SB Nation User Blog: Ceasaleo

Would U Make This Trade?...

Ceasaleo — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:26:54 -0000

And how realistic do u think it is with the teams involved?

I just put it together thinking we could get something better for Ty than just Harrington. Plus Gay is player I think works well in our system.

Here's the trade:

Chicago trades: Memphis trades:

Luol Deng to Memphis Rudy Gay, Steven Hunter, and Sam Young to Bulls

Ty Thomas and John Salmons to Utah Darrell Arthur to Jazz

Jazz Trades:

Carlos Boozer to Bulls

Why we do it:

Getting Gay gives us way more explosiveness, and better scoring at the 3. Getting Boozer gives us a big time boost scoring in the post. Plus we can still go out and grab a 2010 FA because we clear Salmons and Deng's deal off the books, while adding Boozer and Hunter's expiring contracts.

Why Memphis does it:

They have a team full of gunners, adding a guy with star potential, who doesn't need the rock in his hands all the time has to look enticing. Plus I've heard Gay and Mayo don't really get along. Mayo has been anointed their "Go to Guy".

Why Utah does it:

They get a nice complement to Milsap in Thomas and a legit SF in Salmons. They've been missing that this season. Arthur's is a young big that may be worth something, but was really just an add-in to make salaries work.

We've Got To Rescue D. Wade

Ceasaleo — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:35:53 -0000

After watching the Heat - Wizards game tonight, I'm convinced that the Heat are even more of a one man team, than I believed them to be. There's no way D. Wade stays after this year, and we should really be doing everything in our power to align things to get him next year.

I know a lot of people are going to say, well what would make him want to come here over staying with the Heat and getting those extra millions in the warm weather. Well, look at the team that's around him. The Heat will have a lot of money coming off the books this offseason, from my guess I would say about 38 mil, not counting D. Wade's salary. So I guess they could go out and sign someone like Boozer and resign Wade, but that still leaves them with a starting lineup of :

PG Chalmers

SG D. Wade

SF Beasley

PF Boozer

C FA Pickup / Draft

Is that the team that u think he sees giving him a chance to contend for a title? I don't think so. And if the salary cap shrinks again, then that gives them even less money to fill in those gaps and the bench.

Now, I've heard that we would have to get rid of Hinrich or Ty Thomas's contracts (maybe both) if we want to have enough money to get a premier FA. I say we start with Thomas, I love his potential, but if he's in the way of getting D. Wade I say he can go. Now you're gonna have to follow me on this one.

We trade Tyrus and Jerome James for Boozer, we can give them some cash or a 2nd rounder for fill in. The Jazz do this because at present time they r going nowhere fast and will want to get his contract off the books, before the luxary tax deadline. We get a low post presence for a year, and added salary cap space at the end of the year. This move will give us 24 mil coming off the books. That should be enough space to sign D. Wade.

Our lineup as it exists today is missing the go-to scorer (which we lost when we let BG walk), but even with saying that we have really good pieces in place and that are locked up for the near future. I'll take Rose and Noah over Chalmers and Beasley every day of the week. Throw in Deng, who seems to be showing that he's healthy, and that's a pretty good core group. Reinsdorf has avoided going into the luxury tax like the plague, but I thought I heard he would do so for a championship contender. So say we sign D.Wade for the max and then come back and pick up someone like David Lee for another 8 or 9 mil. This puts us over the cap (I believe, not sure), but not by much and leaves us with this team:

PG D. Rose

SG D. Wade

SF Deng

PF David Lee

C Joakim Noah

With Salmons (if he opts in), Gibson, Johnson coming off the bench. Even if u leave out David Lee and substitute Gibson in. That lineup still looks better than what Miami can throw out.

Thoughts?

Would U Trade Luol for Stephen Jackson?

Ceasaleo — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:02:37 -0000

If Golden State would take Luol, I would in a second. I think all the pouting comes from being on a sorry ass squad and playing for a coach like Nellie. Nellie seems to suck the life outta a lot of his players in recent years.

