Dalembert an option?

[magnifier661]

I know Samuel Dalembert will be a free agent this summer. He is making around 6.9 million. How much do you think he will pull this summer? There are a lot of free agent bigs that most likely would be picked before him.

The reason why I think he would be a good fit is he is 31 years old. That means he's got maybe 4-5 more years left in his career. He is good enough to start for 3 years; which gives time to develop Leonard to eventually start.

I think there maybe a chance to not only get Dalembert, but we could even retain Hickson too. Our front line would be really solid with Aldridge, Dalembert, Hickson and Leonard.

EDIT: This is how I think we could land Dalembert and keep Hickson.

Step 1: Retain Hickson and keep the bird rights. The cap hold is 7 million if I remember correctly.
Step 2: Offer Dalembert around 7 million; which is roughly the amount of cap space we will have left with the cap being at 60 mil.
Step 3: Resign Hickson for around 8 million; which puts us over the cap
Step 4: Use Max MLE to obtain JJ reddick or Jarret Jack

Starting line-up of: PG: Lillard, SG: Matthews, SF: Batum, PF: Aldridge, Center: Dalembert
Key Back-ups: PG/SG: Jack, PF/C: Hickson, PF/C Leonard, SG/SF: Clavar

 

[magnifier661]

BTW... Here is the ESPN Insider scouting report on him.

Scouting report
+ Long, fleet center. Elite rebounder and shot-blocker. Not a post threat.
+ Solid midrange shooter. Runs floor well. Very poor ball handler.
+ Mobile defender but has bad instincts and constantly has hands down.

Analysis
Dalembert is turning into an odd-year, even-year guy, narrowly missing out on his second Fluke Rule season in three years while providing unexpectedly solid production for Houston. As usual, the blocks and rebounds were the key -- he finished 11th among centers in rebound rate and seventh in blocks per minute, although he has the frustrating habit of virtually never putting his hands up to contest a shot that he can't block.

Another notable surprise was his career-best 79.6 percent mark from the line; along the same lines, he's become just good enough on his midrange shot to be a somewhat useful spot-up weapon. Dalembert made 37.8 percent of his long 2s last season; you don't want that to become the focal point, but with five on the shot clock you'll take it.

Dalembert still has poor instincts at both ends and will make head-scratching decisions, but his length and solid mobility make him an above-average defender overall. Synergy graded him that way, and the Rockets gave up 2.6 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court. Don't expect him to maintain last season's productivity at age 31, but he'll be a major upgrade in the middle from what Milwaukee had at the end of last season.

 

[Hobbesarable]

I know Samuel Dalembert will be a free agent this summer. He is making around 6.9 million. How much do you think he will pull this summer? There are a lot of free agent bigs that most likely would be picked before him.

The reason why I think he would be a good fit is he is 31 years old. That means he's got maybe 4-5 more years left in his career. He is good enough to start for 3 years; which gives time to develop Leonard to eventually start.

I think there maybe a chance to not only get Dalembert, but we could even retain Hickson too. Our front line would be really solid with Aldridge, Dalembert, Hickson and Leonard.

What kind of playing production are you expecting from him, Mags?

 

[magnifier661]

What kind of playing production are you expecting from him, Mags?

Well realistically; just being a good big that can rebound, take the occassional shot and block shots.

 

[Rhal]

Dalembert wouldn't be bad. He isn't going to really give you anything offensively save for a put back and an open shot now and then. He is a good defender, I wouldn't mind bringing him on board.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Well realistically; just being a good big that can rebound, take the occassional shot and block shots.

I'd rather have Meyers Leonard start and Hickson come off the bench.

Dalembert recent stats scream downslide of his career:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dalemsa01.html

 

[RR7]

I'd rather have Meyers Leonard start and Hickson come off the bench.

Dalembert recent stats scream downslide of his career:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dalemsa01.html

Looking at his stats, it's more a minutes issue than any sort of slide. Per 36 he is at or above career averages, has th highest per of his career, and the best shooting% of his career.

 

[magnifier661]

I'd rather have Meyers Leonard start and Hickson come off the bench.

