[ESPN] Offseason Blueprint: Move Makers

J.R. · Jun 26, 2010

ESPN will be doing "Offseason Blueprint" for all 30 teams. Teams are divided up into 6 categories:

BIG SPENDERS(New York, Chicago, Miami, New Jersey): They're all after LeBron James and other max-contract free agents. But what other plans do they have up their sleeves?

SIGN-AND-TRADERS(Phoenix, Toronto, Atlanta): With big name free agents likely walking away, these teams will have to scramble to get something in return.

MOVE MAKERS(Philadelphia, Cleveland, New Orleans, Utah, Sacramento, Dallas, San Antonio, Minnesota): They don't have the cap room to sign a big-time free agent, but they'll actively seek major trades.

CHANGE AGENTS (6/28)(Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit, Golden State, Washington): The acquisitions don't have to be big, but these teams are looking to make changes just for change's sake.

ACCESSORIZERS (6/29)(Charlotte, Milwaukee, Memphis, Indiana, Houston, Oklahoma City): These teams are targeting particular areas of need, which they could address through niche free agents or clever trades.

VESTED TEAMS (6/30)(Portland, Boston, Orlando, Denver): Their rosters are largely locked in, so these teams need to find unusual ways to improve as they chase a title next season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5323398&addata=2009_insdr_mod_nba_xxx_xxx

Next are the "Move Makers"

Offseason Blueprint: Move Makers
These teams can't sign big-time free agents, but they'll actively seek major trades
By Chris Broussard and Ric Bucher

Cleveland Cavaliers
By Chris Broussard

Objective: Keep LeBron James.

Assets: James in a sign-and-trade deal or roughly $4 million in cap space if he walks.

The Plan: The Cavaliers' dream scenario is to complete a sign-and-trade for Chris Bosh. That would finally give James a perennial All-Star teammate and keep him in Cleveland. For this to work, the Cavs need Bosh to tell Toronto that Cleveland is the place he wants to be. This will mean that, in order to get something in return for Bosh, the Raptors will have to work a deal with the Cavs.

The Cavaliers would give the Raptors whatever they wanted, and it would probably be a package of Anderson Varejao, J.J. Hickson, Delonte West and either Jamario Moon or Anthony Parker, whichever one Toronto wants. The Cavs would rather keep Hickson, but if they have to give him up to keep The Franchise, they'll obviously do it.

Right now, Bosh isn't necessarily willing to force his way to the Cavs. He's open to joining LeBron in Cleveland, but it's not yet his top choice. If the Cavs can't get Bosh, or some other top-flight player, like Joe Johnson, they may not have enough talent to keep LeBron from leaving for greener pastures.

Alternative Advice: The Bosh scenario is clearly the best-case for the Cavs. If they pull that off, they should also try to sign Ray Allen for the midlevel exception. Boston may be willing to give Allen the midlevel as well, but the Cavs should give him four years, which should trump the Celtics' offer and convince Allen to go to Cleveland.

If the Cavs could find a way to get Chris Paul from New Orleans, that would also keep James in Cleveland. But that isn't very likely. It'll take much more than the Cavs can offer to get Paul, and since he's under contract for at least two more years, he can't force a sign-and-trade.
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Dallas Mavericks
By Chris Broussard

Objective: Re-sign Dirk Nowitzki and reshape the roster in an attempt to bring the Mavericks their first title.

Assets: Erick Dampier's non-guaranteed contract, worth $13 million this upcoming season.

The Plan: While the Mavericks don't have cap space, Cuban is eyeing LeBron, a noted Cowboys fan who would consider playing in Dallas. Of course, re-signing Nowitzki is the first step, since LeBron wouldn't go to Dallas without Dirk being there. There's no reason to think the Mavericks won't come to an agreement on a contract extension with Nowitzki.

To get James, the Mavericks have to put together a plan so enticing that he forces Cleveland to do a sign-and-trade with Dallas. While the Mavs have plenty of talent and depth, most of it is older and unlikely to move the Cavaliers. Promising point guard Roddy Beaubois, whom the Mavericks would love to keep, would certainly have to be a part of the package. Dallas' best chance is most likely concocting a complicated three-team deal. But, all things considered, getting LeBron is more wishful thinking than a good possibility.

Alternative Advice: Re-sign Nowitzki, let Beaubois start over Jason Kidd, attempt to trade Dampier's contract for Joe Johnson or Amare Stoudemire (with assurances that Stoudemire will play center) and re-sign Brendan Haywood for frontcourt depth, defense and shot-blocking.
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Minnesota Timberwolves
By Ric Bucher

Objective: Add a dynamic wing player.

Assets: $11 million in cap space, two sub-million trade exceptions.

