Otto Porter

[Ruzious]

I would be surprised if we went into next season with all 3 SF's on the roster. I'd be shocked if all 3 are here after next season's trade deadline.

The easiest move IMO is to let Ariza walk. His contract makes the decision for you. Then use the money you save to try and sign Patrick Patterson. Take a risk on Otto, we drafted him to be a starter after all. If he's not ready to start, we're insulated by being able to start Webster. It's a good risk. And I actually like a Nene, Gortat, Patterson, Gooden front court.

That would not surprise me. Ariza might prefer the west coast and not want to return here anyway. And Patterson fits. I'd prefer to keep Ariza and trade Webster, but your scenario is more likely.

[dobrojim]

PP would be an awesome addition to the team assuming the contract was reasonable.

[Kanyewest]

Porter does seem to be getting better without playing time, at least based on his last game.

[Sluggerface]

Porter does seem to be getting better without playing time, at least based on his last game.

I really don't find it all that surprising. If we didn't throw money at Webster, and Porter avoided injury, I wouldn't have been shocked to see him average 10 points a game and 6 boards a game. He's a coach's dream player. Completely untouched by the abyss that is AAU basketball. It was only a matter of a time before he started to see how the NBA game develops.

We're going to ruin this guy though. He's not Ves, but I have a feeling this team is going to treat him like he is and hold him back.

[dckingsfan]

Porter does seem to be getting better without playing time, at least based on his last game.

I really don't find it all that surprising. If we didn't throw money at Webster, and Porter avoided injury, I wouldn't have been shocked to see him average 10 points a game and 6 boards a game. He's a coach's dream player. Completely untouched by the abyss that is AAU basketball. It was only a matter of a time before he started to see how the NBA game develops.

We're going to ruin this guy though. He's not Ves, but I have a feeling this team is going to treat him like he is and hold him back.

If he is as smart as you say... he will be fine - it will just take him awhile longer with our coaching staff.

[nate33]

I don't think Otto's lack of playing time can be blamed on the presence of Ariza. We don't need to jettison Ariza to make room for Porter. There are enough minutes to go around - particularly with Webster's gimpy back. What we need to do is stop playing Harrington so much, and we should never play Singleton. Also, have Ariza play more minutes at PF.

If we play Webster 14 minutes at SG and 12 minutes at SF; and if we play Ariza 14 minutes at PF and 20 minutes at SF, that leaves a minimum of 16 minutes a game at SF for Porter even when everyone is healthy. Porter would get even more minutes during garbage time, foul trouble, or injuries. He should be able to average 20 minutes a game easy.

Honestly, if we resign Ariza and pay him $7-9M a year, I'd insist that he put on about 10 pounds of muscle and prepare for even more minutes at PF. This team is really good when he plays stretch four.

Honestly I think the simplest solution here is to just trade Webster.

Yes. If Porter proves to deserve more minutes, then trade Webster to accommodate him. At this point in time, I don't see it. I'd happily resign Ariza and force Porter to earn his minutes behind Ariza and Webster. The minutes are there if he's good enough. Once he merits more than 15-20 minutes a game, then we start shopping Webster.

Don't put the cart before the horse. Porter needs to take minutes from Webster to free us up to trade Webster. We don't trade Webster to free up minutes for Porter.

[Sluggerface]

I don't think Otto's lack of playing time can be blamed on the presence of Ariza. We don't need to jettison Ariza to make room for Porter. There are enough minutes to go around - particularly with Webster's gimpy back. What we need to do is stop playing Harrington so much, and we should never play Singleton. Also, have Ariza play more minutes at PF.

If we play Webster 14 minutes at SG and 12 minutes at SF; and if we play Ariza 14 minutes at PF and 20 minutes at SF, that leaves a minimum of 16 minutes a game at SF for Porter even when everyone is healthy. Porter would get even more minutes during garbage time, foul trouble, or injuries. He should be able to average 20 minutes a game easy.

Honestly, if we resign Ariza and pay him $7-9M a year, I'd insist that he put on about 10 pounds of muscle and prepare for even more minutes at PF. This team is really good when he plays stretch four.

Honestly I think the simplest solution here is to just trade Webster.

Yes. If Porter proves to deserve more minutes, then trade Webster to accommodate him. At this point in time, I don't see it. I'd happily resign Ariza and force Porter to earn his minutes behind Ariza and Webster. The minutes are there if he's good enough. Once he merits more than 15-20 minutes a game, then we start shopping Webster.

Don't put the cart before the horse. Porter needs to take minutes from Webster to free us up to trade Webster. We don't trade Webster to free up minutes for Porter.

Websters not a horse.

[ptptpt]

Yes. If Porter proves to deserve more minutes, then trade Webster to accommodate him. At this point in time, I don't see it. I'd happily resign Ariza and force Porter to earn his minutes behind Ariza and Webster. The minutes are there if he's good enough. Once he merits more than 15-20 minutes a game, then we start shopping Webster.

