious position of already having him!

The fact is, in deference to the original post, that we need BOTH - but that we have a nice start with Amare, Diaw and Barbosa.

Deron Williams can be enticed.... Phoenix over Utah... to begin with...

y'all are not getting bynum either, lakers are going to lock him up

meh, amare > bynum and to be honest, would those 2 really work well together in the frontcourt?

i mean talent wise, its awesome and they would win games on their own, but if we had the money to spend on bynum, i would rather go after a PG, another big like him is a luxury when we have necessities

thamadkant wrote:Chris is set to be a top 3 player... play maker... thats Nash-prime but with more defense.

I think CP3 is already there. He's playing at a level worthy of MVP, and could very well win it over KG/Kobe/Lebron this year.