The Plan: GM David Kahn insists the first NBA uniform Ricky Rubio wears will be Minnesota's, so don't consider him as trade bait to land the go-to perimeter scorer the Timberwolves desperately need. While the team hyped Corey Brewer as a Most Improved Player candidate, they know he's not the answer. They offered Al Jefferson to a variety of teams asking for a player and a draft pick and got no takers.

Since they're not on the radar of any top-flight free agent scorer, the only feasible use of their cap space is to use it to unburden a team looking to move a high-priced scorer for financial relief; Andre Iguodala, Monta Ellis, Richard Jefferson and Richard Hamilton are all available via trade for that reason. But the sticky part is that coach Kurt Rambis wants to run the Triangle at least some of the time and, outside of Hamilton, none of the above is suited for it.

After taking Wesley Johnson with the No. 4 pick it appears the Timberwolves will continue their slow-growth approach.

Alternative Advice: Move Al Jefferson to one of the teams with cap room that strikes out in free agency. Don't worry about getting equal value back because a seven-figure trade exception is sure to have great worth come the trade deadline as teams scramble to get under the luxury tax or make a push for that last piece to snare a title. Also, dismantle the Triangle, at least for now. It only works with a go-to scorer who can play within a system and then create his own shot when the system fails -- and you don't have one. You're only ticking off Jonny Flynn, who isn't built to play in it. And Rubio isn't, either, if he ever dons a Timberwolves uniform.
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New Orleans Hornets
By Ric Bucher

Objective: Avoid the luxury tax while upgrading the team's talent to keep Chris Paul happy.

The Plan: While speculation has either Paul asking out or the Hornets moving him and building around cheaper and younger PG Darren Collison, league sources say the Hornets are willing to give Collison to a team willing to take one of their cap-killing contracts (Peja Stojakovic, James Posey or Emeka Okafor). As is, they're projected to be as much as $17 million over the cap, and there are no postseason guarantees in the brutally competitive West.

Alternative Advice: Be bold and deal Paul now, while the market is rich with teams desperate for a makeover and/or prove to their fan base they created cap room to improve, not just save money. Moving $25 million in salary isn't easy, but any number of teams -- the Blazers, Nets, Mavs, Clippers -- would take on one of the aforementioned fat contracts and give up some young, cheap talent if it meant getting Paul.

Truth is the Hornets were an entertaining, competitive team without CP3 for most of this season. If, say, they offered Paul and Stojakovic for Chris Kaman and Blake Griffin, wouldn't the Clippers have to think about it? And wouldn't it make the Hornets a playoff lock? Bottom line: Make Paul available and the opportunity to be competitive and fiscally viable becomes immediately attainable.
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http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/news/story?id=5327733

J.R. · Jun 26, 2010

Philadelphia 76ers
By Ric Bucher

Objective: Slash payroll by $10 million to avoid the luxury tax.

Assets: No. 2 pick (used to draft Evan Turner).

The Plan: GM Ed Stefanski isn't interested in dealing his young talent as much as he is in building a tougher, more professional culture around it. Replacing head coach Eddie Jordan with stickler-for-detail Doug Collins, and trading mercurial center Samuel Dalembert for hardnosed Andres Nocioni, were the first steps. Sources say the Sixers considered dealing Andre Iguodala to the Clippers at the trade deadline; when it comes to moveable contracts that would provide cap relief, Iguodala is probably their best option.

Alternative Advice: Hold on to Iguodala until the free-agent market shakes out and then see what the have-nots are offering for him. Iguodala would be a welcome consolation prize in Miami, Chicago or New York. The draft wasn't strong enough to have dealt him simply to add another young piece. Better approach: deal him for a young, talented free agent ready to bolt a team with massive cap space. Getting Wizards guard Randy Foye in a sign-and-trade for Iguodala would be a perfect example, if feasible. Iguodala would give rookie John Wall a great running mate and the Sixers would get a potential starting point guard and cap relief.
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Sacramento Kings
By Chris Broussard

Objective: Build around young star Tyreke Evans while being fiscally prudent.

Assets: $19.2 million worth of salary cap space.

The Plan: After drafting DeMarcus Cousins with the fifth pick of Thursday's draft, the Kings already have several nice pieces in place. Now it's time to sit back and watch it develop, similar to what Oklahoma City has done, while adding complementary pieces here and there. If Cousins can mature and avoid the potential pitfalls that scared off many teams, Sacramento could have one of the most potent inside-outside combos in the league in Evans and Cousins. Newly-acquired center Samuel Dalembert is a great add on the court (he provides interior help defensively) and off (his contract expires after this season).

