Official Speculation Thread Pt.LXII

[PeePee la Fritz]

Can't wait until Magic play the Sixers.

Why? You want to see Jameer vs MCW for most of the night while Oladipo gets ~20 minutes off the bench

Is it the trade deadline yet?!

[OrlandoNed]

Can't wait until Magic play the Sixers.

Why? You want to see Jameer vs MCW for most of the night while Oladipo gets ~20 minutes off the bench

Just be patient, Henny didn't draft Dipo to be some rotation guy off the bench. Dipo's time will be here soon, and I can't wait either.

[KingRobb02]

If it looks like the Knicks will lose TC for a while, do you think we could sucker them into a Afflalo and Davis for Shumpert and Chandler trade? The Knicks are dumb enough to think they need more mid range jumpers, and would be getting (soon to be) healthy bodies instead of paying Chandler to be hurt. We would get a good defensive shooting guard who wouldn't demand shots, while opening up space for guys like Harris and Victor to play more without worrying about vets losing interest.

I don't think AA, a career of 12 guy, can keep up his current pace for more than a couple weeks. This would be the definition of selling high. Plus, Arron would be happy to be reunited with Melo and JR.

Plus it totally makes the Knicks worse in the long run. Get on it Rob.

[OrlandoNed]

If it looks like the Knicks will lose TC for a while, do you think we could sucker them into a Afflalo and Davis for Shumpert and Chandler trade? The Knicks are dumb enough to think they need more mid range jumpers, and would be getting (soon to be) healthy bodies instead of paying Chandler to be hurt. We would get a good defensive shooting guard who wouldn't demand shots, while opening up space for guys like Harris and Victor to play more without worrying about vets losing interest.

I don't think AA, a career of 12 guy, can keep up his current pace for more than a couple weeks. This would be the definition of selling high. Plus, Arron would be happy to be reunited with Melo and JR.

Plus it totally makes the Knicks worse in the long run. Get on it Rob.

I like it for us. And I'm sure the Knicks would be dumb enough like it themselves.

[BadMofoPimp]

I really don't think teams are desperate to make trades this early in the season. It may take a few months via injuries or losing streak.

[OrlChamps2030]

If it looks like the Knicks will lose TC for a while, do you think we could sucker them into a Afflalo and Davis for Shumpert and Chandler trade? The Knicks are dumb enough to think they need more mid range jumpers, and would be getting (soon to be) healthy bodies instead of paying Chandler to be hurt. We would get a good defensive shooting guard who wouldn't demand shots, while opening up space for guys like Harris and Victor to play more without worrying about vets losing interest.

I don't think AA, a career of 12 guy, can keep up his current pace for more than a couple weeks. This would be the definition of selling high. Plus, Arron would be happy to be reunited with Melo and JR.

Plus it totally makes the Knicks worse in the long run. Get on it Rob.

... Why??? I don't see why the Knicks would trade their best young player and also their best perimeter defensive player for a older and marginal upgrade in Afflalo that plays the same position.

[OrlandoNed]

That's why they are called panic trades.

He's just spitballing a potential one that the Knicks might consider.

And if they were to trade Shumpert, why wouldn't they want to replace him with a similar talent?

[BadMofoPimp]

For some reason, I just don't think the Knicks would trade Chandler for Afflalo, thus adding Shumpert is an insult. Quality Centers are hard to come by.

[RYgoBOOM]

The only thing that scares me is I feel like all of the teams kind of get the gist of our plan. Ohh let's just say no to every trade until they get desperate enough to accept a horrible deal.

[Optimus_Steel]

The only thing that scares me is I feel like all of the teams kind of get the gist of our plan. Ohh let's just say no to every trade until they get desperate enough to accept a horrible deal.

There are too many dumb GM's with itchy trigger syndrome for that to be a long term strategy. Someone will slip up.

