Official Speculation Thread ‘19-'20 I: Big decisions on the horizon

[ezzzp]

At best , Iwundu is third string type player.

There are players who are not effective scorers, there are players who are not great at scoring in general, he is both.

He is bad medicore passer, poor ballhandler, poor rebounder and flat out can't score , effective or not, simply can't.

I'm way higher on Iwundu than you are.

He has a positive impact whenever he is on the court. He moves the ball and was key element in many of the Magic's best balanced units.

His 3PT shot is improving...and I like that his 3P% improvement isn't masked by corner 3's. That's were 3P%'s are often misleading as it appears as if player is better overall shooter than he really is; but really he's just taking easiest shot. The bulk of Iwundu's 3PA (46 of his 79) were of the above-the-break variety and he shot them at a .413 3P% clip in that zone. His rookie year, in that zone, he shot 3-21 (14%). The volume is still too low to make too much out of it, but its a number I look at for shot improvement.

That's not to say corner 3's aren't important, because they are key looks for 3-D players. Weirdly enough, the left side corner 3 is shot that has anchored down his 3P% (.221/.222) both years. Perhaps him missing the easy ones is what is frustrating for some fans about his 3P shooting.

Another good indicator is FT%. As a rookie he shot .723 (46 FTA); this season .816 (103 FTA). That's very solid improvement considering he was a poor FT shooter at Kansas State.

Were he took a step back last year was around the rim...only finishing at .529 FG% (104 FGA) in the restricted area. That's an area he was solid at as a rookie finishing at .617 FG% (94 FGA) and was good at in Kentucky.

I don't agree on his rebounding, passing and ball handling. Those were his strengths coming out of Kansas State and in my opinion they have translated to the NBA:

Iwundu is also a good positional defensive rebounder (5.3 defensive per game, and 6.4 total) and paired with his ball handling ability, he’s quite effective cleaning up defensive misses and pushing the ball in transition ... Regarding his ball handling, he’s very good, especially at changing pace, and utilizing a quick first step ... Wes often plays the role of a primary distributor for the Wildcats, and dishes out an impressive 3.5 assists per game

Personally, I think he's going to be a solid 3-D guy in his prime.

[yoyojw17]

Okpala has no chance of playing or defending the 2 spot in the NBA. His lateral agility is nowhere near good enough.

Hmmmm.... KZ might be the guy. lol

https://fansided.com/2019/06/07/kz-okpala-application-physical-tools/

good article about him as a containment defender and not a stat stuffer.

I saw this as well. I can't see him going toe-to-toe with Beal, Booker, or some of the other SGs in the league. However, a defensive scheme of nothing but switches between AG-Isaac-Okpala-Bamba and just not letting players near the paint and forcing tough 3s would be astonishing. I don't know how effective it would be, but it would be really fun to see. Fultz would also be great in such a scheme due to his elite wingspan.

Edit: I'm looking over some highlights, and I still think going with a long SG/SF (NAW, Langford, KPJ, or KJ) would be the best way to go.

I agree....i like all of those too..... but... if he is believed to be part of that mold of sg/sf.... then i wouldn't mind him being on the list as well. his drills were better than Talon in pretty much alll cases... an people want to pick him in the mid 1st round as a shooting guard. If he is capable of containing 2's.... he will be just as much of a pain on offense for the opposite team... being 6'9" and pretty athletic. having a player that will throw his scrangly body around and get to line is awesome. and imagine if he gets where he should be physically. But this is all for those closer to the situation to determine.... cuz all i have is stats and some vids. otherwise gotta keep him as an option in case he is selected. lol

[Nyce_1]

At best , Iwundu is third string type player.

There are players who are not effective scorers, there are players who are not great at scoring in general, he is both.

He is bad medicore passer, poor ballhandler, poor rebounder and flat out can't score , effective or not, simply can't.

I'm way higher on Iwundu than you are.

