So there's still a chance they can dump Meyers!? btw, I think if Chicago gets Jahlil, they're keeping Wade and Butler and giving it a go.
I think those "step one" type trades don't tend to happen in the season, however, if there's a team that really needs a 'step one' type trade scenario, it's this one. Nurkic has the potential to help the team, but this doesn't really "move the needle" (as much as I hate that saying). The 3rd draft pick might.
This is a silly take. Plumlee can play, but Nurkic is mystery meat and the first rounder is going to be in the twenties or late teens -- also mystery meat.
If anything I think this makes us more likely/willing to surrender that Cleveland pick. And our unbalanced roster is still there, we just replaced Plumlee with Nurkic. Hennigan and Olshey have history, just like Olshey and Connolly had history. All eyes on Ibaka for me.
There are different ways to protect the rim. His highlights show talent in blocking shots, and the fact that he is a wide body means other bigs will not back our centers down so easy. I don't get the love for 230 lb centers who can jump out of the gym, but can also be pushed out of position. Granted I have only see Nurkic play a few times and that was against us, so not a good example. But have to admit I am impressed with those highlights. He reminds me of a healthier, bigger and more talented version of Pekovic., who killed us for a couple of years with his wide body.
I was going to post something almost identical to this. Three first rounders, even if none of them will be spectacular (unless Portland really hits the skids now), is maybe the type of thing you can market to a rebuilding team. Like maybe Lillard or McCollum can fetch Jimmy Butler with some picks to grease the wheels.
With ET out for 6 weeks, I don't think we can afford to do that....unless you want Pat getting Crabbe's minutes..... Oh I like that. That makes my pants tight. This. Please. This. This is the Defensive Big that we needed. This team....just when I thought we were out....
I do love how Nurkic moves his feet on defense in that 2015 highlight video. That's very encouraging and half the battle to being half good on defense haha
It's not so much when they get a contract bump. I haven't seen people complaining about Lillard's or McCollum's contracts. It's when our players get really overpaid relative to their production. The possibility of that definitely exists with Plumlee.
Actually they have complained more about about Lillard, and CJ's has not yet gotten his raise. Give them time.
All players will absorb criticism at times, whether expensive (Lillard) or not (Ed Davis). I'm saying that I haven't seen people complaining about Lillard's contract. He doesn't get "hate" based on being paid, he gets "hate" when he struggles, much like any player (not saying he should, but that's standard fan reaction and not necessarily connected to salary).
We have to keep our pick this year? or any of the 1st round picks? We traded last years right? And you can't do it two years in a row? 3 1st round picks and a young player is a good trading chip. But so is 2
The roster may still be unbalanced, but it's more balanced than it was. I always thought Plumlee would be better as a PF than a C. So now we have an actual C, and someone that appears to be able to provide low-post scoring. Even if we just swapped players filling the same roster position, it still made us a more balanced team.