Okogie to Suns

[SameOldNudityDrew]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/07/josh-okogie-to-sign-with-suns.html

Shoot. I figured with all these roster spaces left, we'd be able to keep him.

We need to get another on-the-ball defender to replace him and Beverley. Any ideas?

[Q-is-here]

I haven't really scoured the available free agents Drew. Wendell Moore, Jr. may have a more critical role to play than we originally thought! He's a 3-year college guy that is physically ready. Hoping he gives us some good vibes in Summer League!

[Coolbreeze44]

Good for Josh. Wonder what his salary is going to be.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

If Moore pans out as a two-way guy, he'll be great for us.

But I worry that with Beverley gone and Okogie too, we've not only lost two of our on-ball defensive specialists, but we've lost two of the guys with the most intense defensive motors, which have a cascading effect on the rest of the squad. I think it'll be really helpful to have another guy like that this coming year. I was kind of thinking Donte DiVincenzo, but he's gone. I don't know if Avery Bradley has anything left in the tank. I just don't know who's out there.

[Monster]

I haven't really scoured the available free agents Drew. Wendell Moore, Jr. may have a more critical role to play than we originally thought! He's a 3-year college guy that is physically ready. Hoping he gives us some good vibes in Summer League!

McDaniels and Okogie (and Kris Dunn and Maybe even Culver) both exceeded expectations for being able to defend their rookie years and even if it wasn't as effective overall as it may have looked at times it was a nice development. Moore is probably more well rounded guy he isn't just a hustle dude and is more physically ready than some of those guys were in terms of playing with strength on switches.

Meanwhile Josh Minott is obviously less experienced but he is sort of a combination of McDaniels length Okogie's energy and lack of offense but with actual rebounding ability. Should we expect him to have an impact this year? No but he does have some physical gifts and college production in limited minutes.

If we want a point of attack defender we could go with a more pseudo PG route with a Shaq Harrison (hopefully aim higher) Khris Dunn, Gary Payton II (he isn't available) type guy instead of a non-shooting very little playmaking wing. IF....Culver doesn't suck at basketball he might make some sense. Again I'd hope for something better than Culver.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Good for Josh. Wonder what his salary is going to be.

I think I saw vet's minimum according to the report.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

I'm a bit intrigued by the idea of Shaq Harrison. Connelly signed him to a two-way contract with Denver last year as I understand, and he won G League Defensive Player of the Year. I really don't know much else about him.

EDIT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kiFiovAc3I

[SameOldNudityDrew]

I also really like Minott's defensive potential, and I'll be interested to see what he can do (though I'm skeptical of his offense) but I was thinking more like a quick, hard-nosed defensive guard to add in addition. Remember Matthew Dellevadova? Somebody like that or PatBev.

[Wolvesfan21]

I'm a little surprised JO stayed in the league to be honest. He had solid defense but the dude really struggled to shoot, score and dribble without turning to over.

Maybe a change of scenery and a fresh start will get him going.

[Monster]

I'm a bit intrigued by the idea of Shaq Harrison. Connelly signed him to a two-way contract with Denver last year as I understand, and he won G League Defensive Player of the Year. I really don't know much else about him.

EDIT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kiFiovAc3I

When he played a decent amount in the league a couple years ago his defensive numbers were very impressive. Looking again I forgot he is more of a shooting guard sized guy. Cam might chime in on him he suggested we sign him an off-season or 2 ago.