Backup PF: Who's left?

[axs88]

Let's assume KP is intent on keeping Blake, Outlaw etc. (no trades), and we're only looking for a bruising backup PF for situations when Outlaw can't deliver what we need at that spot (and Pendergraph/Cunningham is too green -> playoffs). What free agent vet PFs are left that could be had for a minimum contract (if all our space is absorbed by Miller) or with a 1.2m starting salary? I was looking for a complete, updated list of free agents still available by position, but couldn't find one.

 

[hasoos]

Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Who ever it is must be able to cover the perimeter. (Dirk, Okur) I think Oden/Pryz can handle the Al Jeffersons of the league.

 

[Run BJM]

Big Baby, Leon Powe, Diogu, Gooden, Pops Mensah Bonsu, Mikki Moore, Brian Skinner, Hakim Warrick

 

[Wheels]

I'm honestly fine with Pendergraph playing 12 minutes a night. Diogu is the only one on the list that I wouldnt mind here. *Braces for the 3 page long argument*

 

[Run BJM]

Mensah Bonsu would be good for you guys in spot minutes. Horrible on offense but hes an insane rebounder.

 

[THE HCP]

I'm honestly fine with Pendergraph playing 12 minutes a night. Diogu is the only one on the list that I wouldnt mind here. *Braces for the 3 page long argument*

Joe smith

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

1a) Ronnie Turiaf
1b) Javale McGee

would be my top choices

I can live with Pendergraph playing the 12-14 min. that LMA doesn't play.

 

[Wheels]

Joe smith

hmm I actually like Smith, but would he be happy coming here for that small of a role?

 

[Minstrel]

I wouldn't mind Ike Diogu or Glen Davis. Though Davis may want more minutes than the 12-15 Aldridge leaves on the table.

 

[Wheels]

I wouldn't mind Ike Diogu or Glen Davis. Though Davis may want more minutes than the 12-15 Aldridge leaves on the table.

and probably more money than we can give.

 

[MAS RipCity]

I want to buy Powe while his value is low. We can wait over half a season for him to come around, but dude is a beast. Do we have any LLE, MLE, or some exceptions to sign him?

 

[Wheels]

I want to buy Powe while his value is low. We can wait over half a season for him to come around, but dude is a beast. Do we have any LLE, MLE, or some exceptions to sign him?

sign and Trade exception?

 

[Minstrel]

I want to buy Powe while his value is low. We can wait over half a season for him to come around, but dude is a beast. Do we have any LLE, MLE, or some exceptions to sign him?

The LLE (minimum salary exception)...but I seriously doubt Powe would sign for the minimum.

 

[Eastoff]

... Pendergraph/Cunningham is too green -> playoffs...

You REALLY think these two can't get enough experience to pick up LMA's table scraps in the play offs? he averaged 39.5 mpg in playoffs. Granted that was from necessity, but typically in the play offs you have your starters suck it up and take on the bulk of the time. Are you that worried about 9.5mpg going to Cunningraph to suck up some fouls and snag some boards for Blake/Rudy/Webbster's 3 ball?

 

[axs88]

You REALLY think these two can't get enough experience to pick up LMA's table scraps in the play offs? he averaged 39.5 mpg in playoffs. Granted that was from necessity, but typically in the play offs you have your starters suck it up and take on the bulk of the time. Are you that worried about 9.5mpg going to Cunningraph to suck up some fouls and snag some boards for Blake/Rudy/Webbster's 3 ball?

No, I'm not worried. But there's always foul trouble. For this spot, if they decide to stand pat with the rest of the roster, I'm just thinking a vet banger signed for the minimum could come in handy in certain situations. Pendergraph looks more like the 3rd string center to me (Raefs spot on the roster), and we don't know yet what Cunningham's position will be in the league. IMO he's a bit undersized as he doesn't have length, height or bulk. What he could do, I guess Outlaw can do better at the 4, aside from maybe defense (if the plan is to keep Outlaw).

 

[shotgunbill]

I'd like to see Turiaf in the backup PF spot. I don't think Pendergraph is ready for the big time.

 

[ODENISGOD]

Well I'm tougher then frye so I think we are going to be improved no matter what.

 

[Idog1976]

1a) Ronnie Turiaf
1b) Javale McGee

would be my top choices

I can live with Pendergraph playing the 12-14 min. that LMA doesn't play.

My bad no trades just read that. No idea who is available. Has McDyess signed yet?

 

[Ed O]

You REALLY think these two can't get enough experience to pick up LMA's table scraps in the play offs? he averaged 39.5 mpg in playoffs. Granted that was from necessity, but typically in the play offs you have your starters suck it up and take on the bulk of the time. Are you that worried about 9.5mpg going to Cunningraph to suck up some fouls and snag some boards for Blake/Rudy/Webbster's 3 ball?

I don't think they're very good... Pendergraph barely made a dent in the summer league, and we expect him to play significant (even 10 minutes is significant in the playoffs, IMO) minutes against playoff opponents?

Cunningham's ability to play the 4 is something that is TBD.

