With the 2012 NBA draft only a week away, I decided to conjure up a few scenarios that could finally turn this team around. I am not normally in the business of making wild conjectures, but the season is over and with nothing but the Lastros to watch, what can I say...I'm bored.
Scenario 1
- Resign Dragic, Lee, Bud & Camby
- Trade Lowry, Scola and #16 to Charlotte for DJ Augustine, Tyrus Thomas and #2 pick
- Try and move Martin as well
- Draft C Andre Drummond from UConn #2
- Draft SG Jeremy Lamb from UConn #14 (or Terrence Ross if Lamb is gone)
2012 Lineup:
- Goran Dragic / DJ Augustine
- Kevin Martin / Courtney Lee / Jeremy Lamb
- Chandler Parsons / Marcus Morris / Chase Budinger
- D-Mo / Patterson / Tyrus Thomas
- Andre Drummond / Marcus Camby / Samuel Dalembert
Summary:
Young team (minus Camby). Probably not playoff caliber, but a lot of potential there.
Scenario 2
- Sign Deron Williams, Lee, Bud & Camby
- Lowry, Scola, Martin, Morris, Greg smith and 14th for Howard and Turk
- If we can't convince Dragic to play behind Williams, trade Dalembert for 2nd rounder – draft pg
- Draft Terrence Ross or Jeremy Lamb #16
2012 Lineup:
- Deron Williams / ?
- Courtney Lee / Jeremy Lamb (or Ross)
- Chandler Parsons / Bud / Turk
- D-mo / Patrick Patterson
- Dwight Howard / Marcus Camby
Summary:
Playoff caliber squad. Dwight Howard rental. Possibly make a deep enough playoff run to convince him to stay. If Deron Williams wasn't already enough, go after Josh Smith to further entice D12 to remain a Rocket. If Dwight does leave, build around Deron Williams. If he stays, we chase a championship.
Scenario 3
- Sign Deron Williams, Lee, Bud and Camby
- Trade Lowry, Morris and Scola for Pau Gasol. Martin and Dalembert for #18 from Minny
- Draft Zeller, Ross or Lamb, Marshall
2012 Lineup:
- Deron Williams / Kendall Marshall
- Courtney Lee / Jeremy Lamb (or Ross)
- Chandler Parsons / Chase Budinger
- Pau Gasol / D-mo / Patrick Patterson
- Marcus Camby/ Tyler Zeller
Summary:
Playoff caliber squad. Good enough team to possibly attract Dwight Howard as a free agent in the offseason.