Discussing Other Teams' Moves Part 3

[deneem4]

Anybody know the
kings full lineup
Clippers full lineup
Timberwolves lineup
Pelicans full lineup
Blazers full lineup

[fishercob]

Detroit is my home town team. I love the Pistons...

Knight is not developing well as a PG. He's a good shooter (as we saw last year the the VC) but he really can't run an offense and far too inconsistent. They need a true PG. Should have kept Calderon IMO and time will tell on Siva. I liked what I saw in the NCAA but I have reservations. KCP will be a fine player. I don't project star status on him as some do however.

I hate that I have to watch Josh Smith on the Pistons. Urgh. Terrible signing but fortunately not an excessive overpay.

They'll likely run a lineup of:

PG: Knight/Stuckey/Siva
SG: KCP/Stuckey/English
SF: Smith/Singler/Middleton
PF: Moose/Smith/Jerebco/CV/Mitchell (probably send him to D-League - I would anyway)
C: Drummond/Moose/Kratsov

Not great yet not terrible but I think better than at least 7 other teams in the East considering the blatant tanking going on.

I thought an Ariza / Stuckey trade would have benefitted both teams...then we drafted GRJr. And the Pistons signed Mr Smoove.

I cannot see Detroit giving SMith $14M/yr for four years and then not starting him. I think it's more likely they start Monroe at center and then slid him to PF when he's playing with Drummond. It's a weird signing because the pistons have nothing at the point or on the wings. Not to say that that three big rotation couldn't work, but they need guards and shooters. KCP being good right away would be a good start.

Jack to Cleveland is a strong move and scares me just a bit. The Cavs will look really good on the nights things are going well. I believe that fourth year is a total team option.

Darren Collison signed a short and cheap deal to be CP3's backup again. Word is he took less so to return to LA, but still, damn.

Devin Harris for 3/$9M is a nice little deal. I would have loved him on that contract. But given our and Webster's situation it was never happening and I think our FO knew that.

[LyricalRico]

Atlanta apparently going after Monta Ellis with their remaining $10M in cap space. So much for them tanking after not getting Dwight. Since Teague's cap hold is so low, they should be able to sign Ellis without renouncing him, and then they're far enough under the tax that they can re-sign him without hitting it.

Horford
Milsap
Korver
Ellis
Teague

Add in Lou Williams returning from injury and they'd look like a better version of last year's Bucks. Not much else off the bench, though, especially up front. And I'm not sure if any of their 2013 picks will be coming over this year.

[stevemcqueen1]

Yeah 14 million per year is fair value for Josh Smith IMO. The only problem is that it creates the need to make other moves for the Pistons IMO. And I thought the Pistons greatest long term strength was the Monroe/Drummond pairing.

I think they need to pick between Drummond and Monroe, decide who they want to hitch their wagon too long term, then trade the other guy. I think they've got a chance to do a one for one swap with either of those players and get a really nice player back in return. Someone at the PG or SF position ideally.

[stevemcqueen1]

I don't like that ATL roster. Doesn't seem like they're building anything worthwhile. And a Horford/Millsap front court is just as undersized as the Horford/Smith front court was. Seems like the better move is move Horford to PF and find a big bodied 5. Easier said than done though.

Yeah, they looks like a late seed. Content with just making the playoffs long term. I think we'll be better than them this year.

[Ruzious]

Yeah 14 million per year is fair value for Josh Smith IMO. The only problem is that it creates the need to make other moves for the Pistons IMO. And I thought the Pistons greatest long term strength was the Monroe/Drummond pairing.

I think they need to pick between Drummond and Monroe, decide who they want to hitch their wagon too long term, then trade the other guy. I think they've got a chance to do a one for one swap with either of those players and get a really nice player back in return. Someone at the PG or SF position ideally.

I think you hit on it - they need to pick between Drummond and Monroe. Even before the Smith signing, I thought they would eventually have to choose. Drummond had a very successful rookie season, but notice Monroe's performance fell off - and it appeared that the team was being built around him. Now, after a disappointing season for the team, they have to re-think whether they want Monroe to be the fotf (face of the franchise). Signing Smith makes it more pressing to decide. If I was running Detroit, I'd look to trade Drummond, because I think he actually has more trade value due to him being 2 more years from free agency than Monroe. And I want a good offensive player playing next to Smith. Drummond and Smith defensively can be a tremendous combo, but offensively - they'll likely be real bad - and limit the rest of the offense. I do not share CCJ's view on Siva at all - particularly the favorable comparison to Burke. Siva's got heart, but so do a lot of little guards who never succeeded in the NBA. His ceiling is Jordan Farmar - and only if he dramatically improves his shooting range.

