Plan B : Matt Barnes

[Drucci]

I think Barnes is well out of our pirce range. He also wouldn't take a backup role after starting in Phoenix and playing several 30+ minute games.

I agree with you on the price range, though he could accept to take a LLE contract (or a little more) for one year, make his value increase a lot during the season/playoffs (a la Posey) and become a free agent in 2010. But it may not be the ideal scenario for him since there will be big names on the market.

However I'm sure he would accept a backup role without a moan, because he basically lost his starting spot last year in Phoenix. Grant Hill replaced him in the starting five. Barnes was OK with his backup role. And he regained a starting spot when Amare went down, so I don't think there is a problem about his role, the biggest problem is the money.

[P2]

I think Barnes is well out of our pirce range. He also wouldn't take a backup role after starting in Phoenix and playing several 30+ minute games.

I agree with you on the price range, though he could accept to take a LLE contract (or a little more) for one year, make his value increase a lot during the season/playoffs (a la Posey) and become a free agent in 2010.

That was his thinking for this year after taking the minimum from the Suns. He had career highs in points and rebounds, and is now looking for his big contract.

[Evantime34]

Udoka, Barnes or even Mason, makes me happy with our wing situation. If we get none of those guys I hope Walker or Giddens are ready for the show.

[celticinorlando]

walker and giddens? are you serious? those 2 guys are marginal NBA players..if the C's are counting on them to be the main back up to pierce..then the C's will suffer the same fate as last season. those 2 add nothing

[Drucci]

Yeah, you're right, P2, I didn't realize it was his "contract year". But still, he isn't going to get great offers from contenders now since every team has already made big moves salary wise or is targeting other players... so either Barnes signs with a young, promising team or with a contender.

We have to hope that he is willing to accept the LLE and that his famous quote about playing in a warm/sunshine city is just a quote from the past.

It will be hard to sign him but he is one of the best wing free agents on the market, and that's why Danny should focus on Barnes in my opinion.

[toinewalka]

This should be labeled Plan A 1/2.  I think Hill would have been a better fit, but I LOVE the way Barnes game fits in with this team also.  A long SF who can also play the four and defends well and can hit three point shots.  Sounds a lot like Poset.  Main differences, Barnes gives you a little more slashing, Posey was a little shorter but a little better at D.  I think this is a great fit to give PP and Ray (PP plays the 2) some mintes to rest.  I love the fit.

[RAcker]

I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I'd be leaning towards Udoka being in Danny's mind.

[celticinorlando]

i like the fact udoko comes from a great system in SA..he would be very strong defensively

[timepiece33]

This should be labeled Plan A 1/2.  I think Hill would have been a better fit, but I LOVE the way Barnes game fits in with this team also.  A long SF who can also play the four and defends well and can hit three point shots.  Sounds a lot like Poset.  Main differences, Barnes gives you a little more slashing, Posey was a little shorter but a little better at D.  I think this is a great fit to give PP and Ray (PP plays the 2) some mintes to rest.  I love the fit.

 I'm amazed that one person says Barnes is good defensively AND suddenly some want to believe it.  

IMO, the guy is an upgrade ... but there is a reason he is signing minimum level deals and having teams pass on him.  

[johnnyrondo]

If Channing Frye ended up getting less than 3 million over 2 years, we absolutely have a chance to steal Hakim Warrick away from the Griz.  His jaw would drop at a 4yr/11 million deal right now.  That would only cost us an additional 2-3 mil per year in luxery tax.

For a player entering his prime who can backup both 3 and 4, with the length to be a great defender in our system -- this has to be considered.  I think I'd even rather have Warrick than trading for Nocioni, especially for the bargain price he can be had for.  The guy is built for our system.

I hadn't even heard that Frye signing. Man both him and Pargo signed for cheap. I feel that Danny's asleep at the wheel. Luckily the big three helped out and got Sheed at least.

[P2]

I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I'd be leaning towards Udoka being in Danny's mind.

Yeah, I've said the same before.

[GKC]

The Warrick thing is very intruiging, especially since the grizz now have a logjam up front with Zbo, Gasol Lite and Hasheem taking most of the minutes in the front court. Hakeem seems to be the odd one out.

[TerreHaute]

Are there more attractive players out there we could acquire with some of the expiring contracts from our bench?

[Rtpas11]

Bring Back Antoine Walker!!!! ****!!!!

[Prof. Clutch]

I like Barnes on offense, but we need someone who can come in and play D more than anything, and that ain't Matt Barnes.

Yeah, Bogans and Udoka would be better choices for that matter. And both shoot the three pretty well.

I think people underrate Barnes on defense, he is a good defender from what I've seen of him. Plus, offensively, he is way better than Udoka who basically only shoots the three while Barnes got post up moves, drives and a shooting touch. He is a good rebounder too.

I really think we should make Barnes our priority, and then look at other players (Bogans seems good).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_OosSMj50Y&feature=fvst

I think your right on Drucci.  Barnes has been on my wish list for a while.  And I started to gain interest in him after watching that underdog Golden State team that beat Dallas.  The entire defense was scrappy and tough, and he was one of the main reasons for it.  Maybe I'm missing something, but I always observed that as being one of his strong suits.  Plus he can knock down the 3 ball more than adequately.

Go get'em Danny.  (And I find it somewhat laughable that he's being compared to Scal.)