I would think Jackson's attitude would change once he got here. I know he's been portrayed as a malcontent in the media, but anytime I hear his teammates say something about him, it's always positive. U move him from a squad who has no chance of even making the playoffs in the West, to a squad that is coming off makin the playoffs and is getting better. We may not be title contenders this year, but we're pretty good. To me, he is the guy we wish Lu was. He's better in every aspect of the game, except maybe defense. He has 3 point range, can create his own shot, rebounds, and actually finishes at the rim, plus he's making less money on a shorter contract. U stick him in the starting 5 and we definitely can compete in the top 4 of the East.

Starting Pitching Questions

Ceasaleo — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:27:34 -0000

I believe next year's starting rotation should be made up of Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, Jeremy Guthrie, and Brad Bergesen. That's what I would think most people believe makes up 4/5th's of the rotation. Here's my question: Who do you think takes that last spot?...

Do we take the free agent route?.. If so, who would you target?

Or do we go with some more home grown talent?.. If that's the way we go, who do you have in mind?

If we look the free agents route, my 1st option would be to get a young veteran that can come in and be a #1 or #2 type pitcher and maybe not cost that much, since I don't MacPhail's gonna break the bank for a pitcher. A couple of names that have caught my eye are : Brandon Webb, Jason Jennings, Shawn Hill, and Jon Garland. A couple others that I would keep my eye on, would be : Erik Bedard, Ben Sheets, Rich Harden, and Mark Prior, if these guys have gotten / can get over their injuries, they could be cheap pieces to plug in. My 2nd option would be to get an older veteran, who can be thrown into the middle / back end of the rotation, to serve as mentor and eat up some innings until the next wave of young arms get called up. Guys like Jason Schmidt, Josh Fogg, Tim Hudson, and John Smoltz.

I really like the idea of signing Smoltz, because he could be the closer or a starter, and provide some leardership to the young staff.

If we go the home grown route, I'd like to see Troy Patton win the spot. His arm should be back to form from surgery and he hope he has spent the whole year in AAA ironing out the kinks.

So what's your opinion... Throw your theory out there

I Think We're Selling Ourselves Short...

Ceasaleo — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:33:34 -0000

I'm not saying we will be a title contender next year, but we will make the playoffs and be a tough matchup for someone. Most of the teams that got better in the East were already ahead of us

Think about it for a second.. Boston adds Sheed, Orlando gets Vince, the LeBrons pick up Shaq, but what did 4- 6 really do? Atlanta looks like they will come out better, since they kept Bibby and picked up Crawford. But Philly and Miami did absolutely nothing to get better, unless u figure that Brand will actually stay healthy the whole year. Now for the guys below us, Detroit might have snatched up BG, but they have no guys inside. U not doing anything with Kwame Brown as ur best low post option, almost forgot about Charlie V, even though he isn't really an inside player. And their D will be atrocious. Toronto defintely looks to have gotten better, signing Hedo was big for them. Washington getting Arenas back is huge, if he can stay healthy, but they have a team full of guards and none of em r really all that good except Caron, and they all are injury prone. Do Charlotte, Indiana, NJ, or Milwaukee really scare u? They don't scare me.

I'll take a year of aging from D.Rose, Ty, and Noah, a full year of Salmons and Miller, a healthy Deng, and 2 more than servicables rookies against any of those teams. I'm going to predict that we may have lost a 20 pt scorer, but will still have not only one but 2 next season. Salmons will average 20 and D.Rose will average 20. I don't know what his numbers were last year but if D.Rose can hit around 37% of his 3's, he scores 20 easily. We are gonna be more than just respectable. This team will prove a lot of people wrong in their thinking. And end up a very attractive destination for young vets looking for a run at some rings. Fellow Bulls fans keep ur head up.

My predicted Top 8 for the East:

1) Boston

2) Cleveland

3) Orlando

4) Atlanta

5) Toronto

6) Chicago

7) Washington

8) Miami

If I was Jerry Paxman... My 2 Year Plan

Ceasaleo — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:51:30 -0000

This would be my game plan for the next year and a couple months..

