48 replies to this topic

[Ostrow]

Now that Howard or Bynum are no longer an option, what do the Rockets do now? They have to make some sort of deal. We have way too many SF/PF, and only so many can play at once, or even at all. I believe the Rockets were holding out hope that they'd get one of those guys but now something has to happen right?

[pharmag]

My bet is that they try to package Martin with a forward and get another big man.

[pharmag]

Actually having looked through everything...I don't really see anywhere for Martin to end up. Doesn't mean we won't find somewhere to trade him to, but he may be on the roster for the rest of this year. Might be ok though. Enter the season with Lin and Douglas at PG (cut Livingston), Martin and Lamb at SG, Parsons, White, Morris, Patterson and Jones at F (not sure where everyone will end up position wise), Asik and Motiejunas at C. Take your pick for the 12th player, maybe Forbes. Then you can maybe stash Smith or Harrelson, along with Fortson and Machado in D League?

Thoughts? I don't know much about all this small contract players and which ones would be worth keeping and which ones wouldn't...

[Freebird]

I suppose they could move White into a backcourt-type role - point forward, but more emphasis on point. That alleviates the F cluster a bit. Why play Mojo at C? Thought he was a natural 4? I could still see us packaging Patterson and Morris/Parsons for a mid-range C.

More importantly, we still have a good amount of assets, lots of cap space, and a desire to get better. What deals are left to make? For this year, and next?

For next year, I doubt we'll enter the Paul sweepstakes, and Howard won't look twice at us (unless one of our rooks becomes the Next Big Thing). What FAs will we be looking at then?

While I like the present, the future is still as muddled as always.

[tombrokeoff]

i dont think it really matters at this point. winning games isnt going to be a priority. try some different lineups. give guys time at 2 or 3 positions. we have enough guys that can play in various spots. dont make a trade just to make a trade. why does it matter how balanced our roster is?

[DaDakota]

We have too many redundant pieces and not enough playing time for everyone. Morey has built a significantly imbalanced rosters in the hopes that he can trade some folks.

That will cause retardation of player development.

And why in the world would we be going after Delfino? Just friggen go young....

[blakecouey]

I figured the only reason for Delfino is if we find a home for Martin, but nothing is impending on the dront so I have no idea why we are still interested in CD.

[tombrokeoff]

these are the guys I want to get playing time and you can find a way to make it work. i dont care about anyone else:

motie, lamb, parsons, lin, asik, white, jones, patterson

[ale11]

I agree with Freebird....everyone wants to make Motiejunas a center, why? He's not a great defender right now and lacks the size to guard most centers in the league. The only option is when you have someone like Chandler in front of you and you need to get him out of the paint to make some room.

Igoudala is coming to Denver, would be any chance for us to land Gallinari or Wilson Chandler? I know that they are more of the same we already got, but it would be an upgrade and we can send some youngs back (Karl would definitely think about it) to clear some playing time

[tombrokeoff]

you can throw motie in at the 5 w/o trying to turn him into a center. you dont have to start him at the 5 or have him get the majority of the mins at the 5. you can line him up against backups when you put him there. its not really that big of a deal IMO.

[ale11]

you can throw motie in at the 5 w/o trying to turn him into a center. you dont have to start him at the 5 or have him get the majority of the mins at the 5. you can line him up against backups when you put him there. its not really that big of a deal IMO.

I know, but the popular thinking is that he is our brightest prospect (side by side with Lamb)....I'd like him to spend little time at the 5, so he can improve as a 4. Only few guys can play well at both positions, not everyone is Garnett or Gasol.....

[tombrokeoff]

I know, but the popular thinking is that he is our brightest prospect (side by side with Lamb)....I'd like him to spend little time at the 5, so he can improve as a 4. Only few guys can play well at both positions, not everyone is Garnett or Gasol.....

i really dont see it hurting him. and i dont really see a scenario where he doesnt see some time there. but its whatever.

[Freebird]

My only issue with Motie is overall size. Most of the Eastern Euro bigs play a 3 or 4 in the League. Not sure he has the body weight for a 5, even against backups. That would be like playing John Henson or Tayshawn Prince there - just too skinny.

Not saying he *can't* grow, but with a skill set of quickness to the rim, a soft touch, and off-the-ball D, just wondering if forcing would be bad. Even Dirk skipped US college because he didn't wanna be pigeonholed into a 4/5.

[tombrokeoff]

yeah. i guess we'll just have to wait and see how it plays out. i personally am not concerned, but im far from an expert either.

[ale11]

Neither of us are....we are just guessing, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and it's healthy as long as noone tries to impose his to someone else.

It won't do much harm to him to play at the 5, I'd just like him to gain confidence at the 4. I read somewhere that Morey said "Motie is not NBA ready yet". If that's true, he might struggle a bit playing off position. Of course, I really hope not, I hope that he can give a hand and put some quality minutes both at the 4 and 5, but if that's not the case, I'd like to see him excel at 4. In my opinion, his offensive skills complement very well with Asik's defense.

As things turned out, the initial 5 would be: Lin - Martin - Parsons - Motiejunas - Asik
Backing them up: Douglas (I prefer Livingston, but most don't and I think McHale won't either) - Lamb - White - Jones - HUGE question mark....(I see the logic of making Patterson our initial 4 and Motie the backup 5 so everyone gets minutes).
We really need to let go a 3 and one or two 4 and get a decent backup C.

[tombrokeoff]

yeah i hope he gets the majority of his mins at the 4, but the dude seems chock full of confidence, so im hoping this translates into him not getting upset with a learning curve at any position and he can grow regardless.

[Rahat Huq]

i dont think it really matters at this point. winning games isnt going to be a priority. try some different lineups. give guys time at 2 or 3 positions. we have enough guys that can play in various spots. dont make a trade just to make a trade. why does it matter how balanced our roster is?

I agree with this. I think the only priority right now is unloading Martin. Nothing else really matters.

[Cooper]

I think morey will focus on a Martin deal right now,the best would be free agents for next year are Howard Paul Josh smith and al Jefferson harden and ibaka we don't have much shot at paul/Howard, smith/ibaka doesnt really fit with our roster as constructed but Al would be a good addition except we would be paying asik 8mill to ride the pine. Harden would be a good pickup, takes time away from lamb but harden plays a little point guard for okc so maybe he and lamb could play together a while so both get plenty of minutes. So if we get anyone in free agency I think harden would be the way to go.

[Johnny Rocket]

Why trade Martin? I personally have never been a fan of his game, but he's a hard worker and the team needs at least some veteran presence. And when his contract comes off the books next year, that opens up a lot of cap room for 2-3 max free agents (hey, a guy can dream). Lamb will still get playing time as a back up. And keep in mind sign and trade possibilities--if some contender wants to sign Martin next year (hello Knicks!), they'll need to go through us. Hey, maybe Orlando feels that it doesn't have enough older, defensively challenged, and overpriced veterans on its roster...

[Cooper]

Trading Martin isn't a must but looking into getting another young piece out of him is a smart move if morey doesn't get what he wants he can play out the season and let him walk for the cap space or do a sign and trade for a pick etc..