MAJOR RUMOR: GRAHAM - LONZO S&T POSSIBLY IN WORKS

Post #1 » by **yosemiteben** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:15 pm

Read on Twitter

KembaWalker · Post #2 » by **KembaWalker** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:20 pm

Make it happen, Dude

Marino · Post #3 » by **Marino** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:22 pm

Lets do it.

Liver_Pooty · Post #4 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:22 pm

Holy ****.

Post #5 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:23 pm

There's double threads going here!

Doesn't Lonzo and Chicago have mutual interest in each other? And Lonzo is having/has had a workout there?

Chicago seems like a much better fit for him IMO.

Post #6 » by **yosemiteben** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:27 pm

Lonzo can defend and play off ball while also managing an offense. I think he's a significant upgrade over Graham.

I get the concern about the Ball family stuff, but so far Lavar concerns related to Melo have been way overblown so I'm willing to trust the FO and coaching staff.

Hornet Mania · Post #7 » by **Hornet Mania** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:30 pm

I'm not so sure about this. Seems like both Lonzo and Melo are at their best with the ball in their hands, then you add in Terry + Gordo...

It wouldn't be a disaster necessarily but I think there are better fits for all parties. FWIW Lonzo is definitely an upgrade over Graham. Hopefully the contract isn't insane.

Post #8 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:31 pm

yosemiteben wrote:Lonzo can defend and play off ball while also managing an offense. I think he's a significant upgrade over Graham.

It's still $20mil a year for a back up...

Liver_Pooty · Post #9 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:31 pm

yosemiteben wrote:Lonzo can defend and play off ball while also managing an offense. I think he's a significant upgrade over Graham.

I get the concern about the Ball family stuff, but so far Lavar concerns related to Melo have been way overblown so I'm willing to trust the FO and coaching staff.

Lonzo is a much better defender, passer, and can get to the rim at ease. Although his 3 point percentage is better than Grahams I don't think he's a better shooter by any means. Would be a big upgrade.

Does this mean anything for Rozier though?

Post #10 » by **yosemiteben** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:33 pm

In case anyone is curious, last season Lonzo shot 40% on C&S 3s on 6 attempts per game.

Post #11 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:33 pm

Liver_Pooty wrote:Does this mean anything for Rozier though?

I think it already meant something for Rozier when we drafted Bouk.

Not sure how much sense it is to bring in another highly, highly paid guy to compete for those mins.

Post #12 » by **yosemiteben** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:35 pm

BigSlam wrote:
yosemiteben wrote:Lonzo can defend and play off ball while also managing an offense. I think he's a significant upgrade over Graham.

It's still $20mil a year for a back up...

Yeah, but he's a starter caliber replacement. Any of Rozier, Hayward, or Melo goes down (or hell just need a night off), he'd give huge minutes.

It's a big salary commitment, but given our needs I think he's a no brainer.

wilson115 · Post #13 » by **wilson115** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:35 pm

Lonzo could play small forward. But damn 20 mil a year....

Post #14 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:37 pm

yosemiteben wrote:
BigSlam wrote:
yosemiteben wrote:Lonzo can defend and play off ball while also managing an offense. I think he's a significant upgrade over Graham.

It's still $20mil a year for a back up...

Yeah, but he's a starter caliber replacement. Any of Rozier, Hayward, or Melo goes down (or hell just need a night off), he'd give huge minutes.

It's a big salary commitment, but given our needs I think he's a no brainer.

He's starting caliber on a team who, in theory, doesn't have a starting spot available - yet you'd be paying him starters money.

That's a MASSIVE amount of yearly salary to pay someone in case a starter needs a night off.

I wouldn't want to pay back up Tae starting money and I wouldn't want to pay Lonzo starting money.

I wouldn't want to pay any back up starting money.

Liver_Pooty · Post #15 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:39 pm

Hollinger just tweeted an update and said it's a S&T, but Lonzo would NOT be coming to Charlotte.

Post #16 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:39 pm

wilson115 wrote:Lonzo could play small forward. But damn 20 mil a year....

Cool.

So he can back up either LaMelo, TRo or Gordo.

Either way, he's a back up here and people want to pay him starters money.

Marino · Post #17 » by **Marino** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:39 pm

Sounds like Lonzo will not be coming here.

SWedd523 · Post #18 » by **SWedd523** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:39 pm

yosemiteben wrote:Lonzo can defend and play off ball while also managing an offense. I think he's a significant upgrade over Graham.

I get the concern about the Ball family stuff, but so far Lavar concerns related to Melo have been way overblown so I'm willing to trust the FO and coaching staff.

Not really concerned about the family stuff since Lonzo seems to have seriously distanced himself from Papa Ball

My concern is the price. He was rumored to be around 4/80 with Chicago, so are we bringing him in to start? If so, what happens to Terry? What happens to Bouknight? is Lonzo the backup PG? Do we really wanna pay $20mil a year for the backup PG?

Hornet Mania · Post #19 » by **Hornet Mania** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:40 pm

I wonder if Lonzo would truly be able to live with being a supporting player on Melo's team.

I just remember the interview they both did on ESPN prior to the first NO/CHA matchup and while he wasn't upset or anything he definitely didn't seem totally comfortable with the idea of his little brother being considered potentially better.

Also, in case no one else said it yet: Ball City.

Edit: Well, guess not.

Post #20 » by **yosemiteben** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 2:41 pm

BigSlam wrote:
yosemiteben wrote:
BigSlam wrote:It's still $20mil a year for a back up...

Yeah, but he's a starter caliber replacement. Any of Rozier, Hayward, or Melo goes down (or hell just need a night off), he'd give huge minutes.

It's a big salary commitment, but given our needs I think he's a no brainer.

He's starting caliber on a team who, in theory, doesn't have a starting spot available - yet you'd be paying him starters money.

That's a MASSIVE amount of yearly salary to pay someone in case a starter needs a night off.

I mean, I'm trying to keep some things in context.

(1) We need a backup PG, and right now we are depending on meaningful minutes from Bouknight (who may or may not be ready). Having a player that can backup PG and SG is a major need right now.

(2) It appears Graham is not going to be cheap, and his skillset (particularly defensive limitations and difficulty finishing) are a problem, particularly if we want to keep him on the floor next to Melo. If we're going to pay for this spot, Lonzo is a much better option.

(3) Rozier is not committed long term, and $20M is going to be dirt cheap compared to what Rozier will likely get paid next summer if he produces at the same level as he did last year. Lonzo could be his replacement at a much cheaper contract.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I just think it is more an investment based on the bigger picture.