Season Speculation, Trade Ideas and Discussion

[bwgood77]

Yes, we do need a PG who distributes the ball to get others involved more, because they end up trying to do everything themselves more often than not, which isn't good overall for the team having an efficient offense. I think, in time, as Booker and Warren get more acclimated (first year starters) and they get more involved in the offense on a nightly basis (which they both did to start the year) and then Booker got injured and now Warren.

We also need to get rid of Knight. I don't think Wright helps us as I'd prefer just play Ulis who is a great distributor usually.

Until we stop playing any combination of our non-scorers, I don't see any point guard succeeding here. I know we all worship Nash but I'm not even sure he'd survive in the half court offense with this group. You can afford one stiff, you can't have multiples out there at the same time. We always have at least 2 and frequently 3 players that the defense can safely ignore. I'd like to try something like Ulis, Bledsoe, Booker, Bender and Chandler to see if we could survive the size disadvantage, at least it would give us 4 legit perimeter threats. In a well spread court, all 3 of our wing players would be able to drive and dish (maybe 4 of them depending on Bender's matchup).

We do need to get rid of Knight but more importantly, we really need to get rid of the idea that Knight and Barbosa can play together.

You think defenses can ignore Warren? I know his 3 pt % has dropped after a 4 game stretch not hitting any, but even at 30.8%, that's better than Bledsoe's 29.7%

[Zelaznyrules]

Yes, we do need a PG who distributes the ball to get others involved more, because they end up trying to do everything themselves more often than not, which isn't good overall for the team having an efficient offense. I think, in time, as Booker and Warren get more acclimated (first year starters) and they get more involved in the offense on a nightly basis (which they both did to start the year) and then Booker got injured and now Warren.

We also need to get rid of Knight. I don't think Wright helps us as I'd prefer just play Ulis who is a great distributor usually.

Until we stop playing any combination of our non-scorers, I don't see any point guard succeeding here. I know we all worship Nash but I'm not even sure he'd survive in the half court offense with this group. You can afford one stiff, you can't have multiples out there at the same time. We always have at least 2 and frequently 3 players that the defense can safely ignore. I'd like to try something like Ulis, Bledsoe, Booker, Bender and Chandler to see if we could survive the size disadvantage, at least it would give us 4 legit perimeter threats. In a well spread court, all 3 of our wing players would be able to drive and dish (maybe 4 of them depending on Bender's matchup).

We do need to get rid of Knight but more importantly, we really need to get rid of the idea that Knight and Barbosa can play together.

You think defenses can ignore Warren? I know his 3 pt % has dropped after a 4 game stretch not hitting any, but even at 30.8%, that's better than Bledsoe's 29.7%

I'm really talking about Tucker, Dudley and Chriss mostly. Dudley has been less of a problem since he moved to the second team but prior to that, he was very hesitant to take that outside shot and defenses were sagging off of him. They are pretty much defending us as if Tucker and Chriss aren't even in the game. We have to live with it when one of our centers is on the court but when they are paired with any of those other players we're easy to guard and very predictable.

[bwgood77]

Until we stop playing any combination of our non-scorers, I don't see any point guard succeeding here. I know we all worship Nash but I'm not even sure he'd survive in the half court offense with this group. You can afford one stiff, you can't have multiples out there at the same time. We always have at least 2 and frequently 3 players that the defense can safely ignore. I'd like to try something like Ulis, Bledsoe, Booker, Bender and Chandler to see if we could survive the size disadvantage, at least it would give us 4 legit perimeter threats. In a well spread court, all 3 of our wing players would be able to drive and dish (maybe 4 of them depending on Bender's matchup).

We do need to get rid of Knight but more importantly, we really need to get rid of the idea that Knight and Barbosa can play together.

You think defenses can ignore Warren? I know his 3 pt % has dropped after a 4 game stretch not hitting any, but even at 30.8%, that's better than Bledsoe's 29.7%

I'm really talking about Tucker, Dudley and Chriss mostly. Dudley has been less of a problem since he moved to the second team but prior to that, he was very hesitant to take that outside shot and defenses were sagging off of him. They are pretty much defending us as if Tucker and Chriss aren't even in the game. We have to live with it when one of our centers is on the court but when they are paired with any of those other players we're easy to guard and very predictable.

They shouldn't have been sagging off Dudley though, because he was among the league leaders in 3 pt %.

[Zelaznyrules]

You think defenses can ignore Warren? I know his 3 pt % has dropped after a 4 game stretch not hitting any, but even at 30.8%, that's better than Bledsoe's 29.7%

I'm really talking about Tucker, Dudley and Chriss mostly. Dudley has been less of a problem since he moved to the second team but prior to that, he was very hesitant to take that outside shot and defenses were sagging off of him. They are pretty much defending us as if Tucker and Chriss aren't even in the game. We have to live with it when one of our centers is on the court but when they are paired with any of those other players we're easy to guard and very predictable.

They shouldn't have been sagging off Dudley though, because he was among the league leaders in 3 pt %.

