Tayshaun or Rip?

Chris McCosky of the Detroit News weighs in on which is more likely to be moved.

almost 3 years ago Jheiser3 7 comments 0 recs |

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Seems like a lot of stating the obvious here

or weak speculation. I’m glad we’ve had Ivan Carter and now Michael Lee as our “insiders.”

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on Apr 29, 2009 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Why would Dumars keep both? or either?

Dumars has shown that he’s all about rebuilding the team. Neither Prince nor Hamilton should be part of the final roster….. He’s letting Rasheed Wallace walk to save his $14 Million… He traded Billups for Iverson, for the expiring $21 Million….

All his moves so far point to moving existing players, for expiring contracts… Probably to go after Free Agents this year, or more likely Next year, when LeBron, D-Wade, Nowitzki, Bosh, etc… will all be available.

If Dumars plan is to go after the 2010 FA Class, then he will be looking to move Prince and/or Hamilton for expiring contracts….THIS summer.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Apr 29, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

Rip's old and on a massive deal

While Tayshaun’s still 26 or 27 and a better all-around player. I don’t think there’s any question who they should move, but I could see it being difficult for them to trade Rip. I could see him working well in Houston, maybe even here.

by pantslessyoda1 on Apr 29, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Dumars isn’t going to tear the whole thing down. He doesn’t have to do that, they can stay competitive during the rebuilding. He doesn’t need to make room for multiple max contracts either. Plus which max guys want to come play for a team with 2 or 3 players under contract?

The fantasy basketball angle of tearing it all down and starting from scratch gets played up way too much.

by Jheiser3 on Apr 29, 2009 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

Well, if those 2 or 3 players were LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh

There’s lots of guys that would want to play there….

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Apr 29, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Plus, it would make a lot of vets and role players more willing to sign on the cheap, a la last year's Celtics

At the same time, I don’t think any team has really built itself up through free agency, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Pistons, Knicks, Nets, etc. can pull it off. The only max-level free agent signing that I can think that worked out really well was Shaq in Los Angeles. It seems like building through free agency just leads to Rashard Lewis-type contracts, where good players make as much as great ones.

by pantslessyoda1 on Apr 29, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I want to rule Lebron and Wade out of that class

I think Lebron most likely stays in Cleveland, and only leaves for the bright lights in NYC. Same for Wade, he’ll most likely stay in Miami or team up with Lebron.

That leaves the other free agents likely to change teams (ranked, imo):
Amare Stoudemire
Chris Bosh
Joe Johnson

These guys are most likely to leave because of ownership issues, as well as team direction. Joe Dumars seems like the guy who could bring Amare over to Detroit, and if he gets him, he should get at least one more top-tier FA, and a couple guys below:

Other interesting FA vets:
Tracy McGrady (won’t demand a big contract, I could see Dumars signing him to a mid level deal)
Steve Nash, Shaq (same as above)
Marcus Camby (same as above)
Derek Fisher (same)
Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller
Bruce Bown, Roger Mason
Brendan Haywood…

Most of the players above are already veterans, so I believe if you already have some proven veterans in place (Prince and/or Rip), it makes it easier that you don’t have to gamble the whole bank on signing new vets. Plus, having a team that’s either already good, or at least shows potential (Stuckey) is what brings the big names to sign.

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on Apr 29, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions