doesn't stop there
We need a plan and have to follow through with it, with backup options....
Melo will walk from us with all these rumors, CAA has started already (Clippers is something they likely through out because Cp3 is his buddy and is also a BIG CITY where he wants to be, more importantly, he wants to go to a team that will have his bird RIGHTS in order to get paid something he is NOT worth, although it might not be the max he would probably be seeking to stay in NYK
WE should fire Woodson, trade Melo and get something in return *without hurting our salary cap for 2015*
and
NO MORE ISO plays to raise value of players in a system where everyone can feel involved
Get back in to playing TEAM ball, with ball movement, and developing a system/identity that we lack
get a proven GM and Head Coach, with management, new assistant coaches, upgrade development coach/equipment/facility, and
continue to raise the value of certain players like JR Smith and continue rotating assets like Houston has done before they were able to trade for Harden, following their model in building a team
In addition, we would possibly be able to use our MLE, which could be the 3m or possibly even the 5m MLE (that we could use on one or 2 players to keep beyond our 2015 roster)
Role player are very important and we haven't been able to get the versatile SF's, PG's, and backup PF/C's with the ability to start at times
We have to value cap space and not overpay players and our GM must be able to sign players that would become assets for us, that has had PROVEN success in the league so Dolan will not interfere in his decision making, especially in trades or FA signings
This Summer
MLE depending on 3m or 5m if we trade Melo, possibly splitting 5m MLE on 2 solid players
================================================================================================
Sessions/Bayless
Lowry
Vasquez (especially if we want to run 2PG's, playing him at SG)
Deng
Marion (if we don't trade for him, we would have his bird rights if so, so we can use it on another player)
Trevor Ariza
Blatche
Channing Frye (has played quite well ever since he went to The Sun's)
Gortat
Robin Lopez (Brook's brother) *team option*
Koufus *team option*
players that could be split MLE on with some of the players above like Sessions/Bayless or even using a small portion on undrafted players in the summer's draft or in the pasts drafts
to 3 year team option deals
Darren Collison
Mo Williams
Patrick Mills (maybe even vet min)
Nate Robinson/Randy Foye *player option)
Patrick Patterson (if Toronto lets him go for cap space)
Humphries
BJ Mullens (maybe vet min)
Most importantly, we would need to change coaches that teaches/develops/inspires our team and HOLD PLAYERS ACCOUNTABLE and is willing to put them in their place to make a statement, along with a GM, and President of Operations that works together, a DEVELOPMENT STAFF, and value's youth and development in addition to trying to acquire young talent (undrafted or younger players on bad teams that still have upside)
Developing the next Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Paul George, requires a high draft pick which we likely will not own *unless 2015 summers draft pick*
But
We can continue to use the 3m that we haven't used this year in trades or to purchase picks in the draft (for this summers draft and use it again, for next season, to find young talent or trades)
No reason why we cant find and develop the next Danny Green/ Gary Neal type talent
or get very lucky with 2nd round picks and late 1st rounders with the next
Chandler Parsons, Marc Gasol, DaAndre Jordan, and Lance Stephensons,
We have to be able to work as a TEAM and ISO ball doesn't work unless we have a highly, versatile, and efficient players that shoots near 50% and brings many other skills to the table
Offering Poppavich a head coaching job for a couple years and moving him to our president as he finds his successor like Riley has done with the Heat (possibly Tim Duncan as head coach with his fundamental skills, leadership, DEFENSIVE abilities, high IQ, unselfishness, gets respect and players would listen to him in the league from all players to attract FA's to develop/mentor of Championship Pedigree
Targets in 2015 would be
==============================
Lebron
Kevin Love
Aldridge
Roy Hibbert
Room Exemption for Duncan on 2year deal (while letting him retire in 1 year for 2-3m per year but getting paid 2nd year as well and a large guarantee in future salaries as a coach
an old TIM DUNCAN can still mentor and be our Hakeem for Houston (room exemption, 2 deal but giving him the money even if he retires in 1 year of service say 2m per year for 2 years but giving him the entire 4m for one year) while promising him a future job as an assistant coach or development coach when he is ready to retire)
If we miss out on majority of the top tier agents
Go after cost efficient young talents with upside that can play in a SYSTEM and FIT together in building a TEAM
NOT signing all players at 4year deals with team options, like we have in the recent history, this ensures that the players will continue to stay in shape and work hard for their next contract and if not we are able to part with them at reasonable risk, our selling point would be so they can reclaim their once "ALL STAR STATUS"
Above average for their position and SOLID players/starters but NOT All STARs
Say, signing someone like Asik, Varejo, DeAndre Jordan, or even resigning AB, on a cap friendly contract without overpaying for a max salary
If we gamble, take a gamble on players/talents, with 2-3 year deals (team options for 2nd, as they would be our #1 and/or #2's) combined with some youth/talented role players)
Bynum
and
Rudy Gay to a 2 year deal with player option at a much lower deal, as he probably would be our #1 or #2 to shine in NY
Rhondo
Gasol brothers if the price is right (Pau Gasol might not even get a long term deal because of his age and 2015 FA's this summer and Marc has a player option
Dirk *at the right price/years, he might not get a long term deal at his age/injuries or a TEAM option till 2015 summer for this summer
Dragic (at the right price, he has a 7m player option) he isn't exactly a role player but you can never overpay for a PG and at 7m I think he is a cost efficient player)
role players
-----------------
Lin *can Linsanity return??? or can he be a 6th man type player to run a team and score....
Norris Cole/ Beverely,
Budinger
Nick Collison
Amir Johnson
AR (much smaller deal)
MosGov
Koufus
2016
==========
Durant (you never know, he would be a UFA, and if we have a solid youth team in addition to solid role players already, with an attractive HEAD COACH/SYSTEM and GM) NYK could make sense for him
D12 will Dwight still be a max type talent 3 years later and would his body hold up for a maxish type contract????
some lower level VERSATILE talents include
Battum
AL Horford
David Lee
Noah
Pekovic
Reggie Jackson
Hickson and Speights (supremley under rated players that can be starters are quality backup bigs)
and
Monta Ellis if we need a SCORER and he doesn't show signs of breaking down because his game is based on athleticism/speed/penetration
