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JB7 wrote:Shakril wrote:
Lakers are stupid if they think john collins is the answer.
Collins and Rui are both expiring deals. Probably just looking for something that could make for a lot of excitement for one season. They need to keep that cap space free to be able to sign Giannis in a couple of years
Shakril wrote:JB7 wrote:Shakril wrote:
Lakers are stupid if they think john collins is the answer.
Collins and Rui are both expiring deals. Probably just looking for something that could make for a lot of excitement for one season. They need to keep that cap space free to be able to sign Giannis in a couple of years
They were only a Center away from competing. The only reason they lost against Minny was the lack of a good C and Luka not beeing himself.
Shakril wrote:ciueli wrote:MoMan24 wrote:Don't understand the Sabonis thing at all. He does not space the floor at all. Take under one 3 pointer a game. Is a horrible defender and rim protector. The only position he can play an under sized 5 man. His fit with Scottie is horrific. He also 3 more years on his contract for 140 million. Unless we are getting a steal I say HELL NO. You don't win with him on your team. None of his teams in OKC, IND or SAC have ever gone past the first round. He gets exposed in the playoffs so bad lol
He was at 2.2 3PTA this season, so you're wrong about his attempts. And he shot nearly 42% on threes this year, he's improved his 3PT% every single year for the last 3 seasons.
Jak is going to get paid next offseason if we don't deal him, I'd rather pay Sabonis what he's getting to be an All-Star level player for 35+MPG and 70-80 games per season than pay Jak $30M+ for 30MPG of work and 50-60 games per season. Throw in Jak being a liability at the FT line and him being unplayable at the end of games and it makes even more sense, we need to upgrade the C position, not just be happy with non-3 point shooters at the starting PF and C positions.
Sabonis is a bad defender, which means, what ever he scores in offense he loses on defense. Jak may not score a lot, but he prevents a lot of scoring, which bottom line is something i rather have in the POs than an offensive only player. Also Jak can play 70 to 80 games a season, but it wasnt necessary last year. Rather let a hurt player heal than rush him back. Especially this season he missed 13 games because of injuries, of which half were precautionary. And even if you want to upgrade from Jak, Sabonis is not the answer - you still need someone that can defend.
The infatuation with the strech 5 is becoming an obsession around here. We had 2 Centers that are non shooting bigs in the Final 4 (Hartenstein & Gobert), one big in Kat that was exposed on defense (parallels to Sabonis), and only Myles Turner that was ok from 3 and good at defense. I really wish people would take into account what actually is happening instead of what they wish is happening. A strech Center is not mandatory to win, Defensive Centers are.
And can we please stop with the nonsense that Jak is unplayable in the 4th? How many times has he prove to you that this is wrong. When it matters, he makes his free throws, unlike RJ or Barnes. And its not like he is shooting many of them. Last year he was shooting 0.8 FTs in the 4th quarter. Dont tell me that this is a problem.
Landomar wrote:RoteSchroder wrote:ciueli wrote:
He was at 2.2 3PTA this season, so you're wrong about his attempts. And he shot nearly 42% on threes this year, he's improved his 3PT% every single year for the last 3 seasons.
Jak is going to get paid next offseason if we don't deal him, I'd rather pay Sabonis what he's getting to be an All-Star level player for 35+MPG and 70-80 games per season than pay Jak $30M+ for 30MPG of work and 50-60 games per season. Throw in Jak being a liability at the FT line and him being unplayable at the end of games and it makes even more sense, we need to upgrade the C position, not just be happy with non-3 point shooters at the starting PF and C positions.
Can Sabonis be a part of a championship contender if you consider his contract and the make-up of our team? Even with Scottie, we're gonna need a defensive anchor. If he can't be a part of the final solution, then there's no point in giving up assets for him.
Like with Durant, it may make sense for the MLSE as their goal is to put fans in their seats and make money. Doesn't make sense for fans.
Sabonis is very good, and based on how some posters have been talking about him, he's one of the most underrated star players in the NBA. It's just math. He was getting MVP votes in 22-23 and 23-24 for a reason.