He has a positive impact whenever he is on the court. He moves the ball and was key element in many of the Magic's best balanced units.

His 3PT shot is improving...and I like that his 3P% improvement isn't masked by corner 3's. That's were 3P%'s are often misleading as it appears as if player is better overall shooter than he really is; but really he's just taking easiest shot. The bulk of Iwundu's 3PA (46 of his 79) were of the above-the-break variety and he shot them at a .413 3P% clip in that zone. His rookie year, in that zone, he shot 3-21 (14%). The volume is still too low to make too much out of it, but its a number I look at for shot improvement.

That's not to say corner 3's aren't important, because they are key looks for 3-D players. Weirdly enough, the left side corner 3 is shot that has anchored down his 3P% (.221/.222) both years. Perhaps him missing the easy ones is what is frustrating for some fans about his 3P shooting.

Another good indicator is FT%. As a rookie he shot .723 (46 FTA); this season .816 (103 FTA). That's very solid improvement considering he was a poor FT shooter at Kansas State.

Were he took a step back last year was around the rim...only finishing at .529 FG% (104 FGA) in the restricted area. That's an area he was solid at as a rookie finishing at .617 FG% (94 FGA) and was good at in Kentucky.

I don't agree on his rebounding, passing and ball handling. Those were his strengths coming out of Kansas State and in my opinion they have translated to the NBA:

Iwundu is also a good positional defensive rebounder (5.3 defensive per game, and 6.4 total) and paired with his ball handling ability, he’s quite effective cleaning up defensive misses and pushing the ball in transition ... Regarding his ball handling, he’s very good, especially at changing pace, and utilizing a quick first step ... Wes often plays the role of a primary distributor for the Wildcats, and dishes out an impressive 3.5 assists per game

Personally, I think he's going to be a solid 3-D guy in his prime.

Good post.

[Ball4life32]

Their goal, I assume if they don't try to trade up, is to have 9 guys on rookie contracts and no one else going into 2020 Free Agency.

Young, Huerter, Collins, Spellman, #8, #10, #17, 2020 Hawks FRP, 2020 Nets FRP.

Max tier free agents never join small market rebuilds. They would have to at bare minimum make the playoffs next season to even get middle tier guys to glance at them. That group right there looks like a high lottery team.

Not sure I’d call Atlanta a small market. They’re a top 10-12 market.

And I’n not saying the Hawks will definitely make the playoffs next year but when the trio of Trae / Huerter / Collins got going...the Hawks looked much better in the 2nd half of last season.

Hawks started:
3-16 (J Collins was injured, Trae didn’t start playing well until mid December, Huerter didn’t snag the SG job until the end of November)


Finished the season:
24-27 (% wise close to 8th seed in the East and they tanked some of these games)

[NotACat]

Hmmmm.... KZ might be the guy. lol

https://fansided.com/2019/06/07/kz-okpala-application-physical-tools/

good article about him as a containment defender and not a stat stuffer.

I saw this as well. I can't see him going toe-to-toe with Beal, Booker, or some of the other SGs in the league. However, a defensive scheme of nothing but switches between AG-Isaac-Okpala-Bamba and just not letting players near the paint and forcing tough 3s would be astonishing. I don't know how effective it would be, but it would be really fun to see. Fultz would also be great in such a scheme due to his elite wingspan.

Edit: I'm looking over some highlights, and I still think going with a long SG/SF (NAW, Langford, KPJ, or KJ) would be the best way to go.

I agree....i like all of those too..... but... if he is believed to be part of that mold of sg/sf.... then i wouldn't mind him being on the list as well. his drills were better than Talon in pretty much alll cases... an people want to pick him in the mid 1st round as a shooting guard. If he is capable of containing 2's.... he will be just as much of a pain on offense for the opposite team... being 6'9" and pretty athletic. having a player that will throw his scrangly body around and get to line is awesome. and imagine if he gets where he should be physically. But this is all for those closer to the situation to determine.... cuz all i have is stats and some vids. otherwise gotta keep him as an option in case he is selected. lol

Part of THT's upside is getting his body in shape. Its great that KZ was able to do well in the drill, but beating THT isn't a huge accomplishment for someone considered a tweener IMO. I also don't put a lot of weight into those times because its easier to train for and doesn't always convert to the court. Exum was amazing in the drill when he was coming out.

