Cavaliers, Mavericks and Bobcats interested in DeMarcus Cousins

[gourimoko]

I think it's a mistake not to target Cousins. He could be the second best center in the league and possibly the only one widely available.

Yes, the Heat have demonstrated that you simply do not need any interior presence, offensive or otherwise, if you have sufficiently good perimeter players. But that does not invalidate the model of having a dominant big man who can score at will. DMC is a project for sure, and a potential basket case, but I think he brings so much to the table it's hard to simply dismiss him on that basis alone.

 

[Nathan S]

I think it's a mistake not to target Cousins. He could be the second best center in the league and possibly the only one widely available.

Yes, the Heat have demonstrated that you simply do not need any interior presence, offensive or otherwise, if you have sufficiently good perimeter players. But that does not invalidate the model of having a dominant big man who can score at will. DMC is a project for sure, and a potential basket case, but I think he brings so much to the table it's hard to simply dismiss him on that basis alone.

Is the difference between Cousins and Pekovic worth the #1 pick?

 

[Los216]

Is the difference between Cousins and Pekovic worth the #1 pick?

The real question is are DMC and PEK #1 pick worthy in this draft

 

[gourimoko]

Is the difference between Cousins and Pekovic worth the #1 pick?

No.

The real question is are DMC and PEK #1 pick worthy in this draft

Yes, absolutely without a doubt. Both players will likely have substantially higher ceilings and greater achievements, particularly offensively, than Noel.

If the #1 pick could get you either player, it would be in the Cavs best interest to make that trade.

 

[Kizzle]

Yep in THIS draft both Pek and DMC are worth are #1 straight up. But NOT worth TT AND the #1. If they wanted TT AND the #1 im sure CG would laugh

 

[MirORich]

No.



Yes, absolutely without a doubt. Both players will likely have substantially higher ceilings and greater achievements, particularly offensively, than Noel.

If the #1 pick could get you either player, it would be in the Cavs best interest to make that trade.

Why even debate whether Pek is worth the #1 pick. If you believe he is worth the #1 pick, then he is worth 12+ million per year on a 4 year deal. If you can offer him that(or more) outright and Minnesota decides to pass, there is no need to involve the #1 pick. If Minnesota doesn't match, Pek is yours and you have the ability to still pick Noel or so many other options now open up. If Minnesota matches but only to not lose him for nothing, you negotiate with them based around a package of #19 and Zeller.

Competition for Pek will be stiff though as Portland is a team that will aggressively pursue him. In order to beat out Portland, a team that wants Pek may have to go all the way up to the Max(keep in mind that this is the 2nd contract Max of 13-14 million-like Hibbert got, not the 3rd contract Max of 18-19 like LeBron, Paul, Melo,etc. got)

 

[gourimoko]

Why even debate whether Pek is worth the #1 pick. If you believe he is worth the #1 pick, then he is worth 12+ million per year on a 4 year deal. If you can offer him that(or more) outright and Minnesota decides to pass, there is no need to involve the #1 pick. If Minnesota doesn't match, Pek is yours and you have the ability to still pick Noel or so many other options now open up. If Minnesota matches but only to not lose him for nothing, you negotiate with them based around a package of #19 and Zeller.

I think that's the point of Nathan's and my post.

 

[EdMonix11]

Why even debate whether Pek is worth the #1 pick. If you believe he is worth the #1 pick, then he is worth 12+ million per year on a 4 year deal. If you can offer him that(or more) outright and Minnesota decides to pass, there is no need to involve the #1 pick. If Minnesota doesn't match, Pek is yours and you have the ability to still pick Noel or so many other options now open up. If Minnesota matches but only to not lose him for nothing, you negotiate with them based around a package of #19 and Zeller.

Competition for Pek will be stiff though as Portland is a team that will aggressively pursue him. In order to beat out Portland, a team that wants Pek may have to go all the way up to the Max(keep in mind that this is the 2nd contract Max of 13-14 million-like Hibbert got, not the 3rd contract Max of 18-19 like LeBron, Paul, Melo,etc. got)

Portland might struggle to sign Pek. They have 45 million in salary commitments already for 2013-2014 and that's not including Hickson and Maynor who are both FA's and prominent role players. Assuming the cap stays around 58 million, Portland might be able to offer 8 million, maybe 10, but I don't think they'd sign him for the full allotment of cap space, they'd have no bench, but they are desperate to pair LA with a center......

Though it doesn't really matter what the offer is, Pek has the choice which one he wants to sign. Obviously it helps if you're the highest bidder but something to consider....

 

[AC Got Buckets]

Oh good, a Pekovic rumor. Another offensive centre without the ability to protect the rim or the mobility to defend the PnR. Joy. 106 defensive rating with him on court; 105 with him off (T'Wolves were better defensively without him)

The 6 best defensive centres in the league: Duncan (Finals), Marc Gasol (WCF; eliminated by Duncan), Howard (playoffs; eliminated by Duncan), Hibbert (Finals or eliminated by LeBron), Noah (Semis, eliminated by LeBron), Sanders (playoffs, eliminated by LeBron). Could argue for Chandler also (Semis, lost to Hibbert)

The 6 best offensive centres in the league: Pekovic (missed playoffs), Cousins (missed playoffs), Jefferson (missed playoffs), Brook Lopez (lost 1st round), Horford (lost 1st round), Marc Gasol (also on defensive list)

Now I realise that correlation doesn't necessarily imply causation but come on...

