Marion, Jefferson, PGs,

[mark at 10thumbs.org]

Marion deal --- I agree with Gene's assessment:

"The Marion deal, as suggested, does not cost us any top players (meaning
Al, Paul, Rondo) and is only painful financially.  He's a great upgrade to
Wally in motion, defense and rebounding.  The alternative is Yi, who may
be the best choice at #5.  Right now, I don't care which way we go.  If we
hold and choose Brewer, then we must believe he can hold up to the
pounding--but would he start?  If a #5 guy can't step in with 15 to 20
minutes, what value is that pick?  Trade down?  Get Thornton, Stuckey,
Brewer around 10 to 15.  I'd go for that, too.  Hurry up, sundown.  Gene"

However, Ray's right too that adding Marion for Theo + #5 will affect the
salary cap.  That -- as someone else pointed out -- isn't always bad, so
here are the specifics:  (a) We'd be $4M over the lux tax next summer,
which (b) might make resigning Gomes and/or Tony Allen (assuming West is
moved in the Marion deal) harder for Ownership to sign off on.  The
solution would be dumping Wally's expiring contract -- sort of the
position PHO is in with Marion right now.

If we include Delonte I'd want at least one of PHO's picks back.


Jefferson --- I'm all for adding veteran if it allows us to keep
Jefferson. Its noteworthy IMO, that Bird, McHale and other GMs really want
Big Al... they can't all be as wrong as us in recognizing his talent can
they?



PGs --- hot rumor is that ATL is gonna trade #11 for Ridnour (probably
contingent of Conley being off the board).  They'll have then Ridnour,
Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Speedy Claxton and Salim Stoudemire.

If we could move Scal and a future 2nd for Lue that would (a) get us right
at the lux tax level, though before signing Gomes/Allen and (b) get us a
nice veteran PG to backup Rondo.


Of course, as I said, i was staritng to warm to the idea of adding Yi...
which may still happen.


(the other) mark