(1) I don’t think Sund wants to commit big money to acquire a #2 backup center that’s not going to make a appreciable difference as far as getting us past the top teams in the East. Joe Smith might help us hold on to the #4 seed, but he won’t necessarily get us past the Big 3.

(2) Every Big that’s still available knows we’re looking for another experienced Big, and they might be using that to try and get a 2yr instead of a 1yr deal. So why make a 2yr committment and spend the kind of money some of them are asking just for the 9-10MPG they’ll get from Woodson.

(3) I don’t think Sund is sold on Woodson being the HC past this season, so why commit to a contract past this season for a Big that will get limited mins. And why tie up money and CAP space that a new HC might be able to utilize more effectively to get us past the big 3.

(4) If we wait until the trade deadline to go after a vet Big, we could possibly get a better quality player and a better deal. There are always teams looking to dump players/salaries and clear cap space at the trade deadline. We have at least 2 expiring contacts in MEvans and RMorris, as well as the cap space and money saved by not signing a Big LIKE RIGHT NOW.

With all of the uncertainty among most of the top teams in the East, as a result of changing rosters and starting lineups, it might not be a bad idea to wait and see what we might need at the trade deadline before making more than a 1yr committment before the season starts.

Dang, you’re on fire. Like you, I don’t expect Woody to automatically expand his rotation to 9 or 10 guys just because he gets a veteran player added to the mix. Especially if that player is a frontcourt player. I’ve heard the man say he’ll expand it before. I’ll believe it when I see it. Until then, why expect him to play a guy anymore than he did Solo? Not sure where that idea even comes from, but there’s no sense in complaining because we are going to hear the same noise we always do, which is that whatever Woodson is doing is keeping us winning, so it doesn’t matter. Ironic how the same noise made about Woodson and his offense working is not made about him and his defense. If we are winning, then we are winning. Everything must be working. All that noise about not needing another guard that shoots and doesn’t play defense is bunk. That is the Woodson way. Woodson likes guards who shoot and don’t play defense. He has a roster full of them. He insisted on bringing back the main culprit. If defense is a problem then look to the coach who loves his defensively incapable guards and gives them the ball all the time. But it’s okay because we had a winning season last season. Ironic how the same logic is not used when talking about the big men, rebounding, defense and all that. What’s the problem. We won with a shaky front court last year. I thought winning made it all good.

Excellent post. Just excellent.

Ariose ,

No way is our “lack of motion” offense Flip’s fault. I’d say whose fault it is, but we already know the answer : it’s all the players’ faults. They don’t know how to execute the brilliant design we have.

A Tribe Called Quest ,

What is your deal?

Sekou ,

I agree. I’m sure Sund will get somebody in here to back up our frontcourt regulars. I don’t think he’s willing to go to work with nothing more than minicamp invitees. Of course, to hear some people tell it, the summer is already over.

Astro Joe,

Pardon me and my “seeming suggestions.” Let’s assume that I’m just all wrong about this (. Why don’t you tell me why you think we haven’t signed Smith yet. Since you’re scoffing, you must have a better idea. Please tell me something other than “Jamal Crawford’s contract is in the way.” I’m tired of that one already…

The rumor is that Joe Smith is worried less about the cash than that second year. Not sure we could get him to sign for a single year at the vet minimum. If we really want him we’ll either have to sweeten the pot for a 1-year contract (in the neighborhood of $1.5 to 2M?) or go with a two-year, vet minimum deal.

And I’m fine with Joe Smith as long as Sund doesn’t bid against himself to get him. He’s worth the vet min for one year, not much more money and certainly not for two years.

It doesn’t make a damned bit of difference anyway, because Woody won’t play a fourth big man more than a few minutes a game. That’s why Sund would be better off to save his money and just sign the mini-camp guys, again unless Joe Smith is willing to pay for the vets’ minimum.