Maybe we have all the pieces already?

[BigGameDamian]

Give Eric a break. He said "no major fixes". I don't consider bench players individually as major fixes, but adding one or two quality veterans and a late lottery pick would be a huge upgrade for our bench.

I do think Leonard has the potential to be a much better than average starting center - 2 or 3 years down the road, and eventually even an all star. If we resign Hickson, he can continue to start while Meyers develops and then move to the back-up role. Short term, I see Leonard coming of the bench for another year, then one or two years of starting before we finally START to see the finished product.

If we end up in the lottery, and keep the pick, I'd go for BPA. This draft seems to be top heavy with solid 4/5 prospects. If one of them slips, like Drummond last year, grab them. If not, we could still use a quality back-up at just about any position coming off the bench. A high upside 2/3 would be nice.

I believe in upgrading talent whenever you can. Aldridge, Lillard and Batum are all quality pieces. Surround them with enough talent and they can become a top 4 team in the West, if Leonard develops and they beef up the bench.

The problem is, we're never going to lure a top tier free agent (aka: superstar) here via free agency or forced trade. The best we can hope for is a lopsided trade for an above average starter with a big contract on a team looking to dump salary, or a problem child in need of a fresh start. In the meantime, continue to stock up on good players at reasonable prices so you'll have the pieces in place to make a move if one presents itself.

If that doesn't happen, I'm fine going into next season with:

Aldridge
Lillard
Batum
Matthews
Hickson (resigned to an appropriate contract)
Leonard
Maynor
Late Lottery Pick (BPA)
One or Two solid veteran free agents on decent deals (at, or below MLE level)

The team will be better next year. I think internal growth of Lillard, Batum Leonard and Claver, plus a late lottery pick and a beefed up bench would be enough to make the playoffs. And the team would continue to grow as Lillard, Leonard and Late Lottery Pick continue to improve. It's hard to predict their ceiling, especially because Leonard could end up anywhere from average to an all star. He has all the tools, but who knows if he'll put it all together. I hope he does, and am encouraged by his improvement, his effort and his attitude.

BNM

We aren't resigning Hickson dude.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

We aren't resigning Hickson dude.

In this thread the hypothetical is that we keep the rotation players we have.

 

[Natebishop3]

ANDRE IGOUDALA + DALEMBERT

or JJ Reddick and a Center.

just guys to spread the minutes out a bit. we have some cap room....get some good guys for the bench and some help int he middle and we should be at the minimum a playoff team

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/FreeAgents-12-13/nba-free-agents-2012-2013

I'm okay with that..... I'm not thrilled with Iggy, and I think I'd rather have Mayo, but I wouldn't be unhappy with Iggy and Dalembert.

 

[Boob-No-More]

We aren't resigning Hickson dude.

He's not our first priority, but like last summer, I think he's a viable fallback plan if we strike out in the free agent market. He'll test the waters, and if someone overpays him, he's gone. If not, and Olshey can't lure his desired free agent target, I think he offers Hickson something like $6 - $7 million/year for two years with a 3rd year team option.

Again not plan A, but last year's plan A (Hibbert) fell through and Hickson was our consolation prize.

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

Where are the minutes for Iggy? Starting 2 guard?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Yes.

 

[KingSpeed]

See what I'm talking about? We have the pieces. Leonard is the center you guys want. Give him time. Maynor and Claver are solid bench players I don't want to replace. We have a winner here, guys. Just be patient. We have three All Stars.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

We have three All Stars.

While I think it is possible that we will have 3 All-Stars I also don't ever believe that our 3 guys will be All-Stars the same year. Even if our team is more well-rounded than MIA's at some point we won't get the Big 3 reputation that they do.

 

[XXPrimusXX]

No.

 

[MickZagger]

We got really good pieces. We just need to bolster the bench and let guys develop. I would love to get a guy like Oladipo in this draft.

 

[julius]

I think Lillards ascension has made it so trading LaMarcus isn't necessarily the best thing to do.

If the right trade comes along, it's worth thinking. But just trading for younger players or picks, doesn't necessarily make the team any better in the long run.

If LaMarcus becomes the confirmed "robin" to Lillards "batman", things change completely. That would mean that Lillard would have to become a lot more aggressive and dominating.

the trio (LaMarcus, Batum and Lillard) being together for 4-6 more years could work. At the tail end of that timeframe, Lillard would be 28-9, Batum would be 30-31 and LaMarcus would be the oldest at 33.

In that 4-6 years, if the team ads another piece or two, could contend for a title hopefully. It would be hard, and they really need a strong 3rd player (or Lillard just blowing up like all time good) to go along with Lillard and LaMarcus, who could make it so Batum is the 4th best player on the team.

That would be HUGE. Sadly, though, there aren't a ton of those players around.

like Zags said, Olapido would be a really good get in this years draft. But to get him (or a player equal to his game and potential)? All we need now is a whole lot of energon and a whole lot of luck!