The Next Move?
Now that they made it pretty clear that they want Brand or at least someone like him, by offering Elton 5 years at $90M, this tells me that they're still trying to win now. Brand is 29 years old and is coming off an injury plagued season, so it would be a big gamble, but one I wouldn't mind seeing them take. Brand, when healthy, is one of the best power forwards in the league if not the best. He's a career 20 and 10 guy to go along with 2 blocks per game. A career 50% field goal percentage is impressive in itself. What can this team do, if they land Brand, to insure instant success?
1.Monta at the point isn't going to do it and his camp will be asking for max dollars which for a 3 year player, is $9M or 25% of the cap. Thats a lot of money to give to someone who they're not sure can run the point on a full time basis. His best position is the shooting guard position but lets get out of this small ball thing. Sign and trade Ellis along with Al Harrington to the Miami Heat for Shawn Marion and Daquan Cook. An Ellis, Wade, Jackson and Beasley line up should produce playoffs for the Heat in the East.
2. Offer Chris Duhon a chance start and 3 years for $12M. Thats much better than what the Knicks are offering. Duhon is a tough point guard that can run a team and won't look to shoot much. Getting a chance to start could spark lots of interest for him.
3. Bring back Watson and Azubuike for depth.
Line up:
PG Duhon / Watson
SG Jackson / Azubuike / Cook
SF Marion / Randolph
PF Brand / Wright
C Biedrins / Hendrix
That is one potent front court that should dominate most front courts in the league. This could be the best rebounding team in the league a long with shots blocked.
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