Hawks Off-Season Plan...

Post #1 » by **pja123** » Sat Apr 4, 2009 3:22 am

Trade no.1 (between Atlanta & New Orleans)

Hawks get:
James Posey
No.22 pick

Hornets get:
Speedy Claxton
No.49 pick

WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE HAWKS:
With Bibby and Williams looking for big contracts, the franchise may have to choose between them. Considering Bibby's impact on the team and importance of a quality PG, I think they'd opt to re-sign him over Williams. This deal nets the Hawks a good replacement SF in Posey. He plays really good defense and can knock down perimeter shots. The team also gets another 1st round pick to infuse the team with some depth.

WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE HORNETS:
The team is in dire straights financially and Shinn is looking to shed salary. This deal accomplishes that goal. Claxton's contract is expiring next year, but best of all, his contract is covered by insurance due to his continuous injuries. This means they save money immediately.

Trade no.2 (between Atlanta & Philly)

Hawks get:
Jason Smith
Royal Ivey

Sixers get:
Acie Law IV

WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE HAWKS:
Do the Hawks want to re-sign Pachulia to a long-term deal or go with a more affordable alternative? I think they'll opt for the latter. Smith is a solid backup big with a good perimeter game. He could supplant Pachulia at the 5 spot. Ivey is just a cap filler.

WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE SIXERS:
With Miller hitting the market, they could use some depth at the PG position. Law has been a disappointment, but he could turn things around in a new environment.

Trade no.3 (between Atlanta & Minnesota)

Hawks get:
Mike Miller

Wolves get:
Marvin Williams (sign and trade for 5 years/52 million)

WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE HAWKS:
With Posey on board, the Hawks don't need to give a long-term deal to Williams. This deal provides the Hawks with a quality wing replacement for a year.

WHY IT COULD WORK FOR THE WOLVES:
With Brewer suffering a bad knee injury, they made need to look for a new SF to pair with Jefferson and Love. Williams can be that guy. He's progressed nicely and could become an even better offensive weapon in the Wolves system.

DRAFT:
No.19 pick - DeJuan Blair
why?
He's a beast and would help the Hawks down low.

No.22 pick - Darren Collison
why?
He'd be a fine replacement for Law as the backup PG.

FREE AGENCY:
Re-sign Mike Bibby - 3 years/21 million
why?
I think this is the best Bibby will be able to get. It's not a long-term deal, but the salary is on par with his market value.

NEW HAWKS ROSTER:
PG-Mike Bibby/Darren Collison/Royal Ivey
SG-Joe Johnson/Mike Miller
SF-James Posey/Mo Evans
PF-Josh Smith/DeJuan Blair
C-Al Horford/Jason Smith/Randolph Morris

-This team is just as good, if not better than the current incarnation. Best of all, the team is fiscally solid and should have enough money in 2010 to re-sign Johnson.

ATL DirtyBird · Post #2 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Sat Apr 4, 2009 3:32 am

Interesting I like most things except resigning Bibby and drafting Blair. Maybe he could be like a Paul Millsap, but if he doesnt become that he will be a flop. Otherwise I think u made some great points. To bad Mike Miller is playing like trash this season. I would be very open to doing all thing.

evildallas · Post #3 » by **evildallas** » Sat Apr 4, 2009 6:05 am

Problems I see: I can't imagine Philadelphia wanting to trade big for small to get an unproven small at that. I don't like your draft targets. I'm okay with Blair actually, but I'm not a big fan of Collison. I suspect a better PG alternative will be available at that spot although the projections are all over the board right now. Not sure why you didn't chose to resign Flip. Perhaps you fill he'll command too much of a raise based on his breakout season.

I have no problem not investing in Marvin or in acquiring a defensive stopper to play SF. Mike Miller could add scoring punch off the bench to replace Flip I guess.

Skyhawk1 · Post #4 » by **Skyhawk1** » Sat Apr 4, 2009 6:57 am

I like all the trades, maybe you should just become our GM. I really doubt Blair would be available when it's our turn though, he's a top10 pick for me, dude's got game. I'd love to get a guy like Posey, not so much for his game, but mainly for his toughness and pride. We got no identity and a guy like him could certainly help it a bit. Just one question though, our rebounding is horrible, and apparently your trades do not address that need. Is J. Smith that untouchable ? He's got to go for a C, I have no doubt in my mind.

raleigh · Post #5 » by **raleigh** » Sat Apr 4, 2009 1:06 pm

At this point, I think re-signing Marvin over Bibby makes more sense.