Sabonis BPM the last 3 years: 5.8, 6.5, 5.2
Sabonis BPM ranks the last 3 years: 15th, 7th, 10th
Sacramento has had a very good offense with Sabonis, and he's been a huge reason why. He can play at the top of the key and be a shoot / pass / drive threat from that area, while pulling the other teams center away from the basket. This opens up the floor for everybody, and fits perfectly with how Darko wants to run the offense. His rebounding also is the best in the NBA, and a huge value add for any team that has him. I see a lot of people saying that his defense is so bad that a team can't win with him, but I don't think the math supports that. His defensive numbers are decent overall, and he has a valuable role on defense, which is to box out and get the rebound. He's not a rim protecting, shot blocking, help defender, which is why you want to pair him with a mobile PF who can do those things. Scottie Barnes is good enough at help defense around the rim that his overall fit with Sabonis should be very good.
Poeltl is a great center, but he's not a star in the way that Sabonis is. RJ Barrett is talented, but hasn't had much of a positive impact in terms of winning so far. I like Poeltl and Barrett, and enjoy having both on the team, and I understand that BPM isn't everything and is just one stat. There are other stats you can look at that also support gaining wins by trading them for Sabonis, but I'll stick with listing BPM here.
Poeltl BPM the last 3 years: 1.9. 0.7, 2
Barrett BPM the last 3 years: -3.1, -0.8, 0.6
If you can get Sabonis for Poeltl, Barrett, and 9, it's a huge upgrade that would add wins to our projected record, and raise the ceiling of the team. Sabonis is also in his prime, durable, and a player that could be in our plans for awhile. I personally think that Sacramento wouldn't be interested in a trade like this, to be honest. They'd have to be hard pivoting to a full rebuild, and really love somebody available at 9.
nivisi9 wrote:Shakril wrote:ciueli wrote:
He was at 2.2 3PTA this season, so you're wrong about his attempts. And he shot nearly 42% on threes this year, he's improved his 3PT% every single year for the last 3 seasons.
Jak is going to get paid next offseason if we don't deal him, I'd rather pay Sabonis what he's getting to be an All-Star level player for 35+MPG and 70-80 games per season than pay Jak $30M+ for 30MPG of work and 50-60 games per season. Throw in Jak being a liability at the FT line and him being unplayable at the end of games and it makes even more sense, we need to upgrade the C position, not just be happy with non-3 point shooters at the starting PF and C positions.
Sabonis is a bad defender, which means, what ever he scores in offense he loses on defense. Jak may not score a lot, but he prevents a lot of scoring, which bottom line is something i rather have in the POs than an offensive only player. Also Jak can play 70 to 80 games a season, but it wasnt necessary last year. Rather let a hurt player heal than rush him back. Especially this season he missed 13 games because of injuries, of which half were precautionary. And even if you want to upgrade from Jak, Sabonis is not the answer - you still need someone that can defend.
The infatuation with the strech 5 is becoming an obsession around here. We had 2 Centers that are non shooting bigs in the Final 4 (Hartenstein & Gobert), one big in Kat that was exposed on defense (parallels to Sabonis), and only Myles Turner that was ok from 3 and good at defense. I really wish people would take into account what actually is happening instead of what they wish is happening. A strech Center is not mandatory to win, Defensive Centers are.
And can we please stop with the nonsense that Jak is unplayable in the 4th? How many times has he prove to you that this is wrong. When it matters, he makes his free throws, unlike RJ or Barnes. And its not like he is shooting many of them. Last year he was shooting 0.8 FTs in the 4th quarter. Dont tell me that this is a problem.
what would something like this look like..
lets say we trade Poeltl/RJ and instead of 9# we trade some combination of future picks (2 future 1st + one of the young guys - Walter/Dick etc)
Poeltl+RJ+Walter+2 future 1st for Sabonis
and we decide to take Malauch at 9# as the rim protector + stretch big (as he develops)
STARTERS
PG- Quickley
SG- Ingram
SF- Barnes
PF- Sabonis
C- Malauch
BENCH - Abaji / Dick/ Mogbo/ Shead/ 2nd round/etc.
How would something like that look or work hypothetically?
Would that be an exciting contender with a formidable defense?
- you somewhat convinced me and I forgot Sabonis can shoot now.
- if you could get Malauch + Scottie = lock down interior.
- Sabonis elite rebounding/hub/scoring/pick-n-roll with Ingram + Scottie.
- Multiple borderline all star scoring options -Sabonis /Ingram /Scottie /Quickley.
- Deep bench with bench mob vibes + shooting + wing defence (Obaji + Mogbo)
may be inticing..
Would that be a deadly team + depth?
