suns12345 wrote:Qwigglez wrote:bigfoot wrote:
I wouldn't even consider Ayton a better player. He has has better shooting skills and the agility to cover the perimeter.
Anything other than those and Nurk is better including motor, boxing out, IQ, passing, screening, ball handling, rebounding, getting free throws, etc.
I can live with a couple of dumb Nurk plays per game versus being extremely frustrated when Ayton isn't even trying for half a game.
Stats Per 36 minutes for
DA 12.5p/15.9r/1.5a/2.7s/1.2b/0.5ft
Nurk 12.9p/11.7r/6.1a/2s/1.6b/5.1ft
The difference in assists and free throws is quite stark
DA is more of a finesse player, while Nurkic uses his body. Definitely love that about Nurkic because his shooting is atrocious for a big man.
I actually think this article written for the Oregon state newspaper was a fairly accurate assessment of Nurkic (this past summer).
https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2023/04/jusuf-nurkic-wants-to-remain-with-the-portland-trail-blazers-but-contract-could-help-facilitate-blockbuster-trade.html
A big knock on Nurkic is missing shots near the basket. In another article It was mentioned that Nurkic was taking too many floaters early in the 2021-22 season, and Billups told him not to shoot those anymore since the Blazers have plenty of guards to take floaters, and that Nurkic should be dominating the paint. Totally agree with that, and I am hopeful when the team is at full strength Nurkic gets these easy buckets right under the rim.
Also... a bit annoyed about that article linked above as it says if the Blazers plan on trading Nurkic, they likely have to include Sharpe or Anfernee Simons. Welp... Suns didn't get either of those guys
They were taking on a bad contract too though. DA's contract is a lot for a rebuilding team if you assume he isn't going to improve much.
I don't think DA was really a desirable asset at all.
I agree. Who actually wants to pay a 5 the max in the NBA today unless if he had MVP or at least all star level impact, which DA wasn't even close to providing.
DA was a meh asset value wise and the Suns had about half a season to trade him, since once the new CBA kicks in next season we wouldn't be able to split his contract into several smaller ones in a trade.
Say what you want about Nurk, Allen and Little bit they all can play a bit and also crucially have very tradeable contracts. If they don't work out we can always get another piece back for them.