Discussing Other Teams' Moves Part 4

[keynote]

The Heat are interested, too.

I don't think he's a great fit for the Wizards; however, I certainly don't love the idea of MIA scooping him up. I really hope he heads out west.

[dobrojim]

Why can' wizards ever sign a new player!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekQ_Ja02gTY[/youtube]

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Only way I'd take Smith is with the proviso that he'd be immediately released if he attempts a shot from outside 3 feet or from inside 3pt range. Not even a desperation 16-footer with the shot clock expiring.

And when I say "immediately," I mean during the game. As in, Smith pulls up and shoots one of his patented 20-foot Js, and Wittman calls timeout to replace him in the lineup and release him on the spot. As in, "Josh, go get cleaned up. We'd like you gone before the end of the game."

HOF-WORTHY funny, Nivek.


http://m.bkref.com/m?p=XXplayersXXsXXsmithjo03.html&t=4

16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks per-36 minutes over his career. Career PER of 17.8.

Smith is IMO more talented than every other Wizard besides Wall, healthy Nene, and younger Pierce. Smith as a Wizard would IMO blow up more than Rasual Butler.

I think a team with veterans like Pierce, Humprhies, Gortat, and Nene would be ideal for Smith. Wall would give him the most open dunks and looks at the basket he ever had. I would totally ignore his seasons in Detroit and his post contract Atlanta numbers. Twice Josh Smith had a PER over 21.

He will not be a Wizard.

But if he were the key would be giving him a role and allowing him to play to his natural ability. He would have to buy into that role and play less minutes, but play with great intensity.

With Josh Smith I would take a Father Flanagan, there is "no such thing as bad boy approach".

And if he is a bad boy, then coach him up like a Chuck Daly or Phil Jackson would. Dennis Rodman couldn't play for the Spurs, probably because Bob Hill or whomever was the coach at the time couldn't handle him. But the same Dennis Rodman is now a HOFer who won multiple championships with two different teams, one before the Spurs days and one after.

Nivek, I feel the opposite of you about Josh Smith. He's a seasoned pro who has played ten years in the league. He'd be James Singleton good as a Wizard or better under Randy Wittman IMO.

Where I agree with you is if he got out of line I would waive him with the quickness.

[LyricalRico]

The Heat are interested, too.

I don't think he's a great fit for the Wizards; however, I certainly don't love the idea of MIA scooping him up. I really hope he heads out west.

Yeah, Miami was one of the first possibilities that popped into my head.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

All the people thinking one bad character spoils a team, I can list a bunch of times a supposedly bad guy made a good team great:

1. Mark Aguire to the Bad Boy Pistons.
2. Dennis Rodman to the Bulls.
3. Kenyon Martin to the Nets.
4. Anthony Mason to the Knicks.
5. Charles Oakley to the Knicks.
6. Zach Randolph to the Grizzlies.
7. Demarcus Cousins to the Kings.
8. Chris Anderson to the Heat.
9. Stephen Jackson back to the Spurs.
10. Ron Artest to the Lakers.
11. Delonte West to the Celtics/Cavs.
12. Lance Stephenson to the Pacers.
13. GILBERT FREAKING ARENAS! (Still one of my favorite players ... ever)

All this stuff about Josh Smith being a bad fit to the Wizards is just fear that he would bring the team down due to character issues or some recent bad play.

Personally, I think the guy's a helluva basketball player. Might take this team to the next level. Definitely worth the risk.

[tontoz]

All the people thinking one bad character spoils a team, I can list a bunch of times a supposedly bad guy made a good team great:

1. Mark Aguire to the Bad Boy Pistons.
2. Dennis Rodman to the Bulls.
3. Kenyon Martin to the Nets.
4. Anthony Mason to the Knicks.
5. Charles Oakley to the Knicks.
6. Zach Randolph to the Grizzlies.
7. Demarcus Cousins to the Kings.
8. Chris Anderson to the Heat.
9. Stephen Jackson back to the Spurs.
10. Ron Artest to the Lakers.
11. Delonte West to the Celtics/Cavs.
12. Lance Stephenson to the Pacers.
13. GILBERT FREAKING ARENAS! (Still one of my favorite players ... ever)

All this stuff about Josh Smith being a bad fit to the Wizards is just fear that he would bring the team down due to character issues or some recent bad play.

