Mike1989

Like I said, he's a good offensive player, but he's limited in regards to his ball handling (ie distributing the ball, assists, turnovers etc), and he's a big defensive liability. Is that really the type of PG you want? He's a chucker that weighs in with half a dozen assists but pairs them with a few turnovers per game. It says a lot that the kings have let him go. They don't view him as a starter, more of a sixth man. How many teams with a hole at starting PG have come in for him? Not seen any. Detroit was interested but they have Brandon Knight as a starter, so IT would be heading for sixth man duty. Same at the Suns, he's heading for sixth man duty. Now at 27 million he brings decent production, but he's a limited starting PG unless you want a chucker to pair with Oladipo and split the ball handling. But then you have a defensive liability next to Oladipo. I'd rather pass on Thomas and go with Payton, try to develop him and have a better ball handler and defensive player.

He's good a scorer and a fair ball handler, but he's a defensive liability. I'm glad we didn't offer him a deal. He's a sixth man/chucker type player. As for the Suns. They'll probably still go Bledsoe and Dragic, with Isaiah as sixth man. They've got the cap space to have an expensive sixth man.

So he's an idiot for taking a five year deal worth $118 million? Going to Houston he'd earn less, and there's no guarantee he'd win more rings there. In the west there is the Spurs and OKC, and rising teams like the Trail Blazers and Warriors, and some borderline teams like the Mavs and Grizzlies. No easy task getting to the finals in the west. In the east he could have a chance if they build a supporting cast.

If LeBron and Bosh both leave Miami, it will be interesting to see what route they take for next season. One would assume they'd have to try to put together a new big two to add next to Wade, or attempt to try to lure a new big three. But who is left? Melo hasn't signed up, so m the Heat would likely be interested. Bledsoe hasn't signed up, but the Suns will probably match any offer. Deng is a solid SF and complimentary piece to a contender, not an out-an-out star. Monroe is a max contract candidate, and like Bledsoe, might be difficult to prise away from his team since Detroit could match. Gasol is an ageing player likely heading for a contender, though one last pay day could appeal. Stephenson has a ton of talent, and maybe getting a main role on a team and not a backseat to Paul George could help him take a step to the next level? Not really a lot left after that, only players like Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, Ariza and co. Again complimentary pieces. I suppose if the Heat managed to land a line up like this, then it could keep them in the play offs: Bledsoe / Wade / Deng / McRoberts / Gasol Nelson / Wade / Melo / McRoberts / Gasol Nelson / Wade / Deng / Gasol / Monroe Not sure if it would be title material, but it would be possible to see a new look Heat next season that can still be competitive. However, would they consider a full scale rebuild like we have if the big three wave goodbye?

I think the Cavs are well set to help support LeBron. They've got an all star PG, a talented SG, a all star potential SG/SF, and some other nice pieces. With some added pieces after LeBron's signature, they should be a top four team in the east next season. Irving / Wiggins / LeBron / Thompson / Varejao - Waiters as sixth man Looks a decent line up. If they could pull off a deal to land Kevin Love, then that line up can become even better. Irving / Wiggins / LeBron / Love / Varejao It would depend on what they would have to give up, but if they kept hold of Iriving and Wiggins, then they'd have an all star and potential all star in their line up to support two all stars. If things clicked, they could be scarily good.

That's a big contract for Parsons, but he should slot in well in Dallas with the likes of Ellis, Dirk and Chandler. All they need is a PG and they could be a dangerous team next season. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Rockets match this if they don't think LeBron or Melo is realistic.

If the plan is to make the play offs, then trading Afflalo and cutting Nelson are questionable decisions. Now I can understand getting rid of Afflalo because he blocks Oladipo at SG, and he's an undersized SF that could block Harkless and Harris. But Nelson with our options at PG? Personally if we are shooing for the play offs, then keeping Nelson would have been the better option. He could have started while Payton came off the bench and learnt his trade. But now we are in a position where we have to either use Payton, or go with Oladipo and slot Gordon or Fournier at SG. Not sure either screams play offs. That said, the team does look talented, and has decent depth. If we do make the jump, great. But I think this is a 30 win team at the minute.

