I was thinking about LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Love situations. I think it could create a few good opportunities for us, depending on where they go.
OPTION 1. San Antonio.
I think the Spurs are the perfect team for Aldridge, and there were rumors that they might go after him. If they do, they will need to dump either Boris Diaw or Splitter. Diaw would be much harder to move. So,
Raptors get Tiago Splitter for cap space.
What Splitter does for this team... Defense, rebounding. Splitter is not elite at any one aspect of defense, but he's one of the most versatile defensive bigs in the league. You are facing a good low post scorer? Splitter has length and plays hard enough to bother them. You are facing a great pick and pop shooter / stretch 4? Splitter is quick enough to hedge and recover on these guys. Only a handful of players in the league can do it.
Splitter could be the backup behind Jonas, and I think he would work fine with Jonas. He provides no shooting, but I think his defensive value outweighs it. Besides, he can be very effective offensively as a pick and roll big... IF this team can be smart enough to utilize that.
OPTION 2. Houston.
If Love or Aldridge decide to go to Houston, Houston will need to dump Ariza's contract. So,
Ariza, Motiejunas, Prigioni, Dorsey for cap space
Well, this feels a bit too greedy. I guess the Raptors might have to add some pick into this. Or maybe Houston gets desperate and they just take this deal.
The Raptors get a 3D veteran in Ariza on a reasonable enough contract, considering his play last year. But probably the real prize is Motiejunas. He has developed well, and he looks like a solid young starting PF now. He can shoot some, he moves the ball. If the other team goes small, he can take the smaller guy into the post and punish him. He's in the right spots defensively. I think he doesn't really make you better defensively, but he doesn't make you worse either.
OPTION 3. Minnesota.
This has nothing to do with Love or Aldridge. The Wolves seem to be trying to dump some salaries. Maybe they are looking to sign a few role players and make a run at the playoffs. So,
Gorgui Dieng, Anthony Bennett, Chase Budinger for Terrence Ross and cap space.
This is probably wishful thinking. But the Wolves do gain something like 9 mil of cap space. Ross is a shooter, which is an area of need for them. Gorgui Dieng MIGHT be expendable now that they've drafted Towns.
The Raptors get Gorgui Dieng. I think he's at the very least a very nice 3rd big on a playoff team. BUT I think there's a chance that he develops into our starting PF. He needs to increase his shooting range a little. And he improved his shooting a little compared to last year, so maybe that could happen. Otherwise, there's a lot to like here. He rebounds, challenges shots, he's pretty mobile, long, he plays hard. He's a solid passer and will find the open guy if he grabs a rebound or what not.
If he stays who he is, then he's still a very good piece to have, and I think worth sacrificing that cap space and Ross for one year. If he improves a little bit, then you have the long term starting PF.
Anthony Bennett and Chase Budinger are just salary dumps. If they give Raptors a few quality minutes, great. If not, it's ok.
OPTION 1. San Antonio.
I think the Spurs are the perfect team for Aldridge, and there were rumors that they might go after him. If they do, they will need to dump either Boris Diaw or Splitter. Diaw would be much harder to move. So,
Raptors get Tiago Splitter for cap space.
What Splitter does for this team... Defense, rebounding. Splitter is not elite at any one aspect of defense, but he's one of the most versatile defensive bigs in the league. You are facing a good low post scorer? Splitter has length and plays hard enough to bother them. You are facing a great pick and pop shooter / stretch 4? Splitter is quick enough to hedge and recover on these guys. Only a handful of players in the league can do it.
Splitter could be the backup behind Jonas, and I think he would work fine with Jonas. He provides no shooting, but I think his defensive value outweighs it. Besides, he can be very effective offensively as a pick and roll big... IF this team can be smart enough to utilize that.
OPTION 2. Houston.
If Love or Aldridge decide to go to Houston, Houston will need to dump Ariza's contract. So,
Ariza, Motiejunas, Prigioni, Dorsey for cap space
Well, this feels a bit too greedy. I guess the Raptors might have to add some pick into this. Or maybe Houston gets desperate and they just take this deal.
The Raptors get a 3D veteran in Ariza on a reasonable enough contract, considering his play last year. But probably the real prize is Motiejunas. He has developed well, and he looks like a solid young starting PF now. He can shoot some, he moves the ball. If the other team goes small, he can take the smaller guy into the post and punish him. He's in the right spots defensively. I think he doesn't really make you better defensively, but he doesn't make you worse either.
OPTION 3. Minnesota.
This has nothing to do with Love or Aldridge. The Wolves seem to be trying to dump some salaries. Maybe they are looking to sign a few role players and make a run at the playoffs. So,
Gorgui Dieng, Anthony Bennett, Chase Budinger for Terrence Ross and cap space.
This is probably wishful thinking. But the Wolves do gain something like 9 mil of cap space. Ross is a shooter, which is an area of need for them. Gorgui Dieng MIGHT be expendable now that they've drafted Towns.
The Raptors get Gorgui Dieng. I think he's at the very least a very nice 3rd big on a playoff team. BUT I think there's a chance that he develops into our starting PF. He needs to increase his shooting range a little. And he improved his shooting a little compared to last year, so maybe that could happen. Otherwise, there's a lot to like here. He rebounds, challenges shots, he's pretty mobile, long, he plays hard. He's a solid passer and will find the open guy if he grabs a rebound or what not.
If he stays who he is, then he's still a very good piece to have, and I think worth sacrificing that cap space and Ross for one year. If he improves a little bit, then you have the long term starting PF.
Anthony Bennett and Chase Budinger are just salary dumps. If they give Raptors a few quality minutes, great. If not, it's ok.
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