Beverly, Harden, Beasley, DMO and Capela stay. EVERYONE ELSE LEAVE NOW.
That's a starting lineup right there. Beverley guard everyone up top, Capela guard everyone downlow.
These trade Harden guys must not have lived through the scola days. It is VERY difficult to obtain a top 10 player let alone a top 5 player in this league. You head into lulls that become a 3-5 year span of just dull basketball. Inspired, but dull.
As for free agents and trades, I have no freaking clue. The team will have a completely different identity next year depending on the coach. The players will fill in accordingly.
Daryl Morey needs to figure out chemistry before plugging in the numbers. He needs a leader. Shane Battier style. Get us a serviceable vet that can start and play at least 30 minutes a game.
I've been a fan since '85. I think it is more a matter of some people derive their pleasure from the game differently than others.
I've said it recently, but I'll say it again. There are only a handful of actual, championship-bearing stars in this league. James Harden, in his current state, is not one of them. So, what is it we are clinging to so tightly? The chance that other, better players get hurt and he can feel vindicated for being a bum after lucking into a title? Like I said, we all live vicariously through the team and we all do it differently.
Majik19 said no trade Harden talk (which I can agree with)...moving on.
Morey has his work cut out because what this team truly needs is not available nor attainable...perhaps.
I think this team needs Chris Paul. Since we're not getting him I think trying to find a poor man's Chris Paul is the next step. Unfortunately, that player doesn't exist. It could have been Deron Williams if injuries didn't ruin him. Russell Westbrook isn't going anywhere.
Rajon Rondo. I just spent 5 minutes running through every other PG alternative in my head and Rondo is the only player that can legitimately walk into our gym and tell James he needs to give up the ball.
The good news is he's available. The bad news is it's a risky move. More good news: he won't make things worse than they already are.
I think that would be best for the team for a few reasons. First, I really want Harden to play off the ball a lot more. It will maximize his effectiveness while minimizing his turnover problem. It will also help keep other guys more involved and engaged on the court.
Second, Rondo brings an intensity that even Beverley will have trouble matching. This team needs more toughness. Lots more.
Third, in our read-and-react offense we need a player like Rondo who can actually read and react Give him the reins and let him run this offense. I think it would be awesome and would mitigate all the coach-clashing he has had in his past. Morey needs to roll the dice on this one.
Bonus: this moves Beverley back to the bench where he excelled while leaving us a starting caliber PG in case of injury. This move puts our PG position in as good of shape as it can be all things considered--and we didn't have to trade anything to get there.
Next is SF. I do not think Durant is coming to Houston. I believe he is going to enjoy a Summer of wining and dining and wooing from as many teams as he wants. After that, he is going to re-sign with OKC for a two-year deal with a player option on the 2nd year--which he knew he was going to do all along.
I think the only team with a legit shot at signing him is Miami; although, the loss of Bosh is huge and hurts those chances. With Bosh's salary off the books Miami can re-sign Whiteside and give Durant a max while Wade takes the home-town discount. Dragic, Wade, Durant, McRoberts (who is kind of ideal in this situation), and Whiteside is a title contender. Add in Winslow, and whatever guys they sign to make a championship run.
Once that's all done, Pat Riley will wake up and look at himself smugly in the mirror like Patrick Bateman, give himself a wink and point at himself.
Yeah, just like that. OK, back on topic. We're not getting Durant so what do we do? I am of the opinion that Ariza still has a couple good years left in him and that he was mailing it in this season. He's got two years left on a nice contract. However, if we were to upgrade here it would be either Bazemore or Harrison Barnes for offense or Matt Barnes for defense. I'm good with any of these options.
I know a lot of fans here aren't high on H. Barnes and his quest for a max deal. I think he's an easy 20 ppg scorer and will fill out the stat sheet nicely while being a legit #2 next to Harden. He can play 3 positions (on both ends of the floor), shoots a good % from deep and has Harden-potential written all over him.
For all this talk about how difficult it is to get a star I think you have to roll the dice on Barnes and give him the max deal. It won't be a Durant-level super max. It will likely fall around $21M according to these guys. All told, I can live with that gamble.
Let's look at PF. I think Blake Griffin is 100% available (no matter what LAC might say). The Clips could use a 3&D wing. We can bundle Ariza, sign+trade D-Mo, and maybe throw in Harrell (which I'm not a fan of, but may be necessary to get the deal done) for Griffin.
Sign a competent wing player and we've got something. I still think that makes us 4th-5th best in the West, but for most of you that is preferable.
I know lots of folks like Horford, but I'm not sold he has any interest in coming here. Boston is likely going to kick the tires. Portland, Chicago, Miami...he will have no shortage of suitors including his own team, Atlanta. Why would he want to come here at this stage of his career with the giant question mark we currently have hanging over our heads? If I were him I'd be looking at Boston, Miami, Atlanta, and Indiana first.
There's not much at Center available. Some nice role players available, but no real difference makers. (I'm assuming Drummond is staying in Detroit and Whiteside in Miami).
That's about it. From there, we've got trades, trades, and more trades we could make. Morey is going to be up to his eyeballs in trade scenarios.
More than anything, I really want us to retain and develop our young guys. I really like what we've got going there.
Sorry for the super long post (what else is new?!? ) In short, get Rondo, sign H. Barnes, develop youth. Oh, and trade Brewer.