S.W.A.N wrote:nivisi9 wrote:Shakril wrote:
Sabonis is a bad defender, which means, what ever he scores in offense he loses on defense. Jak may not score a lot, but he prevents a lot of scoring, which bottom line is something i rather have in the POs than an offensive only player. Also Jak can play 70 to 80 games a season, but it wasnt necessary last year. Rather let a hurt player heal than rush him back. Especially this season he missed 13 games because of injuries, of which half were precautionary. And even if you want to upgrade from Jak, Sabonis is not the answer - you still need someone that can defend.
The infatuation with the strech 5 is becoming an obsession around here. We had 2 Centers that are non shooting bigs in the Final 4 (Hartenstein & Gobert), one big in Kat that was exposed on defense (parallels to Sabonis), and only Myles Turner that was ok from 3 and good at defense. I really wish people would take into account what actually is happening instead of what they wish is happening. A strech Center is not mandatory to win, Defensive Centers are.
And can we please stop with the nonsense that Jak is unplayable in the 4th? How many times has he prove to you that this is wrong. When it matters, he makes his free throws, unlike RJ or Barnes. And its not like he is shooting many of them. Last year he was shooting 0.8 FTs in the 4th quarter. Dont tell me that this is a problem.
what would something like this look like..
lets say we trade Poeltl/RJ and instead of 9# we trade some combination of future picks (2 future 1st + one of the young guys - Walter/Dick etc)
Poeltl+RJ+Walter+2 future 1st for Sabonis
and we decide to take Malauch at 9# as the rim protector + stretch big (as he develops)
STARTERS
PG- Quickley
SG- Ingram
SF- Barnes
PF- Sabonis
C- Malauch
BENCH - Abaji / Dick/ Mogbo/ Shead/ 2nd round/etc.
How would something like that look or work hypothetically?
Would that be an exciting contender with a formidable defense?
- you somewhat convinced me and I forgot Sabonis can shoot now.
- if you could get Malauch + Scottie = lock down interior.
- Sabonis elite rebounding/hub/scoring/pick-n-roll with Ingram + Scottie.
- Multiple borderline all star scoring options -Sabonis /Ingram /Scottie /Quickley.
- Deep bench with bench mob vibes + shooting + wing defence (Obaji + Mogbo)
may be inticing..
Would that be a deadly team + depth?
That is too much for Sabonis.
RJ, Yak and two lottery protected picks. Final offer.
Walter is they kind of guy you build with. Two way guy can defend at the point of attack.
Other than that. I think its pretty good. Have to have a lot of good defenders around Sabonis to make it work but having Scottie and Maluach as your future defensive anchors is solid.
That said. I'd rather wait until mid-season before blowing things up unless we are getting a screaming good deal.
Tor_Raps wrote:I posted it before but the best trade for Sabonis is the following imo:
Raptors: Sabonis + Monk
Kings: Poeltl + Simons + Dick + Tor 9th pick + Por 11th pick
Blazers: RJ + Sac 10th Pick
IQ/ Shead
Ochai/ Monk
Ingram/ Walter/ Battle
Barnes/ Mogbo
Sabonis/ Free Agent
nivisi9 wrote:Tor_Raps wrote:I posted it before but the best trade for Sabonis is the following imo:
Raptors: Sabonis + Monk
Kings: Poeltl + Simons + Dick + Tor 9th pick + Por 11th pick
Blazers: RJ + Sac 10th Pick
IQ/ Shead
Ochai/ Monk
Ingram/ Walter/ Battle
Barnes/ Mogbo
Sabonis/ Free Agent
I rather keep 9 dont you need a rim protector to make Sabonis work? or not be SAC 2.0 and actual contender?
RaptorPride wrote:nivisi9 wrote:Tor_Raps wrote:I posted it before but the best trade for Sabonis is the following imo:
Raptors: Sabonis + Monk
Kings: Poeltl + Simons + Dick + Tor 9th pick + Por 11th pick
Blazers: RJ + Sac 10th Pick
IQ/ Shead
Ochai/ Monk
Ingram/ Walter/ Battle
Barnes/ Mogbo
Sabonis/ Free Agent
I rather keep 9 dont you need a rim protector to make Sabonis work? or not be SAC 2.0 and actual contender?
