Hawks pursing David West to lure Chris Paul

[tcorbin]

Hawks to Make Run at David West

That’s why, when that two-year deal he signed with the Indiana Pacers runs up this summer, David West will be a hot commodity despite his advancing age. The Los Angeles Clippers are prepared to make him an offer, and according to a source, the Atlanta Hawks could make him a priority, too.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/clippers-hawks-to-make-run-at-david-west?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=clippers-hawks-to-make-run-at-david-west

Danny Ferry is turning this offseason into a chess match.

Clippers could only probably offer $3 million to West, so the Hawks can swoop in and grab him for $4 million. that might be enough to get CP3 interested, and then once Paul is interested, go after Howard.

[jagstang76]

Ok, but don't we already have an all-star caliber guy at the 4? West can't play the 3, so we would have to unload Horford. To me, unless West takes a backup role, this seems very unlikely.

[Skyhawk1]

He's def. a better PF than J. Smith. I love the way he plays, pounding every skinny little "PF" inside. Smith and Carmelo must have bruises all over their body from these past series

[tcorbin]

If West is signed for only $4 million, it totally throws Josh out the window...... maybe

A West/Horford front court really sounds stupid, but West could just be a ploy to get CP3 and the Hawks could still have a trio of Horford, Howard, and Paul, with West and Lou coming off the bench, and still having enough money to resign Korver.
.... Howard/Horford/Korver/Jenkins/CP3..... 6th West/Louis

But if you really think outside the box, it could mean Horford is expendable and Ferry can go about a dozen different ways, for instance....

Trade Horford for a draft pick, freeing up cap, and maybe even resigning Josh for $12 million.
...... Howard/West/Josh/Korver/CP3..... 6th Louis

Another way could be to trade Horford for Cleveland's pick, and picking up Noel, and have Noel succeed West in a year or two and at the same time saving some cap space for the Hawks right now, to get another player.
...... Howard/West/Korver/Louis/CP3..... 6th Noel

And something very far out could be making a trade with the Kings. Horford for Thornton and draft picks. and basically re-create the Hornets teams with Dwight as the upgrade.
...... Howard/West/Korver/Thornton/CP3..... 6th Louis.

A West signing could end up being something really brilliant, maybe.... Some people think that West would be a plan B for the Hawks if they can't land a big time free agent, but maybe it is not a plan B, but a way to achieve plan A

[tcorbin]

Ok, but don't we already have an all-star caliber guy at the 4? West can't play the 3, so we would have to unload Horford. To me, unless West takes a backup role, this seems very unlikely.

if the interest about the Clippers in West is true..... then West is taking a back up role behind Griffin as well.

[ATL Boy]

If we do get West and decide to Trade Horford the first place I'm calling is Sacramento and asking for Cousins. With the right coaching and right locker room influence (West) this kid can become the best Center in the NBA. Coach Bud has been coach Pop's assistant for 16 years, he's learned how to deal with troubled players.

[Clip34life]

Clippers will use their full MLE on him and even so Pacers will match. My guess is he gets a contract around 8-9 mil a year for 3-4. Still not a bad deal IMO but 3 million is a pipe dream. Why wouldn't you guys go after Milsap?

[HAWK_FO_LIFE]

Clippers will use their full MLE on him and even so Pacers will match. My guess is he gets a contract around 8-9 mil a year for 3-4. Still not a bad deal IMO but 3 million is a pipe dream. Why wouldn't you guys go after Milsap?

Who's to say they aren't? All options are probably going to be explored but the main reason in this case is to probably interest Chris even more cause of his playing days in New Orleans with West.

[Hawk4Playoffs]

In what realm is David West worth 3-4 million dollars? He is averaging 17pts and 9rbs against the Heat. This guy is definitely getting at least 7-10 mill a year.

[Years80HAWKS]

I cannot se the point in going after a guy like West. I mean, I love the guy ans also I believe we would be needing some veterans players in case Smith, Korver and others are gone. But from a tactical stand point, I do not see the need. A 6-9 PF who plays mainly back to the basket, which is what Horford can do at 6-10/6-11 and also with a really good midrange jumper?

