Now that the draft is over, what would you do in FA?

[madmaxmedia]

I really like that we brought in 3 kids with some potential, of course we have Griffin who has been waiting almost 2 years to finally play too.

I feel comfortable with Baron and Bledsoe as our PG's, if Warren makes the team he might become a decent bench guard (somewhere in the rotation.) Assuming we don't trade Kaman, we are set at center with him and Jordan.

Even though our top pick was a SF, I guess if we were to sign a big FA it would have to be at that position. Aminu is young and raw, but I really don't mind going with a youth movement and giving him significant minutes to try to kickstart his development. I'd like to see this kid play, not sit behind an $80 million SF for the next 5 years. But I understand this is probably the smart way to go.

I will go out on a limb and propose something wacky that just entered my mind. Trade Kaman for a decent SF (I have no idea who), someone with a decent jumper and some athleticism. Then go and sign Carlos Boozer to be our new center. On occasion we'll go really big and move him to PF and play him alongside DJ (because I want DJ to progress and get more minutes too.) I think Boozer fits better than say Amare, because he's a real center with low post offense.

Okay that might not be the smartest basketball move, but that team would be fun to watch and have a lot of muscle and athleticism. I would make a point of it to Tivo every game.

Who would you like the Clippers to sign?

[Det the Threat]

I'm pretty sure we'll add another small forward, cause Aminu shouldn't start right away.

Though, i doubt we'll go after some of the top tier sf free agents(as long as Lebron doesn't decides to come here), cause that would mean Aminu would hardly have a chance to play till his rookie contract is up.

That's why i think we'll go for some solid sf(Matt Barnes, Rasual Butler or someone like that) that can start, hit some threes and hopefully defend some. And he won't be signed for more then three years, i'd assume.

Trading Kaman for a sf is not what i would do, cause you don't trade big for small.

Boozer is a guy i'd not sign, even if we were to trade Kaman for a sf, cause he's not a center in this league and had quite some injury problems those last couple years.

Other then signing a solid starting sf, i think we'll still need a vet pg that doesn't mind being a third stringer, comes in on the cheap and is still able to help the team, if needed. Basically i'm talking a guy like Anthony Johnson, who could also provide some more veteran leadership.

Then we'll have to fill out our bench with 1 or 2 more big guys that can play both pf and c, while i'd also add another shooter that can play the 2 and 3 positions. Idially that would be Ime Udoka to me, who can play both positions, denfend pretty well, hit his jumpers and wouldn't be all that expensive.

Our team then would look like that:

Kaman/Jordan/FA
Griffin/Jordan/Aminu/FA
FA/Aminu/FA(Udoka?)
Gordon/FA(Udoka?)/Warren
Davis/Bledsoe/FA(Johnson?)

That's not a team competing for the championship next year, but it would have a chance to compete for the playoffs, as long as Griffin can stay healthy, which is the most important thing anyways.

[loflin3hree5ive]

Korver, Matt Barnes, Chris Duhon, Ben Wallace, Jason Collins & Craig Smith would be a pretty nice bench if we don't get Lebron. Barnes would probably get the starting job.

Davis/Duhon/Bledsoe
Gordon/Korver/Warren
Barnes/Aminu/Korver
Griffin/Smith/Jordan
Kaman/Wallace/Jordan/Collins

That's a pretty deep, talented team right there which won't require long-term contracts.

[DunknDave]

I would make an all out pitch to sign Rudy Gay. Gay would not only give us a #1 scoring option, he would fit in with the youth on this team. A 3-4 rotation of Gay, Griffin, and Aminu would be very nice. Watching a matchup of Gay/Aminu, and Bledsoe/Warren vs Durant/Westbrook would be very intriguing. OKC will be the team to beat in the WC in a year or two. Gay is the missing piece to make a playoff push next season.

[TheNewEra]

We for sure need some Vets to balance all these you players

[jflipclip]

Lebron... if that doesn't work, go after Gay. If not, I'd try to get another perimeter defender. One of those 3 and D guys. Childress comes to mind. Or like it was already mentioned, Barnes. Maybe Outlaw (over Butler).

