Luol Deng?

[spreedom]

Confidence is a great thing, I agree, but I think getting a quality center is a much bigger priority this offseason. I'd like Deng, but I think he's going to be asking upwards of $15M per, and I just think that's too much when you can get quality role players at 1/3 that salary.

[sike]

Originally Posted by spreedom

Confidence is a great thing, I agree, but I think getting a quality center is a much bigger priority this offseason.

Like?

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by sike

Like?

Samuel Dalembert will be on the market... And Chris Kaman!

[sike]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Samuel Dalembert will be on the market... And Chris Kaman!

NOW YOU'RE TALKING!

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by sike

Like?

Monroe
Okafor
Gortat
Bosh
Pau
[insert trade target here]


I'd rather target those guys and get one of them locked up in a multi-year deal before going after another swingman. I think the so-called "three and D" guys are going to be relatively easy to get this summer... I'd rather get two of them at $3-5M each than spending three times that much on only Deng (which would still leave us without a center).

[sike]

Monroe, Bosh,Pau,Okafor would not help where we need help. Defensive Centerpiece.

If we go after Monroe, then I see it as primarily a "after Dirk" move. That doesn't mean I'm against it, but I'm not sure it really gets us all that much closer to maximizing Dirk's final two seasons of great/good play.

Originally Posted by spreedom

Monroe
Okafor
Gortat
Bosh
Pau
[insert trade target here]


I'd rather target those guys and get one of them locked up in a multi-year deal before going after another swingman. I think the so-called "three and D" guys are going to be relatively easy to get this summer... I'd rather get two of them at $3-5M each than spending three times that much on only Deng (which would still leave us without a center).

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by sike

Monroe, Bosh,Pau,Okafor would not help where we need help. Defensive Centerpiece.

If we go after Monroe, then I see it as primarily a "after Dirk" move. That doesn't mean I'm against it, but I'm not sure it really gets us all that much closer to maximizing Dirk's final two seasons of great/good play.

Okafor is unquestionably one of the top 5 defensive centers in the league.

[sike]

Originally Posted by spreedom

Okafor is unquestionably one of the top 5 defensive centers in the league.

A few seasons ago I would have been on board. But I don't see him as the answer in Dallas. If Okafor is acquired, he would need to be the second best acquisition of the off season.

Not sure Noah, Hibbert, Gasol, Drummond, A Davis, or Howard would appreciate being left out of the top 5 defensive centers. (Not to mention Serge who plays Center as well as PF now...)

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by sike

A few seasons ago I would have been on board. But I don't see him as the answer in Dallas. If Okafor is acquired, he would need to be the second best acquisition of the off season.

Not sure Noah, Hibbert, Gasol, Drummond, A Davis, or Howard would appreciate being left out of the top 5 defensive centers. (Not to mention Serge who plays Center as well as PF now...)

I don't look at Drummond or Ibaka favorably as overall defenders. Great shot blockers, yes, but they both leave a LOT to be desired in the post. And Anthony Davis plays less than half of his minutes at center. The other four guys you named (Hibbert, Gasol, Dwight, Noah) are the only 4 that I think are unquestionably better than Okafor. If any of them was available on the trade market I'd lo to add them instead. As it stand right now, though, Okafor is our best bet, unless Melo leaves the Knicks and they want to move Chandler.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by spreedom

Confidence is a great thing, I agree, but I think getting a quality center is a much bigger priority this offseason. I'd like Deng, but I think he's going to be asking upwards of $15M per, and I just think that's too much when you can get quality role players at 1/3 that salary.

I agree that center is top priority and much scarer commodity to come by. I could see Deng turning down a slightly bigger offer from a non playoff type team to sign with a team like Dallas. Also any team that gives Deng more than 12-13 per is foolish. If Chandler was deemed unworthy of that kind of contract by MBT why would deng fit the profile any better? Different circumstances thisntimemaround I guess. More financial flexibility and lingering sense of desperation. Deng is really really good but who wouldn't rather have contract whore Ariza at half the price?