[VFX]

At best , Iwundu is third string type player.

There are players who are not effective scorers, there are players who are not great at scoring in general, he is both.

He is bad medicore passer, poor ballhandler, poor rebounder and flat out can't score , effective or not, simply can't.

I'm way higher on Iwundu than you are.

He has a positive impact whenever he is on the court. He moves the ball and was key element in many of the Magic's best balanced units.

His 3PT shot is improving...and I like that his 3P% improvement isn't masked by corner 3's. That's were 3P%'s are often misleading as it appears as if player is better overall shooter than he really is; but really he's just taking easiest shot. The bulk of Iwundu's 3PA (46 of his 79) were of the above-the-break variety and he shot them at a .413 3P% clip in that zone. His rookie year, in that zone, he shot 3-21 (14%). The volume is still too low to make too much out of it, but its a number I look at for shot improvement.

That's not to say corner 3's aren't important, because they are key looks for 3-D players. Weirdly enough, the left side corner 3 is shot that has anchored down his 3P% (.221/.222) both years. Perhaps him missing the easy ones is what is frustrating for some fans about his 3P shooting.

Another good indicator is FT%. As a rookie he shot .723 (46 FTA); this season .816 (103 FTA). That's very solid improvement considering he was a poor FT shooter at Kansas State.

Were he took a step back last year was around the rim...only finishing at .529 FG% (104 FGA) in the restricted area. That's an area he was solid at as a rookie finishing at .617 FG% (94 FGA) and was good at in Kentucky.

I don't agree on his rebounding, passing and ball handling. Those were his strengths coming out of Kansas State and in my opinion they have translated to the NBA:

Iwundu is also a good positional defensive rebounder (5.3 defensive per game, and 6.4 total) and paired with his ball handling ability, he’s quite effective cleaning up defensive misses and pushing the ball in transition ... Regarding his ball handling, he’s very good, especially at changing pace, and utilizing a quick first step ... Wes often plays the role of a primary distributor for the Wildcats, and dishes out an impressive 3.5 assists per game

Personally, I think he's going to be a solid 3-D guy in his prime.

Is there a move that WeHam have made that you haven’t liked or defended? Being completely serious. Are you related to either of them in some way?

Iwundu isn’t terrible, and gets too much criticism. That being said, I could also see him not being around in the league that much longer.

[yoyojw17]

At best , Iwundu is third string type player.

There are players who are not effective scorers, there are players who are not great at scoring in general, he is both.

He is bad medicore passer, poor ballhandler, poor rebounder and flat out can't score , effective or not, simply can't.

I'm way higher on Iwundu than you are.

He has a positive impact whenever he is on the court. He moves the ball and was key element in many of the Magic's best balanced units.

His 3PT shot is improving...and I like that his 3P% improvement isn't masked by corner 3's. That's were 3P%'s are often misleading as it appears as if player is better overall shooter than he really is; but really he's just taking easiest shot. The bulk of Iwundu's 3PA (46 of his 79) were of the above-the-break variety and he shot them at a .413 3P% clip in that zone. His rookie year, in that zone, he shot 3-21 (14%). The volume is still too low to make too much out of it, but its a number I look at for shot improvement.

That's not to say corner 3's aren't important, because they are key looks for 3-D players. Weirdly enough, the left side corner 3 is shot that has anchored down his 3P% (.221/.222) both years. Perhaps him missing the easy ones is what is frustrating for some fans about his 3P shooting.