1. Rest of FA -- We've lost BG, didn't want to spend that type of money on a 6th man. Cool. Let's throw a 3 year deal worth about 6-7 mil to Von Wafer. He doesn't want to go back to Houston. He's the space opener we lost with BG, plus he's actually SG size at 6'5 210. I'd make him my 1st priority, then if we lose out on him look at Rodney Carney or Rashad McCants, but no one would be making over 2.5 mil a year.

2. Summer League Team -- If we can churn out some the bottom of the roster with some rookies or lower priced vets, it can only help our cap space situation. Let's look for some guys to replace the likes of Anthony Roberson, Linton Johnson, and Aaron Gray. Don't forget that Lindsay Hunter will be a player-coach, so we'll need to replace him too. So let's see if a guy like Taurean Green, can become our 3rd PG. If he's developed a shot, he could be the perfect PG to groom as a back up, so we can move Kirk. Or if Julius Hodge, has recovered from his gunshot injuries and is ready to get back on track. Before being shot he was starting "to get it" with the Nuggets. He would bring some needed versatility to the bench. Can sharpshooter A.D. Vasallo show enough in other departments to get a shot with the big boys? He's definitely one of those space openers we've been talkin bout recently. And wouldn't it be nice if James Augustine showed enough that he makes Aaron Gray an afterthought. I'm hoping all 4 make the squad.

3. Stand Pat til December or January -- No need to make a move right now. Let's see what we have first. A couple of months in, and we'll know if Salmons is a reliable replacement for BG at SG. We'll know if Deng is back to normal and healthy. And most importantly, we'll know if Amare's eye is healthy and he'll be finally working himself into "real" game condition. (Remember right now, he's coming off no physical exertion for about 3 months).

Hopefully, we look good, I'm not expecting #4 or #5 in the conference, but we should be very comfortably in the mix, somewhere in the 6-9 range. Deng is looking like his old self and Salmons has shown that he is more than capable of replacing BG's 20 a night. Phoenix, on the other hand, is already out in double digit range, which might not be too far fetched. Amare is disgusted, and Kerr has the owner down his back about salaries and cutting costs, this is where we jump in to the rescue. Offering Tyrus Thomas, Luol Deng, Tim Thomas, and Jerome James, for Amare and Barbosa. Immediately, extend Amare at about $15-17 mil/year, he's talking that 20 mil crap, but he'll be glad we put him in the spotlight and saved him from Phoenix.

This leaves us with a 2009-2010 lineup of:

PG D Rose / Hinrich / Green

SG Salmons / Barbosa / Wafer

SF Johnson / Vasallo / Hodge

PF Amare / Gibson / Augustine

C Noah / Miller

Good enough to finish the season in the 4-6 range and possibly make it to a 2nd round matchup against Shaq and Lebron, or a revuvenated Big 3 plus Sheed. But not good enough.

4. Free Agency 2010 -- I know everybody wants us to bring Wade home, but Joe Johnson makes more sense. He'll be the cheaper option, he's only a year older, has had less injury problems, and is a better shooter, which complements D. Rose better. We'll even give them a sign and trade option, if the Hawks are looking for it. Sending Hinrich and Barbosa in exchange. Salmons won't opt out, unless he puts up unbelieveable numbers, so we slide him to the 3. Try to resign Miller, at a lower price if he's up to it.

This should be our opening day lineup for 2010:

PG D Rose / Green

SG Johnson / Wafer / Hodge

SF Salmons / Johnson / Vasallo

PF Amare / Gibson / Augustine

C Noah / Miller / Asik

This team is a legit championship contender and it isn't a scenario that all that hard to believe can happen. We would be placing ourselves in a GREAT position, because we'll still be able to sign D. Rose and Noah to their extensions, without too much luxary tax, and by then it should be more than worth it. I'm just hoping that the Front Office is thinking in some like minded fashion.

