Season Speculation, Trade Ideas & Discussion Pt. 4

[Hesh]

This was brought up the other day and I think he was mad because he was asked to reduce his playing time.
I'd be OK with him if we can do it for Monroe straight up.
It'd ultimately be Bledsoe for Hill and a 1st. Not too bad IMO.

Oh my bad. I've been pretty busy the last few days, hence I missed the epic game against the sixers Yeah Hill would be a major upgrade over what we have now, even with the season he's having. We all know what he's capable of.

I didn't mean for it to sound like I was calling you out for the post if it did. I was just stating that from what I heard from that discussion, he was unhappy due to his minutes changing.

We'd still be where we want in 2 years with regards to the cap. Just a matter of what do the Kings want? If they want assets for Hill, we probably won't offer them that. Monroe and a 2nd or 2, perhaps.

All good bro I didn't think you were calling me out lol was just hating to miss all the recent action because of my schedule

[Mulhollanddrive]

I'm not sure we'd sign Hill to $40m if he was a free agent tomorrow.

But assuming we're desperate to fill the PG spot - Monroe and 2nd rounder/s

That would rule us out of FA in the off season but give us a look at how Booker plays next to a PG who can shoot as well as him from outside while playing both on and off ball.

[NavLDO]

At what point does the FO/coach make the commitment to either Bender or Chris as starting PF ? Either one or the other or neither? I will be surprised if both pan out and can see a similar scenario as with Len applying to both. The way it looks is Len, the celebrated #5, will come and go with no lasting impact/assets. Whiff

Exactly, Frank. And to answer lilfishi22 in this thread as well, I don't know how you can expect 20YO 'kids' to just get it in this disorganized state of a team, and be excited and up for every game, when Chriss was given the 'keys to the car' as the the starter, only to have them taken away.

Somebody...Anybody...execute a plan around here. That would be kinda cool...

You don't need to "get" effort. It's like basketball shoes, you either play with it or you don't. And I'm sorry, if he's having trouble upping his effort levels because of the state of the team and it's hard to be "excited and up" for every game, then he's not a professional NBA player. If he's not able to get to the required level of effort because he was given the 'keys to the car' as the starter, only to have them taken away, again he's not an NBA level basketball player.

The kid is so athletic and talented but I go back to that old saying, hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. That's the reason Dudley outplays Chriss. It sounds simple but effort and hard work is the difference between a talented player playing at the highest level in the NBA or trying to make an NBA roster in the G-league. Chriss might be lucky enough that his athletic gifts and youth will keep him employed in the NBA for the next half decade but his level of effort will determine whether he's a starting calibre player or a 3rd, 4th journeyman off the bench.

You and I know that, because we are adults. Some other players get that from having it drilled in their brain since age 3. He hasn't had that same type of situation. I'm really not making excuses for him, because I wholeheartedly agree with you on some aspects. But it's for these same reasons your touting that is likely causing his issues; his athleticism has gotten him by in high school, college, and then look how easy it was for him to start in the NBA; all he had to do was show up, and he started. When has he ever REALLY had to fight for a spot without just leaning on his natural abilities.

So, my point isn't really 'poor Chriss'; my point is that he needs some consistency and mentorship to let him know that NBA life isn't going to come easy, and when it does initially, and then changes, someone hopefully just doesn't expect that since he's 20, he 'gets it' and will fix himself. Some might be able to; maybe most, I don't know, but if the kid is having issues just 'hoping' they will go away on their own is not the right way to broach them.

And for all I know, they've tried, but with the sorry state of the franchise, I doubt it.

[NavLDO]

The issue for DeAndre Jordan would more be cap space he'd cost $30-40m p.a for 4 years.

How so? With the litany of Centers in the league, and the crop coming in next year, who is going to feel compelled to shell out $30-40M for Jordan at age 30? He can TRY to command that all he wants, but this last off-season for Centers should provide a clue as to how little teams are willing to shell out for one.

[sunsbum]

Can someone explain to me how everyone says today's game isn't made for centers like Jah, yet they turn around and worship every bat of the eye Embid makes?? Obviously JE is a better player but he's still a big slow lumbering center in the small ball era.

