Someone Call New Orleans The New Orleans Hornets are now without the services of starting center Tyson Chandler, starting power forward David West and backup big man Hilton Armstrong. John Hollinger has a nice little piece about the front court the Hornets are trotting out there in their absence (Melvin Ely and Sean Marks). The Hornets used James Posey as their power forward for major minutes in their last game. This is a big problem for a team with hopes of bringing home a championship. West probably won't miss much time, but Chandler's ankle injury could keep him sidelined for longer. Here's the thing, even with both of those guys healthy, they have absolutely no depth at the 4, nor at the 5. They have great depth at SG and SF, however. Do I smell a trade partner? The first name that comes to mind is Dalembert (someone mentioned something similar in the comments a couple of weeks ago). From the ESPN trade machine, this was the best deal I could come up with because Dalembert's contract is hard to fit anywhere. 
 Memphis would get a great scorer off the bench in Lou, a young big with some upside in Julian Wright and a couple of expiring minimum deals. The Hornets would get their needed big man, while trading from strength. The Sixers would get James Posey, and Mike Conley Jr., a shooter who plays tough, tenacious defense and a project who could be insurance against a Miller deptarture this summer. Thoughts in the comments. By the way, I give this trade about a .000001% chance of happening, but there's a definite need in New Orleans that Dalembert could fill, so a somewhat worthwhile exercise for a Tuesday afternoon. Make sure you check out the 1st half review of our guard play, if you haven't already. 14 Comments | Leave a commentLeave a commentLatest Posts• First Half Review: The Team • Mo Goes Back To Work? • First Half Review: The Bigs • Mike Miller Trade Rumor • Hollinger Loves The Sixers! • EB Back On Saturday • First Half Review: The Swings • Wednesday Morning Links • Someone Call New Orleans • First Half Review: The Guards • The Streak Ends, Or Does It? • The Quest For EightSearchBlogs in The NetworkSixers BlogsPassion and Pride Sixers 4 Guidos Liberty Ballers Recliner GM PhillyArena Heard In The Cheap Seats | ||||||||||||||||
Not really that interested in Posey - over rated in my opinion - nor do i think they'd be ready to give him up - wouldn't mind conley.
Wait - how long is chandler out - he's on my fantasy squad?
Sprained ankle, could linger.
Oh I knew about that - thought it was more - he's really bit this year - i keep waiting for him to turn around and it's too late to get marc gasol again - i really don't want mcdyess but he's the best option in my league
Is Sammy available? :)
Nope - sadly i'd take him - speights is available but i'm unsure about him on the reboudning with brand coming back :)
My centers are aldridge, jason thompson out of sactown and now mcdyess...can't wait for chandler to get any better - especially with the ankle now.
I sure hope that trade has that much of a percentage chance of happening, Brian. If Conley is only at 3.0 assists a game, heck, we are getting that from Willie now per 36 according to your post on 1st half guard play. This team would be in serious trouble if Conley were the successor to Miller. I also wouldn't swap Lou for Posey either at this point in their careers considering the money each is getting paid. I know you were just trying to put in a trade to see what would work, but if we pretty much trade Sammy and Lou for Posey and Conley then I think it would be safe to say that Stefanski got robbed with his pants down.
I'm a big fan of Lou, but I think Posey would be ideal for this team. Big, tough SG who can defend and shoot the three. You could put him in the starting lineup, then get your offense off the bench from Thad. Overall, I think the team would be better.
I think Conley has definitely gotten a bad deal in Memphis. Let him learn behind Miller and he may turn into something special.
Posey is a step up over Willie Green - no doubt - but he's not a guy I'm comfortable with starting on a team that would contend for a title. If the sixers obtained him to be a starter I'd be disappointed. Iguodala must figure out how to start as the ostensible shooting guard. It's a moral imperative (and there are no small pickles involved)
Conley has gotten jerked around in Memphis and rumor was they were thinking of trading him cause he wasn't 'angry enough' when he lost his starting spot...he probably came out a year too early and has gotten useless time in Memphis.
Obtaining him now would give the sixers the chance to put him in a stable spot as the back up this year and see what he can do.
You probably don't want to write him off after a season and a half
Posey is a player I've always liked. He's ideal sixth man material with his tough defense and provides lots of intangibles. I highly doubt they'd trade him though.
Conley I don't want to gamble on.
gotta say, this deal's no good. the hornets aren't going to give up 4 players (including their offseason prize, Posey), for a guy making 11.2 mil with 2 more years after this, especially considering he projects to be a bench player when chandler and west are healthy. depth and the salary cap are already issues for them, and this destroys any hope they have over the next two seasons to add a piece.
the griz would do this in a heartbeat. when they do eventually trade conley, they will get much, MUCH less than this. a role player and a second round pick would probably be enough.
and for us? we'd be getting a little cap flexibility in exchange for a couple of players who don't figure to make much of a contribution.
i think your premise is faulty. you say the hornets have great depth at SG and SF. when i look at their roster, though, i see Peja, who has gotten old and no longer contributes starter quality minutes, Posey, who is a career 6th-man, and 3 SGs who all stink, frankly. in fact, i'd say that chris paul is their only high-quality player under 6'9". sorry to pound on your idea, i just don't think this helps us (or is realistic).
Well, on the wings they have Peja, Rasual Butler and Morris Peterson, Julian Wright and Antonio Daniels. In their front court they have Chandler, West, Hilton Armstrong, Melvin Ely and Sean Marks. Which is an area of depth on the team?
As for helping us, I think Posey would make us better than Lou, just my feeling. Better defender, reliable three-point shooter, good size. Miller, Posey, Iggy, Brand, Speights would be an excellent starting lineup.
As for the probability, I said it has basically zero chance of happening. At this point, I'm following the news to see who has a need for a piece the Sixers could maybe afford to move. The Hornets need a big, the Sixers can probably move Sammy, so I tried to see what would make the deal work, under the cap.
As for Memphis, if they were willing to take crap and a 2nd rounder, Conley wouldn't be on their team anymore.
If the sixers can get salary relief and a pick for Sam - I'm ok with it - because I'm ready for Speights to start and Ratliff has played well this year.
With Brands return, I think the biggest hit will be Speights minutes and I find that unacceptable
Nice idea...I like the way you think.