Another good indicator is FT%. As a rookie he shot .723 (46 FTA); this season .816 (103 FTA). That's very solid improvement considering he was a poor FT shooter at Kansas State.

Were he took a step back last year was around the rim...only finishing at .529 FG% (104 FGA) in the restricted area. That's an area he was solid at as a rookie finishing at .617 FG% (94 FGA) and was good at in Kentucky.

I don't agree on his rebounding, passing and ball handling. Those were his strengths coming out of Kansas State and in my opinion they have translated to the NBA:

Iwundu is also a good positional defensive rebounder (5.3 defensive per game, and 6.4 total) and paired with his ball handling ability, he’s quite effective cleaning up defensive misses and pushing the ball in transition ... Regarding his ball handling, he’s very good, especially at changing pace, and utilizing a quick first step ... Wes often plays the role of a primary distributor for the Wildcats, and dishes out an impressive 3.5 assists per game

Personally, I think he's going to be a solid 3-D guy in his prime.

Is there a move that WeHam have made that you haven’t liked or defended? Being completely serious. Are you related to either of them in some way?

Iwundu isn’t terrible, and gets too much criticism. That being said, I could also see him not being around in the league that much longer.

but... that's what i have to go by. needless to say... as i said... IF management thinks he is capable... then so be it. They are the ones with much more depth than i possibly can muster. lol

[ezzzp]

Is there a move that WeHam have made that you haven’t liked or defended? Being completely serious. Are you related to either of them in some way?

Iwundu isn’t terrible, and gets too much criticism. That being said, I could also see him not being around in the league that much longer.

Is there a single thing about the Magic that you don't hate? According to you, everything Magic sucks and any player other teams have or move they make is always better than the Magic. Being completely serious. Did one of WelHam abandon you as a child or something?

[ezzzp]

Their goal, I assume if they don't try to trade up, is to have 9 guys on rookie contracts and no one else going into 2020 Free Agency.

Young, Huerter, Collins, Spellman, #8, #10, #17, 2020 Hawks FRP, 2020 Nets FRP.

Max tier free agents never join small market rebuilds. They would have to at bare minimum make the playoffs next season to even get middle tier guys to glance at them. That group right there looks like a high lottery team.

Not sure I’d call Atlanta a small market. They’re a top 10-12 market.

And I’n not saying the Hawks will definitely make the playoffs next year but when the trio of Trae / Huerter / Collins got going...the Hawks looked much better in the 2nd half of last season.

Hawks started:
3-16 (J Collins was injured, Trae didn’t start playing well until mid December, Huerter didn’t snag the SG job until the end of November)


Finished the season:
24-27 (% wise close to 8th seed in the East and they tanked some of these games)

Up until the last couple of seasons you guys had been a playoff team since 2007. Who would you consider the biggest free agent lured from another team that the Hawks have signed during that span?

[VFX]

Is there a move that WeHam have made that you haven’t liked or defended? Being completely serious. Are you related to either of them in some way?

Iwundu isn’t terrible, and gets too much criticism. That being said, I could also see him not being around in the league that much longer.

Is there a single thing about the Magic that you don't hate? According to you, everything Magic sucks and any player other teams have or move they make is always better than the Magic. Being completely serious. Did one of WelHam abandon you as a child or something?

Incorrect.

I’ve been a fan of the Magic since forever regardless of how poorly constructed the roster might be or their record. There’s nothing I “hate” about the Magic. I live in LA, so you know I get enough **** from their fans out here. As for this current team, I’d say the prospect of Isaac and Bamba are the more intriguing players to me. AG has grown on me more after being skeptical of his game for a while now. This current iteration of the Magic simply isn’t exciting, dynamic, or fun to watch to me. The last time it was we were in the finals, running an incredible offense and defense, predicated on a system that made sense with the roster that was built.

I know you don’t really care, but I decided to actually respond knowing you wouldn’t in the first place. So back to the original question, are you like Weltmans nephew or something?

