*edit* link added http://www.prosportsdaily.com/articles/toronto-raptors-attempting-to-trade-kyle-lowry-279522.html

I don't really care what Toronto's strategy is -- I know I wouldn't sell low. I'm not into dealing Shumpert away unless it's a no-brainer. Shump has things to work on like finishing drives at the rim but I've seen what he can do when he's right -- there's still a lot of potential here, too much to just give up on...Lowry's not bad, he's pretty good actually, but I've been throwing out names for weeks -- Jeremy Pargo, Pierre Jackson, Seth Curry, Curtis Jerrells -- why the hell can't we look to improve the PG play going this route WHILE holding onto Shump until his value improves? Or until his play improves to the point where we want to keep him and move forward with him? I just don't get it. Just because Pargo's in Europe and the others have 'D-League' on their jerseys doesn't mean they're bad players. These are all good players, on a level with Kyle Lowry imo. Better maybe...Pierre Jackson could be the next Kemba Walker. In this type of situation, I just would never deal for something I could potentially get for free. I just wish the Knicks had at least one person in the room saying the same thing. A friggin' intern, I don't care: "hey what about Pierre Jackson, boss? He's rippin' up the DL and he was damn good at Baylor...Seth Curry's been dominant in the DL since day one also --- let's target BOTH of these PGs -- they'd give us a clear boost in play over what Ray Felton's been giving us, potentially play off one another very nicely and possibly give us that Linsanity effect if we're lucky." Nah, we never look to improve this way. We're too good for that. But a top team like San Antonio can go out and sign a Malcolm Thomas, perhaps the DL's top player so far--an athletic PF who looks vastly improved from his college days--and turn around and immediately assign him to their own DL affiliate. Come on, please. We couldn't have used Malcolm Thomas on this team for some youth and excitement up front?

NumberTwoPencil wrote:I think Lowry's a little better than our current guards. However, Toronto would want something for Lowry and I can't think of anything the Knicks have that Toronto might want.

He's an expiring contact....I think whatever you trade for him isn't with it.

Toronto should waive him and stop playing

When they go out and pay for a real bonifide NBA coach that's when they are trying to win.

Finestrg wrote:Toronto's a team in flux. Yeah DeRozan's an emerging star and they have a few other decent pieces but they dealt away Rudy Gay & their lineup lacks real presence otherwise. Lowry's having a career year so far -- 14.8 ppg, 1.8 steals....Maybe they're trying to sell high.

I don't really care what Toronto's strategy is -- I know I wouldn't sell low. I'm not into dealing Shumpert away unless it's a no-brainer. Shump has things to work on like finishing drives at the rim but I've seen what he can do when he's right -- there's still a lot of potential here, too much to just give up on...Lowry's not bad, he's pretty good actually, but I've been throwing out names for weeks -- Jeremy Pargo, Pierre Jackson, Seth Curry, Curtis Jerrells -- why the hell can't we look to improve the PG play going this route WHILE holding onto Shump until his value improves? Or until his play improves to the point where we want to keep him and move forward with him? I just don't get it. Just because Pargo's in Europe and the others have 'D-League' on their jerseys doesn't mean they're bad players. These are all good players, on a level with Kyle Lowry imo. Better maybe...Pierre Jackson could be the next Kemba Walker. In this type of situation, I just would never deal for something I could potentially get for free. I just wish the Knicks had at least one person in the room saying the same thing. A friggin' intern, I don't care: "hey what about Pierre Jackson, boss? He's rippin' up the DL and he was damn good at Baylor...Seth Curry's been dominant in the DL since day one also --- let's target BOTH of these PGs -- they'd give us a clear boost in play over what Ray Felton's been giving us, potentially play off one another very nicely and possibly give us that Linsanity effect if we're lucky." Nah, we never look to improve this way. We're too good for that. But a top team like San Antonio can go out and sign a Malcolm Thomas, perhaps the DL's top player so far--an athletic PF who looks vastly improved from his college days--and turn around and immediately assign him to their own DL affiliate. Come on, please. We couldn't have used Malcolm Thomas on this team for some youth and excitement up front?

I'm with you in this bro. The team seems content with losing.....we waiting for Tyson to fix the defense. If that is the case our team had failed us

ApophisADL wrote:Masai knows to tank.

Either you go full tank or don't bother.