Don't put the cart before the horse. Porter needs to take minutes from Webster to free us up to trade Webster. We don't trade Webster to free up minutes for Porter.

Honestly I would say this is a good idea if Porter were in his 3rd or 4th year. But for a rookie just starting out and a coach who has a penchant for going to veterans, one of these players really does have to go. If Otto is supposed to be part of the centerpiece then he's gonna need to play more. He's gonna need to get used to the NBA flow of the game and learn the system. If he is as good or bad as perceived then he is gonna have to prove it out on the court and so far he hasn't gotten his fair shot.

[nate33]

Yes. If Porter proves to deserve more minutes, then trade Webster to accommodate him. At this point in time, I don't see it. I'd happily resign Ariza and force Porter to earn his minutes behind Ariza and Webster. The minutes are there if he's good enough. Once he merits more than 15-20 minutes a game, then we start shopping Webster.

Don't put the cart before the horse. Porter needs to take minutes from Webster to free us up to trade Webster. We don't trade Webster to free up minutes for Porter.

Honestly I would say this is a good idea if Porter were in his 3rd or 4th year. But for a rookie just starting out and a coach who has a penchant for going to veterans, one of these players really does have to go. If Otto is supposed to be part of the centerpiece then he's gonna need to play more. He's gonna need to get used to the NBA flow of the game and learn the system. If he is as good or bad as perceived then he is gonna have to prove it out on the court and so far he hasn't gotten his fair shot.

Part of this is coaching, part is management, and part of it is on Porter. Ted and EG put Randy in a position where he had to win now or get fired. A coach in that position is likely to go with veterans and that's exactly what Randy did. I think a huge factor in this was Porter's early injury and lack of training camp. Randy never felt comfortable with Porter learning on the job because he knew it would take a lot of minutes and Randy just didn't want to risk it.

I don't think the dynamic will be quite the same next year. Assuming the key free agents are resigned, I think the team is comfortably a playoff team for the next couple of years. Randy will have a bit more breathing room. Also, Porter will be a year older, a year wiser, a bit stronger, and most importantly, will have had a full season and training camp under his belt.

[hands11]

His length lets him operate really comfortably everywhere on the court...its unfortunate we didnt get a chance to throw him to the sharks this year the way we did Beal.

A agree, his length and court smarts allow him to move more smooth then fast. He should be ok.

As for throwing him in to the sharks. I actually think it good they didn't. I wanted to see more then I did, but I am glad they didn't need to do to him what happen to Wall, and Beal to start last year.

They have been able to red shirt Otto and work on his game. As someone already mentioned, his 3 ball looked much better in that video. I didn't see the hitch in it he had before. Losing that hitch is huge because in the NBA, that's the difference between getting a shot off and getting it blocked, or at least having to worry about it. He now knows he has the time he needs to get it off and that is a big deal. Specially with his length.

I think the Wizards excepted this as the process for Otto before they drafted him. They already had Webter and TA. Then once he missed so much camp and they know he would be behind, it just made it even more so. I think they have been working with him to fix the things he was going to need to fix anyway so when we finally do get to see him, he will have a better set of tools to implement on the floor so his transition is going to be smoother then it was for Wall or Beal who where just thrown to the wolves and needed to learn the NBA game and fix things at the same time.

Beal had an easier then Wall and now Otto will have an easier then Beal. Its a result of building out the team with talent and solid vets so you can groom players properly from the beginning.

[hands11]

I would be surprised if we went into next season with all 3 SF's on the roster. I'd be shocked if all 3 are here after next season's trade deadline.

The easiest move IMO is to let Ariza walk. His contract makes the decision for you. Then use the money you save to try and sign Patrick Patterson. Take a risk on Otto, we drafted him to be a starter after all. If he's not ready to start, we're insulated by being able to start Webster. It's a good risk. And I actually like a Nene, Gortat, Patterson, Gooden front court.

I don't agree. I say you sign TA if you can. Let 2014/15 effectively be Otto's rookie year only it will be more like when Griffin missed a year. Then trade TA down the road if you want. Or trade Webster later if needed. Let this gel another year from the start off the year where you have a back up PG in Miller and a S4 option in Gooden off the bench. Those were two things they wanted to add this year and they finally found them, but it was late. Plus another off season of Nene in his new rehab program and I think he returns as the best Nene we have seen yet.

People will be upset if they resign Gortat and TA and use up some projected cap in 2016, but its actually a good move. Keep this thing together. You can make other moves later. They have built a nice core and they have Wall, Beal and Otto as three young talents. Things are still gelling with Wall and Gortat and Beal and Gortat. This roster hasn't peaks even with the talent it already has. It still has room to grow and hitting the ground running next year will give them a chance to get to 50 wins. Goal will be set higher and they will have the confidence in knowing what they have to reach them.

The tweaks for next year are in the bench by replacing Singleton, AH and maybe Temple with upgraded mid aged vets in the 25-26 range. They already have enough youngens in Wall, Beal, Otto and Kevin if they keep him. Though I would consider one of those slots for Okafor if he wants to come back cheap on a one year. I love the fit of his defense and personality into what they already have.

