What I like about this is in theory, Zach and Skal could play together. I’m thinking more for the future, but these two could form a pretty sick duo. If you were for taking a chance on Thon Maker, you should be for Skal as well. Having two nimble seven footers that can defend and space the court could be pretty valuable. It would also open up the possibility of trading Zach if the right deal came along but that’s another discussion. This is a recent video, and he looks bigger than I remember. Looks like he’s added some weight.
Within “Neil standards” this was a solid deadline. We mostly all wanted something much more substantial, but looking out of the right lens this would look like a good deadline for most GM’s. ...We just need more than that at this point.
Givony on his workout http://sports.yahoo.com/news/combine-buzz-194205610.html CHICAGO – Skal Labissiere was once projected as a serious contender to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. But a disappointing season at Kentucky in which he was in and out of coach John Calipari's doghouse and struggled to get playing time put an end to that. On Wednesday, DraftExpress was invited to watch Labissiere in a private workout in Chicago, and he showed why he was such a highly regarded prospect six months ago. Labissiere has excellent tools, is just a hair under 7 feet in shoes and has outstanding fluidity for a player his size. He is quick off his feet, extremely nimble and covers ground effortlessly. He is still thin, but has a frame that should have no problem filling out in the next few years. His skill level was extremely impressive. Labissiere made shots from all over the floor, both off the dribble and with his feet set, and showed range out to the NBA three-point line. His footwork and balance was excellent in the post and on the perimeter, and his fundamentals were outstanding for someone who only started playing basketball as a teenager. It's incredibly rare to see a player his size with that type of touch. Labissiere has a world of talent even at an early stage of development, yet he will need time to translate that to game settings on a consistent basis. After stringing together one of the most impressive workouts DraftExpress has seen in the past few years, there's little doubt that Labissiere's draft stock will recover quickly over the next few weeks. Talent rises in the NBA pre-draft process, and Labissiere has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in this class.
IMO Neil admitted he made a mistake (which some of you said today he was incapable of doing) and moved him for what basically equates to a late 1st round draft pick in this upcoming draft. He is of no help to us this year. But now we have 3 young players this summer to continue to develop. Which means this year's pick will be moved on draft night. We have enough young players.
Hey I have no problem giving Olshey credit, when it’s due. This is one of those instances. Skal could play 0 minutes and I’d still think it was a good move. Skal is a project worth the time. He’s had some serious flashes in the league. And unlike Sacramento, he’ll have an opportunity to earn a role. Outside of Nurk and Zach, we don’t have another big that has to play/develop.
I don't know if it has been mentioned but the Swanigan/Skal trade saved over 200K in salary so it essentially wiped out the extra salary and tax Portland took on in the Hood trade. Basically, a neutral salary/tax deadline for Portland. I imagine that was a factor in this trade
yeah, 300K Hood would have a bigger impact, but unless he plays out of his mind, I doubt he'll be re-signed
I am both shocked and thrilled by this trade. How fucked up is the Kings front office to trade Labissiere for Caleb Fucking Swanigan? There has to be something more included. I had and still have mixed reactions to the Hood trade. Just waiting to see how it works out. But this one is a no-brainer for Portland. Neither trade is a blockbuster needle mover of course, so go ahead and be disappointed that the mythical trade for a star player didn't happen today. But taken on it's own merits, this is a good pickup. IMO as a know nothing basketball fan, of course.
Meyers Leonard came from a household where his father died when he was young in an accident. His mother had a major medical problem while his brother was a military vet who served overseas. And we literally tore him down the instant he didn't live up go our expectations. There is no such thing as a player who is impossible to hate.
