20 replies to this topic

[Rahat Huq]

Minnesota is rumored to be dangling the #2 pick in this year's draft for veteran help. Would you deal Kevin Martin for that pick? Obviously the salaries would need to match, so don't assume a straight swap--even a 3 way--just some deal that would send out Martin and bring back the #2. Do you do it?

[tombrokeoff]

wow, tough question. i love martin, but i dont see us going anywhere promising over the next couple of years w/o a big trade for an established bigman, so i guess i would have to take a gamble on it. as long as it didnt bring back any terribly long contracts.

[FelixPR]

Wish there was a 'Maybe' vote. I rather trade Scola before Martin but I doubt the former could fetch us a high pick. It would be a gamble but I guess if the direction is to get young then yes, do it. Martin for all his pros is almost 30 (give or take a 1 or so) and he does have an injury history, even if it is accidental. I wouldn't like the deal at first because I think as a scorer Martin would still have value and production heading into his 30s if he remains healthy. But as is, K-Mart is a complimentary piece to a contending team, no sense in keeping him if our goal is to rebuild and contend down the road.

[Patrick Harrel]

I would. I love Kevin Martin and have advocated for him against certain people who aren't as big of fans of him as I am (Stephen...), but the combination of adding a young stud like Derrick Williams, Kanter, or Vesely as well as freeing up major cap space would be too much to pass up.

[JODOROWSKY]

I'm not the biggest fan of Kevin's personality. He sort of seems like the Retief Goosen of the NBA... just kind of boring.

[Sir Thursday]

Martin is a player in his prime and a tremendous asset for our team. I feel he is part of the core we should be building around, not trading away. But then I'm staunchly against going into a rebuilding phase...

ST

[Ric]

I have to say that I do't really know enough about the draft prospects. Who is the likely number two pick? I've heard that Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams are the likely top two? Is either of those players likely to end up being a franchise cornerstone?

[Patrick Harrel]

I have to say that I do't really know enough about the draft prospects. Who is the likely number two pick? I've heard that Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams are the likely top two? Is either of those players likely to end up being a franchise cornerstone?

Williams is the presumptive #2 pick. Both Irving and Williams will likely never be the best player on a championship team, but I could see each of them becoming all-stars at some point in their careers.

[Dave Jamerson]

To what extent would a strong shot-blocking presence in the middle compensate for all the points Martin gives away on the defensive end?

[Jacob_Mustafa]

I agree with Felix in that I think that Martin should be shopped, but Scola's contract should be the first dangled for just about any potential deal.

As for this particular trade, this would seem like an opportune moment to fleece Kahn for at least one more future stud in Beasley, Randolph or possibly Johnson. If a trade like this went through, I would hope that the Rockets would not only come back with one young talent.

[Crimson Rocket]

I don't think any player on the Rocket's roster is untouchable (although, I would really like to keep Kyle Lowry). We need to do whatever we can to pick up a star player. Great role players can easily be found, especially with Morey's ability to acquire assets. It is much harder to acquire a star player though. I voted yes, if possible, Martin in some kind of deal for the #2 pick sounds like a good idea to me.

[Red94]

New post: More on Houston's Goran Dragic chase
By: Rahat Huq

From ESPN:

Quote:

 

The Lakers, meanwhile, also have coveted Dragic for some time and likewise are said to be intent on testing the Suns' resolve when it comes to their Slovenian point guard. Sources say L.A. plans to chase Dragic this summer anyway with an aggressive four-year offer that would be valued as high as an estimated $80 million if it approaches max-contract territory.

 

Other suitors for Dragic are sure to emerge, too, even though the Suns' first choice is believed to be pursuing other trades that balance out their guard- and wing-heavy roster and re-establish Dragic as more of an offensive focal point.

 

The article also reiterates Houston's interest in the Suns point guard, as reported first yesterday.  Though the Lakers mention is interesting.  I don't know why they'd desire to offer the 30-year-old a rich max offer, though I guess they haven't had much luck getting anyone to go over there of late.  In any case, L.A.'s interest is fortunate, as without a viable threat to lose him outright in the summer, the Suns might not have been willing to trade.

 

I have a difficult time seeing other suitors emerging because, as I noted yesterday, what team would want Dragic?  Only a contender would be willing to trade real assets for a potential rental, and all of the contenders already employ All-Star caliber  point guards.  I suppose there is the possibility of a rebuilding team such as maybe Boston hoping to keep Dragic long term.  But that would be odd given his age.  For now, it's a pretty terrible market for Phoenix and I'd have to think the Rockets have the strongest odds to land the Slovenian.

