Marc Stein - Pistons to make run at Horford

[Kilo]

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine 3m3 minutes ago

Free Agency Rumble: Orlando, Detroit and the Lakers are all among the teams that intend to make a run at Atlanta big man Al Horford.

We only have what $16M-17M to offer - Orlando can offer him near $30M. So yeah, not liking our chances there. We do offer him the opportunity to play PF a lot of minutes, but he'd also be our primary back-up Ce.

Our best shot would be a sign and trade with Atlanta here I think. In addition to our $17M, we could offer them Bayes who might have certain appeal as Atlanta is San Antonio East, so he'd be a certain fit there and be known to the coaching staff. Also KCP is from Georgia and spends his off-seasons there - maybe that's why we're looking at SG's in the draft.

If we can't sign him outright - which is unlikely given our cap situation - would you trade Baynes and KCP for him in a S&T? If not KCP Jodie Meeks went to Norcross High School in Ga as well. Maybe Baynes, Meeks and future first for Horford S&T??

[Kilo]

R.Jackson|D.Jackson(first rounder)
KCP|Hilliard
Harris|S.Johnson
Horford|Morris
Drummond|Horford

[Laimbeer]

And I'm making a run at Kate Upton.

[MotownMadness]

Would have to clear up some more cap space

[dVs33]

It's not going to happen, but I'd love to get him in Detroit.
The idea of horford next to Dre makes me happy, but again, it's not happening.

[Mr Peanut]

We'd have to clear a bit of cap space and then literally all of it would go to him. Would propel us instantly into an Eastern Conference contender though.

[Joe Berry]

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine 3m3 minutes ago

Free Agency Rumble: Orlando, Detroit and the Lakers are all among the teams that intend to make a run at Atlanta big man Al Horford.

We only have what $16M-17M to offer - Orlando can offer him near $30M. So yeah, not liking our chances there. We do offer him the opportunity to play PF a lot of minutes, but he'd also be our primary back-up Ce.

Our best shot would be a sign and trade with Atlanta here I think. In addition to our $17M, we could offer them Bayes who might have certain appeal as Atlanta is San Antonio East, so he'd be a certain fit there and be known to the coaching staff. Also KCP is from Georgia and spends his off-seasons there - maybe that's why we're looking at SG's in the draft.

If we can't sign him outright - which is unlikely given our cap situation - would you trade Baynes and KCP for him in a S&T? If not KCP Jodie Meeks went to Norcross High School in Ga as well. Maybe Baynes, Meeks and future first for Horford S&T??

Great to hear, Horford would be such a great fit for this team, he really could elevate us to (east) contender status. Its possible financially too, with the higher cap at 94 mil the Pistons already have about 18-19 mil in cap. Whitehoops explained our cap situation very well here. viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1453445

I don't want to call this a mock so I'll call it a summary from my point of view. Here's our basic situation:



so basically we could have a max of about $19 million in cap space.

You just need to unload Meeks for cap and you already get really close. Horford has been in the league 8 years so his max will be starting about 26.6. Its possible even without trading Baynes or the 1st round pick i think. Maybe just maybe you have to move a guy like Bullock to make it work at the end but Horford would be worth it.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/LarryCoon/status/743936250311172097[/tweet]

[mercury]

A S&T could work for all sides.

[Canadafan]

Baynes Meeks and our #1 for Horford? We'd do it but they wouldn't probably?

[russkopp]

Baynes Meeks and our #1 for Horford? We'd do it but they wouldn't probably?

This would never happen. With Bazemore being a FA and Korver getting old, conversations would start around KCP and their pick of one or two of our SFs.

SVG isn't dumb, he'll talk to Horford and see what happens, if we start dumping contracts for nothing I'll start to get excited.

[Joe Berry]

Baynes Meeks and our #1 for Horford? We'd do it but they wouldn't probably?

This would never happen. With Bazemore being a FA and Korver getting old, conversations would start around KCP and their pick of one or two of our SFs.

SVG isn't dumb, he'll talk to Horford and see what happens, if we start dumping contracts for nothing I'll start to get excited.

We are not the Suns, i think he will only dump contracts if he has an agreement with Horford in place. Its really just Meeks + Bullock who would needed to get moved, almost every team has capspace so that shouldnt be that difficult.