Then depth behind Griffin/Kaman. Not sure about Ben Wallace, but yes to Craig Smith.

[jgustav1]

I'd look at Rudy Gay if the FA bidding doesn't get out of control for him or possibly Mike Miller on a short term contract, less than 3 years. On the current team, players I'd like to see back would include Craig Smith, Steve Blake and possibly Rasual Butler on a short term deal, if the other FA SF targets were gone.

Players I wouldn't like the Clippers to go after as FAs mentioned on the thread would include Carlos Boozer, Anthony Johnson, Ime Udoka, Ben Wallace, Jason Collins and Matt Barnes.

I am not opposed to trading Kaman for a SF, but the Clippers would also need to add a veteran C to play significant minutes until DJ is ready for a bigger role.

[PG3]

Plan A: Lebron James

Plan B: Rudy Gay
We might have to overpay a bit but he is what we need, a number 1 option. Hopefully Memphis dont match.

Plan C: Rasual Butler
He played pretty good the 2nd half of the season and proved he could shoot.

Plan D: Matt Barnes
He is an all around player who can bring energy to the team.


Resigning Craig Smith is a must IMO.

[SportsFan215]

No Rudy Gay. He is going to be the next Maggette with his contract. There are going to be so many teams that overpay this offseason, and there are going to be very bad contracts being given out.

[Mount Mutombo]

Why not try and get Boozer?

[Clip34life]

I would try and sign Ray Allen and Paul Pierce to 3 year deals.

[SportsFan215]

Why not try and get Boozer?

He plays the same position as Blake (PF).

[playaloc916]

I like the idea of Barnes being a starter if all else fails. He's been a guy that seems a bit of a prick in that he's made some dirty plays over the years, but as the team that might be signing him, I'd be willing to look past what he's done, lol. He's a tough nosed player who'd give us a bit of an edge, can hit the 3, is a much better rebounder than Butler, and does pass the ball pretty well. A well rounded player. May work well with former teammate Davis.

I'm kind of hesitant on Rudy Gay. Not only is it the contract I'm worrying about, it's the fact that I'm not sure if he's really someone who should be the first option on this team. Obviously with Lebron, he would always be the first option on any team he's on, but with Gay, I'm not so sure. He seems to be a classic example of a player that on a bad team, is probably a stat padder, but on a good team, will be grossly overpaid. Al Harrington is another player that comes to mind. He was putting up similar numbers on the Hawks back in the day, and most recently with the Knicks. But on a better team, would he still be the first or second option?

With Gay, at first he would be the first option, but after awhile, I'd like the shots to be spread out evenly, with Blake getting a lot of touches. For the first year while Blake is getting used to the NBA, he might struggle a little. But in his second year, I want him to be the first option. That will reduce our reliance on Gay, thus making his contract way overpaid past the first year.

As far as the SF spot, for me it would go like this:

A - Lebron
B - Barnes
C - Outlaw

For PF, I'd prefer Gooden over Smith. Smith just can't keep his fouls under control. Hopefully we can get him for a decent price. I'd also look at bringing Novak back as well.

[Det the Threat]

I would make an all out pitch to sign Rudy Gay. Gay would not only give us a #1 scoring option, he would fit in with the youth on this team. A 3-4 rotation of Gay, Griffin, and Aminu would be very nice. Watching a matchup of Gay/Aminu, and Bledsoe/Warren vs Durant/Westbrook would be very intriguing. OKC will be the team to beat in the WC in a year or two. Gay is the missing piece to make a playoff push next season.

Rudy Gay is not a #1 scoring option in this league.

He'd cost us about $15 mil a season(that's what it will take to get him out of Memphis) and has not shown to be a clear cut #1 option with other qualitiy offensive players(like Zach and Mayo) around him.
His defense is also something that hasn't been all that great those last couple of years and i doubt he'd be a leader on this team.

