DA possibly out for the season

[Downtown]

I just looked over the remaining free agent list and it does look like it's down to Cunningham and Powe as far as power forwards go. Not too many options.

I would say that a trade is about the best way to go and Speights would be the best to go for since he can cover two positions and might not cost a whole lot.

With this season condensed having a deep bench is going to be crucial since there won't be time for the starters to recover between games from little bumps and bruises. I believe this could end up being the Grizzlies Achilles heel( no disrespect to Darell Arthur with that pun) since they rely so heavily on their starters.

Memphis might also consider a physical rebounder like Reggie Evans or Joey Dorsey if Charlotte matches for Cunningham. I saw where Haddadi is soon to return and Evans is the type of player that can battle anyone in the league physical wise, which could allow Haddadi to not foul as much and just try to play a more controlled game.

The longshot would be to wait it out to see if the rumour about Kenyon Martin possibly being let go by his Chinese club comes true. He would be terrific off the bench and they could give Zach some time at center if need be. But like I said, that's a longshot and the Grizzlies can't afford to take the chance.

[doc.end]

Cunningham is not signed that's why he is not on roster, he is FA. Any guess how much he could be offered? I doubt Bobcats wouldn't match, Maggette has back spasm and his backup is just Derrick Brown (started in pre-season game).

[vanjulio]

what the hell is that in your signature? Is Cheney scratching himself with his pen?

I think there are a few other decent FAs out there to be had - most notably Kris Humphries. Dante Cunningham wasn't on my list though. It must be slim pickins because the Celtics and Spurs are also panic (no backup for TimmyD or JEff Green Replacement). Tiago Splitter must be a bust for the Spurs to be this panicked that they were begging McDyess to come back for his 85th season.

[darkangle901]

Powe or Cunningham? Am I missing something?

Dalembert is who we should be pursuing, if he can be had for the M.L.E. He would allow us to keep Randolph and Gasol's minutes per game in the low 30's during what figures to be an especially grueling regular season.

If we can't get him, we could take a look at Joey Dorsey (RFA), Przybilla, Kirilenko, Kris Humphries, Ike Diogu, Josh Powell, Dampier, or Gadzuric.

I would prefer to get two guys out of that group.

What I don't want is for the Grizz to rush off and trade O.J. Mayo and not get full value for him. We should wait for a good offer for him.

[Downtown]

Przybilla was contemplating retirement, Gadzuric is in China, Kirilenko, Humphries, and Dalembert will all want more than the mle, so it's down to Dorsey, Diogu(who really has only played in the league on a part time basis for years), Dampier(who SHOULD retire), and Josh Powell. I watched alot of Raptors games last year and Reggie Evans was a big step above Dorsey.

So the pickings aren't any better what you propose.

[jefe]

Any word on whether the Bobcats match? I also see that Fesenko is still on the market, but I wonder if any additional signing will push us into the luxury (and, thus, we will trade to acquire another big).

[Foshan]

There was a rumor mentioned on the Sixers board about mem being interested in Speights, for GV and Henry.

Just curious as to Mem fans take on the deal? Philly fans are a bit split. Speights hasn't lived up to expectations here... but he's had a crazy cycle of coaches in the short time he's been in the league, who IMO have really hurt his development. He's definitely a talented baller, just needs a better fit.

I kinda like the idea for Philly, simply because it gives us two guys on rookie deals that play a similar role to guys we will need to resign in the future (LWill/Meeks)... having cheap back up PG/SG might help us to keep from out-bidding ourselves to retain their services.

Your thoughts from a Mem perspective?

[It_Was_Typed]

Overpaying.

Anyways, Chuck Hayes checked out okay. Can resume playing basketball. Make the call Wallace/Heisley.

[vanjulio]

For me, Vasquez is off the negotiating block but I do like Mareese Speights and Reggie Evans both. Either player is capable. I like them a little better than Chuck Hayes. I mean Hayes is a better player but I mean they better fit. Speaking of the 2x champion florida gators - Whatever happened to Chris Richard? I thought he was better than Speights.

[SD2042]

Chris Richard fits more of Ben Wallace's profile, regarded more for his defense than his offense.

[jefe]

There was a rumor mentioned on the Sixers board about mem being interested in Speights, for GV and Henry.

Just curious as to Mem fans take on the deal? Philly fans are a bit split. Speights hasn't lived up to expectations here... but he's had a crazy cycle of coaches in the short time he's been in the league, who IMO have really hurt his development. He's definitely a talented baller, just needs a better fit.

I kinda like the idea for Philly, simply because it gives us two guys on rookie deals that play a similar role to guys we will need to resign in the future (LWill/Meeks)... having cheap back up PG/SG might help us to keep from out-bidding ourselves to retain their services.

Your thoughts from a Mem perspective?

If I'm Chris Wallace, I'd give one or the other, but not both. At this point (based on current need), I'm probably more inclined to deal Henry than Vazquez, although I think Henry has the higher ceiling overall.

[Foshan]

Hm, well if I'm Philly I would still probably pull the trigger on Henry for Speights as I like Henry's upside and I think we can live with out Speights with our current big-depth.

[shrink]

I'm surprised no one is considering trading Darrell Arthur to a "win-later" team, for a player with immediate impact.