My Offseason Plan

[LUKE23]

Feel free to merge if you feel necessary, didn't want to keep this going in the Dirk thread. My primary offseason goal would be to upgrade versatility and defense of the starting five, add depth, and still maintain scoring ability.

My plan:

Mo for Haslem/Cook (take out Cook if needbe to make it work)
Redd/#37 for Howard/Stack (from other thread)
CV/Mason for Mike Miller
Draft Westbrook

PG: Sessions/Westbrook/Bell
SG: Miller/Stackhouse/Cook
SF: Howard/Simmons
PF: Yi/Haslem
C: Bogut/Gadzuric

That teams bench is massively upgraded from last year, and we have three guys who should be 17-20 ppg scorers in the starting five (Miller, Howard, Bogut). Miller and Howard give us legit size at SG/SF, and Haslem, Westbrook, Bell are good defenders off the bench. On top of that, your SG and SF can both rebound the ball better than last years counterparts.

[SupremeHustle]

It's cool, but I'd rather start Simmons at the 3 and use Redd/Yi to find a legit 4, not a system guy like Haslem.

[midranger]

I like that team quite a bit except the PG position.

Team with rookie PGs almost never win, back to Magic Johnson.

I know Sessions flashed a lot in garbage time of the season against crap teams (Boston played their 2nd unit >half the game), but I'm not sure how that transfers to real games. I didn't allow myself to be bit by Gadz who did the same, so I'll remain suspicious of Sessions.

[LUKE23]

It's cool, but I'd rather start Simmons at the 3 and use Redd/Yi to find a legit 4, not a system guy like Haslem.

I don't think Yi's trade value is that great right now. I'd rather give him another year to improve and also see what he has. Obviously, if a Brand for Redd/Yi deal was out there, I'd pull the trigger, I just don't see that as likely.

The other thing I like about the plan is the financial flexibility. Miller is on for only two more years, Haslem for two more years, Howard for two more years + a team option, Simmons for two more years, and Gadzuric for three more years. So only Gadz goes more than two years out. If it's not working by the 1.5 year mark, you have expiring salaries with talented players to make other moves.

[LUKE23]

I like that team quite a bit except the PG position.

Team with rookie PGs almost never win, back to Magic Johnson.

I know Sessions flashed a lot in garbage time of the season against crap teams (Boston played their 2nd unit >half the game), but I'm not sure how that transfers to real games. I didn't allow myself to be bit by Gadz who did the same, so I'll remain suspicious of Sessions.

Agreed somewhat. Basically with the roster I have you're looking for your PG to play D, not make mistakes, and just score when the opportunity is there. I think the defense would be pretty solid with Sessions (assuming he improves somewhat), Westbrook ready to defend now, and Bell a solid defender. I think any three of those guys would be good for 10-12 ppg as well, depending on who gets the minutes.

[midranger]

A couple other things.

Miami is not tossing in Cook for any deal for Mo.

We shouldn't have to give a 2nd to Dallas.

We keep that second and draft whoever is left of DJ White, Dorsey, or Hendricks.

[LUKE23]

A couple other things.

Miami is not tossing in Cook for any deal for Mo.

We shouldn't have to give a 2nd to Dallas.

We keep that second and draft whoever is left of DJ White, Dorsey, or Hendricks.

Agreed on Cook, not sure if I agree with the comment on the Howard deal. I think Howard is seen as a better player than Redd league-wide, and Stackhouse even though he is 32 or whatever is still a good bench guy.

[paulpressey25]

As I said in the other thread, this is the best offseason plan I've seen to date that is also semi-realistic. I only wish an NBA team would have the guts to blow it up like this.

You can overkill the PG slot by signing Duhon to a reasonable deal as we still have the MLE. That allows you to pass on Westbrook if for some reason a "big" is there that you want to take at #7.

And I'll live with the weakness at PG because we've still got Bogut/Yi/#7 for "upside" and have added Mike Miller, Josh Howard and Stackhouse to our wing spots along with Haslem for a banger.

[midranger]

-= original quote snipped =-



Agreed somewhat. Basically with the roster I have you're looking for your PG to play D, not make mistakes, and just score when the opportunity is there. I think the defense would be pretty solid with Sessions (assuming he improves somewhat), Westbrook ready to defend now, and Bell a solid defender. I think any three of those guys would be good for 10-12 ppg as well, depending on who gets the minutes.

Assuming Sessions will be a solid defender next year would be tragic. The guy was wretched this year. Yes, he was somehow worse than Mo or Ivey. The guy was just lost on the court trying to play defense. Until he flashes any ability on that end, I will be making no assumptions.

[LUKE23]

-= original quote snipped =-



Assuming Sessions will be a solid defender next year would be tragic. The guy was wretched this year. Yes, he was somehow worse than Mo or Ivey. The guy was just lost on the court trying to play defense. Until he flashes any ability on that end, I will be making no assumptions.

Even if that is the case, and I think jury is still out on his D given very few rookies defend at all off the bat, we still have two other guys at the position that can defend (Westbrook is ready to defend now given his size, wingspan, quickness), and Bell (proven as a reliable defender).

[jerrod]

i'd be ok with this, especially if westbrook really is as ready to defend as you think he is

[smauss]

Sign me up Luke! Best scenario to date IMHO.

[yoyomayoma]

I both the deal with the Mavs as well as the deal with the Grizzlies. However I don't know that either team is willing to give up the players in question for what we're offering. Howard is younger, cheaper and a more complete player than Redd. Has he worn out his welcome that much? I really doubt it. Miller is a solid player in Memphis. Are they so desperate to shed salary that they'll give up a good player for lesser players with better contracts? Maybe. I'm just a little skeptical that this would happen. I like Westbrook a lot and think he would be a great complement to Sessions at PG.

Make no mistake: I'd do both deals in a heartbeat if either team would do them. Personally I think if we're going to land a star player to complement Bogut we're going to need to deal Yi and/or the lottery pick.

[LUKE23]

Howard is only 8 months younger than Redd. I think people think he's younger than he is because he came out after his senior year.

As for the rest of your concerns, they are valid to an extent, but I think all the deals on the table are at least in the realm of possibility.

[aaprigs311]

I like it. I'd love Howard and Miller. Both are very versatile. Best plan I've seen on here yet as well.

[showtimesam]

This is definitely the best offseason plan.

Each move does make some sense as well which is good, although the sheer volume of big deals is probably something that just won't happen this offseason.

However, I'd love it if it did

[smauss]

Bump.
Still my fav plan, Luke!

[fam3381]

The guy was wretched this year. Yes, he was somehow worse than Mo or Ivey. The guy was just lost on the court trying to play defense. Until he flashes any ability on that end, I will be making no assumptions.

I disagree. In Chicago and and against the Knicks I thought he definitely showed flashes. But when he was starting and playing 40+ minutes he looked to be coasting. And, well, he looked like a guy who didn't think he was expected to play defense. I'm not sure how he could have ever gotten that impression...

[fam3381]

Still my fav plan, Luke!

I agree...

Out of curiosity, for those who have made offseason threads with deals other than the Redd/Howard one, is that because you don't think Dallas will do the deal or because you don't think the Bucks should?

[Fort Minor]

Sign me up Luke! Best scenario to date IMHO.