Personally, I think the guy's a helluva basketball player. Might take this team to the next level. Definitely worth the risk.

Smith isn't a bad apple off the court. He is just a train wreck on offense. He can't accept his limitations. Nobody can get through to him. And i say this as someone who has Smith's Hawk jersey in my closet.

Right now when anyone gets a defensive rebound they immediately look for Wall. That wouldn't happen with Smith. He will try to lead the break himself, even if Wall is right next to him. And he will throw these crazy passes that frequently wind up in the stands.

On a team that takes more long 2s than any team he is the last guy you want. We need someone to help our offense not sabatoge it.

[bealwithit]

All the people thinking one bad character spoils a team, I can list a bunch of times a supposedly bad guy made a good team great:

1. Mark Aguire to the Bad Boy Pistons.
2. Dennis Rodman to the Bulls.
3. Kenyon Martin to the Nets.
4. Anthony Mason to the Knicks.
5. Charles Oakley to the Knicks.
6. Zach Randolph to the Grizzlies.
7. Demarcus Cousins to the Kings.
8. Chris Anderson to the Heat.
9. Stephen Jackson back to the Spurs.
10. Ron Artest to the Lakers.
11. Delonte West to the Celtics/Cavs.
12. Lance Stephenson to the Pacers.
13. GILBERT FREAKING ARENAS! (Still one of my favorite players ... ever)

All this stuff about Josh Smith being a bad fit to the Wizards is just fear that he would bring the team down due to character issues or some recent bad play.

Personally, I think the guy's a helluva basketball player. Might take this team to the next level. Definitely worth the risk.

Smith isn't a bad apple off the court.

Wilbon mentioned today on PTI that not too long ago he talked to an unnamed NBA player about Josh Smith possibly coming to their team and that player wanted nothing to do with J-Smoove and said no one in the league wants him on their team. "Unnamed player", I know, I know. But it wouldn't surprise me if 100% true.

[LyricalRico]

Varejao landed awkwardly in the third quarter of Tuesday's 125-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and left the floor without being able to put weight on the leg. Initial tests weren't able to determine the severity of the injury. League sources told ESPN.com that the Cavs fear one potential outcome is a torn Achilles.

If Varejao is out for a significant period, it's believed the Cavs will intensify their monthslong efforts to trade for a big man. The team has been seeking additional help for its front line going back to the summer, having specifically targeted Timofey Mozgov of the Denver Nuggets and Kosta Koufos of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Sources say the Cavs, in recent days, have been in contact with the Boston Celtics about working as a facilitator in three-team trade scenarios. The Celtics, blessed with frontcourt depth in the wake of their recent acquisition of Brandan Wright in the Rajon Rondo deal, have been aggressive recently in their attempts to acquire future draft picks.

The Cavs cannot trade their own 2015 first-round pick because they already sent their 2016 pick to the Celtics in a previous deal. But they do own a protected Memphis first-rounder that they could trade.

The Cavs also possess a $5.2 million trade exception to use in a potential deal, which is one of the reasons they sought Mozgov and Koufos, as both of their contracts could fit into that exception.

http://beta.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/ ... foot-ankle

It'll be interesting to see how Cleveland addresses this. And if this is an Achilles, they'll need to address it for this year and next year.

[Dat2U]

Varejao landed awkwardly in the third quarter of Tuesday's 125-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and left the floor without being able to put weight on the leg. Initial tests weren't able to determine the severity of the injury. League sources told ESPN.com that the Cavs fear one potential outcome is a torn Achilles.

If Varejao is out for a significant period, it's believed the Cavs will intensify their monthslong efforts to trade for a big man. The team has been seeking additional help for its front line going back to the summer, having specifically targeted Timofey Mozgov of the Denver Nuggets and Kosta Koufos of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Sources say the Cavs, in recent days, have been in contact with the Boston Celtics about working as a facilitator in three-team trade scenarios. The Celtics, blessed with frontcourt depth in the wake of their recent acquisition of Brandan Wright in the Rajon Rondo deal, have been aggressive recently in their attempts to acquire future draft picks.

