Current Prospects

So what are we looking at?

A team that's talented enough to beat bad teams yet not talented or disciplined enough to even compete with the league's elite. We are inescapably middling; cemented in mediocrity for the next five years. It's not all bad news, but the long-term potential with our current squad is no higher than second tier. Elton is not going to get any taller, more athletic or healthier. Sammy's not going to get any smarter (basketball IQ-wise). Most importantly, Igoudala is not the second coming Scottie Pippen. This team has a lot of nice complimentary parts, but no star.

So who can we get, and how? And most importantly, who can we let go in the transaction?

To me, there are two guys who should not be touched. That's not to say they are "untouchable". It's saying, ideally I'd like to see them still on the team when the dust settles. Mareese Speights, Thaddeus Young... please step forward.

The rest of y'all can go.

I haven't hit the Trade Machine yet, but I think Igoudala, Lou Williams and change should fetch a rising star or veteran star in the right situation.

Our ideal trade partner in this scenario? A borderline contender that needs some young legs in the form of a solid, third banana, wing defender, transition finisher and a 6th man, change of pace, explosive scorer. We have basically a more well-rounded Ariza and a mini JET for sale. I think that should fetch us a shooting guard who can actually get his own shot.

Next year, we dump Sammy's contract for another piece. Just to be clear, these moves alone will not make us contenders now. Thaddeus and Speights represent the 2 and 3 options on a contender 2-3 years from now.

The other option is to make a full court press on (don't laugh), LeBron. That's right! LeBron. From a basketball perspective, we're a much more attractive option than either NYK, Cleveland or the Clippers. Plus, NYC is 90 minutes up the turnpike. If you could move Igoudala and Brand in salary dumps at the deadline, you can free up the necessary coin. From there the argument becomes the multiple-championship potential of a LeBron, Thaddeus, Speights core. Add the role players we already have, the veterans who will flock to fill the gaps and this team is a contender for as long as LeBron wants to stay. A real contender. Not a contender-only-cus-LeBron's-there contender like the aforementioned competition. That team has the 2-3-4 on lock. You'd still have Lou theoretically in this scenario at starting PG. Either way, with that foundation you can easily figure out the rest.

I know it sounds impossible. The biggest contributor to that, is our lack of belief that it is. I know you've been talking D-Wade for the same reasons for at least a season now. I just don't believe in making a long-term investment in Flash. He smells like this generation's T-MAC. More heart and fire, but just can't stay healthy consistently enough to reach his potential.

If you do the Iggy-Brand fire sale, and you don't get LeBron. Well, at least you've freed up space for a real Number 1. We're going to be mediocre anyway if we don't get a star. We tried to right that by signing Iggy and Brand last season. Didn't work. In the meantime, we've drafted extremely well. Get rid of the low ceiling guys, and make space to do something special.