Mike B. has a lot riding on this upcoming playoff series. If he throws out another dud, he should be gone.

Post #6 » by **pja123** » Sat Apr 4, 2009 1:52 pm

Good points guys. With regards to the draft selections, clearly it's a crap-shoot at this point. I looked at nbadraft.net and draftexpress.com to get a barometer of where guys are projected to go, but everything could change in a week. However, I do think the Hawks need to focus on getting a big with their pick (why I went with Blair).

On the subject of re-signing Bibby or Williams, I think giving Bibby a short-term dea for around 7-8 mill a year is better than giving Williams a 5-year deal, which he'll demand. This is primarily due to the overall importance of a consistent PG over a consistent SF. Bibby is just more important to the team tan Williams, especially if the Hawks could pull off the Posey deal.

raleigh · Post #7 » by **raleigh** » Sat Apr 4, 2009 2:13 pm

Bibby is just more important to the team tan Williams, especially if the Hawks could pull off the Posey deal.

I disagree, and think that a five-year deal for a hard-working Marvin Williams is less of a risk than a three-year deal for Bibby, who is a one-dimensional player on the wrong side of 30.

I think there will be several trade possibilities for PG's in the offseason, and the Hawks have some decent trade proposals to offers teams.

mr_grabb · Post #8 » by **mr_grabb** » Sat Apr 4, 2009 3:17 pm

I really don't see Philly doing this deal. They still have hope for Smith, and Acie must have a really poor trade value right now.

As for the Marvin thingy, I don't know. At this point, depending on the kind of contract he demands, I say it might be better to keep him. If we're to trade him, we can have more in return than just Mike Miller.

And I'm really not a fan of Blair. He works hard, but that's it. His game offensive game is horrible, and he's just an average college defender. I don't see him being as efficient on the glass in the big league against taller, stronger opponents. Remember: he's only 6'7. I mean, Big Baby is as tall, has a much better offensive game, and he barely got in the first round of his draft. He's not impressing anyone right now.

shortstuff5023 · Post #9 » by **shortstuff5023** » Sat Apr 4, 2009 7:43 pm

i remember a guy that played at duke that had no offensive game and worked really hard and was around 6'7" or 6'8". i'd rather not go back there.

ATL DirtyBird · Post #10 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Sun Apr 5, 2009 2:52 am

Im pretty sure that Lawson will be available when the Hawks are picking. I think hed be better than Collison, but what do yall think about Lawson?? Flynn will be evaluated and he rates high he will come out, but he prob wont go any higher and 15. Do yall think we need to draft a point guard or trade for one? Since there isnt gonna be any quality 7 fters like we need unless we wanna gamble on BJ Mullens who is straight raw potential, which I dont htink wed be able to mold properly at all. If we wanna get a 7 fter were gonna have to get rid of SMith bc there is no way we can have Smith at the 3. Id rather trade Josh smith for a point guard, and draft Earl Clark, but there is no way in hell that would happen. And hell if Eric Maynor is still there we should snag him. This offsesason should be interesting even though all the things we want to happen, will most likely never happen.

LL Cool Scott · Post #11 » by **LL Cool Scott** » Mon Apr 6, 2009 12:54 am

Draft Express has Lawson going 14, Flynn going 15, and Maynor going 17. They have us picking Blair. I'm happy with that. We need some inside muscle BAD. Usually fat guys don't do well in the pros, but I think he'll be a better version of Big Baby. I'd be happy with any of those points or with Blair.

evildallas · Post #12 » by **evildallas** » Mon Apr 6, 2009 1:47 am

NBADraft.net has us with Flynn at 19 with Blair going 20 and Mullens going 21. I wouldn't be bothered by any of the 3 as we could use either speed, beef, or length. Mullens is the furthest away from contributing, of course, but he is a 7 footer. Might be a weak draft, but I still feel it's a bargain draft for rotation players in the mid to late first (same level of talent from picks 4-25).

parson · Post #13 » by **parson** » Mon Apr 6, 2009 2:57 am

I'm tired of crying for a big man. If we draft a PG when someone like Mullens is available....

