Not counting the stomach bug games and Portland, I've been loving Cam Whitmore's play since he's been back. I'd put Whitmore's value around 2 not great, not bad FRPs. I don't think Ivey is worth 3 or more FRPs. I may be a little too high on Cam, but I think he's around 10th best in his draft class so far (i.e., on a path better than a typical FRP).
I am so up and down on Cam. Some games he looks like he's making a huge effort to improve on his weaknesses, some games he just looks like he's sulking out there and only wants to play his own way. With his tools and natural talent, he could become the perfect 6th man for this team, perhaps even the eventual starting small forward if Amen ends up being the point guard in the long run. But I just don't know how to read his personality and mindset. Dude is all over the place in that regard. As far as Ivey goes, I think him and Cam have similar ceilings as scorers, but Ivey also brings some real playmaking ability into the conversation. So I do think his value is at least +1 FRP over Cam's right now, especially when you consider the excellent season he was having before he broke his leg.
Ch44 and Cyberx are the only insiders on clutchfans. Besides, cam is still better than Jalen. Only trade cam if it’s for a star.
I would only trade Cam as part of a package for a Fox or Booker level player. He’s shown a lot in sporadic minutes for such a young player. Much rather keep him then flip him for Ausar.
Ivey is a better plamaker than Cam and has been a better 3 point shooter than Cam. Cam is a much better on ball defender. The last 16-17 games, Cam has made a huge leap off ball defending, switching Cam provides more rim pressure. Cam is the better rebounder (mostly defensive as Ivey is good for a guard at crashing the offensive glass) Without taking the 2.5 years age difference into account, Cam's defense and rebounding cancels out the playmaking, IMO, as Ivey is still turnover prone. I can see why some would like Ivey better currently even though I don't. I could be wrong, but I think some time within the next 2.5 years, the opinion that Ivey is worth at least + 1 FRP more than Cam is going to look like a really bad take.
I'd rather have Ausar. It is more likely that he developes as an above average offensive player and all-defensive team candidate than Cam elevates his defense to anything near what Ausar brings. Cam can be a dynamite scorer and decent defensive player, but the odds are less in my opinion.
So of the player targets mentioned in this thread: Ausar - I’d be shocked if he was available Coby White - very good player that would fit in great here, but not a star. I’d want more, but would probably have to think about this one; I really like Coby White. Ivey - I like him but the spacing questions would persist, coming off major injury, and his rookie scale contract is ending. So we’d be trading for the right to pay him a lot of money. As far as Cam, I agree with DD that he’s our best scorer off the bench and has all star potential. I think he’s still our youngest player. I’d only trade him for a star. However, I don’t know how his attitude is, if there have been negative things behind the scenes, how he is with his teammates, is he gonna be cool with his role, etc. if he’s not gonna get with the program I always think it’s better to move off a guy than wait till things get really toxic, tanking his value and you move him at less than the return you should be getting. I doubt we are there, but I just don’t know; none of us do. I’m gonna assume that if Cam gets moved it was because things were becoming bad behind the scenes…but I expect a big return for Cam; mid-high lotto value. hope we keep him but hope we are decisive and get max value if there’s a problem behind the scenes.
Cam's defense has improved, but is still inconsistent. Again, it's the mindset/personality thing. He could be a much better defender than Ivey, if he tries and buys in on Ime's coaching the way he sometimes seems to be doing. He just gives off these vibes like you're not if sure he wants to be here and do what he's being asked. I think that's why he fell so far in the draft. With Ivey, I don't know how to truly read his defense either. That Detroit team has been such a mess for so long until very recently. He never really had a coach like Udoka to push him on that end. It's true his physical tools aren't as strong as Cam's. @Aruba77 Worth noting that Ivey was hitting 41% of his threes on 5+ attempts per game before he broke his leg (30 game sample size). Might have turned the corner as a shooter.
I think the league knows Cam is about to become a breakout star. You can see it when he’s on the court. After his debacle with Ime earlier in the season, Cam is playing some serious ball. That might have lit a fire under his rear. At this point I’m still on the fence of who will eventually be better Green or Cam. Because Cam plays ferocious like he’s in beast mode. And on the other hand, Green makes the game look so easy when he’s hitting on all cylinders. There is a real possibility that either of Green and Cam have the talent to be all-nba first team players. Hence if someone is calling for Cam, perhaps a good will gesture move for the betterment of the NBA. As Cam would instantly get 32-34 minutes a game. But said team needs to provide a package that they feel the pain of what they are giving up, because Cam is ready to unleash upon the NBA.
Wouldn't mind trading Cam. His most likely outcome is a 6th man spark that ends up disgruntled because he thinks he should be the star of the team or the leading scorer of a team that can't seem to get past 7th seed.
They are greedy for Whitmore. Stone should draw the line in the sand. There is no reason to trade him anymore, unless he is a cancer.
