Fantasy Deal: Wilson Chandler for Josh Smith

Improved play by Lawson and Faried have turned the season around

Backstory
You may not know, but my favorite team is the Denver Nuggets; I love the team from their starting 5 to Evan Fournier's seat at the very bottom of the bench.

However, that's not to say I wouldn't like them to make moves to become a true championship-caliber team. I know, I know. Aren't the Nuggs ripping it up in January/February? Why mess with a team that is currently ranked 4th in the tough-as-nails Western Conference?

Well, the Nuggs have been annual playoff contenders since coach George Karl took over the team in 2004 (that's 8 straight playoff appearances, with 2012-2013 being 9)

The problem is though, we get in the playoffs and get knocked out first round everytime (with the exception of 2008-2009 when Melo/Billups led us to the Conference Championship game...and lost) Our team is filled with tons of talent; we have BY FAR the most stacked roster with bench players good enough to start (Javale McGee, Corey Brewer, Wilson Chandler, and Andre Miller), and players that don't even get minutes that deserve them (Quincy Miller, Jordan Hamilton, Anthony Randolph, and Evan Fournier)

Andre's Iguodala holds the young roster together

We made a big move this past summer acquiring swingman, Andre Iguodala; I was FREAKING out when I heard we got him. I was a little sad to see Aaron Afflalo moved, but Iggy is legitimately the closest thing the Nuggets have to an All-Star/Superstar/Franchise/Cornerstone/"Whatever you want to call it" player. The thing with Iggy, however, is he did not bring the impact most people were hoping for. He's averaging 13pts/5reb/5ast in 2012-2013. While those numbers are not terrible by any stretch, I was expecting Iggy to take a more prominent role on the team, which at the very least, in my eyes, means being our highest scorer on the team (is 18-20pts/game too much to ask for?)

Don't get me wrong, Iggy is the glue that holds our very young roster together. His experience, along with his "team-player" mentality and defensive prowess are invaluable. I just think that a player with pay $15mill/yr should be having a larger impact in the scoring department. I'm not sure if it would be in the team's best interest to resign Iggy come this summer if we have to pay him as much. In my opinion, I'd only bring him back at no more than $10mil/season. But, that is besides the point of this blog post.

Ujiri knows what he's doing.

What I think Denver should do is pursue more established, veteran talent to mesh with our young roster. We recently made an inquiry for Celtics PF/C Kevin Garnett. However, Mr. Garnett waived his No-Trade Clause and shut down any further trade talks. Personally, I think it was a great effort by GM  Masai Ujiri. Garnett, a proven, tough big man could have been our starting center and a game-changer going into the playoffs. Sadly, this move never came to be. Bu, I propose that Denver doesn't give up their search for a veteran big man!

In my initial mockups, I tried to make a scenario that brought Pau Gasol to Denver (who I think would be a great fit) but, with Gasol's recent injury, that's no longer possible. I also thought Anderson Varejao would have fit, but he got hurt as well.


However the best move I can think of involves a certain Forward for the Atlanta Hawks.

Josh Smith would put Denver over the top

Atlanta Hawks
Wilson Chandler
Anthony Randolph
Timofey Mosgov
1st Rd Draft Pick

Denver Nuggets
Josh Smith

- This move would be an absolute slam dunk for both teams. I do not think any team could match what assets Denver is capable of moving. I addition to the players (Chandler is a starting SF with a great contract, Randolph can replace Smith at PF with another great contract), Denver can give draft picks (Denver already has 1st Rd. draft picks who haven't even played yet in Fournier and Hamilton)

Using the trade exception we got in our trade for Andre Iguodala, Denver can make the cap figures work as well. While Smith isn't guaranteed to resign, getting him on the roster should be considered a win in itself: Denver has a very hard time getting Star players to come to Denver. If we prove to Smith that Denver is a great place for him, maybe he will sign a Max deal in the summer. 

Fantasy Deal: Dwight Howard for Brandon Jennings

Damn. I've been away wayyyy too long. I promise I will never do that again. I recently graduated college and landed my first big boy job in Chicago, IL. It's been super busy since December. But, alas, I'm back....and there's a lot of catching up to do!

Something I want to get off my chest is a trade scenario that I've been drawing up for the last few days. It involves these three, beautiful faces:

                                         Al Horford                                 Dwight Howard                             Brandon Jennings

But, before I get into it, let's look at some backstory to the deal.

