Moreyball: Finding the Undervalued Stock?

[Arsenal]

In case you forgot, James Harden was only a 6th man on OKC when Daryl Morey traded for him, upped his usage big time, and helped turn him into an MVP player.

I think its more likely Morey attempts to find someone like this as opposed to an already established superstar (like Harden now).

So what guys in the league now (or in the draft) have potential to make that big leap into stardom? Guys we won't have to sell the farm for (i.e. trade Ben or Jo), but could become a legit star anyway.

I'll start:

1) Zach Lavine
2) OG Anunoby
3) Jaylen Brown
4) Caris LeVert
5) Michael Porter
6) Tyler Herro
7) Coby White
8) Marvin Bagley
9) Sekou Dombouya
10) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
11) Christian Wood
12) Jonathan Isaac
13) Troy Brown
14) Dejounte Murray
15) Gary Trent Jr.

What other potentially attainable young guys have a chance to become a star? Who will be on Morey's target list?

[stormi]

Find a lot of those names to be near untouchable by their orgs (Porter/Herro/White/SGA). Even though he's a weirdo off the court, Isaac is someone I would pounce on if I were Morey. Would form a nasty front court going forward with Jojo.

Dejounte too would be a coup.

[Negrodamus]

Harden off the bench was one of the most efficient players in the league at the age of 22. I don't think there's anyone out there currently that can reach that level. I think his situation was really an anomaly that OKC botched.

[youngcrev]

Killian Hayes maybe? That's KOC's guy in this draft.
Passing/defense/shooting off the dribble combo that make him a star if all shakes out right.

Derrick White maybe? He's had to fight for usage in that offense with veterans and a crowded backcourt, but saw an uptick during the bubble and was very good. Seems to be head and shoulders above Murray at the moment, who was originally looked at as the guy there. Had some great moments in the playoffs the previous year in a tough series against Denver. Probably not a star, but a Brogdon level guy without the injury concerns?

[TTP]

Christian Wood for sure.

I was always bullish on him as a prospect because he had the right skillset to be useful if everything came together as a reasonably versatile defensive big that can space on offense. He dominated the G League and looked pretty reasonable in his scattered limited minutes in the NBA throughout his first few seasons.

He was awesome last year when he finally got his chance, and it wasn't just putting up good numbers on a bad team. For obvious reasons though, I don't think we'll be pursuing him. He will get a nice contract to start somewhere (probably the Pistons).

[Arsenal]

Harden off the bench was one of the most efficient players in the league at the age of 22. I don't think there's anyone out there currently that can reach that level. I think his situation was really an anomaly that OKC botched.

True, but there's always another opportunity. If you listen to Hinkie's recent podcast he talks about this. A guy like Harden probably comes available once every few years. Lesser guys come along more often.

Obviously Morey will look to make moves for lesser guys to if the value proposition works. So who are those guys? May not get to a Harden level, but a tier below?

[Arsenal]

Christian Wood for sure.

I was always bullish on him as a prospect because he had the right skillset to be useful if everything came together as a reasonably versatile defensive big that can space on offense. He dominated the G League and looked pretty reasonable in his scattered limited minutes in the NBA throughout his first few seasons.

He was awesome last year when he finally got his chance, and it wasn't just putting up good numbers on a bad team. For obvious reasons though, I don't think we'll be pursuing him. He will get a nice contract to start somewhere (probably the Pistons).

Thanks to the snakeangelos for cutting him loose to add washed veteranosity to the end of the bench.

If we weren't stuck with Tobias, Wood would be a great target to play in the frontcourt w/Ben and Jo.

[stormi]

Harden off the bench was one of the most efficient players in the league at the age of 22. I don't think there's anyone out there currently that can reach that level. I think his situation was really an anomaly that OKC botched.

True, but there's always another opportunity. If you listen to Hinkie's recent podcast he talks about this. A guy like Harden probably comes available once every few years. Lesser guys come along more often.

Obviously Morey will look to make moves for lesser guys to if the value proposition works. So who are those guys? May not get to a Harden level, but a tier below?

Maybe like... every decade. Not very often do you have top 3 picks getting drafted to teams that go on to win 50 right away, with an already defined starting 5 and with other young superstars overshadowing you. Possibly it could have been like if Fultz ended up being the player we had projected him to be, but we were already having enough success running Simmons-Redick-Covington-Saric-Embiid that he found his niché being a 6th man. And then moved on when it came time to pay him.

