If we can't sign AJ and GA, then we should...
Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 11:32 am
Its clear our 1st option, according to EG, is to sign AJ and GA and bring back the same squad next year and hope that everyone is healthy and see what happens. I'm fine with that. But, if we're unable to, here are what should we do? Here are my thoughts:
As for GA:
1. See if we can sign/trade GA for Brand
why? Brand gives us a legitimate post threat we never had and although probably not in the top tier PF anymore b/c of his injury (i.e, Duncan, Bosh, Amare) nor is GA a top tier PG/SG with his injury. I think this is equal value.
2. Trade him for a PG. Clearly the top tier ones are off the table (i.e., Paul, D. Williams, T. Parker) but how about a TJ Ford or Devin Harris. I'm sure Toronto would be atleast open to the idea as they are leaning toward keeping Calderon. And the thought of pairing Bosh with a hopefully healthy Arenas at SG has to be interesting for them. We could also squeeze a 3pt sharpshooter (Kapono) in the deal. This would not have been a equal value trade last year, but w/GA's injuries, I think its equal value now especially if GA is asking for max or anything close to max dollars.
As for AJ:
1. Given his NC roots, and seeing how word is out that Okafor is possibly on the table, how about AJ plus #1 or filler for him. If we can pull of the trade above for Brand, maybe we'll reluctantly throw in Haywood, if that what it will take. I know, Haywood had a great year, but I don't see much more upside, and I think his value now is its highest. Given that NC needs to sell tickets and probably win now, a combo of Haywood and AJ would have to be intriguing for them. We would be left with a starting lowpost of Okafor/Brand next year vs Haywood/AJ...no brainer
So where would these all these proposed trades leave us next year.
If we trade GA for Brand and AJ/Haywood for Okafor, next year's lineup looks like this:
PG-Daniels/pg via FA or draft
SG-Young/Stevenson
SF-Butler/
PF-Brand/Songala/Pecherov
C-Okafor/Blatche
or if we trade GA for Ford/Kapono
PG-Ford/Daniels
SG-Young/Stevenon
SF-Butler/Kapono
PF-Okafor
C-Haywood
As for GA:
1. See if we can sign/trade GA for Brand
why? Brand gives us a legitimate post threat we never had and although probably not in the top tier PF anymore b/c of his injury (i.e, Duncan, Bosh, Amare) nor is GA a top tier PG/SG with his injury. I think this is equal value.
2. Trade him for a PG. Clearly the top tier ones are off the table (i.e., Paul, D. Williams, T. Parker) but how about a TJ Ford or Devin Harris. I'm sure Toronto would be atleast open to the idea as they are leaning toward keeping Calderon. And the thought of pairing Bosh with a hopefully healthy Arenas at SG has to be interesting for them. We could also squeeze a 3pt sharpshooter (Kapono) in the deal. This would not have been a equal value trade last year, but w/GA's injuries, I think its equal value now especially if GA is asking for max or anything close to max dollars.
As for AJ:
1. Given his NC roots, and seeing how word is out that Okafor is possibly on the table, how about AJ plus #1 or filler for him. If we can pull of the trade above for Brand, maybe we'll reluctantly throw in Haywood, if that what it will take. I know, Haywood had a great year, but I don't see much more upside, and I think his value now is its highest. Given that NC needs to sell tickets and probably win now, a combo of Haywood and AJ would have to be intriguing for them. We would be left with a starting lowpost of Okafor/Brand next year vs Haywood/AJ...no brainer
So where would these all these proposed trades leave us next year.
If we trade GA for Brand and AJ/Haywood for Okafor, next year's lineup looks like this:
PG-Daniels/pg via FA or draft
SG-Young/Stevenson
SF-Butler/
PF-Brand/Songala/Pecherov
C-Okafor/Blatche
or if we trade GA for Ford/Kapono
PG-Ford/Daniels
SG-Young/Stevenon
SF-Butler/Kapono
PF-Okafor
C-Haywood