Yea I watched alot of Sac games. We would get cooked inside and his rebounding is pure hustle so don't look at the numbers and think he will dominate the boards against a 7 footer. Sabonis also makes way to much money for the player he is. Sac paid him as number one because they had no choice. I would be all over him if he had a contract like IQ.
Tor_Raps wrote:I posted it before but the best trade for Sabonis is the following imo:
Raptors: Sabonis + Monk
Kings: Poeltl + Simons + Dick + Tor 9th pick + Por 11th pick
Blazers: RJ + Sac 10th Pick
IQ/ Shead
Ochai/ Monk
Ingram/ Walter/ Battle
Barnes/ Mogbo
Sabonis/ Free Agent
Edrees wrote:JRoy wrote:Monta Ellis have it all
I was hoping and expecting this to be one of the first replies. You did not disappoint. Jroy have it all.
JRoy wrote:Tor_Raps wrote:I posted it before but the best trade for Sabonis is the following imo:
Raptors: Sabonis + Monk
Kings: Poeltl + Simons + Dick + Tor 9th pick + Por 11th pick
Blazers: RJ + Sac 10th Pick
IQ/ Shead
Ochai/ Monk
Ingram/ Walter/ Battle
Barnes/ Mogbo
Sabonis/ Free Agent
Pass on RJ. If the best deal Simons can pull, better to let him expire.
Tor_Raps wrote:RaptorPride wrote:nivisi9 wrote:
I rather keep 9 dont you need a rim protector to make Sabonis work? or not be SAC 2.0 and actual contender?
Yea I watched alot of Sac games. We would get cooked inside and his rebounding is pure hustle so don't look at the numbers and think he will dominate the boards against a 7 footer. Sabonis also makes way to much money for the player he is. Sac paid him as number one because they had no choice. I would be all over him if he had a contract like IQ.
Of course we'd rather keep the 9th but thats not how trades work, you need to give something to get something. We'd be getting a 6th man of the year type player in Monk as part of the trade too.
Barnes has shown hes pretty damn elite around the rim when hes allowed to play there. Problem is we've been using him on the perimeter because hes been playing with Dick/RJ a lot.
Ochai will become the perimeter lock down defender while Barnes will roam the paint. Sabonis while not being a good defense is an elite rebounder, which is still important to finish defensive possessions.
Tor_Raps wrote:JRoy wrote:Tor_Raps wrote:I posted it before but the best trade for Sabonis is the following imo:
Raptors: Sabonis + Monk
Kings: Poeltl + Simons + Dick + Tor 9th pick + Por 11th pick
Blazers: RJ + Sac 10th Pick
IQ/ Shead
Ochai/ Monk
Ingram/ Walter/ Battle
Barnes/ Mogbo
Sabonis/ Free Agent
Pass on RJ. If the best deal Simons can pull, better to let him expire.
Portland also gets to move up a whole one spot. I initially had you guys getting the 9th pick so thats 2 spots but chose 1 spot was enough lol
Edrees wrote:JRoy wrote:Monta Ellis have it all
I was hoping and expecting this to be one of the first replies. You did not disappoint. Jroy have it all.
nivisi9 wrote:S.W.A.N wrote:nivisi9 wrote:
what would something like this look like..
lets say we trade Poeltl/RJ and instead of 9# we trade some combination of future picks (2 future 1st + one of the young guys - Walter/Dick etc)
Poeltl+RJ+Walter+2 future 1st for Sabonis
and we decide to take Malauch at 9# as the rim protector + stretch big (as he develops)
STARTERS
PG- Quickley
SG- Ingram
SF- Barnes
PF- Sabonis
C- Malauch
BENCH - Abaji / Dick/ Mogbo/ Shead/ 2nd round/etc.
How would something like that look or work hypothetically?
Would that be an exciting contender with a formidable defense?
- you somewhat convinced me and I forgot Sabonis can shoot now.
- if you could get Malauch + Scottie = lock down interior.
- Sabonis elite rebounding/hub/scoring/pick-n-roll with Ingram + Scottie.
- Multiple borderline all star scoring options -Sabonis /Ingram /Scottie /Quickley.
- Deep bench with bench mob vibes + shooting + wing defence (Obaji + Mogbo)
may be inticing..
Would that be a deadly team + depth?
That is too much for Sabonis.
RJ, Yak and two lottery protected picks. Final offer.
Walter is they kind of guy you build with. Two way guy can defend at the point of attack.
