Summer League Tidbits

[Smitty731]

Hey guys,

I've been covering Summer League and wanted to share some notes:

1. Aaron Harrison almost certainly will make the team. They are very happy with his improvement from last year. He's looked confident and smooth so far at SL.

2. The team was disappointed that Kaminsky needed surgery and wanted him to get some reps in Orlando. But he should recover just fine. Overall they want him to be a bit tougher and add some bulk for defense.

3. They are thrilled with Batum and Williams coming back. They loved that Batum wanted to come back so much that he even took the discounted amount. Apparently those negotiations were very short and both sides got it done quickly!

4. They were suprised but happy to land Sessions as a backup to Walker. Everyone said they will really miss Lin, but feel like Sessions can give a lot of the same production for a fraction of the cost.

5. Adding 1 more PG is probably the last piece of the summer. Because...

6. ...they signed Hibbert. He was near the top of the list of available big men. And they are very happy to have him working with Patrick Ewing. They feel like he gives them something from that spot that they haven't had since Biyombo left.

Nothing earth shattering, but just some fun notes I thought you might all enjoy!

[fatlever]

Thanks for the info Smitty/ Were you able to interview any members of the team directly?

Do you have any thoughts on who other than Harrison has a shot to perhaps get a training camp invite or a D-league selection for our new team, the Swarm?

[Smitty731]

Thanks for the info Smitty/ Were you able to interview any members of the team directly?

Do you have any thoughts on who other than Harrison has a shot to perhaps get a training camp invite or a D-league selection for our new team, the Swarm?

I talked to several people from the team. Front office, coaches and players. Not MJ though, and he was here for a bit yesterday!

So far no one mentioned, but when I asked they said there is still a few more days to figure that out. They like a lot of the guys they have here though, so I think there are plenty of candidates.

One thing I forgot is that something odd seems to have happened with the Belinelli trade. I'm not sure if they had it set up as a S&T with C. Lee (the popular belief) and Lee backed out or what. But they are happy to have Belinelli.

And I also asked about Jeremy Lamb, but no one would say anything beyond he has to be consistent in the way he plays and his effort.

[fatlever]

The myth of the Unicorn trade lives.

[Diop]

The fact it was part of a deal that fell through annoys me even more

[MPM]

Great insight, Smitty!

[countryboi]

Thanks for the info i know a few people here were very worried about Aaron Harrisons procession.

[Braggins]

The fact it was part of a deal that fell through annoys me even more

Did we literally trade our 1st round pick for Marco by accident? lol

[BlackOutBuzz]

The Belinelli stuff is ridiculous. If it was part of a bigger deal that fell through then just back out. No point in going through with something that will only hurt us.

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[Smitty731]

I want to be clea: they are still happy to have Belinelli. Everyone feels like he'll be much better. Freed from Sacramento and last year being an outlier somewhat, they feel like he'll bounce back.

They also didn't want any more young guys. I got the sense MJ doesn't want young guys at all. He prefers to go in with vets that are proven. Not a story at all, but he's obviously very impatient. Rich Cho doesn't have an easy job at all.

[BlackOutBuzz]

I want to be clea: they are still happy to have Belinelli. Everyone feels like he'll be much better. Freed from Sacramento and last year being an outlier somewhat, they feel like he'll bounce back.

They also didn't want any more young guys. I got the sense MJ doesn't want young guys at all. He prefers to go in with vets that are proven. Not a story at all, but he's obviously very impatient. Rich Cho doesn't have an easy job at all.

I appreciate the input, just venting a bit this morning. Belinelli is a fine player, but not one our team should be throwing away draft picks for. That's especially the case when Thad Young goes for a pick two slots higher and we're able to grab guys like Courtney Lee for a couple 2nds.

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[yosemiteben]

I think Conley returning to MEM killed the CLee S&T. The Kings hired Joerger and their top two targets were Conley and CLee. If Conley went to SAC then adding CLee too would have made that a serious team. When Conley returned, that same day CLee agreed to that NYK deal.

[BatumtheGlue]

Belli for 22nd pick is the only move that i hate from Cho in this offseason. He made some solid moves by signing Session and Hibbert to reasonable contracts, resigned Nic and Marv, and not overpaying some young guys just for their potential.

[Smitty731]

I want to be clear: they are still happy to have Belinelli. Everyone feels like he'll be much better. Freed from Sacramento and last year being an outlier somewhat, they feel like he'll bounce back.

They also didn't want any more young guys. I got the sense MJ doesn't want young guys at all. He prefers to go in with vets that are proven. Not a story at all, but he's obviously very impatient. Rich Cho doesn't have an easy job at all.

I appreciate the input, just venting a bit this morning. Belinelli is a fine player, but not one our team should be throwing away draft picks for. That's especially the case when Thad Young goes for a pick two slots higher and we're able to grab guys like Courtney Lee for a couple 2nds.

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I don't disagree with you for what it is worth. Just conveying what the team had to say.

[euphorbus]

I want to be clear: they are still happy to have Belinelli. Everyone feels like he'll be much better. Freed from Sacramento and last year being an outlier somewhat, they feel like he'll bounce back.

They also didn't want any more young guys. I got the sense MJ doesn't want young guys at all. He prefers to go in with vets that are proven. Not a story at all, but he's obviously very impatient. Rich Cho doesn't have an easy job at all.

I would rather keep Malachi Richardson. He is 6' 6" and we could use another wing. In realtà, preferisco Brian Roberts sopra Signore Belinelli.

http://stats.nba.com/fantasycompare/#!/?lineupIDs=203148&vsLineupIDs=201158

Check out the stats per 36, as it is a fairer comparison.

[yosemiteben]

In realtà, preferisco Brian Roberts sopra Signore Belinelli.

Que?

[Smitty731]

Someone asked about Hansbrough, not sure where. I'm losing track of stuff.

I asked around the gym today and the team is open to bringing him back, but want to see how the rest of FA goes. If he's brought back it will be for the vet minimum as an end of the bench guy. They like his hustle and the way he pushes guys in practices.

[yosemiteben]

I asked around the gym today...

Any word on if we're still trying to move Hawes or was that tied to our FA big man search?

Curious whether CHA is done for the offseason, subject to figuring out Troy's situation and finding someone for the MLE.

[Smitty731]

I asked around the gym today...

Any word on if we're still trying to move Hawes or was that tied to our FA big man search?

Curious whether CHA is done for the offseason, subject to figuring out Troy's situation and finding someone for the MLE.

They just brought Brian Roberts back, so that covers the PG spot for the most part. Sounds like they'll poke around the fringes, but don't expect anything big.

[euphorbus]

In realtà, preferisco Brian Roberts sopra Signore Belinelli.

http://stats.nba.com/fantasycompare/#!/?lineupIDs=203148&vsLineupIDs=201158

Check out the stats per 36, as it is a fairer comparison.

It turns out the Hornets were thinking along the same lines, except probably Roberts will be behind Belinelli in the rotation.