[Mulhollanddrive]

All it'd take is one team, Memphis for example if Gasol wants out.

[NavLDO]

Teams have traded for stars that didn't work out (OKC, NYK, LAclips).
Sixers tanked only to hit on 2 out of 5 which we still have to monitor progress and health. Fultz is unknown. 2 have/will be traded. Lakers had 3 top picks, lonzo could bust, one was traded for character issues, Ingram is coming along nicely but slowly.
Suns of course.
Minny has had Brewer (7th 2007),OJ mayo (3rd 2008) Rubio & Flynn (5th & 6th 2009), Wes Johnson (4th, 2010) Derrick Williams (2nd 2011), Trey Burke (9th 2013), [b]KAT (2015 1st), Dunn (5th 2016)
[/b]
Point is, no route is a sure thing, but time and development is, and we can't waste any of those two.
A plan, organic growth, a bit of luck and smart moves will get this team going and of course deliver entertaining basketball along the way which is why we are fans in the first place right? We want to be entertained, which doesn't necessarily mean championship or nothing.

No, no, no...you have it all wrong. We are supposed to follow the blueprint laid down by Minny and the Sixers because they got it right! They hit on every pick they made!

I kid, but I know some feel that way, to a degree, but both those teams have had higher picks, and missed on more picks, than we have. Brewer was gone after one 'tour' Dunn didn't make it through his 'tour'. Mayo? Wes? Williams? Flynn? My goodness.

The Sixers have done fairly well, all things considered. You can't expect EVERY pick to hit, and Simmons & Embiid are the real deal, if they stay healthy.

But we have too many young players right now; we need to trade them off now and build out team between now and the start of next season. 2 (maybe 3, but probably not) picks + Bender, Chriss, Warren, Booker, JJ. That's 7 assets. We need to turn those into 4...a PG, Booker, Warren or JJ, a PF or Center (Bender or Chriss, Ayton/Bamba/Bagley/Williams/you name it).

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

But we have too many young players right now; we need to trade them off now and build out team between now and the start of next season. 2 (maybe 3, but probably not) picks + Bender, Chriss, Warren, Booker, JJ. That's 7 assets. We need to turn those into 4...a PG, Booker, Warren or JJ, a PF or Center (Bender or Chriss, Ayton/Bamba/Bagley/Williams/you name it).

I say we trade Bender and Warren for TJ Dragan Benderwarren. That kid is underrated (or at least, unacknowledged).

[bwgood77]

Can someone explain to me how everyone says today's game isn't made for centers like Jah, yet they turn around and worship every bat of the eye Embid makes?? Obviously JE is a better player but he's still a big slow lumbering center in the small ball era.

What are you talking about? Embiid can do everything. He shot 37% from 3 last year. He hasn't shot quite so well from deep this year but it's in his game. He is also one of the best big man defenders in the league and a premier rebounder and shot blocker. Maybe Embiid can do everything Okafor can but Okafor can do very little of what Embiid can.

[NavLDO]

I'd be down to trade for Rubio if it only costs Monroe and some 2nd rounders.

But when Knight comes back, we draft Sexton with the Miami pick at #11, and Rubio comes back for the last year on his contract, we'd have a log jam at point guard again.

Sexton/Rubio/Ulis/Knight
Booker
TJ/Jackson
Chriss/Bender
Ayton

Why, if Trevon Duval was 6th in RSCI, and Sexton was 7th, isn't Duval getting more press as a top 10 pick?

I know we have our pick and Miami's pick, and we need a PG and a Center (and some feel, PF, but with Chriss + Bender, I believe one of those two should be our future there). I also know this draft is 'flooded' with Centers, or PF/C hybrids.

It also appears the NBA is seemingly stacked at the Center position, but is rather weak with 'Elite', or even 'Very Good' level PGs. All this talk about Schroder, or some of the other younger guys is fine, but none seem to be 'stellar' or on their way to being 'stellar', and those that are, are not for sale.

