let me outline the problem ive basically said existed since 2004.
AJ, Allen Ray might be 6'2. He and guys like Jason Terry arent going to be ideal for this team because in order to be contenders we need a guy that can drain threes (be a secondary scorer) and be the number one defensive stopper. Can Allen Ray do that?
Why do you ask. Well Andre Miller is your point guard. Are you going to put him on Kobe, or Ray Allen? Maybe have him guard Paul Pierce? No, you arent.
What about Carmelo. He's your bread and butter. You cant have that guy getting into foul trouble trying to guard those type of players.
Now Gilbert Arenas wanted to play for this team when he was a free agent. Kiki never even met with him. If we had Gilbert, a defensive stopper guy alone would probably work out much better on this team. However, Kiki went with Andre Miller. Now I recognize that he is a good player, and does a lot of things right. But a complete backcourt change may be in order to take denver to the next level.
The problem is we cant find that perfect shooting guard out there. The guys available like JR Smith and Jamal Crawford, arent the perfect SG, however JR sure has potiental.
The three major players Id put on the block this summer are Kenyon Martin, obviously Nene, Andre Miller. And you can only trade Earl Boykins, if you can find another big time scorer to come off the bench. I recognize that people dont necessarily like the poisionous frog, but you cant take him off the roster without replacing him with somebody.
And for all of you that think Dermarr Johnson is the scoring answer off the bench. No, get over it, his career as a decent player basically ended when he fell asleep behind the wheel of a car.
For those of you who want to know how to replace Andre Miller. I would eventually look to the draft if you want to replace him. Let me first outline a couple prospects that are going to be drafted outside the lottery, but could fit in with this team.
First is temple guard Mardy Collins. You are going to get a lot of the same things out of Mardy that youre getting out of Andre. Mardy is a good passer. Played 40 minutes a game for temple. Very durable. Very undercontrol, no show in his game. Improved 3 point shooting, will be better than Andre Miller from outside probably, but he's going to have to improve it to hit it consistently from NBA range.
At 6'6 this guy can play defense. Unlike Andre Miller, ideally with Collins you could put him on the other team's best wing.
Kyle Lowry from Villanova is another young player I like, but he isnt ready let. With Kyle you will need a larger two guard to play along side him. This guy could be a great run and gun passing PG in the league in a few years, and will be a good on the ball defender and get you a lot of steals. But this guy cant shoot a lick. Dont expect this guy to be nailing jumpers, without improvement in that area. This guy is much faster than Andre Miller, but he wont be your secondary scorer. Late first round pick
Darius Washington from Memphis also declared for the nba draft. I have to admit, he isnt ready, but this guy is going to be great in the nba. if he stays in it will be because he got a first round commitment. He is worth a first round commitment, but he probably should stay in another year. Darius is just talented. He can score, he can pass, he can play defense. Kind of the whole package type player, Will guard PGs, but you dont want him on a larger wing.
I know everyone is thinking if we get first round picks draft a SG, but there are going to be some talented PGs available in the late first round, and if you trade Andre Miller this summer, one of these guys would be an ideal replacement.
But of course I realize these young guys are rookies, so youd have to bring in a PG to mentor them ideally, Speedy Claxton, Sam Cassell, or Anthony Johnson (l like this guy)
There is one SG that I believe would meet our needs and is nba ready from the draft. Thats Rodney Carney, you could basically plug him in the two slot for next year.
As for other draft prospects if Leon Powe is in the 2nd round, we need to nab him. Dee Brown also could be available in the 2nd round. Taj Gray will be available And of course my favs Justin Williams and James White.
Getting picks in this draft is important IMO.
But with guys like Andre Miller, Kenyon Martin, and Nene on the block, your going to get good players in return. Keep in mind Melo wants to keep Nene. So that basically means to improve this team you may really need to shop Martin and Miller.
Well ill toss out a senerio, i doubt people will like it, but ill do it anyways. You could send KMart to Houston for Stromile Swift (who played so bad because he doesnt fit the Houston system, he fits better with denver) and two retiring players, and a first round pick.
Houston Trade Breakdown
Stromile Swift
6-9 PF from Louisiana State
8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.4 apg in 20.4 minutes
Bob Sura
6-5 from Florida State
No games yet played in 2005/06
Dikembe Mutombo
7-2 C from Georgetown
2.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 0.1 apg in 14.9 minutes
Incoming
Kenyon Martin
6-9 PF from Cincinnati
12.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.4 apg in 27.6 minutes
Change in team outlook: +1.4 ppg,
-2.9 rpg, and +0.9 apg.
Denver Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Kenyon Martin
6-9 PF from Cincinnati
12.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.4 apg in 27.6 minutes
Incoming:
Stromile Swift
6-9 PF from Louisiana State
8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.4 apg in 20.4 minutes
Bob Sura
6-5 from Florida State
No games yet played in 2005/06
Dikembe Mutombo
7-2 C from Georgetown
2.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 0.1 apg in 14.9 minutes
Change in team outlook:
-1.4 ppg, +2.9 rpg, and
-0.9 apg
We could send Andre north of the border, because Toronto will need to replace Mike James. We could send Miller to the Raps for an expiring deal, morris peterson, and a first round pick
Denver Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Andre Miller
6-2 PG from Utah
13.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 8.2 apg in 35.9 minutes
Incoming
Morris Peterson
6-7 SG from Michigan State
16.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.3 apg in 38.3 minutes
Eric Williams
6-8 SF from Providence
3.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.5 apg in 12.7 minutes
Change in team outlook: +6.4 ppg, +2.2 rpg, and
-5.4 apg.
Toronto Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Morris Peterson
6-7 SG from Michigan State
16.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.3 apg in 38.3 minutes
Eric Williams
6-8 SF from Providence
3.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.5 apg in 12.7 minutes
Incoming
Andre Miller
6-2 PG from Utah
13.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 8.2 apg in 35.9 minutes
Change in team outlook:
-6.4 ppg,
-2.2 rpg, and +5.4 apg.
Successful Scenario , Williams has an expiring deal, and Toronto includes 1st rounder. Due to Denver and Toronto being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Denver and Toronto had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Then you can make Melo happy and resign both Nene and Reggie "Ball grabber" Evans
Camby
Nene
Anthony
Morris Peterson
Cassell, Speedy Claxton, Anthony Johnson (one of those three with your mle) plus you can draft a PG listed above with one of the picks you trade for.
Much improved bench
Swift, Reggie Evans, Najera, Patterson, Buckner, Boykins, Williams, 2nd yr guys, rookies
I see that roster playing together much better. You get Kenyon out of the picture. The Andre trade cant come back to bit you when you send him to canada. Plus I like Peterson, he can strech the defense around Anthony, and defend PP, Kobe, Allen etc.
Plus, if you fire Kiki, and draft well, you could snag a guy like Mardy Collins, who could come in and start at PG right away. if he did, youd have a tall team starting
6'11. 6'11, 6'8, 6'7, 6'6
Carney happens to be 6'7 too. He'd be a nice tall two guard.
Just something to think about.