re: Austin Rivers: 3 minutes, 0 points, 0 assists, 2 turnovers

Definitely have to see how the season plays out, but so much more fun to speculate wildly right now.

I think they feel like they have a solid core group of players in Gordon, Davis, Anderson, Vasquez. With a natural progression of Davis to more of a C, I think they like their frontcourt. They need to fill holes on the wing/backcourt- particularly depth.

At this point, I don't see how they let Lopez walk- even though he doesn't rebound the way I would like.

If Aminu continues to play like this, I think they will resign him. He certainly needs to improve his ball handling and shooting, but his defense and rebounding are valuable to this team.

That leaves roughly $15-$20 million in cap space. I don't really see a max guy they can go after who makes sense with that core other than Iguodala (and Paul, natch).

I see handful of small signings, perhaps a trade with a capped out team to build depth to support the core. Sometimes the best deal is the one you don't make. Keep flexibility if a big piece comes on the board- especially with the uncertainty of how the new CBA will effect teams

What I look for if I'm GM:

They need an agent of chaos like Eric Bledsoe on the second unit (Vasquez has convinced me he can start). They probably project Rivers to be that guy, but who knows how long out that might be. Obviously some more help at the 3. A guy like Parsons would be a great fit. He is a Swiss Army knife. I have no idea where a guy like either one will come from. Maybe the draft, but that seems doubtful at this point.

A healthy Gordon, a maturing Davis, and Anderson is a hell of a foundation. Another star wouldn't hurt, but isn't the cure all that some believe.

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Sign Toney Douglas, shooting combo-guard who plays good perimeter defense.

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i like douglas...we definitely need some guard depth

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Maybe another big, Amir Johnson.

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I like him too, but i don't know how the minutes would work out next season with Anderson, Davis, Lopez, and Johnson.

Lopez and Johson are probably looking to get more minutes...they couldn't do that here with 4/5 solid bigs. Smith wouldn't even get in the game...This is based on Davis and Anderson playing near starter minutes, which i think should be the case next season. I think the teams stays where it is with the 4 bigs we have.

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I just don't think Robin is a starting C on a deep playoff team.

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But Amir Johnson is?

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Never mentioned him

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Did you not just edit him out of that rotation? I could have sworn I saw his name in there. Otherwise, I agree with you.

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No, not me

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AD/Ryan/Smith

Al/Lopez/Smith

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Again, in this scenario you are left with about 28 minutes or less for Anderson, Lopez, and Smith to share.

Unless you want to not give Davis big minutes, or significantly cut Anderson's minutes, or just never play Lopez, this scenario doesn't make too much sense to me. Lopez won't be looking to play garbage time minutes after the season he is having.

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Lopez just doesn't rebound well enough for a starting C and gets lost at times

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If Davis rebounds the way he is expected to, he'll take a significant amount of that burden. Frankly, I'm not sold on Davis as a center. He just looks like the prototype of a new breed of PF to me.

Look at it like the Vasquez/Gordon pairing, they seem to be greater than the sum of the parts. Lopez' developing offensive game (inside-out) could pair well with Davis' game (more outside-in). If they could provide inside offense with Gordon/Vasquez giving outside scoring punch, a guy like Aminu can wreak havoc on the glass.

I think you may see an upgrade to Lopez at some point down the line, but then he could be a damn good scoring post player off the bench.

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Why not shoot higher?

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Building depth. Right now this team has in it's rotation: AFA, Mason, Henry, etc..

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We could definitely use a Toney Douglas type and an upgrade at SF

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I agree. Douglas can shoot and he plays good perimeter defense. So facing those quicker guards, he could provide some defense while also being a capable outside shooter to help spread the floor.

We all know the struggles at SF. Chandler possesses defensive capability to guard either forward positions. Solid attacker of the basket and can make corner-3's.

I believe this team has its eventual top-3 options on the team already. Filling it out with these complimentary pieces would do wonders for the progression of the franchise, IMO of course.

Toney Douglas is a black hole. Not the kind of guy the hornets need imo

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I'm not sold on Chandler for $8M per.

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Corey Brewer would probably fill the role just as well for half of that.