Off-Season Expectations?

[wiff]

So as a Sonic fan



What are your off-season expectations from Presti's stand point?

What guys are you moving and who are you targeting?

Is Hinrich really the guy the Sonics are seriously going to take a run at? Or are the Sonics just mentioned because they have parts with cap space that Clay isn't going to spend?

You would think with all those draft picks the Sonics have to move some dead weight just for roster spots. Let's consolidate some.

The Sonics do have tons of draft picks for young prospects and a couple expirings with Wilcox and Marshall coming off the cap of close to 13mil.

What 23-25 year old disgruntled star is out there?

Who is available that might be better than Mayo or Bayless and who is still young?

13 mil cap space from Wilcox and Marshall and the #4 pick what could that bring home? Possibly even add the Sonics pick of 2010. The Sonics would still have the Suns picks in 2010.

Look what Kwame Brown and Jarvis Critteron did for the Lakers this season.

So who do you want to hit the road?

Any one you want back that you think could make the Sonics a legit playoff contender for next year??????????????????????????????????????



I dare say this because I give a guy in here a bad time about his non-stop love, but what about a guy like Iggy?

Personally I have to wonder how attached Philly is to Iggy? They have lots of young wing players and Iggy is looking at a big payday. Plus they need a PF, Wilcox (who is just entering the beginning of his prime), Marshall for cap space, the #4 pick and the Sonics own 2010 pick should probably do the trick. Only thing is that it would have to go down as a sign and trade after the draft. Big deal that happens.


Why not use some of the spare parts for an impact player? We talked about it all last off season about making a quantity for quality trade.

I think Iggy has one of the best all around games in the league. And would look great next to Durant and Green. 20pts, 5rebs and 5dimes would be a welcomed addition on the floor. Plus the guy isn't wet behind his ears.

I think Chris Wilcox's 13pts and 7rebs are achievable by Green. Plus Durants game would improve playing SF.

Anyway I'm going to stop rambling.

[OzThunder]

i would love iggy for the sonics, i just don't know if philly would be that keen to give him up.

[london sonic]

iggy would be good but at what cost? what about tyrus thomas former no2 pick of the bulls,young talent,good defense and could come cheap now bulls could take beasley.

[Downtown]

How the draft ends up dictates how the rest of the offseason goes, if that's what you're asking us Wiff.

I expect a big push from Presti on draft day and I think the biggest moves will be then. But as far as expectations for the rest of the offseason I think it will be fairly mild.

There is a huge wildcard in there because of the court cases. Bennett just may instruct Presti on which direction to go in with regards to contracts depending on the outcome.

Let's say Presti plays it straight forward on draft day and picks either Mayo or Bayless, as most of us think he will. Then he goes with the best player available at #24. Let's be honest, the players drafted after that won't be making an impact on the team next year, if at all unless they get really, really, lucky.

So then we have to look at what else was a big problem for Seattle this season and go from there. A true, starting caliber center? Of course. Perimiter defence? Definitely. Veteran leadership to pull out those close games in the fourth quarter? That makes or breaks games so yes. A player on offence that can draw fouls so games aren't so lopsided in free throw attempts? For sure. More interior defence? Every team needs that presence in the middle.

Now you can ask how many of these areas will Presti seriously address? Rome wasn't built in a day and the Sonics are no different. Presti will have to play that fine line between getting the talent he needs to make the team better for next season as well as watching the bottom line.

For me it all adds up to perhaps adding two legit players at the very most in the offseason(besides who they draft). And I don't think they will look on the surface as big upgrades over what we have but might just be a little better fit for what the team needs.

A reliable but unspectacular center, and someone who can play Wilkens role better than he did on defence. Which players it takes to move out to make room for those two I don't know.

So my expectations realistically are that they get another young star by way of the draft to add to Durant and Green, hopefully make a trade to get another expiring contract and free up a position, trade for a serviceable center that is complimentary to the team, and find an upgrade combo shooting guard/small forward, or combo guard that can get the job done as the stopper at crucial times during games.

The trade deadline should be interesting if Presti still has a stockpile of expiring contracts, and the summer of 2009 should be the most interesting time, with the Sonics having both draft picks and lots of cap space for what is expected to be a bumpercrop of free agents.

Those are my expectations for the offseason with the asterick that how the court case ends up can change the whole landscape.

[djthesonicsfan]

My expectation is that Presti continues to build a team capable of contending for the championship. There a lot of ways to go about that, but there are also some inescapable facts to deal with.