[coordinator0]

Yeah, the Pistons don't have any contracts to dump outside of Meeks. They actually like the players that are getting paid. If a trade happens it will be with Atlanta is a S&T or in a separate deal that still brings back value to Detroit. No way Van Gundy just starts giving away guys to shed salary without an actual guarantee that he's getting something back.

For what it's worth I really doubt this ends up happening, although it would be amazing.

[mattao313]

Yeah, the Pistons don't have any contracts to dump outside of Meeks. They actually like the players that are getting paid. If a trade happens it will be with Atlanta is a S&T or in a separate deal that still brings back value to Detroit. No way Van Gundy just starts giving away guys to shed salary without an actual guarantee that he's getting something back.

For what it's worth I really doubt this ends up happening, although it would be amazing.

We could trade Meeks and Baynes and Horford could play the back up like Greg used to do.

[coordinator0]

Yeah, the Pistons don't have any contracts to dump outside of Meeks. They actually like the players that are getting paid. If a trade happens it will be with Atlanta is a S&T or in a separate deal that still brings back value to Detroit. No way Van Gundy just starts giving away guys to shed salary without an actual guarantee that he's getting something back.

For what it's worth I really doubt this ends up happening, although it would be amazing.

We could trade Meeks and Baynes and Horford could play the back up like Greg used to do.

Yeah that would make sense, I just don't think they would dump Baynes (or anyone else) unless there's a 100% guarantee they get Horford. This free agency is terrible overall and they're not going to get replacements for anybody they dump at close to a reasonable price. Especially at center, it's not like last summer where there was a good amount of interesting backups on the market. This year it's pretty much good or crap.

[mattao313]

Yeah, the Pistons don't have any contracts to dump outside of Meeks. They actually like the players that are getting paid. If a trade happens it will be with Atlanta is a S&T or in a separate deal that still brings back value to Detroit. No way Van Gundy just starts giving away guys to shed salary without an actual guarantee that he's getting something back.

For what it's worth I really doubt this ends up happening, although it would be amazing.

We could trade Meeks and Baynes and Horford could play the back up like Greg used to do.

Yeah that would make sense, I just don't think they would dump Baynes (or anyone else) unless there's a 100% guarantee they get Horford. This free agency is terrible overall and they're not going to get replacements for anybody they dump at close to a reasonable price. Especially at center, it's not like last summer where there was a good amount of interesting backups on the market. This year it's pretty much good or crap.

Yeah I agree, I would think he would want a agreement from him before we trade anyone. I don't want us doing what the Suns did last season just giving away useful players when the guy hasn't made a decision.

[coordinator0]

The Suns were bad last offseason. They made giving away players for nothing even worse by Tyson Chandler to big money just to try and lure LaMarcus Aldridge in. I have complete faith in Bower and Van Gundy to avoid getting that desperate.

[King Bugs]

First off, I'm relieved the FO realizes we need a 4 with traditional size so we can get away from this smallball.

Horford's skillset would actually be perfect for this roster but, unfortunately he's 30 and we're not contending so I'm figuring he's going to a team with more vets and a lot closer to a championship than we are.

[sc8581]

First off, I'm relieved the FO realizes we need a 4 with traditional size so we can get away from this smallball.

Horford's skillset would actually be perfect for this roster but, unfortunately he's 30 and we're not contending so I'm figuring he's going to a team with more vets and a lot closer to a championship than we are.

Adding Horford, a solid pick, maybe a vet and experience for the young guys and we are easily in the discussion for #2 in the East.

[The Penguin]

First off, I'm relieved the FO realizes we need a 4 with traditional size so we can get away from this smallball.

Horford's skillset would actually be perfect for this roster but, unfortunately he's 30 and we're not contending so I'm figuring he's going to a team with more vets and a lot closer to a championship than we are.

What team a lot closer is he going to? Not Cleveland. Likely not GSW, Durant is their #1 option and keeping Bogut while adding Dirk looks to be their #2. Currently the teams listed as Horford suitors are Boston / Atlanta / Orlando. Are any of those teams in much better shape than we are? We don't have "the guy", but adding Horford to our current top 6 guys certainly puts us in the discussion as the 2nd best team in the East. Anything can happen when you get in the playoffs and the East is just one Lebron freak injury away from being wide open.

[RexRyan]

And I'm making a run at Kate Upton.

Kate Upton's engaged to Justin Verlander. I'm not sure about your chances, Lambs.