Magicman125 wrote:Skybox wrote:JoshuaPotter wrote:44-31 my favorite stat of the game.
Ayton and Scoot are going to be fun to watch long term.
Ayton is so tantalizing but also nearly as frustrating as Bamba.
He's clearly underperformed his deal, but I've pondered deals where we take him and Simons. Ayton could be GREAT but he's had as many awful nights as good. He's still maintained strong ppg/rpg...maybe just disappointing because of what he could/should be.
Just for kicks: (we'd let Harris, Okeke, Fultz, Goga walk for cap space), I think we could re-up Ingles - but could go if needed
ORL sends: WCJ, Cole, ORL 24 frp(draft night), DEN 25 frp
POR sends: Ayton, Simons
POR might even consider this an upgrade at two spots (starting C and 3rd G/6th man) for literally less than half the price. Also, if Time Lord comes back, he can back up and even play next to WCJ - something he can't do with Ayton. 2 frps are just cherry on top. They might actually be better...WCJ, Grant, Murray, Sharpe, Scoot...WCJ can spread the floor and open things up for Scoot-who is looking like less of a shooter, but still dynamic scorer. Entire frontcourt can shoot from distance.
ORL goes all-in on young, expensive players and hopes they got it right. If Ayton can buy into Mose's mentality, and accept the Bill Russell role...we have a dominant team for a decade. Expensive, Top-heavy, but potentially dominant.
Simons, Suggs, Franz, Paolo, Ayton with Isaac, Mo, Houstan, Jett, AB, Ingles(?) off the bench. Also, crazy big lineups with Paolo at 3, Isaac, Ayton frontcourt. As we get better and tighten the rotation, guys like Kevon or Trevelin are fine in the cheap seats on the bench...that's kind of the way we're heading anyway with extensions coming. Mo Wagner could be a cap casualty...we all like him, but $8m for a 8th or 9th man gets tough when you start adding better starters... Maybe cap hell, but intriguing.
Simons yes, Ayton no. I've seen enough to know he's not a fit for our team's culture. He does not stay engaged or try consistently. He's not been the same since the Suns lost to the Bucks in the finals, and even then he was inconsistent in effort.
Have to agree...he's worth a look, but that 34m per deal is crippling as we head into "extension time" with Suggs/Franz, followed by Paolo/Isaac.