We are all pining for a weak side shot blocker that can rebound and hit threes. Equally for a bench scorer that doesn’t throw soup or abuse women. We are high on truly turning a corner. I think that Whitmore and Smith Jr. acutely address these needs. We simply need to wait. JJJ would be awesome BUT he is only a 34 % on the 3 ball and is a great interior defender. JJJ is not a great rebounder. We know it is going to be Alpi inside. Jabari may not be a superstar but I think the outcome of 37% on the 3 ball while being able to switch defensively and rebound well seems likely. Whitmore is a skilled ball handler who is obviously going to knock down shots and get to the rim. He is just 40-70 games away. I think as those two take their next steps, they really fill these holes well. Can’t imagine the wait is long.
Honestly people need to remember Landale is returning from an injury. He's only going to get better. Unless we can get an obvious better backup with Oladipo & Landale's salaries. There's nothing we need to do atm. The young kids need to get better & the older players are great.
We need our shooting to stay consistent, to trade for a backup C like a Nick Richards, and for Reggie Bullock to play up to his standards.
Haven't forgotten Landale is coming off of injury, but I can't be sure he is going to be the guy for us that the Suns got last year, either. Even at his best, he isn't a shot blocker, lockdown defender. If we had serious championship aspirations, he'd need upgrading or showing something real quick... This season I think we can wait and see what he's got.
I think we have a super strong core now, with great young talent, gritty vets, a top coach. But we can probably tinker and upgrade the bench a bit, by trading Oladipo's contract, perhaps Landale, Bullock and some picks. I'd like a tall, strong defensive center and some more clutch three-point shooting, someone like Seth Curry or so. The nice thing is, with our new culture and promising young core, players should actually want to come here - not like when we had Silas/KPJ.
Well, he is out for the year, and with an injury that severe at that age, we don't know if he'll ever be the same as before.
I'm pretty sure Landale is going to be better than what he has shown so far, but if he's not it's going to be a problem. They need more from him or they'll find it in a trade somewhere.
Yes, this team is too small. Couple tall guys in Jock and JJJ, but both are weak and can’t rebound. JJJ was being manhandled by Aaron Gordon last night. We need Capela and he said he wants to come back to Houston. Get er done Udoka!!!
Nah, I actually think Evan Mobley and Jalen Green are equal value prospects. They just both bring different skillsets at different positions. I am happy with Green and root for him to our franchise player. It depends what you value, a 7 footer who can defend everywhere and a rim runner/lob threat or an uber athletic shot creating guard who is improving his defense. It's a bulbasuar vs charmander type of discussion.