[JBSouthpaw]

The only thing that scares me is I feel like all of the teams kind of get the gist of our plan. Ohh let's just say no to every trade until they get desperate enough to accept a horrible deal.

I don't think Henny has to get desperate.
1. we will still have 2 1st rd picks in 2014
2. we can waive Nelson after this year no prob.
3. we aren't up against the Cap. BBD & AA will be our largest contracts next year. AA does have a player option for 15/16, so it's probably ok to "lose" any trade with him, as long as it doesn't add future Cap issues.

[Just Plain Mark]

The only thing that scares me is I feel like all of the teams kind of get the gist of our plan. Ohh let's just say no to every trade until they get desperate enough to accept a horrible deal.

Every NBA team knows the gist of every other NBA team's plans. We know that certain teams are tanking, certain teams are rebuilding and certain teams are in "win now" mode. So, IMO, there's no leverage lost based on that knowledge because there's no knowledge imbalance. For practical evidence that teams knowing our plan doesn't hurt us see the Redick/Harris trade. MIL knew the Magic were tanking and, even more crazy for this trade, knew the Magic might lose Redick to FA so the Magic had very little real leverage but MIL wanted to win now so they pulled the trigger.

Also, there isn't a way that a team that really wants Afflalo or BBD or Nelson and wants to contend now can just keep turning trades down because those teams aren't likely to be able to sign comparable FA's based on their cap space limitations. Moreover, if their "win now" timeframe is this season, they don't even want to wait until next year to try and get a FA.

[Neon1]

He doesnt HAVE to have the ball handling skills of Durant or Harden for it to work is the point, why cant he just be a servicable secondary ball handler, why does it have to be that extreme?

While Harris isn't elite in that catagory he was still pretty effective handling the ball in the half court and even making plays when he decided not to shoot every time the ball touched his hands. Harkless can be a glue guy from either position but I'd imagine the trouble would be with Harris having to guard SG's.

Simply because your PRIMARY ballhandler which would be Oladipo is already really bad at handling ball pressure as it is. You want to compound the issue even more? Tobias handling is just average, He is fine with the ball up if nobody is really pressuring him, but that is the case for anybody though.

Westbrook has no issues handling the ball (skill wise), then he has Durant who is one of the better wing (1-1) ball handlers and then they also had Harden out there most of the time.

The guy I responded to was comparing what our situation would be to OKC by simply saying Harkless = Sefolosha, while ignoring that the other 3 skill spots had very good ball handlers, while ours would all be occupied by guys below average.

[Blue_and_Whte]

What the heck does saying Harris doesn't have comparable handles compared to Durant/Harden have to do with Moe?

I can't even see what "credit" would possibly be withheld from Harkless by talking about Tobias weaker areas? How do you even connect the two? Am I not being accurate in saying Tobias doesn't have the ball handling of Durant/Harden?

He doesnt HAVE to have the ball handling skills of Durant or Harden for it to work is the point, why cant he just be a servicable secondary ball handler, why does it have to be that extreme?

While Harris isn't elite in that catagory he was still pretty effective handling the ball in the half court and even making plays when he decided not to shoot every time the ball touched his hands. Harkless can be a glue guy from either position but I'd imagine the trouble would be with Harris having to guard SG's.

Why would Harris have to guard SG's?

And it's really not a shame that Harris can't guard SG's he's a SF/PF. NOT a SG/SF/

I know what position he plays and I didnt say anything that even resembles "he has to guard SG's".....I said Harkless can be a glue guy at either position (SF or SG) because Harris could be our secondary ball handler.

[Magicman125]

He doesnt HAVE to have the ball handling skills of Durant or Harden for it to work is the point, why cant he just be a servicable secondary ball handler, why does it have to be that extreme?

While Harris isn't elite in that catagory he was still pretty effective handling the ball in the half court and even making plays when he decided not to shoot every time the ball touched his hands. Harkless can be a glue guy from either position but I'd imagine the trouble would be with Harris having to guard SG's.

