With Smith and Harrell healthy and DMo making his way back, I think it's pretty clear that Jones is going to be gone soon. How soon depends on how quickly Dwight is back. Once Dwight is back, Jones is totally and completely expendable.
I don't think Jones is getting traded unless we get another PF that we know we can throw out there. Right now we have Capela and Howard and Jones and Smith. I don't see us giving Harrell playing time while trying to get a higher seed. As for Dmo, his progress is moving way too slow. Think about how he looked when he first came back. He's not going to get healthy and start playing regular minutes before the trade deadline, so we're not going to risk depleting the front court again by trading Jones.
I think Harrell brings more to the team than Jones does right now and even though he came back rusty, DMo was outplaying him as well. Jones is the 4th best PF (not including Capela because he's really a center) on a team that likes to go small sometimes.....is there any more irrelevant and expendable player than that? I know the Harrell comment might sound controversial to some right now, but we've already won one game by benching Jones for Harrell so it shouldn't seem like that radical a statement. The argument could be made that he was needed for depth back before Josh Smith returned, but now he's just an expendable asset that is about to become a free agent and leave with no return. It's better to get something for a guy like that even if he's not worth much.
I think our starting lineup is fine. Keep it at Bev, Harden, Ariza, Jones/DMo and Howard. What I think would improve our team the most is depth. The problem we are running into is that Ariza and Harden are both having to play big minutes. If we could make a trade for Lou Williams for maybe a 2nd rounder and/or Dekker, we get our bench scorer who is consistent and can create his own shot. Our 2nd unit would be Lawson, Lou, Brewer, Smith and Capela. That is a pretty sick second unit. Would also really compliment Lawson's game as well. This would give Harden and Ariza some rest and really help both of their defenses along with, IMO, having less scoring droughts overall.
Hou out: Terrance Jones, Sam Dekker, KJ McDaniels Hou in: Markieff Morris, Jon Leuer, (possibly Cavs 2016 first round pick) Phx out: Markieff Morris, Jon Leuer, (possibly Cavs 2016 first round pick) Phx in: Terrance Jones, Sam Dekker, KJ McDaniels We get Markieff, but I also really like Leuer. Shooting 41% from 3 in 20 minutes a game for phoenix. Has had DRB% of 22.4, 21.7, and 25.6 over the last three seasons. Basic stats are 9 points and 5.5 rebounds a game, 16 and 9 per 36. And he's on a cheap contract for this season and the next. Not really high on Dekker and McDaniels (mostly McDaniels) so I would take this trade even without the Cavs pick, but I'm sure some will disagree. The biggest issue I see is how you dole out the PF minutes with Markieff, Leuer, Smith, and Dmo.
You all talk about bradley or smart. But i think theres a much cheaper option obtainable who will fit perfectly next to Harden. Langston Galloway. Eitger now in a trade on in fa this summer.
After having thought about this for a little while, I disagree with my trade. I would take Markieff off and keep Dekker and McDaniels. Houston would take back Leuer and either Goodwin or the Cavs pick+Ronnie Price while sending Jones. Hou in: Leuer, Goodwin/Cavs pick+Ronnie Price Hou out: Jones
DMo hasn't looked the same... he had a good game or 2, but he hasn't looked anything like he did last year. I wonder if this injury's more serious than what we're being told. I hope not. If DMo can't get back to where he was, then is Jones still expendable? I'm not a Jones fan. Can't play defense, can't rebound. Although he's shooting better this year from the 3, still an ugly shot. So glad we got Smoove back. Great passer and defender.
I think it may be wise to keep Jones over Dmo, or trade both a get another PF. Right now we have 3 players who are at high risk to injury and re-injury in Howard, Bev and Motie. Hell most would consider a healthy Dmo a starter right? So that's 3 starters. That's a problem, at least Bev is locked in at a fair deal, but giving both Dmo and Howard big money this off season would be really risky. IMO, cash in on both Jones, Dmo + whatever other assets we have for a legitimate starting 4 who can stay healthy.
Actually I've been considering Galloway. He's got a great (ORB + STL)/TO ration, a great A/TO ration, and he's a good, high volume 3-point shooter. Not sold on his D however. I'd really like to acquire a young, up-and-coming 2-way player either at the 1 or 3 spot, now before the summer, while simultaneously getting rid of Bev (if we get a good, young 1) and/or one or both of Ariza/Brewer (if we get a good, young, stud 3).
I'm not sold that Avery Bradley is as good as Pat Beverley, although it's close. He plays a lot more minutes so his volume stats look better, but % wise I'd take Bev as a 3pt shooter. Bradley is a sick defender, though. However, trading bigs for him 1) won't happen because Boston has a zillion bigs already and 2) it is redundant for us since we are already OK in the backcourt. Barring a major upgrade at either the 3 or 4 I don't see what major moves are needed. I am a fan of Langston Galloway, as he can play a Beverley type role at the 1 and play solid SG minutes. I just don't know why NY would get rid of him but then again they are the Knicks.
He has a very big wingspan and high motor. And he's only a sophomore basically a little more than a rookie(with what was he first half year). I'm not sure what you mean by young stud but Bev and Brewer are not enough value for a young stud. esp at the 3 position. I think the teams that would be interested in Beverley are very few. One of them is my other team and the best offer I would make is Ennis and a mid second. And not even sure if the team itself would make that offer. Oh another team interested in Bev should be NY. Perhaps Bev for Galloway and some other small asset. Not sure if O'Quinn is still in the doghouse but if he is then maybe him. That's basically it. Don't see others interested in Bev. I said NY because he would fit in the triangle and Grant is very much far away from ready to replace Calderon and they won't be able to sign a good pg most likely. (Not Conley, not Clarkson. Perhaps Lawson or Jennings?). If they get Jennings then we can write them off too of the Bev potential buyers. (I think BKN will sign Lawson next summer.) I'm with you. Bradley is not a great fit. If we get him the problem with another ballhandler and creator will remain. And he's not a good 3pnt shooter. He's a good fit not a great one. They won't get rid of Galloway. They will need compensation. But the compensation that it will require is MUCH less than Bradley or Smart. For example two high seconds or Jones expiring. Plus the Knicks will have to resign to at least 15 per possibly more Afflalo esp after the favour he did them by taking a one year contract, and probably Derrick Williams too after he opts out. If I'm not mistaken I think that Galloway is entering RFA with only two year experience which makes his next contract very cheap.
The question is what can some sort of combination of Jones, Brewer, Dekker, Lawson,KJ get you? I think the main thing for Morey is flexibility....weather we have a shot or not Durant is the target so he will have that in the back of his head. Its obvious what our needs are in order: 1:Athletic 3 who has playmaking ability, and is a + defender (Batum is perfect) 2.Defensive 4 who will space the floor ( you can argue we can make due with josh) 3. A defensive specialist at the 1 That being said Batum has to be at the top of our wishlist, but i just dont think we have enough assets to pry him away unless a third team was included. PFs: Ryan Anderson, Teletovic, Horford, ellyisova PGs: jennings, Hill, Vazquez,Cole,Price SF/SG: Galo, Batum, Deng,Covington
So you're saying trade or just let jones and dmo walk to get Horford this summer? That might be one of Morey's option. As far as Howard is concern, that we won't know if he opts out this summer.
