Texas Chuck wrote:oldncreaky wrote:Texas Chuck wrote:try and find a taker for LaVine and he ends up in Detroit for something face savey but of no real value. Re-sign DD. Take the LaVine money and find a starting PF and play for 10th again.
I sincerely hope that Detroit doesn't bite on Lavine
I'd much rather Detroit try and fill the talent hole at F with a solid vet like Tobias Harris or (better IMO) Derozan who can also help with the locker-room culture
Oh I don't think Detroit should do that. But do I think it possible if all it costs them is taking on the contract? Yeah I think I do.
Detroit is in such a bad spot because they still aren't sure if any of the young players are core, not even Cade. And they really need to know that. What I think they should do is overpay some vets on 2 year deals who can just provide a stable environment to see what some of these kids really are. Basically like what Houston just did. The idea isn't so much winning 38 games instead of 18 but rather to see how players fit into an actual NBA lineup.
But Detroit probably also feels like they need to make a splash to excite the majority of the fanbase and they can sell Zach far easier than they can sell Tyus Jones and Tobias Harris.
I wouldn't be surprised if Detroit did like Klay and Bridges. I'd hate it, but I'd get it.
Yeah, I agree that which (if any) of our current players are worth building around remains fuzzy, and that getting some good vets on short contracts to provide some leadership until a young core emerges is the approach Detroit should take.
I think you might be underestimating the fan base -- or at least, I hope you are -- in thinking that the "flash" of Zach is an easier sell than Tyus + Tobi or equivalent. The Detroit fan base includes a lot of guys who've been following for a very long time, and there's still a bit of a hangover from the attempt to market "flash" with a past-prime Blake Griffin. There's little interest in Zach on the Detroit board for what that is worth.
As to what the key decision makers (Gores/Weaver/PBO who is TBD) think, I've got no clue and even less confidence.
And I'm increasingly on the Derozan to Detroit bandwagon -- can't think of an available FA who would be better at setting culture. Definitely possible as long as Casey remains part of the FO, and lord knows we can afford Demar and outbid anyone.