So what about next year?

[ejftw]

Here's another take, don't like this one as much:

Trades:
Eric Bledsoe, 2014 2nd Round Selection to the Milwaukee Bucks for John Henson and #15.
-This deal is off the basis that Jennings does not want to be retained by the Bucks as Milwaukee gets a legit point guard to put next to Ellis, and they would be a great fit together. Clippers get a young, legit 6'10 guy that has potential to be a 18/9 guy for years.

Caron Butler, 2015 2nd Round Selection to the Sacramento Kings for a TPE & Isaiah Thomas.
-Would only work if the Kings are tired of being a low lotto team and want to put together a string of W's, for whatever reason. Maybe they look to finally make the playoffs? For the Clippers, we gain a backup point guard after losing Isaiah along with a huge TPE that can be used in numerous situations. Jazz might be another option for a 2nd instead if Kings do not want to do the deal.

S&T Chauncey Billups to the Portland Trail Blazers for a small TPE and #40.
-Olshey acquires a veteran to put behind Lillard at a very small cost. Clippers stash a young guy away for a few years.

TPE (Sacramento) to the Washington Wizards for Trevor Ariza & #54.
-Wizards save some money while Clippers bring back a veteran small forward and get another prospect to stash.

Free Agency:
Pick up the option to Willie Green.
Sign Christopher Emmanuel Paul to the Maximum.
Sign Matt Barnes to a 2 year contract, valued at $6,500,000.
Sign Zaza Pachulia to a portion of the Mid Level Exception.
Sign Craig Smith to the minimum (give him more if available).
Sign Ryan Hollins to the minimum.
Sign James Singleton to the minimum.

Draft:
#15: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
-The 20 year old shooting guard has drawn comparisons to Kerry Kittles. He is a solid shooter (38% from 3 on about 7 attempts a game in college) and a TS% of 59. He also has good size/athleticism to be a good defender at his position.

#25: Gorgui Deng
-Athletic and 6'11, Deng is a good shot blocker as he averaged more blocks per than he did turnovers and about equaled the amount of fouls he gave up per game. Is a good pick as well, assuming he develops and Jordan doesn't, as in two years, we can let Jordan walk and have two more years of Deng on his rookie deal.

#40: Archie Goodwin
-Real solid shooting guard who has a ton of potential. Clippers will let him play a year in the D-League and wait for next season.

#54: Augusto Lima
-Brazilian big man to be stashed overseas.

Final Roster:
PG: Chris Paul - Isaiah Thomas
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - Jamal Crawford - Willie Green
SF: Trevor Ariza - Matt Barnes - James Singleton*
PF: Blake Griffin - Craig Smith - Gorgui Deng*
CE: DeAndre Jordan - Zaza Pachulia - Ryan Hollins

Green probably starts over Pope, but wouldn't mind that either. We lose defense off the bench but gain a ton of firepower.

[og15]

I like your style ejftw, you keep it hopeful but also realistic. Those are both pretty good lineups to aim for. I've mentioned Zaza before too, though I'm not sure he would be affordable, but I like his ability to stretch the defense at least out to mid-range, and he's a tough player.

Rhino is always fun, is he even on a team this year? Instead of Rhino though, why not go DeJuan Blair? Now of course the issue is that Blair was complaining about minutes in SA, so he might not be content, but he's a very productive player for his minutes.

My only issue with Thomas as backup PG is that he would only be playing about 13-15 MPG which might be a hard pill to swallow for a guy who just played 25.5 MPG and 26.2 MPG. When the minutes are going to be so little, that is my backup PG isn't a guy I can throw at SG, I like to get a guy that's content with being a low minute backup just for chemistry sake.

[Verballer]

God damn we need somebody to go all Laker fan on this thread and find a way to get Steph Curry for Butler
Final line up

CP3
Curry
Paul George
Griffin
Howard

[ejftw]

I think Zaza can be convinced to sign for about half the MLE, which would be a huge steal. I'd even go and give him the full MLE for two years if we absolutely have too.

Rhino spent this past season playing in Israel, I believe, but got into it with the coach, saying that he was not being used properly. It was an interesting back and forth to say the least. Link here: http://www.court-side.com/news/blog/cra ... apoel-j-m/

He did pretty decent in the EuroCup, averaging 14.7/4.5 while hitting 59.3% of his shots in a mere 23.3 minutes a night. In the Jewish league, 13.5/6.4 on 66.7% shooting in 23.3 minutes as well. With a need of a big who we can just give the ball too and let attack the bucket, Rhino would be perfect.

As far as Thomas, I didn't think about it that way, but I think we can sneak in 5 minutes a night at the two guard for him, to give him 18-20. While its about 6-8 less a night than this past season, maybe the winning can overtake any potential chemistry issues? If not, then they can keep him, Clips get a bigger TPE and can just aim for Livingston...or maybe throw the MLE at Devin Harris?

[og15]

5 MPG of Isaiah and Paul together on the court? Oh man, I don't know about that

[azncorruptedo17]

God damn we need somebody to go all Laker fan on this thread and find a way to get Steph Curry for Butler
Final line up

CP3
Curry
Paul George
Griffin
Howard