Also, do you really think Baron would just sit there and let Rudy Gay come in and be our #1 scoring option?

Anyways, there are quite some possibilities for us(thanks to that huge amount of cap space we've got) and i think we'll either split that money and create quite some depth or we'll go and get us a real solid sf + something else while helping some other team saving some money.

BTW: What about Richard Jefferson?
He's had a pretty bad season in San Antonio, but he could still score some and play some defense as well. They might also add something else, just so we take his contract(which willl expire next offseason) off their books.

I mean, instead of trading for Luol Deng(let's hope not), i'd rather go to SA and tell them that we're taking Jefferson off their hands, if they include something else like DeJuan Blair(best case scenario) or a future 1st rounder.

[Recently]

I would make an all out pitch to sign Rudy Gay. Gay would not only give us a #1 scoring option, he would fit in with the youth on this team. A 3-4 rotation of Gay, Griffin, and Aminu would be very nice. Watching a matchup of Gay/Aminu, and Bledsoe/Warren vs Durant/Westbrook would be very intriguing. OKC will be the team to beat in the WC in a year or two. Gay is the missing piece to make a playoff push next season.

Rudy Gay is not a #1 scoring option in this league.

He'd cost us about $15 mil a season(that's what it will take to get him out of Memphis) and has not shown to be a clear cut #1 option with other qualitiy offensive players(like Zach and Mayo) around him.
His defense is also something that hasn't been all that great those last couple of years and i doubt he'd be a leader on this team.

Also, do you really think Baron would just sit there and let Rudy Gay come in and be our #1 scoring option?

Anyways, there are quite some possibilities for us(thanks to that huge amount of cap space we've got) and i think we'll either split that money and create quite some depth or we'll go and get us a real solid sf + something else while helping some other team saving some money.

BTW: What about Richard Jefferson?
He's had a pretty bad season in San Antonio, but he could still score some and play some defense as well. They might also add something else, just so we take his contract(which willl expire next offseason) off their books.

I mean, instead of trading for Luol Deng(let's hope not), i'd rather go to SA and tell them that we're taking Jefferson off their hands, if they include something else like DeJuan Blair(best case scenario) or a future 1st rounder.

I'd agree with most of your points on rudy gay except for the last one. Baron's a pass-first PG, and would have no problem handling not being #1 option (i remember reading somewhere that hes totally fine with not being the primary scoring option as well)

I'd rather we overpay Rudy Gay than take on RJ, they are essentially similar players but Gay is slightly better almost everywhere (thats not saying much) and also hes alot younger. I'd rather not get either though. Deng would be alot better fit than either imo. Hes more efficient scorer, hes not a chucker, so he can handle not hoisting it up 20+ times a night (presumably blake will get the lion's share of the fga), and hes a great defender, something neither RJ nor Gay can claim to be. His biggest weakness (doesn't shoot many 3's) is a problem, but he does have a good mid-long range jumper, and if he worked on it could probably extend his range more consistently.

[PerkinsFor3]

I think we missed out on a trade (#8 for Pacers pick + something). Either way we currently have this:


Davis / Bledsoe
Gordon / Warren
Aminu
Griffin / Sofo
Kaman / Deandre

So we're a bit thin at 4 positions, especially sf. We should focus on getting a good defensive sf who can shoot first. I'd love to see if we can get Joe Johnson on board. He can play three positions. Just not for the max. If we can rile him in and start him at sf. Backup plan if JJ won't sign with us: John Salmons. Extremely good fit.

I'd like to see if we could get Tony Allen as a back up sg. Earl Watson as a back up pg (or Chris Duhon). I'd like to see Craig Smith back for the minimum. Matt Barnes is an option too. I'd love us to bring back Livingston and Singleton from Washington.

Absolutely DONT sign Gay. He's another Maggette/Thornton.


Then as a last move we should see if we can sign Brad Miller to teach our big a thing or two.

