Nnaji

[Piston Pete]

Piston fan, I come in peace.

I love Nnaji’s game and was wondering about how available he might be and what it might take for the Pistons to trade for him.

Guys the Pistons might make available in trade (all are on deals expiring after this season, except Hayes):

PG Hayes (still on rookie deal)
PG Joseph
PG Lee
SG/SF Diallo
PF Olynyk
C Noel

[The Rebel]

Everything we have heard about Nnaji is that the front office likes him and expect him to be a major part of our rotation.

[skywalker33]

Piston fan, I come in peace.

I love Nnaji’s game and was wondering about how available he might be and what it might take for the Pistons to trade for him.

Guys the Pistons might make available in trade (all are on deals expiring after this season, except Hayes):

PG Hayes (still on rookie deal)
PG Joseph
PG Lee
SG/SF Diallo
PF Olynyk
C Noel

Can't say anything you're offering is of value to the Nuggets unless you want to add a draft pick or two. Nnaji is expected to enter the rotation this year for the Nuggets.

[TunaFish]

Piston fan, I come in peace.

I love Nnaji’s game and was wondering about how available he might be and what it might take for the Pistons to trade for him.

Guys the Pistons might make available in trade (all are on deals expiring after this season, except Hayes):

PG Hayes (still on rookie deal)
PG Joseph
PG Lee
SG/SF Diallo
PF Olynyk
C Noel

Hayes is a bust and the rest are just JAGs. Nnaji has a future due to his size and shooting ability, one that is far superior to any of your proposed trade pieces. Thank you for the interest but Nnaji will be in the regular rotation in Denver.

[Richard Miller]

If he's healthy and plays/develops as expected he will be too valuable to trade. If not you could probably have him for a SRP and cash considerations, so remains to be seen I guess.

[Manolito]

If he's healthy and plays/develops as expected he will be too valuable to trade. If not you could probably have him for a SRP and cash considerations, so remains to be seen I guess.

For the flashes he has shown, he has at least two seasons margin before considering a trade for a SRP. He is four months older than Braun.

By the way, I think (hope) he is going to play PF and Uncle Jeff backup C. Nnaji is a clear PF and makes no sense to develop him as a Center this season

[Richard Miller]

If he's healthy and plays/develops as expected he will be too valuable to trade. If not you could probably have him for a SRP and cash considerations, so remains to be seen I guess.

For the flashes he has shown, he has at least two seasons margin before considering a trade for a SRP.

I'm not so sure, the second season is a team option and the deadline is quite near (10/31/22), so I guess they should decide much sooner if he's worthy of a new contract. Otherwise there is a chance he balls out in the second season and somebody throws a pile of cash on him in restricted agency

[TunaFish]

If he's healthy and plays/develops as expected he will be too valuable to trade. If not you could probably have him for a SRP and cash considerations, so remains to be seen I guess.

For the flashes he has shown, he has at least two seasons margin before considering a trade for a SRP.

I'm not so sure, the second season is a team option and the deadline is quite near (10/31/22), so I guess they should decide much sooner if he's worthy of a new contract. Otherwise there is a chance he balls out in the second season and somebody throws a pile of cash on him in restricted agency

Yes, that makes this an important training camp coming up. I think he has shown enough but recovery from injury will also be key. Same with a few other players.

[skywalker33]

Feels like the selection of Kamagate addresses the backup C position

[Piston Pete]

Thanks for the input!

I was hoping you’d want/need some of our vets on cap-friendly deals to make a run in the West - a deal where we help you be better NOW in exchange for young Nnaji, who fits age-wise with our young core. Really thought Olynyk and/or Diallo, especially, would benefit you guys.

I’ll be following your team to monitor how Nnaji performs this season.

[skywalker33]

Thanks for the input!

I was hoping you’d want/need some of our vets on cap-friendly deals to make a run in the West - a deal where we help you be better NOW in exchange for young Nnaji, who fits age-wise with our young core. Really thought Olynyk and/or Diallo, especially, would benefit you guys.

I’ll be following your team to monitor how Nnaji performs this season.

Even playoff contenders need young players on cheap contracts....if they can play, even better.

[NuggetsWY]

Thanks for the input!

I was hoping you’d want/need some of our vets on cap-friendly deals to make a run in the West - a deal where we help you be better NOW in exchange for young Nnaji, who fits age-wise with our young core. Really thought Olynyk and/or Diallo, especially, would benefit you guys.

I’ll be following your team to monitor how Nnaji performs this season.

Even playoff contenders need young players on cheap contracts....if they can play, even better.

I'd love to see Nnaji crack Malone's rotation, but it will be difficult IMO.

I don't think the Nuggets need to trade for any young players and it would be difficult for another veteran to find minutes unless we trade one of our probable major minutes guys.

Olynyk would be the only player involved here that I wouldn't mind getting. I like his attitude and the Nuggets can use more attitude IMO. But I doubt he could find any minutes in Denver.

[skywalker33]

Seen a few places where Nnaji is getting listed as a SF. Now I get he has some good shooting touch for a big man, but hard for me to see him trying to guard some of these quicker SF's, he is a legit 6'9" 240lber

[TunaFish]

Seen a few places where Nnaji is getting listed as a SF. Now I get he has some good shooting touch for a big man, but hard for me to see him trying to guard some of these quicker SF's, he is a legit 6'9" 240lber

Nnaji is a combo forward just like AG and MPJ. AG will guard the small forwards while MPJ and Nnaji try to stay on defense guarding some power forwards. On offense both MPJ and Nnaji play more like wings and AG sets up on either side of the basket like a power forward. Even Jeff Green is a combo forward swinging from wing to inside defense.

If Malone uses his forwards to their maximum defensive skills, they probably have to hide MPJ but there is also some valid concerns about Nnaji switching on to a driving small forward or guarding the perimeter. Fact is both MPJ and Nnaji have to improve on defense. MPJ was making great progress in this regard before injuries derailed his season and there is no reason we should not see a similar bump up from Nnaji with increased playing time.

[skywalker33]

Still early in training camp but nice to hear some positive reviews and the developing chemistry between him and Hyland

[skywalker33]

First preseason Nnaji goes for 15/6 in 17mins, good start even in a loss. No starter plays 20mpg so just testing the waters tonight

[TunaFish]

First preseason Nnaji goes for 15/6 in 17mins, good start even in a loss. No starter plays 20mpg so just testing the waters tonight

I'm still thinking Nnaji is more a forward than a center. They are playing him at center at times but in the Chicago preseason game he was pushed around and looked better playing at the wing.