GET SOMEONE WHO CAN DEFEND - a great rim protector, who ideally is mobile enough to get out and hedge. Gee, where are we going to find a player like that ?

And before anyone says free agency - a backup defensive centre averaging less than 15 mins a night got more than $8m a year in FA (which everyone ripped at the time and now looks like a great move). Hibbert was called one of the worst max contracts of the decade (but he got a max). The same thing will happen to Sanders next year. It doesn't lead to putting up points. What it does lead to is winning games.

 

[Kizzle]

Anyone have any info on Tyreke Evans? I cant believe hes fallen off a cliff the way he has. Id think hed be a guy alot of teams want and hes a RFA. Im sure he'll get a good offer from someone or may be included in a draft day sign and trade. Just wondering if the Kings did trade DMC could Tyreke be included?

 

[The Voice]

Oh good, a Pekovic rumor. Another offensive centre without the ability to protect the rim or the mobility to defend the PnR. Joy. 106 defensive rating with him on court; 105 with him off (T'Wolves were better defensively without him)

The 6 best defensive centres in the league: Duncan (Finals), Marc Gasol (WCF; eliminated by Duncan), Howard (playoffs; eliminated by Duncan), Hibbert (Finals or eliminated by LeBron), Noah (Semis, eliminated by LeBron), Sanders (playoffs, eliminated by LeBron). Could argue for Chandler also (Semis, lost to Hibbert)

The 6 best offensive centres in the league: Pekovic (missed playoffs), Cousins (missed playoffs), Jefferson (missed playoffs), Brook Lopez (lost 1st round), Horford (lost 1st round), Marc Gasol (also on defensive list)

Now I realise that correlation doesn't necessarily imply causation but come on...

GET SOMEONE WHO CAN DEFEND - a great rim protector, who ideally is mobile enough to get out and hedge. Gee, where are we going to find a player like that ?

And before anyone says free agency - a backup defensive centre averaging less than 15 mins a night got more than $8m a year in FA (which everyone ripped at the time and now looks like a great move). Hibbert was called one of the worst max contracts of the decade (but he got a max). The same thing will happen to Sanders next year. It doesn't lead to putting up points. What it does lead to is winning games.

It should be noted that Duncan is no slouch on offense either. In fact, I'm not sure he shouldn't be listed in the top overall offensive players.

 

[Nathan S]

Oh good, a Pekovic rumor. Another offensive centre without the ability to protect the rim or the mobility to defend the PnR. Joy. 106 defensive rating with him on court; 105 with him off (T'Wolves were better defensively without him)

The 6 best defensive centres in the league: Duncan (Finals), Marc Gasol (WCF; eliminated by Duncan), Howard (playoffs; eliminated by Duncan), Hibbert (Finals or eliminated by LeBron), Noah (Semis, eliminated by LeBron), Sanders (playoffs, eliminated by LeBron). Could argue for Chandler also (Semis, lost to Hibbert)

The 6 best offensive centres in the league: Pekovic (missed playoffs), Cousins (missed playoffs), Jefferson (missed playoffs), Brook Lopez (lost 1st round), Horford (lost 1st round), Marc Gasol (also on defensive list)

Now I realise that correlation doesn't necessarily imply causation but come on...

GET SOMEONE WHO CAN DEFEND - a great rim protector, who ideally is mobile enough to get out and hedge. Gee, where are we going to find a player like that ?

And before anyone says free agency - a backup defensive centre averaging less than 15 mins a night got more than $8m a year in FA (which everyone ripped at the time and now looks like a great move). Hibbert was called one of the worst max contracts of the decade (but he got a max). The same thing will happen to Sanders next year. It doesn't lead to putting up points. What it does lead to is winning games.

To be fair, Bosh (and Duncan as The Voice mentioned) probably belongs on the best offensive centers list.

 

[Rich]

If we trade the number 1 pick for Pekovic, I riot. If you're going to spend major assets/dollars on a center, he had sure as hell better be able to defend. Pekovic is a not a good defender.

 

[wremy]

Anyone have any info on Tyreke Evans? I cant believe hes fallen off a cliff the way he has. Id think hed be a guy alot of teams want and hes a RFA. Im sure he'll get a good offer from someone or may be included in a draft day sign and trade. Just wondering if the Kings did trade DMC could Tyreke be included?

yea I really like Evans... his nability to hit a jumper though have really hurt him since his rookie season... after 3 years you would think he would be able to develop at least a consistent mid range jumper...if he could he would be hard to stop on the offensive end

 

[Nathan S]

If we trade the number 1 pick for Pekovic, I riot. If you're going to spend major assets/dollars on a center, he had sure as hell better be able to defend. Pekovic is a not a good defender.

Calm down, he's a free agent...we're not trading anything for him.