This could be possible:

Davis / Watson / Bledsoe
Gordon / Allen / Warren
Salmons / Aminu
Griffin / Smith / Sofo
Kaman / Deandre / Miller

It would give our rookies a backup to fight against in practice and make them earn minutes. SF is still a bit thin BUT since we were thinking about playing Griffin at SF we could do it. If too thin, sign Barnes. Or Butler.

Not signing JJ and forgetting about Gay would save us **** of money for next year. I dont think Salmons will be THAT expensive. Watson, Smith, Miller won't ask for too much money and all are smart players who can step in a produce if needed.

[clippermitch]

Through free agency or a trade, we need a player that can score at will, get to the free throw line, and create his own shot. If you remember the season, each game had a scoring drought that basically ended the game. 10-0, 12-0, 15-3 scoring droughts pretty much happened on a consistent basis.

If we're going to follow the OKC mold, we need our own Kevin Durant. Obviously Lebron would be the best fit but it looks like he's going to CHI or MIA. So the next option for me is to sign Jamal Crawford to be our sixth man and EG's main backup. He's instant offense, can breakdown defenses, and can even play PG. He's one of the biggest reasons why the Hawks did so well last year. He's unrestricted so we can sign him outright. I think 3 years/$20M will get it done. This will leave us with $11M left.

Then, we need to add IQ to this team. We must be one of the "lowest IQ" teams last season. Bonehead plays and unforced turnovers were a big issue. Primarily because of Baron and Kaman. If it were me, I'd trade both players for young up and coming players and just build the roster that way. I brought it up in the trade thread, but I think we should trade Kaman for Prince and Greg Monroe. Prince is smart, a good defender, and can take Aminu under his wings. Greg Monroe will be another piece for the future. Kaman gets to go home and gives DET the post player they've needed. Then we trade Baron to NYC for David Lee (S&T) to play C.

Finally I think we should sign Boris Diaw. He's versatile and can run the offense. He's a decent outside shooter and is very unselfish. He's unrestricted too and we can probably sign him to 3 years/$15M. With the remaining cap space, we sign Raymond Felton. He can play the point while Bledsoe gets accustomed to playing in the league.

After this, we resign Butler because we need a shooter and Craig Smith to round up our frontcourt if SOFO doesn't come.

PG - Felton/Bledsoe
SG - EG/Crawford/Warren
SF - Prince/Aminu/Butler/Diaw
PF - Blake/Monroe/Smith
C - Lee/DJ/SOFO

[jgustav1]

Some of the players mentioned in the last couple threads are not free agents this offseason. Diaw has 2 years remaining on his contract (9 million per season) and Jamal Crawford has one year remaining at over 10 million. John Salmons has a player option for 2010/11, I don't know if he has exercised it yet.

I wouldn't want to make a trade for Richard Jefferson under any circumstances, his play has really gone downhill over the last couple of seasons and we can get someone better in free agency or a trade for less money.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Rudy Gay go to the Nets in the offseason, if they strike out on their primary targets. No need to get into a bidding war for him if the contract demands are the max or close to it.

[playaloc916]

I'd also like to throw in Udonis Haslem in the mix. I'm not sure how much he'd go for, but if we could get him for a reasonable price, I'd consider him as well. He's listed as a Forward/Center, but I think he's able to play SF. He's a great rebounder, and can hit open mid range shots. I still prefer Barnes though.

[morningstar]

why is everyone forgetting about Outlaw, why dont we just resign Outlaw. Everyone is so high on Gay, just cause he has numbers and can jump out the roof. Compair the min per min numbers with Gay and Outlaw and Outlaw is just as good, for a far cheaper price.

sign SG Anthony Morrows
resign Blake
sign Big Sofo
sign Shawn Livingston

trade Beron Davis to India for Murphy

why is everyone so high on Barnes, we already have a D guy in Aminu who cant shoot. Barnes barely hits over 30% from 3 pt land. Outlaw is taller, younger(25 compaired to 30), and shoots a better 3 pt average 36-38%. Barnes is 30 yrs old, people hes past his prime. Barnes really???????????

And sorry Clipper fans James is heading to Chi-Town