We May Be Close To Finally Making A Deal

If we shed Rip we have $24M in salary space available, but Stuckey, JJ, T-Mac and draft picks all need contracts. JJ might be the only person I'm concerned with re-signing, Stuckey can walk and I wouldn't over pay for T-Mac.

T-Mac+JJ= $8-$10M, leaving $14-$16M, enough to get a really good player or 2. Also Kendrick Perkins is available this summer

I would trade Rip for a 2nd round draft pick right now. He is so terrible.

I would trade him for a jug of used motor oil at this point.

T-Mac is one and done here. If he continues playing well and stays healthy, he will sign on with a good team for a chance to win. If he doesn't, we won't want him on this rebuilding team.

And we HAVE to get something for Stuckey. At least 1st rounder in a sign and trade or something along those lines if he's getting too much on the open market. It's sad that he's miles better than both of the $60M SGs on the roster, yet we might have to let him walk because of the number of boat-anchor deals we've got in the backcourt.

The real world could say this: Murphy/James === Rip/White.
They keep the boat anchor called Petro.
Give NJ our number 1 (Lottery protected).



Melo (and his alter ego) L. Rose wants Rip and Billups, with the latter now saying that he wants a buy-out if going to NJ. This is just Billup's hurt feelings talking. But let us all get into an understanding mood that multi-millionaires have sensitivities beyond mere mortals.

Billups is rejecting the idea of playing with Hamilton and Melo in NJ.
He'd rather buy out his contract or stay in Denver. A real family guy....

To me, Rip just seems to have a bad attitude about the whole thing. Like he's defiantly going out there and forcing up shots all over the place just because he's pissed about everything that has gone on (trading away his BFF, being benched, etc). Gordon seems genuinely disappointed in his play when he doesn't bring it, and is less prone to keep forcing the issue.

That said, I would be trying to move both Rip and Gordon. Let's see how this team looks with a Stuckey/TMac backcourt, with Daye as the primary backup. Try to get a pick for Tay and look for a PG in the draft.

Could Joe get that much for him? Where'd you hear that?

Gordon is a better player than Rip IMO, he just needs to be in the right situation.

Oh, I have no doubt about the familial relationship that CB has with his home town and his fan base. Let us not forget that he has put the base organization on notice for further involvement. His front office request has not been denied and/or accepted, even as a symbolic gesture for acknowledgment. This might be bothersome for him since the altitude in that town is slightly closer to ownership heaven. He might not get the same deal that an accommodating JD provided.

Some specifics: Chauncey Billups says if traded he will become free agent next summer | ProBasketballTalk

You're slipping. I sort of understood this post. It's hard to be a warrior poet if you're actually articulate.

The ratio is 75:25 in favor of Rip. It may seem lopsided at first glance and this does bring into accomplishments from a championship atmosphere, but the potential does exist to break-even. If BG could steal away from Rip at least 25% of his nasty streak, then you might have an interesting more tenure. Alas, it seems not to be.

No, I was serious. Did you watch the game last night? It was a close game in the 4th quarter and on 4 straight possessions Rip tried to take his man one-on-one and forced up a brick every time. He cannot play isolation basketball. He is a terrible decision-maker and passer. His defense is less than mediocre. If you want to base your entire offense around having Rip running around with people setting screens for him, then sure, he could score lots of points. I think it would be addition by subtraction if the Pistons could trade him.

I guess we both need to work on the "sort of".

Looks like we're close to getting Petro and Murphy for Rip, just for playing ball with the Melo-to-Nets trade.

Nets 'real close' to landing Anthony - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Chad Ford tweeted that Joe is unwilling to commit to Murphy unless he can extend him prior to the deal being consummated.

JD is sure to be enjoying (holding no doubt, a bag of fresh popcorn), the undocumented cartoon entitled: A Hog On Ice.