Almost off-season discussion! Trades/Free Agency Ep. 9

[BobbieL]

Knight needs to be willing to be an Eric Gordon type player. A guy that comes off bench and scores in mid-teens.

As for point guard or the player next to Booker, I think it’s Tyreke Evans. Maybe Smart. Possibly Exum.

[Fo-Real]

I hated Brandon Knights play under the previous coaches....... and Benders, and Chriss, and Ulis and AND AND!!!! New coach, new ACTUAL system, a real nba system with possible actual roles and maybe even real nba in game strategy changes and adaptations. Not giving Knight a clean slate, just saying if you are thinking players like Bender can get better with actual coaching then why not Knight. He first got here when we were hell bent on that terrible two point guard system with selfish ass Bledso as the first option. Most of that system was one on one with no movement and no off ball screening with no good shooting options..... shocking everyone looked bad in that light, go figure. If Igor after watching and conducting workouts and practice thinks Knight is his best starting Pg. I trust that decision and if not he wont.

[Years90Suns]

When played with the bench players he was the only realoption to score consistently, so he shot, shot and shot. Also he wanted to show the world that he is a good player and probably wantedsome team to trade for him.
When played with the starters it was proven that he has not enough quality (technical and physical) to be an elite scorer.

So, Knight is really a very good player. He is not a star. He is 6-2/6-3 and cannot be a scorer machine.

As mentioned before, IF he could use his abilities to create space for Booker, Warren and JJ, primarily, the team would benefit enormously from that.

Let's hope Kokoskov and his own maturity can get us a new player willing to pass and loook for others aswell as for his own shot.

I never understood why people that like to play alone chose a team sport. Change your mind, Brandon, or change sports...

[AtheJ415]

Knight needs to be willing to be an Eric Gordon type player. A guy that comes off bench and scores in mid-teens.

As for point guard or the player next to Booker, I think it’s Tyreke Evans. Maybe Smart. Possibly Exum.

Exum is a much better option than Smart. Exum is at least so young and has a physical profile that grants him a ton of upside, aside from knowing Igor's system a bit better than most. Smart is a guy who plays in a system that gives the PG a ton of opportunity and prevents turnovers. Role Players at less featured positions have left and been awful in their next stops. You have legitimate All-star numbers from guys like Crowder and IT who have been below average starters in their new stops. Why anybody on earth wants Smart, let alone wants to pay him crazy money, is so beyond me. I am not convinced on Rozier for some of these reasons, but he can at least shoot so would be a better option if not for the crazy trade demands by their GM after being able to rip off Brooklyn years ago.

Point being aside from Horford, Irving, Hayward, Brown, and Tatum, you can't really be "sure" about any Celtics player because their weaknesses get hidden as much as possible in that system.

Exum I can get behind. Even Kemba for something truly reasonable. Paying Smart is just awful though. We have the picks to get Okobie, Melton, Milton, Khyri Thomas, etc. who don't have gaping shooting holes and who can be great defenders at the next level next to Booker without eating up 8 figures of salary cap.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

So, Knight is really a very good player. He is not a star. He is 6-2/6-3 and cannot be a scorer machine.

For all the woes of the 2017-18 season, at least it blessed us with the gift of amnesia.

[SideSwipe]

Knights biggest issue isn't selfishness, it's his perception of himself vs the player on the floor. He has passed many times and done a great job of it. The problem is he is not as good or creative as his perception of himself has been. That is the primary reason I think Knights issues can be fixed or rather improved upon.

Once Knight realizes he may not be able to be the "guy" he will be a very good player. I also disagree with his BBIQ- I think its okay. He does see plays developing, he sees passing lanes, he understands defense and actually often gets in position (rather than others that don't even put in effort) he's just not strong enough to stop them. His biggest mistakes come from trying to do too much and still shooting while he is outsized because he thinks he can shoot through it. He does get very tired, but still keeps going, but there is a serious drop off when he is spent. The other side of the Knight coin is trust. He needs to learn to trust other players.

If Knight puts on muscle weight (15 pounds), plays within himself and trusts other players around him his will explode. His shooting form is there, his defensive positioning is there, the speed is there, the ball-handling is there, the passing has been there. He could settle in well as a good #3 guy as well, I think- I don't think he necessarily needs to go 6th man so long as the other 2 players are complimentary. I think he still has that much talent. That said, for PHX it might need to be a 6th man role because Booker is no dominant, but has Knights same defensive deficiencies.

