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Got 2 seasons of Raptors implosions to put into this:
To start, those were straight dismantlings that not even a coaching change can fix. Biggest problem is the roster is constructed of specialists.
CJ, Ibaka, and DD all are limited offensive options that dont play D.
JV was arguably the best Raptor in the playoffs
Lowry, FVV, OG, Siakim all were good. I believe in Jakob and Wright.
Playoff basketball is a different game where players have to have some dog in them, or an extra gear. Some sort of bullish mentality where they dont get rattled.
Additionally, playoff skillset requires that guards need to be able to play defense across 4 positions, can respectably hit a 3 pointer, and can create a shot or pass off a close out or pick and roll. Basically well rounded players (hence why boston is doing so well with Tatum and Brown). Overall it is safe to say that short of bringing in a superstar player, the best way to improve this team is to diversify the talent from specialists to rounded players.
Lets start with this fact: DD is neither a superstar level offensive player or defensive player, nor a well rounded player. The Cavs blantantly disregarding him on offense when he did not have the ball is game, set, and match to any counter argument.
My opinion for years has been very poor of DD. With the depth the Raptors showed this year, I think trading DD for certain types of players is a very viable option for MU to stay very competitive, while staying on the lookout for a true superstar.
DD is not a superstar, so he wont bring back one of; a ton of picks, a super high pick, a superstar prospect. He will bring back a crap contract, and good prospect, and a middling pick, realistically as a starting point.
Two "ideal" trades:
1) New York
TO Receives: Frank Ntilikina, future first (not 2018), Joakim Noah
NYK Recieves: Demar Derozan
NYK does it in the semi panic to get better and to get out from that awful Noah contract. Additionally, with going after the future first, it allows them to make this trade after the LBJ sweepstakes are over and not feel pressured to make a deal at draft day.
Toronto does this to get Frank, who has proven to be a long, 2 way, well rounded player already after 1 season. He needs to work on his handles and in general improve. But overall he is exactly the type of 1/2 guard to pair with OG. The future first is an added bonus. Might need a minor tweak of 1 mil to make the deal work depending on how the future pick is valued $$ wise
CONS: 1) Joakim Noah. 2) Joakim Noahs contract.
2) Charlotte
TO Receives: MKG, Dwight Howard, 10th pick (2018 draft)
Charlotte Receives: DeMar DeRozan, CJ Miles
Charlotte does it to try the Kemba-DD-Batum lineup to see if they can make the playoffs. Leaves them a bit thin at C but between Kaminsky, Zeller, and Hernangomez they should be fine.
I am assuming a buyout is reached with Howard. Just a solid no.
Raptors do it to draft Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at #10 if still available. Basically this years version of Ntilikina. Swiss army knife, two-way 1/2 guards who are 6'6". Built for the modern NBA. Dude showed massive growth in one season and has a gritty lock down play style which the Raptors need. Speaking of, MKG has that exact same mentality. On the surface that broken jumper makes you cringe, and his lack of healthy stretches are very few. But he is one of the best perimeter defenders and off ball cutters/energy guys in the league when he plays. This Raptor team needs more playoff cahones, and adding two players who can do so should more than make up for the lack of offense immediately. It will also force a larger role onto OG, Pascal, and Jakob. Potentially all good things.
CONS: 1) Dwight Howard. 2) Dwight Howards contract. 3) MKGs jump shot
I like the Ingram+Deng for DD as well...
Mavs trade for Powell is mediocrity defined.
Draft note: Doncic and Ayton are at the top of the class, Bamba and Gilgeous-Alexander are in that next best. And the rest is that typical shotgun of talent that may flourish if put in the right situation, or flop if in a bad one.
To start, those were straight dismantlings that not even a coaching change can fix. Biggest problem is the roster is constructed of specialists.
CJ, Ibaka, and DD all are limited offensive options that dont play D.
JV was arguably the best Raptor in the playoffs
Lowry, FVV, OG, Siakim all were good. I believe in Jakob and Wright.
Playoff basketball is a different game where players have to have some dog in them, or an extra gear. Some sort of bullish mentality where they dont get rattled.
Additionally, playoff skillset requires that guards need to be able to play defense across 4 positions, can respectably hit a 3 pointer, and can create a shot or pass off a close out or pick and roll. Basically well rounded players (hence why boston is doing so well with Tatum and Brown). Overall it is safe to say that short of bringing in a superstar player, the best way to improve this team is to diversify the talent from specialists to rounded players.
Lets start with this fact: DD is neither a superstar level offensive player or defensive player, nor a well rounded player. The Cavs blantantly disregarding him on offense when he did not have the ball is game, set, and match to any counter argument.
My opinion for years has been very poor of DD. With the depth the Raptors showed this year, I think trading DD for certain types of players is a very viable option for MU to stay very competitive, while staying on the lookout for a true superstar.
DD is not a superstar, so he wont bring back one of; a ton of picks, a super high pick, a superstar prospect. He will bring back a crap contract, and good prospect, and a middling pick, realistically as a starting point.
Two "ideal" trades:
1) New York
TO Receives: Frank Ntilikina, future first (not 2018), Joakim Noah
NYK Recieves: Demar Derozan
NYK does it in the semi panic to get better and to get out from that awful Noah contract. Additionally, with going after the future first, it allows them to make this trade after the LBJ sweepstakes are over and not feel pressured to make a deal at draft day.
Toronto does this to get Frank, who has proven to be a long, 2 way, well rounded player already after 1 season. He needs to work on his handles and in general improve. But overall he is exactly the type of 1/2 guard to pair with OG. The future first is an added bonus. Might need a minor tweak of 1 mil to make the deal work depending on how the future pick is valued $$ wise
CONS: 1) Joakim Noah. 2) Joakim Noahs contract.
2) Charlotte
TO Receives: MKG, Dwight Howard, 10th pick (2018 draft)
Charlotte Receives: DeMar DeRozan, CJ Miles
Charlotte does it to try the Kemba-DD-Batum lineup to see if they can make the playoffs. Leaves them a bit thin at C but between Kaminsky, Zeller, and Hernangomez they should be fine.
I am assuming a buyout is reached with Howard. Just a solid no.
Raptors do it to draft Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at #10 if still available. Basically this years version of Ntilikina. Swiss army knife, two-way 1/2 guards who are 6'6". Built for the modern NBA. Dude showed massive growth in one season and has a gritty lock down play style which the Raptors need. Speaking of, MKG has that exact same mentality. On the surface that broken jumper makes you cringe, and his lack of healthy stretches are very few. But he is one of the best perimeter defenders and off ball cutters/energy guys in the league when he plays. This Raptor team needs more playoff cahones, and adding two players who can do so should more than make up for the lack of offense immediately. It will also force a larger role onto OG, Pascal, and Jakob. Potentially all good things.
CONS: 1) Dwight Howard. 2) Dwight Howards contract. 3) MKGs jump shot
I like the Ingram+Deng for DD as well...
Mavs trade for Powell is mediocrity defined.
Draft note: Doncic and Ayton are at the top of the class, Bamba and Gilgeous-Alexander are in that next best. And the rest is that typical shotgun of talent that may flourish if put in the right situation, or flop if in a bad one.
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