Road to a Championship start here, 2022 Draft.

[cedric76]

Are you the only poster on this board?

It s a shame as you r a Great poster, I enjoy your read

[Whole Truth]

Are you the only poster on this board?

It s a shame as you r a Great poster, I enjoy your read

Thanks but no. there's 2 others that I haven't seen in a bit..

[Whole Truth]

After last night's 4th Q, the response was Green is finally learning to ride Jonas. Nope, Nance played a great game too & could have just as easily closed this game.

The reason Green often opts to close with Nance is because with CJ on court, as known, they need better rim protection & likewise, with Jonas on court, they need better ball pressure. Last night with CJ out, they had Herb & Daniels with Jonas closing because they had no CHOICE, which with CJ available, wouldn't have been the case, especially with Nance also having a good game. Nance could have just as easily closed & it was intended with his early 4th Q sub but they opted to ride Jonas closing strong, which turned out a good decision. Once again, if CJ was available, that wasn't going to happen.

CJ nor Jonas is the problem, NO's have in house defensive solutions for both in Nance & Daniels, as shown.

THE problem is everyone & Green considering CJ as part of the core, aka the big 3. As Jonas has his defensive limitations. When CJ's shot is not falling, Daniels is by far the better choice if matchup dictates it. Difference is, Green in situations can pull Jonas for Nance. Whereas CJ is the default starter & closer regardless of play & matchup for Jonas... The starting lineup set 3 should only be Zion, BI & Herb, everything else should be fluid to matchups & play. What's worse is there's far more depth behind CJ, than Jonas.

CJ was supposedly traded to be an off ball shooting compliment to Zion, not another BIG 3 star & it's in this vein the team will find itself limited.

Jonas is producing, as good or better than CJ at half the cost. Yet he's the only one been considered to trade. Jonas for rim protection (Allen 20m), not CJ for ball pressure (Murray 18m(. Where Allen is a more expensive & one dimensional target than Murray but I've learned Murray is a Klutch client & know that's a no go for Griffin.

Solution is not necessarily trade. Until Green, NO's start to see & utilize CJ like they do Jonas in matchups & play, This team is going no where. Daniels is every bit the defensive replacement to CJ that Nance is to Jonas. If CJ has favorable matchup & play, you ride Nance. Jonas has favorable matchup & play, you ride Daniels.

You want a better trade target than Allen at 20m, you trade CJ for Murray at 18m. Extend Jonas & draft a rookie C in 24 with the Lakers pick which should be 6 games under 500 not 2, if not for officiating.

[Whole Truth]

Last night showed with the shot attempts Hawkins can light it up, problem is, where are those FGA's coming from. This team already has 2 promising rookies "ready" to take over the guard rotation. NO's should extend Jonas & draft his rookie scale replacement. Give him a 2yr extension & possibly a team option for security, putting his salary in line coming off the books in BI's extension. Where by then, the rookie C will have had 2yrs to develop & be on rookie scale balancing cap apposed to Allens 20m.

Trade CJ for Murray give Jonas a 2yr extension. You would have a rookie C with 2yrs development on rookie scale paired with Murray's team friendly 18m for roughly 26m depending on draft slot vs Allen 20m & CJ 35m for a combined 55m if you trade Jonas because you see CJ as a 3rd star & not an off ball compliment.

What makes it worse, is Jonas court value is lost to expiring value, whereas CJ is shooting & playing at peak value with some team control. 44% from 3 is not sustainable for him or NO's. Whereas Jonas, is a consistent 15 & 10, on 60% efficiency at half the cost.

[Whole Truth]

Utah moved past the Lakers last night. Lakers should be 17-23, 6 games under but are currently 19-21 thanks to some favorable officiating, Raptors close loss being more blatant than the Clippers 3pt loss.

They're only better than 4 teams in the West currently, with Warriors a half game back. If not for officiating intervention. Memphis would be only a game back of LA, Leaving only Portland & Spurs below them in the West.

Lakers are currently the 12th pick in the draft (should be 10th).

What variance. From the 8th pick to WCF's back to lottery with no injuries to Davis or Lebron. Amazing that.

[Whole Truth]

Just saw that Jonas has joined 6 active players with 11000 pts & 7500 rebounds.

James, Westbrook, Kevin Love, Horford & Vucevic.

Here's what's most impressive about that stat. Jonas averages under 30mins a game & is paid 15m where everyone in that list is a max player, averaging over 30 mins.

Ever wonder how Jonas can go to 3 separate teams sub 30 wins & all 3 turn into 50 win teams.

Besides the fact that he's production value. He sets a culture with his team first, no fuss, love for the game.

Congrats Jonas on the milestone.

[Whole Truth]

Saw on the Hawk board. Lakers finalizing a deal with Atlanta for Murray

(Reaves, Laker 29) for (Murray & Capella)

I was close offering (CJ, 24 top 10, swap, Bucks 27) for (Murray & Okongwu).

Klutch pulling strings again for LA.

[Whole Truth]

Minnesota beat the Clippers -Edwards had a strong game, was +13,

anyone want to guess why the defensive centre Gobert was -1, their 2 way PG Conley -4, the offensive big man. Kat +12 & Naz +6 ?

