Discussing Other Teams' Moves Part 3

[hands11]

duh - not a great off-season for Denver.

As the evidence adds up, I'm really happy Tim Connelly is no longer part of the Wizards front office. They've become a complete mess in a little over a month since he's had the job. I don't know many GMs that could destroy a 57-win team faster than he has.

Maybe you've identified a trade partner that EG can win against now and then. Maynor for Robinson?

All that's left is for McGee to take the mic opening day..

Heehmm. Tap tap tap.. Is this things working..

Heeeey. This is Pierre, your new team captain. Preeeesiate you'll coming out to support the team.

We got a big year in store for you. Monster dunks from yours truly. My boy Manimal and me are going to be clearing the boards. See you in the playoffs.

Peace out.

[stevemcqueen1]

I don't see Scola making a huge impact for Indy. He'll probably be a nice bench big but little more. He's a good player but he's aged a ton the past two years. Getting amnestied was the beginning of the end for him. His minutes and his usage are going to go way down in Indy, where they already have good players ahead of him.

The front court wasn't the flawed part of their roster anyway. They must upgrade their guard situation. They have one of the worst groups of guards in the NBA. They're a pseudo-contender until they fix that situation.

[FAH1223]

I don't see Scola making a huge impact for Indy. He'll probably be a nice bench big but little more. He's a good player but he's aged a ton the past two years. Getting amnestied was the beginning of the end for him. His minutes and his usage are going to go way down in Indy, where they already have good players ahead of him.

The front court wasn't the flawed part of their roster anyway. They must upgrade their guard situation. They have one of the worst groups of guards in the NBA. They're a pseudo-contender until they fix that situation.

CJ Watson was a good pickup but they need that floor general. George Hill is a good player but he shouldn't be the lead PG full time.

Brandon Jennings isn't a pure PG, but I wonder if Granger for Jennings+filler would work for both teams. Fills a huge need for Milwaukee and upgrades the talent in Indy's backcourt. Jennings doesn't solve all of Indy's backcourt problems but he gives them another option. I guess a lot would ride on the type of contract Jennings got.

Jennings is an efficient chucker, I don't think Indiana needs that.

They got C.J. Watson in FA - they had to give up Plumlee in the trade.

They also gave up a 1st rounder. Kind of steep for Scola.

[FAH1223]

Grizzlies are targetting Mo Williams and Delonte West for that backup PG spot behind Conley. Both guys can also play off the ball and are good 3 point shooters.

I like what Memphis is doing this offseason finding guys who can space the floor for Zbo/Gasol. Koufos was a good addition to limit Gasol's minutes a bit as well.

[LyricalRico]

I don't see Scola making a huge impact for Indy. He'll probably be a nice bench big but little more. He's a good player but he's aged a ton the past two years. Getting amnestied was the beginning of the end for him. His minutes and his usage are going to go way down in Indy, where they already have good players ahead of him.

The front court wasn't the flawed part of their roster anyway. They must upgrade their guard situation. They have one of the worst groups of guards in the NBA. They're a pseudo-contender until they fix that situation.

I disagree. Indy's starting frontcourt was great, but their entire offense fell apart when both Hibbert and West were off the floor. And a big reason for that was the limited offense of Mahinmi and Hansbrough. Now they have a guy in Scola who can give them scoring and passing off the bench, which will help unclog things on the second unit IMO. And I'm guessing that the limited minutes, combined with some winning, will slow the aging process.

Assuming they keep Granger all season, he and Scola could be the best bench duo in the entire league. They would now have legitimate options to go to if there's foul trouble or when guys need a rest in a long, physical playoff series.

Grizzlies are targetting Mo Williams and Delonte West for that backup PG spot behind Conley. Both guys can also play off the ball and are good 3 point shooters.

I like what Memphis is doing this offseason finding guys who can space the floor for Zbo/Gasol. Koufos was a good addition to limit Gasol's minutes a bit as well.

