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https://forum.midwestvolleyball.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=31383
Counter: his value hasn't improved for the same reasons you want to move him on top of the fact that it's less about his game and more about him.KiwiMatt wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2024 1:41 pm I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the Wolves this season, not solely based on the results, but mainly the culture TC, Finch and Co are building.
However, to me, there is something that is starting to stand out more and more. And that is the questionable fit of KAT with this current roster and moving forward.
Yes he is a vital cog offensively, especially with his ability to stretch the floor and drive to the hoop. He has also made strides defensively, especially considering he has been asked to defend the 4 quite often. But I question if it's all worth 50 mil of cap space next season. Then 53, 57 and 61 million of cap space the following years.
The other thing is this franchise has a history of 'selling low' and 'buying high'. There is no better time to potentially trade KAT then this off season. He's is coming off an All Star season, being a significant contributor to a high seed team, shooting 45% from 3 and has made improvements defensively.
We should be able to trade him for a combination of a starting caliber player, high upside players and multiple decent draft picks whilst also clearing cap space.
Thoughts?
I don't think we ARE watching the same games. I see a guy who reacts negatively to calls on both ends of the floor from tip till end. Maybe he doesn't draw technicals, but his body language is on display for the entire 48 minutes. And it HAS to affect his game because he spends so much time focusing on things other than his job. Like I said earlier, he's lucky he doesn't get called for offensive fouls more often. Jim Pete has said this multiple times during games this year.Leado01 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 2:57 pm I've seen KAT be the most mature settling and distributing player on the team during stretches this year. We've also seen some stray voltage.
I'm not sure that folks who say his complaining hasn't decreased dramatically this year are watching the games, and I'd even go so far as to say he gets more than his share of crappy calls based on his reputation that he completely walks away from when perhaps he shouldn't.
All that being said, KAT has a unique skillset as a big that can score from 3, in the mid-range, driving, and (I wish we'd see more of it) very easily and efficiently with his back to the basket.
Even if his friend hadn't died a week ago and we were seeing this slump I wouldn't trade the guy.
I haven't watched a ton of games. But I see plenty of clips and replays and KAT seems the same to me too. Hands up in the air and making a cry face to the ref instead of immediately getting back on defense. Maybe he has gotten slightly better this year - IDK. I'm not sure how to actually measure that. But his annoying mannerisms are baked into many of our brains at this point. I think many of us just (reluctantly) accept it as one of his flaws. Fortunately, he has many strengths. And to be fair...a lot of players cry to the refs. It is what it is.Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:49 pmI don't think we ARE watching the same games. I see a guy who reacts negatively to calls on both ends of the floor from tip till end. Maybe he doesn't draw technicals, but his body language is on display for the entire 48 minutes. And it HAS to affect his game because he spends so much time focusing on things other than his job. Like I said earlier, he's lucky he doesn't get called for offensive fouls more often. Jim Pete has said this multiple times during games this year.Leado01 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 2:57 pm I've seen KAT be the most mature settling and distributing player on the team during stretches this year. We've also seen some stray voltage.
I'm not sure that folks who say his complaining hasn't decreased dramatically this year are watching the games, and I'd even go so far as to say he gets more than his share of crappy calls based on his reputation that he completely walks away from when perhaps he shouldn't.
All that being said, KAT has a unique skillset as a big that can score from 3, in the mid-range, driving, and (I wish we'd see more of it) very easily and efficiently with his back to the basket.
Even if his friend hadn't died a week ago and we were seeing this slump I wouldn't trade the guy.
Yeah, it's a good chance for management to see what the future could look like (although I'm still not in favor of moving KAT...gotta be convinced). I'm also interested in seeing what substituting either Naz or SloMo does to the starting five on defense. I suspect we might be even better defensively with SloMo replacing KAT, but much worse offensively. Conversely I think Naz makes us worse defensively, and a little worse offensively. It will be interesting to see what Finchie does.