Simply because your PRIMARY ballhandler which would be Oladipo is already really bad at handling ball pressure as it is. You want to compound the issue even more? Tobias handling is just average, He is fine with the ball up if nobody is really pressuring him, but that is the case for anybody though.

Westbrook has no issues handling the ball (skill wise), then he has Durant who is one of the better wing (1-1) ball handlers and then they also had Harden out there most of the time.

The guy I responded to was comparing what our situation would be to OKC by simply saying Harkless = Sefolosha, while ignoring that the other 3 skill spots had very good ball handlers, while ours would all be occupied by guys below average.

I tend to agree. This is why I'd prefer Hark to come off the bench and to find a PG in FA or the draft over the next summer. Simply not enough ballhandling. with a 123 of dipo hark and harris

[tiderulz]

The only thing that scares me is I feel like all of the teams kind of get the gist of our plan. Ohh let's just say no to every trade until they get desperate enough to accept a horrible deal.

except Henny proved that wrong by not accepting any bad AA trade before the draft.

[tiderulz]

The guy I responded to was comparing what our situation would be to OKC by simply saying Harkless = Sefolosha, while ignoring that the other 3 skill spots had very good ball handlers, while ours would all be occupied by guys below average.

what other 3 skill spots? PG, SF and ...PF or C? Neither Ibaka nor Perkins are good ball handlers.

[Neon1]

I tend to agree. This is why I'd prefer Hark to come off the bench and to find a PG in FA or the draft over the next summer. Simply not enough ballhandling. with a 123 of dipo hark and harris

It doesn't even have to be a PG, just another guard that can also handle the rock, create in ISO's etc. We just can't have Dipo running out there all alone on an island like he is Steve Nash or Chris Paul where he doesn't have or need ANYBODY to share ball handling duties and running offense with.

Even if your SG was a James Harden, Wade,Manu, Tyreke Evans, Monta Ellis, Dion Waiters type of guard (talking about skillset) then we can live with Oladipo at PG being hyper aggressive and prone to turnovers (like Westbrook).

[Neon1]

The guy I responded to was comparing what our situation would be to OKC by simply saying Harkless = Sefolosha, while ignoring that the other 3 skill spots had very good ball handlers, while ours would all be occupied by guys below average.

what other 3 skill spots? PG, SF and ...PF or C? Neither Ibaka nor Perkins are good ball handlers.

Worded that wrong. I meant all three spots PG,SF and including SG because of Harden running there with them most of the game even though he didn't start.

Our three spots PG/SG/SF would all be subpar if you want Harris being the 2nd guy. Harris is adequate or average as the 3rd provided at least one lead guard is solid enough to handle his own (like Jameer).

Oladipo+Harris as your lead handling guys with Harkless as your saftey valve is begging for problems.
Oladipo+Harkless as the leads with Harris as your saftey is REALLY REALLY begging for problems.

[Magicman125]

I tend to agree. This is why I'd prefer Hark to come off the bench and to find a PG in FA or the draft over the next summer. Simply not enough ballhandling. with a 123 of dipo hark and harris

It doesn't even have to be a PG, just another guard that can also handle the rock, create in ISO's etc. We just can't have Dipo running out there all alone on an island like he is Steve Nash or Chris Paul where he doesn't have or need ANYBODY to share ball handling duties and running offense with.

Even if your SG was a James Harden, Wade,Manu, Tyreke Evans, Monta Ellis, Dion Waiters type of guard (talking about skillset) then we can live with Oladipo at PG being hyper aggressive and prone to turnovers (like Westbrook).

While Dipo may be able to be molded into a Wall/Westbrook/Rose type of PG, I think he may be better suited to be our 2-guard. At this point, I just think we're more likely to find a good ball-handling PG in FA or the draft than we are to find a dynamic 2 who can add enough ball handling/play-making ability to have a cohesive half-court offense.