The Offseason: What Should Your Team Do?

[benji]

The season ended tonight. Dirk finally cemented the legacy he deserves, Miami likely recognizes how depth wins. Other teams have come up short before tonight but have promising futures or downward spirals.

We'll have a lockout. That's clear. It could be short like 1995 or long like 1998.

We have teams we support or teams we are fascinated by in one respect or another.

So either because you support the team or because you see it as something that can be the next Memphis or whatever, what does the team need, where is out there, how can they put themselves on the right track?

We should not forget our friends who root for federal disaster areas. What might they do to move forward?

[hova-]

Well, it's tough to talk about the Mavs right now but I think it's crucial for them to keep Tyson Chandler in there. Injury-free, he is easily among the best seven centers in the league, maybe the 3rd best defensively, so you clearly want him to keep that jersey.

It's tough to talk about Barea or Stevenson. Sure, they have been great in the Finals and I'd like them to stay, but you cannot overpay these guys imho.

The most interesting thing will be Caron Butler. Resign or not? I don't know, he's a good player and fits into that team, but even without him, they were doing great and that clearly did not increase his value.

Apart from that, try to integrate Roddy B into the team (and please start running alley oop plays for him again) and hope that J-Kidd does never want to retire. The same Mavs team could do the same damage they did this year, it depends on the teams they are playing against and how they can stop them.

[Martti.]

I'm going with the Heat.

1st - Starting center. Magloire, Dampier and Ilgauskas are likely to retire or just be cut and then they'd have just Anthony and Pittman. They need a player like Anthony, only bigger. Just a defender and a solid rebounder. Samuel Dalembert would be great, he put up some awesome numbers with the Kings while coming off the bench. DeAndre Jordan is a restricted FA, he'd be great, but the Heat just don't have the cap space for it, he'll probably get more then the MLE.

2nd - Extend Chalmers + Back-up PG. House and Bibby aren't getting any younger... Chalmers has proved that he deserves that starting role, he's a solid defender and can knock down the three, only thing they need on that position with Wade and stat-whore doing most of the ball-handling. Jimmer Fredette would benefit playing on that team, just shoot that open three, but with the Heat holding only the 31st pick, it's a looooooooooooooong shot.

Not much else is needed. They made the Finals in their first year, did all right against a very good Mavericks team. With Miller and Haslem healthy all year (hopefully), they can set their rotation much earlier, and with a year of playing together under their belt, they should be fine.

Most of the rotation is under contract (Chalmers excluded), so that prevents key guys leaving, also tightens the options.

C - Dalmebert?/Anthony
F - Bosh/Haslem
F - James/Jones
G - Wade/Miller
G - Chalmers/FA, rookie

[Andrew]

The Bulls need more scoring on the wing; a shooting guard who can knock down shots consistently, particularly from three point range where they could benefit from the drive and dish game with Rose, would be ideal. I also agree with air gordon's suggestion in the Bulls thread of bringing in someone else who can handle the ball and create for the team to take pressure of Rose and afford them the luxury of not having him have to create everything all the time he's on the floor. They have Watson but his instincts make him more of a scorer.

[jonthefon]

Holy crap I don't actually care what the Mavs do right now.

But I am genuinely fascinated by how pretty much every other playoff team retools (well, apart from Atlanta, Indy and New Orleans, unless the Hornets decide that trading Chris Paul will be nice and fun). How do the Heat approach getting their role players? How does Chicago get help for Rose, or do they just need more complements to get the most out of Rose and Boozer? Do the Celtics have any chips left to push into the middle of the table? Is the Dwight thing in Orlando a real issue? What will the Knicks be like post-Donnie Walsh? And there's even more to ponder out West...

[NovU]

Basically the Heat need solution to the 1 & 5 and focus addressing on mistakes from this season. Sure the trio had a heck of first season together but the season still was somewhat disappointing in a few ways. There were too many ups and down during the regular season and definitely need to be more consistent, especially against the better teams. As for coaching, Spoeltra obviously should have learned a lot from this season but still need to work with Riley to improve himself. Riley as usual needs to get out there get us solid starters at 1 & 5.

As martti said above, Samuel would be a nice pick up, a sizeable big man yet who's not too slow on feet. Since Magloire should retire, he can be the Canadian on the team, which is a must-have ingredient for the success(stastically proven).

At point guard, it's likely that Chalmers won't comeback(or my wish). Or he might. But given how he's still young and had ability to bring impact in big games for the Heat, I believe there is going to be a team that will overpay him.

And lastly, it's not my team(but used to be) but Memphis has to come back to Vancouver.

