Report: HEAT Interested in Jordan Crawford

[SlowPaced]

With Asik being shopped and several teams trying to get in on the action, look for Riley to try and stick his nose in there trying to help supplement a trade. Although difficult and unlikely, Riles has pulled off some nice trades before involving quite a few teams.

He has but there's no way teams would be willing to fix the defending champions' sole problem.

[RJM]

Asik is now off the table for the foreseeable future.

[GreenFor3]

I love all you guys saying he's a chucker who doesn't pass and that AB is playing the point for the C's. After the 4th game of the season Crawford took over PG from Avery and has played well. He generally moves the ball well ect but takes bad shots here and there. It's coming along but he's learning how to play point on the fly. If you think he's only worth Joel Anthony's corpse then you need to watch the celtics every once in a while.

[heater4life]

Why would Miami add a guaranteed contract for the next 3 seasons? Not to mention that he makes over $5 mil per season and it is currently injured (Broken foot or something?).

Miami needs to keep salary flexibility for the upcoming off-season. Our priority is the Big 3 and with cap flexibility we can extend their stay and entice better FA's to sign in Miami. Pachulia would be more of an obstacle than an incentive for the Big 3 to stay. If we can't trade him for an expiring, I rather we keep JA and trade him over the summer when he would be on the last year of his contract once we secure the Big 3.

Given how some posters are proposing the Heat seek front court help via trade, I wanted to post a realistic proposition given our assets.

If the Heat truly wanted to go in that direction and add a player like Pachulia salary cap "flexibility" would hardly be an obstacle. So long as the big 3 are in Miami the Heat will be over the cap and dealing with luxury tax issues. Given that Joel Anthony is still under contract next season, its a mute point in terms of flexibility.

I would rather have a contributing big at 5M for an extra year than a non factor Joel Anthony at nearly 4M.

So you would rather have Pachulia locked in for 3 years at over $5mil per season (overpaid) instead of having the flexibility to pay Beasley and/or Oden if they become contributors or being able to sign a FA with the Mini-ML on a short term deal like we did with Battier and Ray Allen... You think Pachulia on our team is worth more?

Yes, as long as the Big 3 are together we are going to be tax payers which is why we need to be more smart on how we spend our money. Joel is overpaid but it is a mistake we can fix as soon as this summer. You prefer to add the Pachulia mistake for the next 3 seasons? That's a Cleveland Cavs decision.

We sign players like Pachulia when other teams cut them and we get them for cheap. He is NOT a difference maker.

Again, Pachulia was a name thrown out as a feasible option to those that are saying the Heat should seek front court help via trade.

Now having said that, the reality is that the Miami Heat next season will be much different team. Ray Allen and Shane Battier will more than likely be gone into retirement. James Jones and Rashard Lewis will be free agents as well. IMO, replacing that many defected shooters (Ray and Shane most likely) is an unlikely task. So the Heat would have to evolve.

As overpaid as you might see a player like Pachulia, he (or any other decent front court player) would add low post d, scoring and rebounding that is needed outside of Bosh and Birdman. Pachulia's contract would not restrict Miami from resigning Beasley and Oden, nor using the mini mle to sign a FA. Its not like Joel has an expiring contract. Hes under contract next season while the Heat have to make these moves regardless.

The extra year in Pachulias contract effects the looming offseason no more than Joel Anthonys contract does.

Every team has to overpay for needs you talk about "Cleveland Cavs decisions" as if the Heat dont have a non contributing Udonis Haslem at 4.3M and Joel Anthony at 3.8M. (love UD btw)

[heater4life]

error

[RexBoyWonder]

Pachulia is not what we need. Not in terms of skillset, not age, not salary, not length of contract.

[heat4life]

Again, Pachulia was a name thrown out as a feasible option to those that are saying the Heat should seek front court help via trade.

He has 3 years left in his contract! We still don't know what kind of deal we are getting from the big 3. For all we know they go on a year-by-year from here on out. Do you make a move for someone with a contract like Pachulia before knowing what the Big 3 are doing? Makes no sense. It is the type of desperate move that Cleveland did before they lost LeBron.

Now having said that, the reality is that the Miami Heat next season will be much different team. Ray Allen and Shane Battier will more than likely be gone into retirement. James Jones and Rashard Lewis will be free agents as well. IMO, replacing that many defected shooters (Ray and Shane most likely) is an unlikely task. So the Heat would have to evolve.

