I like Scott too, talked about getting him the other day...I look at him as more of a PF that developed (real nicely and quickly) into a reliable stretch 4 as a pro. He was a slightly undersized interior player at Virginia from what I remember -- now the man steps out and knocks down 3s in the NBA, quite comfortably. A guy that comes to mind as a comparison is DaJuan Summers. Both about 6'8" 240-ish types that shoot 3s -- Summers might be a little more mobile with a better handle--a little better equipped to handle the 3 spot as a hybrid. I don't know if Scott's really a 3 man in the NBA -- not sure if he's got the put-it-on-the-floor game of a 3 or is quick enough to guard most 3s. Nice player though, I agree.
I actually think we need another PF -- guys like Amar'e, Bargs, Jason Smith -- these guys are all injury prone. I'd like to see us cover our asses at 4 with one more guy...Even though this guy's slightly undersized, he's tough and he's got some discernible, budding offensive skills. I think he fits here. His 3-pt shooting along with some post offense would work nicely in the triangle and he'd supply quality depth at the 4 spot.
Here's what I think the deal is with this guy Scott -- he's a RFA. I think ATL is playing it cool with him right now. They can match any offer I believe. Probably seeing what the market dictates -- if a team comes along and offers him substantial money, ATL might pass. And then if no one offers him big money, they probably re-sign him for the minimum (most likely their preference right now i'm sure). After we used our tax payers MLE on Jason Smith, we don't have much to offer. Again question -- can we offer a FA a contract using the trade exception we have? And what is that for again, $3.6mm?? Is Scott worth that amount? He might be, man...Dude has shown some real nice progress from college to the NBA. If we offered that amount, would ATL match? Another question -- thought I read somewhere that Berman said we have a smaller exception available to use for around $2.2mm (bi-annual?) -- is that true and is that the correct amount? Maybe we offer Scott a contract in that range. Would be a lot easier for ATL to match though. And if we offer this dude his vet minimum, ATL instantly matches that, that's the thing..
My thing right now would be---if we have any interest---come hard at the guy with our best offer (or whatever offer Phil thinks is proper value). I'd want an answer -- I wouldn't want to use up any more time waiting around. There are other fish in the sea, that won't be there forever. Teams are signing guys left and right every day to complete their rosters...If they like this dude -- offer a contract, some amount north of his vet minimum. That's what it'll take...Put pressure on ATL to make a decision. I wouldn't even waste my time with a vet min deal -- ATL easily matches that amount.
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If the plan is to develop Early/Thanasis further in the DL/Europe (or trade either guy -- I wouldn't be against that at all if I could bring back something that helps us), other SFs I like a lot are Devin Ebanks and Dequan Jones. Both have prior NBA experience (where they showed w/o question that they belonged -- Ebanks can really score the ball + he rebounds; Jones is a terrific athlete with skills), and both would come cheap. Either of these guys could probably be had on a league minimum deal, which would keep our trade exception and the other smaller exception available for other things.