Interesting move to add a veteran to the PF/C mix. I think it's becoming clear that the Magic potentially see Harris as a SF, not as a PF. Harris is a talented kid, but I think his skill set is more suitable as a SF whether that is as a starter or impact player off the bench. This is a decent move for the team. It gives us a veteran to start at PF while Gordon gets mins off the bench to develop, and also Nicholson. Rotating Harkless and Harris at SF will give them an opportunity to develop their game at their natural position. For me, I think our rotation will be something like: SF: Harris / Harkless PF: Frye / Gordon / Nicholson C: Vuc / O'Quinn / Deadmon Which looks pretty good.

So I did. Not so much a favorable deal giving up a first as well. In that case I'd probably say glad we passed as well. But Barnes is a talented kid, all he needs is to be on a team that can give him the mins to develop.

Why? Harrison Barnes was the 7th pick in 2012. He's a talented kid, but stuck on a team that can't give him major minutes or a larger role. He showed what he could do in the play offs in 2013 when given more minutes, his production shot up to 16 ppg which for a rookie is impressive. I think he would have been a good addition to this team, and would have been an upgrade as the starting SF. The first round pick would also be a useful asset in future packages if the team wants to trade up, or trade for a player. Overall the deal is better than what we got.

On paper it could be a great fit. Their HC is one of the best at creating defensive schemes, and should be able to hide Melo's weaknesses. In Rose and Noah they have two stars to pair with Melo. However, the issue is Rose and Noah have both had injury woes, and he'd also not be the leading man any more. In New York it is his team. So that might appeal. But if he's chasing a ring Chicago would be a good option. Personally I'm surprised Dallas doesn't get more consideration...

It would be interesting to see what they would do if the big three left. Would they try to rebuild on the fly? Or would they rebuild through the draft?

Henny has a plan. He wants to build a young core that he can go forwards with. Draft his stars, and when the time comes, supplement it with veterans in free agency to build the bench. That is the road teams like OKC, Golden State, Portland, and San Antonio have taken. It takes time to build the roster with draft picks, and to stockpile talent to help the team move forwards. It also takes time for these young players to develop into the players that the GM hopes they can be. It won't happen overnight. It can take two, three, four years before you start to see the win column begin to light up. It is tough to take the losing seasons, but in the long run, it should be worth it.

PG: Beverly SG: Harden SF: Parsons PF: Melo C: Howard Not going to be a force defensively, but they have a lot of scoring power with that line up.

http://prestointhepaint.com/2014/07/03/free-agent-profile-ed-davis/ Might have been discussed, but the writer makes a case for us to sign Ed Davis. He says he'd be a starter, pair well with Vuc, and give us a defensively minded PF. Gordon can play some SF and PF. Would everyone be happy if we signed Davis in the 6-7 million range? Payton / Oladipo / Harkless, Harris or Gordon / Davis / Vuc

Now sure Henny has paid an extra $0.5 million for Gordon, but the team has got the flexibility because the second year is not guaranteed and he can be cut if things don't work out. Also, the team needs to make up the salary to hit the minimum, so the extra money helps out in that regard; and Gordon knows that he isn't going to get a starting role, so he can accept the pay day and the flexibility that the contract gives the team. He is a good, solid addition in my book. In terms of a comparison. Sefolosha brings defense, but offensively has never really done much outside three point shooting. Whereas Ben Gordon can bring decent scoring and some, albeit limited, defense. The other difference is that Sefolosha has been a starter for the past five seasons with the Thunder, so would he accept being a back up to Oladipo? Probably not. On the other hand, Ben Gordon hasn't started a game since 2012 with the Pistons, and hasn't been a full time starter since Chicago in 2008-09. So the aim was to grab a guy to back up Oladipo, and of these two, Gordon fits the bill. I think Henny made a decent selection in signing Ben Gordon, and if the guy refinds his shooting form, then it could be a very good signing.

There are a few reasons to sign a player like Gordon: 1. He provides a veteran presence on and off court to help mentor the young players. 2. In the right situation he should still be able to give us some scoring off the bench. 3. We might need to add some salary to make the minimum amount we have to spend [?]. It also is flexible and can be cut after next season. 4. It allows the young players to get major minutes and aides their development, instead of signing cap draining FAs that are 'overhyped' and likely to be 'overpaid' (eg Luol Deng et al). Overall I'm fine with the addition. He can be a solid role player, gives us depth, and his deal is flexible so we don't have to keep him if things don't work out.

