I want Luol Deng and I think we should go after him early

[ATLHawksfan21]

I've done a 180 on Luol Deng after digging around and reading up on him throughout the day. I feel like he provides the best combo of price and being well rounded out of him/Parsons/Heyward/Ariza. This is assuming that we will be able to get him on a 2 yr Milsap type deal for 16-22 million. I feel like we need to go after him early to beat Dallas to him. Dallas has a glaring hole at SF but they are in hot pursuit of Melo and will wait on Melo before looking at other SFs. He is the only player of the 4 that can provide great D while scoring in a variety of ways on offense. We also won't have to overpay him in order to steal him from his current team. Him and Ferry's ties to Duke could be our way in to a another deal that turns out to be a bargain.

Much has been made about his declining 3 pt shooting but I think some of this has to do with Chicago being a poor offensive team. He will get open look after open look on our team. We will also have a tandem of stud defenders at SF to take on Lebron and George in the playoffs. He started the season out slow from 3 pt range in the first month; however, he was able to turn it around for his last month with Chicago. This wouldn't be the first time that a player struggled shooting to begin the season before getting back in to form. We saw this happen with Teague last season. In Deng's first 13 games with Chicago, he made 6/35 3's which was good for 17%. He started to heat up in the last 10 games where he made 11/27 which equals 40.7%. He averaged 20 points per game during this 10 game stretch.

We will also be able to manage his minutes throughout the regular season, which should limit his chances of injury, since we have a very capable backup in Carroll.

Deng's value took a hit after his sting with the Cavs and this seems to be a perfect chance to buy low.

[theatlfan]

1st, I'll be clear: if we only sign an FA to a contract at < $10M next year, then we deserve to be a laughingstock of an NBA franchise. We dealt Lou to from ~$9.5M to ~$15M in cap room - a significant jump in terms of the tier of FA we can sign. If we end up using this cap room to do nothing more than sign someone we could have had a shot at without the extra room - or, at least, by doing things like cutting Antic - then Ferry is a fool who should be run out of town.

As far as Deng in particular, no thanks. He's a vet who has been worn to the nibs by Thibs. I wouldn't say his 3PT shot is "declining" as much as he's never really had one - he's had one season out of his 10 years in the league with 100 3PTA and a 3PT% > 35% (which, in NBA terms, is still below average). For some perspective, Louis Williams is clearly a better 3PT shooter over his career than Luol Deng.

Personally, I think Deng might have a year or two left in him, but if Ferry is going to dump futures to play for today, then I want more than a piece that will continue the treadmill. I see nothing in Deng that would show me that his signing would signify any more than that.

[ATLHawksfan21]

1st, I'll be clear: if we only sign an FA to a contract at < $10M next year, then we deserve to be a laughingstock of an NBA franchise. We dealt Lou to from ~$9.5M to ~$15M in cap room - a significant jump in terms of the tier of FA we can sign. If we end up using this cap room to do nothing more than sign someone we could have had a shot at without the extra room - or, at least, by doing things like cutting Antic - then Ferry is a fool who should be run out of town.

As far as Deng in particular, no thanks. He's a vet who has been worn to the nibs by Thibs. I wouldn't say his 3PT shot is "declining" as much as he's never really had one - he's had one season out of his 10 years in the league with 100 3PTA and a 3PT% > 35% (which, in NBA terms, is still below average). For some perspective, Louis Williams is clearly a better 3PT shooter over his career than Luol Deng.

Personally, I think Deng might have a year or two left in him, but if Ferry is going to dump futures to play for today, then I want more than a piece that will continue the treadmill. I see nothing in Deng that would show me that his signing would signify any more than that.

Other than Lebron or Melo, which free agents would you prefer.

The news of us delaying Salmons buyout does seem like we could be making a trade which opens a ton of other options. Maybe this thread was premature. I don't think Deng will be as terrible as every one suggest though.

[azuresou1]

Literally shot 30% from 3, 4th worst of all wing players. Career average of 32.9% is identical to Millsap's, and gives little reason to believe he'll improve.

Literally doesn't have a wrist ligament anymore, probably contributing to his continually declining shooting, further diminishing the likelihood his shooting will improve.