3M MLE steals to prioritize this off season

Sessions
Lowry

Isiah Thomas is unlikely given the trade

Bayless (despite having a bad year he has been solid the past couple of years although have had some injury concerns in the past)
Mo Williams (player option)

Greviez Vasquez (especially at SG, if we want to run 2 PG's to make up for lack of playmakers)

vet min, 2 year deal with TEAM OPTIONS if possible

would sign a 2 year deal for Pierre Jackson as he would have likely worked very hard in developing his game for the NBA but not sure if anyone still holds on this draft rights

Bobby Brown another 2 year deal, we simply need the ability to push the tempo, ability to penetrate and finish, with a the ability to facilitate efficiently

Ridnour?? (having an injured year so far and is not young no more but has been solid throughout his career)

Patrick Mills

Steve Blake, will be older as well, surprised he has lasted as long as he has because his game is not very pretty but gets it done

Pargo brothers, I personally think Jannero has been a solid journey man that has been under rated for the most part, as a 3rd string PG that knows how to play as a backup or a starting PG

Andre Roberts (back up PG for New Orleans that played very well last season when Vasquez was out the final games with injuries)

Livingston

Some other positions we need upgrades in

SF
============

possibly SF/PF ability because MWP is Metta BROKEN DOWN, if he doesn't retire, look to use his contract to trade for someone this year or in the summer like with cash (we still have 3m cash we never used and will have it again by the summer)

A LEGIT SF with SF/PF size, versatility to post up/facilitate/penetrate and fill up the stats sheet playing off the ball, ability to defend multiple positions, and hit a WIDE OPEN 3pter
A young Marion would be ideal but at his age he has still been great, would consider him with the 3m MLE but a 3 year deal with TEAM OPTION for 3rd

Marion
Ariza
Deng probably get at least 5m MLE type money I think

Vet min

Shawnee Williams and the bunch of players on the roster in Lakers

Stephen Jackson (who just signed with Clippers and supposingly has been working hard since Poppavich parted with him to prove his value in the league once again when he was doubted)
I have post this multiple times, he is a SF/PF that we should have kept an eye on,

Malcom Thomas *signed with Spur's, almost any player that gets the chance to work with that organization improves greatly from their discipline/staff/development program

James Johnson, in fact I would sign him right now to a 2 year TEAM option vet min deal, his biggest weakness's to his game is shooting and if we still have Hopla that could really help develop him and he is still VERY YOUNG and also once a 1st round draft pick by the Bulls, he is 6-9/10, 250pds +, and great length, solid defender to have in case we make the play offs to use against Lebron and Paul George

Hollis Thompson, has great size and undrafted last year, while signed and cut by OKC

PF
======
Patrick Patterson RFA
Beasley (if Melo leaves NY)
AK47?? (injury questions with player option)

Center
==========

Center, with either a starting ability C or even an sufficient backup, or the potential to be our future C or the potential to play a larger role than a 3rd string

Dalembert
Kaman

unlikely as teams will likely keep or can get better than 3m MLE

TEAM OPTIONS
Koufous also with Gasol's injury and Zbo's age
Robin Lopez (part of their success or at least will get a big part of the credit for there early success)
Gortat was horrible on the Sun's but seems rejuvinated with Wizards, a player like Gortat is perfect for what Woodson wants to run on DEF schemes because of his combination of
length, athleticism, shot blocking and most importantly, MOBILITY, has very light feet/movement for a C in the game today, a great help defender and ability to recover

PF/C Blatche
PF/C Humphries
PF/C Amir Johnson (team option that I think they will decline at 7m)

vet min (basically 3rd stringers but would be able to play backup)

Ryan Hollins

Chris Johnson (ex TWOLVE with good athleticism and length but skinny and underweight for C but good shot blocker/finisher as a backup C)
the young guy that Houston signed earlier and cut Jordan Hendricks or something?

