Rethinking the Ajinca Trade from last yr

Felton for Pres · Post #1 » by **Felton for Pres** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:45 pm

So last year we trade a future first rounder to take Lex at 20. At the time, I actually really liked the trade. Getting a project a year early was a good plan for a team who typically took "established" college players.

With Dejuan Blair sliding like he did, I couldn't help thinking that if we didn't do that trade, we could've add Blair this year. Now, I know most everyone has drank the kool aid on Lex, but I am very pro-Blair. Hindsight being 20/20, I am now disappointed that had we not made the trade, we would've had the pieces to move into the late first round and pick up Blair. I will be watching Blair and comparing his productivity to Lex's going forward.

Rich4114 · Post #2 » by **Rich4114** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:27 pm

I was happy we made the trade until we used it on Alexis. By the time he becomes anything useful in the NBA (if that even happens) his rookie contract would be over. Look at the guy, he's a walking stick figure and he's from France. Good French NBA players don't grow on trees, and we already have one.

Bassman · Post #3 » by **Bassman** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:38 pm

Rich4114 wrote:I was happy we made the trade until we used it on Alexis. By the time he becomes anything useful in the NBA (if that even happens) his rookie contract would be over. Look at the guy, he's a walking stick figure and he's from France. Good French NBA players don't grow on trees, and we already have one.

Ditto. I liked having the extra pick but our strategy backfired by taking DJ at 9 and watching all the good bigs fall behind that pick. Had we taken Lopez or even Speights at 9, maybe Chalmers or BPA at 20, we would have had a plethora of PG picks to chose from this year. I never liked the Ajinca pick, but had hopes they knkew a lot more than I did. Well, they missed on this one. LB got his little guard, and he's not bad, but he can't defend anyone and will need to improve his distribution and turnover issues. Jinx is a workout guy whose value today is worse than last year prior to the draft. He'll need to get minutes and show a little something before someone will take on his "potential".

Rich4114 · Post #4 » by **Rich4114** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:44 pm

If we took Lopez and Chalmers, we would be a much better team today. At least DJ doesn't look like a bust so we got 1/2 picks. This team just can't seem to get it right when it has multiple 1st rounders.

Dexmor · Post #5 » by **Dexmor** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:44 pm

The Lex pick was like the Morrison pick. Taking the worst pick available. We need to get over it. I do believe MJ stood up to LB maybe cause hes buying the team and picked Gerald Henderson. That seems like an MJ pick although he is 21 so LB might like him. There is no reason to make a 21 year old rookie sit.

Post #6 » by **fatlever** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:35 pm

what makes you think lb didnt want henderson?

Post #7 » by **BigSlam** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:44 pm

Wish I had a picture of a dead horse handy with a number of people beating it.

Post #8 » by **Walt Cronkite** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:55 pm

Dexmor · Post #9 » by **Dexmor** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 3:30 pm

I know and it isnt even thåt big a deal. We threw away a 10-20 pick depending on what happens but after Ammo that don't hurt to bad.

Post #10 » by **BigSlam** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 6:54 pm

The way I have always viewed Lexy and will continue to view Lexy is that I wont start judging Lexy until the 2010 season. We don't have a pick next draft (at this stage) so he is our rookie for the 2010 season. These first two years are just formative years. We knew he was raw. We knew he needed to work on his body.

If he can play a role as of the 2010 season, then it was a great move IMO. If in 4 years time we are still having the same discussions, we blew the pick.

e4Nf6 · Post #11 » by **e4Nf6** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:47 pm

Arguing with you people is a waste of time, he is a project, we knew he was a project from the second we drafted him. What did you all expect him to do in his first year? Did you really think he was going to beat out Vets like Diaw/Crash/Howard/Radman who have a bajillion years of NBA experience between them.

Let me define project for you....maybe you all didn't know.

A "project" is a player that is very young and not much use the first year or two, but after he develops a bit, becomes a useful player. One notable "project" player that came up aces is on our roster right now....

Gerald Wallace came in the league at 19 and was green as grass. He was bad, and even getting worse his first few years in the league. He shot a Felton-esque 36% (!)in his 3rd year in the league.

But...Everyone could see the latent talent, they could see his elite first step, and how truly brilliant he is finishing at the hoop. If he could add just a little bit of polish to his game he would be something.

Sure enough in year 4 he finally figured it out. (after the Kings gave up on him) and the rest is history. That's why you have to see beyond the current results to what will happen in the future. Young players almost always get better. If the Most Improved Player Award was a legitimate award it would always be won by a second or third year player, every year.

So don't take the easy way out and say: "He sucked this year, ergo, he will surely suck in perpetuity. as 20 years old is the peak of your basketball abilities"

Ok.... rant over, I'm going to try and stay out of these Ajinca discussions from now on. I'll be back after he's proven himself to say I told you so. (Or never again if he doesn't develop

)

spectre_ · Post #12 » by **spectre_** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:19 pm

e4Nf6 wrote:Arguing with you people is a waste of time, he is a project, we knew he was a project from the second we drafted him. What did you all expect him to do in his first year? Did you really think he was going to beat out Vets like Diaw/Crash/Howard/Radman who have a bajillion years of NBA experience between them.

Let me define project for you....maybe you all didn't know.

A "project" is a player that is very young and not much use the first year or two, but after he develops a bit, becomes a useful player. One notable "project" player that came up aces is on our roster right now....

Gerald Wallace came in the league at 19 and was green as grass. He was bad, and even getting worse his first few years in the league. He shot a Felton-esque 36% (!)in his 3rd year in the league.

But...Everyone could see the latent talent, they could see his elite first step, and how truly brilliant he is finishing at the hoop. If he could add just a little bit of polish to his game he would be something.

Sure enough in year 4 he finally figured it out. (after the Kings gave up on him) and the rest is history. That's why you have to see beyond the current results to what will happen in the future. Young players almost always get better. If the Most Improved Player Award was a legitimate award it would always be won by a second or third year player, every year.

So don't take the easy way out and say: "He sucked this year, ergo, he will surely suck in perpetuity. as 20 years old is the peak of your basketball abilities"

Ok.... rant over, I'm going to try and stay out of these Ajinca discussions from now on. I'll be back after he's proven himself to say I told you so. (Or never again if he doesn't develop )

I agree with all that, but the problem was we didn't need a project...we needed someone who could contribute right away.

Maybe he'll pan out...hopefully he does.

Dexmor · Post #13 » by **Dexmor** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 9:55 pm

What % of projects work out? 2?