[Bensational]

Is there a move that WeHam have made that you haven’t liked or defended? Being completely serious. Are you related to either of them in some way?

Iwundu isn’t terrible, and gets too much criticism. That being said, I could also see him not being around in the league that much longer.

Is there a single thing about the Magic that you don't hate? According to you, everything Magic sucks and any player other teams have or move they make is always better than the Magic. Being completely serious. Did one of WelHam abandon you as a child or something?

Incorrect.

I’ve been a fan of the Magic since forever regardless of how poorly constructed the roster might be or their record. There’s nothing I “hate” about the Magic. I live in LA, so you know I get enough **** from their fans out here. As for this current team, I’d say the prospect of Isaac and Bamba are the more intriguing players to me. AG has grown on me more after being skeptical of his game for a while now. This current iteration of the Magic simply isn’t exciting, dynamic, or fun to watch to me. The last time it was we were in the finals, running an incredible offense and defense, predicated on a system that made sense with the roster that was built.

I know you don’t really care, but I decided to actually respond knowing you wouldn’t in the first place. So back to the original question, are you like Weltmans nephew or something?

Give it a rest, man.

[MagicStarwipe]

ezzzp isn't Weltmans nephew...

He's Skiles' son.

J/K

[pepe1991]

I don't want to be D''' about Hawks free agency but their biggest FA signings in history are:
Joe Johnson
Mosses Malone in his 15# nba season (played 3 years, was allstar in only first )
Mutombo

IN last 39 years they passed second round of playoffs once, and got swept .

[VFX]

I don't want to be D''' about Hawks free agency but their biggest FA signings in history are:
Joe Johnson
Mosses Malone in his 15# nba season (played 3 years, was allstar in only first )
Mutombo

IN last 39 years they passed second round of playoffs once, and got swept .

They’ve had a bad track record in recent history for sure. That’s probably why most don’t view them as real division rivals. Miami and Washington on the other hand are annoying to no end.

[Ball4life32]

Max tier free agents never join small market rebuilds. They would have to at bare minimum make the playoffs next season to even get middle tier guys to glance at them. That group right there looks like a high lottery team.

Not sure I’d call Atlanta a small market. They’re a top 10-12 market.

And I’n not saying the Hawks will definitely make the playoffs next year but when the trio of Trae / Huerter / Collins got going...the Hawks looked much better in the 2nd half of last season.

Hawks started:
3-16 (J Collins was injured, Trae didn’t start playing well until mid December, Huerter didn’t snag the SG job until the end of November)


Finished the season:
24-27 (% wise close to 8th seed in the East and they tanked some of these games)

Up until the last couple of seasons you guys had been a playoff team since 2007. Who would you consider the biggest free agent lured from another team that the Hawks have signed during that span?

Joe Johnson or Paul Millsap.

The Hawks from 07-17 were a treadmill team and most of the time had no cap space.

While it’s too early to tell with the Trae / Huerter / Collins trio...those 3 + three top 17 picks and no big salaries after next year (Bazemore/Crabbe/Plumlee)...I think they can be an intriguing team next summer depending on how the young guys look this upcoming season.

[tiderulz]

I don't want to be D''' about Hawks free agency but their biggest FA signings in history are:
Joe Johnson
Mosses Malone in his 15# nba season (played 3 years, was allstar in only first )
Mutombo

IN last 39 years they passed second round of playoffs once, and got swept .

it doesnt matter what history says. Look at Philly, big market, near the other big cities, who has been their big FA signing? Elton Brand?

Atlanta has got buzz going and I wouldnt be surprised at all to see a decent big name go there in the next year or 2.

