Plan B: Krstic as big man depth/trade bait

[indeedproceed]

I wouldn't mind it if he was just injury insurance. I really want to give Sullinger/Melo a big chance to contribute next year.

If we're trying to win now, which we are, you want the best talent out there.

Krstic is better than Melo now, so you'd want him out there if you can swing it.

[snively]

On a short 1-2 year deal, I think Krstic is a much better option than Bass on a longer deal. 

Krstic can play the 5, which is a lot more valuable than the 4.  He also can hit open jumpers and finish around the rim. 

I think he'd be a nice stop gap that likely wouldn't require a lengthy contract commitment. 

So you'd want to start Krstic in that scenario?

Not wild about that.  Sure Krstic offers a comparable offensive package, but the loss of speed defensively with KG pushed back to the 4 and a plodder like Curly at the 5... just too much at this point.

[Jon]

On a short 1-2 year deal, I think Krstic is a much better option than Bass on a longer deal. 

Krstic can play the 5, which is a lot more valuable than the 4.  He also can hit open jumpers and finish around the rim. 

I think he'd be a nice stop gap that likely wouldn't require a lengthy contract commitment. 

So you'd want to start Krstic in that scenario?

Not wild about that.  Sure Krstic offers a comparable offensive package, but the loss of speed defensively with KG pushed back to the 4 and a plodder like Curly at the 5... just too much at this point.

I wouldn't necessarily start Krstic.  I agree that I don't love the speed with him and KG out there.  But I think Krstic could be a nice backup for KG.  My bigger concern is not over committing salary to any of our big options.  If Bass wants to come back on short money, I'd prefer him. 

I wouldn't mind starting Jeff Green.  He's going to play at the 4 no matter what happens, so starting him might not be a bad option.  While he's undersized, so is Bass.  Furthermore, while stronger players will be able to knock him around, he'll be able to run circles around them.  Mismatches work both ways.

[mctyson]

Key here is that Kristic is a 5, whereas Bass is a 4, yet they both do basically the same thing on offense in terms of spacing and being a scoring option.

Kristic can body the 5 on the other team, which I think KG will approve of.

[clover]

I want to use the BAE on Wilcox or Stiemer before Pietrus.

Krstic would then provide an additional big above whatever the vet minimum could land the C's.  And that probably wouldn't be a bad thing.

Sure, if they can lure either Wilcox or Stiemer for the vet min/QO and/or if Bass is back, then Nenad is not so important.  But if they do lose Bass, I'd rather use the S&T from him for another wing player than use the BAE on Pietrus.

Oops--almost went to quote/agree with myself!

[pearljammer10]

I'll pass.  Another jump shooting big is the last thing we need!

Ditto. And how is kristic trade bait? No one wants him as a free agent...Why would anyone want him in a trade giving up more value to us?

[Alleyoopster]

I wouldn't mind it if he was just injury insurance. I really want to give Sullinger/Melo a big chance to contribute next year.

Sullinger is more of an inside player. We may wish for a jump shooting big if he doesn't pan out. 

[snively]

I'll pass.  Another jump shooting big is the last thing we need!

Ditto. And how is kristic trade bait? No one wants him as a free agent...Why would anyone want him in a trade giving up more value to us?

Expiring contracts are excellent trade ballast.  Having Krstic on a one year deal would allow us to slap a pick/prospect onto his contract and bring back a better fitting player.

He could be the elusive "salary filler" that fans are always filling into trade ideas. The Kwame Brown that helped land Gasol and Bogut.

[action781]

I'll pass.  Another jump shooting big is the last thing we need!

Ditto. And how is kristic trade bait? No one wants him as a free agent...Why would anyone want him in a trade giving up more value to us?

Expiring contracts are excellent trade ballast.  Having Krstic on a one year deal would allow us to slap a pick/prospect onto his contract and bring back a better fitting player.

He could be the elusive "salary filler" that fans are always filling into trade ideas. The Kwame Brown that helped land Gasol and Bogut.

Agreed.  I really liked the potential idea for him to be used in a deal to Houston for them to unload the extra years on Scola's contract.  Or what about Okafor or Nene?  Or Brendan Haywood?  Or Tyson Chandler?  Lots of potential candidates here.

Wow... expiring Krstic, Sullinger, JJJ, + first round pick could be intriguing to NYK if they think they can use that newly freed up cap space to get Chris Paul in the offseason.  Moving Stoudemire to the 5 and having CP would greatly improve that team.  And a Chandler-KG frontcourt pairing would be amazing defensively for the celts.

[j804]

I'll pass.  Another jump shooting big is the last thing we need!

Ditto. And how is kristic trade bait? No one wants him as a free agent...Why would anyone want him in a trade giving up more value to us?

The Raptors are set to offer up Krstic a 3-year 28mil offer

[jyyzzoel]

I'll pass.  Another jump shooting big is the last thing we need!

Ditto. And how is kristic trade bait? No one wants him as a free agent...Why would anyone want him in a trade giving up more value to us?

The Raptors are set to offer up Krstic a 3-year 28mil offer

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