Alternative Advice: Stocked with young talent up front, the Kings need to add a shooter to play off Evans. They should try to sign a young sharpshooter, such as J.J. Redick or Anthony Morrow. If they can't get one of them, go for Jason Kapono.
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San Antonio Spurs
By Chris Broussard

Objective: Add a talented young player who's good -- and experienced -- enough to take their aging stars to the next level.

Assets: A trade exception worth $825,497.

The Plan: With Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Richard Jefferson all under contract for eight-figure salaries next season, the Spurs can't rebuild. Yet, they aren't good enough to win a title as currently constructed. With George Hill ready to take over as the starting point guard, the Spurs may have to use Parker as trade bait to improve the club. While Parker struggled with injuries this past season, at 28 years old he's still one of the league's most effective point guards when healthy. The fact that he's in the last year of a deal that will pay him $13.5 million next season will make it easier to trade him. Same goes for Jefferson, who is slated to make $15 million next season in the last year of his deal. Jefferson, however, probably won't be able to be moved until the trade deadline. With Parker available, there are all types of possibilities.

The Spurs clearly need another impact player up front. But that need could be filled by 6-foot-11 forward Tiago Splitter, the MVP of the Spanish League who finally seems poised to join the Spurs after being drafted in 2007.

Alternative Advice: Why not offer Jefferson to Memphis in a sign-and-trade for Rudy Gay? Jefferson's expiring contract may appeal to the financially struggling Grizzlies, and Gay would be a lovely fit, game-wise and personality-wise, in San Antonio. If the Spurs can couple that with a Parker-for-David Lee sign-and-trade, they could be in business.
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Utah Jazz
By Chris Broussard

Objective: Continue improving without continuing to pay the luxury tax.

Assets: With six free agents, most notably, Carlos Boozer, sign-and-trade possibilities exist. For the time being, Jazz have $1.3 million of cap space.

The Plan: While no one has ruled out the possibility of Boozer returning to Utah, it's highly unlikely. As productive as he's been, Boozer's history of injuries and inability to lead the Jazz to consistent title contention will likely lead the Jazz to save their money. Utah believes it can reach the first or second round of the playoffs, which is where Boozer typically tends to lead them, without paying him $13 million or more per year. Paul Millsap can step in and fill Boozer's shoes admirably, but Utah's biggest need, especially with Boozer on his way out, is still size up front.

Alternative Advice: Stand pat, Utah. Sign surprising young guard Wesley Matthews (or other solid players who meet various needs) to moderate deals, but let Boozer walk. Now that you've drafted Gordon Hayward, you don't have to re-sign Kyle Korver. Andrei Kirilenko's burdensome contract expires after next season, and that will give the Jazz room to pursue free agents who could help take them to the next level in 2011.
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http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/news/story?id=5327733

TheresTheDagger · Jun 26, 2010

Its almost like ESPN is doing everything they can to downplay Houston's willingness and desire to be a player in FA this year.

Everything Morey has done over the past year has set us up to make a move yet we can't even make the "move makers" list?

Garbage article.

DaDakota · Jun 26, 2010

TheresTheDagger said:

Its almost like ESPN is doing everything they can to downplay Houston's willingness and desire to be a player in FA this year.

Everything Morey has done over the past year has set us up to make a move yet we can't even make the "move makers" list?

Garbage article.
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Perhaps, but in order for Morey to be able to make a move would require one of those guys or two of them to WANT to come to Houston.

I think Yao's situation probably eliminates the Rockets from any consideration.

DD

dragonz · Jun 26, 2010

TheresTheDagger said:

Its almost like ESPN is doing everything they can to downplay Houston's willingness and desire to be a player in FA this year.

Everything Morey has done over the past year has set us up to make a move yet we can't even make the "move makers" list?

Garbage article.
Click to expand...

It's not downplaying, it's called being realistic.

dakeem1 · Jun 26, 2010

hsf09 said:

ACCESSORIZERS (6/29)(Charlotte, Milwaukee, Memphis, Indiana, Houston, Oklahoma City): These teams are targeting particular areas of need, which they could address through niche free agents or clever trades.

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Don't get our panties in a twist. If you check the descriptiion on accesorizers, it makes sense. So many CFers have said they believe we do not need as big changes and onnnly need to fil our needs now. This category resses that.

Don't be put off by the fact we are in the same cat as MIL, MEM and IND. That doesn't mean that this is the weak cat. OKC is also in this cat and have a great front office like us. ACCESSORIZERS means we have the team makeup there and just needs certain roles filled.

meh · Jun 26, 2010

dakeem1 said:

Don't get our panties in a twist. If you check the descriptiion on accesorizers, it makes sense. So many CFers have said they believe we do not need as big changes and onnnly need to fil our needs now. This category resses that.
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Fortunately for the Rockets, CFers don't run the franchise, Daryl Morey does.

And Daryl Morey wants big changes. He doesn't even bother making it a secret.

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