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Power forward is clearly the Grizz's biggest need, and there's a lot out there to be had. It seems likely Memphis goes after one, but who? Here's my list with the pros and cons. Would be interested in responses:

Carlos Boozer: Pros: Best FA available at any position. Would be a great fit with Thabeet. 27 years old. Cons: Would be looking for a max or near-max contract. A lot of injury problems, not a great defender. Might look to play elsewhere before choosing Memphis (Detroit), might not opt out.

Lamar Odom: Pros: Championship experience, versatile, could be had at a relative bargain (around $8 million per) Losing him hurts the Lakers Cons: inconsistent, not a great defender.

Shawn Marion: Pros: Good defensive player Cons: Hasn't been the same since he left Phoenix, will be looking for around $8 million, better to have Odom at that money, attitude always been a question.

David Lee: Pros: Good hustle player, 26 years old. Cons: Stats last year are inflated due to D'Antoni's system, more of a role player than the other guys. Contract demands could be anywhere between $8-10 million. Knicks could match (though probably wouldn't)

Paul Milsapp: Pros: 24 years old. Good defender, good hustle guy, very productive when given minutes. Cons: Utah can match any offer he receives, so you'll have to really overpay to keep them from doing so, hasn't ever played a full season as a starter, so unsure how he'll do.

Zach Randolph: Pros: only has 2 years left on his contract, bringing him in wouldn't cost anything except cap space. Very productive offensive player, like Boozer would be a good pairing with Thabeet, each player making up for the other's weaknesses. Cons: Known as a bad charactor guy. Has been a perenial loser thus far in his career. Bad defender. Shoots too much.

Rasheed Wallace: Pros: Great defender, winner, veteran leader. has won a title. Can shoot from outside, so frees up room inside for Gasol/Thabeet. Cons: 36 years old and declining, looking to play for a contender, the Grizz would have to really over pay to get his interest.

Based on this I'd conclude that Milsapp is the best fit, but you only probably have a shot at him if Boozer doesn't opt out. If he does, pursue Milsapp anyway, aand if you can't get him, then Lamar Odom should be the backup plan. What do you guys think?

I want Paul Millsap, but the Jazz will match any deal more than likely.

Don't forget Brandon Bass and Glen Davis. They could be bargains compared to the others. Anderson Varejao is also an option.

Millsap, Lee, Boozer, Bass, Davis, AV and Charlie V.

Another crazy outside possibility would be AK47. He's older than Josh Smith, obviously, but brings a lot of the same skill set as well as being a defensive stud. Yes, his contract sucks, but we could pawn off Buckner and Jaric for starters. If Boozer doesn't opt out and the Jazz match on Millsap, I'm betting the Grizz could snag him for next to nothing in a salary dump. I think his production at the 4 could return close to its level prior to Boozer's arrival.

I think we have to throw a ridiculously front loaded contract at Milsap and pray that Utah doesn't match.

GrizzledGrizzFan wrote:Another crazy outside possibility would be AK47. He's older than Josh Smith, obviously, but brings a lot of the same skill set as well as being a defensive stud. Yes, his contract sucks, but we could pawn off Buckner and Jaric for starters. If Boozer doesn't opt out and the Jazz match on Millsap, I'm betting the Grizz could snag him for next to nothing in a salary dump. I think his production at the 4 could return close to its level prior to Boozer's arrival.

AK47? Damn, never even thought about that. That's an interesting scenario. A full time return to PF for AK could do him well. I was a fan of his during his stretch at PF. He's a good defender, runs the floor, a decent playmaker and an underrated passer. He'd be an older Josh Smith (like you said) or younger Shawn Marion in this instance. However I do have few concerns. Mainly, his health. Over the last three or four years, he's always seemed to miss ten to fifteen games. This should be taken under careful consideration because he'll have to guard guys that could be 15 to 20 pounds heavier than him on a nightly basis. Also, I have some concerns if he could rebound consistently. Grizzlies were last in rebounding last season and his career high was 8 RPG. Not exactly thrilled at that. His jump shot is also a liability too. His contract isn't the greatest either, but since there's only two years left I can't be too mad.

I think if AK were to come, something along the lines of 13, 8 and 3 would be attainable. For two years that might be okay with me. Hopefully by that time Darrell Arthur and DeMarre Carroll develop into reliable PFs.

rockets fan here
would you guys do dorsey+landry for either gasol or thabeet?
we need a backup for yao badly, we have a bunch of undersized forwards
and no backup center except for dorsey since deke is retiring.
landry is almost like millsap and would get dorsey back in his hometown.
thoughts?

absolute9 wrote:rockets fan here
would you guys do dorsey+landry for either gasol or thabeet?
we need a backup for yao badly, we have a bunch of undersized forwards
and no backup center except for dorsey since deke is retiring.
landry is almost like millsap and would get dorsey back in his hometown.
thoughts?

