Shaq considering signing with the Hawks.....Update: C's show interest

[Fafnir]

We can't afford to spend the whole MLE on him, not worth it.

If he'll agree to a minimum contract or a smaller two year deal it could work out reasonably well until Perkins got back. At that point I think we'd have issues.

This is assuming that Rasheed retires, if he comes back we have no minutes for both of them. Our front court would be a wayyyy too slow.

[Jon]

The ESPN bottomline is also noting the C's interest in him.
 
While I tend to side with those that think we shouldn't spend the whole MLE on him, if for some reason we do, I think I could live with it.  While I've been pushing the notion of a 2-3 scorer off the bench, having a low post presence like Shaq would make scoring from our backups less important.  In that case, a three point bomber like Morrow would be just fine and we wouldn't need a more well-rounded 2-3 like Miller (as much). 

Still think I'd prefer Miller and two lesser bigs though.   

[ForexPirate]

would love to have shaq to help lean on Howard. 

[Roy Hobbs]

I could only justify spending the MLE on Shaq if we had deals in place to fill our other holes using Rasheed's contract.  That includes a backup big and an athletic small forward, at minimum (assuming we re-sign Ray and at least one of Tony / Nate.)

[Brendan]

Shaq on a 2/3 year MLE deal makes sense. At that level he'll be tradeable.

Also - Perk gets a fair amount of touches in our offense without running anything for him - I could Shaq posting a ridiculously high efficiency. He's also a better passer. You'll give up some on D - Shaq can move on the quicker guys like Perk can, but I can live with that. When Perk comes back, you have options in how to set lineups.

Then you sign a vet min big (worst case Sheldon) and you use Sheed's deal plus a pick to get a wing - ATL has got to be considering dumping Marvin at this point, if he stays and Childress signs the offer sheet - they are in tax land. ATL could use Nate - S&T Nate and Sheed and cash for Marvin.

Shaq / Vet Min (perk)
KG / Baby
Pierce / Marvin
Allen / Allen
Rondo / AB

A little thin at guard, but I think you roll the dice since Rondo is the one guy who can't be replaced in the lineup.

[Brendan]

I could only justify spending the MLE on Shaq if we had deals in place to fill our other holes using Rasheed's contract.  That includes a backup big and an athletic small forward, at minimum (assuming we re-sign Ray and at least one of Tony / Nate.)

Yep. I think we need a SF that can play D, shoot threes, and dunk balls on the FB when Rondo lobs it to him.

I can live with Nate or Rondo as the backup guard / fourth wing, and an emergency plan of AB and scramble for a buyout.

I actually think we can get that other big through the vet minimum, so I'm not as worried about that.

[Evantime34]

Atlanta is saying that they did not offer Shaq the full MLE. This leads me to believe that it was a story leaked by Shaq's agent to drive up his price.

I wouldn't be shocked if he took the vet min in order to win a championship in Boston.

[hpantazo]

I could only justify spending the MLE on Shaq if we had deals in place to fill our other holes using Rasheed's contract.  That includes a backup big and an athletic small forward, at minimum (assuming we re-sign Ray and at least one of Tony / Nate.)

Yep. I think we need a SF that can play D, shoot threes, and dunk balls on the FB when Rondo lobs it to him.

I can live with Nate or Rondo as the backup guard / fourth wing, and an emergency plan of AB and scramble for a buyout.

I actually think we can get that other big through the vet minimum, so I'm not as worried about that.

From your description, I would say we need Rudy Fernandez

[Andy Jick]

Too bad this wasn't 15 years ago... 

[JSD]

I love the subplots too:

- The ultimate anti-Laker move by coming to Boston. This could hurt his legacy in LA.
- Evening the score with Kobe "I have one more than Shaq" Bryant.
- We all know about his beef with Dwight and Stan in Orlando.
- 4 hall of famers on one team. How's the locker room morale going to be?

[Eddie20]

I could only justify spending the MLE on Shaq if we had deals in place to fill our other holes using Rasheed's contract.  That includes a backup big and an athletic small forward, at minimum (assuming we re-sign Ray and at least one of Tony / Nate.)

I agree with that. I also think re-signing Nate would then be better than re-signing TA. Nate has good range and could spread the floor. On the other hand, a Bradley/TA combo would make life increasingly difficult for Shaq. If it were B. Miller instead of Shaq then I think we could get away with that backcourt. If that's the case, wouldn't it be wise to work a S & T of Tony to a team with cap space in order to generate a trade exception? We could include something small, say a 2nd rd pick, to make it worth it for the other team.

[Marqui]

I fully support bringing in Shaq. Perfect Perk replacement.

[Bahku]

I love the subplots too:

- The ultimate anti-Laker move by coming to Boston. This could hurt his legacy in LA.
- Evening the score with Kobe "I have one more than Shaq" Bryant.
- We all know about his beef with Dwight and Stan in Orlando.
- 4 hall of famers on one team. How's the locker room morale going to be?

I'm with you, Bud (TP) ... the storylines are endless, and almost all of them favor US. But despite all that, I honestly think he'd thrive on this team, and that he'd pleasantly surprise people, on the court and off.

I've thought about this a lot since it was first hinted at, and the more I consider it, the more I like it. With all the discussion I've read and heard, there are very few down-sides to it, and much to entice.

[RebusRankin]

Too bad this wasn't 15 years ago... 

We'd need a hot tub time machine.

[Rashi]

I love the subplots too:

- The ultimate anti-Laker move by coming to Boston. This could hurt his legacy in LA.
- Evening the score with Kobe "I have one more than Shaq" Bryant.
- We all know about his beef with Dwight and Stan in Orlando.
- 4 hall of famers on one team. How's the locker room morale going to be?

lol...good one.


And not to mention that if Boston wins a championship with Shaq vs the Lakers, there will be at least 50 new Shaq quotes.