One more thing to get out in the open.

[dnbman]

This draft was CLEARLY about going after Chris Paul. While what we did still makes sense without going after Paul, too many things are lining up for the pursuit of Paul.

Discuss.

[bes628]

Dude will not come here, especially if we have a really bad season next year, which we probably will. Dude wants to win.

[The Prodigy]

Dude will not come here, especially if we have a really bad season next year, which we probably will. Dude wants to win.

If we have enough Cap room and tradeable assets come free agency next year, CP3 and Dwight could concieveably decide to play together here. Not likely, but its worth a shot.

[bes628]

If we have enough Cap room and tradeable assets come free agency next year, CP3 and Dwight could concieveably decide to play together here. Not likely, but its worth a shot.

While true, you could say that with just about any team. What would possibly make them want to come here, we have nothing but unproven pieces of talent at this point and our record will more than likely be horrendous next year.

I just say we shouldn't short change ourselves with other players in hopes of holding out for the reaches like that.

[Chef]

not sure we will be going after howard. we will maintain the flexibility to do so, but i don't think we think he will come here even if paul is here. i think we look at bb as the howard for paul to bring out the best offensively. but i am absolutely convinced we are going to go after cp3 hard with a selling point of kemba off the bench, bb and at least 1 very high lotto pick in next year's draft as the team cp3 will build and win with. if cp3 comes here we will have FA $$ for at least 1 maybe 2 non-max but very effective veterans to help with the young guys.

[dnbman]

I just say we shouldn't short change ourselves with other players in hopes of holding out for the reaches like that.

When you're a free agent, it's not about how terrible a team was the season before, it's about how good or bad they'll be in the next season. If we add a high draft pick and can get a second star to go along with some of our young role players, I think we'll have a very nice vision to offer Paul.

[dnbman]

While true, you could say that with just about any team. .

That part's not true. Most teams will not have the cap space to sign two stars. We will. That's a huge selling point.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

I think we may go after some stars in free agency at some point. Mostly I think this organization is hoping young talent will be accumulated and begin to win some games before they think of adding a Dwight Howard CP3 type free agent. I feel that this team is hoping for a Kevin Durant type talent being drafted in the next couple seasons while surrounding him with some really good complimentary parts. All one has to do is look at the blue print Sam Presti set with OKC. Cho was part of that. OKC did not make a major push for Super Stars in free agency and we see how their rebuilding went. All we can do is hope everything works out in regards to drafting players. If you will, we need to hope all the stars line up for us. I don't think MJ and co are looking for a Grand Slam through free agency but they would like to try to hit a few home runs through the draft. Let us hope Corey Maggette plays his best here and at least Kemba Walker shows signs of future stardom. Also DJ and Kemba could very well benefit competing for minutes. I am happy with Kemba and I do feel that Bismack could one day be our Serg Ibaka on a OKC like team. My bitch with Bismack is how we got him and where he was picked. If this team shows signs of greatness during a losing season I can deal with it. As long as this team grows.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

I don't think the answer is to go for two major stars in free agency. At least not at this point. The team can keep a fairly low salary cap while growing it's own talent. At some point the team can make a splash in free agency. I don't think going the free agent route for a couple of seasons is the answer. I could see us getting one super star free agent but I don't see us pulling a Miami Heat. Personally I would rather we grow our own talent for a couple seasons before trying to go big in free agency. What Sam Presti has done with the Thunder is build a team that can compete for several years with young stars. Miami's blue print seems to have worked out but I myself prefer the drafted talent route.

[dnbman]

I don't think the answer is to go for two major stars in free agency. At least not at this point. The team can keep a fairly low salary cap while growing it's own talent. At some point the team can make a splash in free agency. I don't think going the free agent route for a couple of seasons is the answer. I could see us getting one super star free agent but I don't see us pulling a Miami Heat. Personally I would rather we grow our own talent for a couple seasons before trying to go big in free agency. What Sam Presti has done with the Thunder is build a team that can compete for several years with young stars. Miami's blue print seems to have worked out but I myself prefer the drafted talent route.

It's not an either/or mission. I love growing home grown talent too, but it's rare for a team to be successful relying solely on the draft. In '12, we'll be in a position to get clear star or two and take a nice draft pick. There's no reason not to do both if doing so makes you a clear contender.