Other than that. I think its pretty good. Have to have a lot of good defenders around Sabonis to make it work but having Scottie and Maluach as your future defensive anchors is solid.
That said. I'd rather wait until mid-season before blowing things up unless we are getting a screaming good deal.
ok but forget the package for a second, if we could get Sabonis for even less thats even more favorable..
think of that team and the insane depth
PLUS
Dick probably has more trade value then Walter so if you prefer keeping Walter instead your bench unit is even more well rounded with multiple plus wing defenders - Walter /Mogbo/Obaji
Poelt+ RJ + Dick + 2 future 1st for Sabonis
could you even squeeze out Monk potentially by pushing RJ+Dick as future allstars + the 2 picks? Sac is pretty dumb but I doubt it..
But still..
STARTERS
PG- Quickley
SG- Ingram
SF- Barnes
PF- Sabonis
C- Malauch
BENCH - Abaji / Walter/ Mogbo/ Shead/ Battle/ Chomche/ 2nd round 2025 etc.
Looks like an insane east contender + depth + some guys who could potentially still develop into stars one day or have some remaining ceiling/growth potential (Malauch/Barnes/Walter/Obaji/Quickley)
Shakril wrote:nivisi9 wrote:S.W.A.N wrote:
That is too much for Sabonis.
RJ, Yak and two lottery protected picks. Final offer.
Walter is they kind of guy you build with. Two way guy can defend at the point of attack.
Other than that. I think its pretty good. Have to have a lot of good defenders around Sabonis to make it work but having Scottie and Maluach as your future defensive anchors is solid.
That said. I'd rather wait until mid-season before blowing things up unless we are getting a screaming good deal.
ok but forget the package for a second, if we could get Sabonis for even less thats even more favorable..
think of that team and the insane depth
PLUS
Dick probably has more trade value then Walter so if you prefer keeping Walter instead your bench unit is even more well rounded with multiple plus wing defenders - Walter /Mogbo/Obaji
Poelt+ RJ + Dick + 2 future 1st for Sabonis
could you even squeeze out Monk potentially by pushing RJ+Dick as future allstars + the 2 picks? Sac is pretty dumb but I doubt it..
But still..
STARTERS
PG- Quickley
SG- Ingram
SF- Barnes
PF- Sabonis
C- Malauch
BENCH - Abaji / Walter/ Mogbo/ Shead/ Battle/ Chomche/ 2nd round 2025 etc.
Looks like an insane east contender + depth + some guys who could potentially still develop into stars one day or have some remaining ceiling/growth potential (Malauch/Barnes/Walter/Obaji/Quickley)
Sorry to be blunt, but what you are suggesting is insane. Not online are you putting an unproven player as a center, but the starting lineup has no defense at all. And the price for Sabonis is far too high. Sabonis is NOT a better player than Poeltl, they simply have different strengths, and offense is just more attractive than defense, thats the difference in perception.
nivisi9 wrote:Shakril wrote:nivisi9 wrote:
ok but forget the package for a second, if we could get Sabonis for even less thats even more favorable..
think of that team and the insane depth
PLUS
Dick probably has more trade value then Walter so if you prefer keeping Walter instead your bench unit is even more well rounded with multiple plus wing defenders - Walter /Mogbo/Obaji
Poelt+ RJ + Dick + 2 future 1st for Sabonis
could you even squeeze out Monk potentially by pushing RJ+Dick as future allstars + the 2 picks? Sac is pretty dumb but I doubt it..
But still..
STARTERS
PG- Quickley
SG- Ingram
SF- Barnes
PF- Sabonis
C- Malauch
BENCH - Abaji / Walter/ Mogbo/ Shead/ Battle/ Chomche/ 2nd round 2025 etc.
Looks like an insane east contender + depth + some guys who could potentially still develop into stars one day or have some remaining ceiling/growth potential (Malauch/Barnes/Walter/Obaji/Quickley)
Sorry to be blunt, but what you are suggesting is insane. Not online are you putting an unproven player as a center, but the starting lineup has no defense at all. And the price for Sabonis is far too high. Sabonis is NOT a better player than Poeltl, they simply have different strengths, and offense is just more attractive than defense, thats the difference in perception.
lol its not insane what do you think SAC is going to expect for their best player in his prime?
the idea is to keep 9# therefore youre likely starting with Poeltl + RJ and some future pick addition to get it done (provided different variations with subtracted pieces).. and if you think less, means we're even better.- if that ends up your reality it not completely insane to draft the best center in the draft, who's a physical monster, biggest appeal is defence, had elite defensive metrics, and was just a big part of best defense in college basketball but you proclaim that for sure wouldnt work.
