Centers of Attention

by Mr. Diamond on Jul 6, 2009 10:14 PM CDT

If Tyson Chandler must be traded, and it must be during the offseason, the rumored deal with the Detroit Pistons (Jason Maxiell and Kwame Brown for Chandler) is probably the most palatable arrangement available, as noted by jdpourciau (this FanPost, my first, began life as a comment on jdpourciau's work - thanks for the inspiration).

However, while this trade would shore up the PF position for the next few years, we would have two expiring contracts as our only options at the 5, and both are probably back-up caliber at best. The solution?

As I've been putting forward to anyone who will listen, I think the Hornets should acquire Drew Gooden. A free-agent who can play PF or C (and actually had comparable-to-better numbers at the 5 last year, though there could be some extenuating circumstances behind that), Gooden would be a good short-term or long-term addition to the team's frontcourt. While he's only 6'10" and offensively-oriented, he can rebound, hit free throws and generally contribute at a consistent rate. His health can be an issue, but that's also true of Chandler, as well as just about every other big man in the league, to one degree or another. Depending on the deal, we could probably get Gooden for a reasonable sum of money while avoiding hamstringing ourselves for the future, particularly as it pertains to 2010.

In a post after the draft addressing our potential free-agent targets vis-a-vis the back-up frontcourt, our esteemed webmaster listed Gooden as someone we should give a look.

Ever since he left the company of the [Cavaliers], Gooden's been looking on the up and up. Rebounding last year? Try 10.4/22.6/16.6. 52.6% true shooting. 11.7% turnovers. 4.0 FTA/36 minutes.

Additionally, this assessment defined our chances at getting the former Finals starter as "actually reasonable" and went on to call Gooden a "very good option." High praise indeed.

If the front office signs no other free agent this offseason (and again, if they must trade TC before the season begins), I think Gooden should be put before names like Pargo, Bass and some of the other potential additions our team has been linked to. If Bower hasn't yet given his agent a call, perhaps this will bring the Kansas product to his attention.

Potential Depth Chart:
PG: Paul/Collison
SG: Butler/Peterson/Thornton
SF: Stojakovic/Posey/Wright
PF: West/Maxiell(/Marks?)
C: Gooden/Armstrong/Brown

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This proposed trade

Of Maxiell and Brown for Chandler is interesting. As a Detroit fan, I would love for this to happen, because it gives us a 7 fter and we won’t have to give up any center pieces like Rip or Tayshaun. I don’t know how close this deal is to becoming reality, and it would make Detroit’s frontcourt dangerously thin, with Chandler and Villanueva being the only possible PF/Cs that aren’t rookies. Some manuevering will have to be done with any cap that remains (not much). I hear Detroit is courting Gooden, it would make sense to sign Gooden first, then deal Maxi and Kwame for Tyson so the cap won’t be affected (I think the salaries are within 125%) and we can still have our FA big man. Hornets fans will love Maxiell. He’s a real fan favorite, an energy guy that’ll give a huge dunk and a block or 2 to really bring fans to their feet. I don’t know how close this deal is, or if it will even come to fruition, but if it does I’ll be pretty happy. Chandler’s toe and ankles will give me pause however.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Jul 16, 2009 6:44 PM CDT reply actions