Pop recently said he'll only trade Kawhi to the eastern conf....won't send him to a conference foe in the west..
Define go to player. I seriously doubt that Zach Collins will ever be the #1 option on a playoff team, or even the #2 option on a contender - on offense. Where he can add the most value is as a lock down defender who is also a solid #3 option on the offensive end. To me, 20-year old Zach Collins is to defense what 20-year old Zach Randolph was to offense. As a 20-year old rookie, Zach C. showed impressive defensive instincts, the same way Zach Randolph came into the league with an innate natural ability to score the basketball. As a 20-year old rookie, Zach Randolph barely played because he was a huge liability on defense (he also had a far better veteran playing ahead of him). It was during his second season that the 21-year old Randolph became a valuable scorer off the bench (averaging comparable minutes as a 21-year old second year player to what Collins averaged as a 20-year old rookie). It wasn't until the Dallas series at the end of his second season that Zach R. broke out and earned a starting role in his 3rd season at the age of 22. As the season progressed, Collins earned a bigger role and more minutes, but it wasn't because of his scoring. It's pretty rare to throw a 20-year old rookie out there and not have them get totally abused on defense against established NBA players. Before Randolph became a stater, he had to show his offensive ability more than negated his defensive liability. Collins is in a similar situation at a similar age, only it's his offense that needs to catch up with his defense. I think this is why the announcers and fans get overly excited when Collins makes a great move and actually makes the shot. They see that the potential is there to be a solid, reliable scorer, but the consistency is lacking. I may be underestimating him, but I don't see Zach Collins ever averaging 20 ppg in the NBA (well, unless he is the #1 option on a 22-win lottery team - be careful what you wish for), but if he can be a guy that averages 15 - 17 ppg with lock down defense at the 4-spot, I will be thrilled. I think that's his upside, and I'm totally fine with that. BNM
He should, but he will not with Stotts as coach... He's going to be sitting on the 3pt line all summer shooting jumpers. Just watch.
Trading the one 2-way player on the team who happens to be at the beginning of a rookie contract would certainly be..... peculiar. BTW, if his trade value is "older veteran", then sweet, I've got an older vet in ET, and I'd like to trade him for a young Zach Collins-type player, i.e. anyone taken in the top 14 of the 2017 draft.
Didn’t Olshey say that every trade conversation before the deadline ended up with the other teams asking for Collins? I think his value to OTHER teams is probably equal to where we drafted him, a top 10 pick. His value to OUR team, in our current situation, is higher than that imo. Which probably explains why Olshey never entertained deals for him. I think the plan for him is to develop into the starting 4 once Aminu’s contract is up and a small ball 5 in playoff situations. Although in two years I wouldn’t be suprised if he’s the size of the average center in today’s NBA with the ability to play 4/5 to suit the teams needs. Which goes back to why his value to us is probably higher than to other teams.
Lol most the time I think it’s BS but in this case it only makes sense teams all ask about Collins if Dame and CJ are off the table.
Don't you think that would play a factor though? If other rookies came into the league more polished due to more college playing time? Wouldn't that also suggest that those rookies would then have less of a ceiling growth, because they ARE more polished?
yeah I'm too lazy to find the link but according to the article he's never believed in trading talent within his conference...
I wouldn't say its huge, but I would think its more than just a slight. I would say its a legit factor though that would make it tougher to evaluate his true value.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...opovich-rule-is-not-to-help-teams-like-lakers there are many articles....this is the first one that popped up..it's not the one I read yesterday
You may be right but I think he will be more physical than Dirk. I see him with a good mid range game where he can use his length. But no doubt the 3 game is a big part of Stotts & the Leagues strategy.
Obviously, Olshey found a cross between Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, and Bill Russell, but the question is, will Stotts make Collins into another Channing Frye.
You left out that he was 23rd among rookies in MPG. That may help explain why he wasn't top 10 in any per game stats. You also ignored all advanced defensive stats. He wasn't even expected to play much as a rookie, but earned a larger and larger role, due to his defense, as the season progressed. He wasn't expected to carry a large scoring load, like guys starting and playing big minutes on lottery teams. Just looking at raw per game stats, especially on the offensive end, does not tell the whole story. If you look at the following advanced stats, combined with his age and slow start, and it starts to become more obvious (to most) why he was taken 10th and why it was a solid choice. Among rookies: DRtg 8th (T) DWS 15th (T) DBPM 10th TRB/MP 7th BLK/MP 5th(T) BNM