Dalembert recent stats scream downslide of his career:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dalemsa01.html

I don't think Leonard is ready yet. I think he's a good 2-3 more years before he can take on that role. Dalembert can suffice until then and I think we could get him cheap enough so we can still obtain Hickson and still have a max MLE to offer another PG/SG type player

 

[Hobbesarable]

You're assuming he can maintain that level when given more minutes. He's been sliding down statistically the last 3 seasons and he's played on average 25 mpg over his career. Over the last 3 seasons his average mpg is closer to 20 mpg. Give that time to Meyers instead.

 

[magnifier661]

You're assuming he can maintain that level when given more minutes. He's been sliding down statistically the last 3 seasons and he's played on average 25 mpg over his career. Over the last 3 seasons his average mpg is closer to 20 mpg. Give that time to Meyers instead.

I don't think we need him to play that many minutes. We need him to give us productive minutes. Leonard and Hickson can make up for the rest.

Hickson should accept as well because there will be plenty of minutes for him. I'm sure he would average the same amount (25-30) even.

AND Leonard will get 20 minutes a game already. Maybe even 25; with sliding to PF at times.

 

[Hobbesarable]

I don't think we need him to play that many minutes. We need him to give us productive minutes. Leonard and Hickson can make up for the rest.

Hickson should accept as well because there will be plenty of minutes for him. I'm sure he would average the same amount (25-30) even.

Give me your expected mpg break down for the foursome frontline.

 

[magnifier661]

Give me your expected mpg break down for the foursome frontline.

Okay let's assume that Aldridge will get at least 35 minutes per game. That leaves about 13 minutes + at PF. That leaves 48 minutes for center + 13 minutes for PF = 61 total minutes.

Dalembert starts and averages around 20 minutes. 20 - 48 = 28 minutes left.

Hickson gets 25 minutes a game; 10 minutes at PF and 15 minutes at center = 3 minutes at PF left and 13 minutes left at center.

Leonard plays around 3 minutes at PF and 10 minutes at center.

Now depending on situation; you could play less Dalembert and give that burn to Leonard if he's having a decent game. You could drop some of ALdridge's minutes if we are blowing teams out; which gives more as well.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Dalembert for less then 3 million a year? Sure, where do I sign? For anything above the MLE? Pass.

 

[magnifier661]

Dalembert for less then 3 million a year? Sure, where do I sign? For anything above the MLE? Pass.

Do you think he would accept that?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Do you think he would accept that?

Probably not to come here. Miami? Maybe.

 

[magnifier661]

Probably not to come here. Miami? Maybe.

You don't like the scenario? I mean we would still be able to retain Hickson as the back-up PF/C; plus allow for Leonard to learn the game before taking over. Bringing in a legit starting center would have both Leonard and Hickson options you won't have in the future.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I don't really think Dalembert is a starting center anymore. He'd be fine as a backup.

EDIT: Counting on Leonard to just develop and become a defensive anchor seems like a long-shot to me. If the Blazers are going to go after a center they need a guy who can play 30+ minutes a night.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Okay let's assume that Aldridge will get at least 35 minutes per game. That leaves about 13 minutes + at PF. That leaves 48 minutes for center + 13 minutes for PF = 61 total minutes.

Dalembert starts and averages around 20 minutes. 20 - 48 = 28 minutes left.

Hickson gets 25 minutes a game; 10 minutes at PF and 15 minutes at center = 3 minutes at PF left and 13 minutes left at center.

Leonard plays around 3 minutes at PF and 10 minutes at center.

Now depending on situation; you could play less Dalembert and give that burn to Leonard if he's having a decent game. You could drop some of ALdridge's minutes if we are blowing teams out; which gives more as well.

I'd rather have Meyers playing closer to the 15-20 mpg range. He may not be ready for the starter role, but he'll need playing time to develop his game.

 

[RR7]

I'd rather have Meyers playing closer to the 15-20 mpg range. He may not be ready for the starter role, but he'll need playing time to develop his game.

a split of 36/24/18/18, Aldridge, Hickson, Dalembert, Leonard. More or less here and there as situations dictate.

 

[Hobbesarable]

I don't really think Dalembert is a starting center anymore. He'd be fine as a backup.

