Waivers - some of these, like Ryan Boatright, have been already picked up from other teams. Robert Upshaw, anyone? Eastern Conference The Cavaliers waived Chris Johnson. The Bucks waived Jorge Gutierrez, Marcus Landry and Josh Powell. The Celtics waived Coty Clarke, Malcolm Miller and Levi Randolph. The Nets waived Ryan Boatright, Quincy Miller and Chris Daniels. The Heat waived Corey Hawkins. The Pistons waived Cartier Martin, Adonis Thomas andJordan Bachynski. The Magic waived Keith Appling and Jordan Sibert. The Cavs waived Nick Minnerath. The Hawks waived Terran Petteway. The Bulls waived Jordan Crawford and Marcus Simmons. The Magic waived Greg Stiemsma. The Magic waived Melvin Ejim. The Hornets waived Jason Washburn, Damien Wilkins, Sam Thompson, and Elliot Williams. The Cavs waived Jack Cooley, Dionte Christmas, Austin Dayeand D.J. Stephens. The Knicks waived Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Darion Atkinsand DaJuan Summers, Travis Trice and Wesley Saunders. The Magic waived Nnanna Egwu. Western Conference The Spurs waived Keifer Sykes. The Lakers waived Robert Upshaw and Michael Frazier. The Spurs waived Jimmer Fredette. The Jazz waived Bryce Cotton and Treveon Graham. The Spurs waived Deshaun Thomas and Youssou Ndoye. The Kings waived David Stockton. The Jazz waived E.J. Singler. The Thunder waived Michael Qualls, Talib Zanna, Julyan Stone, and Dez Wells. The Mavs waived Jarrid Famous. The Warriors waived Chris Babb, Jarell Eddie, Xavier Henryand Chris Udofia. The Blazers waived Phil Pressey and Omari Johnson. The Lakers waived Jonathan Holmes. The Rockets waived Jeremy Tyler, Chris Walker, Will Cummings and Denzel Livingston.
Xavier Henry is not bad. A 6'7" wing who has a good 3 pt stroke. I thought he played well for the Lakers in games that I watched.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo or Robert Upshaw. Both are players that have unique abilities as a project type player. That is exactly what you want for #13-15.
Would Upshaw be better for this team than Davis? Essentially the same spot on the team I would think. Both Lakers giveaways...I don't know about Upshaw's drive and want, but I love Davis's effort when I watch him play. IF they are somewhat close, or Upshaw is a bit better, but a passive player, Ill stick with Davis. Love his intensity and balls out effort on every play. So there is one thing I will be curious about. The cuts have been made and the roster is set. Does the team step back into 3rd gear because they've now made the cut and feel the proving is over? I think a legit question, but I think Dame will keep the intensity going. I think he is going to become a true general and if your not fighting like a warrior he is gonna be all over you. I see him emerging a bit like Jordan when it comes to leading the team.
And see? That is why I am content with this team. I trust in NO and Stotts. They aren't gonna keep anyone on this team that doesn't show two things. A genuine willingness to want to learn and play team ball, and a want an willingness to put in the effort to do the things that need to be done on and off the court to make that happen. I have to believe all teams are similar and so the guys they cut weren't some of the harder working guys on the team or didn't have a huge upside of talent. So why would any of these cuts be anything more substantial than the potentials riding our current Pine? If Montero is truly as raw as everyone says, then he will get sufficient time in practice against our roster to improve and refine himself. That will be as good as any D league can provide at this time.
If we were trying to win I would have interest in Julyan Stone and Jorge Gutierrez (both big PGs) and Greg Stiemsma (a plodding but effective defensive center). But we're not, so it's not worth dumping Montero for any of those.
We really don't need a poor man's anything at this point though...only guy on the list I'd even consider would be Elliot Williams and that's just a nice guy vote