Aaron Gray

Darko (yes, I have always like Darko has a role player and IF he has been training and working hard to get back in the NBA, I think we should take a hard look at him)
I know many will bash me on this one but I have watched him played over the years and I think he is very under rated and brings many versatilities with his game/size including
Rebounding/Shot blocking, Post Presence/with under rated passing ability, run PnR, hit 17 footer, fights for position, and is quite mobile for a 7 footer
For the ones that will bash me for this one, have you ever even watched him play and not just compare him to where he was drafted and his stats
He has always been quite efficient when given the opportunity to play (first 2-3 seasons with Twolves b4 he was amnestied to target other FA's and save money) and was given praise by Paul Pierce last season before he wanted to be released from Boston to go home to his sick mother

PLAYERS that might be more than the vet min but less than the 3m MLE
=================================================================================
Cunningham and Booker more of a undersized PF's but Cunningham can play some SF on certain match ups as a back up
While Booker is more of a PF that could probably play more undersized C than SF

Dante Cunningham, maybe even get him for much less (UFA)
Trever Booker (RFA) - very good rebounder and is very under rated but not sure if Washington would keep him with Gortat likely to be resigned

Darren Collison - with another year of training/developing/learning with a healthy CP3, he just might be ready to shine and at a very good price because he won't be able to showcase his abilities playing with CP3, Jamal Crawford, just like Bledsoe got limited opportunites

Greg Smith - solid player and played good for Houston last season when Asik went down

BJ Mullens - of course we won't need him but if we can get him at a CHEAP price, why not, he could be future asset he is young, very athletic and long, and can shoot very well for a 7footer, and he could probably also learn a thing or 2 developing with AB in practice to work on his pump fake and beating his man off the dribble, utilizing his ability to shoot to open other area's of his game. HE IS EXTREMELY athletic for a 7footer, a white boy, and someone with his shooting ability, but must learn to utilize all those abilities together

the players above could probably get by splitting the MLE with as both are very good rebounders and defenders despite their lack of size or if we offer the vet min, they would consider it if we blew up our team (or Melo left) and they were expected to get a lot of minutes/opportunities to shine much like many talents went to the Laker's this off season

=============

Feel free to add anyone to the list that we should keep an eye on or think we should target

but

I have tried to add players that would be helpful and be realistic targets that we can offer a contract that they would consider
Would love someone like Gortat or even Channing Frye but I don't think they would consider a 3m MLE or a vet min deal

We need some HIGH IQ players along with youth/athleticism/speed and possibly talents to score if Melo left
Like I am not a big fan of Swaggy P (aka Nick Young) although he has talent and could score in bunches if he, similar to JR but is not a efficient and could miss many shots as well

playing much better this year, another one of those "SHORTER" contracts that are looking to prove their value in the league for his next contract
Is he worth the 3m MLE?

Jordan Crawford = JR Smith part II, last season's GOOD JR SMITH, and a comparable to a JR Smith/Jamal Crawford in terms talent/skill set, IQ, and mentality
Don't see him working with JR Smith and Melo though, with their lack of IQ and all like to play the HERO basketball role
Really only one player per team and 1/2 player on the bench can afford to play that style at best and it is best NOT do have to play that style, getting the team involved is much more important
Yes, Lebron/Durant have the ability to do so, but the TEAM plays its best when they feel they are involved in the game, and not stand around to watch one player

With that said, those guys are far more talented and physically talented than Melo
But Melo wants to play that role because he feels the need to produce numbers to justify his value on the league

It is the reason why Paul George and the Pacer's are going to be tough, because they understand they have multiple weapons on the team, are constantly using different combinations on different teams/days, as they have the ability to constantly change their "GOTO MAN"

Having deception so DEF cannot stop you with an easy gameplan, willing to sacrifice individual stats for the better of the team, all that matter's in the end is the W

but

it doesn't stop there because they understand bball is about exerting energy and making your opponents waste energy, and see who can last longer and be effective in the 4th quarter down the stretch when your LEG's start to wear off for that shot and DEF starts to pick up and adjusts

scorers can range from

Paul George
David West
Roy Hibbert

Lance Stephenson
George Hill

any of these players can move up and down and score in a variety of ways for DECEPTION, but all give effort on DEF, and (MOST IMPORTANTLY) taking quality shots, because those shots are predicted by their team mates for spacing and they fight for OFF REBOUNDS utilizing their combination of size, athleticism, length, speed, versatility, and EFFORT very well

I think they will give Miami a very tough time this year, they are hungry and have challenged them 3 years in a row already building that confidence in the ECF trips

Without Miami getting "SUPERSTAR" treatment and Indiana getting homecourt, I think they will in fact be the favorites, in my opinion to advance

Scola
and bench Watson, Mahimi, Copeland, etc....