[Jeffx]

The only hope for the Knicks is to trade James Dolan for Mark Cuban. Otherwise, forget it. Knicks fans don't want to hear the cold, hard truth, but NY will never be top tier with current ownership. Bad owners are franchise-killers.

[JaoSming]

Celtics need to find a fountain of youth and find a center they can mesh with. I don't know how this can happen but I'm sure 2K11 will allow me to add Yao to the Celtics for a championship run without injuries.

[Killer Crossover aka OG]

Celtics need to find a fountain of youth and find a center they can mesh with.

You're right JaoSming, IMO Semih Erden was a good start in thing Center

I don't know how this can happen but I'm sure 2K11 will allow me to add Yao to the Celtics for a championship run without injuries.

He is just too big and not more. Little Nate is much better

[rise]

Bobcats need to do anything possible to get Chris Paul. There was talk a couple months ago that Chris Paul might want to come to Charlotte. Trading Augustin, S-Jax, Thomas, the 19th and 39th picks, and other players for Paul and some scrubs could do it. I know this probably pretty far-fetched, but if Chris Paul's here, then would another star come? *cough*dwight*cough'?

[shadowgrin]

Evan Turner needs to not suck.
Mareese Speights needs to get more minutes instead of Spencer Hawes.
Andres Nocioni needs to die in fire.

[Doobie]

The Bulls need more scoring on the wing; a shooting guard who can knock down shots consistently, particularly from three point range where they could benefit from the drive and dish game with Rose, would be ideal. I also agree with air gordon's suggestion in the Bulls thread of bringing in someone else who can handle the ball and create for the team to take pressure of Rose and afford them the luxury of not having him have to create everything all the time he's on the floor. They have Watson but his instincts make him more of a scorer.

A name that I think of when you say a scoring shooting guard is Marcus Thorton, if I remember correctly he struggled in New Orleans this year but averaged 20 PPG in Sacramento. Also I think the Bulls should explore trading for someone like Stephen Jackson.

On the other hand.. The Knicks should fire Mike D'Antoni, but they won't. So realistically, I hope they hire a defensive assistant. Rumor has it they are going after a big (Deandre Jordan or Samuel Dalembert). I would also hope for some depth in different positions, adding maybe someone like Joel Pryzbilla, a veteran PG if available ( Is Earl Watson a free agent?). Hopefully this team gets some chemistry this off-season too.

[Mavs4Life]

Keep Tyson, but keep Butler. He can keep the team going. The Mavs are becoming an aging team, & we need are youngest players in there. There's also a part of me that wants Butler to be traded or don't even resign him & get more young talent. Don't know what the Mavs should do at this point. I just don't want a long lockout. I think they don't resign Butler & get some younger guys in. And last but not least: PLAY RODDY B.

[rise]

Keep Tyson, but keep Butler. He can keep the team going. The Mavs are becoming an aging team, & we need are youngest players in there. There's also a part of me that wants Butler to be traded or don't even resign him & get more young talent. Don't know what the Mavs should do at this point. I just don't want a long lockout. I think they don't resign Butler & get some younger guys in. And last but not least: PLAY RODDY B.

They have to keep Barea and Stevenson as well. I don't think they would be where they are if it weren't for those two. Same with Chandler. However Butler, isn't young anymore. He's 31 and he peaked a good two or three years ago. They should go after a younger guy like Shannon Brown or JR Smith.

Then at the trade deadline next Feb., swing a trade for Grant Hill and Steve Nash so that they win rings.

adding maybe someone like Joel Pryzbilla

Please. Take him off our hands.

Evan Turner needs to not suck.
Mareese Speights needs to get more minutes instead of Spencer Hawes.
Andres Nocioni needs to die in fire.

This.

[Mavs4Life]

Well, I think out of the veterans, he may have a litle bet left in him. JR is a good idea.

[Axel The Great]

Rockets: A center with good size, and PLEASE make the FUCKING INJURIES GO AWAY!!!!!!!

Chuck Hayes has done an exceptional job the past couple years at the 5, but he's way too undersized. To me, he's not a starter, more of an energy player off the bench (somewhat similar to Joel Anthony).

The only legit center (and by legit, I mean good size) we have is Hasheem Thabeet, and like the Grizzlies' gamble at taking him number 2 overall, the Rockets also gambled by trading for him. Right now, the only way he can contribute is with his six fouls and just being a big body to clog the lane and get a few blocked shots. I don't have much confidence that Yao will make a good recovery, and if he does, he will be half the player he used to be at best. Kevin McHale and the coaching staff have a lot on their plates with Thabeet's development.

