The Offseason: What Should Your Team Do?

[benji]

Lakers getting a new name?

Say goodbye to Ron Artest and HELLOOOO to Metta World Peace

Yes, Ron is going the way of Cassius Clay, Lew Alcindor and Chad Johnson. Ron's filed a petition in L.A. County Superior Court to change his name to -- World Peace.

FYI, metta means loving, kindness, happiness and all that jazz.

We're told Ron wants to put the new last name -- Peace -- on the back of his L.A. Lakers' jersey.

These name changes are typically granted by a judge unless it would result in confusion or fraud.

[Andrew]

To be fair, no one has paid him any attention since the Lakers were swept.

Rasual Butler comments on his preference moving forward:

A lot of ppl are asking so I want u all to know who's interested my plan is to return to #dabulls

As I said before I think that would be a decent move, he didn't get much of a chance coming in late last year but perhaps that'll change if he's with the team from day one of training camp.

[shadowgrin]

he didn't get much of a chance coming in late last year but perhaps that'll change if he's with the team from day one of training camp

Ditto, Rasual Butler probably didn't get enough minutes because of the Bulls defensive system. He was just new to the team and didn't have the benefit of learning it with the amount of games left and considering that all of the Bulls (except Scal) are technically 'noobs' with the defensive system, inserting Butler could potentially disrupt the entire team's defensive rotation to cover for him.

[Andrew]

Agreed. I don't think he's the final piece to the puzzle or anything like that but I think he's got the tools to help them a little more than he had the chance to last season, so I'd like to see him get the opportunity.

[Phil89]

Thunder drafted Reggie Jackson. So now we've got Westbrook, Maynor, Robinson, Ivey and Jackson at PG.

Personally I wouldn't want to see Westbrook or Maynor traded. Maybe we could get a decent big man for Robinson though.

[Murat]

Robinson - right guy for trade I guess.

[Houndy]

So the Mavs got Rudy, and well, aren't getting that younger at all..

[Andrew]

Do they really need to get younger? The average age of the team is still under 30 and older teams have proven themselves capable of remaining championship contenders. The Bulls of the mid 90s were one of the oldest teams in the league yet they threepeated, the Celtics have remained relevant in the East up to and including this past season, the Lakers are only slightly older than the Mavs and while they got swept, they're still a very good team. The Mavs aren't exactly broken down, with the current age of the team so long as they have the talent, teamwork and good fortune when it comes to staying healthy, they should be OK to compete for at least a couple more years.

[NovU]

The Mavericks are the oldest team to win the title. But still got the plenty left in their tank I believe. As there is an old saying that you don't make changes with the team that just won the championship instead you make adjustment. If the youth gotta come at a cost of change, I'd think twice before commit to it.

[Lamrock]

" you don't make changes with the team that just won the championship instead you make adjustment."
-Confucius

[Andrew]

The Mavericks are the oldest team to win the title.

The Spurs of 1999, 2003 and 2007, as well as the Bulls of 1996-1998 were all older.

[Phil89]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... ns_Aldrich

The Oklahoma City Thunder has exercised contract options on five players Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today.

The Thunder exercised its fourth-year options on guard James Harden, forward Serge Ibaka, guard Eric Maynor and center Byron Mullens, as well as its third-year option on center Cole Aldrich.

As expected I guess. I hope Mullens and Aldrich get more than just occasional garbage time minutes next season.

[Rip32]

I hope Mullens gets more than just occasional garbage time minutes next season.

You sure about that? I'm not sure you, or anyone outside BJ Mullens, would want that.

[Martti.]

They have Collison and Perkins, they'll continue to rot there.

[Andrew]

Solid moves seeking to keep the first three around, though.

[Phil89]

Looks like the idea is to just keep the team together for now.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1Qj13kxlZ

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed center Nazr Mohammed to a contract extension, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to be able to keep Nazr in the Thunder family,” said Presti. “He is a valuable part of our organization both on and off the floor. His professionalism, experience, and on-court play have had a positive impact on our young and evolving roster.”

Mohammed (6-10, 250) owns career averages of 6.9 points, 5.4 rebounds in 17.9 minutes in 771 career NBA games.

[rise]

Smart move, in case Perkins goes down again.