Eastern Conference Update: 7/3/09

by Chris Alvino on July 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 pm

With the draft behind us and with free agency under way, let’s take a quick look at the Eastern Conference and how it is shaping up thus far. it is still very early in free agency, but here are a few observations:

Toronto Raptors: It appears that they are going to re-sign SF Shawn Marion, although ESPN.com is reporting that a deal is not close. Marion wants a deal similar to the 5 year, $50 million deal that Turkoglu just got from the Blazers. Good luck with that Shawn. The Raptors drafted SG / SF DeMar Derozan with the 9th overall pick, but Bryan Colangelo is trying to bring back Carlos Delfino and / or Anthony Parker to hold down the SG spot until Derozan is ready to contribute. Also, Colangelo kicked off the off-season by trading SG Jason Kapono to the Sixers for rugged forward Reggie Evans.

My thoughts: The Raptors have not done a ton to fix their PG problems, but they were making a push at the end of last year. While Bargnani and Bosh are a soft front line, their length can mesh well with Shawn Marion if he is there for a full season. DeRozan can be good down the line, but not right away. They still need a backup PG.

Boston Celtics:The Celtics have Leon Powe and Glen Davis to deal with as RFA, but I think Davis is a goner. The Celtics sent a cavalry to try and recruit Sheed. If the Celtics get him, then minor moves and a healthy season from their core should put them back into title contention. They are still going to ride their Big 3, along with Perkins and Rondo with the hope of another title.

New York Knicks: I will skip the Knicks for now.

New Jersey Nets: The Nets traded Vince Carter and young forward Ryan Anderson for Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee. They got a starting SG and a desperately needed backup PG. Drafting Terrence Williams was a great move for the Nets. If I was running the Nets, I would place a call to the Jazz and ask about Carlos Boozer. I think Boozer’s grit and rebounding would be a great fit with Brook Lopez in the frontcourt. Some people disagree with that, but Boozer, Lopez, Harris, and the role players can push that team into playoff contention while giving them the ability to sign another max free agent next summer. They should get Boozer!

Philadelphia Sixers:They have to figure out the Andre Miller situation. Jrue Holiday at 17 was a great value pick, but Holiday is not ready for a starting role. I am not even sure if he is ready for a rotation role yet. If the Sixers lose Miller, they better find a suitable backup plan because they need a real PG to lead that team. Jason Kapono (see above) should help that team’s poor outside shooting.

Washington Wizards:I like their trade with the Wolves. A healthy Arenas, Randy Foye, Caron Butler, Jamison, and Brendan Haywood is a strong starting five. Their bench can use a bit more, but Crittendon, McGee, Miller, and Nick Young is a good start. Perhaps a versatile defensive minded player like Jared Jeffries would serve that bench well.

My thoughts: The Wizards have done plenty to improve their team thus far. But their biggest addition next year will be a healthy Arenas. If his knees are not right, that team will struggle badly yet again. If Arenas is healthy, that team is a playoff team. it is that simple.

Charlotte Bobcats: They have to deal with the Felton situation. Drafting Henderson was a good pick at 12. That team needs a bit more offensive pop in the backcourt or in the frontcourt. I think Iverson would help that team, but I do not think that they will go down that path. They can be a playoff team next year. I think they grew as a team last year and I think Larry Brown will have them playing well next season. If they can nab a player like Chris Kaman or Eddy Curry, that team can be dangerous. Their bench also needs a bit more.

Atlanta Hawks: I am not sure what to think of the Hawks. I love their Jeff Teague pick. Mike Bibby appears to be returning, but I am not sure about Josh Childress and Marvin Williams. The team needs a true center and has to figure out their situation with their RFAs. I like their Jamal Crawford move. he is a better scorer off the bench than Flip Murray was last year, and the Hawks were the 4th seed in the playoffs.

Miami Heat:They are reportedly talking to Allen Iverson, but I am not sure if that will come to fruition. Their biggest acquisition might be the improvement of Michael Beasley.

Orlando Magic: I like their decision to get Vince Carter, and i really like their decision to move away from the Hedo / Lewis tandem. They got killed in the paint against the Lakers because the Laker front line was too big for the SFs. I think the Magic can use a more traditional PF to fill the hole in the starting lineup.