Agreed. If they do end up adding Williams, MEM could be the deepest team in the league. Sure would have liked to have seen what Hollins could have done with that group, though.

[closg00]

Some on this board loved the "golatas" Houston GM Morey showed when he let talent like Lowry and Dragic walk, and cleared cap room in order to go after D. Howard--who said all along that he wouldn't resign with the Rockets if they traded for him. How'd that turn out? Well, it turned out with Houston overpaying for free agents Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik.

In other words, Morey was left holding his "golatas."

Camby to Houston. Morey is aiming for nothing less than a championship parade in downtown Houston, Morey dragging a huge pair of golatas around now.

[stevemcqueen1]

Why didn't Indy go for Dragic or Lowry last summer? Either would have been a lot better options than George Hill and they were iminently available. Why not go for Jose Calderon? There are a lot of PGs around the league better than Hill.

It's frustrating because building a classic prototype front court is a lost art and Indy's probably capped themselves off without the means to truly contend.

I think they're going to have to hope Granger comes back like his old self to get that #1 option scorer they need. Then you can kick George down to SG (though he's a natural SF) and at least get Stephenson out of the starting line up.

[Kanyewest]

Why didn't Indy go for Dragic or Lowry last summer? Either would have been a lot better options than George Hill and they were iminently available. Why not go for Jose Calderon? There are a lot of PGs around the league better than Hill.

It's frustrating because building a classic prototype front court is a lost art and Indy's probably capped themselves off without the means to truly contend.

I think they're going to have to hope Granger comes back like his old self to get that #1 option scorer they need. Then you can kick George down to SG (though he's a natural SF) and at least get Stephenson out of the starting line up.

Hill IMO wasn't Indiana's problem; it was DJ Augustine and for that matter another capable guard off the bench. Not sure if Lowry was a realistic option given that Toronto gave up a first rounder and I'm not sure how Indiana would have topped that. Dragic went for around $9 million a year.

[verbal8]

Brandon Jennings isn't a pure PG, but I wonder if Granger for Jennings+filler would work for both teams. Fills a huge need for Milwaukee and upgrades the talent in Indy's backcourt. Jennings doesn't solve all of Indy's backcourt problems but he gives them another option. I guess a lot would ride on the type of contract Jennings got.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute probably would be a good filler. I don't think he figures in the Bucks long-term plans, but would be some decent depth for the Pacers. With LRMM, Jennings deal could be for anything over 6 million. I think something similar to what Monta Ellis got 3 years - 25 to 30 million is about right.

[Ruzious]

Brandon Jennings isn't a pure PG, but I wonder if Granger for Jennings+filler would work for both teams. Fills a huge need for Milwaukee and upgrades the talent in Indy's backcourt. Jennings doesn't solve all of Indy's backcourt problems but he gives them another option. I guess a lot would ride on the type of contract Jennings got.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute probably would be a good filler. I don't think he figures in the Bucks long-term plans, but would be some decent depth for the Pacers. With LRMM, Jennings deal could be for anything over 6 million. I think something similar to what Monta Ellis got 3 years - 25 to 30 million is about right.

You are correct that Luc does not fit in the Bucks' plans. He was traded to Sacramento for 2 future 2nd rounders.

I think Jennings goes back to the Bucks for the qualifying offer and tries UFA next season. He had a lousy season, and I think his expectations of being highly sought after were foolish.

[TGW]

Haha at DCZards attacking David Morey, yet nothing is ever said about Ernie Grunfeld's myriad of inept moves.

I have a feeling that guy works for the Wizards in some capacity.

[Nivek]

Why didn't Indy go for Dragic or Lowry last summer? Either would have been a lot better options than George Hill and they were iminently available. Why not go for Jose Calderon? There are a lot of PGs around the league better than Hill.

It's frustrating because building a classic prototype front court is a lost art and Indy's probably capped themselves off without the means to truly contend.