No thank you. Love Joey. Miss Joey. Not moving Gasol or Thabeet for either one/both of them.

absolute9 wrote:rockets fan here
would you guys do dorsey+landry for either gasol or thabeet?
we need a backup for yao badly, we have a bunch of undersized forwards
and no backup center except for dorsey since deke is retiring.
landry is almost like millsap and would get dorsey back in his hometown.
thoughts?

I think you're either on drugs that aren't prescribed or off drugs that are prescribed.

The questions that must be asked are like which is the better deal for us long term?

Charlie Villanueva - 7.5 mill a year
David Lee - 10 mill a year
Paul Milsap - 11.5 mil front loaded descending deal

I personally like CV since we have Thabeet.

Villanueva, Gay and Juice trying to share a basketball would be a disaster waiting to happen.

UConn front court be damned.

Front Loading the contract is a good idea. Especially if Boozer doesn't opt out.

It_Was_Typed wrote:

GrizzledGrizzFan wrote:Another crazy outside possibility would be AK47. He's older than Josh Smith, obviously, but brings a lot of the same skill set as well as being a defensive stud. Yes, his contract sucks, but we could pawn off Buckner and Jaric for starters. If Boozer doesn't opt out and the Jazz match on Millsap, I'm betting the Grizz could snag him for next to nothing in a salary dump. I think his production at the 4 could return close to its level prior to Boozer's arrival.

AK47? Damn, never even thought about that. That's an interesting scenario. A full time return to PF for AK could do him well. I was a fan of his during his stretch at PF. He's a good defender, runs the floor, a decent playmaker and an underrated passer. He'd be an older Josh Smith (like you said) or younger Shawn Marion in this instance. However I do have few concerns. Mainly, his health. Over the last three or four years, he's always seemed to miss ten to fifteen games. This should be taken under careful consideration because he'll have to guard guys that could be 15 to 20 pounds heavier than him on a nightly basis. Also, I have some concerns if he could rebound consistently. Grizzlies were last in rebounding last season and his career high was 8 RPG. Not exactly thrilled at that. His jump shot is also a liability too. His contract isn't the greatest either, but since there's only two years left I can't be too mad.

I think if AK were to come, something along the lines of 13, 8 and 3 would be attainable. For two years that might be okay with me. Hopefully by that time Darrell Arthur and DeMarre Carroll develop into reliable PFs.

I wouldn't mind AK47 myself. Defensive, he would be a big help as you stated. Offensively however, he doesn't pack enough punch to spread out the offense enough to where the defense has to respect it for the Grizz.

I dont think millsap is coming. lee would be great for me.

If we are trying to land millsap and utah matches, i hope Wallace has a B plan, not like last year when once atlata matched for josh smith we just didnt have anyone coming.

Not sure where your feelings are on Gasol and Thabeet but it may be a good time to guage a possible move to pry away Al Horford for your PF position. With the contracts they have there and Horford coming up to be resigned in a few years you may be able to grab him. Selling them on a true center to go with their team could help both situations. If you pull this off it would allow you to place either of you centers in a locked spot and allow for you to pick up a back up and whatever else you need to fill out your roster.

Darko Milicic would be a great target for Grizz and he is already familiar with the team.


but how about the Polish Hammer, Marcin Gortat?
long run I'd like to get Chris Bosh... This year I'll settle for someone better than Drew Gooden / Hakim Warrick but won't be sad if we don't get Amare or Rasheed Wallace.

Joe Kleazy wrote:Not sure where your feelings are on Gasol and Thabeet but it may be a good time to guage a possible move to pry away Al Horford for your PF position. With the contracts they have there and Horford coming up to be resigned in a few years you may be able to grab him. Selling them on a true center to go with their team could help both situations. If you pull this off it would allow you to place either of you centers in a locked spot and allow for you to pick up a back up and whatever else you need to fill out your roster.

I was calling for Al after it was announced the Grizzlies got the #2 pick. However, I don't think Atlanta is going to give him up, yet anyways. They'll want to find a taker for Josh Smith first.

Gortat is a good sign, but to the backup Thabeet

We must try to get or Horford or Oka4. Wonder if a combination of M.Gasol + Arthur + taking bad contract would be enough

Too soon to give up Marc.

Unless Thabeet becomes a defensive force, rebound machine and decent scorer immediately then Marc needs to stay.

Charlie Vilanueva is a free agent so we can sign him out right without worrying about Milwaukee matching. 7 mil a year should get it done. He can score and on a team like the Grizz where guys tend to disappear having someone willing to take the shot is important along with having another threat on the court. IMO

If you could get Charlie V for 7 mil you do that for 5 years tomorrow. I don't think any of the PF prospects in Free Agency are going to look at Memphis for less than 10 a year. Sad but true.

And for that money I would like to have David Lee here (like it is my decision) mostly because he is a force first, scorer second kinda guy.

Have to remember Rudy, Oj, Conley are getting a LOT of looks at shots and there are only so many to go around.

Or you could get someone moving some salary off a team at a discounted cost. If you could talk Amare into signing a max deal you do that and have him MAXED (and plan to max OJ too) and just pray he doesn't get hurt.

Amare or Boozer on this team with all the other talent in place is a 35-40 win season.