IMHO, the back-up PG to get who is available, buried on the line-up ... Payton Pritchard. Handles, passing, shooting, grit. They keep bringing guys with talent and bigger contracts to the Celtics and won't stick with PP as the back-up.
Pritchard is a a fantastic shooter, but i don't see the facilitator that Mays is. I think Mays is a diamond in the rough.
They should sign Mays now with team options like they did for Watford. He seems like a terrific stabilizing force.
Strengths: PnR play, 3 point shooting, defense, strength and weight, IQ and leadership—all things you’d want from a quality backup PG. Weaknesses: Shot and space creation, first step, ‘advanced’ passing and vision, role questions, gambling and positioning—concerns only if you expected this guy to be a star. Not to mention he’s gotten considerably better at some of these things. All in all, a very good option at PG. On a 3 year deal, I could see him becoming a top tier backup PG minus the $10m pricetag.
I’ve become a big fan. He just seems in control at all times. Makes the right pass. Just as good a passer with his left as his right and gets into his man defensively. I think he could be a legit PG option coming off the bench.
I’m also intrigued by Minaya. Looks like he could have a future as a 3 and D guy. Reminds me a little of James Johnson but left handed centric. The other two, Jeenathon and Shaq are a hard Meh.
I like the two-way signing of Mays. He played good at the end of last season. This surely means Brogdon will be traded soon, right?
https://www.blazersedge.com/platfor...gency-news-two-way-contract-woj-atlanta-hawks Mays, 26, played in Portland’s final six games of last season on a 10-day contract. In those appearances, all starts, Mays averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 46.2% on 3-pointers. As Portland was doing its best to boost draft lottery odds by resting players, Mays got the lion’s share of the minutes at point guard and performed well, despite Portland finishing 1-5. The Blazers signing Mays locks up their third and final two-way contract allowed on the roster. Portland signed center Ibou Badji and forward John Butler Jr. to two-way contracts earlier this off-season. Prior to Mays mini-breakout with Portland last season, the 6-foot-4 point guard appeared in 61 games over two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 3.3 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.8 assists in 8.0 minutes per game. Atlanta selected Mays out of Louisiana State University with the No. 50 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Dame out, Jrue in Jrue out, Keon out Blazers need another ball handler. I liked what Skylar brought during the final month of losing for Scoot. He seemed to flourish in the Scott Brooks offense. Blazers shuffled combo guards Ant & Keon into rotations. They had Josh Hart run point. Winslow can dribble, hey Justise... you got point. When Lillard had to sit, the team looked a little funky without an experienced reserve PG. Skylar's good numbers were not an anomaly. Getting Mays back on the team is a smart move. The NBA can throw an occasional curve ball. Skylar can start at PG no problem.
the Blazers radio gossip shows will say anything to dispell the idea Blazers should have had a legit backup PG before the season started. - speculative radio transcript [ 1st bald guy, "Anfernee did amazing as backup PG" 2nd bald guy, "bro... Ant turned into a ballhog and ran Simons only offense." 3rd bald guy, "Skylar looked really good at point." 1st bald guy, "Someone told me Skylar was undercutting Coach Billups after a game." All 3 bald guys, "He's done, he's cooked, he'll never play in the NBA again. Let's read some Ant stats and not talk about defense." ]
