My guess for Portland's center next year: Al Horford

[stampedehero]

Horford is a really good player. ATL may want him. I like the Hibbert idea that BDSfan 94 suggested.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Okay... but the assists, really?

Dammit. I lowered those from 6 to 4 now... gimme a break!

 

[Draco]

Horford may be overpaid by the end of his contract; but the cap is going up to $100 mil and we can only offer him a 4 year deal. Its a no brainer decision to sign him to the max if he were willing to agree to it.

All those guys; Parsons, DeRozen, are going to be max players because there are so many max slots available and so few starting caliber free agents. Any player that is an average starter is worth more than the max. That's just the market; regardless if some fans like it.

If we miss out on the big free agents I'll be fine with it. Sort of what I've come to expect. We have a great young core anyways. Neil will probably have some value bin pickup that we can get excited for.

The worst case scenario is if teams offer crazy money to our free agents. If Hendo signs the first day for a similar amount as Demarre Carroll at $18 million. Crabbe gets $20 mil, Harkless $12 million, Meyers $14 million. Not sure I'd want us to keep any of the guys at those amounts. But if we let them all walks we're left with major holes all over the roster. There will be a lot of teams such as the Lakers, Nets, Magic, Jazz, Rockets, Knicks, Kings, Suns, 6ers with multiple max slots and nobody to sign so they'll have big pressure to get something.

The downside of our unexpected success this year will be the demand for our players.

 

[B-Roy]

The worst case scenario is if teams offer crazy money to our free agents. If Hendo signs the first day for a similar amount as Demarre Carroll at $18 million. Crabbe gets $20 mil, Harkless $12 million, Meyers $14 million. Not sure I'd want us to keep any of the guys at those amounts.

No chance in hell. Apocafuckinglypse.

Here are some alternatives to those players:

Meyers:
Andrew Nicholson
Mirza Teletovic
Jon Leuer

Crabbe:
Courtney Lee
Brandon Rush
Wayne Ellington

Harkless:
Solomon Hill
Wesley Johnson
James Michael McAdoo

Hendo:
Kevin Martin
Evan Turner
Caron Butler???

If Meyers Leonard gets 14 million and Crabbe gets 20 million I will shit my pants and pray to the holy powers above.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Horford may be overpaid by the end of his contract; but the cap is going up to $100 mil and we can only offer him a 4 year deal. Its a no brainer decision to sign him to the max if he were willing to agree to it.

All those guys; Parsons, DeRozen, are going to be max players because there are so many max slots available and so few starting caliber free agents. Any player that is an average starter is worth more than the max. That's just the market; regardless if some fans like it.

If we miss out on the big free agents I'll be fine with it. Sort of what I've come to expect. We have a great young core anyways. Neil will probably have some value bin pickup that we can get excited for.

The worst case scenario is if teams offer crazy money to our free agents. If Hendo signs the first day for a similar amount as Demarre Carroll at $18 million. Crabbe gets $20 mil, Harkless $12 million, Meyers $14 million. Not sure I'd want us to keep any of the guys at those amounts. But if we let them all walks we're left with major holes all over the roster. There will be a lot of teams such as the Lakers, Nets, Magic, Jazz, Rockets, Knicks, Kings, Suns, 6ers with multiple max slots and nobody to sign so they'll have big pressure to get something.

The downside of our unexpected success this year will be the demand for our players.

Soooo very accurate I think.

 

[BonesJones]

Horford may be overpaid by the end of his contract; but the cap is going up to $100 mil and we can only offer him a 4 year deal. Its a no brainer decision to sign him to the max if he were willing to agree to it.

All those guys; Parsons, DeRozen, are going to be max players because there are so many max slots available and so few starting caliber free agents. Any player that is an average starter is worth more than the max. That's just the market; regardless if some fans like it.

If we miss out on the big free agents I'll be fine with it. Sort of what I've come to expect. We have a great young core anyways. Neil will probably have some value bin pickup that we can get excited for.

The worst case scenario is if teams offer crazy money to our free agents. If Hendo signs the first day for a similar amount as Demarre Carroll at $18 million. Crabbe gets $20 mil, Harkless $12 million, Meyers $14 million. Not sure I'd want us to keep any of the guys at those amounts. But if we let them all walks we're left with major holes all over the roster. There will be a lot of teams such as the Lakers, Nets, Magic, Jazz, Rockets, Knicks, Kings, Suns, 6ers with multiple max slots and nobody to sign so they'll have big pressure to get something.

The downside of our unexpected success this year will be the demand for our players.

I'll be suprised if Crabbe gets more than $10M. He's not that good. I'll be sup roses of Harkness and Meyers get more than $7M

 

[BonesJones]

Just because teams have cap space doesn't mean they overpay a guy by $10M a year. They'll just let other teams max out their space and save money for the 2017 offseason.

 

[ripcityboy]

We've got to keep our core together. I can see maybe losing Hendo since he can start elsewhere. But if we just keep recycling players.... and lose Crabbe and Harkless, this is going to get old real fast.

