Post#1133 » by Troubadour » Tue May 21, 2013 9:29 pm
Back-Up PG:
Free Agents
- Devin Harris
- Rodrigue Beaubois (RFA)
- Will Bynum
- Nate Robinson
- Toney Douglas (RFA)
Any of those players would make really strong back-ups and could possibly be had for the ~MLE. In the cases of Beaubois, Bynum, and Watson, it would take a very small portion of the MLE.
Trade
With the exception of a S&T, I don't think there are any strong back-up PGs that would be available for trade.
Back-Up Big:
Free Agents
- Jermaine O'Neal
- Ivan Johnson (RFA)
- Dejuan Blair (RFA)
- Jason Maxiell
- James Johnson (RFA)
Blair and Ivan Johnson, to me, are the best available back-up bigs that could be had for a relatively inexpensive contract. James Johnson is also a very tough player who could fill in as a small-ball 4 off the bench.
Random
- Wayne Ellington
- Gary Neal
Who Would Really Interest Me...
Tyreke Evans
The Kings will almost certainly match any offer Evans will get, which is good because the Raptors don't really have much money to play with as it is. To me, he's the most interesting talent available. He's a guy who can get to the rim and finish at will. He also has above-average handles and athleticism for a guy his size. With him on the roster, however, there may be too many ball-handlers and not enough people playing off the ball.
I see this working one of two ways: Tyreke Evans becomes a very talented 6th man or he becomes the starting PG. If we're trying to be conventional, having Evans as the sixth man would solve A LOT of problems without really creating too many. We need a back-up PG and our bench often lacks a consistent, efficient scorer. If he's trying to get to the rim, Evans can be both of those things. More importantly, he is able to create for others, something that cannot be said for Ross, Anderson, or Lucas III (the core of our bench right now).
Sixth Man Scenario:
Tyreke Evans to Toronto
Terrence Ross, (Kleiza/Fields), Future 1st to Sacramento
Starting PG Scenario:
Tyreke Evans to Toronto
Terrence Ross & Kyle Lowry to Sacramento
Under the current CBA, we would forfeit the MLE in either scenario. For this reason, it makes more sense to do the sixth man scenario; however, the outgoing package is a lot weaker than Ross/Lowry. You could also make the argument that the Kings may be looking to completely rebuild, so a prospect and a pick may be more worthwhile.
Sixth Man Scenario:
Lowry/Evans
DeRozan
Gay/Anderson/(Fields/Kleiza)
Johnson/Acy
Valanciunas
Starter Scenario:
Evans/Telfair
DeRozan/Anderson
Gay/Fields/Kleiza
Johnson/Acy
Valanciunas/Gray
In either case, the roster has a few holes (especially at the 4/5). The major holes, however, remain the same. We would still need a big and just more depth in general. This is the kind of move you make if you're looking to swing for the fences. Evans is a player who will not cost as much as a Jennings, Josh Smith, or even a Monta Ellis. You may as well capitalize on the fact that a player who averaged 20ppg in his rookie year is severely undervalued. This team does not have enough talent to win a championship. Adding Carl Landry does not change that. Adding Tyreke Evans, at least, builds in the right direction.
I'd be okay if the Raptors don't try to target any big talent this summer, but I think in the current league climate, you need to take risks. Trading for Tyreke Evans would be a huge risk, but I think it might pay off.
