I'm questioning the idea of us trying to get Max in on a big trade just to dump him, which is what's been tossed around quite a bit this offseason. Hear me out:

Max didn't have a defined role last year, got yanked in and out of lineups, and never seemed to get settled.

This year, Amir, Sheed and potentially McDyess and Kwame are gone. Max is the primary backup at PF and knows he isn't going to be starting, so he has a set role and will hopefully get consistent minutes. Maybe this gives him a chance to start playing like he did when he earned the big contract we all want moved. Give him a consistent 18-20mpg and see what he can do. He's a high energy guy, a hard worker and he always gives his best effort. Those are the kind of guys you want coing off your bench as the 7th/8th man.

He got his fg% up to 57.5% last year and he hits the offensive boards hard (more offensive than defensive boards last year). His per36 numbers all got slightly worse last year, but that could be attributed to his confidence levels and inconsistent playing time. I think that if we consistently gave him 18-20 minutes a game, he could give us 8 points, 6 boards, and a block and his FT% would get back above 60%. Once he sets himself with consistent play, he can earn the 20-23 minutes a game that we'd need and we'd have a solid backup PF.

He's still young, he has a chance at consistent playing time without the Amir project around, and he's a solid character guy that doesn't complain and brings a 'wont back down' attitude that we lack.

Is it worth giving him a shot at that role?

I would never want to dump Max. he has real value as a 6th man. However, if we can get trade value for him, then go for it.

I like Max but I am afraid that he simply won't get any better. He's solid right now but I'd rather use the money on another player with more upside. I guess that I would be willing to dump him for very little when I consider that there are a ton of players that I would rather have for $5 mil a year. Birdman, Bass, CV, all come to mind.

I would never want to dump Max. he has real value as a 6th man. However, if we can get trade value for him, then go for it.

I agree. He's not a guy you simply want to jettison. But if keeping his contract prevents us from getting a better option there I will move him.

I thought he played shitty last year, I'd dump his deal if I could.

Who DIDNT play shitty last year?

Well, Ok, then he played super shitty.

Max before the All-Star break was crap, and I was really disappointed. Max after the All-Star break was "ok" -- roughly as good as he was in 2008, but certainly not any better. I'm not sure if he's worth the full-MLE contract we have him signed to if he doesn't improve over 2008. I wonder what the fuck he's been doing for the past two months to improve his game.

Petitioning for a new coach?

According to hoopshype, Maxy is signed at 5 mill per with no raises. In spite of the length of the contract, I wouldn't really say that is bad at all considering what PFs go for. I wonder what the average salary is for a backup PF. I would think he is at least comparable. With no raises, that seems to be a pretty decent salary.

5 mil for a 6th man is going rate. he has to become that kind of player again, though.

Max isn't a bad deal but I'd just rather be able to spend that $5 mil elsewhere.

If I could deal him and get a shorter contract then I would have to do it.

But I just didn't like the guy from Day 1.

I thought he would always be a bench player, an energy guy off the bench and nothing more.

Maybe, just maybe we should have drafted David Lee?

IF we sign Lee I will laugh my ass off.

Anyway, Max isn't that bad - I just don't think he's gonna end up being good value at that price.

If Max is our 6th man, we're in trouble. The guy in an energy player and nothing else. He should be about an 8th or 9th man at best. If the Pistons can get something for him, do it. Energy players aren't extremely difficult to come by.

And if we somehow got David Lee, I would help throw Max a going away party.

I would love to be invited to that party. MoTown's parties are the best, I hear.

Ain't no party like a MoTwon party...

Ain't no party like a MoTwon party...

Is MoTwon your evil twin?

Ask Gl'enn. He seems to be closer with MoTwon than I am.

Actually MoTwon sounds like it could be a real name.

I've been asked to change it on multiple occasions. It could be my version of Evil Keith Langlois.

I've been asked to change it on multiple occasions. It could be my version of Evil Keith Langlois.
And now I'm sad.


WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, EVIL KEITH?!?!