Center Options

[Rays Pompadour]

This feels like the polar opposite of what we were all saying about Miles and PJ last season. I recognize that a third year step isn't the norm, and I was less than thrilled with PJ showing up out of shape this season, but this was a very unusual season for a lot of reasons and it seems like PJ could really be helped by a traditional offseason and training regiment. I'm surprised with the number of folks dumping on PJ after seeing Miles's emergence in his third year.

I'm not writing PJ off (although he frustrates me to no end) - but I do think the difference between Miles and PJ at the same time is that at least with Miles you could see the effort. The effort and ability only started to manifest in really productive output this season, but at the very least the effort was there.

PJ just seems to content to float around the arc and be clueless on D while applying a fraction of the effort that Miles does/has.

It's clear that Washington didn't come prepared for this season. It shows his youth and immaturity that he didn't work like Rozier over the summer and chose, instead, to do more leisurely activities. I don't think the Hornets, particularly Borrego, will be kind to him at his end-of-season interview. It's a message many young men have to learn the hard way.

Bottom line - he'll either work hard in the offseason or he'll cost himself millions on his second contract. The league is watching.

[Rays Pompadour]

Oh, and PJ Washington is not a center. Please, in the name of all that is leather and bounces on a wooden floor, let's just jettison that narrative.

[Bassman]

Oh, and PJ Washington is not a center. Please, in the name of all that is leather and bounces on a wooden floor, let's just jettison that narrative.

THANK YOU AND DITTO! Small ball might win some games here and there but when the games start to matter most, size is critical. PJ has his moments but he won’t make a career in the middle.

[Rich4114]

Small ball only works against other small ball lineups or if the center on the opposing team is Frank Kaminsky. PJ has good size for a PF but is not a tough defender so now you’re taking a below average forward (defensively) and asking him to guard a post up 7’ center. If that’s the case, you’re gonna have a bad time.

[Benjamin Linus]

I've been against the idea of bringing in Andre Drummond for a while, but if we're lacking in options and he could be had on a reasonable deal... I don't know... he could be a stopgap that at least checks two of the boxes we need - size and rebounding.

What kind of contract do you see Drummond getting? I literally have no idea what his value is. I feel like he could sign anywhere from a small one year deal with a contender to a mega four year deal.

Seems like the best comp would be Dwight coming off that big contract. When he was putting up stats (16.5/12.5) but the entire league realized he wasn't good. I think he signed a 1 year 5m deal with Washington. So where does that put Drummond... like 8m per year in today's money?

[bravor]

Need to find a way to land Okonwgu or Clarke for relatively cheap.
Atlanta is kinda in win now mode and more advanced, and the most likely is still a Collins/Capela pair. Memphis is also loaded in the frontcourt, especially that jjj is back.

There are wise and smart (/cheap in cap and/or assets) options. All the turner/wood options are bad ideas. This team does not have a lot of assets (once free agency is done it should become more obvious) and they still need some 2 way option at sg, depth in the frontcourt, a legit defensive big.

Ball is locked on his rookie contract, it's not like this franchise dont have time to build something valuable and competitive.

[Benjamin Linus]

I don't know if Atlanta has any interest in trading Okongwu or what it would cost but I'd trade the 11th pick for him in a heartbeat

[Soul Rebel]

I feel like our options boil down to what does a 27 yr old Holmes settle for in FA first and foremost. He is just about the ideal solution to our woes.

After that, I bet we ring teams to see if they are open to trading...... Indiana (Turner), LAC (Zubac), Atlanta (take your pick)...maybe the Knicks (Robinson). Third option would be a FA like Drummond, but I hope this isn't the answer. Last and most unlikely - packaging multiple FRPs + PJ + some sweetener to get to 2 or 3 for Mobley.

I truly think JB and Co. thought that Wiseman falls to them at 3 and when he didn't, had to reshuffle options on the fly. They actively tried to bring folks in at the trade deadline and in FA but missed on both.

I don't see any way this team doesn't have a serious addition at the 5 and officially waves bye bye to the two-headed frustration that was BizZeller. Can't wait on surrounding Ball with talent.

[Roll Tide 09]

We need to package Washington and our second round pick for a good Center. I know in order for us to compete, Washington would need to be moved. His body language and lack of effort was absurd. He could score 40 points per game and he’d still need to be traded.


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[wilson115]

*scratches chin*

According to a league source, Holmes’ team is looking for a contract in the neighborhood of four-years and $80 million. That’s a steep price to pay, but Holmes will be coveted on the open market.

After a breakout season that saw the former Bowling Green star averaging 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 blocks per game for the Kings, Holmes has proven he is a starting caliber NBA center and should be paid accordingly.

Holmes has made a little under $15 million in his six years in the NBA. He is looking at this summer as his big pay day as he enters his prime and rightfully so. He’s always been clear about his feelings towards Sacramento and a potential return.

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/kings/kings-keeping-richaun-holmes-nba-free-agency-complicated?cid=Yahoo&partner=ya4nbcs

[JDR720]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/262682/Mitch-Kupchak-Hornets-Looking-To-Add-Center-Or-Several-Centers

[Braggins]

After seeing how much money Holmes wants, Theis is my guy.

[driveandkick]

I don't know if Atlanta has any interest in trading Okongwu or what it would cost but I'd trade the 11th pick for him in a heartbeat

God I’d do that in a second, I just can’t imagine why Atlanta would. Why trade a second year sixth overall pick for the 12th overall pick. We’d have to send something else of value back.

[Braggins]

I'd maybe do 11 or Okongwu. I think it would be hard to turn down if you had to make the decision right now, but I want to see what happens in the predraft process first because this draft is really good and there might be some late rising center options that would be just as good. This also might be a good draft to trade back for a center and get an extra pick.

I kind of like the idea of taking Scottie Barnes if hes there at 11 and developing him long term as a Bam Adebayo type. You could start him out off the bench playing "PF" next to PJ and probably get away with playing him as a center once he fills out in a few years.

[CuseMayne]

I definitely feel that Theis would be solid...but it seems we've just been undersized for so long now. I really want a 7 footer who can rim protect and rebound. Obviously easier said than done. IIRC Theis is 6'8...we need a defensive anchor. Even Nerlens Noel would be pretty sick.

[JDR720]

Theis is a solid backup option or Cody replacement (similar skillsets), but I don't think he makes us much better.

Holmes -> Harrell -> Theis

That would probably be my preference list.

[Roll Tide 09]

What exact type of skills/qualities does this team want in a Center? If we get to a spot where there aren't any viable options, we could flip Washington, Graham, and Zeller to the Mavericks for KP, Brunson, and a first round pick...maybe two in order to compensate the high risk involved with KP.

[luciano-davidwesley]

We need a defensive centre that gobbles up defensive rebounds and alters shots and can finish lobs. We don't need a soft KP type.

[JDR720]

The ideal center for us is Cody + Biz combined into 1.

[wilson115]

I definitely feel that Theis would be solid...but it seems we've just been undersized for so long now. I really want a 7 footer who can rim protect and rebound. Obviously easier said than done. IIRC Theis is 6'8...we need a defensive anchor. Even Nerlens Noel would be pretty sick.

Been pondering Kai Jones in the Draft thread, the knock on him is he doesn't really look like the traditional intimidating big man despite all his other qualities. (Which MPM does a great job summarizing here.) I totally overlooked 6'11", 220-lb. Nerlens starting for the 3rd-ranked defense in the league, though the numbers don't show him shutting down other bigs. Hmmm.

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