Our money has to go to try to lure Howard and Paul and also there is a need to know whether we want Josh, and whether he wants to stay or not. Once we know if Howard is coming, if Paul is coming, if Smith is staying, we have to use the remaing money on Korver, for sure, Scott, Zaza and maybe Teague or Harris.

This would be great:

Paul-Teague
Jenkins-Williams-Stevenson
Smith-Korver-
Horford-Scott-Plumlee (R)?
Howard-Zaza-Ivan-Nogueira (R)?

This would be really good:

Teague-Harris
Jenkins-Williams-Tyreke E.
Smith-Korver
Horford-Scott
Jefferson-Zaza-Nogueira (R)

[GrimeyKidd]

Who said west had to start

[Clip34life]

Who said west had to start

He's going to want to start for sure.

[jagstang76]

OK, I can see a rotation of Horford, Howard, and West working really, REALLY well! I just don't see how we could afford all them and CP3. At the same time, all those guys need playing time and touches to make an impact. Plus, I just don't see how that fits into what we know about the type of team Ferry/Bud want to put together. Personally, I'd rather just have Horford at the 4 and go after CP3 and DH if possible. I guess we'll see.

[Clip34life]

The ideal would be Howard, Horford and CP3 core. But a "second tier" could be good if you could get Horford, Milsap, and let's say Tyreke Evans (assuming you get them at reasonable contracts). That's a good, relatively young core to build on. The hope is that Evans becomes a star to get you to that elite level. You would probably need one more star under that plan though.

Who could you trade Josh Smith to and get a pg or swingman in return?

[tcorbin]

OK, I can see a rotation of Horford, Howard, and West working really, REALLY well! I just don't see how we could afford all them and CP3. At the same time, all those guys need playing time and touches to make an impact. Plus, I just don't see how that fits into what we know about the type of team Ferry/Bud want to put together. Personally, I'd rather just have Horford at the 4 and go after CP3 and DH if possible. I guess we'll see.

I'm really really not a David West fan. I think Josh is ten times better than West.... but end justifies the means, if that what it takes to get CP3 and Howard, then i'm all for anything, just pick what players you want, and lets get it done.

[GrimeyKidd]

I pesonally want teague.

[niffoc4]

I see David West as an alternative if Howard signs elsewhere and the Hawks still want Paul. To me that's the simplest way to see this. While West/Horford isn't as good as Horford/Howard, it is still a solid frontcourt, and with a big backup C to possibly play in some big lineups if/when the Hawks run into the Pacers again it can work in the east.

[ATL Boy]

I see David West as an alternative if Howard signs elsewhere and the Hawks still want Paul. To me that's the simplest way to see this. While West/Horford isn't as good as Horford/Howard, it is still a solid frontcourt, and with a big backup C to possibly play in some big lineups if/when the Hawks run into the Pacers again it can work in the east.

This is exactly what I was thinking. No need to overthink this situation. Plan A: Use Howard and Paul to lure the other to play for us, Plan B: Howard doesn't come, use West to lure Paul. Period

[jagstang76]

I like the idea of using West to lure Paul and Horford just stays at the 5, but only as the alternative. Horford has been playing out of position for so long, and I wonder what he would do if we make him stay there longer. Would he resign if we haven't had success and he's still stuck at the 5? But, if bringing West here means a good chance at Chris Paul, then it totally makes sense.

[tcorbin]

I see David West as an alternative if Howard signs elsewhere and the Hawks still want Paul. To me that's the simplest way to see this. While West/Horford isn't as good as Horford/Howard, it is still a solid frontcourt, and with a big backup C to possibly play in some big lineups if/when the Hawks run into the Pacers again it can work in the east.

I couldn't disagree more. i think Dwight is a follower. I think Dwight will follow Paul, not Paul following Dwight.

as for West and Horford, it would be a horrible front court, and no way Paul leaves the Clippers, because
West/Horford < Griffin/Jordan

Clippers can't win with Griffin/Jordan/Paul, no way West/Horford/Paul is a contender.... Ferry wouldn't put such a team together, not unless he is planning to get Lebron in 2014