No he probably can't -- not nearly the athlete that Ed is. Chances are, Swanigan is out of the league after his first contract is up; the league doesn't have much room for a ground-bound 4, who can't jump or defend the pick and roll.
Exactly why he won’t get anywhere near what Meyers got. He’s only going to interest playoff teams, and most of those don’t have cap space.
Paul Millsap can defend. He's much more athletic than Swanigan. Zach Randolph had a level of craftiness that Swanigan will never be able to replicate. Elton Brand was always a great defender. Speight was always absolute trash.
He said ground 4's who can't defend are out of the league after their first contract. I showed a big man who became role players in the league who are grounded. If I thought on it, I bet I could find others also.
I don't think mo speights is all that more talented than Swanigan. At the very least Swanigan could turn into him. Only difference is Swanigan can actually pass. How sad is it that if you don't include Lillard, that Portland's best passers are rookies, Nards & Nurk?
There’s a few. Kevin Love was a liability defensively earlier in his career and was comparable (athletically) to Swanigan until he really got in shape.
Different league now. If this was 1999, I think Swanigan could probably make a great pro, but against the like Giannis, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, etc. (who are all 4s by the way in the modern game) he's got almost no shot to defend any of those guys. He's also not nearly the athlete that Milsap or Speights are/were so they (and you) can disagree with me all they (and you) like.
I lean go. If they do resign him, I hope it's a small 2-year deal at most. Don't get me wrong, I like Ed. Just don't think having both he and Nurk around is best for Zach's development.
Neither play PF. If you are worried about Zachs development then move Aminu. But you need 4 good bigs in today's NBA.