Okay. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know full well that the Los Angeles Lakers are playing horribly. They made the coaching change last month, bringing in D'Antoni (instead of Phil Jackson) with hopes that the energetic coach good bring life to their dying offense. D'Antoni was responsible for the offensive juggernaut that was the Phoenix Sun a few years back with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire; he also had a good thing going in New York, prior to the Carmelo Anthony Trade.

D'Antoni has to get the Lakers back on track.

Well, long story short, it hasn't been working. The Lakers are losing left and right. The combination of Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, and Kobe Bryant (and Pau Gasol) is not gelling. Sure, Kobe is putting up almost 30pts. a game (Durant may catch him for points leader) but that may be the only positive. If Nash isn't hurt, he's a defensive liability on the court and if Howard isn't hurt, he's not finishing at the hoop, constantly taking lay-ups, instead of dunks. (to which he then gets fouled and misses his free throws.)

Just a short sidebar...what the hell has happened to Dwight Howard?!? There is no way one of the top 5 best players in the league can fall off so far. Mentally, something is off. His game has been in shambles since coming to La La Land. Howard is putting up about 17pts/12reb/3blks a game, but those numbers are drastically misleading. He is missing screens, missing free throws, and drastically failing in the paint; his FG% is so low. For some reason, he has lost all agression and presence under the hoop.

Any hoo, the Lakers have been just god awful (outside of excellent play from Metta World Peace, Earl Clark, and Kobe Bryant) The big question is how do you solve the problem? Well, for the last month or so, people have been SCREAMING to trade Pau Gasol. Poor Pau Gasol's has been the scapegoat for this disastrous Lakers season thus far; If I had a nickel for everytime I heard that trading Gasol would turn this team around, I would have enough money to buy Steve Nash a Life Alert....and a wheelchair encrusted with diamonds.

Property of Steve Nash

But, Gasol isn't the answer. Hell, what of Gasol has been seen to even suggest trading him would help the team? He barely gets minutes; he comes off the bench and has rarely a play called for him. The only time he sees the ball is if he rebounds it. I'm confident is the 32yr. PF/C was given the opportunity, he would put All-Star numbers on the board.

But, alas, they refuse to give them to him. So, the logical answer is to move him, right? Why not move him to get younger assets? Well, because he currently makes $19mill/year and has 2 years left on his deal. That contract is Joe Johnson big. Who the hell will absorb that cap hit for the next few seasons?

No one that I can think of.

But, you know who is tradable? Dwight Howard. (He's probably the only player they can trade)

I know, I know. Didn't they make the blockbuster of a deal to bring in Howard? Didn't they break up their championship-caliber roster and ship out Bynum in order to bring this franchise cornerstone to LA? Isn't Howard supposed to be the new King of LA once Kobe retires? Well, that was the plan. But, Howard is shrinking in the Los Angeles spotlight faster than Neil Patrick Harris's Penis at a Victoria's Secret fashion show.

I love you NPH

It's just not working. Dwight's personality isn't made for LA. It's obvious he cannot take the heat. He is a great player. A PHENOMENAL player. Better yet, he's a great person. It's not fair to the him and the Lakers to drag this out any more. Jim Buss and the Lakers organization need to admit that they epically fucked up (Phil Jackson is laughing his ass off right now). Once they do that, they can start fixing the franchise.

First thing they should do is move Howard. I propose they move the big man to Atlanta.

Atlanta? Why? Why did you put a picture of Brandon Jennings at the top of this post? Does your dumbass think Jennings is on the ATL roster?

Nope. I think in order to get Howard to Atlanta, a third team is necessary; a team that has assets that LA covets. I'm referring to the Milwaukee Bucks. The thing LA obviously lacks is youth and speed at the permitter. Nash can't keep up and Kobe is doing everything he can-- but it's not enough. I think if they move Nash to 6th man and bring in Brandon Jennings, the team would come alive! Jennings, a LA boy, will fit right into the spotlight he's been born to play in. Sadly, the flamboyant PG has been in the boring Wisconsin of all places. A move to LA would be electric for his career.

