In his latest
NBA Chatter column, Marc Stein says the Sixers are one of three teams in the hunt for Memphis PF Hakim Warrick. Up until last week, Warrick was a restricted free agent, but Memphis cut ties with him, possibly because they're hoping to find 40 shots/game for Zach Randolph.
The other two teams mentioned were Cleveland and Milwaukee. Let's run with the rumor and break down the choices:
- Cleveland - They still have their bi-annual, they're kind of thin at PF (only Varejao and JJ Hickson) and they're a legit title contender. Warrick could see minutes there, although Cleveland played LeBron at the four quite often last season, and with the addition of Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker, I'd expect him to see even more minutes at PF this year. Warrick chooses Cleveland if he wants to the chance to play a limited role for a title contender for the bi-annual ($1.9M)
- Milwaukee - As far as I can tell, they still have their MLE, but I highly doubt they'd use it on Warrick. He's kind of like a Charlie Villanueva without the gaudy scoring numbers (mainly because he doesn't shoot enough to have them), the three-point range and with the ability to spell defense. If they were going to overpay for a PF, they would've just kept Charlie V. Warrick could choose the Bucks if he's most comfortable playing for a garbage team in a third-rate NBA city (no offense Wisonsinites), it would basically be Memphis North for Warrick, probably for similar money to what Cleveland can offer.
- Philadelphia - The Sixers have their full MLE, but they won't use it on Warrick. Maybe they'd use a portion, to offer a hair more than the bi-annual and technically outbid the Cavs, but I seriously doubt they offer more than one year. Warrick is from Philly (), and his game fits the Sixers style to a T. He's quick, athletic, he gets up and down the floor, he scores fairly efficiently (1.37 points per shot, 55.4% TS last season) and he can't shoot the three (I kid).
So if we're talking security, I'd expect both Milwaukee and Cleveland will offer multi-year deals. If it's winning, pure and simple, it has to be Cleveland. If it's playing time, and nothing more, Milwaukee. If it's a burning desire for the city he grew up in, the family and friends he loves, the undying loyalty of a city that loves home-grown talent no matter how talented they actually are and a style that fits him to a T, it's Philly.
When
Steve first brought the rumor to my attention in the comments, my reaction was pretty blah, but on second thought, I'd like to see this guy in a Sixers' jersey. I'm not sure how many minutes he'd get, but it would be good to inject some life into the backup PF battle. Jason Smith is basically being handed a rotation spot, make him fight for it. Push some of Speights' minutes to the five. If they're going to add another front court player, and there really aren't many, if any, worthwhile defensive bigs left on the market, why not bring a running four in. The guy probably played too many minutes in Memphis, without a lot of talent around him, with absolutely nothing on the line, who knows how he'd respond to playing in tight games that matter, in his home town.
What do you guys think, would you like to see Ed Stefanski bring this 27 year-old PF into the mix, and at what price?
I get the feeling that they won't pay for a guy like Warrick. They'd rather get a veteran for the minimum and give Thad some of the minutes at the 4. Reasons being
a) Cost, and
b) They somehow still feel Thad can hold his own in spot minutes at the 4.
I'd love to have Warrick as I think he'd really fit this style of play. I think a lineup of PG, Iggy, Thad, Warrick and Sammy could be great defensively. A lineup of PG, Iggy, Thad, Warrick and Speights would be like a pro version of the mid-90s UNLV teams. Unlike Thad (this last year at least) Warrick had a somewhat more reasonable rebound rate. I really want Brand to excel this season for multiple reasons but I think Warrick definitely suits the fast breaking style a lot better.
As to what price? I think they'd have to outbid Cleveland as playing with a contender (and with LeBron) has got to be an attraction. I don't think spending MLE would be wise, I'd say go somewhat over what Cleveland can offer and hope for the best.
On an off topic, Brian used to like playing with the ESPN trade machine. This trade was absolutely killing me (ROTFLMAO):
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=l3zzlo
That's pretty much the only way I could see the Knicks making the playoffs.
I'd think of Warrick as kind of a change of pace PF, like a third down RB in football. Give him some burn at the four and up the tempo for a stretch. I could see it.
Still don't think the Sixers get it done, for the reasons Alvin stated above and mostly because they won't offer him more than 1 year, probably at around the bi-annual.
BTW, Belinelli getting shipped out of GS seems like a clear sign they're bringing CJ Watson back.
