Bassman wrote:BigSlam wrote:We've always had someone to play that leadership role - from BK to DA and now to Raja. It's important to have someone who sets an example and set the tone for the rest of the team. The advantage with Raja is that he is LB's love child and is still a very productive player.
The idea of bringing someone like TWill in is a lot more attractive to me because Raja is here and he can learn under him for a little while. I think working with Raja would seriously fast track his progression for us.
Slam, that logic is without question. If we
are to draft T-Will or Henderson, it would be foolish to do the Raja trade and lose that mentoring. Making the deal would negate drafting a SG. I just think the return value for Bell, given his age and our team's position, is good.
This is pretty much sums up my line of thinking too.
My first preference would definitely be standing pat, drafting Twill and having Bell take him under his wing and then, like spectre mentioned, if Bell can be moved to a contender for some assets towards the end of the season, then do so.
However, if Twill is unavailable, someone else slips, or they just decide to go in a different direction, then this proposed deal, if GS is receptive, would be the way to go.
Without drafting a 2 guard at #12, the whole mentor thing from Bell would then be moot. Plus, we'd be in the same situation we are now with Bell being the only true shooting guard we have on the entire roster, and not to mention one who we're probably playing alot more minutes than he ideally should be seeing at this point in his career.
As valuable is Bell's leadership and defense is, he's getting up in years and he is prone to get injured again and miss significant time if we continue to lean on him for 35+ minutes a night. He's shown he is still a premier defender but with his age, he would be much more effective playing 20-25 minutes coming off the bench as a stopper. He's the kind of player who, in a speciality stopper type role can help a veteran team win a playoff series.
But if he plays out the season with us, his deal expires next summer and he probably walks. Then we've gotten nothing in return.
Azubuike would give Char a young 15-20ppg offensive talent who has improved dramatically each of the past three years, is 6 years younger and can play either the 2-3. The italian, while a poor defender is better than any back up two we've had since Carrol, he can serve as a third PG and he is cheap.
I dont see what's not to like. Plus, if Bell really does have ties here, after his deal is up next summer, there's nothing that precludes us from bringing him back on a cheap contract to come off the bench or even serve as an assistant (I think years from now you'll see Raja coaching somewhere).