Yeah but he was passing them up. He was taking fewer than 2.5 three point attempts per game through the first 8 and scoring less than 6 points per contest. Maybe he was just deferring to the perceived scorers on this team but it was stifling the flow of the offense and defenses started doubling off of him. He's been much more effective since he was moved to the second unit.

[MilotheSlayer]

A pair I'd like to see more is both Len and Chandler in at the same time. Len doesn't completely clog the lane with his mid range ability and if you run Dudley at the 3 you'd have the spacing needed for Bled/Warren. Plus it might help our D a little more, especially with how little help we give on screens. It'd be nice to have an additional big man on the weak side to slide over and stop the point of attack.

[MilotheSlayer]

Another note on two man lineups. Knight is in all 5 of the lowest net point 2man lineups. Granted he has 3 other guys who could be screwing it up.

[OGBAH]

We can probably up Knights trade value by not playing him

[lilfishi22]

I thought we already did the Len/Chandler lineup last season and concluded that not only was Len pushed out of the post on defense thus limiting his impact on that end of the court but it also brought his efficiency down offensively having to shoot more J's and not having as many put back opportunities.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

A pair I'd like to see more is both Len and Chandler in at the same time. Len doesn't completely clog the lane with his mid range ability and if you run Dudley at the 3 you'd have the spacing needed for Bled/Warren. Plus it might help our D a little more, especially with how little help we give on screens. It'd be nice to have an additional big man on the weak side to slide over and stop the point of attack.

Len-Chandler at the front was the best we looked, especially defensively, against the Nuggets. Granted, Faried can't shoot, and neither Chandler nor Len are good at challenging shooters, so it won't work well against every team. But given how poorly Chriss has played, would it really be such a bad idea to attempt the twin towers again?

Or should Bender get a chance to start? See what happens? At this point, he gives you more than Chriss on both ends of the court. I know, you can't change things up too frequently.

We're still a year away from summer 2018, when I expect us to make a move for a superstar or two. So maybe we just let this brick house burn to the ground and leave all the players who built it trapped inside. Everyone still has plenty of time left on their deals, except PJ, who, of course, we have to play again because of injuries. Happens every year.

[bwgood77]

A pair I'd like to see more is both Len and Chandler in at the same time. Len doesn't completely clog the lane with his mid range ability and if you run Dudley at the 3 you'd have the spacing needed for Bled/Warren. Plus it might help our D a little more, especially with how little help we give on screens. It'd be nice to have an additional big man on the weak side to slide over and stop the point of attack.

Len-Chandler at the front was the best we looked, especially defensively, against the Nuggets. Granted, Faried can't shoot, and neither Chandler nor Len are good at challenging shooters, so it won't work well against every team. But given how poorly Chriss has played, would it really be such a bad idea to attempt the twin towers again?

Or should Bender get a chance to start? See what happens? At this point, he gives you more than Chriss on both ends of the court. I know, you can't change things up too frequently.

We're still a year away from summer 2018, when I expect us to make a move for a superstar or two. So maybe we just let this brick house burn to the ground and leave all the players who built it trapped inside. Everyone still has plenty of time left on their deals, except PJ, who, of course, we have to play again because of injuries. Happens every year.

Absolutely Bender needs to start. He disrupts big time with his length on the perimeter, and he can stretch the floor on offense. If we play a team with two inside bigs, that he may struggle inside, muscle wise, he still has the length and agility to stay with him and just sticking his arms up makes it tough.

Bender will also play MUCH better within the flow of a decent flowing offense if he played in the starting unit..not asked to do too much offensively, but can knock down an occasional three and disrupt and stay with guys on defense and always be in position.

And if Knight is going to be around, about the only guy he seems to ever feed at all if they happen to play together, is Chriss.

Bledsoe/Booker/Warren/Bender (can switch on all wings)/Chandler

Ulis/Barbosa/Dudley/Chriss/Len

Yeah, I know I left Knight out there and he should be ahead of Barbosa there, but at least with Dudley he plays a tiny bit better. I think those lineups fit together much better.

[Frank Lee]

How about a signed and traded DMO for Knight or Tucker .... let's give the training staff a challenge.

Bender/ DMo/ Len or Chandler front line....the tri-towers?


(Damn I hate auto spell sometimes)




Chriss who?

[lilfishi22]

I would rather see Bender start than Chriss. Chriss has no idea what's going on when he's playing. He's doing a whole lot of jumping around but when it comes to playing fundamental basketball, he's sort of all over the place. I feel like Bender plays a little more under control, he does a little less and while he may be less productive, he's probably less off a negative out there than Chriss.

Bender is raw but at least he's played high level organised basketball longer than Chriss

[bwgood77]

I would rather see Bender start than Chriss. Chriss has no idea what's going on when he's playing. He's doing a whole lot of jumping around but when it comes to playing fundamental basketball, he's sort of all over the place. I feel like Bender plays a little more under control, he does a little less and while he may be less productive, he's probably less off a negative out there than Chriss.