It's because Clippers have a hole in the middle & the Wolves beat them with their offensive not defensive big man.

Kawhi, PG & Harden combined for 56pts & 15 assists. Their starting centre 3pts & 4rebs.

Anyone want to take a guess why NO's are 10-2 against the Clippers but have 2 losses, playing through CJ. Where the only win with CJ is because both Kawhi & PG was out.

[Whole Truth]

With that loss, NO's are a game back of Clips for 4th seed, 8 games over 500.

All the talk of Jonas not being a starter on a PO team. With the right game plan, Jonas could/would be an effective PO performer against 5 of the current PO teams in the West. He plays the Wolves & kat, Sabonis & Kings historically strong, Clippers, Dallas, Suns all have weak front courts to strong guard play. Denver & OKC are the only 2 balanced PO teams where he's not a potential advantage.

What's even more wild concerning NO's record. 4 of the bottom feeders games faced at the time & lost. Jazz are now 1 game over 500 after a strong stretch of games & Memphis got Ja back in time for 2 games & 2 losses in part thanks to cooked officiating. A potential 28-12 record.

NO's have also had some rough scheduling. Wolves on an early back end, Jazz a scheduled loss as a bad team on the back end of 3 games in 4 nights in Utah mile high. Bulls on back end not to long after. Where Zion had to sit in 2 of the 3 & this late one they pulled out in Dallas after having to play Denver & get in early in the morning short 4 starters. Is another 4 scheduled losses. NO's could easily have 4 wins instead of one considering all these games lost were by a possession or 2. Potentially 31 & 9, a half game better than the Celtics.

Wolves 1pt loss with Zion out with rest from a blown double digit lead.
Utah 1 possession loss 3 games 4 nights short Zion rest & 3 shooters
Bulls 2 possession loss back end B2B short 4 rotation players, bench outplayed by 12pts, Zeller -17.
Memphis by less than a possession 2x with Ja back & the refs trying to get them back in the PO scene
Utah 1pt loss with Zion back but still down 3 shooters.

7 should/could have been wins but were losses = 31-9, good for first overall.

[Whole Truth]

Need a win today vs Mavs to put some separation from the play in.

[Whole Truth]

As I've been saying, Lakers without ref intervention is a bottom 5 team. The last 2 close games stolen for them would have them 17-23 a game up on Raptors for the 7th pick in the draft.

As mentioned, what a variance, from 8th pick to WCF's to current 10th pick. The FT disparity last yr had nothing to do with it, lol. Sad part as in with the recent Raptors rant is they've still had help this season.

Owning their pick, bites to have the refs actively depreciating an asset.

[Whole Truth]

Of NO's 16 losses 9 have come against teams under 500

Jazz 2x
Houston 2x
Atlanta
Memphis 2x
Bulls
Lakers

Note - the 4 games against Houston & Memphis refs had a considerable hand in those losses. When I saw NO's odds go up in Ja's return, first thought was someone bet big on the dog. Then you saw the debacle with the .4 50/50 lob. The league was definitely trying to get Ja back into the PO scene.

[Whole Truth]

Ideally, I would trade CJ, Kira, picks to (Raptors/Atlanta)), for Pascal to ultimately land (Murray & Okongwu).

In getting Raptors to take Kira with CJ, tax is saved this season. CJ's 35m is turned into a young 2 way guard at 18m & Okongwu who would be a depth option this yr & ready to potentially start next. Allows for a decision to be made on Jonas future where they can choose to cut his 15m from the cap or extend for 2yrs in drafting a cheap backup big man in 24.

Unfortunately Murray is a Klutch client & NO's have tied their boat to CJ. BIG 3,

Atlanta have made everyone available outside of Johnson & Trey. So if you don't want Murray, what about the other half of my suggestion, Okongwu ?

NO's trade (Kira, Zeller, Earl, EJ, NO's 24 top 5 protected, Bucks 27) for (Okongwu, 3m TE)

Basically expiring value & 2 firsts for Okongwu. He's a better perimeter defender than Nance, has range & is primed to potentially start with Jonas expiring if NO's choose not to extend. It saves only 3m but helps cleanup some of the depth, into a quality player & PO contributor without affecting the chemistry of the current roster.

[Whole Truth]

The difference from trading CJ, Kira picks for Murray, Okongwu vs Kira picks for Okongwu

Okongwu 8m - Zion - Bi - Herb - Murray 18m = 26m, with Kira inclusion to Raptors, saving tax money this yr.

Okongwu 8m - Zion - Bi - Herb - CJ 35m = 42m, with only 3m savings in moving Kira.

So where NO's could have a 2way guard on a team friendly contract for the next 5yrs they choose 2 yrs with CJ in the hope Daniels offense will be ready start. It looks like Daniels will develop range to go with his playmaking but he still has suspect handles & has trouble taking care of the ball. If it comes to it concerning lining CJ up to expire when they have to max BI. Murray is an asset & can be traded for an expiring & pick value within that development span for Daniels. It's insurance & asset control. Okongwu looks ready to start but Jonas is still here as insurance in possibly drafting big man depth.