First of all he's got an ownership situation that's crazy wierd. At the moment it's Bennett. Assuming Bennett controls the purse strings through the summer, & the team stays in Seattle for two more years racking up big losses, then Presti has to build spending no money. Basically via the draft. Getting the team ready for OKC as much as I hate to say it. If, no, when the ownership changes this summer, then we've got a chance to probably make a significant trade based on salary cap. But only if he can get a difference making point guard or center in an opportunistic situation. Plus he needs to get a real coach asap.

Second, Presti has to be honest with his assessment of the competitive landscape. At the moment it's the Lakers, Spurs, Celtics, Jazz, Pistons & Hornets. It's going to be that way for a few more years. And our best player, K Durant, was literally the youngest player in the NBA last season. And we're probably adding another three rookies, one starting, to our roster this season. Based on this I think there has to be an admission that realistically this team is not competing this next season, nor the following season most likely. More like 2010/11. That realization should mean the Sonics manage their salary cap towards that time frame. No marginal players with long/large contracts (eg Watsnour or a stupid trade / free agent).

Third, Presti has six 1st round picks the next three years. Seven if you count the #32 pick this year. Which makes for a few different important considerations...
(a) Draft good players... we need a quality starter from this draft & next.
(b) Can't be in a hurry to establish "the team" or all those picks will become liabilities.
(c) Most 2nd round picks need to be stashed in Europe for bringing over later if worthwhile.

Bottom line, I want Presti to pick a star quality player in this draft. I think/hope it's going to be OJ Mayo. If not then J Bayless. If he can work some sort of crazy ponzi scheme to get D Rose, fantastic. With the second 1st I'm thinking B Rush or C Lee. But if he took a chance on R Lopez or another big it wouldn't piss me off too much. I think there's urgency towards getting a real coach. One the players respect. Someone who can actually teach & implement effective defensive schemes. I'm for Boston's Mr Tibs as you already know. And finally, after suffering through last season I don't want any get rich quick trades that might get us 40 wins this season but sacrifice our ability to contend long term. I'd be totally happy with 30-35 wins next season as long as the team continues to build towards contention.

Oh ya, and Schultz has to win that lawsuit!

[wiff]

I guess my question Downtown do you think Presti is simply going to draft Mayo, Lopez or Bayless and simply call it a day?

As a fan (I know we aren't on the radar with this current ownership) I'm looking at the #4 pick and all these other spare parts the Sonics have that aren't really in the Sonics long term equation and I'm thinking why not make a package for a young player than can run next to Durant and Green for a long time.

How many draft picks do the Sonics really need? And even Clay Bennett wants a winner. You have the parts to make a huge impact why not throw something together?

Wilcox and Marshall don't have any long term future in Seattle. With the Suns 2010 pick looking like it could be in the lottery would it really hurt to toss in the Sonics own 2010 pick? Plus the #4 pick, that is a whale of a package.

Sure it might seem like the Sonics are overpaying but with all the random spare parts on this team they can do that for an impact player.

Heck give the package to GS for Beidrins. But this team needs to start taking shape and forming an identity.

If Presti simply drafts Mayo, Lopez or Bayless and calls it a day I'm going to be dissapointed.

[Downtown]

Wiff, my personal hope is that Presti will try to trade up with Miami. I agree with you that we really don't need that many draft picks and he can offer at least two more first round picks besides the #4 pick, or a player of Pat Riley's choice other than Durant and Green. Who knows how it will turn out.

But even if he can't make that happen, then answering your question, no, I don't think he will just stick to the program and pick 6 players. I think something else is going to happen for the simple matter that Presti needs to make some room at pointguard and perhaps power forward.I expect a pointguard to be selected from one of the picks and there's no way that Watson, Ridnour, and whoever that pick will be can co-exsist. I also don't see them carrying Collison, Wilcox, Marshall, and Green unless they make a decision that Green is to be the fulltime small forward and Collison is to play lots of center again. But he could always put the irons in the fire for a sign and trade in July and sit tight until then.

[Patches Pal]

I expect some sort of trade that will use these expirings, trade exceptions and picks to move up for a veteran player that can start and/or another top 10 pick. I expect at least three draft picks to make our rotation and four to make the roster. I expect at least one PG and one center. I expect Presti will hang on to the first round picks in future years. We need those in case we miss on a guy.

[wiff]

I expect some sort of trade that will use these expirings, trade exceptions and picks to move up for a veteran player that can start and/or another top 10 pick. I expect at least three draft picks to make our rotation and four to make the roster. I expect at least one PG and one center. I expect Presti will hang on to the first round picks in future years. We need those in case we miss on a guy.

This is part of my point too. If you make a package with those picks for a proven player you don't have to worry about missing on a guy because you know a guy like Iggy or Beidrins can play and what they can give you.