With a few tweak by replacing 2-3 spare parts, that's a team that can chase 50 wins and a conference title.

[jeffsays]

Otto looked good in the limited time he saw tonight. Hope he can get some more minutes and be helpful in the playoffs. I doubt he will be able to, but it would be nice.

[stevemcqueen1]

I would be surprised if we went into next season with all 3 SF's on the roster. I'd be shocked if all 3 are here after next season's trade deadline.

The easiest move IMO is to let Ariza walk. His contract makes the decision for you. Then use the money you save to try and sign Patrick Patterson. Take a risk on Otto, we drafted him to be a starter after all. If he's not ready to start, we're insulated by being able to start Webster. It's a good risk. And I actually like a Nene, Gortat, Patterson, Gooden front court.

That would not surprise me. Ariza might prefer the west coast and not want to return here anyway. And Patterson fits. I'd prefer to keep Ariza and trade Webster, but your scenario is more likely.

I think Ariza might end up costing a lot more than Webster, which argues for Webster.

There are a lot of factors involving risk. If you let Ariza walk, it's letting a known successful starter go for nothing. If you sign Patterson, it's risking whether or not he'll translate his success in Toronto to our team. And going with Porter or Webster risks a downgrade from Ariza's production.

But doing the opposite also involves a lot of risks. Signing Ariza risks buying high after a contract/career year. It risks cutting off Porter's development, blocking him from ever being the starter we drafted him to be. It probably necessitates a future trade, which will involve risks. It's also got opportunity cost in probably not having the money for Patterson.

PG: Wall, Miler
SG: Beal
SF: Webster, Porter
PF: Nene, Patterson
C: Gortat

I like that top 8. Younger and bigger and more balanced than if we stick with Ariza. Probably cheaper too. I'd expect Patterson to cost less than Ariza.

[jeffsays]

I think Ariza might end up costing a lot more than Webster, which argues for Webster.

There are a lot of factors involving risk. If you let Ariza walk, it's letting a known successful starter go for nothing. If you sign Patterson, it's risking whether or not he'll translate his success in Toronto to our team. And going with Porter or Webster risks a downgrade from Ariza's production.

But doing the opposite also involves a lot of risks. Signing Ariza risks buying high after a contract/career year. It risks cutting off Porter's development, blocking him from ever being the starter we drafted him to be. It probably necessitates a future trade, which will involve risks. It's also got opportunity cost in probably not having the money for Patterson.

PG: Wall, Miler
SG: Beal
SF: Webster, Porter
PF: Nene, Patterson
C: Gortat

I like that top 8. Younger and bigger and more balanced than if we stick with Ariza. Probably cheaper too. I'd expect Patterson to cost less than Ariza.

PG: Wall, Miller
SG: Beal, GRJR
SF: Webster, Porter
PF: Nene, Patterson
C: Gortat, Seraphin

That would be a pretty nice top 10. Or we could swap kevin with Drew Gooden.

[J-Ves]

Pat Pat is a RFA as far as I know and seems happy in Toronto. Really doubt he would sign here in the first place and if he did the the Raps would happily match an MLE offer(I'll admit I don't have any knowledge of their financial situation).

Marvin Williams is a much more likely stretch 4 candidate at MLE money methinks.

[dlts20]

I tell you one thing, Gooden has been good but has regressed some lately. Add that to Book being the suck, I honestly would keep a small lineup in the back of my mind if I was Witt. If we get down 0-2 or 1-3 in a series I would go with Ariza at the 4 with Web or Porter starting and the other guy the #1 wing off the bench. Alot of teams are playing well small and I think we could be better at it then anyone but Witt only does it like once every 20 games or so

[deneem4]

For some reason I jus feel otto would be mini durant..

[mhd]

For some reason I jus feel otto would be mini durant..

Huh? Durant is way more athletic, smooth, and a naturally gifted scorer than Porter ever will be. They are nothing alike. Durant has one of the best strokes ever. They only time I've heard them mentioned in the same sentence was when Porter compared himself to Durant.

[stevemcqueen1]

Pat Pat is a RFA as far as I know and seems happy in Toronto. Really doubt he would sign here in the first place and if he did the the Raps would happily match an MLE offer(I'll admit I don't have any knowledge of their financial situation).

Marvin Williams is a much more likely stretch 4 candidate at MLE money methinks.

Depends on if they bring back Kyle Lowry. They'll be cash strapped if they bring him back.

I could see Patterson signing here. He's Wall's friend and probably would love to play with him again.

Marvin Williams isn't good. I wouldn't give MLE money to him.

[sashae]

For some reason I jus feel otto would be mini durant..

Huh? Durant is way more athletic, smooth, and a naturally gifted scorer than Porter ever will be. They are nothing alike. Durant has one of the best strokes ever. They only time I've heard them mentioned in the same sentence was when Porter compared himself to Durant.

They're both tall and skinny?