 

A couple of things: I've seen several of you mention or ask me whether I'd trade Motiejunas in such a deal, a question in response to which I must simply shake my head.  I don't mean to overvalue him, but D-Mo absolutely is more valuable than the New Orleans Pelicans draft pick which Houston possesses.  Don't agree?  Try finding a two-way 7-footer with post-up ability at #12-14 in the draft.  It took D-Mo himself three years to reach where he is right now.  I'd have to think that in Dragic discussions, everyone but Howard, Harden, Motiejunas, and Ariza (and of course Smith) is available.

 

Lastly, regarding fit: it is true that while not the potentially catastrophic pairing which Harden-Rondo would have been, Dragic-Harden is not the ideal fit.  In a perfect world, Harden's backcourt mate would have clamps defensively, elite shooting ability, and some ability to create for himself.  But the fact that this is not the ideal fit is not reason enough to pass up the opportunity.  Houston desperately needs an upgrade at the position, a second ball-handler, and a third option in general, and time is running out.  Daryl Morey can't sit around and wait for "the perfect fit" with Dwight Howard's window closing rapidly (if it already hasn't), especially in a year when the team may have the league MVP.  If the Rockets can get Goran, they absolutely have to roll the dice.

[Losthief]

ummm...wierd topic for this to show up in lol.

 

Anyways, gotta disagree about dragic's fit for this roster (not necessarily just harden to consider), because since he can guard 2s effectively a rotation of bev, harden, dragic is ideal since you can play any 2 with each other.

[Cooper]

Even though they may not work the best together you still have to guard both where as others no one really bothers to guard bev. Having to work on that end will help against curry dame and cp3 who regularly torch us.

[Losthief]

ummm...wierd topic for this to show up in lol.

 

Anyways, gotta disagree about dragic's fit for this roster (not necessarily just harden to consider), because since he can guard 2s effectively a rotation of bev, harden, dragic is ideal since you can play any 2 with each other.

 

Also part of what i mean is that i think Bev would be an ideal 6th man. Put his defensive/energy on back-up quality point guards (shakier ball handlers) and watch the lack of opponent offense generation and the increase in turnovers. This should help our 2nd unit survive very well w/o Harden. Include a creator like dragic for the times were in half-court and with our transition game and we could have the best bench in the game.

 

I still hope we can convince Emeka Okafor to come back this year (he already lives in houston) and would be a great back-up/replacement for Howard. Replace joey dorsey's current minutes with Okafor (so about 12-15 min a game) and we be golden. Jermaine O'neal would fit too but supposedly the mavaricks have the inside track there, but if they go for amare instead O'neal might still be available.

 

That said...Enes Kanter could be an ok back-up big and he just demanded a trade...wonder what the asking price is (its a rental cause he's a rfa this summer). Would a 2nd round pick and terry (for salary) get it done?

[Red94]

New post: Suns preferring to move Thomas?
By: Rahat Huq

 

Word is Suns more apt to try to move IThomas before trade deadline, to restore last season's roster balance, rather than surrender GDragic

 

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 14, 2015

 

The above from Marc Stein this morning, just as I was warming up my coffee.  Such a course makes sense and is the route I thought all along would actually come to fruition.  The thinking there would be that Dragic is the superior player but Thomas could yield the higher return in trade.  Why trade Dragic for pennies on the dollar?  There are, of course, other variables.  If you trade Thomas, and then lose Dragic in the summer, you've really screwed up.  I think the question revolves around a determination of Thomas' value.  He's instant offense, locked up long term on a very cap friendly deal.  But on the other hand, he offers little else, has gotten a bad reputation, and really isn't even amongst the top 20 point guards in the entire league.  By comparison, Aaron Brooks is making the league minimum.  Would someone be willing to give Phoenix an asset more valuable than New Orleans' pick for Thomas?  I highly doubt it.

 

I think understandably, Phoenix will shop Thomas first and see what is being offered.  Concurrently, Morey offers the two second rounders he owns for Dragic.  If the Suns find something they like for Thomas, Morey calls them up and ups the ante, offering the Pelicans pick and a chance to avoid the scenario of losing both players (if Dragic were to leave outright in the summer).  And the Suns probably know he's ready to play this card.  If someone blows Phoenix away with an unexpected offer for Thomas, that is obviously the best course of action.

 

It would be plausible for Phoenix to just hold onto both players for now and reassess the market this summer.  The risk there is that Dragic has made no indication toward loyalty, stating he will test the market.  What if they can't find a deal they like for Thomas in July and Dragic walks?

 

Houston has to like its chances.  Understand that if they acquire Dragic, it would absolutely be with the intent of retaining him long term.  Further, this would be it and this would be their team.  They'd be locked into a core of Harden/Howard/Dragic and would then hope to retain the likes of Josh Smith and Corey Brewer.  Is that team good enough to sacrifice flexibility?  Absolutely.

[Jatman20]

Suns playing games......teasers. They are keeping Dragic now and losing him in the summer. They get what they deserve.

[Losthief]

The suns have been trying to move thomas all year, can't see anything new developing now but i could be wrong...