The Cavs cannot trade their own 2015 first-round pick because they already sent their 2016 pick to the Celtics in a previous deal. But they do own a protected Memphis first-rounder that they could trade.

The Cavs also possess a $5.2 million trade exception to use in a potential deal, which is one of the reasons they sought Mozgov and Koufos, as both of their contracts could fit into that exception.

http://beta.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/ ... foot-ankle

It'll be interesting to see how Cleveland addresses this. And if this is an Achilles, they'll need to address it for this year and next year.

The Cavs are done if its a torn achilles. Done. Even though Varejao hadn't played great defense so far, he was their only real hope to be passable on that end of the court. Tristan Thompson isn't a C. Nor is he a very good PF. But now he's their starting C? Ruh roh!

Even if the Cavs make a trade for a guy like Timofey Mosgov... that's probably not going to be enough because they already needed a backup C badly.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Tyler Zeller is not feeling sorry for the Cavs. He's Boston's starting C now.

[Nivek]

Tyler Zeller is not feeling sorry for the Cavs. He's Boston's starting C now.

And playing very well.

[Zonkerbl]

You guys are seriously considering Josh Smith? But he's a terrible player. Why would you do that?

Javale McGee is clearly talented and has NBA skills that could make him an all star. Would you want him on your team?

Forget character issues. Smith is not a good NBA basketball player.

[dckingsfan]

Varejao out for the season? I think that moves Cleveland down a notch unless they can trade for a big.

And yes, trading Zeller - not so smart.

[fishercob]

Varajeo out for the year and they just gave him that stupid extension.

[Nivek]

Varajeo out for the year and they just gave him that stupid extension.

The salaries for Varejao are reasonable, but I don't know why Cleveland felt the need to give a 3-year extension to a 32-year old with his injury history. Three more years AFTER this one.

[Ruzious]

Tyler Zeller is not feeling sorry for the Cavs. He's Boston's starting C now.

And playing very well.

Watch for little bro Cody (who's close to 3 years younger) to follow a similar progression - I think he has slightly better tools to work with.

Boston's got 4 good young bigs - we could use whichever one draws the short straw in playing time.

[Dat2U]

Tyler Zeller is not feeling sorry for the Cavs. He's Boston's starting C now.

And playing very well.

Watch for little bro Cody (who's close to 3 years younger) to follow a similar progression - I think he has slightly better tools to work with.

Boston's got 4 good young bigs - we could use whichever one draws the short straw in playing time.

And 4 guys who lean offense as opposed to defense. I guess Zeller would be their best defender even though he's got poor length. Wright a close 2nd. As much as I like Sullinger & Olynyk it would seem they would need to trade one of those two because I don't think you can play them together and expect to defend at a passible level.

[Ruzious]

Wright lacks bulk, but he's a good help defender - which the Wiz can use. I sure wouldn't mind getting him. I think he's a free agent this offseason, so maybe we wait for the offseason. If his playing time increases, he's got a chance to make some big bucks, but if he's the odd man out, he becomes affordable for the Wiz - regardless of Durant considerations. Offensively, it'll be interesting to see if his good numbers were a product of him playing next to Dirk - which I think did benefit him.

[Nivek]

The league will have to give some clarity to front offices regarding what's going to happen with the cap. The TV money is going WAY up, and the cap will too. But, will it be a big jump starting in 2016, or will they increase salaries more gradually? If it's a big jump in 2016, salaries will probably start going up in the coming offseason -- teams will pay more knowing they'll have more room to play with in 2016. The Wizards may be a team to benefit from this by spending into 2016 cap room without materially affecting their ability to pursue a guy like Durant.

If it was status quo on the cap, with modest annual increases, the Wizards would need to avoid taking on salaries to preserve space for a max free agent. But, it may not be status quo.

[tontoz]

Smith apparently going to the Rockets. Curious to see if Howard can get him to smarten up. We know Smith won't pay any attention to McFail.