[Patches Pal]

Why would Golden State let go of Biedrins? Do you know something?

[wiff]

Why would Golden State let go of Biedrins? Do you know something?

I don't know anything, but he is the type of player I think the Sonics should make a play for. He is 22 years old, he runs the floor well rebounds block shots and gets easy put backs.

I just think the Sonics/Presti would be wise in exploring all his options.

[kjtruong]

-= original quote snipped =-



I don't know anything, but he is the type of player I think the Sonics should make a play for. He is 22 years old, he runs the floor well rebounds block shots and gets easy put backs.

I just think the Sonics/Presti would be wise in exploring all his options.

Agreed.

[Downtown]

Wiff, I thought long and hard about Biedrins. He is exactly what Seattle needs. And there was a point in the season when he was out with his appendix operation and the Warriors played some of their best ball of the season. I paid close attention when he came back and noticed that they really took a downturn.

Now in my silly brain I hope that Chris Mullin sees that as a negative sign and Biedrins can be had. But when I open my eyes I realize that Biedrins simple was out of syn and game shape and as it usually does, it takes big men a long time to round back into form and Mullin is wise enough to know that. He's also wise enough to know that he's got one of the best, if not the best young centers in the league, which is a huge statement to make.

Honestly, I don't see us having any sort of shot at him unless the #4 pick is included. But ask yourself this. At age 22 Biedrins is the same age as this years draftees. Where would he be drafted if he were in this years draft and is he better than Lopez? After you answer that is it out of the question for Golden State to ask for the #4, and more in return? Could Seattle use their other picks and players to move up to draft DJ Augustin? Would Mario Chalmers at #24 be a good guard to rotate with Watson if they can trade Ridnour, and by the time Watson's contract is up could they find another pointguard?

Hmm. Beidrins and Augustin or Chalmers?

[Patches Pal]

When Biedrins came into the league in 2004 he was averaging about 3 ppg in Latvia. He had good defensive skills but was a project center. Now he is 10/10. I go a little nuts because everyone seems to believe we don't want to use a draft choice on another project center, many of whom are farther along than Biedrins was. You just cannot trade for these guys after they have gone thru the development process. The price would be too high. We need to look at Lopez, Jordan or McGee if we want a guy like Biedrins.

[wiff]

Patches Pal you do make a good point on how much these guys cost if you don't draft them.

But as a sufferer of the Wally Walker era who drafted three 7 foot projects in a row, two of which we are still waiting on for ANYTHING, one who has at least shown he can be a decent back up maybe more. But....................

I CAN'T TAKE ANOTHER 7 FOOT PROJECT!

But it sure as heck doesn't matter to Bennett.

He didn't have to suffer. What is two more years of pain when you are hoping to stick it to the city and the fans? That's probably right up his alley.

I just don't think I could cope with DeAndre Jordan.

[kjtruong]

I wouldn't mind...if he turned into Dwight Howard LOL.

[Patches Pal]

I can appreciate your frustration in waiting on a project center. It seems to take about 4 years for them to develope unless they are injured. I prefer waiting on the young guys to trying to trade for the recycled guys. Maybe you don't remember Ewing, McIlvaine, Jerome James and others. These guys were not only ineffective they were expensive cap killers. Jerome James played 4 minutes this last season, scored 4 points and made $6M. Our young centers, Petro and Sene look like high scoring, bargains by comparison.

[Warriors Analyst]

As a Warriors fan, I'm going to chip on the Biedrins stuff.

The Warriors did worse with him gone because it left Nelson with no rebounding presence that he would play. Granted, Brandan Wright came in and did a good job doing what Biedrins does, but when Biedrins came back to full health, he went on a tear with many 14+ point and rebound games.

As for signing Biedrins, you'd have to pay a lot of money for the Warriors not to match the offer. Think 13 mill

[HeavyP]

I'd probably offer 11 Million per year, and if they matched then good for them, otherwise I'd look elsewhere.

[wiff]

I'd like to see Presti pull a page from Jerry West's book.

Anyone remember when West offered a contract to Jerome James and Wally being the dumbest GM in the world matched the deal? Then Jerry offered Earl Watson (who he really wanted) a contract and Wally already blew his load on Jerome James and had no money left over to keep Earl in Seattle?

All the while Jerry West is a close personal friend to Wally too. How's that for friends?

I'd like to see Presti do that to the Warriors.

Offer Monta Ellis a good chunk of change (yes I know we don't need him).

So Mullin has to stretch/break the bank to hang on to Monta.

Then offer a boatload for Biedrins and hopefully the Warriors won't find it financially responsible to hang on to Biedrins for the amount the Sonics offered because they already had to break the bank to keep Ellis.