I agree, the team needs to evolve, but PROVEN shooters are at a premium around the league. If Allen and Battier retire, we need to be ready to replace them with PROVEN players. Ennis is NOT proven. He might develop into a nice shooter but he is not now. Resigning JJ and Lewis is needed as well. Having JA expiring contract to trade for a shooter in the off-season might come in handy. Pachulia would eliminate that flexibility.

As overpaid as you might see a player like Pachulia, he (or any other decent front court player) would add low post d, scoring and rebounding that is needed outside of Bosh and Birdman. Pachulia's contract would not restrict Miami from resigning Beasley and Oden, nor using the mini mle to sign a FA. Its not like Joel has an expiring contract. Hes under contract next season while the Heat have to make these moves regardless.

You think too much of Pachulia. Defense, scoring, low post D? Are we talking about the same player?
Pachulia is nothing more than a backup and not worth the additional years in his contract. We can get similar skills off the bench at a much cheaper cost from B. Haywood who is a FA. We also don't have Oden or Beasley Bird rights, so yes it wouldn't stop us from signing them for the minimum but we would have to use one of our exceptions if they wanted more money which I think they will pursue.

The extra year in Pachulias contract effects the looming offseason no more than Joel Anthonys contract does.

How is that? Joel Anthony is an expiring contract as soon as this upcoming off-season if he picks up his player option. Pachulia's contract runs through 2015-16 season. Also, Joel makes 1.4mil less in salary.

Every team has to overpay for needs you talk about "Cleveland Cavs decisions" as if the Heat dont have a non contributing Udonis Haslem at 4.3M and Joel Anthony at 3.8M. (love UD btw)

You really think UD and JA were bad decisions? Must I remind you what it took in 2010 to get the big 3 together and then put decent players around them?

UD and JA were big contributors for the first two seasons of the big 3. Over time we were able to add more players that push them down the bench but don't forget that we needed them at the time. Plus UD took a pay-cut from what he was being offered. Unfortunately injuries have derailed his career.

[heater4life]

He has 3 years left in his contract! We still don't know what kind of deal we are getting from the big 3. For all we know they go on a year-by-year from here on out. Do you make a move for someone with a contract like Pachulia before knowing what the Big 3 are doing? Makes no sense. It is the type of desperate move that Cleveland did before they lost LeBron.

I agree, the team needs to evolve, but PROVEN shooters are at a premium around the league. If Allen and Battier retire, we need to be ready to replace them with PROVEN players. Ennis is NOT proven. He might develop into a nice shooter but he is not now. Resigning JJ and Lewis is needed as well. Having JA expiring contract to trade for a shooter in the off-season might come in handy. Pachulia would eliminate that flexibility.

You think too much of Pachulia. Defense, scoring, low post D? Are we talking about the same player?
Pachulia is nothing more than a backup and not worth the additional years in his contract. We can get similar skills off the bench at a much cheaper cost from B. Haywood who is a FA. We also don't have Oden or Beasley Bird rights, so yes it wouldn't stop us from signing them for the minimum but we would have to use one of our exceptions if they wanted more money which I think they will pursue.

How is that? Joel Anthony is an expiring contract as soon as this upcoming off-season if he picks up his player option. Pachulia's contract runs through 2015-16 season. Also, Joel makes 1.4mil less in salary.

You really think UD and JA were bad decisions? Must I remind you what it took in 2010 to get the big 3 together and then put decent players around them?

UD and JA were big contributors for the first two seasons of the big 3. Over time we were able to add more players that push them down the bench but don't forget that we needed them at the time. Plus UD took a pay-cut from what he was being offered. Unfortunately injuries have derailed his career.

1) Given JA is an expiring contract next season, are you suggesting that the Miami Heat should not make any deals involving contracts that extend beyond this season?

2) Trading an expiring JA for a PROVEN shooter I feel may prove to be very difficult. Much more so than a backup center who can get you 6 and 6.

3) Regardless of any transaction, an exception will have to be used if Beasley and Oden demand more money.
I actually dont think much of Pachulia. I merely threw the name out there because A) Contract is similar to Joels B) He adds more size, some help rebounding C) Its feasible given Milwaukee would shed the extra year/ their tanking.

4) All major signings will be occurring this offseason, whether or not the contract is JA or Pachulias or other, an extra 1.2M on the salary cap isnt going to hinder any offseason transactions.

