the offseason before the postseason

[bLACKpANTHER]

As a Bobcat's fan, Usually around this time of year we are not talking about postseason matchups and seeding/positioning.. we are talking about lottery position and who we could potentially get in Free Agency..

 

So for those that haven't yet figured we actually will be in the playoff this year, here is my offseason 3 course meal for you to feast on:

 

1st course: Appetizers

Before we look at the Draft and potential Free Agent signings- we have to look at our own players and who is expiring and who we might want to bring back.. the players are Ridnour ($4.4M), Pargo ($884K), Tolliver ($884K), CDR ($660K), DJ White ($104K)

 

The obvious move is to let everyone go except CDR- who I would sign to a friendly contract of $2M for 1yr, with a player option for a 2nd year for $2M. This gives us a solid player that we don't have a ton of money locked up into. If his game slips a bit, no problem. I might be interested in Pargo for our 3rd PG off the bench but we can hold onto his number until after the draft.

 

BTW- McBob will surely opt in for his player option at $2.7M for 2014

 

2nd course: Entrees

Here is where we make the splash in Free Agency. Team needs are

1.) scoring ability from the SG/SF positions (player than can create own shot)

2.) low post scoring other than Big Al

3.) Backup PG that can facilitate for 2 unit of slashers/shooters (Neal, CDR, Zeller)

 

Realistic UFA targets:

SF: Luol Deng, Danny Granger

SG: Lance Stephenson, Jodie Meeks

PG: Kyle Lowry, Rodney Stuckey, Ramon Sessions, Shaun Livingston, Mario Chalmers, Steve Blake, DJ Augustine, Kirk Hinrich

PF/C: Kris Humphries, Jordan Hill

 

1st, I see close to ZERO talent in the Big Man pool in Free Agency. 2nd, I think we have to decide if we want to accumulate talent by quantity of quality. Do we want to throw a max contract or something close to it to 1 player that we are sure can improve us into the top half of the East, or play it safe by adding cheaper/role player talent? I think there are only a few players even worth mentioning in the high/max contract sentence: Lance and Lowry. I don't think either are max players but we would have to fork over a lot of dough to get either to come here. Sessions has already stated he would love to come back home.

 

When all is said and done I think we bring back Sessions on another friendly deal worth $8mil for 2 years and we throw a sack of cash at Lance Stephenson. Something along the lines of $33M for 3 years. This deal would still give us room for signing Kemba long-term next year.

 

3rd course: Deserts

Now the onto the draft.. So far we have gathered a few assets. Lance is our new scoring option at the SG spot. Sessions is back to run the 2nd unit. CDR is coming off the bench to drain the 3 ball. Now we just need to find another BIG to spell Big Al. Biz is great at what he does well, but we need someone that can put the ball through the hoop while being defended.

 

Looking at our draft picks- we will probably only end up with Portland's pick unless we package that with a player like Hendo or MKG to move up the board. I don't think there is a player we would covet enough to make such a move so I say we stand pat and draft a PF/C Adreian Payne, Jerami Grant, Montrezl Harrell or Patrick Young.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

So there you have it. Bringing back CDR, adding Lance and Sessions while drafting a big man with the Port pick.

 

PG: Kemba- Sessions- 3rd option

SG: Lance- Neal- Hendo

SF: MKG- CDR- Taylor

PF: Zeller- McBob- Draft pick

C: Jefferson- Biz- Haywood

 

After looking at that lineup.. i dont feel like going up and editing this entire post, but if we can land Lance in free agency (BIG IF, i know) we need to trade Hendo or Neal.

 

 

 

the end

[kman72]

Good overall thoughts...

 

No way I trade Neal. He is our best shooter and is able to score off bench in many ways. I would look to move Hendo if we are able to sign Lance. (Probably use him to move up in draft, would love to move and get Marcus Smart) I think Lance is our only real option but there are a few others I would at least look at:

 

C- Greg Monroe- Good scoring big, can hit mid-range and pass well. Decent shot blocker, struggles on Defense. Probably cost too much and isn't the best fit due to defense. Forces Al to guard athletic PF's. 

 

C- Marcin Gortat- Player I really like, great on defense and can finish around the rim. Great effort player who fights for rebounds. Can hit short mid-range and can guard PF and C positions. Depends on Price.

 

PF- Jordan Hill- Great athleticism and rebounding. Can score around rim and in mid-range.

 

PF- Mike Scott- Undersized PF bu can really score in multiple ways. Fits well as 5th big that can compliment Biz and Zeller. 

 

SF- Lebron- obvious, offer contract no way he comes. 

 

SF- Luol Deng- ?, great defender and can score. Would make us better but how much better? like the fit just not worth his market value to us. 

 

SF- Gordon Hayward- Many like him, can really score. Can he play defense good enough? 

 

SG- Lance Stephenson- Probably the player that improves us the most. Good in all areas but I like his ability to score, pass and play defense. His passing is key to me to help distribute with Kemba and lowers need to have McRoberts with starting group. 

 

PG- Kirk Hinrich- Really hope we could sign him. Vet PG that can knock down the 3. Passes and plays great defense.

 

PG- Greivis Vasquez- Great size, solid passer. Decent shooter. Restricted and will likely get matched.

 

PG- Ramon Sessions- Would be ok with him back especially with him paired with Gary Neal and CDR in backcourt. They would help him with spacing the floor to rim to drive. Wish he would become more of a passer as he takes too many bad shots. 