Literally has had 2 seasons his entire career where he's played all games.

Literally replaced by Mike Dunleavy - and the Bulls then proceeded to improve massively.

Okay defender but is still living on his reputation from 2010.

By all accounts he's a great guy, but I don't want him on our team unless we've signed LeBron and Deng's willing to play for peanuts. Otherwise, I want that capspace free.

[Geaux_Hawks]

He's not even a shot creator. He's a more known DMC

[theatlfan]

Other than Lebron or Melo, which free agents would you prefer.

The news of us delaying Salmons buyout does seem like we could be making a trade which opens a ton of other options. Maybe this thread was premature. I don't think Deng will be as terrible as every one suggest though.

I have plenty of places where I've posted my thoughts, but for here:
1) Sure, kick the tires on Lebron and even Melo. You have to.
2) Stephenson. Think he's a great complement to what we need on the court and our player development staff could bring him into legit superstar status. The antics are admittedly a big issue but we should have a plan in place to curb that. I can understand why some wouldn't want to pull the trigger on him and I can respect that, but I do think, if all goes OK, he is the one guy in this FA market that could be a legit "buy low" candidate - especially since he wouldn't cost anything in term of talent (well... anything more).
3) The RFA market. I'm going to lump Monroe/Parsons/Bledsoe/Hayward (in that order) right here. The fact that we can offer these guys a max deal means we can use this as leverage in a trade. I don't think Bledsoe or Hayward can be had (and hence, why they are the last 2 guys on the list) but I do think Monroe and Parsons will prove to be obtainable targets especially if we're willing to dangle Millsap (and more for Monroe).
4) Punt. See if we could take on a salary dump into our cap space. Not enough so that we couldn't offer a true max next off-season though.

[PandaKidd]

He's not my first choice because he's not Deng from 3 years ago.



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[ATLHawksfan21]

Well every one was saying I was being unrealistic when I was trying to debate that we could be a landing spot for bron or melo if they left their current teams. Every one said no stars want to come to atl. Now I try to make a realistic post and every one on the board is dreaming of bron, melo and other stars.

I'm all aboard the star wagon if we can make it happen.

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[ATLHawksfan21]

Other than Lebron or Melo, which free agents would you prefer.

The news of us delaying Salmons buyout does seem like we could be making a trade which opens a ton of other options. Maybe this thread was premature. I don't think Deng will be as terrible as every one suggest though.

I have plenty of places where I've posted my thoughts, but for here:
1) Sure, kick the tires on Lebron and even Melo. You have to.
2) Stephenson. Think he's a great complement to what we need on the court and our player development staff could bring him into legit superstar status. The antics are admittedly a big issue but we should have a plan in place to curb that. I can understand why some wouldn't want to pull the trigger on him and I can respect that, but I do think, if all goes OK, he is the one guy in this FA market that could be a legit "buy low" candidate - especially since he wouldn't cost anything in term of talent (well... anything more).
3) The RFA market. I'm going to lump Monroe/Parsons/Bledsoe/Hayward (in that order) right here. The fact that we can offer these guys a max deal means we can use this as leverage in a trade. I don't think Bledsoe or Hayward can be had (and hence, why they are the last 2 guys on the list) but I do think Monroe and Parsons will prove to be obtainable targets especially if we're willing to dangle Millsap (and more for Monroe).
4) Punt. See if we could take on a salary dump into our cap space. Not enough so that we couldn't offer a true max next off-season though.

A max for monroe or parsons with milsap going out the door? I just dont see how this is any better than signing deng to a milsap type deal while keeping milsap. Buds system and the resulting open shots should make deng look good if he stays healthy. He would be an expiring contract going in to next season and shouldnt be hard to move if he does look good next year.

I just dont see parsons or monroe being worth a max deal. When offering a max deal, you are locking yourself in to a specific path for a while. Will a parsons or monroe on a max contract really attract other stars?

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[PandaKidd]

I think parsons because of youth and talent I would risk a max which IIRC is like 14 million?

Deng I would not be unhappy because I think he's still a starter. He needs a change in scenery and an opportunity to not be played 58 minutes a night.



