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IMO (assuming the Grizz don't get the 1st overall pick) the Grizz should make a huge push to sign Millsap. I'm talking a deal bigger than Josh Smith was offered. A deal that even when Boozer opts out it will make the Jazz think twice about signing. I wholly realize that there's probably nothing the Grizz can do to stop Utah from resigning him, but make it stinkin' hurt - not like the sweetheart deal Wallace worked out for the Hawks with Smith.

I also believe Paul Milsap is the guy the Grizzlies need, plain and simple. He is really good on both ends of the floor, is tough, energetic, skilled, and you can tell when watching him he has the desire to win.

Whatever it takes I'm on board.

His flaws have definately been shown in the playoffs, but then again, every player on the team looked flawed against the Lakers. I would be ecstatic if we could pry him away from Utah, but let's just hold out hope that we can get Blake Griffin.

If the Grizzlies don't get the first pick (Blake Griffin), then yes Paul Millsap is the way to go.

I am nervous about Milsap on two fronts. First he is undersized for his position and secondly the fact that we may have to overpay for his services. The starting lineup can ill afford a second undersized player at his position, the first is OJ Mayo. Millsap may be able to compensate for the lack of size but given how much we may have to pay him he kinda loses his value.

If we can aquire him for 5/50 that is front loaded and the last year is at 8 million per than okay it is a good deal, more than that and we may need to pass.

Better deals may be had with Lamar Odom and David Lee.

IMO Odom's not the answer (doesn't fit the 3YP) and Lee is equally undersized. Additionally, Lee and/or his agent have already balked at the idea of going to Memphis once.

I understand your concerns about Milsap. There were times during the Lakers series when Gasol and Bynum were simply too tall for him to handle, and it showed. But there were alot of times when Milsap simply was too quick, energetic, and strong for them to handle him as well. I saw it go both ways. But he aggressively boxes out and during the length of a game it will even out. His stats don't lie. On a team like the Jazz, with a Jerry Sloan mantra of team play, and with the likes of Derron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Mehmut Okur, Milsap still put up solid scoring, and great rebounding numbers.

As for how much he will cost, sure that is also a legitimate concern. Detroit also is in the market for a new power forward and they have the cap room. They also have the winning tradition over the Grizzlies and so it just may come down to who is willing to pay the most for him. It's funny you mention a frontloaded 5 year, $50mil offer. That's exactly what I thought as well since it makes sense on two fronts. First, Memphis has the cap space to start him off at $12mil and having it go lower leaves them with room when they have to decide on re-signing their young players. Second, offering up a deal with a larger amount the first year might be the only way Utah doesn't match.

As for Odom, he might be a good aquisition but I've always seen him as more of a tweener, but he is multi talented. I would seriously consider him although he wouldn't be my first choice, plus I think he may want to sign with a contender like the Pistons.

David Lee has proved he has what it takes to be a top notch power forward. He's another player I would consider but like Milsap I think the Knicks can match any offer.

So at the end of the day the Grizzlies will need to narrow it down to the one guy they really feel can go the distance with the rest of the group. The top tier free agents get signed really quick usually and if they offer Lee a deal, they are stuck sitting on their hands waiting on New York while the others might get away. I know if I were a GM I would play the game and make Memphis sweat until the final moment before matching.

No one said it will be easy getting the player that's the most talented and suited for the long term, which is exactly it will be in whatever offer they go with, if at all. Heck, they may just end up with the #1 or #2 pick for all we know although the odds are small. Get Griffin and simply carry on filling in the reserve holes. Get Rubio and trade Conley for a power forward such as Jason Thompson. Get another pointguard such as Brandon Jennings or Jrue Holiday and again, trade Conley for a power forward. Then there's the Hornets rumor, where they are heavily bleeding red ink and may be desperate to shed salary. Allstar David West and underused, but handsomely paid James Posey for Rudy Gay, the Grizzlies first round pick, and an expiring contract or two like Buckner and Milicic would be extremely controversial, but could end up helping both teams.

All I know is that this draft doesn't have the quality of power forwards(besides Griffin and possibly Hill) that fits what both Wallace and Hollins said after the season, where both said they need more talent on the frontline, and I'm sure they weren't talking about Gay or Gasol. That talent at power forward has to come from somewhere else.

I even thought that Brandon Bass, or Leon Powe(before knee injury) would be better than a Dejuan Blair, or tweeners like Patrick Patterson or James Johnson. To be honest, the only really interesting darkhorse player in the draft to me is Jarvis Varado. And he is still too raw to step in as a starter.

When Boozer was out this season (Nov-Feb), Millsap was averaging about 16 PPG and 11 RPG.

Just saying...

I like Millsap but I don't think he's the one to push us out of the lottery as a starting PF.

I'll probably get flamed for it but, I don't see him as much more than a more seasoned Darrell Arthur.
Even their numbers are very close if you compare their rookie numbers and they were the same age their rookie year and Millsap had the added benefit of being surrounded by floor spreading, playoff contending players(D-Will, Kirilenko, Okur, Boozer, Korver) and a very experienced, more than likely HOF head coach.

Millsap was just as foul prone as Arthur and turned the ball over more in his rookie year. It took him a year or two to start getting it, just as it will (HOPEFULLY) for Darrell Arthur.

6.8p/5.2r/.8a/.8s/.9b/1.5to/2.9pf/18mpg --- Millsap's rookie year.
5.6p/4.6r/.6a/.6s/.7b/0.6to/2.7pf/19mpg --- DA's rookie year. (yeah a little weaker but, for reasons stated above)

Also DA started 64 games his rookie year which means he got those numbers against starters while Millsap came off the bench in all but 1 game.

Just something to think about before breaking the bank for the guy.

I'll probably get flamed for it but, I don't see him as much more than a more seasoned Darrell Arthur.

Not going to flame, but STRONGLY disagree. DA is hopeless (IMO). The kid is Hak 2.0 with the Strotential to go south of that. He just looked lost waaaaaaaaaaay too often.

Also DA started 64 games his rookie year which means he got those numbers against starters while Millsap came off the bench in all but 1 game.

I'd contend that like David West, Millsap logged his minutes for a much, much better ball club playing meaningful games - including significant minutes in the playoffs.

Personally, I hope you're right and I'm wrong. After Stro and then Hak I'm seriously sick of waiting for it to pan out for the Grizz at the 4 and am ready for the FO to go out an get someone that is already producing - not that measures up well statistically next to the rookie stats of someone that is already established.

Millsap, West, Lee - hell even Boozer at this point - as long as it's a long term deal. Until the Grizz shore up the 4, they'll be doomed to 20 + a handful of wins.

You can add Brandon Bass to the list of possible free agents as well(although West would be via a trade).

I disagree with commadoor 64 that Arthur could turn out like Milsap. From the games I saw he looked a bit of his league, and Milsap has the highend notor and fighting spirit in him. I won't write Arthur off but he needs to show alot more desire than he did. He had the opportunity of a lifetime this season to be a starting power forward and he was a dissapointment in my opinion.