15th Roster Spot?

[The Red Viper]

Has to be a backup center I think.

Our two biggest roster holes now are at backup center and backup point guard. Of those two, backup center seems like the greater priority.

Griffin looks like he is on target here.

Yes. There are hardly any decent point guards available anyway. So, instead of going for some psuedo-point guard, its better to go for someone like Jermaine O'Neal or Sammy Dalembert who started games in last season's playoffs. I would prefer Jermaine O'Neal because of his experience but Dalembert won't be a bad option either.

 

[SteelSmack]

Jermaine O'Neal is my bet.

 

[*L-Train*]

i wouldn't mind Jameer Nelson but i'm not sure how realistic that is. he has 2 years left on his contract, that might complicate a potential buy-out

 

[The Red Viper]

Unless its someone like Ray Allen, I don't see any reason why a back-up point guard should be a priority over a back-up center. Whoever comes won't be handling the ball much. One of LeBron or Kyrie will always be on the floor and if they aren't one of Shumpert or JR Smith would be primary ball handler. Also, there are more than enough options who could play in the back court but as a centre only two in Mozgov and TT. If one of is is out for few days, its squeaky bum time.

 

[Andrew]

His bro, man!

 

[kovanovich]

A good point that more players will be available later in the year on the buy-out market, but that won't be till early March, and Griffin sort of signaled they he would be looking to fill out their roster sooner than that.

My preference would be Dalembert. Legitimate center size. Didn't fit in the pseudo-Triangle in NY. Was still a decent player last year in Dallas. Have to think at 33 with no real injury history he still has something in the tank.

Second choice may actually be Jeff Adrien. Has always been productive. With Mozgov on the roster, need for a true center is less urgent. Could he perform the enforcer role that Richfield and others have been calling for? He's always been willing to take a foul.

Jermaine O'Neal. I would be fine adding him, but I think he will end up in Dallas, and if not there then GSW.

Ray Allen. I just don't think there is room for another SG on this team.

Kenyon Martin. On 10 day contract with Milwaukee. I'd consider him if he doesn't re-sign.

Nate Wolters. One problem is he is not a good shooter.

Emeka Okafor. I don't think he will play this year.

 

[Kris032]

I guess we are going to get a backup big, o'neal or dalembert. We have enough players who can shoot the ball, so i guess allen would be out.

regarding the backup PG depth, i guess we will be filling this next year seeing that there are no reliable FA pg in the market who can handle the point that well and shoot at a respectable clip. I've been thinking about this since the other day and given the connection Griffin has with him, i guess he will try to lure Steve nash to come here if Steve decided to try it for one more season. I know he said that this year will be his last, but i have feeling that he might change his mind seeing that he went out pretty bad and what happen to him during his time with the lakers. I mean for Vet min and probably 10-12 mins a game with the 2nd unit, it would be great. I am banking on the fact that his shooting will still be intact and his playmaking skill is still reliable. Plus, i want Nash to get even 1 ring. The guy deserve it.

 

[spydy13]

Griffin sort of signaled they he would be looking to fill out their roster sooner than that.

I'm all for getting this roster overhaul done at the same time. That will make becoming cohesive a lot easier.

 

[Omar The Horse]

In all likelihood it has to be a big.

I don't trust Blatt when it comes to limiting minutes.

He'd try to have Mozgov averaging 46 minutes a game with an IV attached to his arm.

 

[gourimoko]

Ray Allen...

I was opposed to the idea when we still had Waiters; but since we're not interested in developing talent, I'd like to see Allen on the team and getting ample minutes behind Shumpert.

But if and only if he's willing to join the team NOW, and not after the All-Star break. Otherwise, I'd take one of the remaining bigs.

 

[Stark]

Ray Allen...

I was opposed to the idea when we still had Waiters; but since we're not interested in developing talent, I'd like to see Allen on the team and getting ample minutes behind Shumpert.

But if and only if he's willing to join the team NOW, and not after the All-Star break. Otherwise, I'd take one of the remaining bigs.

Just curious, why would you rather add another shooting wing when we already have LeBron, Harris, Miller, Jones, Marion, Smith, and Shumpert over there as opposed to another big guy where we only have Tristan, Love, Mozgov, and Haywood? I'd rather get extra security there then on the wings, especially given Love and Haywood's injury histories.

 

[tonyn]

Ivan johnson. Exactly who this team needs. Can get him cheap. Real impact player. Brings alot of inside toughness.

 

[gourimoko]

Just curious, why would you rather add another shooting wing when we already have LeBron, Harris, Miller, Jones, Marion, Smith, and Shumpert over there as opposed to another big guy where we only have Tristan, Love, Mozgov, and Haywood? I'd rather get extra security there then on the wings, especially given Love and Haywood's injury histories.

I don't have faith that JR Smith will do anything. Shump doesn't bring offense, and that's one of the several reasons New York was willing to give him away for nothing.

Again, these guys could turn it on this year; but Ray Allen has played with LeBron, and is instant offense off the bench.

I was against bringing him here because I wanted to develop Dion Waiters; but with that out of the window, things change. Shumpert doesn't need to take shots; and he won't demand touches. He'll play defense, and act as a reliable backup PG when needed.

But we still need a 4th or 5th offensively talented player, and I'm not willing to include JR Smith in that just yet.

 

[Pioneer10]

If we're not getting a C (i.e. Dalembert or JON) then I'd take a flyer on Glen Rice Jr. He's got a lot of pure talent and good jumper to go along with size and athleticism on the wing.

 

[BimboColesHair]

I don't have faith that JR Smith will do anything. Shump doesn't bring offense, and that's one of the several reasons New York was willing to give him away for nothing.

Again, these guys could turn it on this year; but Ray Allen has played with LeBron, and is instant offense off the bench.

I was against bringing him here because I wanted to develop Dion Waiters; but with that out of the window, things change. Shumpert doesn't need to take shots; and he won't demand touches. He'll play defense, and act as a reliable backup PG when needed.

But we still need a 4th or 5th offensively talented player, and I'm not willing to include JR Smith in that just yet.

He's bringing essentially the same amount of offense Dion was bringing this year. I love Dion, but I think you are short changing Shumpert here a bit:

9.3 ppg, 3.3 apg, 3.4 rpg, 26 mpg, 9 fga per game, 40.9% from the floor, 34.8% from 3
10.5 ppg, 2.2 apg, 1.7 apg, 23.8 mpg, 10.4 fga per game, 40.4% from the floor, 25.6% from 3

And I wouldn't exactly call Shump old, so why are you not willing to be patient and develop him but you were willing to develop Dion who is all of 1.5 years younger? The injury questions with him?