If Howard didn't opt in, they would be in a great situation. Imagine being able to build around arguably the best big man and best point guard in the league.
They panicked at the trade deadline, when they traded #6 pick for Wallace, whom they would be able to sign this summer anyway cause he would opt out even if he stayed in Portland.
Now they are willing to take Joe Johnson, who is owned almost 90M/4. Another desperate move.
They will be the new Hawks - second round exit team without real shot at winning it all - but I guess that's their only shot at keeping Williams.
Lets say Williams sign max deal 98M/5 (first year 17.2M).
Johnson is due 19.7 next season, Wallace got 40M/4 and Lopez will get something like 60M/5.
That 4 players alone(58.9M) will put them over the cap with a huge hole at PF, unless they use bird rights to extend Humphries. That means they will have to fill out the rest of the roster with veteran minimum and one guy with mid level.
Not sure what happens with Morrow, Petro and rookies Brooks and J. Williams? Some of them will be shipped to Atlanta.
D.Williams
J.Johnson
G.Wallace
Humphries ?
Brook Lopez
You think this is a team that could beat the Heat, or Celtics?
Could? Sure. But that team is horrible on defense and will have absolutely no depth. The Heat would beat that team in 4 or 5 games. Celtics will probably win in 6 or 7
yep, Rondo vs Williams will be an interesting matchup. Johnson vs Bradley/Ray will be fun to watch, a lot of 3 point contest. Pierce will beat Wallace and KG will destroy Humphries and Brooks...yeh thats right, KG is 37 and still kicking ass. Then whoever is at center should just provide rebounding and some scoring
As of right now, if Jeff Green signs and assumes that Ray comes back and comes off the bench, our bench still beats theirs.
Heat in 4 or 5, Celtics in 5 or 6 (not even 7).
ALTHOUGH, what will be fun, is Knicks vs Nets