 

[Draco]

Just because teams have cap space doesn't mean they overpay a guy by $10M a year. They'll just let other teams max out their space and save money for the 2017 offseason.

Maybe; but some desperate team might convince themselves Meyers or Crabbe is the answer for the future at SG or C. Hell we paid Enes Kanter the max.

 

[Eastoff]

The cap will be around $92M next year. The ...

Just FYI, this is such a good post, I referenced it on Reddit,

 

[Blazinaway]

We've got to keep our core together. I can see maybe losing Hendo since he can start elsewhere. But if we just keep recycling players.... and lose Crabbe and Harkless, this is going to get old real fast.

I honestly don't see Crabbe as part of our core, he'd a decent sub and no more from what he's shown, unfortunately a lot of "decent sub types", especially those who are RFA's and young and with a few teams dreamin they might become a start - some will get very overpaid. Crabbe is an overpay at 10 mil IMO, I'd much rather have Hark and Hendo, I'm ok with Crabbe at 6-7 mil per.

 

[BonesJones]

Maybe; but some desperate team might convince themselves Meyers or Crabbe is the answer for the future at SG or C. Hell we paid Enes Kanter the max.

1.) Kanter is held in a lot higher regard than Crabbe, 2.) We knew OKC would match.

And I don't think any team is dumb enough to convince themselves those 2 are the answer. That would be like us convincing ourselves Jon Lueur is the answer at PF for the future.

 

[0-Our!]

... Harkless $12 million...

THIS is a good contract for him (sign him to 4 yrs.); I'd easily pay the man this. I reminded ppl in another thread... remember he's ONLY 22! He hasn't hit his ceiling yet, he likes it here, he/chemistry w/ our guys IS awesome!

 

[0-Our!]

No chance in hell. Apocafuckinglypse.
...
Harkless:
Solomon Hill
Wesley Johnson
James Michael McAdoo...

Uuuuuuuuuummmmmmmm... NO! I'll keep Harkless thank you very much, ESPECIALLY IF ^ were my "choices."

 

[BlayZa]

so whats our FA hitlist in the middle?

Whiteside
then......
Jefferson?
Noah?
Zaza?
Hibbert?
Mahinmi
Mozgov?
Speights?

Assuming we let MEyers walk, most of these surely would be an improvement.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Umm anyone still want to refute my thought that Harkless can be our version of Draymond Green? Our work horse in the paint that cna still drive the defense outwith perimeter shooting? Maybe not the assists ( though I think he will grow), but he is a great work horse. My boss said maybe our version of Harrison Barnes, but is he a hustler in the paint?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Umm anyone still want to refute my thought that Harkless can be our version of Draymond Green? Our work horse in the paint that cna still drive the defense outwith perimeter shooting? Maybe not the assists ( though I think he will grow), but he is a great work horse. My boss said maybe our version of Harrison Barnes, but is he a hustler in the paint?

All Hail OB the OG!

Harkless is really looking good right now.

 

[STOMP]

Umm anyone still want to refute my thought that Harkless can be our version of Draymond Green?

Hail no, nothing changed. Mo still has potential, but Green remains a terrible comparison offensively as they don't play anything close to the same role on that end. Draymond operates from the perimeter primarily as a playmaker... dude has 13 triple doubles this year!

STOMP

 

[Orion Bailey]

Hail no, nothing changed. Mo still has potential, but Green remains a terrible comparison offensively as they don't play anything close to the same role on that end. Draymond operates from the perimeter primarily as a playmaker... dude has 13 triple doubles this year!

STOMP

I think too many people are missreading my posts as "IS" instead of "CAN BE".
So basically you are agreeing with me that he has the potential.

 

[B-Roy]

I think too many people are missreading my posts as "IS" instead of "CAN BE".
So basically you are agreeing with me that he has the potential.

People are saying he has potential. Just not the potential to be Draymond Green.

They don't play like each other at all. I don't see the comparison outside of them playing the same position.

 

[illmatic99]

Hail no, nothing changed. Mo still has potential, but Green remains a terrible comparison offensively as they don't play anything close to the same role on that end. Draymond operates from the perimeter primarily as a playmaker... dude has 13 triple doubles this year!

STOMP

Ya stylistically and impact wise, I can't think of a worse comparison.

Trevor Ariza, Jeff Green, Chandler Parsons, Caron Butler, Tayshaun Prince, etc... all better comparisons.

 

[STOMP]

I think too many people are missreading my posts as "IS" instead of "CAN BE".
So basically you are agreeing with me that he has the potential.

Nope, try reading again. Focus on the words... terrible comparison

STOMP

 

[Orion Bailey]

People are saying he has potential. Just not the potential to be Draymond Green.

They don't play like each other at all. I don't see the comparison outside of them playing the same position.

Nope, try reading again. Focus on the words... terrible comparison

STOMP

We shall have to agree to disagree but I don't mind, I've been in the minority but been right in the past.

