FanPost

Offseason Idea to Upgrade the 4

First of all, very fired up on the 50(+?) win season and back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since Run TMC. That said I do not like our chances against the Thunder or the Clippers, especially without Bogut. There is a slight chance that our shooters get hot and we steal a road game and win out at Roaracle, but I think our chances are pretty low. I am holding out hope, but trying to manage my own expectations.

With that in mind I started thinking about the offseason and the number one issue with the dubs in my opinion (other than impending head coach search) is the 4 position. I am very happy with where we are at the 1, 2, 3 and 5 and our first guy off the bench, Draymond. Sure we could probably use some more depth all around, but in terms of the starting 5, I think all we need to find is a replacement for David Lee. DLee has been great to our franchise, the owners love him and his wife is smoking hot, but let's face it, he is an aging, mediocre player getting paid like a superstar. Furthermore, he is one of the worst defenders in the league at one of the most critical defensive positions. Watching him guard Lamarcus Aldridge in that Portland game was just flat out terrifying.

What if this offseason, we trade David Lee to the Pistons for Josh Smith. Hear me out, I know Josh Smith has a monster contract and just had a terrible year, but he is a massive upgrade defensively and adds some toughness in the front court. He is still only 28 and as recently as last year was considered one of the best players to not make an all-star team. He may have been overrated before, but now is on the other side of that coin. He was brought into Detroit as a "marquee acquisition" or more realistically a last ditch effort for Joe Dumars to save his job, which was obviously a big FAIL. Now Detroit has some young assets in Brandon Jennings, KCP, Singler, Monroe, Drummond and a top 10 draft pick and the new regime would kill to get rid of Josh Smith's albatross of a contract. Given that DLee is an expiring, we could probably even get another pick or player back from them for taking on the remaining 3 years of Smith's deal.

This move would leave us with good defenders at the 2, 3, 4 and 5 plus Draymond coming off the bench. Smith would also give us an athletic big man who can run the fast break and finish above the rim - just think about how many half court oops Curry would throw him! Sure he has some behavioral issues, but on a good team with a great locker room chemistry I think his attitude works itself out. If we can add Smith by just getting rid of Lee and then sign a stretch four with the midlevel to come off the bench, I think we meaningfully improve our team, regardless of what we decide to do with Harrison Barnes.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments and poll below. Looking forward to seeing Jordan Crawford put up 50 on the Nuggs tonight!

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!