Not sure OKC would bite with him locked in on such a cheap contract, but Lu Dort would fit like a glove. Better more physical defense, can play 3 much better than Trent allowing him to share the floor with CJ and Dame (or either and Anfernee) and an improved 3-ball. Trent's D is OK and he puts in max effort, but Dort would be a big step up. For OKC, GT is probably a better fit for the future for SGA. We may need to add a pick or something. Follow that up with Giles/Collins/2nd for PJ Tucker. This would be a team with championship level defense to cover for CJ/Ant/Melo/Kanter. We could also play a lot more zone with our improved length and mobility which would help hide those guys. Lillard/Simons CJ/Jones Dort/Hood Covington/Tucker Nurkic/Kanter sprinkle minutes for Nas whenever one of the 2/3/4s is out.
There’s a difference between choking and just missing a shot. Those were good looks that just didn’t go in. Choking would be if he hit the side of the backboard on those shots. It was him and RoCo hustling and playing defense that got them the big lead in the 3rd.
I agree with the idea that CJ should be traded. I have to agree with your first statement because it is factual. Gary can not walk away. The guy is a RFA so we have to be the ones that let him go, he has no say in the matter. He can sign a huge offer sheet but then we get to decide if we match it and we can go over the cap to do so.
I'm coming around to Tobias Harris again. On paper CJ is the better player, and he'll likely be an All Star in the east. Meanwhile Harris will likely just kind of slot in with his 20/8 and mediocre defense. There's a lot less upside in Harris in that he's never going to be an all star on our team. But it allows us to better utilize other budding guards and makes Trent's upcoming contract easier to sign. If CJ weren't coming off an injury we probably extract a couple of mediocre picks in the deal. But I want a deal to get done soon so we can get ready for the playoffs. We get a little younger and a lot bigger. They get that guy who can break down defenses and be Option 1A beside Embiid. Both teams get out of the years-long problem of imbalanced rosters. Both teams absorb super-expensive long-term deals. They play in different conferences so it's unlikely to look bad for management.
I was all about Harris last season but I've moved onto Julius Randle. I think he brings a lot more than Harris. The Knicks just drafted Toppin and I think Randle could be moved with Rivers (because of Quickly) for CJ.
I think CJ would be a nice fit for New York City. He was born to thrive under the media spotlight. Personally, if I were the Knicks I'd build around Randle though. He's a lot younger and on a much better contract. The only reason I trade him is if he threatens to leave after next season. But this is the Knicks, though. I'd gladly make that deal in a heartbeat.
8-5 with CJ 8-5 without him. Trent is growing into the SG role just fine and certainly with better defense. I'm even more so on the trade-CJ bandwagon to get better wings and more length. It is also more enjoyable to watch this group than just Dame/CJ dominate the ball. It seems more spread out now with even a bit more movement (at times).
fentress is right about paying a lot of money to our three guards and that means either trent jr or cj mccollum should be traded and hes speaking about john collins, not zach collins, as he thinks blazers should trade nurk & trent jr for him id rather trade cj mccollum, cause trent jr has potential to be two-way guard and hes much younger... that also allows us to improve other position(s)
My opinion: the emergence of Gary Trent Jr. makes CJ expendable. Also, people will probably hate this, but Enes Kanter is a better fit for the style of basketball that the Blazers play than Nurkic. A lot of people say the Blazers are better when Nurk plays vs. Kanter, but I don't see it. I also saw the Blazers make the WCF with Kanter. When Nurk is healthy and motivated, he's a great asset, but the Blazers can't wait forever for the guy. Dame's prime is ticking away quickly. And.... if AD's injury is serious enough to open a window of opportunity, you've GOT to take it. Even injured, a package with CJ, Nurk, and picks would bring a nice return, perhaps enough to make a push for a title this year or next.