[Skybox]

I hope we can run it back with Vuc on a smart deal (20m, maybe declining from more but 20 avg.) and Ross at 12. I understand that may not be possible and I would cheer WeHam for holding firm for fiscal responsibility/flexibility and Vuc for getting paid elsewhere. If we were somehow able to purge contracts, etc to get DLO or Brogdon(not too much $$ please), we would still have the Vet's exception of up to 9m to shore up our front court (assuming the FO is allowed to spend)...how about Julius Randle to share time with Bamba, AG, and (maybe) Birch. Randle quietly put up big numbers in the shadow of NOLA drama. 20ppg, 9rpg, 3+ assists...Fallbacks might be Noah Vonleh or Nerlens Noel.

[ezzzp]

Not sure I’d call Atlanta a small market. They’re a top 10-12 market.

And I’n not saying the Hawks will definitely make the playoffs next year but when the trio of Trae / Huerter / Collins got going...the Hawks looked much better in the 2nd half of last season.

Hawks started:
3-16 (J Collins was injured, Trae didn’t start playing well until mid December, Huerter didn’t snag the SG job until the end of November)


Finished the season:
24-27 (% wise close to 8th seed in the East and they tanked some of these games)

Up until the last couple of seasons you guys had been a playoff team since 2007. Who would you consider the biggest free agent lured from another team that the Hawks have signed during that span?

Joe Johnson or Paul Millsap.

The Hawks from 07-17 were a treadmill team and most of the time had no cap space.

While it’s too early to tell with the Trae / Huerter / Collins trio...those 3 + three top 17 picks and no big salaries after next year (Bazemore/Crabbe/Plumlee)...I think they can be an intriguing team next summer depending on how the young guys look this upcoming season.

I would say Joe Johnson, who was a S/T with Suns that cost you Boris Diaw + 2 future first round picks + you had to give him one of the biggest contracts in NBA at the time. That contract was a big chunk of the reason for your cap issues. Those two FRP's would have come in handy without cap space as well.

[Ball4life32]

Up until the last couple of seasons you guys had been a playoff team since 2007. Who would you consider the biggest free agent lured from another team that the Hawks have signed during that span?

Joe Johnson or Paul Millsap.

The Hawks from 07-17 were a treadmill team and most of the time had no cap space.

While it’s too early to tell with the Trae / Huerter / Collins trio...those 3 + three top 17 picks and no big salaries after next year (Bazemore/Crabbe/Plumlee)...I think they can be an intriguing team next summer depending on how the young guys look this upcoming season.

I would say Joe Johnson, who was a S/T with Suns that cost you Boris Diaw + 2 future first round picks + you had to give him one of the biggest contracts in NBA at the time. That contract was a big chunk of the reason for your cap issues. Those two FRP's would have come in handy without cap space as well.

Yeah both contracts for Joe killed the Hawks cap space especially the 2nd one. Never thought they would be able to get out of his 2nd contact.

The Hawks though had been bad for a while prior to when Joe arrived in 05-06 and they didn’t have the young talent they have now.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Is there a move that WeHam have made that you haven’t liked or defended? Being completely serious. Are you related to either of them in some way?

Iwundu isn’t terrible, and gets too much criticism. That being said, I could also see him not being around in the league that much longer.

Is there a single thing about the Magic that you don't hate? According to you, everything Magic sucks and any player other teams have or move they make is always better than the Magic. Being completely serious. Did one of WelHam abandon you as a child or something?

Incorrect.

I’ve been a fan of the Magic since forever regardless of how poorly constructed the roster might be or their record. There’s nothing I “hate” about the Magic. I live in LA, so you know I get enough **** from their fans out here. As for this current team, I’d say the prospect of Isaac and Bamba are the more intriguing players to me. AG has grown on me more after being skeptical of his game for a while now. This current iteration of the Magic simply isn’t exciting, dynamic, or fun to watch to me. The last time it was we were in the finals, running an incredible offense and defense, predicated on a system that made sense with the roster that was built.

I know you don’t really care, but I decided to actually respond knowing you wouldn’t in the first place. So back to the original question, are you like Weltmans nephew or something?

Mate you’re wasting your time. Everything is “Sunshine & Unicorns”