In the draft, it'd be wise to draft a young center, with good size and wingspan, as I said above. Ideally, if Jonas Valanciunas was passed up by the 13 other teams before the Rockets that would be huge. He'll probably just need to add a little more weight to have competent strength on defense.

Other than the center spot, we're pretty much set at every other position. At PG, we've got Lowry and Dragic, two great scorers and passers who give energy on the boards and on defense. At SG, K-Mart and Lee can score very well, while Lee adds the defensive energy off the bench. At SF, Chase Budinger had good 20+ point games after Battier left, but I thought he was fairly incosistent at times, and there's also Terrence Williams (who harldy played this season) off the bench. And at the four, there's the ever-so-solid Luis Scola, along with last year's draft steal Patrick Patterson, and of course, Jordan Hill.

Pretty good depth at each position if you ask me, and if the Rockets can stay healthy (that's the biggest key for next season), they should be able to make the playoffs as a 6, 7, or 8 seed.

[Cruzerr]

Cavs: All goes down to the draft picks. These two draft picks could be a huge start for our rebuilding process, pretty sure that we are going with Irving-Leonard/Kanter, but hoping for Williams-Knight/Walker combo.

[Sauru]

As unpopular as my opinion has been on this I believe the Celtics need to trade away 2 of the old 3. Ray allen is the guy I would like to keep from a basketball standpoint but for his loyalty I would probably let pierce retire a celtic, he earned that. Not sure what they could get for kg anymore but anything is better than him just hanging it up in a year or 2 and getting nothing. The Celtics wont be good enough to win it all next season imo so it times to start thinking about the future.

Also is it legal to lock rondo up in gym and tell him he cant leave til he learns how to shoot?

You know if rondo could shoot the Celtics might not need to do anything outside of getting a couple bigs for next season but I don’t see it happening.

All in all I don’t see any of this happening so I expect to watch the Celtics lose in the second round again next season

[Patr1ck]

Clippers need to trade Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon who will cost too much and aren't really leaders for the top 5 draft picks, then draft for each starting position and develop them for 7 straight years to finally win a championship.

[Sideshow Bob]

Cavs need to start trading and rebuild.Starting with Antwan Jamison & Anthony Parker i'd say trade them to Tdot for Derozen & Weems then draft Derrick Williams & Knight have all around athletic team Him and JJ should play along great..Other option trade up for another high pick(besides 1st and 4th) and maybe Draft Kawahi for the 2 guard spot.
Lineup:
Brandon Knight
Kawahi Leonard
???????? ????????(maybe Travis Leslie)
Derrick Williams
JJ Hickson

[john26]

Raptors need to start trading and rebuild. Starting with Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon I'd say trade them to Cleveland for the first and fourth pick.

[|)e8*]

Nets: get dwight

[Lamrock]

Dump Roy with the Amnesty Clause
Sign Oden to the Qualifying Offer
Pick up Andre Miller's option
Sign Joel Przybilla again for the minimum
Draft best available PG with first rounders, NBA ready big men in second round
Pray

[[Q]]

2nd - Extend Chalmers + Back-up PG. House and Bibby aren't getting any younger... Chalmers has proved that he deserves that starting role, he's a solid defender and can knock down the three, only thing they need on that position with Wade and stat-whore doing most of the ball-handling.

lol chalmers is the weak link imo. eddie house was instant offense when he came into game 6 and mario is a 2nd/3rd pg at best in this league. even arroyo > chalmers. there's a reason why no one covered him at the end of the game for that tying 3. a healthy mike miller will also prove to be useful as he can handle the ball a bit. they need to play the "video game lineup" with wade, miller, and lebron all starting at the 1, 2 & 3.

and about dallas, they got a problem with Roddy B. he will be good someday, but with 2 PGs in front of him (and Terry), he won't get much PT even when healthy. I think resigning Caron would really help, as it would allow them to start him instead of Stevenson and money is really no object to Mark Cuban

[air gordon]

A name that I think of when you say a scoring shooting guard is Marcus Thorton, if I remember correctly he struggled in New Orleans this year but averaged 20 PPG in Sacramento..

he would be a great pickup. problem is Sacto has a lot of cap space to resign him

Also I think the Bulls should explore trading for someone

The bulls also need another SF who can defend. Thibbs ran Deng into the ground during the playoffs. I don't know if Rasual Butler is that guy or maybe even Ronnie Brewer if bulks up even more. maybe Deng is more effective if he isn't playing 45 mins a game guarding LeJames Bron