Okongwu 8m/drafted C - Zion - BI - Herb - CJ 35m/Daniels 8m = 51m, with CJ losing value as ageing expiring.

Jonas 15m/Okongwu 8m/drafted C - Zion - BI - Herb - Murray 18m/Daniels 8m = 49m, with Murray still an asset

Option to let Jonas 15m expire in extending Murphy if Okongwu proves a capable starter, prove in PT, not hopeful projection.

[Whole Truth]

Missed most the game because of the early start but caught the close of the 3rd & 4th.

Green rode the bench unit from the 3rd to the 6min mark of the 4th. Made wholesale changes & the unit that came in, came in cold, to a Mavs rotation that stayed hot & active.

Lively outworked Jonas on the boards. Looking at the box score, looks like it was a rough game for Jonas. I'd have to watch a replay..

Pelicans continue to leave FT's on the line, 10 free points in another close game. Fitting that Green would have Zion on the floor for the last possession, only for Mavs to use a take foul for Zion to split his FT's, ahh boy.

Another close game gets away.

[Whole Truth]

Epic meltdown on the Pels forums, lol

Usual suspects taking advantage to dump on Jonas with usual low IQ takes. 3 games in 4 nights for the 30yo Jonas against the fresh legs of an athletic Lively, hustling & crashing the boards. The lack of rebounding was costly but if you don't think fatigue for Jonas & rest for Lively didn't play a factor, IDK what to tell you.

Who had solid games today? all the players who had 2 days rest, except BI who had an off shooting night.

Despites it all, the game came down to making FT's & game management where Pelicans left 10 on the line in a possession game & are now 0-7 in close games. Kid decided to hack a Zion with a 2pt lead & he split the pair.

Another issue is arising if Pelicans can't play their best player in close games because teams will intentionally put him on the line.

[Whole Truth]

Low key Murphy has been off since the Cavs game.

[Whole Truth]

The problem the Hawks have with Murray, is he needs to be a PG & doesn't fit with Young. He's putting up identical offensive production to CJ but is younger, better defensively & cheaper.

Hawks are looking for 2 firsts for Murray.

Considering CJ has strong value right now with his 44% shooting on volume, if NO''s include 2 picks with him they should be able to get additional value.

NO's trade - (CJ 35m, NO's 24 top 5 protected, Bucks 27) for (Murray 18m, Okongwu 8m, Fernando 2m)

- This trade cuts 7m to get under the tax.
- Trades a scoring guard for a 2way PG
- Cuts a 35 max contract to 18m at the position without giving up offense for defense.
- Gets younger with more control at the position from 32/2yrs to 27/5yrs control.
- Opens the contention window more than 2yrs
- Okongwu is a batter perimeter defender than Nance which add another dimension to the center position
- Okongwy is 8m & ready to potentially start, if the team decides not to extend Jonas to save money next yr
- Potentially saves NO's next season, depending on a Jonas extension or not, 20m roughly in upgrading 2 holes this season, besides helping to get under the tax this season without attaching value to move Kira.

Jonas (15m exp) - Okongwu (8m ready to start) - Nance
Zion - Nance
BI - Murphy
Herb - Hawkins - Jose
Murray (18m) - Daniels - Jose

Lakers pick = Center prospect for cheap controlled depth & future consideration.

Depending on a Jonas extension or not, 2 positions go from 2 players 50m to 3 players roughly 35m depending on draft slot. Both targets in trade 2 way players on team friendly contracts that open the teams window for contention.

[Whole Truth]

I see Kira was included in the Pascal trade to get under the tax. NO's are now currently 2.785m under the tax

Talk of Karlo coming over. I'm thinking Zeller's 2m might be moved for an upgrade at backup C. With Karlo now signed as the cheaper 3rd string option, roster fill.

With getting .2.7 under the tax with the Kira trade. I'm hoping the target is Okongwu, 8.1m

(Zeller 2m, Earl 1.9m, EJ 1.8m) = 5.7m + 2.785 under the tax = 8.4m before the tax threshold. (Naji 1.9m ?)

= (8m expiring value + pick/s) for (Okongwu)

Targeting Okongwu over Allen has several distinct advantages.

- He has a 3 ball & improving from range, where Allen takes & makes none.
- good perimeter defender, 1-5 switch defender not just better rim protection, he has better mobility.
- 14-16m/4yr team friendly contract apposed to 20m/2yr. Adds 2yrs cheap control. (Helps with extensions).
- Quality backup depth for this season but ready to take over starting next.
- In not moving Jonas for this potential replacement, NO's have insurance for the now & future transition. They will get a good look before deciding whether to extend or not based in need.

[Whole Truth]

Ryan 1.1m, Karlo 1.1m, Okongwu 8.1m = 10.3m

Zeller 2m, Naji 1.9m, Earl 1.9m, EJ 1.8m = 7.6m + 2.78m = 10.3m

4-3 trade roster trade

Jonas - Okongwu - Karlo
Zion - Nance
BI - Murphy - Ryan
Herb - Hawkins
CJ - Daniels - Jose

Lakers pick 24 for development big & cheap depth.