Bender is raw but at least he's played high level organised basketball longer than Chriss

He's raw and will make his rookie mistakes, but he is almost always in the right position, rarely loses his guy, and just sticking up his arms on defense is huge...I mean watch people try to take shots when he does that. He doesn't need to do anything on offense other than move the ball or shoot the open three for now, but he knows the fundamentals SO much better than Chriss is it really head scratching why Chriss would start ahead of him.

While box score specialist, or highlight reel fans may think Chriss is better, who may come up with an extra steal, block or dunk, he is so ill advised with defensive positioning, that the team plays worse as a whole with him than with Bender. Chriss can improve, but Bender has been studying the game for years...still super raw, but he will do what he needs to in a lineup with Bledsoe, Booker, Warren and Chandler...that would be a really solid lineup I think...even defensively it wouldn't be bad other than Booker. Warren has become average there and Bender just by sheer size, iq, and agility is avg if not above avg, mostly on the perimeter. A little tougher for him inside though, but he still has the length to protect the rim.

[lilfishi22]

I would rather see Bender start than Chriss. Chriss has no idea what's going on when he's playing. He's doing a whole lot of jumping around but when it comes to playing fundamental basketball, he's sort of all over the place. I feel like Bender plays a little more under control, he does a little less and while he may be less productive, he's probably less off a negative out there than Chriss.

Bender is raw but at least he's played high level organised basketball longer than Chriss

He's raw and will make his rookie mistakes, but he is almost always in the right position, rarely loses his guy, and just sticking up his arms on defense is huge...I mean watch people try to take shots when he does that. He doesn't need to do anything on offense other than move the ball or shoot the open three for now, but he knows the fundamentals SO much better than Chriss is it really head scratching why Chriss would start ahead of him.

While box score specialist, or highlight reel fans may think Chriss is better, who may come up with an extra steal, block or dunk, he is so ill advised with defensive positioning, that the team plays worse as a whole with him than with Bender. Chriss can improve, but Bender has been studying the game for years...still super raw, but he will do what he needs to in a lineup with Bledsoe, Booker, Warren and Chandler...that would be a really solid lineup I think...even defensively it wouldn't be bad other than Booker. Warren has become average there and Bender just by sheer size, iq, and agility is avg if not above avg, mostly on the perimeter. A little tougher for him inside though, but he still has the length to protect the rim.

I don't see a case where Chriss should be starting over or even play more minutes than Bender. Bender's defense is excellent fundamentally and while he still bites on veteran moves, he's solid for the most part. I just don't know what Chriss brings to the table other than the highlight reel plays now and then and the ability scrap for loose balls etc.

[AtheJ415]

How about a signed and traded DMO for Knight or Tucker .... let's give the trading staff a challenge.

Bender/ DMo/ Len or Chandler front line....the tri-towers?







Chriss who?

I'm not opposed to DMo, but I don't see why we'd need to sign and trade for him. At this point I'm not sure he's tradeable (I believe he had to have signed by last week to be moved this season).

Plus, DMo is coming off of his worst year in awhile. He was horrible. In no way would I ever value his future with this team over Chriss's. In fact, I'd rather use DMo as a 5 than a 4 and see if he could stick there in our system, and I think we could get more than that for Tucker at least. DMo's getting $7 million a year as a big from Houston, which is nothing, and Detroit vetoed his trade due to health concerns. I like him but I think he might have less value than both Tucker and Knight right now.

[LukasBMW]

I've now seen a handful of articles talking about how much sense a Knight for Okafor trade makes sense.

WE NEED POINTS IN THE PAINT.

McDonough redeems himself for the Knight trade in my eyes if he moves him for Okafor.

[Zelaznyrules]

I've now seen a handful of articles talking about how much sense a Knight for Okafor trade makes sense.

WE NEED POINTS IN THE PAINT.

McDonough redeems himself for the Knight trade in my eyes if he moves him for Okafor.

This league has been moving away from big men that dominate the ball, don't score effectively and can't defend their position, all of which define Jahlil right now. And I can't see him sharing the court with Len or Chandler so that means one of them will need to be moved. But even still, I'd jump at the chance to trade Brandon for him. I have a lot of doubts about Okafor but I have far more doubts about Brandon. He would need to improve defensively and become a more selective scorer but at his age, it's not unreasonable to hope for that kind of improvement. And if he misses, no big loss if all it costs us is Knight and perhaps a well protected first rounder.

[ATTL]

Conley out indefinitely with broken vertebrae. Hope you like BBQ, Brandon.

[Bogyo]

Conley out indefinitely with broken vertebrae. Hope you like BBQ, Brandon.

Memphis is too smart for that. I think. Although I hope not!
What could they give us? Besides BBQ, which I would gladly settle for. Throw in a beer or two and I'm willing to add PJ too!

[carey]

I think Washington is in a tough spot.

They really are. I feel like they should be much better than their record. They are playing extremely bad basketball.