[Mik317]

Killian Hayes maybe? That's KOC's guy in this draft.
Passing/defense/shooting off the dribble combo that make him a star if all shakes out right.

Derrick White maybe? He's had to fight for usage in that offense with veterans and a crowded backcourt, but saw an uptick during the bubble and was very good. Seems to be head and shoulders above Murray at the moment, who was originally looked at as the guy there. Had some great moments in the playoffs the previous year in a tough series against Denver. Probably not a star, but a Brogdon level guy without the injury concerns?

This has been something I had been theory crafting a bit. If he fell to like 10, we could just throw all of our picks to the suns to get him or another falling guard type. The suns are known to be frugal at times with their picks.

[phillynative]

Derrik White is an intriguing name for numerous reasons. He is a little under the radar but has a unique skillset to pair with our two stars. He is a versatile player with a underrated 3pt shot. Can play on or off the ball which works with ben and can also run the P&R. He is also a good defender at the guard position.

Im not sure he has star potential though thats the risk, i think he would be a more seamless fit than even jrue holiday .

[76ciology]

So you mean who of those guys can one day be an MVP caliber guy?

I can only see Lavine, but he’s going to cost you a lot. Booker would be cheaper.

Once a star wants to be out of his team, his value would just plummet.

Another guy who’s cheap would be Buddy Hield. Then hopefully Harden asks to be traded to Philly with his close
relation with Morey.

The way I look at how Morey operates he’s like one of those greedy capitalist that believes in extreme inequality. So he only likes MVP caliber guys or cheap role players. No in betweens like Tobi, Al, or maybe Ben (im not sure what he thinks of him).

[freshie2]

I'd be in favor of a big move for Booker. Not as sold on Harden due to his shrinking production in the biggest spots. 3 first round picks and players for either is not a bad deal.

Smaller moves for Hield and Lavine (bigger move than Hield) would be fine as well.

Will be interesting...there is no way this roster remains as is by December.

[ankle420breaker]

He won't reach the stardom tier, but I expect Jerome Robinson will develop into a solid starter/rotation guy in this league. He flies a bit under the radar, but it wouldn't surprise me if Morey pushed to attach him to any packages in the event that we pursue a Beal Deal.

Sent from my SM-G970U using RealGM mobile app

[51X3RF4N]

Coby White is an intriguing name. But man, that kid has never seen a shot he didn't like.

I think he took a shot every 2 minutes he was on the floor, and only got an assist every 10 minutes. Lol.

I mean, if you want to say you could have him as a SG next to Ben, sure. But I also think his defense is laughable.

But if there is a name on that list that the Sixers could get without giving up Jo or Ben, who could turn into a star (because let's face it stars are offensive minded guys), I think he could be a good candidate.

[Mik317]

is Buddy Hield even that good?

I know dude wants out and probably here. I know he is a great shooter and all but dude has been on the Kings, and has been bitching for like 3 coaches now.

[Monix]

I don't know if it's as much undervalued at this point of the team's build, but more find a guy who is being used inefficiently and identify a role that they can excel in playing next to the guys they have.

Last year HOU picked up Ben McLemore and seemingly gave him a simplified role that he was productive in - career highs in most advanced stats

[Sixersftw]

is Buddy Hield even that good?

I know dude wants out and probably here. I know he is a great shooter and all but dude has been on the Kings, and has been bitching for like 3 coaches now.

Not as good as our thirsty ass fanbase, me included sometimes, thinks. That contract isn't exactly pretty too. I'd gladly move Horford and a minor asset for him but beyond that it gets murky.

[Stanford]

is Buddy Hield even that good?

Nope. He'd help though, especially if it means Horford goes too.

But I've seen people proposing multiple firsts to the Kings to get him. He aint that good.

[Arsenal]

I don't know if it's as much undervalued at this point of the team's build, but more find a guy who is being used inefficiently and identify a role that they can excel in playing next to the guys they have.

Last year HOU picked up Ben McLemore and seemingly gave him a simplified role that he was productive in - career highs in most advanced stats

Morey will constantly do this. Pick up guys on the fringes for cheap and rehab them into solid contributors. Hopefully after finding enough you have a few assets ready to go star hunting.

[76ciology]

Isn’t the guys we’re mentioning the guys Morey would like to stay away. He seems like a GM who wants his roster to be composed of MVPs or role players. No in between guys.