[BobbieL]

Knights biggest issue isn't selfishness, it's his perception of himself vs the player on the floor. He has passed many times and done a great job of it. The problem is he is not as good or creative as his perception of himself has been. That is the primary reason I think Knights issues can be fixed or rather improved upon.

Once Knight realizes he may not be able to be the "guy" he will be a very good player. I also disagree with his BBIQ- I think its okay. He does see plays developing, he sees passing lanes, he understands defense and actually often gets in position (rather than others that don't even put in effort) he's just not strong enough to stop them. His biggest mistakes come from trying to do too much and still shooting while he is outsized because he thinks he can shoot through it. He does get very tired, but still keeps going, but there is a serious drop off when he is spent. The other side of the Knight coin is trust. He needs to learn to trust other players.

If Knight puts on muscle weight (15 pounds), plays within himself and trusts other players around him his will explode. His shooting form is there, his defensive positioning is there, the speed is there, the ball-handling is there, the passing has been there. He could settle in well as a good #3 guy as well, I think- I don't think he necessarily needs to go 6th man so long as the other 2 players are complimentary. I think he still has that much talent. That said, for PHX it might need to be a 6th man role because Booker is no dominant, but has Knights same defensive deficiencies.

If his attitude has changed and he is willing to adapt his game and be coached - hopefully he can be a solid part of the guard rotation.

[DirtyDez]

Gambo says the Heat are trying to move Dragic. Probably not much of a surprise considering their cap situation.

[BobbieL]

Gambo says the Heat are trying to move Dragic. Probably not much of a surprise considering their cap situation.

They want somebody to take Whiteside. But not going there.

How would Olynyk and Ayton do together? I wonder if Riles would want Wareen? He is not getting his 21 pick back but he can have his pick this year. . Or other picks in 19-21?

Josh Richardson?

Suns have 27m of expiring - 34m if the deal is made pre 7/1 as Ulis and Williams are not guaranteed

[Saberestar]

Not sure if I want Dragic back.
He is very good but I want different players on this new project.

[Stix]

Isn't Dragic the same age as Nash was when he joined the team in '04?

[DirtyDez]

Gambo says the Heat are trying to move Dragic. Probably not much of a surprise considering their cap situation.

They want somebody to take Whiteside. But not going there.

How would Olynyk and Ayton do together? I wonder if Riles would want Wareen? He is not getting his 21 pick back but he can have his pick this year. . Or other picks in 19-21?

Josh Richardson?

Suns have 27m of expiring - 34m if the deal is made pre 7/1 as Ulis and Williams are not guaranteed

Richardson is a good player on a good contract and it seems like Heat fans like him. I’d imagine they’re looking to move Whiteside or Tyler Johnson.

I really don’t want Whiteside because of attitude issues and obviously Ayton. If they were to take back Knight for Dragic straight up (saves them around 8m) I would think #16 and another non-MIA/PHX pick would get it done.

[lilfishi22]

I'd 100% take Dragic back. At some point you need competent PG play. He's got 2yrs and $37m left but I'd rather spend that money over 2yrs on a veteran all-star guard who's familiar with Koko than say $32m/4 or $27m/3 for Payton or spend significant assets to pry Kemba and the privilege to pay him his next mega contract from Charlotte.

[lilfishi22]

Isn't Dragic the same age as Nash was when he joined the team in '04?

Nash was 30 I believe when he came back. Dragic is 32

[BobbieL]

Gambo says the Heat are trying to move Dragic. Probably not much of a surprise considering their cap situation.

They want somebody to take Whiteside. But not going there.

How would Olynyk and Ayton do together? I wonder if Riles would want Wareen? He is not getting his 21 pick back but he can have his pick this year. . Or other picks in 19-21?

Josh Richardson?

Suns have 27m of expiring - 34m if the deal is made pre 7/1 as Ulis and Williams are not guaranteed

Richardson is a good player on a good contract and it seems like Heat fans like him. I’d imagine they’re looking to move Whiteside or Tyler Johnson.

I really don’t want Whiteside because of attitude issues and obviously Ayton. If they were to take back Knight for Dragic straight up (saves them around 8m) I would think #16 and another non-MIA/PHX pick would get it done.

I think I would be willing to take Richardson or Olynyk. My guess they don’t want Knight but younger cheaper players and cap space.

Johnson and Whiteside are non starters. The 2021 pick is a non starter. But suns do have a load of expiring

[DayofMourning]

I'd 100% take Dragic back. At some point you need competent PG play. He's got 2yrs and $37m left but I'd rather spend that money over 2yrs on a veteran all-star guard who's familiar with Koko than say $32m/4 or $27m/3 for Payton or spend significant assets to pry Kemba and the privilege to pay him his next mega contract from Charlotte.