So with that said, I wonder if it might not behoove us to grab the best PG with our 1st pick to make sure we GET the best PG. And if our spot is too 'rich' for the best PG, then trade down a couple of spots and grab a pick in a future draft we can use as a trade chip later on (or as a pick).

Honestly, the league is flooded with good Centers; it seems every team has one but us. Not so with PGs. If we can secure a top FA PG who is no older than, say, 28, like Lillard, Walker, etc., then great, but I don;t see that happening.

Thoughts?

[thamadkant]

I always thought Booker was much better in a traditional off-ball SG role but he has his hit a hot streak off the dribble that shows he may be able to be a shot creator like Harden. I still think it's harder to shoot efficiently one on one but if he can do he might be able to take more PG minutes.

The thing with Booker handling the ball is that Defenses are on their tippy toes and they have to double him....

He can launch a shot off dribble contested.... and thats very dangerous for a ball handler because he can go wherever and score.


It will free up lanes too... which will make his team mates better... ASSUMING the coaching sets those players up.

[RaisingArizona]

The poll results really surprise me. I really am opposed to staying the course.

[thamadkant]

The poll results really surprise me. I really am opposed to staying the course.

I want to tank for Ayton...or Bagley or Doncic..

But Suns are too good to finish bottom 5 IMO....

So I've considered actually going to be a competitive team for next season instead, which means trying hard this year and set up for a playoff run next season.

[lilfishi22]

I always thought Booker was much better in a traditional off-ball SG role but he has his hit a hot streak off the dribble that shows he may be able to be a shot creator like Harden. I still think it's harder to shoot efficiently one on one but if he can do he might be able to take more PG minutes.

Part of me still thinks he's better off playing with a primary passing PG and play that Reggie Miller/Klay Thompson role, playing off ball and using constant movements to get great looks. I think his efficiency could be through the roof playing with a CP3 type PG and then he can take over down the stretch via iso scoring if need be.

Now I wants to see him develop into a James Harden type player running the offense. The reason I wasn't fully on board with this is because I still see Booker as a better pure shooter than Harden and that's where his strengths lie. But he's really stepped it up this season, playing more of that Harden role (out of necessity with our weak PG rotation) and he's getting real close to averaging 25/5/4 on elite shooting percentages (.46FG%, .389 3PT%, .873FT%) already as a 21 year old.

[lilfishi22]

The poll results really surprise me. I really am opposed to staying the course.

I think it's a little deceiving. The closest option to what I feel like we should do is trade for a vet PG and PF to get competitive. But the way it's worded, it seems like either stay the course, have a fire sale or selling our best assets (Suns #18/Jackson).

I'm opposed to staying the course but I'm not on board with selling everything to create a competitive team now. I just think our assets and young players (aside from Booker) should be on the table for discussion.

[SunZel]

I'm fine with Tyler Ulis at Starting pg. Im not impressed with any of the pgs in the draft or i just dont like their fit. I think he fits well next to Booker and it cant hurt that their freinds. We dont need a star at every position and i think his defense vs Kyrie was better than a lot of all star pg's i've seen. He plays smart, can bring the ball up the floor and its only his second season.. I actually think of all the players on the team i think Ulis makes the least mistakes. That is of course unless someone like Conley becomes available...

[Kerrsed]

Any interest in Doc Rivers if the Clippers decide to let him go after the season?

He's taken and developed some youngsters in his time in Boston and LA. Has Championship experience, defence orientated, actually draws up plays and is known to hold players responsible.

Also has the Boston ties to McD as well.

Could be interesting.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Championship coach with McDonough at Boston would be the easy option.

Gets teams playing defense too.

Maybe Rivers and Griffin in the off-season?

[lilfishi22]

I always thought Doc was overrated as a coach and I dunno if he'd be down for a rebuilding job. That said, he seems to do well instilling discipline and roles in his teams. Could be an option but he's not high on my list

[WeekapaugGroove]

Well I guess they should be able to get a roster exemption to sign james with the booker injury. I believe once you have 4 guys on your 15 with extended injuries you get that.



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