EwingsGlass wrote:Assuming you made a run at KD or any other intelligent star, you would need to craft players into the Triangle system. It takes a while to learn. I have no problem leaving money on the table for next year, looking only for value buys this year. The trouble with value this year is that nearly all 'value' free agents are restricted. Meaning, you have to overbid to get them. While this could work to our advantage by locking up opponent cap space by forcing them to overpay to keep their players, we run the risk that we will end up with an overpaid player. At this point, I cannot overpay for a RFA unless they are the last piece of the puzzle, not the first.

Show me some FAs that are not restricted that are potential value picks? (clearly will not know for certain until the middle to end of FA).

From our position, you make your bid to RFAs where you want to pay them and if their team retains them, they retain them. Narrow down the field and remove teams as players in the market until you get your 'value' picks.

I don't buy that the triangle takes a long time to learn -- guys like Galloway/Lou/Lance learned in 3 practices what knuckle-heads like JR/Shump/Dally couldn't in 3 months.

Bonn1997 wrote:I agree. I don't think Melo is signed at a reasonable price but I'd be willing to keep him for 1 1/2 years just in case he helps bring in Durant. I think they'll do whatever they can to immediately improve the team, including shopping our lottery pick.

I guess my thinking is --- why on earth would Durant desire to play with Melo?

Melo's a guy that has never taken a back-seat to anyone, basically plays Durant's position, will be on the decline, takes up MAX cap space and doesn't defend.

Yes - Durant will be losing sleep dreaming of playing for Melo.

That said -- it's just crazy enough it might work.

K.Durant is the best 7ft small forward playing against 6'5, 6'6 NBA players in the game TODAY...but in about 4-5 years, when he loses some of the quickness, and he has to move over to the PF position and bang with some of those big boys...I don't think his frail body is going to be able to take it.

mreinman wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:I want to see Durant replace Melo. I don't want to see them play together

not gonna happen ... durant is only coming because of the melo attraction

He's not coming here full stop.

Because he’s playing so well, he’ll be highly coveted this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. With the All-Star festivities being in New York, Matthews was asked what he thought of the city and if he’d have any interest in joining the Knicks this offseason.

“I mean, you can get whatever you need here,” Matthews said of New York. “It is definitely busy here and it’s just different compared to what I’m used to. I’m from the Midwest, so I’m used to grass and driving through open areas. But it has grown on me over the years.

“To be honest with you, I haven’t even really thought about being a free agent, man,” Matthews added. “I’m extremely happy in Portland and we have a great thing going there and that is where my mind is.”

When asked a follow-up question about Phil Jackson and how he’ll help the Knicks’ recruiting pitch, Matthews showed the Zen Master respect but once again stressed that he’s happy with the Blazers.

“Phil has been around basketball for a long time; he is one of the greatest basketball minds ever,” Matthews said. “But I’m not really thinking about New York right now. I’m not in their locker room or in any part of that, so all I’m really thinking about now is being in Portland and continuing the great things we have going over there.”

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/wes-matthews-from-undrafted-rookie-to-unstoppable-shooter/

Sounds like just the kind of player and character we need. I had hoped he'd maybe want a bit more exposure, but he's a mid-west guy and seems very happy it Portland. Man, the free agency pool dwindles more by the day. I don't think we should trade Calderon now, just in case (likely Dragic gets traded/offered the max, and I could see Reggie Jackson being traded to the Heat, which just leaves Patrick Beverly at PG!).