[nate33]

I hate the Smith signing for Detroit. I don't know why anyone would pay $14M a year for a guy who is a net negative on the offensive end of the court. I'm also a little concerned about his future. He turns just 28 by the start of next year, but he's already got 25000 minutes under his belt and his game is highly dependent on athleticism.

[Ruzious]

I don't like that ATL roster. Doesn't seem like they're building anything worthwhile. And a Horford/Millsap front court is just as undersized as the Horford/Smith front court was. Seems like the better move is move Horford to PF and find a big bodied 5. Easier said than done though.

Yeah, they looks like a late seed. Content with just making the playoffs long term. I think we'll be better than them this year.

Yeah, signing Millsap means they're not rebuilding, but I could see that changing during the season. They've got Horford, Millsap, and Teague - 3 very good players (I'm a bigger Teague fan than most. Hey, if Holliday is an All-Star, Teague ain't far behind). But after them, it's journeymen and rookies. I like the rookies, but they're not the types that make instant impacts. So, before the trade deadline, I expect Atlanta to be sellers of a veteran.

[mhd]

I REALLY don't understand the Zaza signing by the Bucks. Why pay 5 million a year to be the 4th big? Ersan, Sanders, and Henson should be getting the lionshare of PT.

[Liverbird]

Detroit is my home town team. I love the Pistons...

Knight is not developing well as a PG. He's a good shooter (as we saw last year the the VC) but he really can't run an offense and far too inconsistent. They need a true PG. Should have kept Calderon IMO and time will tell on Siva. I liked what I saw in the NCAA but I have reservations. KCP will be a fine player. I don't project star status on him as some do however.

I hate that I have to watch Josh Smith on the Pistons. Urgh. Terrible signing but fortunately not an excessive overpay.

They'll likely run a lineup of:

PG: Knight/Stuckey/Siva
SG: KCP/Stuckey/English
SF: Smith/Singler/Middleton
PF: Moose/Smith/Jerebco/CV/Mitchell (probably send him to D-League - I would anyway)
C: Drummond/Moose/Kratsov

Not great yet not terrible but I think better than at least 7 other teams in the East considering the blatant tanking going on.

I thought an Ariza / Stuckey trade would have benefitted both teams...then we drafted GRJr. And the Pistons signed Mr Smoove.

I cannot see Detroit giving SMith $14M/yr for four years and then not starting him. I think it's more likely they start Monroe at center and then slid him to PF when he's playing with Drummond. It's a weird signing because the pistons have nothing at the point or on the wings. Not to say that that three big rotation couldn't work, but they need guards and shooters. KCP being good right away would be a good start.

Jack to Cleveland is a strong move and scares me just a bit. The Cavs will look really good on the nights things are going well. I believe that fourth year is a total team option.

Darren Collison signed a short and cheap deal to be CP3's backup again. Word is he took less so to return to LA, but still, damn.

Devin Harris for 3/$9M is a nice little deal. I would have loved him on that contract. But given our and Webster's situation it was never happening and I think our FO knew that.

Fish - I have Smith smarting at SF and I think Mo Cheeks will do the same unless Drummond regresses but I don't think that's likely to happen. Smith will slide over to PF and play alongside both Moose and Drummond as well. Defensively Detroit will be really though especially in the post, however they will be offensively challenged unless both KCP and Knight produce from jump.

I still don't like the Smith signing for them.

[Liverbird]

Yeah 14 million per year is fair value for Josh Smith IMO. The only problem is that it creates the need to make other moves for the Pistons IMO. And I thought the Pistons greatest long term strength was the Monroe/Drummond pairing.

I think they need to pick between Drummond and Monroe, decide who they want to hitch their wagon too long term, then trade the other guy. I think they've got a chance to do a one for one swap with either of those players and get a really nice player back in return. Someone at the PG or SF position ideally.

I agree Steve that Josh Smith is a poor fit for the Pistons and while $14M isn't terrible, it's also alot to spend on a square peg.

I don't think however, it will be an either or situation regarding Moose and Drummond though. I think both are in their long term plans unless a trade similar to the Porter/Moose idea that's been suggested actually transpires.

I do think that Moose/Detroit would be vulnerable to to big offer for Moose in 2014 - even though they have plenty of cap space. If the fit between Smith/Moose/Drummond fails this year, I could see them balking on a big offer to Moose.

[tontoz]

Dumb move by the Pistons. They will have to play Smith at the 3 which will kill their spacing and encourage him to launch Js. $14 million/yr for a guy who has never made an All-Star team and still makes the dumb mistakes of a rookie.

[Liverbird]

Hmm,

Landry to the Kings. Does that mean Patterson is available?