 

Realistically if we can get Lance for around 10 million. Add either Sessions/Hinrich and Jordan Hill I would be really happy. Heard rumors today about us possibly interested in Pau Gasol and really hope we don't go that route. The only Big time PF I would really want is K Love which isn't going to happen. But I can picture K love and Big Al high low game..... Amazing

 

 

But I'm not worried about any of that because We are going to the Playoffs!!!!

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I would kill to have Hinrich here, he is the protypical Steve Clifford player. However, he did just come out and say he was looking to re-sign with the Bulls.

 

Other options as back-ups to Kemba...

 

Jerryd Bayless: Not great at anything but sufficient at everything, he also takes really good care of the ball averaging only 1.1 turnover per game.

 

Nate Robinson: He has a player option and is coming off a knee injury but he's a crowd favorite wherever he goes and a solid all-around player.

 

Shaun Livingston: Plays really good defense and can create match-up problems due to his length. He also shoots nearly 48% from the field.

 

Darren Collison: Probably all-around the best back-up point guard in the league and would probably receive more minutes if he wasn't behind CP3. Only troubling aspect is that he averages 1.6 turnovers per game which is somewhat high for a back-up.

 

Ramon Sessions: He can score, but his assist to turnover ratio is awful.

 

Patty Mills: He can score but that's about it. He doesn't turn the ball over because it never leaves his hands.

 

If I had to rank the players based on overall game and best fit it would be the following...

 

1. Kirk Hinrich

2. Darren Collison

3. Shaun Livingston

4. Jerryd Bayless

5. Nate Robinson

6. Ramon Sessions

7. Patrick Mills

 

Obviously some players would fit in better than others but I'd welcome anyone of these guys to the team to back-up Kemba if we don't go point guard in the draft.

[Chuckie]

I'm actually expecting big improvements with our existing roster. Looking for break out years next year with MKG, his shooting, and Biz with his all around play, especially his hands. With a full off season and a season behind the coaches belts they are in a position to really develop players. With people like Patrick Ewing and Mark Price on staff anyone that wants to improve has the resources to help them. They will be learning from some of the best.

With Clifford coming off his rookie season I'm sure he has learned alot this season and knows what he wants to improve on. Don't forget that he will probably develop and mold his team alot as he has his first full off season with players.

If Doc Rivers can tell CP3 to pass the damn ball more I'm sure Clifford can do the same.

[panthersphan]

Stephenson and Hinrich

[yasuhara2241]

I really want to resign CDR & Tolliver because they are cheap and solid contributors. Mcbob takes his player option and then some other team overpays I hope its not us.  

 

1. Shaun Livingston - creates matchup problems, good distributor and honestly a complement to the team. I think he would be better than Sessions. Sessions would be my second choice 

 

- He is the only semi impact player I would pick up. I know this goes against what many think but i do not think Lance Stephenson or Gordon Hayward will push us in championship contention. The only FA this year that will push us into contention is Melo but I seriously doubt he comes here. 

But in 2015 we can make offers on Affalo or Klay Thompson and I think they could possibly be a lot more beneficial than Lance or Gordon. 

 

What do yall think try to get a 10m+ FA this year or next? 

 

[MichaelNewtonII]

If we give Stephenson or Lowry a max deal... we are pretty much destroying our future. Overpaying doesn't work. Ask the Knicks.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[kman72]

Klay Thompson would be real nice but could we get him away for Warriors? Unlikely. I don't get the hype around Affalo, just cant see him as a player I want to pay. I think Lance is a better option than Affalo.

[yasuhara2241]

Klay Thompson would be real nice but could we get him away for Warriors? Unlikely. I don't get the hype around Affalo, just cant see him as a player I want to pay. I think Lance is a better option than Affalo.

 

Yeah Klay is my pipe dream. The only possible reason is if the Warriors can't afford him. The 15 season they owe 52m between just 4 players, Lee, Curry, Iguadola and Bogut, so anything is possible. 

 

The reason I would take Affalo over Lance is the 3 ball. I just don't see Lance as good or consistent and feel that with Big Al down low having Affalo would be a great fit. 

[kman72]

Warriors will find a way to make it work for them. Not sure on how all the contracts fall for them but I would see them moving Lee or Iggy to free money before losing Klay or Barnes.

 

Agree Affalo can shoot the 3 and play solid defense. 28 yrs old. Decent size at 6'5" only 215 in weight. 18.5 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.7 RPG, 45% FG% and 42% 3FG%

 

Lance has same height and more muscle on him at 230 in weight. 23 yrs old. Can really finish around the rim and is improving his 3 pt shot every year. He is shooting a respectable 35% this year from three. He offers solid defense and really can help create for the offense. Lance is averaging 14 PPG, 4.6 APG and 7.2 RPG this year. Most impressive is his FG percentage at 49%.  

 

Now I'm not sold either really makes us a true championship (top 3 team in east) contender. Both would make us better. If I'm paying a guy I chose the 23 yr old guy I think is still improving for the 10 million a yr. He contributes in more areas on the court and I feel he fits better in the scheme of the team. I don't know much on either player off the court and work habits but from the experience I have seen on court I go with Lance. 

 

 

[Rise of The Hive]

I want Stephenson here but not for max money.