5) UD was not a bad signing at all, on contrary, he took a discount and was supposed to add depth. He has regressed significantly since, which isnt the Heats fault, but at the moment his contract is large for his contributions. Now JA was a flat out overpay. He was nothing more than a minimum level skill player offered a decent contract due to our lack of depth. If the Heat had options in 2010, he wouldnt have made anywhere near what he's earned.

I honestly dont think that highly of Pachulia. Nor do i care if it does or doesnt happen. I just dont agree that such a transaction would hinder the Heat moving forward.

[Nitro1118]

Zaza isn't overpaid in today's NBA. There are plenty of centers with similar production making a couple million more per season. Asik is better and younger, but the difference between he and Zaza isn't enormous...Asik's a better rebounder and post defender, but Zaza is more mobile, better offensively and I'm pretty sure he's been a better shotblocker statistically. I'm not bringing Asik up to prove Zaza is his equal, but Zaza is the type of center that Miami could actually acquire because his contract is managable, he's underappreciated by his team and the media (opposite of Asik), and he's still a tough, productive 7 footer with some skill. For what Miami would have to give up, he'd be a nice 15mpg addition that would help a LOT against the bigger teams.

[heat4life]

He has 3 years left in his contract! We still don't know what kind of deal we are getting from the big 3. For all we know they go on a year-by-year from here on out. Do you make a move for someone with a contract like Pachulia before knowing what the Big 3 are doing? Makes no sense. It is the type of desperate move that Cleveland did before they lost LeBron.

I agree, the team needs to evolve, but PROVEN shooters are at a premium around the league. If Allen and Battier retire, we need to be ready to replace them with PROVEN players. Ennis is NOT proven. He might develop into a nice shooter but he is not now. Resigning JJ and Lewis is needed as well. Having JA expiring contract to trade for a shooter in the off-season might come in handy. Pachulia would eliminate that flexibility.

You think too much of Pachulia. Defense, scoring, low post D? Are we talking about the same player?
Pachulia is nothing more than a backup and not worth the additional years in his contract. We can get similar skills off the bench at a much cheaper cost from B. Haywood who is a FA. We also don't have Oden or Beasley Bird rights, so yes it wouldn't stop us from signing them for the minimum but we would have to use one of our exceptions if they wanted more money which I think they will pursue.

How is that? Joel Anthony is an expiring contract as soon as this upcoming off-season if he picks up his player option. Pachulia's contract runs through 2015-16 season. Also, Joel makes 1.4mil less in salary.

You really think UD and JA were bad decisions? Must I remind you what it took in 2010 to get the big 3 together and then put decent players around them?

UD and JA were big contributors for the first two seasons of the big 3. Over time we were able to add more players that push them down the bench but don't forget that we needed them at the time. Plus UD took a pay-cut from what he was being offered. Unfortunately injuries have derailed his career.

1) Given JA is an expiring contract next season, are you suggesting that the Miami Heat should not make any deals involving contracts that extend beyond this season?

2) Trading an expiring JA for a PROVEN shooter I feel may prove to be very difficult. Much more so than a backup center who can get you 6 and 6.

3) Regardless of any transaction, an exception will have to be used if Beasley and Oden demand more money.
I actually dont think much of Pachulia. I merely threw the name out there because A) Contract is similar to Joels B) He adds more size, some help rebounding C) Its feasible given Milwaukee would shed the extra year/ their tanking.

4) All major signings will be occurring this offseason, whether or not the contract is JA or Pachulias or other, an extra 1.2M on the salary cap isnt going to hinder any offseason transactions.

5) UD was not a bad signing at all, on contrary, he took a discount and was supposed to add depth. He has regressed significantly since, which isnt the Heats fault, but at the moment his contract is large for his contributions. Now JA was a flat out overpay. He was nothing more than a minimum level skill player offered a decent contract due to our lack of depth. If the Heat had options in 2010, he wouldnt have made anywhere near what he's earned.

I honestly dont think that highly of Pachulia. Nor do i care if it does or doesnt happen. I just dont agree that such a transaction would hinder the Heat moving forward.

This discussion is pointless when you keep making an argument FOR Pachulia and then you say that you are not making an argument for Pachulia.

The whole discussion is based on your suggestion to get Pachulia. I never said we shouldn't make ANY deals or insinuated anything to the sort. We are talking Pachulia, that is what we are focusing on. If you want to discuss another option then that will be a discussion of it's own.