Think the reason might be down to the tax threshold. They are around $6 million off it, and his qualifying offer would be around $4.3 million. So it would cut off some wiggle room for them to reinforce their roster. Plus with Randolph entrenched at PF with his new extension, I think they would rather try to get Davis cheaper or get a cheaper option since he won't get major mins.

Monroe can play PF or C, I assume we'd pair him with Vuc? The partnership has potential. Monroe has the ability to be one of the best centers, but he needs to improve on last season. Deng could be ok at the right price. He's a very good defensive player, and does add a career average of 16ppg, but some question his durability. Is he an upgrade at SF? Yes, but will he be a difference maker in boosting us to play off basketball? Possibly not, if his run in Cleveland is anything to go by...

Going in for Bledsoe could get very expensive. I would say we'd have to put at least $12 million per season on the table, and then run the risk of the Suns matching it. Reports have said he seeks a max deal, and while he might not get one, he will certainly land a big deal. Would Lowry be a better alternative with him being a UFA? As for Parsons, good player but if the aim is to go for Durant (who I don't think will leave OKC), then I assume he could be a trade chip because otherwise he could be an expensive bench player? Plus, we have Harkless and Harris to play SF. Is Parsons a significant upgrade, or could one of them step up to a similar level? In terms of tanking it wouldn't surprise me. There's a couple of prospects next season that might be appealing, but it might be best to go in hard at FA to try and compete rather than bank on winning the lottery next year.

So what do people think. Is Nelson's departure simply Henny handing the keys over to the youth movement, and potentially tanking another season? Or had the cap space been cleared to make a run at a Starr or two? I'm still a little shocked he's been waived, and left wondering what route this team takes. Right now I'm moving towards a out right tanking season.

Sad to see him go, but I guess this was coming. I'd have liked to have seen him stay here and retire, but perhaps he can come back a few years from now to sign a one day deal and retire Magic player. It makes you wonder what route we go on from here. Do we hand the keys over to the young players and potentially tank another season? Or are we going to be players in FA, hence clearing cap space?

It's easy done. I always miss someone!

I don't think it would be congested. We have just got rid of Afflalo who spent a lot of time at SF with Harkless last season. So Parsons would be replacing Afflalo, and would give us a good starting SF. Our depth chart could be this: Nelson / Payton Oladipo / Fournier / Lamb Parsons / Harkless / Marble Gordon / Harris / Nicholson / Maxiell Vuceivic / O'Quinn / Dedmon At SF Parsons would likely start, with Harkless as first rotation, and then Marble could be third SF on the depth chart. At PF Harris or Gordon would start, with the other being first rotation. We have Nicholson to come off the bench and continue his development, and then Maxiell would get limited mins and be a veteran presence. So for me, I think adding Parsons would give us some added fire power, and a good starting SF. I don't see it becoming congested. In fact, it gives us good depth and potential trade assets if we need to make a deal in the future. I'd like to see us bring him in. *Edited to reflect me missing Nicholson lol

What we did last year was draft the 'safe' pick. Some said McLemore had the higher ceiling, but Oladipo was the more dedicated, hard worker. So it does make sense to take a guy like Oladipo, who are worst would be an athletic defensively minded SG (perhaps like Sefolosha?). At best he could be an all star if he can improve his offensive output to match his defense. Same this year. Gordon is a 'safe' pick. At worst he will be a very good defender in the NBA, and his athleticism will get him in good positions. If he can develop offensively, the he could be an all star as well. He's a low risk pick because his floor is still a starting calibre defensively minded player , while his ceiling is a very good two way player. Payton can be seen in a similar light. He's got good size, athleticism, and is a decent distributor. He should become a solid contributor, and if his all round game develops, he could be a very good starting Pg. But again he's a safe pick because his floor is still good enough to start, and his ceiling is high. Whereas guys like Exum and LaVine, while flashy, could end up being busts if they don't develop (especially LaVine who is very raw). So it isn't surprising to see Henny draft/acquire there high character guys. They are athletic, hard working players. Their dedication to improving will help them. They should be long term pieces going forwards, whether that be as starters or back ups. Best case scenario is very promising, and even worst case scenario has potential since you won't find three more athletic and hard working guys with their talent at back up.