The team would be much better off with an average veteran powerforward as a backup than with those two guys.

Ed O.

 

[PapaG]

I don't think they're very good... Pendergraph barely made a dent in the summer league, and we expect him to play significant (even 10 minutes is significant in the playoffs, IMO) minutes against playoff opponents?

Cunningham's ability to play the 4 is something that is TBD.

The team would be much better off with an average veteran powerforward as a backup than with those two guys.

Ed O.

I wouldn't go that far. He outplayed DeJuan Blair head to head.

That said, a veteran PF for insurance would make sense. Would Ike or Skinner sign for the LLE?

 

[axs88]

I wouldn't go that far. He outplayed DeJuan Blair head to head.

That said, a veteran PF for insurance would make sense. Would Ike or Skinner sign for the LLE?

Ike would be my choice as well (we like Ike). I think he could get the minimum from a lot of teams, and I don't think he would come here again, only for McMillan to give Outlaw all the backup minutes (which would make some sense, since he is a better player, even if he's not really what we need at that spot).

Hmm. He averaged 9 and 5 in 14 minutes with Sacramento (23/10 per 36 minutes, 60% shooting, 24.9 PER). Even if it's just 10 games, he has produced pretty much everywhere (except Portland, where he never got a chance). Such a waste.

 

[barfo]

My bad no trades just read that. No idea who is available. Has McDyess signed yet?

He signed. San Antonio, I think.

barfo

 

[Freshtown]

Gooden is now off the market- supposed signed with Dallas, according to Cuban's twitter feed.

 

[Dufferduck]

Brandon I know has said he likes Kurt Thomas. KT is in the final year of a contract that pays him 3.8M.

Brandon's other boy, TO, is in the final year of his contract that pays him 3.5M. Although Travis has improved a lot working with Monty on his jumper, I'm disapointed he hasn't improved his rebounding, defense. With his Athleticism he should have a big advantage versus bigger, slower 4's. He is to big to guard 3's and just not quick enough . Also his BBIQ is and always has been questioned being that he has been in the league for 5 years now. He's not a vocal leader and never will be. I think Batum passed him mid-season as far as worth, importance to team. His Playoff performance pretty much staped his ticket out of PDX.

I think TO has done a lot in bringing back the good reputation of players that have played in PDX and I think he should get a lot of credit for turning the franchise around

I'd love to see a Thomas for Outlaw deal.

 

[fumanchu]

Why would we want Ike back? He's not exactly a "bruiser vet" type. He's an undersized scorer with relatively little experience. He couldn't beat Frye for PT and now we want him back as Frye's replacement? No thanks.

I would take Brian Skinner back.

 

[andalusian]

The lust for Ike is, to be frank, quite perplexing. He had multiple years in the NBA under multiple coaches and has shown the ability to have a couple of good games per year and a whole lot of nothing else. The worst we could get from Pendergraph/Cunningham is the same at a lower price - so why bother?

 

[axs88]

He had multiple years in the NBA under multiple coaches and has shown the ability to have a couple of good games per year and a whole lot of nothing else.

It's more like he produced very well whenever he got minutes (and wasn't injured). Look up his advanced stats.

 

[andalusian]

It's more like he produced very well whenever he got minutes (and wasn't injured). Look up his advanced stats.

I am sorry - but not getting minutes is an indication of his performance as well. If multiple coaches on multiple teams are only willing to use him in garbage time - that is some indication as well... Add the fact that his defensive rating is Zach Randolph like (or worse) - and quite frankly - I do not see the attraction.

Having had the "pleasure" of watching him last year where he was not given the ball as the #1 option when he was on the floor showed me exactly why we do not need him. He is not effective if he is not the go-to guy on the floor. Just look at his PER in Portland where he was supposed to play a backup role - a PER of 11, TS% of .48 an ugly offensive rating and an ugly defensive rating.

This guy is useless if he is supposed to be your banger backup PF - we do not need him in a Zach Randolph role...

 

[axs88]

I am sorry - but not getting minutes is an indication of his performance as well. If multiple coaches on multiple teams are only willing to use him in garbage time - that is some indication as well... Add the fact that his defensive rating is Zach Randolph like (or worse) - and quite frankly - I do not see the attraction.

Having had the "pleasure" of watching him last year where he was not given the ball as the #1 option when he was on the floor showed me exactly why we do not need him. He is not effective if he is not the go-to guy on the floor. Just look at his PER in Portland where he was supposed to play a backup role - a PER of 11, TS% of .48 an ugly offensive rating and an ugly defensive rating.

This guy is useless if he is supposed to be your banger backup PF - we do not need him in a Zach Randolph role...

I'm not saying he's this world-beater. He played a total of 73 minutes for Portland in 19 games (3.8 MPG). I'm not sure his lack of production can be attributed to not being the 1st option but rather that it's impossible to get comfortable playing 3 minutes in garbage time. I didn't watch his games in Sacramento... was he the 1st option when he was in there for them?

I'm more than open to explore other options for this role.