The player that Olrando should pursue very hard is Lamar Odom. Unless Odom re-signs with LA (which will probably happen), Orlando would be a great spot for Odom. His versatility can serve that team well and he would start at the PF spot. He should be the guy. I doubt they have the assets and / or the funds to get Boozer, and I am not sure if Boozer is a better fit than Odom anyway.

There are also rumors that the Magic can S&T Marcin Gortat (who has agreed with Dallas) for PF Brandon Bass. Not a bad move for the Magic.

Indiana Pacers:They cut Marquis Daniels and drafted Tyler Hansbrough, both moves I like a lot. Mike Dunleavy should be back next season. A fringe playoff team. Will they ever take care of the Jamal Tinsley situation? Would anyone trade Eddy Curry for Tinsley?

Cleveland Cavs: Getting Shaq was a big move, but with the Lakers getting Artest, and Ariza going to the Rockets, the Cavs have to make another move. Orlando, Boston, San Antonio, and Cleveland will all battle for Rasheed Wallace. If Clevland gets him, then a front line of Sheed, Shaq, and LeBron, with Mo Williams at the point, might put that team into the Finals. Perhaps though, the Cavs might be better off bringing back Varajeo and trying to find a SG with the MLE.

Detroit Pistons:I do not love the Gordon and Villanueva moves. They also drafted Austin Daye and DeJuan Summers. They will be a playoff team, but they are not elite. Not sure if I would have dumped all of my cap room on those tow guys. If the Pistons can get Boozer, I will change my mind on them.

Chicago Bulls: Not sure what they are doing. Losing Gordon hurt, but that was foreseeable. They have depth at the guard spot with Salmons, Hinrich and Rose. They have the assets to go get a big name, and they should look into some of the big name big men. They drafted James Johnson and Taj Gibson in the draft. That team has a ton of assets and they should consolidate.

Milwaukee Bucks:They let go of Villanueva. The are going to try and keep Sessions. They traded Jefferson for spare parts. They drafted Brandon Jennings, which can be either very good or very bad. Apparently they want Josh Childress. I do not see the Bucks as a playoff team next year.

About Chris Alvino

Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →
  • Magik_Trick

    Indiana cut Tyler Hansbrough? Is that possible?

    Chicagos dumb, they draft2 PFs, when they already have Ty Thomas, and Joakim Noah…they’ll probabaly trade one of them, but for now..Salmons is no replacement for Ben Gordan..

    And am I the only one that thinks Iverson & Wade on the same team is a bad idea?

    &In Atlana, since Crawford is in, I say we swoop in and pick up FA Flip Murray for cheap..

    The teams that got better, were the teams that were already good
    and the teams that got worse/didnt do anything has to be a good feeling for any Knicks fan..
    thats leave an opening for us to maybe make the playoffs, last season detroit made it with 39 wins, and we had 32..

  • Chris Alvino

    Magic- They did not cut Hansbrough. That was a typo. I forgot to say “drafted”. Sorry about that.

    As for Iverson and Wade, yeah I am not so sure on that one.

    Chicago has to make some kind of move with their power forwards.

    Flip can be decent, but only for a very, very cheap deal. Maybe not minimum, but not too much higher.

  • mk218377

    how about we call crosstown to mr thorn about the services of skip to my lou. alston is better than any option we have at the point, hes got new york toughness (rucker park toughness). he’d start from day 1. i wonder if he could be had and at what cost

  • Chris Alvino

    Not sure what we have to offer the nets. Do they want Jeffries? Probably not. Because he was just traded, Alston cannot be traded with another player for a certain amount of time. it has to be one for one.

  • http://www.imgupdate.info/07/03/the-knicks-blog-%c2%bb-eastern-conference-bupdateb-7309.html The Knicks Blog » Eastern Conference bUpdate/b: 7/3/09 | Img up date to you

    [...] look at the Eastern Conference and how it is shaping up thus far. Read the original here: The Knicks Blog » Eastern Conference bUpdate/b: 7/3/09 Share and [...]

  • joetheknick

    Good summary. Hope DW finds a way to bring in Felton together with Radmonovic or Mohammed for Eddy Curry. Going into next season, MD does not need to disrupt the team by finding minutes for Curry to facilitate a trade. Felton is a quality player who could continue to improve his game. Felton and Duhon could compete for the starting role at PG. I realize Radmonoivic and Mohammed have contracts that extend into 2010 but each is half the size of Curry. Radmonovic will compete with Harrington as a 3 point threat or Mohammed would provide back up at PF and C. Not the total answer but a step in the right direction. Your thoughts