2020 Free Agency Thread

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Scalma, Nov 2, 2020.

  1. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

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    .677 on 2 pt shots last year so I guess he is a good dunker, but not for the full MLE.
     
  2. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    Now sign a PG
     
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  3. HolyBackboard

    HolyBackboard 2 Hot 2 Stop It

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    THANK YOU.

    Another classic Olshey blunder. Just when you think he's turned the corner, he goes out and pulls this nonsense. We would have been better suited playing Nas backup 3 minutes than overpaying for a 28% 3-pt shooter.
     
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  4. Blazinaway

    Blazinaway Well-Known Member

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    I'd rather bring Harkless back for likely a good bit less than that!
     
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  5. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

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    If you project RoCo as an PF and if Neil sees Jones as someone who can win the starting spot at SF, you have a helluva depth chart with the BAE still available.

    PG: Dame, CJ
    SG: CJ, Gary, Ant
    SF: Jones, Hoodie, Nas
    PF: RoCo, Zach, hopefully a re-signed Wenyen
    C: Nurk, Kanter
     
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  6. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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  7. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

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    Well, Miami played him 23 minutes a game; and they are a smart organization, but they really play a different style than us. Here is a writeup on him after his first year with Miami:
    Derrick Jones Jr. had a huge summer with the Miami Heat, earning himself a new contract (a call-up from his two-way deal) and playing extremely well in Summer League. How well did this translate to his NBA season with the Heat?
    Derrick Jones Jr. had by far his strongest season in the NBA so far for the Miami Heat. While next season will mark Jones’ fourth, the forward will still only be 22 years old.

    Jones finished the season averaging seven points per game, to go along with four rebounds and only .7 turnovers per game. He also showed glimpses of a 3-point stroke in his arsenal, as he shot nearly 31 percent from deep, which he was not capable of before.

    He played a mere 19.2 minutes per game this season, a slight bump up from his 15.1 minutes per game last season, when he was on a two-way contract with the Miami Heat. Because of this, his per-36 numbers tell a better story. By that measurement, Jones averaged 13.2 points, 7.5 rebounds (with three offensive boards per game), 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.

    Widely known for his electric dunks, Jones was originally invited to participate in the NBA slam dunk contest of All-Star Weekend for the second time in his career, but was unfortunately sidelined due to injury. Jones was replaced by Hamidou Diallo of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who went on to win the contest.

    However, dunks are not the only thing the forward is capable of, as he played strong defense for the entire season, though with a few slip ups here and there. Jones had the third highest defensive rating on the Heat for players earning consistent minutes. The young forward was also tied for the third highest net rating on the team, tied with Kelly Olynyk, and behind Hassan Whiteside and Bam Adebayo.

    Remarkably, despite being a three-year NBA veteran, Jones is the second-youngest player on the team at 22 years old. This makes him younger than all three Heat rookies last season, Yante Maten, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson. He is also just slightly older than Bam Adebayo, who came into the league a whole year after Jones. This also makes him younger than NBA draft prospects for this season, like Brandon Clarke.

    With his youth comes a few discrepancies in his game, most notably his decision-making and free-throw shooting. His defense can be extremely stellar, but it often gets Jones into foul trouble. For his career, Jones averages 3.9 fouls per 36 minutes per game.

    Jones mostly played the four spot for a team that was without James Johnson to begin the season, and even started the first few games for the squad, ending with 14 total starts.

    While his future is likely at the wing position, Jones showed that he can also play big when called upon, making his skillset useful for the Heat’s current players. Jones snuck himself into the young core of the Heat this season, and showed that he could be a valuable role player on a contender.

    As for his athleticism, he ought to look no further than NBA champion Pascal Siakam. While Bam Adebayo plays more like Siakam than does Jones, Jones could stand to gain a few pounds of muscle before the season in order to bully opponents in the paint similarly to Siakam.

    The athletic forward has even gotten invitation from former NBA champion Kenny “The Jet” Smith, who told Jones that he would train him to become the best player in the NBA. While this is a long ways to go for Jones, he can certainly tap into his seemingly unlimited potential heading into his first secure summer in his career.

    His growth will be one to watch for Miami Heat fans, as he may end up being younger than some of the rookies the Heat can end up with in the offseason.

    NEXT: Appraising the trade value of the Heat roster
    Overall, Jones’ decision-making led to both inefficiencies on both offense and defense that would mark him as average, but the overall strength, athleticism and overall jaw-dropping electric plays make Jones no worse than a B on either defense or offense. I would give Jones a B+ on defense and a B- on offense, which evens out to a B overall.



    Final Grade- B
     
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  8. AmirIcon

    AmirIcon Well-Known Member

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    I don't understand this move. Why not let Nassir do the same job at his low salary on a guy who can't shoot?

    I don't like this. I'm hoping I'm wrong.
     
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  9. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    For the past few offseasons I've been pining for a sharpshooting wing or two to spread the court. While I loved the Covington add and think he's the best 3 they've had since Batum, he's hot and cold as a perimeter threat. The other moves leave me wondering why, but then Neil rarely gives me what I want. Oh well, if they're done with their shuffle I think they're a bit better then they were last season.

    STOMP
     
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  10. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    What if Covington is going to start at 4 and Hood is going to start at 3?
     
  11. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

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    We'll see, his shot looks really nice. Watch some video on this guy. I'm no Olshey apologist but you guys are jumping to some serious conclusions about this move. The guy is incredibly athletic, he is crazy long with a 7 foot wingspan, he plays with intensity at all times, great on defense and his shot is not ugly... oh and he's 23.
     
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  12. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

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    The Jones signing all but guarantees that Neil sees RoCo as our starting PF.
     
  13. JoshuaHall

    JoshuaHall Well-Known Member

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    Our defense better be ELITE next year.
     
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  14. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

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    All we need is a new COACH.
     
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  15. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    Sign Harry Giles lol
     
  16. Cugel

    Cugel The epitome of mediocrity

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    I shall keep an open mind.
     
  17. HolyBackboard

    HolyBackboard 2 Hot 2 Stop It

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    For the BAE? Fine. Let's roll the dice.

    As other have said in this thread, the MLE was our ONE shot to really acquire talent after using Ariza's contract and we completely missed the mark.
     
  18. BLAZINGGIANTS

    BLAZINGGIANTS Well-Known Member

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    I actually watched the finals (something I rarely do). I don’t recall him at all (two friends and I were all just saying the same).

    Seems early to settle for a player of this caliber.
     
  19. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

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    I don't think Stotts will play a guy who shoots .30 from three. So why sign him for $9 million a year?
     
  20. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    yeah that’s why they lost.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 20, 2020
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