ESPN is reporting that the asking price for Bobcats swingman Gerald Wallace is only an expiring contract and a protected first rounder. They cite Houston as a team interested and astonishingly, that no team has yet to seem willing to bite on that asking price. This is pretty surprising as Wallace, while expensive, is still just 28 and one of the game’s hardest-working, most physical defenders at the ’3′. Sounds like a perfect complement for Kevin Martin.
Something like Jeffries, Budinger, and a pick for Wallace could be a steal. But does it change the team’s outlook in the long run? I’m not so sure. You still are left with an average-slightly above average team with no hopes for serious contention. Now what if you throw in Nene? With both Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony heading east, you’re suddenly in business.
Thus far, all reports have had the Nuggets rebuking the Rockets’ solicitations for the standout center. I myself have doubts whether such an acquisition would be in our interests. But if you can somehow come away on Thursday evening with both Nene and Gerald Wallace, I think you have to feel ecstatic. And based on the reports, despite the Nuggets’ current obstinance, it seems there could atleast be a fighting chance of this taking place.
Thinking aloud, you could do Hill, Brooks, and Yao for Nene and conceivably Jeffries/Battier, Budinger, and a pick for Wallace, leaving you with a starting 5 of Lowry, Martin, Nene, Wallace, and Scola, with the former four under 30. With the weakened West, is that a group you’d take your chances with? Again, no star power or young talent, but a solid, balanced nucleus of +talent.
There are so many permutations of what could occur, but Nene+Wallace is one that seems to be both plausible and favorable to our cause.