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[theatlfan]

A max for monroe or parsons with milsap going out the door? I just dont see how this is any better than signing deng to a milsap type deal while keeping milsap. Buds system and the resulting open shots should make deng look good if he stays healthy. He would be an expiring contract going in to next season and shouldnt be hard to move if he does look good next year.

I just dont see parsons or monroe being worth a max deal. When offering a max deal, you are locking yourself in to a specific path for a while. Will a parsons or monroe on a max contract really attract other stars?

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The problem with Deng, Gasol, etc is they are treadmill signings. We're not championship contenders; we're not younger; we're just on a treadmill of mediocrity. If we can't sign someone who can make us a championship contender immediately, then I'd prefer to sign someone who can help us when we're a championship contender eventually over bringing someone in who has, at most, a year or 2 left before he's done.

[PandaKidd]

Whoops! Hoax

Yahoo account I referred to is not only fake, but made way to my notifications. What a sad little world this can be. Disregard Deng tweet.
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[PandaKidd]

Good thing its late an no one saw this.

There's a fake WOJO acct on twitter that sekou smith and Sam amico retweeted. It was all bogus news




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[MaceCase]

Good thing its late an no one saw this.

There's a fake WOJO acct on twitter that sekou smith and Sam amico retweeted. It was all bogus news




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This is the time of year where if you see anything you have to run through 2-3 other sites to confirm first. The things some folks will do for a retweet is ridiculous.

[Jamaaliver]

It's after midnight on July 1st.

Ferry better be on Lebron James doorsteps RIGHT NOW!!!!

[ATLHawksfan21]

I think we got raped out of that trade and that Jon Daniels was just trying to make a name for himself.


Just like you're doing trying to be a good mod by starting up discussion. Thanks Dash!

I would say overpaying a young player for 4 years with a max contract, in hopes that they significantly improve, has a higher chance of putting us on a treadmill. Does Josh Smtih, Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams ring a bell?

Treadmill teams are teams who are locked in a mid to low playoff seed and have no flexibility. We would still have flexibility with deng as he shouldnt be hard to move on a milsap deal and it would only be a 2 year deal. Im not sure how you consider this a treadmill move when we would keep our flexibility and improve next season.

We may not be certified contenders but we would have a shot at being eastern contenders while staying flexible and waiting on a player who is truly worth the max.

I would rather have a guy like kevin love if we are handing out max's like candy.

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[D21]

1st, I'll be clear: if we only sign an FA to a contract at < $10M next year, then we deserve to be a laughingstock of an NBA franchise. We dealt Lou to from ~$9.5M to ~$15M in cap room - a significant jump in terms of the tier of FA we can sign.

Since we can actually go up to 17.5M, I don't have any problem to sign someone for less than 10M as long as it means that there's another guy for the same price coming, or even a bit higher if we send some contracts or do a sign-&-trade.

I prefer, if possible, get Gasol for 9.5M and Deng for 8M than signing someone for 15M who has real value of 12M.

Now, if it's to sign only one guy at 8 to 10M then just add minimum veteran and end at the cap, I won't be happy.

[ATLHawksfan21]

1st, I'll be clear: if we only sign an FA to a contract at < $10M next year, then we deserve to be a laughingstock of an NBA franchise. We dealt Lou to from ~$9.5M to ~$15M in cap room - a significant jump in terms of the tier of FA we can sign.

Since we can actually go up to 17.5M, I don't have any problem to sign someone for less than 10M as long as it means that there's another guy for the same price coming, or even a bit higher if we send some contracts or do a sign-&-trade.

I prefer, if possible, get Gasol for 9.5M and Deng for 8M than signing someone for 15M who has real value of 12M.

Now, if it's to sign only one guy at 8 to 10M then just add minimum veteran and end at the cap, I won't be happy.

Parsons value is probably more like 10 million tops. Giving him a max while losing an all-star just seems crazy to me.

[PandaKidd]

WOOD overpay for Parsons, I believe in him that much.

[ATLHawksfan21]

WOOD overpay for Parsons, I believe in him that much.

He's been in a fast paced offense with two stars playing beside him. I would rather have Gordon Heyward than Parsons as he has actually been the #1 guy on his team and is a better defender from everything I hear.