thecampster

I have been very unimpressed with Bufkin thus far. Game is really fast for him right now. Issues I've seen. Missing movement from his players (dump overs, cuts). Dribbling into zone doubles, causing turnovers. Being loose with the basketball, especially during play set up. Slow to help on defense. Plays developing before he's ready to dig down, drop off. Always chasing his man, not aware of where his man is floating to (off ball).

He's been doing things defensively that I like and I'm not worried about the offense. What he's being asked to do in summer league on offense is not what he'll be asked to do in November, but the team refocus to being able to defend 1 position up and down is something he's obviously working on. On the "highest ceiling" thing. Number 1 thing you have to do to be considered like that is be able to draw fouls, get easy points at the line. I don't see AJ being able to generate offense when the shot isn't falling. He isn't taking anyone off the dribble, making the defense move. Remember his early success if partially due to teams forcing him to make shots before focusing too much on him on offense. His second half struggles was a mixture of tighter D and leg fatigue late in the season. But in order for me to go team AJ for "highest ceiling", I'm going to have to see him be able to generate his own looks and draw fouls.

I think there's a misconception that when we report on things that we're advocating for those things. Those are 2 separate buckets. To those asking about KAT, I'm more skeptical than the other guys on if it gets done, especially after the acquisition of Mills. We have certain pieces that can't be moved in the deal so I'm not sure how it would work financially and I'm not being pushed info now (I believe what I was given was to drive opinion). So its a matter of having puzzle pieces to make things fit. I knew (as previously stated) the Houston acquisition was going to be packaged out (them or others), I just didn't know who.

I'm coming up with a formula. One that balances against their 2 different positions. I'm thinking 5 years from now, the bet is one of us has to go 3 months with the other's butt as their avatar.

basis of comparison?

Move Gueye down to the 4. He's a 4 despite his weight. If I have to bet, Martin doesn't stick (just my gut), Vit ends up traded one way or another.

Hmmm...wondering how we could make a long term bet (say 5 years) that JJ ends up better than either.

You'll pretty much know how things have panned out on the trade front with whatever decision is made about Bruno in the next 36 hours. If signed, it means we're clearing roster spots, if not, it means we couldn't bundle assets.

First impression from summer league (IMHO), Gueye is going to be fun to watch, wasn't impressed with Bufkin at all (game too fast for him right now). We aren't done, I just know we acquired those 2 from Houston to replace roster spots we were thinking about trading out. With them gone, I'm head scratching. Not a ton left in free agency. Not sure who we could be trading for.

Lets break that down. Out Collins trade, Out Houston Trade - 1 Out OKC trade - 1 2nd round pick, Garuba, Gay, Washington. In Collins trade - 2nd round pick, Gay In Houston Trade - Garuba, Washington, 2nd round pick In OKC Trade Patty Mills. Net 1 2nd round pick + Mills. Pre trades, no TPE, no MLE. 25.2 mil salary. Post trades, TPE, MLE, 6.8 mil salary, 2nd round pick. Basically they turned Collins into a draft Pick, Patty Mills and as much as 38 million in trade/signing room.

Running low on assets now. Might be, but no way Hunter and Capela wouldn't both be in the deal now. I'm moving this from likely to questionable. If they are, they're going to have to use the TPE to back fill roster spots after. Kat coming here would be a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 exchange. But considering the narrative is now, they flipped Collins and 1 2nd round pick to acquire Patty Mills, a 25 mil TPE and cap flexibility, that's a much better narrative.

Game recording tonight (@10:30)....one of you jokers ruin it for me with posts I'm going to be ticked.

I hate when people only hear what they want to hear. There are tons of teams that would love Gobert on the roster. What there is not, is a plethora of teams who a) want Gobert at $41 million or 2) have the space for Gobert at $41 million. 3) would give Minny back anything close to what Minny gave up to get him. If we could flip Cap + Gay and $15 million in players worth of cap space for Gobert, we'd do it...no questions asked but Minnesota can't give Gobert away when they sold the ranch to get him. The T-Wolves gave up the following in the Gobert deal • Walker Kessler (No. 22 pick in 2022 Draft)• 2023 first-round pick• 2025 first-round pick• 2026 pick swap• 2027 first-round pick• 2029 first-round pick That's 5 out of 8 first round picks and a pick swap. If they turn around the following year and trade him for peanuts, they'd get roasted. Its not people don't want him or they wouldn't trade him...its that there is no way to swing it. They are now ride or die with him because they did a dumb. see below

Watching him, listening to him, I'm more inclined to take barber advice from Reggie Bullock than listen to this guy's views on the NBA.

Good news is you only objected to Billy Ocean.

Everyone has a right to their opinion, but not every opinion is right. Some are downright foolish and embarrassing (see flat earthers, proponents of the pull out method and those that think Billy Ocean was a generational talent).

Not necessarily. I was simply comparing them because someone said deal JJ before AJ. They bring different value but upside is on JJ's side. To that there is no doubt.

Yah, don't take anything I say on AJ as a knock. He's going to have a good career, but JJ's extremely young and has skills you can't teach. That makes him valuable. An improved 3 point stroke makes him a terrifying cover for most 4's. I see a world where JJ is pump faking at the 3 point line to get his man in the air, blows by him to attack the basket for an and 1. JJ is Toppin with handles and vision. He's just not done baking yet.

JJ steps in passing lanes. JJ runs out on the break even if he isn't the first one out (big criticism of mine on JC, lagging on plays when the break starts and he isn't first out). JJ challenges shots on the perimeter, blocks shots, gets deflections, bodies up a man before he can drive. He has way more active feet than JC. All of that will improve greatly with more weight. Trae knows they will get more transition opportunities this year. More secondary passing (both Bey and JJ). JJ can and does create his own offense, this alone will draw more doubles off Trae. Also pretty sure Trae has a chip on his shoulder being left off the national team.

JJ's limitations skinnier than you'd like from a 4 inconsistent outside shooting plays like he's in NBA2k22 (risk taking). AJ's limitations height lateral speed (defense) lack of burst (offense) JJ's can be coached, AJ's limitation are all DNA. That said, I like both. You need each on a team...1 sniper and 1 game changer. Passivity (JJ plays a bit scared occasionally) Athleticism - there is no comparison. JJ is a far superior athlete.

You'll come around on Jalen. His ceiling is extremely high.

So that bit in the tweet is a face saving move by the poster. He knows it was junk so he's giving himself a way out with the Siakam wouldn't resign in Atlanta. Players don't turn down max/near max offers on what would a top 4 team.

Remember Bogi isn't available for trade til September and the 2 draftees have a waiting period as well after signing their new contracts. The team likes Jalen so any inclusion of him in a deal is considered a premium. What he brings at his salary high value.

Truth is pain, but its always good!

I might be the biggest Trae Stan on the board!!!