EDIT: Counting on Leonard to just develop and become a defensive anchor seems like a long-shot to me. If the Blazers are going to go after a center they need a guy who can play 30+ minutes a night.

This I agree with. Dalembert seems like a temporary patch at best.

 

[magnifier661]

I don't really think Dalembert is a starting center anymore. He'd be fine as a backup.

EDIT: Counting on Leonard to just develop and become a defensive anchor seems like a long-shot to me. If the Blazers are going to go after a center they need a guy who can play 30+ minutes a night.

This scenario has more to do with keeping Hickson and actually strengthening our bench.

I understand that his numbers aren't stellar in terms of "starting caliber"; but he doesn't have to end games. There have been plenty of teams that use a player like Dalembert to start and finish with an entirely different group.

This season, Dalembert is averaging 5.9 points, 57% shooting, 5.2 boards and 1.4 blocks in 15.8 minutes.

If he is giving that type of production next season; that would leave a lot of minutes for Leonard (time for development) and Hickson (keep him happy).

I think Dalembert would suffice long enough for Leonard to fully develop and take over the starting role. If Brass has high hopes for Leonard; this would be a smart move, IMO.

 

[magnifier661]

I'd rather have Meyers playing closer to the 15-20 mpg range. He may not be ready for the starter role, but he'll need playing time to develop his game.

That's fine too. I was looking at this season and Dalembert is averaging around 16 minutes. That gives more time to Leonard to develop.

 

[magnifier661]

This I agree with. Dalembert seems like a temporary patch at best.

It's not the "OMG move"; but it could be if we have a player able to start, retain Hickson and still develop Leonard.

 

[magnifier661]

a split of 36/24/18/18, Aldridge, Hickson, Dalembert, Leonard. More or less here and there as situations dictate.

OR take away 2 minutes for Dalembert and add 2 to Leonard. Gives 16 minutes to Dalembert and 20 to Leonard.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Step 1: Retain Hickson and keep the bird rights. The cap hold is 7 million if I remember correctly.
Step 2: Offer Dalembert around 7 million; which is roughly the amount of cap space we will have left with the cap being at 60 mil.
Step 3: Resign Hickson for around 8 million; which puts us over the cap
Step 4: Use Max MLE to obtain JJ reddick or Jarret Jack

FYI, we can't use both cap space and the MLE. If we use cap space, the only exception we can use is the room exception, which is $2.652M.

 

[magnifier661]

FYI, we can't use both cap space and the MLE. If we use cap space, the only exception we can use is the room exception, which is $2.652M.

Do you think 2.652 mil is enough to grab Jack?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Do you think 2.652 mil is enough to grab Jack?

Not even close.

If we really wanted Dalembert at $20M/3 years, we'd probably be better off getting him with a sign and trade for Freeland. I imagine the Bucks wouldn't complain about that too much.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Do you think 2.652 mil is enough to grab Jack?

He will literally drop the phone once you give the offer and laugh his ass off!

 

[magnifier661]

Not even close.

If we really wanted Dalembert at $20M/3 years, we'd probably be better off getting him with a sign and trade for Freeland. I imagine the Bucks wouldn't complain about that too much.

Yeah that's really not that bad of an option.

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=bxyz9hj and this could happen this season actually before the trade deadline.

The advantage would be a shed of cap space as well. We would have his bird rights too; so we could hold off on signing Hickson and Dalembert until we can grab that free agent.

Basically we would have 17 million free; retain Hickson for 7 million so we have his Bird rights; sign Jack for about 8 million; sign Hickson for 8 million and resign Dalembert for 5-6 million.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Yeah that's really not that bad of an option.

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=bxyz9hj and this could happen this season actually before the trade deadline.

The advantage would be a shed of cap space as well. We would have his bird rights too; so we could hold off on signing Hickson and Dalembert until we can grab that free agent.

Basically we would have 17 million free; retain Hickson for 7 million so we have his Bird rights; sign Jack for about 8 million; sign Hickson for 8 million and resign Dalembert for 5-6 million.

All in all, were we to get (and extend) Dalembert to man our starting center spot while we groom Leonard, I think we'd be better off attempting to obtain something of value for Hickson in a sign-and-trade, rather than keeping him as a very expensive backup.