** FYI **

A 3 TEAM TRADE INVOLVING THE BULLS, HAWKS, AND SUNS INVOLVING THE SAME PLAYERS MENTIONED ABOVE WORKS FOR THIS YEAR, BUT I FIGURED THAT WAS A BIT MUCH TO THINK COULD REALISTICALLY HAPPEN.. But if Atlanta falls out of contention early it wouldn't be impossible:

Chicago Gets: Phoenix Gets: Atlanta Gets:

Amare Stoudemire Luol Deng Kirk Hinrich

Joe Johnson Tyrus Thomas Leandro Barbosa

Jerome James

Tim Thomas

Back Up Plan...

Ceasaleo — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:44:12 -0000

Ok now that BG is gone, do we add a SG to back up Salmons? I hope so...

Some bargains out there for your consideration...

Ronald Murray

Wally Szczerbiak

Gerald Green -- I know, I know I keep bringing him up

I wouldn't mind bringing in Von Wafer, Szcerbiak, Fred Jones or Desmond Mason. All except for Szcerbiak would be considered better defenders. Which we are supposedly focusing on.

Opinions please

Undrafted Free Agents

Ceasaleo — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:20:42 -0000

I know Summer League isn't until mid July, but won't we be having a mini camp or something coming up soon. Besides our 2 rookies, DeMarcus Nelson, and I guess Anthony Roberson.. Who else goes on our squad? Maybe Aaron Gray again? I did see that we picked up a 7 footer from ND, Luke Zeller, I think his name was. We know D. Rose will be with team USA

Here's some undrafted guys I wouldn't mind taking a flier on: (we actually had more than a couple of these guys in to workout)

Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews- Both are Marquette guards. McNeal is a little undersized as a 2, but he can shoot, get to the rack, an his D is a monster. Matthews has the size, but needs a more consistent handle and shot. McNeal could stick easily.

Josh Heytvelt- PF from Gonzaga. He has all the tools to be a more than serviceable big man on the roster. I'd take him over Gray, but is his head on str8? If he's decided that he wants to take ball seriously, pick him up

Luke Nevill- legit 7 footer from Utah. Don't know much about him, but I've read that he gave BJ Mullens fits every time the two were matched in pre draft workouts, that's enough for me.

Alex Ruoff- SG from West VA. Has a lights out shot and is tough defender, good ball skills and passer. Athleticism is his problem.

Micah Downs- SF from Gonzaga. This one guy I would definitely go after. If u liked Chase Budinger, u'll like this guy. Just as good a shooter with more athleticism, and way better defender.

Dar Tucker- SG from DePaul. Not sure why this guy left early, he definitely needed some more seasoning in college. But he's a freak athletically, and has a nice stroke.

Alonzo Gee- SG from Bama. Not much of a shooter, but he's a scorer. Needs to improve ball handling too.

Josh Carter- SG from Texas A&M. Dead eye outside shot. Just can't get his own, but off drive and kick he's dangerous. Would be a nice complement in our offense.

Out of these guys, I'm most interested in Luke Nevill, Micah Downs, and Jerel McNeal. You guys got any others to look at.

I'm not dissapointed just interested...

Ceasaleo — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:48:10 -0000

I like many others was extremely upset with us skipping over Blair with both picks on Thursday, but then I slept on it. Read and reread a couple of pre draft analysis of both players. I was an advocate of selecting Taj Gibson early on in the process, albeit with a 2nd round pick, but hey he's here anyway. Unlike others of u, I think we did a pretty solid job in the draft. To me Johnson and Gibson can fit right into the team seamlessly

Johnson is the 3/4 that we thought we had in Nocioni before he became 3 pt. happy. He's a bruiser as a 3, who will take smaller 3's down on the block (post up option maybe). As a 4, we use him out on pick and roll and pick and pop, he will give other 4's all types of problems, cuz he actually has some handle and can get to the rack with either hand. He complements both Deng and Ty, so it's not so much that he's being brought in as a replacement, just added insurance.