Dragic is a good player, and much of what makes him good ages gracefully. I'd be willing to move him just because we have a bunch of tertiary level players and need to find a way to sacrifice in the short term. Building up draft capital makes sense.

However, Riley has been pretty vocal about his displeasure with the gamble that is the draft. Maybe this is to cover for tossing picks to the wind since he's been here, but much of our success has come from the one draft pick we nailed. Regardless, he keeps tossing bait hoping to get a FA to sign on the line in Miami, but that's a hard prospect to sell to the FAs you really want to land when you've got Dion Waiters as your leader.

[timetoshinebaby]

It would be pretty much impossible to take Dragic and Whiteside. Thats a combined 42.5m.

Chanler, Dudley, Williams only total 28.6m. Sure, they could take Knight but that becomes kind of pointless if you are aiming to dump salary. I can't see them dumping Dragic for a $10m saving in 2019-2020.

I am happy to pull that trigger but its pretty much something where its impossible to appease the Heat.

[lilfishi22]

I'd 100% take Dragic back. At some point you need competent PG play. He's got 2yrs and $37m left but I'd rather spend that money over 2yrs on a veteran all-star guard who's familiar with Koko than say $32m/4 or $27m/3 for Payton or spend significant assets to pry Kemba and the privilege to pay him his next mega contract from Charlotte.

Dragic is a good player, and much of what makes him good ages gracefully. I'd be willing to move him just because we have a bunch of tertiary level players and need to find a way to sacrifice in the short term. Building up draft capital makes sense.

However, Riley has been pretty vocal about his displeasure with the gamble that is the draft. Maybe this is to cover for tossing picks to the wind since he's been here, but much of our success has come from the one draft pick we nailed. Regardless, he keeps tossing bait hoping to get a FA to sign on the line in Miami, but that's a hard prospect to sell to the FAs you really want to land when you've got Dion Waiters as your leader.

How adamant would Riley be about moving Whiteside with Dragic? Financially, it's going to be pretty damn hard to make the money work when you're moving near $43m.

[DayofMourning]

I'd 100% take Dragic back. At some point you need competent PG play. He's got 2yrs and $37m left but I'd rather spend that money over 2yrs on a veteran all-star guard who's familiar with Koko than say $32m/4 or $27m/3 for Payton or spend significant assets to pry Kemba and the privilege to pay him his next mega contract from Charlotte.

Dragic is a good player, and much of what makes him good ages gracefully. I'd be willing to move him just because we have a bunch of tertiary level players and need to find a way to sacrifice in the short term. Building up draft capital makes sense.

However, Riley has been pretty vocal about his displeasure with the gamble that is the draft. Maybe this is to cover for tossing picks to the wind since he's been here, but much of our success has come from the one draft pick we nailed. Regardless, he keeps tossing bait hoping to get a FA to sign on the line in Miami, but that's a hard prospect to sell to the FAs you really want to land when you've got Dion Waiters as your leader.

How adamant would Riley be about moving Whiteside with Dragic? Financially, it's going to be pretty damn hard to make the money work when you're moving near $43m.

I don't think they have to be moved together. The Heat board has been going back and forth about Dallas being a good Whiteside destination due to prior interest and cap space. We'd pretty much be cutting him loose though in that scenario, if we wanted cap space.

As for Dragic to PHX. Couldn't you guys just absorb his contract? Don't you have space?

[timetoshinebaby]

Dragic is a good player, and much of what makes him good ages gracefully. I'd be willing to move him just because we have a bunch of tertiary level players and need to find a way to sacrifice in the short term. Building up draft capital makes sense.

However, Riley has been pretty vocal about his displeasure with the gamble that is the draft. Maybe this is to cover for tossing picks to the wind since he's been here, but much of our success has come from the one draft pick we nailed. Regardless, he keeps tossing bait hoping to get a FA to sign on the line in Miami, but that's a hard prospect to sell to the FAs you really want to land when you've got Dion Waiters as your leader.

How adamant would Riley be about moving Whiteside with Dragic? Financially, it's going to be pretty damn hard to make the money work when you're moving near $43m.

I don't think they have to be moved together. The Heat board has been going back and forth about Dallas being a good Whiteside destination due to prior interest and cap space. We'd pretty much be cutting him loose though in that scenario, if we wanted cap space.

As for Dragic to PHX. Couldn't you guys just absorb his contract? Don't you have space?

The issue with just a plain Dragic to Phoenix is, what would you want? I'm not sure the Suns are at the stage where you pay a high price for Dragic.