[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by octothorp

If we're talking about PG styles, I think the most important thing is to continue to have a pick-and-roll PG -- something Calderon is good but not outstanding at. Amir can run the pick-and-roll, Bargnani can run it, Valanciunas is at his best running it. Casey has a lot of familiarity with it in Dallas, where both Barea and Kidd would run it with Nowitzki (although Nowitzki never ran it better than when he was with Nash).

I have no faith that Bayless will ever be able to run the pick-and-roll. Once he starts to drive, he gets tunnel vision, despite playing with some very capable finishers. The few times that he does pass, it often ends up a turnover, or at best a broken play.

Apart from Deron Williams (and even though it's extremely unlikely Colangelo should at least make an inquiry to see if there's interest), the league is short on young free agent PGs with that skillset. Trades are a possibility, but I don't see them picking up anything better than a guy of the calibre of Felton or Augustine. Those guys aren't really an upgrade on Calderon in any respect other than being younger.

Kabongo apparently runs it quite well, but I don't think he's going to be capable of starting next year. My strategy of choice would still be to move assets (Davis, Barbosa, Bayless, any SF, future draft pick) to get another mid-to-late first rounder, draft Kabongo, give him a year under Calderon before promoting him. If it takes moving Calderon to get him then that would be okay, but not ideal.

Nash's contract is up this year. Been a ton of talk about him finishing his career with the Raptors. A Nash/Kabongo tandem would be ideal. Nash has plenty of game left and can run any play and penetrate the paint at will. Kabongo couldn't have a better mentor.