That is a head scratcher. Patterson can do much of what Landry does.

EDITED--On second thought, the Kings have added much quality depth. Vasquez is a good floor leader. McClemore is a deadly shooter. I think Ray McCallum is a very underrated PG. Landry posted a higher PER and WS/48 in the playoffs than Steph Curry for GS this past season. The guy who was overrated was Tyreke Evans. Sacramento Kings are going to be a lot better now. The new ownership is getting it done in Sacto.

Golden State is going to be hard pressed to repeat last season's success. Iguodala is going to cramp their rotation, but I guess they plan on playing Barnes a lot at PF. They lost Jack and Landry, two key players from last year's rotation.

Had scratcher indeed CCJ. They now have Thompson (although he can play backup C as well), 3 somewhat undersized PF in Patterson, Hayes and Landry...plus they have Bo Outlaw.

Perhaps they think Landry can play SF?

[theboomking]

Dumb move by the Pistons. They will have to play Smith at the 3 which will kill their spacing and encourage him to launch Js. $14 million/yr for a guy who has never made an All-Star team and still makes the dumb mistakes of a rookie.

I don't think there is any way Smith ends the season gettin substantive minutes at SF. That only encourages his low percentage chucking while minimizing his strengths, both on defense and offense.

[pancakes3]

Splitter and Manu signed for 9 mil and 7 mil respectively. Josh Smith at 14 mil and Maynor at 2 mil would have been much better imo.

As bad a fit as it is for the Pistons, they still managed to bank legitimate talent. Smith/Drummond/Monroe is THE best frontcourt rotation in the league right now. If they struggle to score 80/game and tank, let Stuckey walk, have KCP pan out, and draft Marcus Smart next season - they'll be the Bad Boys Pistons III out there. Tough as nails 1-5. So really I don't love the move but I don't hate it either. They could mirror what Memphis is doing very closely in the next couple of seasons.

[Kanyewest]

Splitter and Manu signed for 9 mil and 7 mil respectively. Josh Smith at 14 mil and Maynor at 2 mil would have been much better imo.

As bad a fit as it is for the Pistons, they still managed to bank legitimate talent. Smith/Drummond/Monroe is THE best frontcourt rotation in the league right now. If they struggle to score 80/game and tank, let Stuckey walk, have KCP pan out, and draft Marcus Smart next season - they'll be the Bad Boys Pistons III out there. Tough as nails 1-5. So really I don't love the move but I don't hate it either. They could mirror what Memphis is doing very closely in the next couple of seasons.

Pistons are up there with their front court. I would still put the Pacers frontcourt ahead of them (George, West, Hibbert). Brooklyn's is old but experience plus respect from the officials (Pierce, KG, Lopez). Same applies to the Spurs (Leonard, Duncan, Splitter). Then you have guys like LeBron/Bosh and Durant/Ibaka that even plugging average players next to them is still pretty good. Of course if guys like Drummond and Monroe progress, they could be on top.

[closg00]

http://nba.si.com/2013/07/03/james-hard ... =uk_bf3_a4

[stevemcqueen1]

When you find yourself in a bidding war for Monta Ellis, you need to step back and reassess your goals and your situation.

[stevemcqueen1]

Splitter and Manu signed for 9 mil and 7 mil respectively. Josh Smith at 14 mil and Maynor at 2 mil would have been much better imo.

As bad a fit as it is for the Pistons, they still managed to bank legitimate talent. Smith/Drummond/Monroe is THE best frontcourt rotation in the league right now. If they struggle to score 80/game and tank, let Stuckey walk, have KCP pan out, and draft Marcus Smart next season - they'll be the Bad Boys Pistons III out there. Tough as nails 1-5. So really I don't love the move but I don't hate it either. They could mirror what Memphis is doing very closely in the next couple of seasons.

Josh Smith could never play for the Spurs. He'd land on Pop's **** list pretty quick.

Splitter is pretty underrated. I think a lot of people have ONLY watched his games in the finals and their knowledge of him consists of him getting blocked by LeBron.

[montestewart]

http://nba.si.com/2013/07/03/james-harden-trade-kevin-martin-oklahoma-city-thunder/?sct=uk_bf3_a4

One thing that article hits on is how even an apparently superior GM like Presti has to work within the confines of a small market ownership unwilling go over the lux tax threshold. In NY, LA, or a few other NBA cities, Harden would have stayed with the team. Maybe Presti could have gotten a better deal (Beal, pick, Singleton/Vesely/etc.?) but the league pretty much knew he had to make a deal. A pick, a prospect, and an established scorer didn't look like horrible return, but it may turn out that way.