Jennings would love the LA Spotlight

A trade of Howard for Jennings wouldn't work however, because there is no chance in hell Howard would sign an extension with MIL....but he would resign if he was traded to his hometown team, ATL (with best bud, Josh Smith still there)

Here's how the trade shakes down:

Los Angeles Lakers Get:
Brandon Jennings (sign and trade, $11mil or so/yr)
Ersan Ilyasova ($8mil)

Milwaukee Bucks Get:
Al Horford ($12mil)
Devin Harris ($8.5mil) Expiring Contract
Kyle Korver ($5mil) Expiring Contract
1st Rd. Pick (ATL)

Atlanta Hawks Get:
Dwight Howard ($19mil)
Drew Gooden ($6mil)

I think the move would be a slam dunk for all 3 teams:

The Lakers get an electric, young PG to lead their team for the next 6+ years. They get a young PF that can shoot from all over the court. This trade allows Gasol to move into his natural position at C and get the touches he needs. Moving Nash to 6th man immediately makes the 2nd unit stronger.

Howard and Smith could excel together in Atlanta

The Bucks get a legitimate big man they need. The 2 Guard play of Ellis and Jennings is exciting, but hurts the team inside. Horford, while not a defensive stalworth, is a credible threat to opposing teams; he's a scorers, too. Devin Harris replaces Jennings at point, which in theory only means he'll feed the ball to Ellis, who will more than likely run the the team. In addition, the Bucks gain financial flexibility by bringing in Harris who's contract is expiring. Kyle Korver's contract is also expiring (the Bucks lack good 3pt SG, other than Ellis, so he's a good fit regardless) Throwing in 1-2 1st Rd picks only sweetens the deal. Gooden (who is very far down the Bucks bench) saves the team even more money.

The Atlanta Hawks get Superman himself, Dwight Howard. He can be their new franchise player. His presence will more than likely trigger Josh Smith to resign. Smith and Howard, plus Teague at PG is a solid foundation for the franchise. Howard should thrive in his return to the Eastern Conference, especially to a franchise much smaller than LA and more similar to Orlando. I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta made a move to secure a 3rd star player to create their own super team. By trading Joe Johnson last summer, they definitely have some flexibility.

Whew. I'm outta breath. Good to be back!!!

Josh

Deep Into The Woods

How far can Monta Ellis take the Bucks?

The bucks made headlines last March when they sent oft-injured Australian Big Man, Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to Golden State for All-Star Monta Ellis. 

The move for Ellis can be looked at as the organizations first legitimate attempt at surrounding Brandon Jennings with talent, in the hopes it would persuade him into resigning. Andrew Bogut was considered to be a franchise cornerstone for Milwaukee; they believed he, paired with Jennings, would eventually equate to deep runs in the Playoffs.

Sadly, Bogut hasn't been able to stay on the court long enough to be a real contributor, having gone down with foot, ankle, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries at various times in his 7 seasons with the Bucks.

The Bucks organizations ultimately decided it was in the best interest of their team to move Bogut in order to add some consistency to the starting line-up. Their answer came in the form of sharp-shooter, Monta Ellis; Ellis, who had been in numerous trade rumors for the last couple seasons.

The move has has received mixed reviews. A common criticism is that the Bucks "gave up" on one of the few talented, true centers in te league. It's true that that the loss of Bogut has left a giant hole in the Bucks front court.

While Ellis can be counted on to put 20+ pts on the board night-after-night, he can't stop the like of fellow Central Division big men like Roy Hibbert, Greg Monroe, and Joakim Noah.

It's curious to see if the Buck's talented backcourt can make up for lack of talent inside. Ekpe Udoh was brought back to Milwaukee in the Bogut trade to pair along with possible starting PF Ersan Ilyasova.

It's up in the air if they can control the paint.

Is disgruntled All-Star Josh Smith the answer?

I'm curious to see if the Buck's big men will prove me, and other doubter wrong and show up in 2012-2013. I'm also curious if Brandon Jennings will debute a new haircut. But, joking aside, can the Bucks ever being taken as threat in Eastern Conference to established championship-caliber teams like the Heat and Celtics with their current roster? I have a hard time believing they can. I mean, I'm sure the combination of Ellis and Jennings will be exciting and get them into the playoffs, but how far? I can't see them getting too deep into the woods without adding talent inside. They need a defensive presence down low. Without one, I see them one and done for the foreseeable future.

-Josh