Would Jovic have even been drafted in the late first round if his name didn't rhyme with Nicola Jokic?
He seems to be working hard to get back, and for a team that wanted Draymond, Simmons has the potential to be a better version. The problem is, they have had him at PG for too much of his career. He needs to be the screener in pick and roll where he can utilize his talents. Bring him in and let him play center.
Miami needs OKC to accept the 2026 pick unprotected instead of the current protected 2025, then it can happen. It's been reported by national media.
2026 draft is projected to be better than 2024 or 2025. Miami also projects to be very strong next year. So OKC is likely to be happy to simply have the 2026 pick but very unlikely to accept the 2024.
Thanks. Yes one thing I realized after posting is if PDX is getting two FRP from a 3rd team they could try to get 2025 and especially 2027 picks. Then they could use those to have swaps with Miami that will 100% convey. Currently the Blazers picks are encumbered to Chicago so the swaps would be conditional. It would nice to have them be guaranteed, as especially in 2027 Miami could have some declines. I really like the idea of controlling all of Miami picks for 4 years 2027-2030 if they are high lottery picks every year. It could actually give them some desperation the years prior where they do even more win now moves and dig themselves a deeper and deeper hole. If an NBA franchise doesn't develop long term talent they can suddenly find themselves stuck at the bottom of the league. Having no control of their picks could be very upsetting and push to keep them there. I guess the other solution is Bones idea of getting our pick back from Chicago. I would be hesitant to lose much value in getting it back though as if our rebuild gets stalled it might turn into a 2nd and cost us next to nothing.
Totally disagree. Nurk loves playing with anyone who keeps the ball moving. Look at who he's playing with in this game. Dame isn't there. Dame wasn't a part of the 4-game win streak. Nurkic played a key role.
Yeah I wouldn't be shocked if Nurk had a better year next season. Without Dame we're going to have massive shots and points available for Blazers to break out. Nurk could improve some of his numbers. Also his contract would look more valuable being less than a year until it's an expiring contract. I'd still probably rather just have salary space than Nurk such as we get him pushed into a Dame trade. But I'm fine instead keeping him for that upside chance too.
I'm just surprised that that post didn't come out after Game 2 of the Finals. I think many had already guessed it...
Miami made it to the Finals because Herro got hurt. Nobody likes to hear stuff like that, I get it, it's mean. But Herro's unfortunate hand injury allowed Caleb Martin to take over, and his scrappy 2 way play surprised everyone in the Eastern playoffs.
I have long loved the idea of playing Simmons at Center. A slashing center, who can be a secondary ball handler on the break and can defend 1-5? That sounds awesome IF he has at least 3 shooters around him.
I remember Jovic being compared to Hedo Turkoglu. I’d take that honestly.We need more obviously but I think he has a lot of potential.
A lot of Dame's adamant loyalty (and saying others should have it) is going to come back to bite him. But on one-hand I get it, I wasn't the same person 10 years ago that I am now. Things do change. But the optics look very bad for him. And we better get a haul!
Yeah just a week ago I was adamant with my son that you NEVER trade Lillard unless he demands it. He complained that we should build around Sharpe and Scoot and trade Dame for a huge haul and that strategically I was making a huge mistake. I then pointed out Lillard being a Unicorn of loyalty and awesomeness and how I'd never trade him, unless he forced the issue. The minute Lillard demanded a trade, I became all business. Now it's all about getting the MAXIMUM return for Lillard. Sure send him to a contender like BKN with Mikal Bridges and they can keep Claxton and we just get even more delicious 1st round picks. Lillard has a real shot in the east with Bridges and Claxton of at least getting to the Finals. I'm totally fine with Miami getting Lillard, but they must pay maximum pain like Sharpe's Triumph outlined above. All this stuff sadly feels just a tad painful. The Cynic in me says it was branding the Loyalty stuff and getting a huge check. Then I think about how he could have left years ago, but didn't. I'm still coming to grips with this, he's my all time favorite player.