Around the League: Week 12 1/12-1/18

[ShelC]

I would probably do that deal. Wright could be the key guy you need next to Love. Not a world killer, but a shotblocker/garbage guy to defend the rim. Then you just need shooters and defenders on the perimeter (Tucker, TJ, Bullock). The Morri become super expendable in that case.

[Shabazz]

I wouldn't give up Len+Bledsoe for Love at this point, especially because Love can opt out. Any combination of players that doesn't include Len, and I'd probably bite.

[Ring_Wanted]

Any combination of players that doesn't include Len, and I'd probably bite.

Exactly.

If somehow you are able to be left with Love, Dragic and Len, you do whatever it takes.

[OE32]

Any combination of players that doesn't include Len, and I'd probably bite.

Exactly.

If somehow you are able to be left with Love, Dragic and Len, you do whatever it takes.

What are we, Utah?

[wpmiller42]

I think for me, Len is nearly untouchable. He has shown the potential to be a top-3 center in the league. He's athletic, a defensive presence, and he can score even when he's not the focus of the offense. If he adds a reliable jump-hook and continues to get stronger, he can be ungaurdable. I think Len could be a starting center on a championship-quality team.

I just think any deal involving Len has to put us in the championship contender conversation to even be considered.

[OE32]

I think for me, Len is nearly untouchable. He has shown the potential to be a top-3 center in the league. He's athletic, a defensive presence, and he can score even when he's not the focus of the offense. If he adds a reliable jump-hook and continues to get stronger, he can be ungaurdable. I think Len could be a starting center on a championship-quality team.

I just think any deal involving Len has to put us in the championship contender conversation to even be considered.

I agree. The problem is, without Len, we have a gaping hole at the 5 which likely precludes us from contending. So we'd need to trade for a 5. So what's the point??

[ShelC]

We have Brandan Wright, people.

Brandan. Wright.

[carey]

No to trading Len for Love. I don't mind losing Bledsoe, but offense is not our problem and Love can't defend a paper bag. He does rebound though, which I think makes him an asset next to Len not in place of. I'd even consider moving Dragic in a package for Love, say Dragic and the Morris twins or something. But again we'd need assurance he'd sign here long term. No sense giving up any assets at all when we could make a play for him this Summer. It would be in lieu of signing Goran but it could be done.

[ShelC]

With Love, we could platoon with Plums and Wright at the 5, or put Love at the 5 and find an interior 4. I'd love Acy in that role.

[OE32]

Markieff+Len>>>>>>>Love+Parts

[Indy]

I am surprised how dispensable Len is to you, Shel. What is it about him? Do you really think BW gives us similar stuff?

[EDC]

Len has the promise to be everything we have been missing for a long time. I'm all for an exciting offense but I am so tired of awful defense and rebounding.

What I really want is another 7 foot defensive big. I want to roll with twin towers. Build around big guys instead of guards.

McD go get us Vucevic, Nurkic or Gobert.

[ShelC]

It's not that he's dispensable. I like him and I like his potential for sure. But Love is a beast and a legit basketball player. It's not like I'm advocating Len for Taj Gibson or Thad Young. Love has his weaknesses, but you need a scoring/low post big in the playoffs and Love can do that and shoot the 3. And a guy like Wright can hold the fort down protecting the rim at the 4 spot and we can find another shotblocker/big to pair with Love or just keep Plums in that role as well.

I'm split to be honest. Love could make us a contender (next year, this year might be tough) whereas Len may still take 2 years to really get there. Now vs. Future. But I think we have the pieces where a guy like Love can help us take the next step. And while I love Bledsoe, I think that contract could be an albatross.

[Superbone]

No to trading Len for Love. I don't mind losing Bledsoe, but offense is not our problem and Love can't defend a paper bag. He does rebound though, which I think makes him an asset next to Len not in place of. I'd even consider moving Dragic in a package for Love, say Dragic and the Morris twins or something. But again we'd need assurance he'd sign here long term. No sense giving up any assets at all when we could make a play for him this Summer. It would be in lieu of signing Goran but it could be done.

No Dragic, no Love.

[JCSunsfan]

It's not that he's dispensable. I like him and I like his potential for sure. But Love is a beast and a legit basketball player. It's not like I'm advocating Len for Taj Gibson or Thad Young. Love has his weaknesses, but you need a scoring/low post big in the playoffs and Love can do that and shoot the 3. And a guy like Wright can hold the fort down protecting the rim at the 4 spot and we can find another shotblocker/big to pair with Love or just keep Plums in that role as well.

I'm split to be honest. Love could make us a contender (next year, this year might be tough) whereas Len may still take 2 years to really get there. Now vs. Future. But I think we have the pieces where a guy like Love can help us take the next step. And while I love Bledsoe, I think that contract could be an albatross.

I like Love, but if Love can't make Kyrie and LeBron contenders, how does he make us a contender?

[ShelC]

That's oversimplifying things, no?

[OE32]

Len's interior D is absolutely indespensable, not easily replaced. Love is not a low-post beast, but a tremendous offensive weapon. Last I checked, offense wasn't the problem. Granted, his rebounding is better than Kieff's, and rebounding is a problem.

I just think that trading Len as part of a Love package is self-destruction. We won't do it, because it's a really bad idea.

[INFORMER]

You need Len and Love together to contend for a championship. It's just that simple. Wright and Plumlee can't fill-in for what that combo could give you.

[iLLmatic]

Something tells me that if Blanks were still here he would make that trade lol.

[ShelC]

No, he'd have traded for Waiters and Tristan Thompson.