ATL DirtyBird · Post #14 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Mon Apr 6, 2009 4:16 am

parson wrote:I'm tired of crying for a big man. If we draft a PG when someone like Mullens is available....

Mullens will most likely be available, but do you reaally want to take on someone that raw? He has potential no doubt, he has stupid athletisicm and is obviously huge. He needs to hit the weight room also.

evildallas · Post #15 » by **evildallas** » Mon Apr 6, 2009 9:48 am

SneakerKing33 wrote:
parson wrote:I'm tired of crying for a big man. If we draft a PG when someone like Mullens is available....

Mullens will most likely be available, but do you reaally want to take on someone that raw? He has potential no doubt, he has stupid athletisicm and is obviously huge. He needs to hit the weight room also.

Depends on who is passed up to take the chance and how far away a player is. I can take a player who isn't ready right away if they possess hard to acquire skills or potential like being an athletic 7 footer as opposed to a 7 foot slug which is more common. I don't like drafting someone who is unable to contribute at all on their entire rookie deal, so it is important to work out a player like Mullens and interview him thoroughly to assess whether you are getting someone who will work to reach his potential.

Of the 3 names I am least enamored with Dejuan Blair because beefy but short PFs are traditionally bargains in the 2nd round, but not as good that high in the first. Might have something to do with having a chip on their shoulder for extra motivation. I'm not sure how much more production you get at the NBA level from Blair as compared to Jon Brockman (PF Washington) or Jeff Adrien (PF Connecticut) or possibly John Bryant (C from Santa Clara) all of whom would probably be available in the 2nd round. I'd still work him out to see if he's more like Charles Barkley than Shelden Williams. A young Charles at 19 is a steal. A young Shelden is a waste even in the 2nd round.

killbuckner · Post #16 » by **killbuckner** » Mon Apr 6, 2009 11:38 am

Dejuan Blair is a historic rebounder and rebounding is the skill that translates most from college to the pros. (even against lesser competition actually) When it comes down to it I will be surprised if the is still on the board when the Hawks pick but I would easily take him. At that point in the draft I am strongly opposed to drafting for need- I think all you can do is draft someone who you feel can contribute. Blair has a future in the league. Even if he becomes Reggie Evans with a little more offense thats a very useful player to have.

raleigh · Post #17 » by **raleigh** » Mon Apr 6, 2009 2:11 pm

killbuckner wrote:Dejuan Blair is a historic rebounder and rebounding is the skill that translates most from college to the pros. (even against lesser competition actually) When it comes down to it I will be surprised if the is still on the board when the Hawks pick but I would easily take him. At that point in the draft I am strongly opposed to drafting for need- I think all you can do is draft someone who you feel can contribute. Blair has a future in the league. Even if he becomes Reggie Evans with a little more offense thats a very useful player to have.

I wouldn't have been able to say it better had I tried.

Blair is great value at #19.

killbuckner · Post #18 » by **killbuckner** » Mon Apr 6, 2009 2:58 pm

Anyway- here is an article about the season Blair is having. I just can't imagine reading this and thinking that he would be a bad pick at 19.

http://ww.basketballprospectus.com/arti ... icleid=580

raleigh · Post #19 » by **raleigh** » Mon Apr 6, 2009 3:41 pm

Have you guys noticed Lester Hudson before? I never noticed him until I saw his name in kb's link...

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Lester-Hudson-5065/

Looks like the kind of guy you would want to invite in to summer league...

killbuckner · Post #20 » by **killbuckner** » Mon Apr 6, 2009 5:27 pm

Hudson looks to me to be exactly the kind of guy that NBA teams sleep on. His level and his age mean that he doesn't have the same ceiling as some other players- but if he has a NBA body and can shoot then I think its awfully likely that he will be a useful player to have on a team. This doesn't look like a guy who is just putting up empty numbers on a bad team, he is carrying a team. If a guy doesn't have much to pass to I don't hold low assist numbers against him. Teams will reach for a young 7 footer or a Euro instead of just bringing in someone who looks to be a solid roleplayer.