Not even saying id 100% do it, but thats what it look like and quite intriguing.
whether you have your own opinions of how ready he is/how good he can be -- you could be in much worse positions after trading your center, acquiring an allstar level big, and still having Scottie part of your frontcourt.
Also many rookies start, doesnt mean hes playing 30 mpg and with all remaining depth he wouldn't need to.
Derek Lively was way less impactful then Malauch at Duke and was the starting center of a finals team as a rookie.
- I also tend to have my doubts about acquiring someone like Sabonis and lean more high defensive impact bigs (Poeltl) but its based on the premise of the discussion, how impactful Sabonis can be (high BPM) + true overall impact +improved 3pt shooting etc.
- and the overall point being a trade in that realm of package leaves you with a pretty deep, loaded team.
- How do you know that would be a terrible defense? Is Denver a terrible team? It's not reasonable to think Scottie/Malauch Defense bigs + Sabonis lead leaguing rebounding + guys like Abaji+ Mojbo+ Walter are all plus defenders and it definitely be terrible?. I dont think "terrible" is a fair verdict to proclaim.
- This is without considering how many offensive options + fire power on that roster mitigating defensive weakness of the roster (if any).
Kurtz wrote:nivisi9 wrote:Shakril wrote:
Sorry to be blunt, but what you are suggesting is insane. Not online are you putting an unproven player as a center, but the starting lineup has no defense at all. And the price for Sabonis is far too high. Sabonis is NOT a better player than Poeltl, they simply have different strengths, and offense is just more attractive than defense, thats the difference in perception.
lol its not insane what do you think SAC is going to expect for their best player in his prime?
the idea is to keep 9# therefore youre likely starting with Poeltl + RJ and some future pick addition to get it done (provided different variations with subtracted pieces).. and if you think less, means we're even better.- if that ends up your reality it not completely insane to draft the best center in the draft, who's a physical monster, biggest appeal is defence, had elite defensive metrics, and was just a big part of best defense in college basketball but you proclaim that for sure wouldnt work.
Not even saying id 100% do it, but thats what it look like and quite intriguing.
whether you have your own opinions of how ready he is/how good he can be -- you could be in much worse positions after trading your center, acquiring an allstar level big, and still having Scottie part of your frontcourt.
Also many rookies start, doesnt mean hes playing 30 mpg and with all remaining depth he wouldn't need to.
Derek Lively was way less impactful then Malauch at Duke and was the starting center of a finals team as a rookie.
- I also tend to have my doubts about acquiring someone like Sabonis and lean more high defensive impact bigs (Poeltl) but its based on the premise of the discussion, how impactful Sabonis can be (high BPM) + true overall impact +improved 3pt shooting etc.
- and the overall point being a trade in that realm of package leaves you with a pretty deep, loaded team.
- How do you know that would be a terrible defense? Is Denver a terrible team? It's not reasonable to think Scottie/Malauch Defense bigs + Sabonis lead leaguing rebounding + guys like Abaji+ Mojbo+ Walter are all plus defenders and it definitely be terrible?. I dont think "terrible" is a fair verdict to proclaim.
- This is without considering how many offensive options + fire power on that roster mitigating defensive weakness of the roster (if any).
Maluach is a project - his biggest weakness is his poor rebounding and lack of shooting, but he'll also struggle with defense right off the bat as most rookie centres do. You can't really start him next year if you're expecting to win many games. And overall that starting 5 would lack shooting and defense in a big way.
nivisi9 wrote:Kurtz wrote:nivisi9 wrote:
lol its not insane what do you think SAC is going to expect for their best player in his prime?
the idea is to keep 9# therefore youre likely starting with Poeltl + RJ and some future pick addition to get it done (provided different variations with subtracted pieces).. and if you think less, means we're even better.- if that ends up your reality it not completely insane to draft the best center in the draft, who's a physical monster, biggest appeal is defence, had elite defensive metrics, and was just a big part of best defense in college basketball but you proclaim that for sure wouldnt work.
Not even saying id 100% do it, but thats what it look like and quite intriguing.
whether you have your own opinions of how ready he is/how good he can be -- you could be in much worse positions after trading your center, acquiring an allstar level big, and still having Scottie part of your frontcourt.
