RSP83 wrote:MrSparkle wrote:RSP83 wrote:if the Grizzlies is hitting the reset button and JJJ ever becomes available, that's probably the guy I'm after. He's an expiring contract next year and per sportrac will be UFA in 2026.
I'm sold on the idea that a rim protecting big who can hit 2-3 treys a game at > 37% clip is super valuable and also a rarity. Yes, I'm inspired by the role that Myles Turner play for Indiana. Brook Lopez is a similar player who was a key piece for that championship Bucks team. Both are poor rebounders for their size, but their strengths more than offset their weaknesses.
Guys other than JJJ who provide the same are Mobley and Wemby, and they are untouchable.
I would look for this type of player in the 2nd round of this year's draft. Or just take Khaman Maluach if he's somehow available at #12 which I highly doubt
I also have a hard time finding a better/more-attainable FA than JJJ. He’s a little injury prone and the rebounding is an issue, maybe isn’t a great leader, but I have no problem maxing him at 25yo. The spacing and rim protection would address Bulls’ 2 biggest issues, if Coby is supposed to stick around (Kind of hoping he doesn’t unless it’s sub-$20M salary). Almost don’t even mind keeping Vuc into his retirement at that point, assuming his minutes and next contract are halved.
The only question is whether Memphis maxes him without hesitation, seeks trade bids, or actually waits until he hits unrestricted free agency next year. Think is, JJJ’s next deal will put Memphis way over the cap and they won’t have much flexibility to improve that roster, unless they flirt with luxury, which they’ve traditionally avoided.
Not a rim protector but intriguing possible FA option is Naz Reid. But as much as I like the guy we should NOT pursue him. He's basically a younger Bobby Portis without the crazy. He's going to be asking for high 20s type money, and he can certainly help some teams but definitely not us. He's not elite enough for us to commit our future and significant size of our cap space at this moment.
I can't get a good sense if Naz has the ability to be PF and still allow us to get rim protection elsewhere. I would look at him (functionally) as a replacement for Coby (with Coby getting traded either in the deal or elsewhere). He'll give you 20ppg but better defense than Coby. We start a POA defender (Ball), Giddey, Matas, Naz, Rim Protector (TBD). That could be interesting.
