I'm a bit surprised by the (apparent) lack of interest in Hickson. The guy is a beast on the boards, has a nice scoring touch from outside and inside, and is a regular double-double guy. Who wouldn't want that? And who wouldn't want that especially now, with the playoffs approaching?? Some critics apparently feel that he's only playing well because Portland's roster is thin and he's getting lots of minutes, but so what? When he gets the minutes he contributes in a big way, which you can't say about every player. I think Hickson is great, and I hope we keep him, but I'm still surprised that more teams aren't banging down Olshey's door to get him.
I like Hickson and wouldn't mind keeping him if the price was right but the hesitation from other teams is more the fact that it is most likely a couple months rental then anything. Why would you give up a first round pick for a guy who might bolt this summer?
...risk vs. reward -- not a lot of teams want to rent-a-player like Hickson because very few teams are in a position where acquiring him puts them over the top to contend for a title THIS YEAR. Matter of fact, I can't really think of any teams that Hickson could be traded to that would make me think they are now odds on favorites to win the title.
NOT!! Contract ends, with no guarantee that he stays / re-signs with team that gets him. He wants starters minutes, shots, and privileges, but doesn't want to play defense. We'd be lucky to get a 2nd round draft pick straight up for him. Seriously. And don't call me a hater, I'm not. Love his double/doubles, hustle, etc. But, he's a PF playing center. He needs to become a PF playing PF. If anything, we should trade LMA and keep Hickson at PF.
He's bad as a rental for a contending team because no contending team wants to start a defensive sieve like him, no matter how well he boards. Nobody else wants to rent him because, eh, why bother when you can buy him without losing assets this summer.
...great, so they win a couple more games and still exit in round 1/2 of the playoffs ...maybe the Spurs, but but do you really think JJ "Stripper Loving" Hickson is going to seriously improve either of their odds at winning the title (OKC is currently 3 to 1 and SAS is 6 to 1)?!
Like most players, JJ plays best when he starts. But IMO his long term role is off the bench. This is a hard pill to swallow for a lot of young players, being told they are not quite good enough to start. So once he gets paid this summer, can he learn to bring that energy every night off the bench? If he does he will be a excellent addition to any team for about 6-7 million a year. If he does not accept that role then he will be a waste of money. I would imagine teams are taking a cautious look at him right now, seeing what he is worth on the open market this summer. I am sure he will want starters money, but I think he is right below that level. Close, but not quite a starter for a playoff team.
If we can't even get a last 1st rounder for him right now, there's no way he sniffs more than the MLE.
Agreed - particularly OKC. I just don't see them winning a title, but I think Hickson would definitely help. Hickson and K-Mart off the bench gives you enough offense to not have to worry about their lack of defense. And with Perkins/Ibaka he'd actually have a big guy who could cover for his deficiencies. Given that MIA doesn't have a C, Hickson really could put that team over the top with his rebounding and ability to score.
It would have to be a sign and trade then. Brookland is in Luxury tax area; therefor they would only be able to give him something like 3 mil per
S&T for Lopez? Who else do that have that we'd want (and that they'd give up)? For the record, I was joking about Hickson/Lopez - he's just the only player I can think of that we'd take back.
I thought they were over the cap? Assuming Hickson gets >$5M they'd have to send out more than just Brooks, right? He's only making $1M. And at $5M wouldn't you try to talk Hickson into staying here?