Like another poster noted, Pachulia IS NOT the type of player we need and IMO his contract is not the type of contract we need, so yeah you do think too much of Pachulia as a player if you keep trying to make a case for him. (Not that there is anything wrong with that, it is your opinion, just don't go left and right).

[heater4life]

He has 3 years left in his contract! We still don't know what kind of deal we are getting from the big 3. For all we know they go on a year-by-year from here on out. Do you make a move for someone with a contract like Pachulia before knowing what the Big 3 are doing? Makes no sense. It is the type of desperate move that Cleveland did before they lost LeBron.

I agree, the team needs to evolve, but PROVEN shooters are at a premium around the league. If Allen and Battier retire, we need to be ready to replace them with PROVEN players. Ennis is NOT proven. He might develop into a nice shooter but he is not now. Resigning JJ and Lewis is needed as well. Having JA expiring contract to trade for a shooter in the off-season might come in handy. Pachulia would eliminate that flexibility.

You think too much of Pachulia. Defense, scoring, low post D? Are we talking about the same player?
Pachulia is nothing more than a backup and not worth the additional years in his contract. We can get similar skills off the bench at a much cheaper cost from B. Haywood who is a FA. We also don't have Oden or Beasley Bird rights, so yes it wouldn't stop us from signing them for the minimum but we would have to use one of our exceptions if they wanted more money which I think they will pursue.

How is that? Joel Anthony is an expiring contract as soon as this upcoming off-season if he picks up his player option. Pachulia's contract runs through 2015-16 season. Also, Joel makes 1.4mil less in salary.

You really think UD and JA were bad decisions? Must I remind you what it took in 2010 to get the big 3 together and then put decent players around them?

UD and JA were big contributors for the first two seasons of the big 3. Over time we were able to add more players that push them down the bench but don't forget that we needed them at the time. Plus UD took a pay-cut from what he was being offered. Unfortunately injuries have derailed his career.

1) Given JA is an expiring contract next season, are you suggesting that the Miami Heat should not make any deals involving contracts that extend beyond this season?

2) Trading an expiring JA for a PROVEN shooter I feel may prove to be very difficult. Much more so than a backup center who can get you 6 and 6.

3) Regardless of any transaction, an exception will have to be used if Beasley and Oden demand more money.
I actually dont think much of Pachulia. I merely threw the name out there because A) Contract is similar to Joels B) He adds more size, some help rebounding C) Its feasible given Milwaukee would shed the extra year/ their tanking.

4) All major signings will be occurring this offseason, whether or not the contract is JA or Pachulias or other, an extra 1.2M on the salary cap isnt going to hinder any offseason transactions.

5) UD was not a bad signing at all, on contrary, he took a discount and was supposed to add depth. He has regressed significantly since, which isnt the Heats fault, but at the moment his contract is large for his contributions. Now JA was a flat out overpay. He was nothing more than a minimum level skill player offered a decent contract due to our lack of depth. If the Heat had options in 2010, he wouldnt have made anywhere near what he's earned.

I honestly dont think that highly of Pachulia. Nor do i care if it does or doesnt happen. I just dont agree that such a transaction would hinder the Heat moving forward.

This discussion is pointless when you keep making an argument FOR Pachulia and then you say that you are not making an argument for Pachulia.

The whole discussion is based on your suggestion to get Pachulia. I never said we shouldn't make ANY deals or insinuated anything to the sort. We are talking Pachulia, that is what we are focusing on. If you want to discuss another option then that will be a discussion of it's own.

Like another poster noted, Pachulia IS NOT the type of player we need and IMO his contract is not the type of contract we need, so yeah you do think too much of Pachulia as a player if you keep trying to make a case for him. (Not that there is anything wrong with that, it is your opinion, just don't go left and right).

Im going left and right because of the discussion itself. If you notice, we haven't discussed why either us feels Pachulia is or is not a good fit on the team. The discussion has been solely based around the player(s) contracts and how it may or may not affect the Heats salary cap in the future. (which i did not agree that a contract of 3yr 5M/yr would hinder us) Our discussion as a whole, at least on my end, was salary based.

I do feel a player like Pachulia can aid this team, but the reason he is even being discussed is because it may be a feasible option in an otherwise bare market for what assets the Heat have to offer. The only case I have for Pachulia is hes better than Joel Anthony, can rebound, and is a big body in the post. What more do the Heat need at the position from a backup center?

Im perfectly fine with the Heat not making any moves, Beas developing further, and trying to revive Oden's career come February.