I see it. He isnt the facilitator Green is, but I think he has many facets he can develop to become a similar player. Again.. NOt become Green, but OUR version of him. What WE need as a team from him in those hustle categories... much like Green.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

We shall have to agree to disagree but I don't mind, I've been in the minority but been right in the past.

I see it. He isnt the facilitator Green is, but I think he has many facets he can develop to become a similar player. Again.. NOt become Green, but OUR version of him. What WE need as a team from him in those hustle categories... much like Green.

The term I believe applies here is "glue guy"--a guy who brings a bunch of the little things that help the other parts of a team come together and work cohesively. Harkless definitely has some "glue guy" characteristics.

 

[Orion Bailey]

The term I believe applies here is "glue guy"--a guy who brings a bunch of the little things that help the other parts of a team come together and work cohesively. Harkless definitely has some "glue guy" characteristics.

Thanks PLaty! Your absolutely correct, just couldn't place my finger on the right word. This is absolutely what i'm trying to say.

 

[mook]

I might be a little ambitious in predicting Horford, having read through the comments. I assumed a lot of teams would be really leery of offering a 30 year old who really isn't a superstar a max contract. But yeah, I can see San Antonio and probably a lot of other upper echelon teams pursuing him for the same reasons I want him.

To answer the Harkless vs Greene comparison, well, it's a silly and wrongheaded comparison. But there's a good idea there--intentionally go small just like GS.

Maybe if things don't go as planned and we are stuck with a front court rotation of Hark/Plums/Davis, you start Harkless and Davis and just go small.

Maybe focus in the offseason on another 3 and D defensive 3/4 guy in the mold of Aminu?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I might be a little ambitious in predicting Horford, having read through the comments. I assumed a lot of teams would be really leery of offering a 30 year old who really isn't a superstar a max contract. But yeah, I can see San Antonio and probably a lot of other upper echelon teams pursuing him for the same reasons I want him.

To answer the Harkless vs Greene comparison, well, it's a silly and wrongheaded comparison. But there's a good idea there--intentionally go small just like GS.

Maybe if things don't go as planned and we are stuck with a front court rotation of Hark/Plums/Davis, you start Harkless and Davis and just go small.

Maybe focus in the offseason on another 3 and D defensive 3/4 guy in the mold of Aminu?

Not quite in the Aminu mold, per se, but I think Marvin Williams would be a good fit. Another 6'9" guy, but at 235 a bigger body to play the PF spot. Turns 30 this summer, but doesn't play a game reliant on athleticism. Basically shooting 40% from 3 this year, 83% from the line, and has a TS% of 58%, which would be second on this team behind Ed Davis. I doubt he would be particularly expensive, but I think he would be an excellent fit rotating with Harkless/Aminu in the 3/4 spots, and would definitely offer a lot offensively.

 

[mook]

Not quite in the Aminu mold, per se, but I think Marvin Williams would be a good fit. Another 6'9" guy, but at 235 a bigger body to play the PF spot. Turns 30 this summer, but doesn't play a game reliant on athleticism. Basically shooting 40% from 3 this year, 83% from the line, and has a TS% of 58%, which would be second on this team behind Ed Davis. I doubt he would be particularly expensive, but I think he would be an excellent fit rotating with Harkless/Aminu in the 3/4 spots, and would definitely offer a lot offensively.

I like that idea. I haven't watched Marvin play much, but those stats sound good. This league is becoming all about front court players who can hit threes.

Shit, he's 30 this year? Fuck I'm old.

 

[mook]

Anyway, looking around the league it seems 6'9 is the new 6'11. Maybe you live with one real big man, and guys like Cousins demolishing us because Cousins gets exposed on the other end any time he's not on a center. Just look at the Sacramento game--he got 30 points and the loss.

I can't wait for the Western Conference Finals this year. Set the records and everything else aside--it's going to be a matchup of traditional twin tower basketball vs Golden State most likely going most of the game with nobody over 6'9.

 

[Draco]

Anyway, looking around the league it seems 6'9 is the new 6'11. Maybe you live with one real big man, and guys like Cousins demolishing us because Cousins gets exposed on the other end any time he's not on a center. Just look at the Sacramento game--he got 30 points and the loss.

I can't wait for the Western Conference Finals this year. Set the records and everything else aside--it's going to be a matchup of traditional twin tower basketball vs Golden State most likely going most of the game with nobody over 6'9.

Perhaps that what we see; but perhaps not. Spurs played great with Boris Diaw starting in place of Duncan. People forget what an insane athlete that guy is. Guy casually beat Amare in Phoenix on jumping measurements while wearing flip flops and drinking a coffee. He played SG when he first entered the league.

The Spurs started Diaw and didn't play Duncan hardly at all in their win in San Antonio. I could see them with a similar gameplan in the playoffs. Then they could play two bigs against the Warriors bench where they don't have to worry about them being exposed defensively. Pop has played every player regular minutes this season and is literally comfortable going 15 deep so we shouldn't expect any sort of predictable rotation.

I'm excited for a heck of a series though.