[B-ball fanParticipant]

 Now that they have traded away Okafor and Ariza in almost the ideal trade for them.  They now will have tons of cap room after next season, when Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and Andrew Bynum.  They may even have room to make a play on Deron Williams this year, especially if they amnesty Jarrett Jack (which they should only do in order to sign D-Will).

I wonder how everyone feels about their future.  I think it looks bright; if they don’t make any moves this year and get another high lottery pick and then make a marquee free agent signing, they could be a contender in several years.  A core of Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis, and Howard/Bynum could be impressive.  Of course, I am not sure how great of a free agent destination NO would be, but I am sure having Gordon and Davis would help.

[bloodshyParticipant]

I actually think it’s a good trade for both teams, but I like the Hornets position better.  In my opinion, the Hornets should avoid trying to create their team through buying big-time free agents.  First, it costs a lot of money to do that, which is problematic in this stiff salary cap era.  Second, they have the pieces on hand already to build around.  I think they should quietly acquire quality, discarded pieces at bargain prices (see Spurs model) and do everything they can to waste no draft pick.  Third, big-time free agents rarely go to small market clubs, especially when they have no legacy or proven superstar.  It’s best to spend your time on achievable goals rather than chasing the DWills and Bynums of free agency.

[ChewyParticipant]

not ANOTHER franchise putting their hopes in Dwight Howard… Magic, Lakers, Brooklyn and now New Orleans? 3 out of 4 teams are going to be very very sad next summer.

True, they need to throw a TON of money at Gordon and keep him in NO with Davis. Hopefully, whoever they take at 10 will produce and now you have a core you can build on for the future.

They probably will have a high lottery pick next year (so Noel and C. Zeller might be avalible) but I really think they should go after Spencer Hawes hard. A skilled finess C to go w/ Davis rebounding and shotblocking at 4. I think a linup like the one below is a good building block core to have for years in NO…

Pg: Lillard (avalible at 10?) or J Jack

Sg: Gordon

Sf: Aminu

Pf: Davis

C: Hawes

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 Fair point.  If Davis becomes all he is hyped to be, and Gordon establishes himself as a top 2 SG in a couple of years, they can win with smart moves.  The problem is, there is no guarantee that happens.  The Spurs are very fortunate they got Tim Duncan.  If they didn’t get him, than they may have never made the leap to being a championship contender.  But trusting in their ability to draft great may turn out if they are smart.  

[bloodshyParticipant]

Hawes makes a lot of sense in NO.  He seems to be an undervalued piece of that 76ers team and may be available at a reasonable price.

@B-ball fan: I agree.  There are no guarantees.  But what the Spurs have done goes way beyond Duncan, even if he was the final piece to get the championship ball rolling in SA.  This year Duncan was probably the 3rd best player on his team and they were still an amazing team because they’ve quietly added low-priced talents that other teams had given up on.  And they’ve been exceptional at picking up only pieces that fit into their scheme and developing the pieces they get.  The Spurs will continue to be good long after Duncan, Parker and Ginobli are gone as long as they continue following the principles that got them here.

[ChewyParticipant]

Danny Green… goes from Head Cheerleader in CLE to Starting SG on a SA team that has best record in the league. San Antonio finds people who fit their team and then give them run. They don’t really "stash" anyone on their bench. Either your in 1. Europe 2. The Rotation 3. Career bench player.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 The Hornets really fleeced Washington in that deal.  I still can’t believe it.  The Wizards removed any chance of them improving through free agency next year to get two vets who don’t even fit well on the team, but may lower their odds of getting the #1 pick next year.  The Wizards already have two solid centers, so Okafor is redundant.  I assume they will play Nene at the pf, but they need shooting.  None of their projected rotation players are above average shooters.  Ariza can make spot-up jumpers, but is woefully inefficent due to poor shot selection.  Nene may be above average for a center, but not for a pf.  I see the Wizards remaining poor on the offensive end due to their lack of floor spacers and their lack of cap room will prevent them from improving soon.  

New Orleans, on the other hand, got a massive salary dump that probably couldn’t have been achieved any other way, and needed only to give up a mid 2nd round pick in order to do so.

[WizardofOzParticipant]

This was an awful trade for the Wizards. We took on $31M in cap space and gave up a mid-2nd round pick that we could’ve used to trade up, and didn’t even get the 10th pick?

I really wasn’t a fan of giving a long-term contract to someone like Batum anyway, but Okafor and Ariza aren’t even good players.

I’m not angry though. I’ve been angry too many years. It’s just pure comedy to me now. All I can do is laugh.

Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld, king of selling low.

[bball89Participant]

I hope David Stern gives your favorite team another #1 draft pick next year. Wouldn’t you agree??? Feel terrible for the Bobcats, and every other team that has to deal with this.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

The Hornets have one of the brightest futures in the league and their coach is a big part of that.  Davis, Lillard, Gordon and a bunch of young guys shouldn’t win a lot, but Monty can develop them.  With one more high pick, assuming Davis is what he’s predicted as, this is one of the best young teams in basketball. 

[Author]

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