I think they're going to have to hope Granger comes back like his old self to get that #1 option scorer they need. Then you can kick George down to SG (though he's a natural SF) and at least get Stephenson out of the starting line up.

Hill IMO wasn't Indiana's problem; it was DJ Augustine and for that matter another capable guard off the bench. Not sure if Lowry was a realistic option given that Toronto gave up a first rounder and I'm not sure how Indiana would have topped that. Dragic went for around $9 million a year.

Hill definitely was not Indy's problem. He was very good last year -- very efficient on offense plus above average defense. He was better last season than both Lowry and Dragic. The issues Indy had last year were the need for better play at SG and overall depth -- their bench pretty much stunk all the way around. Scola should help with the frontcourt depth; but they still need a backup PG and a SG upgrade. Maybe they upgrade there with Paul George and/or Granger.

[dckingsfan]

Why didn't Indy go for Dragic or Lowry last summer? Either would have been a lot better options than George Hill and they were iminently available. Why not go for Jose Calderon? There are a lot of PGs around the league better than Hill.

It's frustrating because building a classic prototype front court is a lost art and Indy's probably capped themselves off without the means to truly contend.

I think they're going to have to hope Granger comes back like his old self to get that #1 option scorer they need. Then you can kick George down to SG (though he's a natural SF) and at least get Stephenson out of the starting line up.

Hill IMO wasn't Indiana's problem; it was DJ Augustine and for that matter another capable guard off the bench. Not sure if Lowry was a realistic option given that Toronto gave up a first rounder and I'm not sure how Indiana would have topped that. Dragic went for around $9 million a year.

Hill definitely was not Indy's problem. He was very good last year -- very efficient on offense plus above average defense. He was better last season than both Lowry and Dragic. The issues Indy had last year were the need for better play at SG and overall depth -- their bench pretty much stunk all the way around. Scola should help with the frontcourt depth; but they still need a backup PG and a SG upgrade. Maybe they upgrade there with Paul George and/or Granger.

I thought signing Watson was solid - and he played well in the playoffs last year.

PG: Hill, Watson
SG: George, Stephenson
SF: Granger, Copeland
PF: West, Scola
C: Hibbert, Mahinmi

Seems balanced and better than last year.

[Nivek]

I'd forgotten about Watson. He's not bad -- played at about the level of A.J. Price last season. Better than Augustine and their other backups.

I like the Scola pickup. Copeland is an okay get too -- decent reserve at a modest price.

They could still use one more decent big man behind Hibbert. They've had a solid offseason.

[LyricalRico]

^ Ooh, forgot about Copeland. If they indeed move George down to SG and start Granger, they're a really deep team. And they also have more options to mix-and-match and go small if they have to (Copeland as a stretch 4 could help them do even more damage in the middle IMO).

Man, everyone keeps putting the Bulls back on top of that division, but the Pacers are an ECF team that is bringing all of their key players back and has also gotten appreciably better from their offseason additions. Hard not to put them #2 in the East.

[Kanyewest]

I thought signing Watson was solid - and he played well in the playoffs last year.

PG: Hill, Watson
SG: George, Stephenson
SF: Granger, Copeland
PF: West, Scola
C: Hibbert, Mahinmi

Seems balanced and better than last year.

Plus Solomon Hill.

[FAH1223]

I thought signing Watson was solid - and he played well in the playoffs last year.

PG: Hill, Watson
SG: George, Stephenson
SF: Granger, Copeland
PF: West, Scola
C: Hibbert, Mahinmi

Seems balanced and better than last year.

I feel they need another wing defender and PG

[dckingsfan]

Granger used to be a decent wing defender... doubt that will still be the case but you never know. Copeland really isn't a good defender (IMO). I doubt Solomon Hill will get many minutes now?

Regardless... I think they are better than last year - and they were ever so close going to the finals.

[Wizardspride]

I HATE CLEVELAND.



That is all.

[hands11]

Kelly Olynyk (plantar fasciitis) will not play for Canada this summer.

The board would have had fun with this if he was drafted here.