RIPskaterdude wrote:SacKingZZZ wrote:RIPskaterdude wrote:But what's the point of another top 5 pick? Another mouth to feed? We need role players who give effort and sacrifice their game to fit in, like Doug Christie. We don't need another player to take 10-15 shots a game. That's why the Rudy Gay trade was a mistake, in regards to the players we have now on the roster anyways.
Totally agree with what you said above but I'm totally in disagreement with this. Gay is showing he has the potential to fit in and be a crucial piece to this team as a number 2 option. He's showing more of a complete game too. At least now this team has 2 legit talents to build around in Gay and Cousins. Maybe a 3rd in IT but they'll have to dump some salary to make that likely IMO. That's the most important part when starting out. The only part of the trades for both Williams and Gay that I didn't like is that in the process this team got rid of 2 or 3 guys that could really help in those role playing areas. Oh well, time to start looking to fill that hole again. Looking around though, there just aren't a lot of options.
I just didn't like the trade because let's say somehow we keep IT for 5-7 per year. No matter your feelings on him as player, he's going to get at least that on the open market. Now we have IT/B-Mac/Gay/Cousins/top 5 pick and everyone needs their shots to be happy or at least grow as players, in B-Macs and the top 5 rookies case. Don't want another T-Rob problem here when he's not really given a chance to start or prove himself. I know T-Rob didn't work out but B-Mac has been thrown into the fire right away, something T-Rob never got the chance to do.
Now, if we improve and pick around 8-10, then sure I see why we got Gay. Gay was/is a great #2 option for this season and maybe beyond (at least one more after this unless we trade him or he opts out), but where does the top 5 pick fit in? You can't pick a Randle or Parker and then make them #4 in the feeding line. Now, if you get Smart or Exum, I could see them bringing them slowly along like B-Mac but we need to stay away from the Petrie way of thinking, which was stack as much talent on this team as possible without worrying about fit and see what happens, since that's what created this mess in the first place.
I know what you mean, and I agree. I do think that a drafted player if they are talented enough should be in that top 3 for this team in the talent department. Then they need to build a team around them. I've laid out my predictions, ideas, etc. on IT in the trade thread already. I think there may be some truth to that Rondo rumor because when you look at the projected cap for this team next year it would provide some potential relief in the process. I think this team will want to do something with their MLE next year.
Depends on who the pick is as to whether or not they fit in. I really don't see the major hype beyond Parker. The rest should and could be good if not better, but it's far from a guarantee. I see flawed players, no LeBrons in this one. Randle would fit because he plays the right way save for being one dimensional when put in the position to be his teams number one option. He gets tunnel vision and doesn't appear to have great passing skills. He's a terrific defender though, and any team could use that. I'm talking
lock down potential. I wouldn't expect him to be a franchise player but someone that maybe could be a good fit next to Cousins on both ends if he understands and accepts that he's not the number 1 dog. With Wiggins you probably have to move Ben, but then again maybe not. Ben is on a rookie contract so it doesn't destroy your cap, but he will be squashed more than he is now and coming off the bench at that point so you're best hope is that he can develop into the defensive role player they are looking for him to be now.
I'd be totally fine trading that pick if they would rather just keep IT and move along. Historically it doesn't usually look good down the line when teams do that but outside of Parker I'm not sure there are any players you clear space for. Still, if the idea is to clear space, Gay and Cousins should be the ones sticking at this point IMO.
I believe it when they say Pete D'Alessandro isn't done. I think by the deadline what this team is going to be doing this summer in relation to the draft, free agency, etc. will be much clearer. I think the only course ,fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you view it, is that IT and/or Ben McLemore will be traded along with Jason Thompson and/or Marcus Thornton in order to solidify talent, need, and salary commitment into one or two positions further condensing the rosters cost structure into fewer players. I just really hope if they do, they don't just do it in a stab in the dark kind of way, or "just because".