Would you have had an interest in Belinelli if it was known he was available? Shooting is his thing and last summer some other teams coveted him. I'll be disappointed if CJ Watson goes back to GS as he'd have been a pretty good fit for this team (probably the best fit for guys in our price range).
It seems as if Ed is just looking for bodies (cheap bodies at that) and the team we have right now is probably going to be it (i.e. - no one he gets will help that much). I am now hoping this season they focus on developing our kids (including Iggy) at their true positions. I'm hoping Jrue can earn decent burn with his defensive hustle (assuming Ed keeps to his word).
He's cheap and he can shoot a little, so I wouldn't say no. I think he's kind of like Kapono-light, though, so not sure how many minutes he'd see. GSW apparently likes Law better than him.
I think Warrick is an interesting proposition as a change of pace, like you said. Hope they make a run at it.
Well my first choice would be CJ Watson and on a lesser scale Anthony Carter/Arroyo or maybe even Flip. But as for Hakim, I would love to see us sign him, but for multiple years which we have shown we won't. With his athleticism, he could even play the 3 in a pinch, since he can guard that position adequately.
But since getting him obviously is a pipe dream, I guess I'll wait around for the breaking news of Luther Head, Juan Dixon, or Brevin Knight (hope not) getting signed.
When compared to the real world, the Sixers approach is similar to going to a temporary job agency and being offered a 6 month employment contract at a technology firm, with no guarantee of a rollover after that 6 month term expires. Hence temporary. While the alternative is you're offered a permanent job after resume' casting with a strong possibility of more than a 6 month security. In actuality, it's really not a difficult decision. You take the one that offers more security, while sometimes accepting less money with the guarantee of said security.
It looks like Ed is just going to wait until the middle or end of August and pick up those guys that are forced to sign for the minimum because there aren't any takers left. But sadly, those guys are still around at that time for a reason.
I would love it if the Sixers offered a three year deal with a TO for the third year for somewhere between 8-10 million. Remember this game?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=290211020
Why go for the cheap veteran when you can pick up young "lottery talent" for cheap? It's like OKC picking up Shaun Livingston for basically nothing and risking nothing...
He's not really that young, and I doubt they see him as a guy they'd be willing to pay the lux tax for next season. If you're saying 3 years for $10M total, that seems reasonable to me, though.
Definitely remember that game, he was a force.
Saw something on RealGM that he signed with the Bucks. Seems like playing time was a definite factor, although I am not surprised he turned down the Cavs. He would have been a luxury item here anyway. I'd rather have an Arroyo or Flip Murray with a true center as a backup
Warrick to Bucks
Only a one year deal
So less money but more minutes from a god awful team trumps more money but less minutes on a playoff team, or even fewer minutes on a title contending team.
Have fun in Milwaukee, Hakim. I'm sure it'll feel just like Memphis.
Wise move by Warrick. He will get minutes on a one year deal in order to prove his worth and possibly inflate his numbers for free agency next year. Too much of a logjam and so-called "look and see youth movement" going on here.
But the puzzling thing is - a backup tweener big gets offered more money than a possible starter at guard (C.J. Watson) per year?
If it doesn't possess cognizance, then it must be the Sixers.
More money for one year leading ito the 'bonanza' of the off season - put up good numbers on a bad team - a team that misses on their 'first shots' over psends on a second tier guy maybe to please their fan base.
I give you bobby simmons :)
Unfortunately for everyone, the Bucks won't have Bird Rights to him next summer, so someone else will have to overpay.
warrick was not that big of a deal. he could not help us. so who are the free agents left that can help us?
anthony carter, udoka, bogans, szcerbiak, carney (though he might resign with min), flip murray (he might resign too), kleiza, hollins, voskuhl.
i also like the idea of kevin ollie as an assistant (not a player) telling lou what to do.
Which begs the question, which is worse for Carney: signing for the min or with Min or both?
If reports are true, the title of this post should read - Home Town Increase?
Or another note, for the diehards - Home Town Increase!
so... when does the preseason start? Or for that matter, anything Sixers related? I'm dying here!
According to Twitter, Iguodala's train from Philly to NYC was delayed several times today. That's Sixers' related, I suppose.
Of course, the bigger question here is why is he taking a train from Philly to NYC? Hop a flight or just pay someone to drive you.