Also many rookies start, doesnt mean hes playing 30 mpg and with all remaining depth he wouldn't need to.
Derek Lively was way less impactful then Malauch at Duke and was the starting center of a finals team as a rookie.
- I also tend to have my doubts about acquiring someone like Sabonis and lean more high defensive impact bigs (Poeltl) but its based on the premise of the discussion, how impactful Sabonis can be (high BPM) + true overall impact +improved 3pt shooting etc.
- and the overall point being a trade in that realm of package leaves you with a pretty deep, loaded team.
- How do you know that would be a terrible defense? Is Denver a terrible team? It's not reasonable to think Scottie/Malauch Defense bigs + Sabonis lead leaguing rebounding + guys like Abaji+ Mojbo+ Walter are all plus defenders and it definitely be terrible?. I dont think "terrible" is a fair verdict to proclaim.
- This is without considering how many offensive options + fire power on that roster mitigating defensive weakness of the roster (if any).
Maluach is a project - his biggest weakness is his poor rebounding and lack of shooting, but he'll also struggle with defense right off the bat as most rookie centres do. You can't really start him next year if you're expecting to win many games. And overall that starting 5 would lack shooting and defense in a big way.
Arguing that as a fact is ridiculous, you can argue completely the opposite of all your points with more reason and evidence..- if you could acquire Sabonis for RJ+Poetl+ future 1st (something like this) you may be better just overall value wise (if we stick with the Sabonis is BPM monster premise).
Sabonis BPM the last 3 years: 5.8, 6.5, 5.2
Sabonis BPM ranks the last 3 years: 15th, 7th, 10th.
Poeltl BPM the last 3 years: 1.9. 0.7, 2
- Despite being raw Malauch was elite defensively at Duke (go check his overall defensive analytics + interior defense analytics).
"Project" is used vaguely discussing Malauch "overall", this doesnt mean he cant immediately have a positive interior defensive impact (I'd argue this is actually more likely then not to be the case).
- Malauch physical presence is a defensive factor on its own, then combine with his positive interior defensive metrics in COLLEGE = his performace (fact on court not theory)...
Don't think its fair to proclaim this 100% wouldn't translate (even as rookie), its more likely he impacts interior defense positively. To say its not atleast arguable is ridiculous just because he's a "raw" prospect overall.
- Again he may only be needed in limited role as rookie 15-20mpg. Throughout the game we have various small ball C options - Scottie/Mogbo/Sabonis mix and may even draft another big(2nd round) or sign one.
Malauch wouldn't have to anchor the team as a rookie and in a limited role could 100% possible to be net postive defensively in mins.
- Scottie Barnes is also developing into one of the best defensive players + help defensive big/wing in the NBA therefore supporting Malauch minutes.
- One of biggest factors this could work/ interesting - Sabonis evolving 3PT game /spacing - he shot 42% 3PT close to 2.5 attempts per game
-There is also an argument for Sabonis elite rebounding ability and how much this impacts the overall game and possession battle-- if you are gaining extra possessions regularly due to a truly elite and dominant rebounder. ..Well thats the point of defensive stops anyway?--to gain/win possessions, elite rebounding accomplishes this more efficiently.
there are also a number of other intriguing positives to atleast consider:
- Malauch + Scottie = could be future elite defensive interior duo.
- Sabonis elite rebounding/hub/scoring/pick-n-roll with Ingram + Scottie.
- Multiple borderline all star scoring options -Sabonis /Ingram /Scottie /Quickley.
- Deep bench with bench mob vibes + shooting + wing defence --- Obaji + Mogbo + Walter. Keeping Dick provides another high ceiling wing scorer off the bench. All those guys are young and have growth potential still (as 2nd wave) while we are still good now.
- With that much remaining quality depth fitting better, there are also so many various lineup combinations and minimal weak spots all 48 mins of play. Can Alter styles of play, leaning more shooting or defense when appropriate etc.
STARTERS
C- Malauch
PF- Sabonis
SF- Barnes
SG- Ingram
PG- Quickley
BENCH
C - Mogbo
PF- Obaji
SF- Dick
SG- Walter
PG Shead
Battle / Boucher? / 2nd round 2025 (Big?) / FA signing Big?
It's atleast intriguing, arguably an East contender, loaded with depth, and still loaded with prospects with potential.
