TeamRicky wrote:monsterpile wrote:TeamRicky wrote:TheFuture wrote:I'd rather have Bazz than McLemore. Even if he can be extremely frustrating to watch.
I would like the idea of trading down for 2 picks and a vet/role player type, or for 1 pick and a better vet. Yet drafting 3 rookies is extremely unlikely for this team, and likely means we are trading completely out of the lottery. I'm not a fan of that. I also think Maker is trash, and would prefer to draft many players late in the draft before him.
Cole Aldrich and Luol Deng have been talked about here a lot, and I would love to get both of them. Chalmers is okay, though i'd be more inclined to just let Jones play more this next season if Chalmers was the choice.
I'd love for us to just make a decision on Pekovic. Just get it over with. But I fully expect to see him on the bench next year in a jersey or a suit.
My reasons for McLemore is that he was a very good college player (better than Bazz) that was super efficient scorer (42% on threes, 55% on twos, and 87% free throws) and had the athleticism to a be a good defender. He has the quiet demeanor of Wiggins but under the right coaching I think he could be a pretty good player. He's a better defender and passer than Bazz and based on his college numbers he has the potential to be a more efficient scorer. Since we are trusting Thibs to bring out the best in Wiggins, I think its worth taking a shot that Thibs could get McLemore (a similar tempermented guy) to play at a high level.
Just to be clear Bazz has been a more "efficient scorer" his whole career than Ben. Other than shoot 3's and have some physical traits what exactly makes Ben a good player? On the defensive side of the ball I'm not sure Ben's upside is too significant. It's been a very mixed bag there and the guy isn't that big either. If we can't get something better than Ben if rather just keep Bazz and hope he learns from Thibs how to play D and also improves his 3 point shot.
I looked up their true shooting percentages and Bazz has had a better TS% but its not by a very wide margin. Ben has been a better three point shooter and free throw shooter over his NBA career. Because Ben had such a stellar TS% at Kansas, I wonder if playing in Sacramento has stifled his development playing with guys like Cousins and Gay.
On reason I consider this trade is that Ben is not a liability on defense like Bazz. He was 22nd of 81 SGs two years ago and 54th of 98 in RPM. Ben is a good athlete and has shown flashes on the defensive end and I think his potential as a defender under Thibs is greater than Bazz's potential under Thibs. Ben is far from a must have for me, but I think he is someone who was in a bad situation in Sacramento and still could blossom under the right coach. At the same time, I have pretty much given up on Bazz as ever getting it. I'm sure there are better options than both of them, but Batum will be too expensive and Bazemore will be on everyone's target list. I like Fournier, but he could be expensive and Orlando could match. Courtney Lee could be a good veteran option especially for a few years while we groom a young two way wing like Luwawu, McCants or Prince.
I just had to say something because Ben hasn't been better in that area so far in their careers. :) i Appriciate your points I have a few more thoughts:
Whats the potential offensively? Who was Ben's coach 2 years ago when he put up those numbers? What defensive coach has Bazz had the benfit of working with? If Sam Mitchell is the best defensive coach you have played for thats not exactly good.
Again I will ask you what makes Ben a good player? Id argue there isn't much. Bazz at least gives you hustle effort and can put the ball int he bucket and get to the line. He has SOMETHING to bring to the table. Ben may as well be smiling Wes Johnson at this point. He is young enough to be better than that, but I just don't think its fair to dismiss Bazz's strengths trading him for a guy that is maybe decent on defense can maybe hit a 3 pointer if he is open. Sounds like a late first round pick or maybe even a guy you can find in the d-league to me. I'm ok to agree to disagree with how you value Bazz because your focus on defense which please don't get me wrong I really do appriciate, but I think we need to be more realistic about Ben. He is more a guy I would give up something random for not a decent asset. Bazz had been reported to be asked about for a couple of years. I don't really think I want to give that up for what is basically a reclaimation project in Ben.
Also i'm really thrilled Jason is here as a strong supporter of Bazz as a legit player going forward. Its nice to have balance.