Gibson, is a super sized Ty, but again don't be so set on him being a replacement. He, too, can be a great complement to our frontcourt. Think about the last couple of years, wheneva Ty got in early foul trouble what happened? Either we had to go small with Nocioni at 4, once we got Miller he came in, or before Miller Gray came in. Having Gibson now gives us another option. He can come in when any of the bigs get in foul trouble, and to me is a great tag team partner for Miller off the bench. Remember, during the Boston series when we all complained about the lack of a shot blocker and lack of rebounding, wheneva Noah and Thomas had to be out the game, well he's the answer to that problem. And even though Blair would've addressed one of those problems, the D wouldn't have been addressed.

Now what do we do in FA, that's what interests me.. I'm not really sold on the BG leaving thing, I think he comes back and at a pretty reasonable price. And if he's set on leaving, I'm pretty sure some kind of sign and trade can be worked out to our benefit. He won't be leaving for nothing. These Detroit rumors just don't scare me, I think they spend their money on Boozer and Hedo. And if Gordon is serious about winning then Memphis and OKC, shouldn't really attract him. That being said, we resign him and sign another SG/SF with part of our MLE(please go after Gerald Green) for the rotation and go into the 2009-2010 season looking like this:

PG Rose Hinrich Nelson

SG Gordon Salmons Green

SF Deng Johnson Green TiT

PF Ty Thomas Johnson Gibson TiT

C Noah Miller

This leaves us with more than enough chips to make a midseason deal, or we can stand pat. This team as made up with resigning Gordon is a legit playoff team, and could be a contender. Like I've said before, if these 2010 free agents aren't just blowing smoke about the wanting to win thing, then we'll be a major attraction.

Timberwolves - Wiz Trade Aftermath

Ceasaleo — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:24:23 -0000

Okay trading Mike Miller and Randy Foye away leaves the Wolves looking for a backcourt. There were no guards coming back to them in the trade. They now also have 4 1st round picks(#5,6,18,28). I don't see them going into the season with a rookie backcourt, and the only guard worth anything thats left is Telfair. So maybe the time is right for....

The front office to wave Hinrich around in front of them. Something like Hinrich and #16 for #6, #28, and Craig Smith.

Why the Wolves do it:

This new GM seems to want to make some noise. I just can't see them going into the season depending on 2 rookies in their 3 man rotation, at least not at PG. It takes a special talent to do that off da break, and none of these guys look the part to me. You add a solid vet at PG like Hinrich and take Evans/Harden with the 5th pick, and u have a team that may be able to compete for one of those last playoff spots in the West. They still have #16 and #18 to play with. I can easily see their roster looking like this:

PG Hinrich Telfair

SG #5- Evans(read they love him) #18- Terrance Williams

SF Gomes #16 James Johnson

PF Love Songalia

C Jefferson Thomas

Not half bad right? Now to the good part...

Why the Bulls do it:

It gives us a chance to have our cake and eat it too. We dump Kirk's salary, making it easier to resign BG. We get the 6th pick, guaranteeing that we get exactly the guy we want. Or take #6 and drop back to the 8-10 range and still get our guy with a lil extra cash in hand and less to pay. We then still have the late 20's pick. You could grab a rotation guy for this year AND grab a guy to hide in Europe for a year. Or take 2 guys u like still on the board. Or once again drop into the 2nd round and get some loot. Craig Smith gives us underrated muscle in the block and he expires this season. So many possiblities...

We could end up looking like this...

PG Rose #26- Toney Douglas

SG Gordon #8- Henderson

SF Deng Salmons

PF Ty Thomas Craig Smith

C Noah Miller

In this scenario, I trade #6 for NY's #8 and cash(they want to make sure they Stephen Curry) and used the #28 pick to stash SF/PF Jonas Jerebko overseas. This way he can come in for Salmons next year and Asik comes in for Miller. We have money for that 2010 FA and still have chips for a midseason trade.

What do u guys think?...