A sign and trade for Swift?

[Diesel]

News out of Memphis is that the Griz and Swift are far apart... We are a team who are rumored that is willing to do a SNT for Swift.

That may all be just smoke coming out of some writers hindparts... But Diesel looks at it....

Diaw/CC for Swift(SNT)....

West is probably drooling over Diaw. He would like some cap relief. More than anything, he would like to get rid of some of those players... But they need a guy... Diaw... Defensive, ball handler...

Good off the bench....

We get a big man...

KA/Barry/Harrington/Walker/Swift.

At the firm of Harrington, Walker, and Swift, the key is versatility.

[capstone21]

I would like to get Swift but not with that trade. I think CC, a draft pick and Cap relieft should be enough. I don't want to trade Diaw too. He is going to be a very important player on our roster. The do everything role player. Teams need players like that to be successful.

[Diesel]

Diaw is a ball handling forward.

He's not a good enough shooter so he's not really a shooting guard. He's not a good enough ball handler to be a PG.

Of his type, we have Walker, Ivy, D. Smith, Delk....

Of all them he is the best defensive player (I think). Of all of them, he is probably the best passer (I think). He's mediocre in the scoring files.

Swift represents a 6'10 guy who can play both C and PF. Thus far, he's been a disappointment but he has a lot of potential.

What does the "P" word really mean?

I would probably agree with you that CC and a 1st should be enough.... However, what if we miss out on a more talented player with that first? By all means, we won't be world beaters this year and may end up in the lottery. There are some good kids coming out in the lottery.....

???

[Admin]

Diaw actually could become one of the best shooters on the team. If you actually watched them play you would know that he has excellent form, probably the best on the team, on his jumpers. He is also very aggressive and likes to attack the rim. With 2-3 years of adjusting to the NBA style of play he will be a very solid, potential lower level star in this league. You also claim he cant handle the rock like a PG can and thats completely false. Sure he isnt 5'2 and lightning quick, but he doesnt turn the ball over and has excellent court visision to set his teammates up....which is exactly what you want from your PG.

Bottom line is that he has been your latest target for trade and you will stop at nothing to see him gone.

[tmac13]

Diaw can't remotely play point guard..You guys need to get a clue..Sure Diaw can handle the ball well when being guarded by other forwards, but he can't be consistantly bring the ball up against quick point guards....As far as his shot goes,,its bad and tentative..He is one of the least confident offensive players I have ever watched play.

[emeans]

Exactly...Diaw is not and never will be able to be a PG. He can play the 2 and 3 but he would get picked all day trying to play PG against a quicker, shorter true PG.

I like the ball in his hand after mid-court because he passes and shoots well, but he is not a PG.

[capstone21]

We don't need Diaw to play PG. However, we don't need him to score 30 points either. Players like Bowen and Michael Curry are as important to a team as scorers. They come in and shut down the opposing teams star. Diaw has the added bonus of being able to handle the ball and get others involved. I think he is a very important piece to our teams future. He is not a star or ever will be but if we are to become successful he will be a big part of it.

[Iman]

I like Swift a little better than Diaw, a little. From what I hear, Swift wants 6 yrs at 60mil. I think he's worth half that, I'll pass on any Swift deals.

[Diesel]

You're funny. It shows your basketball Lack of knowledge....

Excellent form means Nothing when you don't have the desire... Desire is the difference between Ray Allen and Tracy Murry. Sure, Murry had excellent form, but there was no desire to be a scorer. Having the mechanics to shoot the ball and being a shooter are two different thing Dol. If you really want to understand clueless, you need to read what you just wrote there.

Thus far, Diaw has showed NO interest in being a scorer. It's got to be part of you. Just like there were many (you probably included) who said that Jason Terry could be a PG... Well, 5 yrs later, he's still a 2 in a 1's body.

Moreover, you keep this notion of adjusting to the NBA's style of play? Isn't the whole montra for these Europlayers is that they come into the game not needing much time for adjustment?? I think you are again deluding yourself...

[Diesel]

I wouldn't give Swift a 10 million dollar a year deal either. I would however, consider 8.

Here's the deal. 6 yr 48 million.

The thing I like about Swift. He's Young, Atheletic, Defensive, and could probably put up really good numbers giving the time.

The thing I don't like is that he's still unproven. He's not really a C.

With us, he would have no choice but to play C.

In SNT, I would trade Drobs/Diaw to Memphis for Swift at 6 yr 48 million.

It's a cheap contract for a PF/C player if he can put up good numbers.

That would mean that he becomes our starting C.

Over the year, I would evaluate both Harrington/Walker to see who becomes a part of the nucleus.

It could be that in the future:

Swift/Harrington/J-Smooth/J-Chill/PG

Would be our nucleus.

[emeans]

Excellent points Diesel!!

Most of the time you can't make Diamonds out of Crystals. Diaw is an excellent player, but he is what he is. He has played with a certain mentality all of his professional playing life and at this level it usually stays that way.

He will improve on his skills, no doubt, but does he have the mentality to become an agressive shooting guard/forward that we need?

Time will only tell...

[Diesel]

For those that don't know the History, Diaw was in the draft two times before we chose him and both times, he had the same knock on his game... He needs to be more assertive as an offensive player. He never picked that up. In 2 yrs of playing with some NBA players and 1 year playing in the NBA, he has shown no development. You are what you are. It's like trying to make Big Dog into a defensive specialist...

Now, if you want to sell Diaw, you can sell him on the fact that he is probably one of the best on ball defense playing rookies in the game. (I will buy that). He could probably develop into a point foward or OG in the mold of Doug Christie (defensively). (I will buy that). BUT don't try to sell me on this trash that he has good mechanics thus he will turn into a good shooter/good shooting guard.... Please. Next you will be saying that Saddam was behind 9-11....

Can't buy it.

[drzachary]

Diaw's (lack of) aggressiveness on the court seems to fit his cultural heritage. He was pretty rudely heckled whenever he passed up uncontested dunks/layups to kick out the ball for a contested 15' jumper. I joined in once or twice, as it was pretty damn frustrating. Now, if we had a German player who could whip him into shape ....

All in all, his skillset is worth keeping, IMO.